Money & Finance #58 Banking, Budget & Spending

My bank offers online banking and I have been using it for 3 years. This feature has simplified my life and my bookkeeping. I enjoy the convenience of paying my bills online anytime and being able to transfer funds between accounts. I can schedule one time or recurring payments and never have to worry about mail delays or late fees. The online monthly statements are quicker and more secure and are available for up to 7 years. There's no monthly service charge if you have an eligible checking account or keep a combined minimum balance of $5,000 in qualifying accounts at all times, otherwise the fee is $6.95 a month.

My bank online security guarantee begins with a unique username and password, timed log-off, 128-bit encryption, a powerful firewall, technology updates and continuous surveillance.

I can safeguard myself by using a current web browser, changing my username and passwork regularly, protecting my passwords by not writing them down, and closing my browser when I am finished.

I did take a look at the budgeting tools but was reluctant to put personal information on another website; therefore, I would not use them. I feel that we are doing a good job ourselves.

My husband and I engage in many of the ways suggested to cut spending. We watch weekly sales, buy bulk at Costco, clip coupons & redeem them at stores that double & triple the coupons; shop around for lowest gas prices, and my husband is a handy man on doing basic maintenance & repairs. I would like to shop around for insurance rates when our auto & homeowner policies come up for renewal.