Comments on: How You Do: Balancing Your Budget http://collegecandy.com/2008/10/27/how-you-do-balancing-your-budget/ Advice on student style, collegiate dating discussion guides, relationship advice and women's studies. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:31:02 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: beth http://collegecandy.com/2008/10/27/how-you-do-balancing-your-budget/#comment-13020 beth Wed, 29 Oct 2008 02:20:13 +0000 http://www.collegecandy.com/reality/13496#comment-13020 just a tip-- don't rely on online banking or calling the bank's 1800 number for your balance... 99% of them are not 100% real time, and gas stations pretty much NEVER show up within the 1st two days-- I work for a bank and I can't even begin to tell you how many people come in begging for NSF fee refunds because "I checked my online balance and I had money, I promise!" Well-- online banking and 1800 numbers don't always take into account the holds- and with the economy how it is, most banks are really cutting back on the fee refunds- so write it down! PS a lot of banks will squeeze you twice for the same NSF fee, they'll bounce you when the purchase went on hold and they'll bounce you again when the purchase actually clears- It's a sneaky underhanded policy, and I don't condone it at all, but that's how it works. Also- they'll pull the money from your account largest to smallest, using the excuse that "your largest purchase is probably your most important..." truth being "if we hit you largest to smallest, we'll likely get more fees out of you..." I guess I went off on a rabbit-trail- but you really should heed my warning... PS Casey, that's a brilliant idea- I really like it! just a tip– don’t rely on online banking or calling the bank’s 1800 number for your balance… 99% of them are not 100% real time, and gas stations pretty much NEVER show up within the 1st two days– I work for a bank and I can’t even begin to tell you how many people come in begging for NSF fee refunds because “I checked my online balance and I had money, I promise!” Well– online banking and 1800 numbers don’t always take into account the holds- and with the economy how it is, most banks are really cutting back on the fee refunds- so write it down!

PS a lot of banks will squeeze you twice for the same NSF fee, they’ll bounce you when the purchase went on hold and they’ll bounce you again when the purchase actually clears- It’s a sneaky underhanded policy, and I don’t condone it at all, but that’s how it works. Also- they’ll pull the money from your account largest to smallest, using the excuse that “your largest purchase is probably your most important…” truth being “if we hit you largest to smallest, we’ll likely get more fees out of you…”

I guess I went off on a rabbit-trail- but you really should heed my warning…

PS Casey, that’s a brilliant idea- I really like it!

]]> By: Casey http://collegecandy.com/2008/10/27/how-you-do-balancing-your-budget/#comment-13019 Casey Tue, 28 Oct 2008 03:54:50 +0000 http://www.collegecandy.com/reality/13496#comment-13019 What I do is use index cards and an index card box, it's basically the same thing but i think it's a bit more organized. On one side of the card I put the date and any other helpful information like whether it's a payday, or I fill up my tank, or pay for my prescription, car payment, or something else that I do monthly. I also write on that side how much money I start with how mush I end with and the difference. On the other side of the card (the lined side) I write the amount I start with and then all the transactions for that day (how much I spent, where, and on what) I keep all receipts and at the end of the day I file the card and all receipts behind the divider for that day. It keeps everything super organized and at the end of the month I can see what days I spend the most money (like a payday) and notice any spending patterns that can help me make an accurate budget that I will stick too. What I do is use index cards and an index card box, it’s basically the same thing but i think it’s a bit more organized. On one side of the card I put the date and any other helpful information like whether it’s a payday, or I fill up my tank, or pay for my prescription, car payment, or something else that I do monthly. I also write on that side how much money I start with how mush I end with and the difference. On the other side of the card (the lined side) I write the amount I start with and then all the transactions for that day (how much I spent, where, and on what) I keep all receipts and at the end of the day I file the card and all receipts behind the divider for that day. It keeps everything super organized and at the end of the month I can see what days I spend the most money (like a payday) and notice any spending patterns that can help me make an accurate budget that I will stick too.

]]> By: Brittney http://collegecandy.com/2008/10/27/how-you-do-balancing-your-budget/#comment-13018 Brittney Tue, 28 Oct 2008 02:08:17 +0000 http://www.collegecandy.com/reality/13496#comment-13018 I don't use my checkbook anymore. It's too annoying. I do check my balance and activity online almost twice a day!!! I don’t use my checkbook anymore. It’s too annoying. I do check my balance and activity online almost twice a day!!!

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