The Half Payment Method - Jessi Fearon (2024)

The Half Payment Method - Jessi Fearon (1)

“I don’t live paycheck to paycheck. I live paycheck to four days before paycheck.” –Anonymous

Half payments work incredibly well to help you find financial peace. In fact, half payments are the only reason why my family was able to stop living paycheck to paycheck. The half payment method is where you take a regularly occurring payment, such as a $300 car payment, and divide it in half.

You then set aside that money (half of the total bill) at the beginning of the month, and take the rest out when you send out the payment. This will ensure that you have the full payment ready-to-go come payment due date. To clarify, I am suggesting taking the half payment and setting it aside, not sending it in to your creditor. However, if your creditor accepts half payments made before the due date and paying the money immediately would benefit you, do it.

If that seems confusing, here is a little break down of how it works if you receive a bi-weekly paycheck. (I am still using the $300 car payment example from above):

Paycheck #1: $600

Half payment for car payment: $150

Total left from paycheck #1: $450

Paycheck #2: $600

Half payment for car payment: $150

Total left from paycheck #2: $450

What is the purpose of using this system? What if instead of using half payments, we look at this example of how it usually plays out for most:

Paycheck #1: $600

No half payment

Total left from paycheck #1: $600

Paycheck #2: $600

No half payment

Full car payment: $300

Total left from paycheck #2: $300

Some may think that option #2 seems fine, and essentially, there is nothing wrong with it. The issue with the second option is that you now have lost an additional $150 from paycheck #2. Of course, the argument is that you gain $300 to paycheck #1, but do you really gain that money? What usually happens when there is money just left on the table? It typically becomes absorbed somewhere else in your spending because, subconsciously, the money is still available.

Related Post: 👉How We Paid Off $5,000 of Debt in One Month

If instead, you used half payments, you would manage to have your full car payment every month without having to scrape by at the end of the month. You would end up with more money in your pocket over time and your finances would become easier to manage, lessening your financial stress.

This system will work no matter how often you are paid. If you are paid once a month, consider starting the half payment method by only making quarter payments or small payments every week. Once again, I suggest starting with the smallest fixed bill every month as this is usually an easier place to start and will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed.

The half payment method is exactly how I managed to stop living paycheck to paycheck and how I was able to pull myself out of financial trouble all those years ago. It definitely works, though it can be challenging at first. It will bless you in the end by making managing your money easier.

📈If you need help creating a budget, my favorite free tool (that’s also easy to use) is Personal Capital.

💻If you’re more of a spreadsheets type of person, Tiller is fantastic for setting up and using Google Sheets to manage your money.

✏️And if you’re like me and more of a pen-to-paper type person, head here to see my budget binder tutorial for how I set up and manage our family’s budget for the year.

Make Half Payments

Start using the half payment method for all your regularly occurring payments. Start with your lowest regular payment and divide it in half. Use the half payment method with that payment until you develop the habit. Then start the half payment method with your next lowest regular payment and continue the trend with all your regular payments.

Do you use half payments?

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FAQs

What is the half payment method? ›

With the half-payment method, you split your monthly recurring bills in half. If you're paid on a biweekly schedule, you'll set aside half of the bill's payment so you're ready when the full payment is due.

How to do half payment? ›

The half payment method splits the cost of your fixed bills in two so one paycheck covers one half your expenses and the next paycheck covers the other half. This method is great for budgeters who get paid every other week or twice a month.

Is it better to split bills between paychecks? ›

A biweekly budget allows you to allocate portions of your expenses to each of your paychecks. This can be more effective than a monthly budget when it comes to paying all your bills on time, as well as reaching your savings goals and spending within your means.

How do you split monthly bills? ›

Split all bills 50/50

The easiest way to split your payment responsibilities is to draw a line down the middle; each is responsible for half of the bill payments. It's helpful to create a joint account to pay your bills, and you can contribute an equal amount of money every month to cover the costs.

Can I pay half debit half credit card? ›

Yes, most credit-card point-of-sale systems allow for splitting the purchase between multiple methods of payment.

Can I pay half on card and half on Afterpay? ›

Split tender payments work as they would with any other transaction. Start the transaction and select the amount the customer wishes to pay with Afterpay. They will then tap the Afterpay Card to the card reader to transact. The remaining amount owed can then be paid with the customer's other payment method.

How do you ask a client for half payment? ›

How to Request a Partial, Upfront Payment From Your Clients
  1. Establish Your Fees. Having set fees for your work or services is extremely advantageous. ...
  2. Explain the Scope of the Project to Your Client. ...
  3. Provide Reviews, Testimonials, or Customer Feedback. ...
  4. Get to Work Once You Receive Payment.
Jan 30, 2023

What is the payment method 50 50? ›

A business owner may specify a "50/50" term, which means that a 50% deposit is payable on receipt of an order, and the balance is due on the customer's receipt of the product or service ("50% deposit, balance on delivery").

How do I split payment methods online? ›

When it comes to online shopping, retailers typically won't allow split payments between two credit cards. If you're shopping in person or dining at a restaurant, you're more likely to find merchants who allow it.

What is the 50-30-20 rule? ›

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

What is the smartest way to split your paycheck? ›

This goes back to a popular budgeting rule that's referred to as the 50-30-20 strategy, which means you allocate 50% of your paycheck toward the things you need, 30% toward the things you want and 20% toward savings and investments.

How do you survive biweekly pay? ›

If this is you, consider these five ideas as you budget for your three-paycheck months:
  1. Pay down debt. As you consider how to budget an extra paycheck, start by looking at your debt. ...
  2. Build an emergency fund. ...
  3. Save for a big goal. ...
  4. Get ahead on bills. ...
  5. Fund much-needed rewards.
Feb 15, 2024

What is the 60 20 20 rule? ›

If you have a large amount of debt that you need to pay off, you can modify your percentage-based budget and follow the 60/20/20 rule. Put 60% of your income towards your needs (including debts), 20% towards your wants, and 20% towards your savings.

What is the 70 20 10 rule? ›

The 70-20-10 budget formula divides your after-tax income into three buckets: 70% for living expenses, 20% for savings and debt, and 10% for additional savings and donations. By allocating your available income into these three distinct categories, you can better manage your money on a daily basis.

What is the 75 15 10 rule? ›

What Is the 75 15 10 Rule and How Does It Work? The 75/15/10 rule is a simple way to budget: Use 75% of your income for everyday expenses, 15% for investing and 10% for saving. It's all about creating a balanced and practical plan for your money.

Is partial payment half? ›

Does partial payment mean paying half? Partial payment can mean paying half up-front and half later, but that is not always the case. Other payment terms, including monthly installment plans, revolving lines of credit or payments made at specific project milestones would also be classed as partial payments.

Can I split the payment methods for a single purchase? ›

Most online merchants won't allow you to split your payment. Internet stores may allow you to combine a gift card with a credit card when you make a purchase, but they rarely let customers use two credit cards, or a credit and debit card mix, to do the same.

What is it called when you split a bill in half? ›

Going Dutch(sometimes written with lower-case dutch) is a term that indicates that each person participating in a paid activity covers their own expenses, rather than any one person in the group defraying the cost for the entire group.

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