Post dated checks may seem like a good idea for paying bills, but they can often result in more headaches than they are worth. In some cases, you can post date a check by a few days that you can be certain will not be cashed until then, such as credit card bills that are being mailed across the country. In fact, with some online billing systems, you can schedule a payment to occur in the future, but this will not spare you from late fees and penalties.

The Dangers of Post Dated Checks

Though the date on the check may be in a week or two, some bank tellers will disregard the date and cash the check anyway. Some bills explicitly tell their customers not to send post dated checks because they will be cashed immediately upon receipt. While this is not a problem if your checking account has a sufficient balance at all times, you will be responsible for fees from your bank if you overdraw your account.

If you have borrowed money from friend or relative, or have an established relationship with a local vendor or even your landlord, you may be able to work out an understanding that the check will not be cashed before a certain date. However, before you try and send your credit card company a post dated check, you should consider the potential trade offs involved. There is the chance that it will work and that you will not incur any fees, but there is also the possibility that you will incur charges from your bank.

Depending on the amount of the bill, the finance charges from the credit card may be less than the charges from your bank. As an alternative to using post dated checks, you can also try to get a cash advance from your employer, which will give you your pay earlier and allow you to take care of your expenses. If your employer is inflexible, you might want to consider applying for a payday loan that will provide you with immediate funds that are due back, with interest, on your next payday.