My Mistake Cost Me: Late Car Payments & Husband's Anger

[wadesgirl]

I'm sad!! I just went to make my car payment and realized while this whole time (1 1/2 years!) I thought my payment was due the 10th of the month! I just discovered today it was due the 9th! Do you know how many payments I've made late because of this?! SEVERAL!! This makes me so upset, my husband is going to be pissed when he hears about this. Do you know why I made this mistake? Because my last car payment was due the 10th of the month, my mind automatically thought it was still the 10th!! Had to share with someone.

 

[cookscorner]

Hugs! You usually get a few days grace (to give the check time to get there). It typically has to be 30 days late to effect your credit score. Check with the bank/company to see what their policy is. It might be okay.

 

[Cathy pclady]

I know what you mean... I have a Life insurance payment that was always taken out on the 25th... resigned paperwork to increase coverage and they changed it to the 23rd (???) why..... had a bit of a problem with remembering the new date so I now make sure the $$ is in the account on the 20th... never had a problem with late charges/credit etc but I double check all of my due dates now. Hope everything works out for you...

 

[yankfan24]

I'd also check with the bank/car place to see if you could get it changed even that one day. We did that once with ours because of pay dates and a change in jobs.

 

[tinawhite07]

Don't worry, your credit wont be affected. You have to be 30 days late....you are fine!

 

[winklermom]

Have late fees been accruing all of this time? I would think the bank would have informed you if that had been the case. If not, I'm with the others, there shouldn't be anything to really worry about. I know how you feel, though. <<<HUGS>>>

 

[heather223]

I agree- usually there is a grace period and I know for sure it has to be 30 days late to change your credit score. I would call and see if you can change it to the 10th.

 

[wadesgirl]

Thanks for making me feel better! Only once was it more than a day late and I'm going to call them to see if I can get that changed and check on their policies!

 

[pampchefsarah]

Our car payment is 'due' on the 2nd of the month, but we really have until the 9th. This is a local bank, so it's really just a matter of walking into the branch in our town anytime during those 7 days, instead of worrying about a check. If we are late though (yes, it's happened), the late fee is so tiny, it amounts to about $6 - which they don't charge until the next payment. I love my bank!!

 

[pcsharon1]

I'm always a day or so late on our car payment. We've never been charged or even gotten a warning.

 

[Dotty]

Also, some banks will work with you on changing the due date if a particular date is better (ie getting paid on the 1st or 15th of the month). There will probably be a slight adjustment on the first payment to take care of any interest owed but after that there would be no difference.