CNBC reports that overdraft fees and late payments cost Americans an average of nearly $250 a year. Avoid this expense by enrolling in AutoPay for as many of your services and utilities as possible. Some are concerned that there won’t be enough money in their checking account to meet all their expenses and they will overdraft. If this is your situation, enroll in AutoPay anyway, however set your credit card autopay amount to the minimum required to avoid late fees. Then each month, the day before your next paycheck clears, log into your highest interest credit card and pay as much as possible for that month.
Most banks allow you to set up email and text alerts for large withdrawals, low balances, etc… You may have to contact your bank’s customer service phone or chat to find out how to set it up on their website. See the article in “Bonus Reading” below for more details.
As months pass and your Conscious Spending Plan or Budget evolves, ideally you will accumulate money for your Emergency Fund (Discussed more in Week 4). Many banks offer “Overdraft Protection” if you link your savings account checking accounts, automatically transferring money from your saving account (emergency fund) to your checking account. This allows your emergency fund to also serve as a buffer to avoid overdrafts, however you then must remember to log in to transfer the money back to your savings account once your next paycheck arrives.
Learn more about Enrolling in AutoPay in this article:
NerdWallet – Automatic Bill Payments: Pros and Cons
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/banking/automatic-bill-payments-pros-cons
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Automatic payments can save you time and save you from late fees. However if set up improperly, automatic payments could cause overdrafts.
Pros:
- It’s convenient
- It can improve your credit score
- It’s secure
Cons:
- You risk overdraft fees and late fees
- They might make a costly mistake
How to use automatic bill pay wisely
- Sign up in the right place
- Set up electronic alerts (See Bonus Reading below)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Would Autopay make your life easier?
Do you ever incur late fees because you have been working long hours or away on vacation?
Do you hate having to write paper checks and running out of postal stamps?
Are you concerned that AutoPay might allow you to avoid opening monthly statements and thereby not find out about issues in a timely manner? If so, read the “Bonus Reading” below to learn about automatic email and text alerts.
Do you want to enroll in AutoPay for some services but not others?
BONUS READING
Automation?!?! If everything runs automatically, what if I miss something important? What if there is a problem with my paycheck direct deposit and “the system” automatically racks up dozens of overdrafts? What is someone steals my credit card number and buys a $5,000 shearling coat at Eddie Bauer?
Never fear! Technology has the answer. Most banks allow you to set up email and text alerts stop you can nip any problem in the bud.
Bankrate.com – 7 Mobile Banking Alerts that Help Protect your Money
https://www.bankrate.com/banking/checking/mobile-banking-account-alerts/
Types of automatic alerts your bank may offer:
- Low balance alert
- Direct deposit alert
- Unusual account activity alert
- Large purchase alert
- Large ATM withdrawal alert
- Debit card alert
- Profile change alert
Although be aware of bank alert scams exist. Some identity thieves will send you an email or text, pretending to be your bank. Your real bank will never request personal information such as Social Security or account numbers.
Your credit cards may offer the same automatic text and email alerts for purchases and suspected fraudulent transactions.
Forbes.com – How to Enable Mobile Credit Card Alerts for Purchases and Fraud
Once again be aware of credit card alert scams exist. Some identity thieves will send you an email or text, pretending to be your credit card company. Your real credit card company will never request personal information such as Social Security or account numbers.
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