[brnt]

If you like pull transfers, try the Netherlands. I was surprised at the low number of businesses offering it in France. In the NL, with nearly every recurring payment, including government, they are almost always the only way to pay: setting them up with an accord to direct debit your account.

[jacquesm]

Government payments in the Netherlands can be done in installments using direct payments, but the direct debit ones are the easiest and that is why many people use them. Far less chance of missing a payment. But if you want to do it yourself for every payment you can. Better not miss any though.

[brnt]

_If_ you get your salary on/before the 25th. Because changing the invoice date is almost never possible, and government agencies are even explicit about that.

[jacquesm]

If you live that close to zero you have other problems. I would highly recommend reviewing your finances in great detail to figure out how you are going to create a small buffer.

[brnt]

Or, you know, your employer doesn't pay you the 25th.

But explaining anything outside of the typically Dutch circumstances is an unfortunate part of life for the not typically Dutch in the Netherlands. Its a deeply cultural thing, this extreme hang towards conformation to a defacto 'normal'.

FYI: millions of Dutch have these kinds of problems. Look up the working poor, its a big group there. IMHO all native Dutch should be forced a few weeks internship with a budget council service, there are so many incorrect preconceptions about poverty. Including who it hits, which definitely includes people who thought they could never possibly be hit, did their finances right, etc.

[BlueTemplar]

I do but I still don't like having large changes in my "live" account. So I have an agreement with my landlord that I only pay around the 8th, after all the money came in. (Via programmed to repeat SEPA push, have to remember to change it every spring when the rent increases.)