Selecting and managing a bank account might seem like a relative no-brainer in the money world. More "intense" tasks wait around the corner, like selecting investments for your portfolio or figuring out how to save for a home. But giving banking your attention once in a while is a smart idea, and a good way … Continue reading How to Make Your Bank Account Work Harder
When it comes to how one’s paycheck gets to the bank, there are two main options for employers and employees alike--the paper check and direct deposit. Many employers will only provide one or the other, depending on what state laws permit. At the remaining group of companies, employees can choose either option. That’s where I … Continue reading Why I Prefer Direct Deposit Over Paper Checks
Do you pay other people or companies for the privilege of dealing with even the simplest areas of your finances? If so, it may be time to re-evaluate whether you're getting your money's worth with these expenses. Let's look at three of the most common financial management areas where people often spend money for things … Continue reading Do You Pay for Financial Services?
Journaling is sadly dismissed as an activity best left to teenage girls, depressed writers or people with too much time on their hands. So what in the world is financial journaling and why would you want to do it? Every so often, I take up financial journaling for one reason or another. It might be … Continue reading How and Why to Keep a Financial Journal
My love affair with online banks dates back as far as 2003, when I opened my first account with Netbank, a now-defunct banking upstart that some of you might nevertheless remember. Between 2005 and 2008 in an on-and-off fashion, I experimented with banking at E-Trade, which for the first time allowed me to connect my … Continue reading I Gave Up My Online Bank
A few weeks ago, Mint rolled out a feature that is sure to make it a more competitive money manager: bill reminders. In this review, I take a look at all the new features, and decide whether Mint can take over as the primary way I manage my money.
If you want to take the leap to paperless, or your existing system isn’t working quite right, here is the strategy I used to set up my own system and dump my filing cabinet for good.
