Get your personal finances back on track.
Your check register is the key to properly balancing your chequebook and getting your personal finances back on track. Here are some steps that can help get your chequing account in order:
Start by logging each of your transactions in your chequing account register. Make sure you record the date of the transaction, the amount that was paid, and the payee. Be sure to include all ATM transactions as well.
As soon as you get your bank statement, match up the transactions on the statement with those in your register. You want to make sure all transactions are accounted for in your register. Many banks offer online banking where you can see scanned images of returned cheques as well as recent activity.
If you have missed any transactions, add those in. Subtract any monthly banking fees and add interest gained on your account.
The total that you get after adding all of those numbers together is your current balance. If you have made any withdrawals that were not included on your statement, subtract those from your current balance.
If you still have cheques that have not cleared, add them to the current balance. Also, add any ATM transactions that were not noted on the bank statement. This might have occurred because you conducted an ATM transaction the day after your statement was printed.
Compare the new current balance amount with the one that appears on your statement. If they match up, your current account is balanced. If not, repeat these steps again to see if you can pinpoint the error. Be sure to call your bank right away to report any discrepancies.
Shopping and paying safely online
Online shopping is a great way to compare prices, pick up bargains and track down those hard-to-find gifts; and with a bit of know-how, anyone can do it safely. Just stick to a few sensible rules and look out for warning signs to ensure a safe and secure online shopping experience, according to www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk.
Safe shopping
Be especially careful when buying from small or overseas businesses you have never heard of.
There are plenty of benefits to shopping online. You will often get the most choice, the best prices and can shop from the comfort of your own home.
However, there are some guidelines you should follow to keep your online shopping experience as safe as possible.
Research your retailers. If you are using a website to buy something for the first time, do some research to make sure it is a legitimate business.
Pay by credit card where possible. Credit cards give you more protection than other payment methods. You can find out more in how you are protected when you pay by card.
Check if the website is secure. Before you enter your payment details, you should make sure the website is secure.
Read reviews. If you’re still not sure about using a website, then search the Internet to see what other people are saying about it.
You should only put your card details into sites that are secure. Otherwise, someone could steal them and use them for fraud. On a secure site, you should see a few reassuring signs.