Checks

Convenience Checks – The ‘Inconvenient Truth’

Thumbnail image for Convenience Checks – The ‘Inconvenient Truth’ by Kasey Steinbrinck January 27, 2012

No, credit cards and the junk mail with so-called convenience checks inside are not melting the polar ice caps. So those of you who stuck your credit cards in the freezer to avoid irresponsible spending can relax. However, convenience checks are a major threat to your personal finances for more than one reason, and they [...]

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How Big Banks & Debit Cards Robbed America

Thumbnail image for How Big Banks & Debit Cards Robbed America by Kasey Steinbrinck October 10, 2011

Debit cards can be an extremely convenient tool and an excellent payment option. The debit card was the most-used  non-cash payment method in the U.S. according to a 2010 Federal Reserve study beating out both personal checks and credit cards. But behind all the convenience is a shady story of deception and law-bending corruption. I [...]

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Five Reasons Why Credit Cards Are Not a Replacement For Checks

Thumbnail image for Five Reasons Why Credit Cards Are Not a Replacement For Checks by Mike Dolen September 12, 2011

The following is a guest post from Michael Dolen of creditcardforum.com. A site dedicated to conversations about using credit cards responsibly. As someone that created a forum about credit cards, it goes without saying that I am enthusiastic about them. However at the same time, I realize their limitations. There are quite a few things [...]

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Why Walmart is Cashing More Checks for Cheap

Thumbnail image for Why Walmart is Cashing More Checks for Cheap by Kasey Steinbrinck August 10, 2011

The nation’s biggest retailer recently announced that it is expanding its check cashing operations. Walmart has become a huge competitor for typical check cashing stores because its fees for getting checks cashed are way less pricey than everyone else. You usually find those check cashing stores in low-income communities where there aren’t many banks. You [...]

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Citibank Does Something Nice for its Customers – Will Clear Smallest Checks First

Thumbnail image for Citibank Does Something Nice for its Customers – Will Clear Smallest Checks First by Kasey Steinbrinck April 4, 2011

Lately we’ve been hearing quite a bit about how banks and credit card companies are looking for ways to make up for lost revenue due to financial reform legislation. Most of the time – that lost revenue is being regained by raiding your wallet in the form of banking fees. But one financial institution just [...]

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Chase Debit Cards Could Have $50 Limit

Thumbnail image for Chase Debit Cards Could Have $50 Limit by Kasey Steinbrinck March 10, 2011

I’ve got to admit – I didn’t see this one coming! Imagine going grocery shopping and getting up to the register with a full cart. You’re all bagged up and your total comes to $117.34. You whip out your debit card from JPMorgan Chase – but it’s denied. That’s because there’s a spending limit on [...]

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Ebeneezer Scrooge’s Christmas Lesson

Thumbnail image for Ebeneezer Scrooge’s Christmas Lesson by Kasey Steinbrinck December 25, 2010

We all know the moral of the story of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Miserly old curmudgeon Ebeneezer Scrooge hated Christmas, hated fun and hated people. The three spirits who visited him on Christmas Eve taught him some valuable lessons, and Scrooge learned to appreciate everything about the holiday season. But learning to love Christmas [...]

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