Take a moment and think about your bank or credit union. What do you like most about it? What do you hate about it? Why did you choose it in the first place? Finally, what would another bank or credit union have to do to get you to … [Read more...]
How to Open an International Bank Account
May 20, 2010 By
My first job outside the United States was in London. I worked for a travel company in Maine with international locations, so when an opportunity came up for me to hop the pond, I grabbed it. After making the move, the most important detail I had to … [Read more...]
Sallie Mae Savings Account Review
May 12, 2010 By
Good news for online savers; we're starting to see banks move interest rates in the right direction -- up! -- for the first time in over two years. Leading that charge is Sallie Mae Direct†, the online banking arm of student loan company Sallie … [Read more...]
I Have a Bank Account Fetish
May 3, 2010 By
I opened a business checking account last week to separate personal expenditures from business transactions. It was long overdue, but I pushed it off for so long because I already felt I had plenty of bank accounts---three checking accounts and … [Read more...]
Understanding Overdraft Protection and Fees
March 12, 2010 By
At one point or another, it’s happened to nearly all of us: For one reason or another, we spent more than our available checking account balance. And most likely, we wound up paying an overdraft fee for the privilege. In years prior to the day I … [Read more...]
Finance 101: How Do Banks Make Money?
February 3, 2010 By
Have you ever wondered why your checking account is free? Obviously, it's not because your bank is feeling charitable. Big banks make big money. The kind of money that leads to the obscene Wall Street bonuses we so often hear about. But banks make … [Read more...]
Why Checks Will Disappear
December 17, 2009 By
How often do you write a paper check? A few times a month? Less? Debit cards, online bill-pay, direct deposit, and electronic checking accounts are making the paper check more and more obsolete. And soon, checks will vanish completely. In Britain, … [Read more...]
Yes, Virginia, There is a Rewards Debit Card
November 17, 2009 By
There's a new rewards debit card in town! It's good news for those who absolutely refuse to use use credit cards: A new company, PerkStreet Financial, offers a free online checking account that pays users one percent cash rewards on all non-PIN … [Read more...]
A Case for Local Banks and Credit Unions
November 16, 2009 By
I have been trying to convince my wife to switch her checking account away from Bank of America; I'm not a fan. Recently, on my post on leading financial iPhone apps, two readers asked why. Although there are pros and cons to banking both with large … [Read more...]
I'm David Weliver. At 26, I had NO savings and NO financial plan. I was maxed out, stressed out, and fed up. Then, I changed. I repaid $80k of debt, tripled my income, and bought a home. I'll show you how to get similar results. 