Keep an account cushion3 of 8Most overdrafts occur due to relatively small sums, often $20 or less. That means you can avoid a lot of overdraft fees by keeping a cushion in your checking account at all times just in case a deposit is delayed or you make a mistake in your register."A hundred dollars would help," Fox says. "Two or three (hundred) is even better."Banks offer customers multiple ways to track their checking account balances, Sandler says. Online banking, ATMs and automated telephone voice response systems are but three examples.That information can be helpful, but you should still track your balance yourself because the bank's balance might not reflect all the payments you've made or scheduled."The online balance doesn't necessarily know that you have a pre-authorized mortgage payment due tomorrow," Fox says.« Back to Financial Regulation. Related Articles:Checking account tipsDebit card rewards surveyAvoid checking feesBank statement anatomyRelated Links:High-Yield Checking Study4 tips to thwart ATM thievesBanking at credit unionsFinancial reform dissected advertisement
Most overdrafts occur due to relatively small sums, often $20 or less. That means you can avoid a lot of overdraft fees by keeping a cushion in your checking account at all times just in case a deposit is delayed or you make a mistake in your register.
"A hundred dollars would help," Fox says. "Two or three (hundred) is even better."
Banks offer customers multiple ways to track their checking account balances, Sandler says. Online banking, ATMs and automated telephone voice response systems are but three examples.
That information can be helpful, but you should still track your balance yourself because the bank's balance might not reflect all the payments you've made or scheduled.
"The online balance doesn't necessarily know that you have a pre-authorized mortgage payment due tomorrow," Fox says.
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