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I’ve been fairly responsible lately with my credit card, perhaps owing to my monthly-long credit card ban in April. But last month I slipped up and forgot to pay my bill on time. I paid three days late, incurring a $12.15 interest charge. Blast!

Normally, I would call my credit card company and politely ask that they remove the charge, seeing how I am a loyal customer who pays in full. But I didn’t because I truly forgot to pay my bill.

Instead of automatically paying each month, I get two reminders to review my bill online, then pay via bank transfer. My first reminder comes about three weeks before the due date and I usually ignore it because the due date is sooo far away.

The second reminder is a note that pops up in my online Google calender about five days before the bill is paid. When I get this I log in, review the charges, and set a transfer from my bank to pay in full two days before it is due. If anything is amiss, I can contest without paying.

Last month, however, my second reminder popped up on a weekend, when I rarely check my online calender. My credit card due date sailed by before I remembered. I hate to pay the $12.15, but think it is fair. I’m more worried about how a late payment will affect my credit history so I’m considering putting my credit card on auto-pay. What do you think?