Checks Direct
Don't buy checks from the bank. You can save up to 50 percent of what they charge by ordering through an independent source like Current, 800-426-0822.
Credit Unions
Many credit unions offer low or no fee checking accounts and free checks too. If there's any way you can qualify, join a credit union. Most credit unions welcome spouses, children, brothers, sisters, and parents of the member. You will enjoy federally-insured deposits and low-interest auto loans. And you'll earn higher than bank interest rates on your savings accounts.
Shop around
Switch to a smaller, locally owned bank. The fee structure will likely be lower and some services will actually be offered at no cost, such as free checking, free checks, etc.
You have to ask
If you receive a new credit card with a remarkably lower interest rate, call your current credit card company and tell them about this competing offer. You could receive an on-the-spot interest rate reduction. You'll wonder why you didn't call sooner.
Credit card applications
One of the problems of paying off credit card debt and cleaning up one's credit rating is the number of pre-approved credit card offers that begin arriving in the mail. In order to stop these offers write to: Equifax Options, P.O. Box 740123, Atlanta, GA 30374-0123. Include your name, full address, social security number, and signature. Equifax is one of the three major credit reporting agencies. They will remove your name from the lists they provide and will also share your request with the other two agencies, Experian and TransUnion.
Interest on earnest money
When purchasing a home, make sure you will earn interest on your deposit during the escrow period.
Homeowner's Insurance
Ask about homeowner's insurance discounts for security systems, smoke alarms, and good driving records. Always ask! The agent or company may not volunteer the information.
IRA Contribution
Try to contribute to your individual retirement account as early in the year as possible. The difference between making your contributions each January 1 rather than December 31 of the same year can spell thousands of dollars of additional earnings in your account over the decades.
Renter's Insurance
If you rent, buy a tenant's policy. This is a must. Landlords are not responsible for your belongings in case of disaster.
Make Savings a regular bill
Once a month, or whenever you pay your bills, write a check to deposit in your money market fund or your savings account. If you can't start with 10 percent, start with less and increase the amount each month. Use automatic savings plans; let the bank take your savings out of your paycheck. You won't miss what you don't see.
Dealers' fiscal year
If you are in the market to buy a new car, wait until the end of March. December is not the end of most dealers' fiscal year as most would like you to believe, but March is.
Radial tires
When buying tires, choose radials over bias-ply. You'll pay more up front but will save in the long run. Radials deliver better mileage because they have less rolling resistance. More importantly, they last 15 to 20 percent longer.
