Fabulous Finances Blog

Personal Finances for the Regular Person

How To Choose A Checking Account Accurately

The question one may ask is how to choose a checking account? In comparison to a savings or investment account, these records provide the individual with low interest rates and are recommended banking tools to use and make payments everyday.

This function is able to cover the bills due every month and clear any other forms of debt. The best feature about these accounts is unlimited amount on how much money can be drawn from the bank or ATM and the individual is provided with a debit card and a checkbook.

One of the main purposes for clients to join is not because of only depositing and storing money, but useful for investing money and this can come in handy for several financial needs. Many financial institutions ensure that a certain amount remains in the balance.

The online world has changed how these financial activities are conducted, pertaining to the individual and their bank. Many of these institutions rather make available to clients Internet transaction, because the overhead expenses are drastically reduced. Internet bank accounts are a great option.

Advisable, for the individuals who want to register for this apply through banks because of their high interest rates and they have online transactions available. Evaluate how much each are charging, because every bank differs. There are different records of finance; select the one that most meets the needs of the persons and they fit the requirement of the bank as well.

Some banking and credit unions offer no form of interest to their client and if they do, a very small amount. The whole purpose of using these financial records, is not about getting interest, but to ensure that the offers or package best suits the needs of clients on a daily basis.

These banks are more than dedicated in offering a higher interest rate, but only on the condition of a high financial record that is kept. Note that there are penalties if the financial record is not upheld during a particular period. There are some institutions that make available to their clients the option of a check card and this is a great alternative to writing checks.

Regardless, the importance of having an understanding about the different costs attached, in relation to opening a record with a bank or credit union. Several banks make available an overdraft feature, for whatever purpose and this needs to be verified before opening.

How positive is the customer service of these banks where the balance is launched? Will the banking portfolio meet every requirement of a client? Can the information be done also through the Internet? Clients must have all these answered thoroughly through research on the different banks, then once satisfied can make a decision of where to launch a financial balance.

These financial balances can be used for business or individual intentions. If they are launched mainly for business intentions then all of the money put in the account must be high. There are several financial institutions that make available these features to clients; recommended to look at the different packages and then make the selection.

July 17, 2011 Posted by | Banking | Leave a comment

Checking And Savings Accounts Help To Manage The Future

Transactional accounts are another name for checking and savings accounts. They are referred to most often because they accommodate the daily transaction. Some of the things to explore when looking for a financial institution are minimum balance policies, limits on transactions and the fee schedules. The Demand Deposit Account is another name for the checking account, this is because a withdrawal can be done on a daily basis. Savings accounts have limits on the amount of withdrawals per month. The primary purpose is to accumulate money. These are good children bank accounts, helping kids learn how to save.

There are various types of accounts. Some checking accounts are interest bearing, but not the majority. Savings accounts, sometimes come in the form of certificates of deposit or money markets. The higher rate of interest is normally gained through a certificate of deposit. If you make an early withdrawal, there are usually a few penalties.

There are different methods for gaining access to your savings and checking. You can follow the procedure of going into a bank or credit union and having direct contact with a teller. You can also do online banking, where you can transfer money and participate in other transactions. Going to the ATM machine or using a debit card for purchases is a common method.

Money markets are securities related transactions that involve a higher rate of liquidity and a short term of maturation. There are various types, such as commercial paper, the treasury bill, certificate of deposit and the municipal note. Always, check the minimum deposit requirements for money market transactions. The initial deposit could be as low as $500 but could reach $2,500.

Double check the minimum required balance that needs to be maintained to get the interest rate that is higher. There is sometimes a window period of 30 to 60 days to withdraw money. All interest rates should be compared before making a decision. Interest should be compounded daily with a pay out each month. The interests rates will differ by the various institutions. The larger the value of your account the greater the interest rate that will be given from the bank or credit union.

You need to find out if the bank or credit union is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). There are some money markets that are not covered by this insurance. As always, do your investigation before buying and investing. Check the number of transaction fees allowed per month. Banks will sometimes put restrictions on the number of transactions per month. Five transactions or less are common for many institutions. The transactions are usually a combination of transferring money, withdrawing or check writing.

Checking accounts come in numerous types. The different types have various banking requirements and fee schedules. Personal, usually qualifies for basic or free. Basic, puts a limit on checks that can be written each month. Free, has no limit and is fee free. Joint accounts are designed for two people. Student is common for a college or high school student.

A checking and savings account is a way to have control over your household finances. Checking is a method to pay the monthly bills. The savings is used as an instrument to take care of short term and long term investment needs.

June 5, 2011 Posted by | Banking | Leave a comment

Taking A Few Moments To Learn More About Checking And Savings Accounts

This article is designed to allow those readers that are not very financial savvy to take a few moments to learn more about checking and savings accounts. While some people like to hide money within their home, this is not a very responsible idea for obvious reasons.

Any reader that is thinking about doing business with a bank needs to understand the most primary differences between each type of account. A checking type of account is used for people to store all of their earnings in because they can actively spend money from the account. Purchases are made using checks or check cards, and the purchase amount is typically debited from the holdings within the account.

There are many people that no longer use traditional style paper checks in a world where everybody is switching over to debit cards. There are important reasons for people to want to use paper checks however. These checks typically having a clearing period whereas debit card purchases typically clear immediate. Each check that is written also leaves behind a carbon copy receipt that can be kept with other records.

There are many reasons for most of the world preferring debit cards however. These cards are typically going to be used anywhere that a corresponding credit card could be used. People with no credit can use them to buy things from the internet. They are also much quicker and easier to use. Writing a paper check is going to take a few minutes. These cards simply get swiped through a machine. Another benefit is that you could take advantage of banks free checking offers if you’re willing to go paperless.

There are many people that open up another account with their bank that they use for the sole purpose of saving money. It is important to note that the most responsible households are going to allocate a certain percentage of regular earnings for such things. This money can be used for two very common purposes. To take a vacation, or to assist the account holder with an emergency situation.

Any time that a person is opening an account that is used only for saving money, the bank is going to be paying some type of interest on this money. The longer that a person is willing to allow an institution to hold onto large amounts of their money, the more interest an institution is going to be willing to pay that person. There are many types of special, long term accounts, that carry interest, like children savings accounts.

There are a great deal of local bankers that are going to be more than willing to talk to potential clients. It is important to remember that when it comes to benefits received through any account, one important rule of thumb will typically apply. The more money that a person is willing to use when opening any type of account, the greater the amount of benefits that a bank will offer to them.

Those readers that are not very financial savvy should be a little more financial savvy after having learned more on the subject of checking and savings accounts. Some people might be very eager to learn more and this can be easily accomplished by talking to bank employees and also doing more research using the web.

May 24, 2011 Posted by | Banking | Leave a comment

Important Facts About Pet Insurance

Your pet needs cover just like you. This is true since it faces similar kinds of dangers as you. In looking for the best pet insurance cover for your pet, look out for such aspects as the price, the documentations required and also the period that the policy will run.

Getting a cover that covers all aspects will be beneficial to you. Such policies will assume such factors like the hereditary sickness and some past history that the pet has. Getting such policies can be tricky. It is advisable that you make direct inquiries to the firm for such offers.

In addition, find out the price of the pet insurance policy. Find out if it is cheap or expensive. You should get one that meets your budget line so that you will not have any problems servicing the monthly premiums.

To add on, getting to know the deductibles in the policy will help you calculate and know if you are going to enjoy paying the premium or not. One area you may be forced to pay is the government tax. Generally, many firms will never advise you on this until you start servicing your monthly premiums.

You should also ask if the policy is a general one or specific one. General policies will cover every aspect starting from any diseases to accidents that the pet might suffer. General policies are good though may need you to pay additional premiums.

In addition, you should ask and know if the policy is for only a given period. If the policy is limited to a few years, renew it regularly. It is good to have one that runs for a good number of years as it will require you to fill few documentations and low premiums.

You should also find out if it covers several pets or only one. Before your policy is actually approved, you will have to allow the representatives of the company to come in and literally examine the pet. You can ask them for this option in the process. Getting a policy that covers all will be advantageous to you at all time.

In addition, due to the high competition in the market, many firms have resulted into providing attractive offers to the large client base. Offers such as good discounts and price cuts are evident in the market. Take advantages of such offers by working with a firm that offers the best price.

Researching will help you come up with the best option in the market. Apart from using the Internet, you can apply the help of good referral points from your family and friends. Consider all the options until you come up with the best offer in the market.

Good pet insurance will be of much help when faced with high medical bills. Be sure to make regular servicing of the insurance premium. Many of the firms have strict laws concerning this and will make a follow up if they find out you are ailing in honoring your part of the deal.

May 12, 2011 Posted by | Insurance | Leave a comment

Advice On Checking And Savings Accounts For You

Financial institution provide checking and savings accounts for individuals, allowing all to deposit or withdraw money from bank, which are federation defended. For checking accounts, presently no restrictions apply connected to the number of instances withdrawals or deposits could be made. Debit card or checks are permitted. Different institutions will hold their own rules detailing their operations. Some feature minimum balance requirements when others may not. Generally each institute will provide several type of checking offers.

One most popular offer which an institution could provide is the unrestricted check account. This implies no fees is connected with this, provided no overdraft has been made. Sometimes, institutions may want you to direct funds or similar restriction which is the qualifying ordination to get a unrestricted ones.

Banks run a information check as you apply for accounts with them. Existence of a history of negative credits and checks which have bounced, then for most cases, your request can be turned down. The negative history remains with the system lasting five years, hence it is best to inform the institution in case there was such a history with your case.

Many institutes do let one open the second-chance balancing yet if your name happens to be on the negative database. However, there could exist additional restrictions associated, along with variations between institutes. This is fairly new feature within financial industries, so it is desirable to inquire with concerned banks and understand how they operate.

One of the classic type of balance that a bank proffers is a regular checking. There will be usually a minimum amount requirement together with a fee that is allotted for maintaining this. In case the amount falls below the specified minimum, some penalty may be charged. The yearly interest paid here would not enough to counterbalance the charge. Today, while free bank accounts are possible, there could not be much sense in holding a regular.

Alternately, savings accounts are there to help you to make savings. Therefore, they can come with certain limitations, minimum balance requirements, along with penalties for excessive withdrawing. The restrictions will differ between institutions, therefore advise is to verify from the bank ahead if you decide to start accounting.

Generally, savings accounts will require a minimum balance ranging from 250 and 500 dollars. Nonetheless, local banks may offer you a special transaction for lower amounts, to increase their depositions. Kids savings accounts sometimes waive the minimum balance. Another promotion can be the waiver to the minimum balance requirements if you have made arrangements for an automatic transferal of funds monthly coming from your other balance.

Other than the balance essentials, there will be the limit to the maximal number of withdrawals which can be made on this account. Generally, the restrictions are concerned to a maximum six per month. In case of withdrawals after six, normally a fee is charged. If the withdrawals still continue, the account may become converted to the checking account. The levy is again institution reliant and will vary. With any type checking and savings accounts, advise is to ask the institute for details before settling.

April 30, 2011 Posted by | Banking | Leave a comment

Looking At Cost Cutting Techniques: Saving Money By Riding A Motorcycle

Today, a lot of people are saving money by riding a motorcycle. Then again maybe that is just the excuse they give. Since the cost of living is on the rise, everyone is looking at methods of cutting expenses. Transportation is an a major consideration.

People have all different reasons for wanting to buy a motorcycle. The fun, the thrill, the money. Looking to save money, then a bike may be the answer your looking for. Compared to large cars, trucks, and SUVs, motorcycles can be substantially more cost effective. You can find cheap motorcycle insurance, and maintenance on a motorcycle is a lot less then on other vehicles.

A reason for buying a bike is that it is a lot more cost efficient than other automobiles. Well maybe that is just the reason bike owner give. Before buying a bike there are other things to think about. Geographically, are you going to be able to ride all year round or only seasonally. Is a bike going to be the only vehicle or the primary vehicle. All these conditions should be considered. For the most part, commuting by motorcycle should save you money. Weight mass of the bike and rider is substantially less than a car or truck. Meaning that less force is need to propel the bike forward. What this means for the bike owner is a saving in fuel costs.

If you commute to work and you have to pay for parking, either on the street or in a parking garage, over time this adds up. By riding a bike to work, you may be able to park in an alleyway, or even on the sidewalk, depending on the laws in your area. There do tend to be more parking options for motorcycles, due to the smaller size.

Not everyone can have a motorcycle as a primary vehicle. Bikes are not the best way to transport families. It is hard to fit the kids, spouse the family dog plus all luggage needed on the back of a bike. But if this is the case, a motorbike as a second vehicle has advantages. Commuting to work on a bike or while running errands saves a lot of wear and tear on the primary vehicle, perhaps prolonging the life of the car by a couple of years. Maintenance for a bike tend to be lower than for larger automobile.

Another factor some take in to consideration is time. Things are changing in the world today. Some states have what is known as lane sharing. Smaller vehicles have the ability to pass by slower moving, or stopped vehicles. More than one automobile shares the same lane on a multi lane road. The advantage to this is that during rush hours or when traffic in congested, as compact car, or bike continues on, meaning the other traffic may not take as long to start moving along again quicker then if all traffic was stopped or slowed.

Cutting costs hits every area of our lives. Many people are cutting down on their entertainment. A motorcycle, open road and a couple of hours, for some that is a mini getaway. Their escape from the real world. The freedom to take this time when they need it, comes from knowing that it will not cost a fortune to fill up the tank and just go. While fewer people are just going out for a Sunday drive anymore. They just can’t afford it.

You could be saving money by riding a motorcycle, whether it is your only, primary or secondary vehicle. There are downsides to riding bikes. If you happen to live in a region where season changes bring about weather changes, a motorbike would not be feasible, especially as on only or primary vehicle. And while cutting expenses may be the reason given, lets admit, the thrill of riding and owning a motorcycle is the bonus.

April 22, 2011 Posted by | Motorcycles | Leave a comment

Bank Account Comparison

When you decide to do business with a financial institution, there can be a lot of options to consider. Choosing between a savings account and a checking account is one of the first things you’ll need to do. Even after you’ve made that choice, you’re far from finished. There are still different types of each. Read on to get a better idea of what to expect when comparing bank accounts.

How To Find The Best Checking Account

Be sure to read all the fine print when you open a checking account. It’s tedious, but it will prevent unpleasant surprises. The bank or credit union’s website may have most of this information. One of the first things to consider is checking fees.

Fees

Some financial institutions will advertise something as free checking, but you should look closer. In order to avoid service fees, you may have to keep a minimum balance in the account at all times. The minimum balance will vary from bank to bank. It may only be a hundred dollars, or it could be significantly more. If the balance of your account drops below that number, even for one day, you’ll be charged a monthly service fee.

There is also a fee for printing checks, most of the time. Yet, there may be special offers that allow for free checks, when you sign up. It’s usually less expensive to order subsequent checks from an independent company rather than through the bank.

You may be faced with a monthly service charge or maintenance fee. Sometimes, when they advertise a free checking account, the maintenance fee can be waived under certain circumstances. Often you have to have money deposited directly into the account on a regular basis. Any regular payment will do, such as your paycheck, or a social security check. If you already make a direct deposit every month, this should not be a problem.

Perks

Many banks offer free benefits to encourage people to open an account with them. Some may offer free notary services or cashier’s checks. Also, you could find an institution that offers free traveler’s checks, if you comparison shop.

How To Find the Best Savings Account

Because your funds are available to you at any time,  most traditional savings accounts offer pretty low interest rates. However, they can be good for insurance against overdraft. Overdraft fees can be very expensive, and you can have an overage taken from your savings account automatically, in some cases.

If you want a good rate of interest, you may need to invest in a certificate of deposit. A CD, as this is commonly called, offers a better interest rate in return for your commitment to leaving the funds alone for a specific time period. You might choose a one year CD, meaning that you agree not to withdraw funds for at least a year. You can withdraw your money before the term is up, but you’ll incur significant fees. CDs are a good way to earn a little more interest, as long as you’re sure that you won’t need the money during the term.

Online

Make sure that you can access your checking or savings information from the Internet. This is a very convenient feature, and can save a lot of time. Also, look into the possibilities of online bill paying, as this can save time and postage. This is so popular that some banks are strictly internet bank accounts.

Summary

When you’re choosing a bank, credit union or other financial institution, check out the costs in terms of fees. This can include maintenance fees, check charges, and overdraft fees. If you’re thinking of a savings account, interest rates are important. If you can afford to leave your money alone for a while, consider a CD. Also, online access is important to many people, so check out online options before you sign up.

March 12, 2011 Posted by | Banking | Leave a comment

Choosing Savings Accounts For Kids

Most children will receive money at some point in their childhood. Whether it is a check from a grandparent or a prize from a contest, many kids will want to rush out and spend this money immediately. A good idea for parents is to pick from one of the many types of savings accounts for kids and set this up for their child.

One of the benefits to a child having their own personal bank account is learning how to be responsible with money. If children are handed money and are immediately allowed to spend it, he or she will get the instant gratification of something new but will not learn how to save for something bigger. A personal account will teach the child the upside to saving, showing how the money that is saved will grow with each deposit, moving toward a larger goal.

Another upside to children’s savings accounts is being able to have the child handle their own money, even in the smallest way. When children have his or her own savings account, it is not tied to the parents. The child will be able to see how much money he or she has without having to subtract the amount that is actually the parents own savings.

Children also have an advantage to learning math skills when they have personal bank accounts. When money is invested into an account, it begins to accrue interest. Children are able to see how much will be made from interest in one, five, or ten years, and will also see how adding or subtracting money from the account affects the interest earned.

Awareness of money is also a bonus to a child having a private account. If a child does not have his or her own account, a grandparent, aunt, or other relative who wants to give a monetary gift will have to make a check out to the parent. To the child, who doesn’t realize that the money was his or hers in the first place, a parent giving them money makes the parent seem like the source, rather than the gift giver.

Personal accounts also allow children to have a broader realization of what is going on in the world. When a child has a bank account, he or she is able to more greatly understand the financial news of the world. This allows parents to have discussions with their children, who can then become more empathetic to people in different financial situations.

Savings accounts are also beneficial because it allows control of a child’s own financial destiny. With every deposit or withdrawal, a child can see how the saved money is affected. This will provide a better sense of reality when deciding whether or not to make a withdrawal to get the hot new toy or keep saving for something bigger.

Setting up savings accounts for kids is one of the most responsible things a parent can do. When a child has his or her own personal bank account, a large step is being taken toward the responsibility and independence he or she will need as an adult.

March 5, 2011 Posted by | Banking, Children and Money | Leave a comment

How To Teach Children To Manage Money

One of the most important things to teach children before they move out on their own is how to manage money. The surest way to fail financially, no matter how successful a person is in their career, is to manage money poorly. This is definitely not a lesson for someone to learn on their own.

From the time children are young, they should be given the opportunity to learn about how to manage their finances. They need to understand that credit cards are not a free flow of money. They need to understand that checks are useless without funds in the bank to over them. They need to learn how to budget and how to save some money for long term goals and emergencies.

A lot of teenagers and young adults feel that living off of their credit card is okay. They apply for a credit card, get approved, and then go and max it out. This is horrible for a persons credit and they will be paying this debt back for years upon years. Young people need to learn to use credit cards responsibly, as a convenience when the money to pay it is already in the bank. Some people use credit cards in an emergency, and while not ideal, as long as there is a plan for how to pay it off quickly, this can work.

The ability to balance a checkbook is an essential money management skill. They need to know that they should always be aware of how much they have available in the bank so that they do not bounce checks or run out of funds to pay their bills. A lot of young adults are not good at setting up a budget and then they come running to mom and dad to borrow from when they do not have enough left to pay the rent. Children and young adults should be taught that bills always come first before they go spending on everything else.

Saving up for a rainy day seems to be a lost art these days, even among adults, but it’s important for young people to learn the importance of saving. Any extra funds that are left over after bills are paid and groceries and any other essential is paid for, should go into children’s savings accounts. Everyone should have enough savings to live for at least six months in case they lose their job or have some other unforseen problem. Savings also come in handy when there are surprise expenses like car repairs. Too many young adults run into problems and have no safety net. They call on their parents to bail them out, but at a cost to their independence. Besides, mom and dad might have not have the money available to help out.

Parents should help kids learn to save early. Start with a piggy bank and then move up to a savings account when they’re ready. Give them the opportunity to earn money by doing chores. Let them pick out something that they really want to buy and help them establish a goal for saving towards that item. This will help teach them the process of saving. Once they have enough saved up, help them go out and buy what they’ve saved for. The positive experience will reinforce the idea that it’s worth forgoing immediate gratification to get something they really want later. Once a kid can add and subtract numbers with decimals, start having them use a checkbook to track their money. This will show them the process of budgeting and keeping track of their earnings.

Many banks offer pre-paid debit cards for young people. This will help introduce them to the world of electronic cash. They’ll learn that a plastic card is only worth the cash behind it. Remind them to keep track of their funds and to be careful with their savings.

It is never to early for teaching kids to manage their money. If they learn how to manage $5 when they’re young, they’ll be better prepared to manage their salaries when they grow up. It will benefit them in so many ways and will help them to succeed in their life in so many ways.

February 26, 2011 Posted by | Children and Money | Leave a comment

Checking Accouts and Savings Accounts

Although they may seem similar, there are several small and one major difference between checking and savings accounts. First the names have different meanings. Another name for checking is transactional, or demand deposits. Savings can be called time deposit, or term deposit. Both are often  offered as free bank accounts.

Depending on the financial institution you bank at, financial records can vary. People can use personal checks instead of cash to pay bills. They also have bank cards and can be used to withdraw money from the bank or ATM machines.

Checking, or transactional accounts usually allow for unlimited withdrawals, whether by check or atm. If you have extra money, or you are trying to save for a rainy day, you may want to protect these funds from theft or loss. If you deposit it in a savings account, or time deposit account, it will be safe and it will usually accumulate interest, depending on the account you have chosen.

For money that you’re using to pay your expenses each month, you’ll want a checking account. This allows you access to your funds at any time. You can order checks that have your bank information and your account information pre-printed on them. In order to give funds to another person, you simply fill out a check against your account and sign it. The check can be given to the recipient, or even sent in the mail, since it’s safer than cash.

The payee can go to your bank and exchange this check for cash. Or they can deposit it in their own account and their bank will get the money from your bank. The funds are deducted from your account and deposited into the payee’s account, or if he goes directly to your bank, handed to him in the form of cash. A check is just an order to your bank to pay a certain amount of money to the payee specified. It’s not actually money itselft.

Banks and credit unions prepare monthly statements for checking account customers. The statement shows how much money has come into and gone out of the account during the month. Customers who keep their own records can compare their figures with those of the bank. Because of the number of transactions involved, checking accounts require a great deal of bookkeeping.

If you’re willing to give up some of your liquidity and keep money in the bank for a period of time in a savings account, the reward is that the bank will pay interest on your money. The interest rate depends on the type of savings account you get. You may earn anywhere from one to five percent. This amount is much lower than what you can earn if you invest the money, but the risk is extremely low too. The interest rates are regulated by the Federal Reserve Board.

Someone who deposits money in a term deposit usually receives a passbook that shows the amount of money in the account. You could only withdraw funds by going to the bank with the actual physical passbook, proving that you were the owner of the account and there were funds available.

Now that everything is electronic, even savings accounts can be accessed using a plastic bank card at the ATM. But unlike checking accounts, frequent withdrawals will cost you in bank fees. There are record finances that can be joined with another individual allowing that person to withdraw as well.

Because savings accounts are time deposits, banks can require thirty days notice before the money is taken out. Now that everything is computerized, though, banks usually allow you to withdraw funds from your savings account with no notice.

Both types of record finances are good, it all depends on whether it is wanted for keeping money and having it grow throughout the year, or having quick access to the money when it is needed.

February 5, 2011 Posted by | Banking | Leave a comment