| A recent frustration for myself has been learning the | | | | 4. If you're not making enough to justify any |
| wonderful world of banks, and most importantly, the | | | | investments or savings accounts - consider keeping |
| ways in which they nickel and dime most people to | | | | your money outside of the banks. Recent history has |
| death. The majority of Americans are living with credit, | | | | shown that investment companies and monetary |
| with debt, and many recent college graduates are | | | | spending groups are not iron clad, and can be very |
| frustrated, unable to find work. This leaves a lot of | | | | selfish. |
| people living paycheck to paycheck. | | | | If you do make an overdraft and notice, report it to |
| If you are living on the line, one of the best things you | | | | your bank right away. Claim ignorance, claim naivety, |
| can do to prevent extra expenditures is to beware of | | | | feign a medical emergency that your Grandma was |
| overdraft fees. There are some simple things you can | | | | experiencing, thus justifying the $2.99 peanut purchase |
| do to prevent overdraft fees in the first place: | | | | from the gas station. Some banks will forgive the first |
| 1. Create a budget and monitor your spending strictly. | | | | overdraft - but being confident and loud can help - |
| Know your account balance mentally without needing | | | | even if you know it was your own mistake. |
| the computer to confirm it. | | | | Banks have long been on top of the people whom |
| 2. If unsure about your balance, check an ATM or your | | | | support it - and our current society weighs in favor of |
| online banking before making a purchase. Even a $1.50 | | | | the bankers, and the banking system. As a whole, it is |
| item that overdrafts your account will often result in a | | | | flawed and its future is uncertain. But we can be wise |
| whopping fee - sometimes up to $30.00 for each | | | | in our interactions with them - wise with our own |
| infringement. | | | | finances - and avoid giving away extra money to |
| 3. Ask the bank to disable your "overdraft protection" | | | | people whom already have plenty of it. |
| or "balance shield" - all clever names to encourage | | | | Be responsible with your money. Be wise and pay |
| your feelings of "protection" - when in reality, they're | | | | attention to where your monetary energy is flowing. |
| just hoping to make a buck from your accounting | | | | Don't be a victim to banks or credit card companies. |
| error. | | | | Fight for your financial freedom. |