The client who paid me in partial installments for 8 months

I had this one guy in Austin who would send me $50 every other week like clockwork for a $1200 fence job I finished in 2023. He'd always include a sticky note saying "here's another little chunk" which made it feel less like a payment and more like a weird pen pal situation. Has anyone else had a client who paid so slowly it almost became charming?

3 comments

3 Comments

kai_ramirez382d agoMost Upvoted

Here's another little chunk" that's actually kinda sweet haha. I used to think slow payments were annoying but now I sort of get the charm of getting a random $50 check with a personal note every now and then.

adam4142d ago

People don't talk about how slow payments force you to actually enjoy the anticipation, not just the money itself. Getting a check out of the blue with a handwritten note feels way more personal than a Venmo notification that disappears in two seconds. Your mileage may vary, but I've noticed those slow payments make you appreciate the relationship behind it more than just the transaction. There's something almost old-fashioned about it that hits different than instant transfers.

the_betty2d ago

That "here's another little chunk" guy would drive me nuts but you gotta appreciate the consistency. I had a client do something similar with $100 payments for 14 months. What I learned is you set up a separate envelope or folder for those checks. Keep a simple spreadsheet with dates and amounts so you're not guessing what's left. Take a photo of every sticky note too. That way if they stop paying for 3 months and then send another "little chunk" you can track it all without resenting the process. It made me feel less crazy about the whole thing.