The Weekend of Friday, February 8, 2008
Today's Tip: Balance Your Checkbook
I am the type of person that values a smaller bank, since generally there are shorter lines to
wait for a teller. I do have direct deposit, but as opposed to using an ATM to withdraw
cash, I like to visit a teller. I guess I just like the personalized attention.
Anyway, I was in the bank yesterday, and unfortunately for me I wasn't able to directly
walk up to a teller. There was no line; however, as it turns out, one person was tying up
three different employees. At first I couldn't tell what all the commotion was about, but
checking account. The teller and the customer were going back and forth as to the validity
of the charge...and at the other customers' expense! This bank, normally the in-and-out in
one minute type, now had a line about five or six deep. Finally, the teller asked the woman
said that she never balances her checkbook. She just knows, and she knows the bank did
her in!
Well, I'm sure a lot of you can relate to this story, whether it's at a bank or another retail
environment. We all have moments where we have to wait longer than normal, and it
always causes a little bit of frustration. Luckily for me, I'm always keeping an eye out for a
new budget tip, and this one was pretty much handed to me on a silver platter.
Do you ever have overdraft charges assessed to you by your bank? If you were in the
situation that I described, would you be able to provide a register to the teller. I hate to side
with a bank, but if I did have to put money on who was in the wrong, I would have to
guess it was the customer.
Balancing your checkbook is imperative for budgeting. Not only can you avoid potentially
embarrassing situations such as a declined transaction or an overdraft fee, but you can also
"track every penny" as the old saying goes.
Nowadays, it's pretty easy to let things get out of control just with how easy point-of-sale
transactions are to make. Just the other day I used my debit card to make a $1.72
transaction. But most banks either offer telephone or online banking which can help you
identify what you've spent your money on and where. Saving receipts to balance on a
weekly basis is always a good idea. Make it part of your weekend. Then it'll feel like you
only have to do five minutes of work, and then you have the whole weekend ahead of you.
Remember: balance your checkbook!
Have you downloaded the free budget yet? Our free budget spreadsheet is updated for
2008 and features a monthly account tracker and budget form!
I am the type of person that values a smaller bank, since generally there are shorter lines to
wait for a teller. I do have direct deposit, but as opposed to using an ATM to withdraw
cash, I like to visit a teller. I guess I just like the personalized attention.
Anyway, I was in the bank yesterday, and unfortunately for me I wasn't able to directly
walk up to a teller. There was no line; however, as it turns out, one person was tying up
three different employees. At first I couldn't tell what all the commotion was about, but
checking account. The teller and the customer were going back and forth as to the validity
of the charge...and at the other customers' expense! This bank, normally the in-and-out in
one minute type, now had a line about five or six deep. Finally, the teller asked the woman
said that she never balances her checkbook. She just knows, and she knows the bank did
her in!
Well, I'm sure a lot of you can relate to this story, whether it's at a bank or another retail
environment. We all have moments where we have to wait longer than normal, and it
always causes a little bit of frustration. Luckily for me, I'm always keeping an eye out for a
new budget tip, and this one was pretty much handed to me on a silver platter.
Do you ever have overdraft charges assessed to you by your bank? If you were in the
situation that I described, would you be able to provide a register to the teller. I hate to side
with a bank, but if I did have to put money on who was in the wrong, I would have to
guess it was the customer.
Balancing your checkbook is imperative for budgeting. Not only can you avoid potentially
embarrassing situations such as a declined transaction or an overdraft fee, but you can also
"track every penny" as the old saying goes.
Nowadays, it's pretty easy to let things get out of control just with how easy point-of-sale
transactions are to make. Just the other day I used my debit card to make a $1.72
transaction. But most banks either offer telephone or online banking which can help you
identify what you've spent your money on and where. Saving receipts to balance on a
weekly basis is always a good idea. Make it part of your weekend. Then it'll feel like you
only have to do five minutes of work, and then you have the whole weekend ahead of you.
Remember: balance your checkbook!
Have you downloaded the free budget yet? Our free budget spreadsheet is updated for
2008 and features a monthly account tracker and budget form!
My Financial Profile - MyFinPro.com
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