Paying bills online is quick, easy and cheap -- or even free. And it can be a huge help in avoiding late fees and the all-too-frequent corresponding jump in interest rates. But it's not without its problems and the choices you make can impact your financial life. Here, we'll spotlight how to get started and take a look at some of your choices -- and pop a quiz on you to see if you're ready to handle things this way. And when it comes to computing one of your biggest bills of the year -- to the IRS -- we focus on your web-based options for income tax filings.

Are you ready for electronic bill payment? -- Should you keep on using stamps and mail to pay your bills, or try the new electronic alternatives? Take our quiz to find out.

Go virtual -- Paperless billing services such as Paytrust and StatusFactory can be a boon to people who have trouble organizing paperwork.

Paying bills online -- Just getting started in paying your bills online? Follow this advice for a smooth trip.

3 ways to pay online -- The best way to pay bills online depends on you. But paying directly to billers via credit cards is king in the online world.

Coming soon: Penalties for mail bill paying -- Reluctant to try electronic bill-paying? You may think twice when creditors start assessing penalties for snail-mailed checks.

Online tax preparation: Easy, but is it secure? -- You no longer have to buy or download software to file electronically. But exactly where in cyberspace is your tax data?