This is a guest post by Shay Olivarria, thanks Shay!An easy way to save money is to use your ATM card with your PIN and not as a credit card. How many times have you been ready to pay and had the clerk ask you if you want to pay with your ATM card as a credit or debit card and you stared back at her with a blank stare? Yeah? Me too!
When you use your ATM card as a credit card, it takes about three days to process through your bank. Many of us use our online banking account to monitor how much money we have available, but how do you manage it if there are purchases floating out there for three days that may not be showing up on your online banking account stream? Using your ATM card as an ATM card, using your PIN, allows the funds to be debited out of your account immediately. Seeing all your purchases right when they happen helps to prevent you from overspending and racking up overdraft charges.
The average overdraft fee is $32. Even if you only incur one overdraft fee per quarter, you’ll save $128 per year without doing anything.
Happy Shopping!
Shay Olivarria is a speaker, financial literacy coach, former foster care youth and author of Money Matters: The Get It Done in 1 Minute Workbook. As an ambassador for financial freedom, Shay travels all over the country to educate people on responsible financial decisions. Visit www.BiggerThanYourBlock.com for videos, interviews, and advice from Shay.
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I disagree. My bank gives me points (which i can turn in for cash)when i use my ATM card as a Credit Card. Which, saves me money.
That is awesome that you found a bank that gives you points! I use my credit card and pay it off each month for the same reason.