Banking

According to credit behemoth Discover, 82% of U.S. customers used online banking in the last 30 days. But they aren’t just using a standalone computer for their banking needs; they’re turning to smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices to get the job done. In fact, according to recent data, the number of people banking on…

Although rare, banks can go bankrupt. However, your money can be protected if the bank you deposited money with is federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or FDIC. Since it’s so important that your deposits are FDIC-insured (the equivalent for credit unions is NCUA, or the National Credit Union Administration, which also operates…

If you’re anything like me, you look for ways to teach your kids practical lessons. That means my toddler helps clean up his own spilled milk. And my elementary-aged daughter gets an allowance so she can learn to manage money. We’ve done the allowance thing ever since I read The Opposite of Spoiled. But we’ve…

I found an error today while checking my bank account online. Capital One processed a check for $215.00 but mistakenly recorded it as $215.20. Now I know the error was only twenty cents, but I always find it unnerving when my bank makes a mistake. And of course, sometimes banks make big mistakes. If your…

When it comes to saving money, I’m a big believer in doing whatever it takes. If having too much tax taken out of your check each week so you get a big refund helps you save, do it. You’ll lose interest on your money while Uncle Sam is holding on to it. But it’s better than blowing…

Checks are evil. I’m serious. In a world of electronic transactions, debit and credit cards, direct deposit, PayPal, and online payments, shouldn’t physical checks be a thing of the past? Yet, I’m amazed at how many checks my wife and I go through. From charitable contributions to school lunches, we write about ten to 15…