Bank charges suck!

[judy]

My bank sent out a notice that there will be $12.00 fee for EVERY overdraft protection transfer!!!

I have been using my ATM card as a credit card for almost everything, and then I paid it in full at the end of the month when I got my check. Well, those days are over! I have to have the money up front in my checking account to avoid the exorbitant fees.

I have felt like I was doing it backwards, and should have the $ in the account, but you know how things come up. It got switched to paying after the month was over. I do like this new way better - don't buy it unless you can afford it.

I just think the bank fees are ridiculously high! I'm sure there is a hefty interest charge if you don't pay it in full also!

[Janet]

I think bank fees are high too. I've only used my debit card as a debit card...never a credit. Our bank would charge an overdraft fee right away....no waiting till the end of the month. I've gotten so I don't use my debit card as much either. I made a mistake and had an overdraft fee of $35. Sucks!

[DianaB]

That's a bummer. We don't have a debit card. I've heard that it they are taken and used that you are just out the money. A credit card is much safer.

I charge almost everything on my credit card any more. I get 1% back on all my purchases. This last Christmas I cashed in my points and got 9 $50 gift certificates......that's $450!!!!! The credit card that we're with has a lot of choices on what gift certificates you can get so the girls each got one for Penneys and the guys each got one for Gander Mountain and I got one to one of my favorite clothing stores. It took me two or three years to save up enough points but it's definitely worth it. Also we make sure that we pay the credit card off as soon as it's due so we don't accumulate interest or finance charges.

[JJJ]

I have an American Express and use that for everything. Bills, dining, whatever and pay it off at the end of the month. I have so many points I can't decide what to do with them. I switch my bank after I was advise I was going to get charge $12 a month. But I have been meaning to switch to a credit union so that's were I'm at right now.

[gja1000]

I'm getting ready to switch to a credit union. There is a credit union associated with my University and they give a lot of money to the Unversity for different things, so I want to do business with them. Plus, I like the credit union philosophy better than the bank philsosphy. But there hasn't been a branch close enough to me to be convenient, so I just haven't switched. They are building a branch that I can use, so as soon as it is finished, I'm switching!!!

Diana, the debit cards have the same protections as a credit card, so you will get your money back, if it is stolen. We use a Cabelas credit card for all our gas and auto expenses plus any big ticket items (like my John Deere ). We pay it off every month, so we don't have to pay any interest. THEN, Gary gets points that he can spend in Cabelas. I know he has over $400 in points right now.

[judy]

My debit card is also a credit card. There is a fee for using the debit card, so I never use it in that way.

I love the reward points! I have almost enough for another Home Goods/TJ Maxx gift card. I think I already have $75 on cards for them. I also have Home Depot gift cards. I got a whole bunch of fancy light switch plates from HD because I never seem to find anything there to buy.

It is wonderful to be able to pay the credit card in full each month. They say that before you know it, you're in 20 years debt because of the interest charges.

We are all lucky in that sense!