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A check register on a table.

Protect Your Checking Account InformationIn my area, crooks are putting fishing poles in federal mail boxes and stealing the mail that comes out. They are looking for checks and papers with other identifying information. Even if they cannot cash the check, they have the routing number and account number and can take money out of your account.

 

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Be Careful Using Vending Machines and Debit CardsRecently, I was stuck for over an hour in a clinic, waiting for my neighbor to be done with her appointment. I had my phone, magazines, and chats with those who came and went.

 

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Beware Pre-authorization When Using Debit CardsWhen using your debit card, you have to be careful and ensure you have sufficient funds in your account because some places/retailers may add a pre-authorization charge that will take a couple days to fall off. If you don't have sufficient funds you could be charged with an overdraft.

 

Count Cash Before Inserting into ATM - photo of an ATM

Count Cash Before Inserting into ATMA couple years ago, I encountered a malfunction at an ATM machine. This was when depositing without an envelope slip or punching in the amount you were going to deposit was just discontinued.

 

Bank paperwork held in a folder.

Weekly Bank Reconciliation for RetireesLiving on a fixed income can be a challenge. I have a red folder with a spiral notebook inside which I record my weekly transactions on my checking account, including debits, bank drafts or any any monies withdrawn from my checking account, which I receive from calling a bank representative.

 

Get Cash Back at StoresWhen I am shopping and using my card, I ask for some cash back. I do this now instead of ever using an ATM that would charge me to take out my own money!

 

A person using an ATM at a bank.

Finish Your ATM TransactionWhen you are at your bank's ATM, make sure you finish your transaction. I have pulled up to my bank's ATM, twice in the last month, and found that each person did not finish his/her transaction.

 

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Use Your Bank's ATMUsing your own bank's ATM will save you about $2.00 per transaction. Eliminating just one transaction fee per week will net you approximately $100.00 per year.

 

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Limit Visits to Banks and ATMsIn some instances, it is smart to shop with cash only, but skip the bank or the ATM if you're withdrawing money. Instead, use your debit card to purchase small items and get cash back at no charge.

 

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Organizing Checkbook RegisterI have found whether I have time at the check out counter, or if I record a purchase later in the car or at home, my check book transaction register is still a great tool for bookkeeping.

 

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Ask Bank to Reverse Overdraft ChargeOur college freshman recently overdrew her checking account by $8 when paying for this semester's books. We contacted our bankand explained the situation to them. They reversed the bank and the merchant's overdraft fees which totaled $61.

 

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Watch PayPal For Fraudulent ChargesThis is a warning to anyone who uses PayPal in conjunction with your bank account. Watch your bank statements closely! PayPal has been making fraudulent charges for online dating and other things and charging it to their customers.

 

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Cashing Checks at WalMartI just wanted to share a way you can save from accumulating those excessive service charges from banks or regular check cashing services. Since I closed my checking account, I now go to Walmart to cash my Payroll check and it only costs me $3.00.

 

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Fresh Start for a Badly Overdrawn Checking AccountMy Mom has Alzheimer's and my sister and I started taking over her finances and discovered she was overdrawn nearly $600.00. We went to the bank and were told that as a last resort only, our bank offers a "fresh start".

 

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Check Your Debit Card Charges RegularlyCheck your debit card charges often. Central NY area has had a rash of unauthorized charges. Chase Bank told us that criminals can get your info from certain ATM machines and make a workable card for themselves.

 

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Get Your Cash Back at a StoreDid you ever notice how much money you spend when using your Debit Card to get cash out of an ATM that is not affiliated with your bank? I was stunned when my last statement came and the fees associated with using ATM's. Anywhere from $2.25 to $3.00 to use the service.

 

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Don't Use Banks For Your BankingI never set foot in a bank. I only do my "banking" at credit unions where I am never charged a fee for any services. Interest and other rates are comparable or better than banks, and service is way better, as credit unions are member owned and they are federally insured.

 

Using an ATM

Saving Money on Bank FeesTips for saving money on bank fees. Banking is an extremely competitive business and there are many banks (at least where I live) that charge few or no fees. They tend to pay less interest on savings accounts but what bank pays much interest anyway?

 

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Beware Of Online Banking Account BalancesBeware that if you have online banking, the balance may not be accurate. I have yet to have it explained to me clearly but lately, in the PM the night before, I had a plus balance and the pending items were some transformed into NSF, despite an incoming automatic deposit.

 

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Direct Deposit to Avoid Monthly Bank FeeWhere I bank, they have a minimum balance requirement to avoid monthly service charges. Since my checking account seldom contains an excess, I was being dinged for $2-3 each month.

 

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Keeping Track Of Debit PurchasesKeeping Track Of Debit Purchases. I use my debit card for most purchases to save writing checks or carrying too much cash. . .

 

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Direct Deposit of PaychecksMy husband and I have started having his paycheck directly deposited into our bank account. There are many reasons for this, but one of the most important is that if the check is direct deposited, we are less subject to forgery and identity theft.

 

Cash Machine, ATM

Thieves in Bankers' ClothingATMs are a wonderful blessing. They allow the freedom to bank any time of the day and provide instant access to cash. This is what I once thought, but now I wonder if they are the blessing they seem to be. Instead, I find them to be thieves in bankers' clothing.

 

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Use Insured Credit UnionsAs many of 5% of credit unions in the US are not insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Make sure your credit union is one of the 95% that are insured. Then you will have the same degree of protection as federally insured banks.

 

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Use ATMs During The DayLimit your risk of being robbed by avoiding ATM or cash machines at night. If you have to use an ATM at night, find one in a well lit, well traveled area. People walking away from an ATM are particularly vulnerable because criminals know that they have cash.

 

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Saving Money with Banking OnlineA great way to save money is to work with a bank that has online banking. You can see where your money is going almost immediately...

 

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Avoid Bouncing ChecksBouncing checks almost always ends up being a lot more costly than sending in a late payment. Not only do you end up getting the late charge, you also get a 25 to 30 dollar fee from your bank.

 

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Keep the Change Account at Bank of AmericaFor those of you that already bank at Bank of America this is great, others may want to open an account to take advantage of this one! There is a new saving aid called keep the change...

 

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Avoiding ATM FeesAvoid high ATM fees by only using your card at your local bank's ATM machine or you can also use it to get cash back at the store.

 

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Saving on Overdraft ChargesMy husband and I have a debit card that was causing us a lot of problems. He'd use the card for everyday expenses (gas fill-ups, etc.) and forget to record the purchase and vice versa. Unfortunately, there were a few times that these slip-ups cost us $30 overdraft fees!

 

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Shop Around For ChecksDon't assume that your bank has the best price on checks. You can often find checks for as much as half the cost from other check suppliers.

 

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Advantages Of Credit UnionsDon't bank at banks. Bank at credit unions whenever possible. When you join a credit union you are a member and the free services abound.

 

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After Hours Bank DepositsKeep a few envelopes in the glove compartment of your car to use to make after hours bank deposits or to use as needed while on the go. By June S.

 

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