Annual Fee
Pay X each year.
(Originally published on Amanda Stanhaus’s financial literacy vocab blog: XO, Bettie Vocab.)
Amanda Stanhaus
Tag: annual fee
October 2, 2013
Questioning my Credit Card Choice
Cashback credit cards mean approximately free money. You just have to spend before you receive.
(click on the bold-faced vocab words:))
$40 cashback from my credit card last year.
First thought—Nice!!
Second thought— $40 is 1% of what?????
Mint’s pie chart showed me how I allocated this chunk of money over the year. The largest chunk of the chunk was going to my waxes. In this area, blondes do have more financial fun.
While replacing my credit card, after my latest oops I noticed my current credit card had an annual fee of $19 with 1% back on everything. I realized there was another cashback credit card from my bank with no annual fee, 2% back on groceries and .5% back on everything else.
The cashback credit card decision was a doozie. My local grocery is so cheap (and clean and the best) that it doesn’t accept credit cards. I decided to stick with my current card—I made a decision that fit my spending habits.
Other things to check on are interest rates, spending limits and if you’re a jetsetter, foreign transaction fees.
(Originally published on Amanda Stanhaus’s financial literacy blog: XO, Bettie.)
September 28, 2013
Fees are not the Bee’s Knees
Mint brought to my attention that my checking account was littered with fees.
And with my new job—Movin’ on up—I took the time to look for a new account to present to HR in a few weeks.
(click on the bold-faced vocab words:))
I’m a cash lover, so I wanted a bank (and ATM) that was close to my apartment/ work/haunts. Let’s be honest, those are the ATMs I’m going to use anyway, so I might as well not be charged for convenience.
Practically non-existent annual fee, please and thank you.
How will the bank contact me? I don’t want anyone else getting involved (i.e. phishing).
What happens if I spend a bit more money than what is in my account? (i.e. overdraft) Doomed to the dungeon??
Oh, and user-friendly e-banking/e-billing is a must.
Moving money while wearing my robe makes banking a bit sexier.
(Originally published on Amanda Stanhaus’s financial literacy blog: XO, Bettie.)
