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How to Choose a Bank for Your Money: A Simple Guide

How to Choose a Bank for Your Money: A Simple


How to Choose a Bank for Your Money: A Simple Guide

Having a bank is essential, so if you don’t currently have one, you’ll want to start looking for one right away.

If you’re in this position, you might be wondering how to choose a bank. If so, you’re in luck!

Here are some tips to help you know exactly how to choose a bank for all your banking needs.

How to Choose a Bank: Make Sure It’s Safe

An important step in choosing a bank is making sure you pick one that is safe. If a bank is FDIC insured, it means your money is safe.

You may find that banks that are not FDIC insured offer higher interest rates. If your top goal is to make money from your deposits, then this may be a better choice for you.

Determine the Type of Account You Need

Next, you’ll need to decide what type of account you want and need. The two main types are savings accounts and checking accounts.

Banks typically offer both types, but you should compare the differences before choosing one.

One of the main differences is that you can write checks with a checking account but cannot with a savings account. You can generally get a debit card with either type of account.

Look for One With Helpful Technology

If you’re wondering what to look for in a bank, an important thing to consider is the technology the bank offers. Do they have online banking? Do they offer an app for your cellphone?

If you like to manage your money online or with your phone, the technology the bank offers is essential.

Make Sure It Offers Easy Access

You should also consider how easy or hard it is to access the bank. Many people choose online banks today.

If you choose an online bank, you may not have a physical branch near your area. Without a physical office nearby, the bank would need to offer easy access to the features they provide with their accounts.

An example of this is check deposit services over your phone. If there is no branch to visit, you would need an easy way to deposit a check you have.

First Caribbean online banking provides a way to handle all your banking needs with your phone or a computer.

Compare the Fees and Rates

Finally, you should compare the fees and rates before selecting a bank.

The fees represent charges you have with an account. Some banks charge monthly fees while others don’t. Some banks also charge fees if your balance drops below a certain amount.

The rates refer to the amount of interest you earn on your deposits. You should aim for a bank with low fees and high-interest rates.

Start Your Search Today

Are you interested in more tips to help you learn how to choose a bank?

If so, check out our blog to learn more about the options you have. You can also learn more about the best banks to choose from on our site.

Entertainment

How to Move Across the Country Without Breaking the Bank

How to Move Across the Country Without Breaking the Bank


How to Move Across the Country Without Breaking the Bank

Moving to a new place with new things to do and new possibilities is exciting! But if that new place is across the country, the process can be expensive – as in thousands of dollars.

Don’t let the cost of a cross country move put a damper on your spirits. With a few tips and tricks up your sleeves, it’s possible to make that move while staying within a tight budget.

Let’s look at how to move across the country without breaking the bank.

Downsize Your Stuff

Chances are, you don’t need to take everything with you. The more stuff you take, the more money it’s going to cost you. So when trying to save in moving costs, it’s time to downsize.

As difficult as it may be to part with your stuff, you need to be pretty ruthless to make it effective. Get rid of items you don’t use 80-100% of the time. Think about quality, not quantity.

Selling your things will add more money to your moving budget. Or simply donate the rest to those who need it more than you do.

Do Your Homework

Treat moving on a budget as you would trying to find the best deal on a new computer or kitchen appliance. You have to shop around to get the best price.

List out all your options. Research how much each will cost. Then choose the one that fits into your budget.

If you’re hiring help, don’t forget to look at reviews! You want to put your belongings in the hands of someone who has a proven track record of superior service. And remember, if the offer sounds too good to be true, it likely is.

Move During Off-Season

Summer is the most expensive time of year to move across the country. It’s when most people move to settle before school starts, which tends to hike up the prices. Moving during the school year will help you save.

Most people also move either at the end or first of the month. Weekends are the most popular time of the week. If you can move during the week in the middle of the month, you’re likely to snag cheaper pricing.

Look for Discounts

Are you a member of AAA or another similar organization? You could already have access to moving discounts that will make figuring out how to move across the country so much easier.

AAA offers discounts on moving services to its members. Moving companies also give special rates to AAA members, especially in the moving off-season.

If you have a veteran or active military member in your immediate family, look into special moving discounts offered to the military. Many moving companies will help military members and their families with shipping, storage, and moving discounts.

Ask About Relocation Reimbursement

If you’re moving across the country for a job, your new employer may pick up all or part of the moving bill. Many times employers offer this as a perk when recruiting candidates from out of state.

Talk to the HR department to see what their policy on relocation help is. It never hurts to ask if you’re eligible. They may even set up the arrangements for you.

If they give you the green light, make sure to save all your receipts. You’ll need proper documentation to receive your reimbursements.

Don’t Forget Costs Along the Way

When figuring out your moving budget, don’t forget to factor in all those little expenses you’ll pick up between Point A and Point B. Things such as eating out fuel, and hotels will add up fast, threatening to blow your budget wide open.

To help you save money, bring your own food instead of eating out. Look into whether hotels, AirBnB’s, or camping will cost less. And take measures to make your car more fuel-efficient.

If you have available points on a travel credit card, you could also cash those in for free nights in a hotel or for help covering the cost of fuel.

Do the Move Yourself

Moving yourself across the country is the cheapest way to go. Renting a truck, piling everything inside it or your car saves from having to hire people to do it for you.

Of course, moving yourself is more labor-intensive on you, but the trade-off is it won’t break the bank. If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask friends or family to help pack and load the truck.

One of them may even be willing to road trip it to your new place with you and help with the unpacking. It would still be cheaper to buy a one-way airline or train ticket home than it would to pay people to move for you.

Ship Your Things

If driving a moving truck across the country isn’t your thing, consider having your stuff shipped. As long as you don’t have a lot of things to move, it’s a cost-effective option.

Freight shipping companies help you find the best rate with reliable carriers. They offer different delivery options to meet your needs and even have available insurance to cover the cost of your belongings if something should happen.

If you’re flying to your new destination, ship your belongings as extra baggage. Of course, you’ll have extra baggage and weight fees, but it’s still cheaper than the cost of having someone move it for you.

Use a Portable Moving Container

Portable moving containers are increasingly popular. Not only do they simplify the moving process, but they also help you save money in more ways than one.

Portable containers are much cheaper than hiring a moving company. You simply load the container yourself then have it moved and dropped off at your new place.

Plus, it gives you a place to store your belongings until you’re able to unpack. So instead of moving your things to a storage unit, unload it all, then load it back when you need it, it stays all in one place. Saving you both time and money.

Save Money and Headaches by Knowing How to Move Across the Country

Your move feels like a fresh start, but you don’t have to let it drain your bank account. By knowing how to move across the country on a budget, you can leave the stress behind and keep your savings intact.

Want to know how to fix up your place once you’re all moved in? Check out the articles on our Home Improvement blog!