| It seems like these days, everything you hear about | | | | banks and accounts to see where your money is likely |
| banks involves their greed and mistakes. In these | | | | to earn the most interest. Don't forget to include credit |
| difficult economic times, every penny counts. Everyone | | | | unions in your research, as they are co-ops that |
| could use a few extra dollars in their pockets. Believe it | | | | generally pay out dividends to members. |
| or not, your bank can be a source of additional cash. | | | | Avoiding Bank Charges and Fees |
| There are a few different ways to "get your bank to | | | | One of the most common misconceptions when it |
| pay you." Some of the most popular methods for | | | | comes to banking involves "free checking." Most banks |
| saving money at the bank are detailed below. For | | | | offer some sort of promotional checking account that |
| maximum savings, employ more than one of the | | | | they attempt to pass off as "free checking." While the |
| recommended strategies. | | | | free checking account programs can be very |
| Sign-up Bonuses and Bank Incentives | | | | attractive and beneficial, you mustn't assume that you |
| The absolute best time to get paid by your bank is | | | | will avoid any and all bank account charges. |
| when you are actually shopping around for a new | | | | Most free checking accounts require a minimum daily |
| account. Whether it is to be your first account or you | | | | balance in order to remain "free." The average monthly |
| are switching banks, you are in the best position to | | | | balance required in order to avoid a monthly service |
| negotiate with financial institutions when they are trying | | | | fee on an interest-bearing checking account is around |
| to earn your businesses. Most banks have incentives | | | | $3000. If your balance goes any lower than the |
| and bonuses designed to attract new banking | | | | minimum balance, the average monthly fee is around |
| customers. Some of the incentives are as simple as | | | | $11. It may not sound like much, but in a year, you are |
| free checks for a year, while other banks actually | | | | looking at $132. Multiply that by 5 or 10 years and....you |
| offer cash amounts ranging from $25 to $100. Use a | | | | get the picture. |
| bank comparison Web site to see what banks in your | | | | In addition to a monthly service fee if your balance dips |
| area are offering, and always make sure to read the | | | | below the minimum balance, you may also be looking |
| fine print and do your homework before committing to | | | | at fees for stopping payment on checks, requesting |
| one bank or another. | | | | copies of checks, or even checking your balance at |
| Earning More Interest | | | | the ATM. When shopping around for a "free checking |
| A great way to get your bank to pay you is to open | | | | account" make sure to request a schedule of all |
| only interest-bearing accounts. If you hold a savings | | | | possible fees and study it carefully so that you're |
| account, it may or may not earn interest. You should | | | | aware of every possible expense. It is also a good |
| find out if the account that currently holds your savings | | | | idea to check your account transactions daily or at |
| bears the maximum interest possible for the amount in | | | | least every few days and to be vigilant about extra |
| deposit. These days, most banks also offer | | | | fees or charges added by your bank. In many cases, |
| interest-bearing checking accounts. If your bank does | | | | you can dispute extra fees and get paid even more |
| not, it may be worth your while to switch banks in | | | | by your bank. |
| order to earn interest on your deposits. Compare | | | | |