Money Saving Tips: banking - billeater.com

4 Ways To Help Your Budget

Jessica Bosari — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 01:00:00 +0000

As tough as the economy is these days we all are looking for ways to save money. Something that will help us all get to the end of the month a little bit more intact. When we are not looking to save a little money we are looking to make a couple of dollars wherever we can. I have rediscovered a few ways that might help everyone get over that financial hump a touch easier. The great thing is that most of my suggestions are also environmentally friendly.Read the rest...

7 iPhone Apps for Tracking Your Budget

Jessica Bosari — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Unless you are rolling in the money like Donald Trump or Oprah Winfrey, managing your income and expenses is vital to avoid needless debt and to save for the future. The most valuable tool anyone can use to manage money is a budget. Budgets might not be very interesting, but the money you can save can be very exciting. Before you make excuses that budgeting is too complicated or you do not have time to track your expenses, look at the following seven apps that can make budgeting on the fly easier and more useful than ever.Read the rest...

My 6 Favorite Online Banks

Jessica Bosari — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Many online banks make it easy to manage your money. You can quickly and easily log on to check accounts, make deposits, withdraw funds, transfer funds, pay bills, and anything else you might need to do to manage your finances. Online banking has changed a bit in the last few years as more competitors are popping up. Banks are offering more incentives to join, and offering much more than just your basic checking and savings accounts. My favorite online banks are those that make me feel like a valued customer, make me feel safe and protected financially, and the ones that provide the best incentives, of course.Read the rest...

How to Make Personal Finances Easy

Guest Blogger — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 06:00:00 +0000

If you are reading this, then it is very likely that you have a computer. And if you want to make your personal finances easy, that is all you need. The accounting profession, (after the defense industry, of course) was the first to fully embrace the power of the computer. It made sense. One of the best things that the first computers could do was compute numbers. Accountants had to spend long hours computing numbers and finding an automated way to do it was a godsend. Hundreds of computer accounting programs have been developed since the early days, from simple to complex, and now of course, hundreds more are available for personal accounting.Read the rest...

Online Checking – Fewer Fees and Earn Good Interest Lacks Customer Service

Jessica Bosari — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:17:47 +0000

Online checking has become a fast growing industry and is something that many people are using now. There are a number of advantages and disadvantages to banking online, but what is best really depends on the individual user. Generally online banking offers less banking fees and the potential to earn good interest rates on banking account balances. On the other side, there is often a lack of customer service and other user-friendly options.Read the rest...

I Found $76.80 in Just a Few Minutes...How You Can Too

Tim Iandoli — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Take a minute to reclaim cash or property that may belong to you! I did. I took a few moments searching through some old records in the basement, in itself that is worth a few extra bucks, and made a few discoveries. While reviewing some old bank statements I discovered I had 2 separate unclaimed savings accounts. Both had been required for the privilege of either having their bank’s credit card (which has been sold off numerous times, making the savings account pointless) and an account to be a credit union member, for a long ago paid off second mortgage. I reclaimed $25.36 and $41.44.

There are many websites available today that claim they can help you reclaim lost cash or property. Some are legitimate and some are just trying to get you to pay for information that you could easily find for yourself. Here is some basic information that you should know before you begin searching for any lost money or property.Read the rest...

Leaving Your Bank for a Credit Union Can Save Your Money

Jessica Bosari — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 05:00:00 +0000

With the economy in its current state, more people are looking for creative ways to cut down on bills and save money. With the failure of high profile banks such as Washington Mutual, many customers are turning to credit unions thanks to their excellent customer service and great rates. Wondering how you can save money by switching to a credit union?Read the rest...

Start Saving Money By Tracking What You Spend

Tim Iandoli — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 05:00:00 +0000

This is a time when knowing exactly where your hard earned money is going. Tracking what you spend, for most people, will be an eye opening experience. Many will see that they are simply way over spending for everyday items.Read the rest...

Make Your Money Work for You... Watch Out For for Bank Fees

Mallory Hall — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 05:00:00 +0000

New federal banking rules require institutions to come down hard on overdraft bank fees for customers. While it may be good news for some, others feel the backlash as their banks tamper with fees for maintenance, excess activity, and maintaining a minimum balance. These charges add up and can be extremely expensive, costing from $4 to $20 for maintenance fees along with $35 or more for overdraft fees. However, there are ways to keep your free checking and savings accounts as long as you are smart with your money.Read the rest...

0% APR Balance Transfers Sound Great – Be Careful Of the Transfer Fees

Mallory Hall — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

At first glance, all the credit card offers you receive in the mail may seem like a lifesaver. You finally have the chance to transfer your debt to a different card that charges little or no interest on the balance. However, beware of the pitfalls of hidden transfer fees.

What is a Balance-Transfer Fee?

Credit card companies tend to reinforce the no-interest or small-interest that they charge on the debt, but there is often a fee to transfer your balance, and this can be as much as 5 percent of the amount. While this may seem more beneficial than continuing to pay 15% or 18% on your current card, it is important to shop around and not respond to the first offer you receive in the mail.Read the rest...

Why I'll Never Trust a Bank

Guest Blogger — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The reasons to be distrustful of a bank – any bank – are wide and varied. It is a distrust they’ve earned, especially lately. At the highest level one has only to look at the current mortgage crisis and then do the math: the biggest banking players are the source of the mortgage collapse, and hence, the worst economic conditions in this country in 80 years. It was their fault, plain and simple, because they knowingly sold mortgage-backed securities based on worthless paper and accepted residential loans with all the fiscal vetting of a vulture looking for it’s next carcass for lunch.Read the rest...

When Debit Cards Hurt Rather than Help - Dangers and Hidden fees

Tim Iandoli — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:09:03 +0000

As we move along the electronic age carrying cash might seem almost absurd to some people. Not only can you use your smartphone to find your favorite coffee, you can also use your smartphone to buy the coffee with a simple scan of the bar code. The transaction comes directly out of your account or onto the credit card you have linked.

This has all but done away with the days of scratching around your pants pocket for a few extra quarters to buy your cup of Joe, or in this case a low-fat Grande mocha latte. The question is – just how convenient is convenient in the day of account hackers, credit card fraud, retailer convenience fees and even our own bank’s service charges.Read the rest...

Financial Education - Is it Working?

Jessica Bosari — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:20:13 +0000

Most agree that financial literacy is not a skill that comes innately to most. With the labyrinth of interest rates, taxes and financial products to navigate, financial education would seem like a valuable tool for guiding consumers into making responsible choices regarding their money. Yet, is it really working?Read the rest...

Investing in Certificates of Deposit

Jessica Bosari — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Certificates of Deposit (CDs) are popular investment instruments used by individuals to earn a higher rate of return on their money while still enjoying the guaranteed safety of principal not found in other investment vehicles. Unlike traditional savings accounts, banks are able to offer a higher rate of return on CDs because they have assured access to the funds for a set period. In return for giving up the liquidity of the funds, the investor will earn more interest than they would have otherwise.Read the rest...

Theft Protection for Your Wallet

Jessica Bosari — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 05:00:00 +0000

As we go about our daily routines, most of us carry either a wallet or a purse. Unfortunately, in a moment of distraction or when we least expect it, a clever thief might grab the wallet and take off running. Sometimes, we don’t even notice the theft until getting home and finding out that the credit cards have numerous unexpected purchases.Read the rest...

Did You Know? Top Five Facts and Features of Your Checking Account

Jessica Bosari — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Most people don't know everything their checking account allows them to do. For many, a checking account is just a place to keep money in order to pay bills and rent. However, as banks compete for your business, more and more are offering special features in order to keep customers. Below are the top five facts about your checking account that you probably don't know.Read the rest...

Credit Complaints Finally Have an Ear

Heather Hollingsworth — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 05:00:00 +0000

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will begin accepting customer complaints in July of this year. This is the first time consumers will have access to a single bureau for complaints about credit card companies, mortgage lenders, and other lending institutions that have the power to negatively influence a consumer's credit rating. If you feel that your lender practices abusive or deceptive techniques that are costing you more money, the Bureau might be a good place for you to send a complaint. They will forward your complaint to the appropriate division of the government, which will follow up by investigating to see if any wrongdoing is actually taking place. Read the rest...

A Great Idea: INGDirect for Kids

Jessica Bosari — Thu, 19 May 2011 22:07:39 +0000

When I first heard about ING Direct's new savings program for kids, I got excited. The program is called Orange4Kids, and it includes all the basics of a normal online savings account. The kid’s accounts are FDIC insured up to $250,000, there are no fees or minimum balance requirements, and the account is on a kid-friendly website. An adult must cosign on the account since kids cannot make withdrawals.Read the rest...

Don't Let Divorce Ruin Your Credit

Cheryl Johnson — Wed, 11 May 2011 19:15:35 +0000

Going through a divorce can leave you emotionally, mentally and physically drained. Money is the last thing most people want to think about when they have aching hearts. However, you must protect your credit, so that your credit score will not be damaged and leave you hurting financially as well. Look into all of your accounts and take the appropriate action to protect yourself.Read the rest...

Three Things You Pobably Didn’t know about Bank Reform

Heather Hollingsworth — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 06:00:00 +0000

Overdraft protection began as a service banks offered to help customers avoid embarrassment if they accidentally overdrew their accounts. The bank would pay the difference between the customer's checking balance and the purchase price, then the customer would pay a fee for that service as well as the necessary funds to make the account solvent once more.Read the rest...

Five Ways to Beat Inflation

Jessica Bosari — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 17:25:10 +0000

Saving money is not just about setting cash side. If you just put your money in a mattress, eventually that money will become worth less. How can that be? The answer is inflation. Inflation, simply put, is the tendency of prices to rise over time. When prices rise, the money you have becomes insufficient to buy a specific amount of goods. For instance, if $100 buys you 100 beans today, but the same 100 beans cost of $105 tomorrow, then inflation has made your money is worth less than it was. Unless you can find a way to make that $100 grow into $105, you are losing money. That’s why it is vital that the money you save earns at least enough to keep up with the case of inflation.Read the rest...

The Debate Over Paperless Electronic Online Billing Payment Plans

Money Crashers — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:15:43 +0000

By David Bakke

Being "green" is more popular and fashionable than ever, so you might think that opting for paperless billing is a no-brainer. You’re helping preserve the environment, plus many organizations offer discounts, rebates, or rewards points for going paperless.

While that is certainly true, personal experience has led me to believe that you should think twice before signing up for that option, or at least consider the pros and cons of e-billing before making your decision. Here are some benefits and drawbacks to consider.Read the rest...

7 Financial Rules for the Post-Recession Economy

Jessica Bosari — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 20:01:00 +0000

Yes, you read it right. The recession is over. Sales have been up 6 months in a row, the wheels are starting to turn again and we may have already passed the peak of home foreclosures. However, the effects of this recession are not over. The traditional advice your mom gave you might now be valid in this shaky financial environment. Here are some new rules to follow as we rebuild. Read the rest...

Four Simple Ways Anyone Can Generate Extra Cash in 2011

Jessica Bosari — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:35:03 +0000

I get a little tired of posts talking about ways to make extra money. Many of them give you ideas that might get you $25 all year, or require special skills like writing blogs. It’s not that blogging is really so hard, but it takes a lot of effort to make even a little bit of money. These solutions don’t work for most people. Fortunately, there are some sure-fire ways that anyone can pick up extra cash.
Read the rest...

Resolved to Organize your Finances? How to Make it Work

Heather Hollingsworth — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 14:36:52 +0000

Keeping your finances organized can help you stay on budget and keep track of your spending. It can also be a daunting task if you haven't been organized all along. Many people plan to organize their finances, but never seem to get around to it. The idea of digging through all of the documents from previous years and sorting it neatly can be overwhelming. If you have been putting off financial organization, this is the perfect time to tackle the beast. Since you have to put your taxes together anyway, why not take a little extra time to put it all together in an organized fashion?Read the rest...

Do You Need Financial Advice or a Financial Plan? The New Thinking in Personal Finance.

Heather Hollingsworth — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 23:56:58 +0000

Students who are working toward careers in financial planning face a very different market than their predecessors. With the rising number of baby boomers headed toward retirement age over the next decade, financial planners are in high demand. This unique generation is redefining what it means to get financial advice the same way they are redefining health care and social services.Read the rest...

How to Handle Mixed Financial Messages

Fletcher Martin — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 20:52:57 +0000

We live in a society that snatches up new ideas and runs with them, without necessarily taking the time to assess the value of them. The unfortunate truth is that not every idea or opinion you or anyone else has is a great one or even halfway acceptable. This is part of the reason we hear so many mixed messages when it comes to financial advice.Read the rest...

Five Financial Problems Women Face and How to Manage Them

Jessica Bosari — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:39:43 +0000

Financial planning can be a challenging task for anyone, but women find they face issues particular to their gender. Although, both men and women work in this generation, gender-unique financial issues are apparent. Women are challenged because they make less money than men do over a lifetime, which makes money management more difficult. However, women must confront the financial challenges and find ways to overcome them.Read the rest...

Savings, CDs, and Money Market Accounts: Which Is The Best Fit?

Jessica Bosari — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:42:24 +0000

In today's economy, saving money has become more important than ever. Savings have always been vital. People save money for everything from retirement and college planning to emergencies like car repairs. With the economy in the condition it has been in, savings are even more important. They can help people significantly should they find themselves out of work. There are many ways you can start saving money. Three such ways are savings accounts, money market accounts, and CDs. Here is a look at all three. From there, you can determine what the best fit is for you.Read the rest...

Are You Saving Money or Just Spending Less? Why You Need to Do Both

Jessica Bosari — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 10:07:04 +0000

If you buy a flat screen TV at 20% off the retail price, saving over $100, what happens to the savings? Are you saving money or just spending less? The answer is more than likely no to both questions. Do people actually SAVE the money, or are the “savings” diverted onto yet another sale? In this instance, saving is a misnomer.Read the rest...

Top Ten Signs You Need a Financial Makeover

Jessica Bosari — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 15:06:21 +0000

Not unlike facing parents after mischievous events or having to pull weeds on the weekend, dealing with financial problems is an unpleasant task. Sticking one’s head in the sand and hoping it will all go away, does not solve the problem. The effects of procrastination only compound the dilemma. Curtail financial devastation by recognizing early warning signals and adopting a proactive approach. Learn the top ten signs you need a financial makeover.Read the rest...

How Social Savings Can Increase Your Savings Exponentially

Jessica Bosari — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 14:56:38 +0000

Social savings sites developed almost a decade ago as a means for students, homeowners and other individuals to obtain financial goals for various needs or desires including college, home improvement or vacations. Similar to online savings accounts, various sites contain different features that assist in building a financial resource. All of the sites allow designated persons the option of contributing towards a goal.

Read the rest...

The Do's and Dont's of Personal Finance

Jessica Bosari — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 16:00:46 +0000

When you think about your personal finances, you have to think about what works best for you. The same thing that works well for one person may not yield the same results for the next person.

However, there are do’s and don’ts that all individuals should pay attention to regarding their finances. Here’s a list of things that you should implement into your personal finance strategies, and some things you should avoid at all possible costs.Read the rest...

10 Reasons to Go Through a Credit Union

dlawwill — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 13:59:26 +0000

Credit unions have become more popular than ever. With banks receiving so much bad rep for unscrupulous practices and for the largest recession since the Great Depression, many people are searching for safer and better alternatives. The days of going through a bank or having loose cash lying around in your home are over. The following are 10 reasons to go through a credit union instead of a bank.Read the rest...

3 Personal Finance Software Solutions for the Monetarily Challenged

Jessica Bosari — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:34:10 +0000

Let’s face it. We’re not all financial geniuses. Some of us need help in figuring out budgets and sticking to financial plans. One way to get help is to use financial software that helps you with the mathematics, planning and decision making involved in personal financial planning. By getting familiar with the different types of software out there, you can choose the program that is right for you and your needs. Read the rest...

Life Without Credit Cards? It's Not So Bad

Jessica Bosari — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:47:30 +0000

For many people, credit cards are a way of life. Those who find themselves relying on credit cards on a daily basis may have trouble even imagining what life without credit cards could ever be like. The fact is, relying on credit cards to get through life can be a dangerous path to walk, as those who don't make use of the utmost responsibility and care will inevitably find themselves falling behind. Fortunately, it is possible to live life without credit cards, and when the proper tactics are employed, you can enjoy a much better and more prosperous life.
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7 Ways to Consolidate Your Debt

Jessica Bosari — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 14:31:41 +0000

These days, it’s hard to look at debt consolidation options without getting a heavy sales pitch. The industry as a whole is known for seedy offers that are a better deal for the debt consolidation companies than for the consumer. But when used wisely, debt consolidation helps people save money by reducing the cost of interest on borrowed money. The savings can help you put more money towards the debt and eventually pay it off more quickly than you otherwise could.Read the rest...

Raided Your Retirement Account? How to Rebuild

Jessica Bosari — Fri, 28 May 2010 21:39:02 +0000

Rising unemployment, layoffs, foreclosures, and eroded market values have left us all feeling the effects of the economy's downturn. The markets have come back some, but employers and employees have changed their funding of retirement accounts in response to lower earnings. Even more alarming is an increased trend in the liquidation of retirement accounts by individuals in their 30s and 40s. The temptation to dip into retirement accounts is hard to resist when you don't have enough money to pay the bills. If you've already made the mistake of raiding your retirement account, it's not too late to rebuild.Read the rest...

11 Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Wallet

billeater — Sat, 22 May 2010 18:44:01 +0000

Spring is almost over and if you haven't gotten your financial house in order yet, now is the time. Finances need spring cleaning too, whether you're cleaning up your debt, banking, retirement savings, or mortgage. While you're building your spring cleaning "to do" list, here are 11 ways to clean your financial house and fatten your wallet:Read the rest...

How Investment Bankers Contributed to the Financial Crisis

billeater — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:26:44 +0000

Investment bankers are essentially the source of the financial crisis and that's why the government is working hard to re-impose strong regulations on the industry. It helps to understand what an investment banker is, what the job entails and how investment banking led to the problem in the first place.Read the rest...

Practical Tips for Balancing Your Checking Account

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 09:36:32 +0000

Balancing your checking account may seem like a no-brainer, but it takes a certain level of skill, discipline and dedication to keep things in order. If you miss a few transactions, you could end up owing the bank overdraft fees and other penalty charges for something that was just an honest mistake on your part. That is why balancing your checking account diligently is an important task and a responsibility you should take seriously. Here are some tips to help you balance your checking account and keep your ledger “in the black.”Read the rest...

Five Ways to Start Saving Now for the Holidays

billeater — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:39:57 +0000

When is a good time to start saving for the year-end holidays? Any time, of course! Here are five ways to get started on your holiday shopping fund now.

Spare Change

Do you stop and get a cup of coffee on the way to work? Buy lunch at the café down the street? Get candy bars from the vending machine? Any time a small purchase is made with cash, there’s the inevitable change. It’s annoying to have the stuff accumulate in the bottom of a purse or in the unused ashtray in the car. Why not collect those coins? Manage to put a minimum of just 25¢ each day and by the end of the year, you should have close to $100 put aside.Read the rest...

Are You Saving Enough for Retirement?

Jessica Bosari — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 21:51:34 +0000

Saving for retirement might feel like a pipe dream when the economy is tanking and you’re not even sure you will have a job to retire from by tomorrow. However, you should always have a plan for the future. The plan will change as your circumstances change, but that’s not an excuse to do nothing. You are neither too young nor too old to start or increase savings to fund a comfortable retirement.

If you are unemployed, your first goal, of course, will be to find another job. In that case, have a savings plan ready to implement when you do start working again.Read the rest...

Best Online Banking

Jessica Bosari — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 11:54:50 +0000

As the Internet becomes an integral part of our daily lives, online banking is growing in popularity. Not only do these banks offer more convenience and free tools for consumers, they also offer services at a lower cost.

But choosing an online bank is anything but convenient. While ratings for financial stability, rates, and products are easy to find, how can you tell which banks will be there for you when you have problems, questions or concerns? Which ones make it easiest for you to bank? Today, Billeater looks at the top online banks and rates them on overall best consumer experience.

The Basics Read the rest...

Online bank: A good deal?

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 22:56:33 +0000

If anything good comes from the enormous credit, mortgage, and banking mess of the last two years, it’s that new models of business may emerge. Customers will flock to the companies that solve their problems and make their lives easier.

In the banking world, that means lower fees and higher interest rates. One bank has already begun to lead the way. In 2009, GMAC Bank rebranded itself with a new name and a new way of doing business:

Read the rest...

Individual Development Account: Save Money and Get Matching Contributions

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:13:44 +0000

Research shows that there are “savers” and “spenders” in all income classes, even those who make low to moderate incomes. And where there’s a will for people truly motivated to save, the government has provided a way.
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How To Find The Best Online Savings Account

debbiedragon — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:16:38 +0000

Each year millions of people make New Year's resolutions hoping to improve some aspect of their life. One of the top ten resolutions each year is to get out of debt and/or save more money. This year is no different, in fact more people are cognizant of the need to improve their personal finances. Building your savings is one of the best ways to ensure financial independence and avoid future debt. To successfully grow your savings you must know how and where to start the process.Read the rest...

Money Saving Banking Tips

debbiedragon — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:17:24 +0000

Consumers today are becoming more aware of the fact that banks and credit card companies are in fact a business. A money making business no less, that relies on their clients to earn big bucks. Banks make their money off of the products and services they provide for consumers as well as the interest, fees and penalties they charge for any transgression made by an unwary customers. With that in mind, we all need to use banks and many of the services they offer.
Consider the following tips to reduce your banking costs; keeping more money where it belongs, in your account.
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How To Get More Out of Your Bank Instead of Them Taking More From You

debbiedragon — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:10:03 +0000

Traditionally, consumers are meant to think that their bank is on their side, ready to store your money and keep it safe. However, that is not always the case. More and more reports are surfacing about unhappy consumers who are losing money simply by having a bank account. Banks are becoming unstable in this economy just as many families are. As a defense, they are raising and instituting new penalties and fees and passing it on to their customers.

In many cases, the customer doesn't even notice until it is too late because bank statements are not reconciled or they are simply not paying too close attention to what is going on. Banks are counting on that and cashing in on the situation. Banks are making a lot of money from over the limit spending and customers are starting to take heed.
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Why Online Banking Is Important For Financial Stability and Saving Money

debbiedragon — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 19:34:14 +0000

In today's daily life, things are much more fast-paced and chaotic than years past, especially for today's families. It can be so easy to misplace information, forget to pay a bill, or add an entry to your check book register. All of these little errors can cost you big time in money. With the increased rise in penalty charges and late fees, it is essential that you remain on top of the personal finance game or risk losing your hard earned money.Read the rest...

Ways Your Bank is Getting Money From You

debbiedragon — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:24:40 +0000

While it may be difficult enough as it is to save cash for emergencies, knowing that your bank isn't helping much doesn't bring comfort. However, the fees and charges the bank is getting from you is how they make their profits and are oftentimes done in a way that consumers don't even realize the true cost of banking. Being aware of these fees can help save you cash as many of these fees are small and relatively unnoticeable.Read the rest...

Choosing Short Term Savings Options

billeater — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:12:24 +0000

Once you've built up some cash for a short term savings goal, you'll need a place to store it until you're ready to use it. Maybe you've been saving for an upcoming family vacation, a down payment for a house, a new car, or just like to have access to money in the event of emergencies. Whatever your reason for saving the cash, it can be very disappointing to stash it someplace where it won't earn any interest. Here are things you should consider when saving your money for short term goals to gain the most financial benefit from those savings:Read the rest...

Use online bill payment and avoid those late payment fees

billeater — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:39:14 +0000

If you pay 11 bills a month, that's more than $4 each month. So, not just lower bills, but easier to pay as well. More than that, you'll save the time and hassle of all the paper, and it's good for the environment. The easiest way to get online bill pay is through your bank. But, you'll want to check out their terms first. Many banks only offer bill payment for free in certain situations. It might be a good time to shop around...Read the rest...

ATM machines with no surcharge ... don't pay that ATM withdrawal fee

billeater — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:41:19 +0000

A great money saving tip concerning no charge ATM withdrawals. According to Bankrate.com, banks charge non-customers an average of $1.78 who use their ATMs to withdraw money. That's in addition to the average $1.25 fee charged by the customer's own bank for going outside of the ATM network.

It adds up, as some banks even charge up to $3, and an ATM in a popular captive location like an airport might charge even more to withdraw money. Bank of America increased its surcharge in the summer of 2007 from $2 to $3 for non-BofA customers that withdraw cash from their network of ATM machines.

With a little bit of research, however, you can find ways to withdraw money from an ATM without paying that fee...Read the rest...