Online Banking Is a Must Now

We’re about to enter a new year and a new decade. It’s funny about new decades – they also seem like a fresh start – time to put the bad things of the previous decade in our memory chest and look forward to what the next 10 years will bring.

Remember Y2K? Seems like yesterday that many people were calling for the end of civilization. I remember thinking as a grade school student that when the next century arrived, I would be 43 years old and that seemed so far away. Now I’m wishing I was 43 again – particularly with the knowledge I’ve gained over the last 10 years.

So what will this new decade bring in terms of personal money management? One new direction I’m recommending is a change in attitude about online banking. I think we need to now view this as a necessity in our money management approach and no longer a luxury or “cool tool.” And with technology improvements and “apps”, mobile banking places the information right in your hands, anytime, anywhere.

With the changes in credit card usage and availability compounded with a higher level of debit transactions, we need to be more aware of bank balances sooner and not wait for the paper monthly statement. With the crazy configuration of overdraft fees and holds on transactions, you might be racking up unnecessary fees and losing money needlessly.

And since the use of plastic is an integral part of our world now – from subway tokens to coffee purchases – you better have a good idea what’s in your account before you swipe. And let’s not forget the fraud and card compromise potential with all of this swiping.

Here’s what I’m suggesting to kids that they do each morning:
· Brush your teeth
· Run a comb through your hair
· Eat a good breakfast
· Check your text messages, tweets & Facebook page
· Check your bank balance

Now go off and embrace the new decade and all of the opportunities it presents!