In a postage meter capable of making a request to refill automatically when postage funds drop below a threshold value, date-based rules are used to disable the refilling request if the request is made before an idle period. In order to avoid having unused funds sit unused during the idle period, thereby losing the time-value of money, refilling request can be made after the end of the idle period instead. The date-based rules can be set by a scheduler implemented in the postage meter. Alternatively, the scheduler is implemented in a funds manager device that oversees the refilling in a group of postage meters in a large mail production facility. Furthermore, the scheduler takes into consideration funds that can be shared by two or more postage meters in the same facility.