Expert Advice Tip Sheet -- Choosing A Bank And Credit Card -- OnlineOrganizing.com

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	Choosing A Bank And Credit Card

	By Ramona Creel

Feel free to use this tip sheet / checklist as you tackle your own ""do-it-yourself"" organizing projects. If you would like to REPRINT or DISTRIBUTE this information, please click here for reprinting instructions.

AUTOMATED TELLERS

How many ATM's does your bank have?
Where are those ATM's located?
Do they have agreements with other banks allowing use of their machines?
How many in-network ATM transactions are you allowed in a month?
Is there a fee if you go over this number? What is the fee?
Is there a fee if you use out-of-network machines? What is the fee?
Can you have an ATM card that is a check card? One that isn't?

CREDIT CARDS

What is the annual percentage rate (APR)?
What is the interest rate?
Is there an annual fee? Will you waive it for new or long-time customers?
Can I carry a balance?
What is my credit limit? How often can I have it increased?
Does your card offer any rewards (cash back, frequent flyer miles, etc.)?
Do you charge a late payment fee?
Do you offer a payment grace period before charging interest? How long?
Do you charge a transaction fee for a cash advance?
Are there any other service charges?

FEES

What kind of monthly service charges can I expect?
Do you charge fees for writing or cashing many checks in a month?
Do you charge fees for making counter deposits? How much?
Do you reduce your monthly fees for direct deposit?
Do you reduce your monthly fees for electronic banking?
Do reduce your monthly fees if I have a loan with you?
Do you reduce your monthly fees if I have multiple accounts with you?
Do you reduce your monthly fees if I don't get my cancelled checks back?

INTEREST

Do you offer interest-bearing checking accounts? At what interest rate?
How do you calculate interest on my account?
Do you compound interest on my daily balance?
note -- beware banks that calculate only monthly or on your lowest balance

MINIMUM BALANCE

How much do you need to open an account?
What balance must you keep to avoid a fee?
What is the fee if you go below that minimum?

SERVICES

Do you offer overdraft protection? What is the fee?
Do you offer traveler's checks? What is the fee?
Do you offer online banking? What is the fee?
Do you offer automated bill-paying? What is the fee?
Do you offer money orders? What is the fee?
What other additional services do you offer?

Copyright 2000-2009 Ramona Creel -- you are welcome to reprint any article, but you MUST include this resource box and a link to www.RamonaCreel.com.

Ramona Creel is Professional Organizer, NAPO Golden Circle Member, and the original founder of OnlineOrganizing. A former Social Worker, she has always enjoyed helping people find the resources and solutions they need to improve their lives. Ramona now travels the country as a full-time RVer, sharing her story of simplicity with everyone she meets. She leads by example -- having worked for more than 10 years as a Professional Organizer, and having radically downsized and simplified her own life as a full-time RVer. Ramona now considers herself a "Renaissance Woman" -- bringing all of her passions together into one satisfying career. As a "Virtual Organizer", she can create a customized organizing plan for your home or office. As a "Simplicity and Accountability Coach ", Ramona provides a proven program for making every area of your life a little bit easier -- perfect for those who want to make the time and space to focus on their true priorities. As a Professional Photographer, Ramona captures powerful images of places and people as she travels. And as a freelance writer and blogger, she shares organizing techniques, travel tips, and social commentary with others. You can see all these sides of Ramona -- read her articles, browse through her photographs, and even hire her to help get your life in order -- at www.RamonaCreel.com. You can also follow her on Twitter, check out her Facebook profile, and subscribe to her blog feeds.

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