Comments on: Five Money Saving Bank Hacks

By: BrewCrewFan

BrewCrewFan — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 12:58:21 +0000

I’d suggest developing a relationship with a personal banker. I recently consolidated my family’s bank accounts with a single institution to take advantage of their rewards checking program. My personal banker has given me heads up on upcoming on CD rates, waived some fees and given me free checks for a non-profit organization that I am treasurer for. All these things have helped me generate a higher return on my bank deposits.

By: myth buster

myth buster — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 03:07:10 +0000

Don’t forget rewards points and other kickbacks. Wachovia’s check card gives you one point (worth about .2 cents) for every dollar you spend, with bonus points given for using their credit card or Earn More Mall. By itself, it’s a pretty lame reward when contrasted with credit cards, but Wachovia’s Way2Save savings account program will transfer a dollar from checking to savings every time you make an electronic transaction. You can also transfer up to $100/month automatically. The first year’s APY is a guaranteed 5%, with 5% matching funds deposited after one year (that is a bonus, on top of the regular interest rate).

By: Laura

Laura — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:23:36 +0000

If you have your credit card through a bank or credit union, many times you can call your financial institution and have them transfer your payment from your checking or savings account for free. This saves you a check, a stamp and the hassel of late fees and charges if you don’t remember to pay until the last minute or the mail is delayed. I work at a credit union and encourage people to do this- many members had no idea they could even do this and are thrilled with the idea. The only way this wouldn’t work though is if you pay your balance from an account at a different bank or credit union.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 23:30:31 +0000

Great tips. I agree completely with the first one. You are better off to buy something from the store and get cash back then paying all the ATM fees.

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:02:48 +0000

Very true, credit unions are more likely to offer those types of benefits because they’re smaller and more community centric.

By: Ken

Ken — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:54:43 +0000

Don’t forget credit unions. They often provide free coin counting and free checks.

By: Keith

Keith — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:08:40 +0000

I’ve used the coinstar machine but I try to make it a point to never do so. My bank will count my change for free and I usually deposit it. I still don’t have free checks though and that really bothers me!

Good ideas in this article! Keep’em coming!

By: Nate @ Debt-free Scholar

Nate @ Debt-free Scholar — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:57:42 +0000

My bank, Wells Fargo, does count the coins. I just brought my coins in and they counted them in a machine. Thanks for the free check tip. I might be using that soon.

Thanks,
Nate

By: Matt Fyffe

Matt Fyffe — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:15:14 +0000

I like your free coin counting suggestion. I hate those machines that take a huge chunk off the top, but I’m a huge saver of my spare change. It’s good to see options to avoid being jacked by the machines and to find another outlet!