Getting paid every other week instead of weekly or monthly can make budgeting challenging Thankfully, adopting a bi-weekly bill pay schedule using templates, apps, or printables can get your finances organized Aligning due dates with paydays takes some planning, but the payoff of better cash flow is worth it.
As someone who has received a bi-weekly paycheck for years, I’ve tried many different systems. Read on for tips on how to manage bi-weekly pay, along with reviews of my favorite bill pay templates.
Why Bi-Weekly Bill Pay is Better
Switching to a bi-weekly schedule for paying bills has several advantages:
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Match expenses to income – Since most bills are monthly, bi-weekly aligns better than weekly pay. You can divide monthly bills across two paychecks.
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Avoid late fees – Syncing due dates to align with your pay schedule means fewer late payments and penalties,
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Take advantage of extra paychecks – Getting 26 paychecks per year instead of 24 gives you some extra wiggle room.
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Automate reminders – Many bi-weekly templates include reminders and tracking to prevent forgetting bills.
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Motivate savings – The structured schedule makes it easier to budget a portion of each check for goals.
How to Make a Bi-Weekly Bill Pay Schedule
Follow these steps to organize bills with your pay frequency:
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List monthly and recurring expenses – Tally up all bills, loans, utilities, subscriptions, etc.
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Note due dates – Does the payment fall on the 1st, 15th, end of month, specific date, etc?
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Align with paydays – Match as many due dates as you can to your pay schedule.
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Adjust dates – Contact companies to request adjusted due dates if needed to align. Many are flexible if you ask!
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Automate payments – Set up autopay through your bank or biller’s website.
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Use reminders – Schedule bill pay reminders in your calendar, budget template, or app.
Helpful Bi-Weekly Budget Templates
Templates make it easy to smoothly pay bills every other week. Here are my favorites:
1. Bi-Weekly Budget Binder Printables
- Printable two-page spread for each two week period
- Sections for income, bills, expenses, savings
- Notes section and bill tracker
2. Bi-Weekly Budget Spreadsheet
- Excel spreadsheet with tabs for all 26 pay periods
- Pre-populated formulas calculate totals automatically
- Charts visually summarize spending
3. Bi-Weekly Budget Planner PDF
- Digital planner filled out on device
- Pay period summaries with bill checklist
- Payment log and notes for each period
- Savings tracker
Tip: Use the bill checklist section to note due dates and when you pay each bill. Cross off items as you go to ensure nothing gets missed.
Helpful Tools and Apps
In addition to templates, tools and apps can facilitate bi-weekly bill management:
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Expense tracking apps – Scan or snap photos of receipts to easily track variable spending.
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Money management apps – Aggregate all bank accounts and billers in one place to easily track cash flow.
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Calendar apps – Schedule reminders for bill due dates and paydays.
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Autopay – Set up recurring automatic payments through your bank or biller.
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Notification alerts – Configure payment date reminders via email or text.
Sticking to the System
Once your template is made and system is in place, be sure to diligently maintain it:
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Review the bill tracker regularly and cross off paid items.
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Check for any new subscriptions or monthly expenses to add.
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Adjust payment dates if needed – for example, if a bill falls at an inconvenient time.
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Set reminders for a few days before each due date.
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Build a buffer for flexibility – try to avoid spending every dollar each pay period.
Bi-Weekly Bill Pay Troubleshooting
If you find your bi-weekly system breaking down, try these troubleshooting tips:
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Late payments – Set up autopay or calendar reminders to prevent missed due dates.
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Insufficient funds – See where you can trim variable spending each pay period to cover bills.
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New recurring charges – Carefully review bank and credit card statements to identify any new subscriptions to add to your tracker.
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Forgotten bills – Maintain a master list of regular bills so nothing falls through the cracks.
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Schedule conflicts – Proactively contact companies to adjust due dates that don’t align with your pay schedule.
Sample Bi-Weekly Bill Pay Schedule
To give you an idea of how this works, here is an example two week period with aligned payment dates:
Payday 1 – $2000 net income
- Mortgage – $1000 (1st of the month)
- Electric bill – $150 (budget $75 per paycheck)
- Groceries – $250
- Gas – $60
- Pet supplies – $75
- Leftover – $465 toward next pay period
Payday 2 – $2000 net income
- Car payment – $375 (15th of the month)
- Cable/Internet – $80 (budget $40 per paycheck)
- Cell phone – $90
- Gas – $60
- Dining out – $150
- Clothes shopping – $200
- Leftover – $1045 toward next pay period
As you can see, aligning as many due dates as possible with paydays helps get all your obligations covered! The key is sticking to the plan.
Take Control of Your Bi-Weekly Finances
With some focus and organization, you can make bi-weekly pay work for your budget instead of against it. Spend a little time lining up due dates with your pay schedule using a template, app or printable. Develop good habits around managing your bi-weekly bill payments. You’ll benefit from better cash flow, avoiding late fees, and hopefully growing some savings!
BI-WEEKLY PAYCHECK BUDGET | HOW TO PAY BILLS USING THE SPLIT BILL METHOD
FAQ
How to pay bills on a biweekly paycheck?
You will need to figure out your income and expenses for each month when you make a biweekly budget. This means that bills due in the first two weeks of the month should go to one paycheck and bills due in the last two weeks of the month should go to the other.
What is a biweekly budget template?
This template for a biweekly budget will help you keep track of your money and save for the future. With my biweekly budget, you can achieve the financial stability and freedom you’ve always wanted! 1. Click The Image 2. Download & Print 3. Gather Your Bills & Determine Expenses 4. Get Your Paystubs & Income Details 5.
What does a bi-weekly paycheck mean?
When it comes to budgets, a bi-weekly paycheck means you are being paid every two weeks. This is the standard payment system for a majority of the companies out there. Most workers get paid every two weeks. To save money and plan their spending, they need a good budget every two weeks.
How do I write a biweekly budget?
Writing a biweekly budget is the first step to creating financial stability. It’s important that you set up a plan for each paycheck to make sure your bills get paid. When creating your first biweekly zero-based budget, you’ll want to start by paying your immediate obligations.
How do I make a monthly budget if I receive biweekly paychecks?
There are a couple of ways to make a monthly budget if you receive biweekly paychecks. You can make a budget based on your paycheck, split your costs between two paychecks every two weeks, or stick to a monthly budget. If you decide to budget by paycheck, you will make a new plan every time you get paid and follow it.
Should you create a biweekly budget?
When you are paid on a biweekly basis, it may make sense to create a biweekly budget. A biweekly budget is perfect for those who get paid every other week. You can make sure you don’t miss any payments by planning your budget around your paychecks. Learn how to do this here! What is a biweekly budget? How does it work?
What should I look for in a bi-weekly paycheck?
Look at when your mortgage, utility bills, and credit cards are due. Think about all the monthly expenses you pay out of your account. The goal is for your every-two-weeks paycheck to cover the bills that come up in each 14-day window. Split your expenses up into different categories to help you get this right.
