Of the many complaints I see, lots of them involve bank fees and overdraft charges. One way to stop that is to split up your money. Create one account for your automatic withdrawals and big payments, like auto loans and mortgages. Have the second for your everyday debit card stuff.
"Set up some sort of allowance account for those ticky-tack purchases and those small withdrawals so that you don't muck up your account," says consumer writer Bob Sullivan. He has more suggestions for saving money in his book, "Stop Getting Ripped Off."
Another couple of tips he offers are to start scrutinizing your bills. Take one lunch hour per month and pick a target. It could be cable, insurance, or even your cell phone bill. Go over it with a fine-tooth comb.
"That extra $15 charge for text messaging you didn't expect or the extra $50 or $60 maybe your kid signs up for premium text messaging, that stuff adds up and it adds up really fast," said Sullivan.
Call and complain as many times as it takes.
"Imagine a world where no one did it. You have to complain. You've got to at least make someone in the company uncomfortable that they've cheated you," said Sullivan.
Complaining takes time. Follow up phone calls with certified letters and e-mails. If that doesn't work, give me a call at 1-877-51-JESSE or send me an e-mail at getjesse@king5.com
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