DEAR READERS: Back at it after the holidays ... did Americans stay financially within their means? Some may not have. In 2019, the big banks charged consumers a whopping $11.5 billion in overdraft fees. And 84% of these fees were paid by just 9% of bank customers -- those who can least afford it.
There's hope, though. Experts advise getting to know the personnel at your financial institution. If they know you, they are more likely to help you.
These fees are reversible. Ask for help. Ask for a reversal of at least some of the fees, and also do not feel ashamed to say, "Please help me." More than likely, a personal banker will sit down with you and help you formulate a budget so your money lasts as long as the month.
It has been suggested that banks should just decline a debit card purchase instead of pushing it through and then charging an overdraft or nonsufficient funds (NSF) fee of anywhere from $35 to $50.
DEAR READERS: Watch out for this new scam alert: people selling stolen cars online. Here are some big red flags to watch out for:
• A deal that's too good to be true. The asking price is way below the car's value.
• The seller wants payment in cash.
• The seller and the vehicle are in a neighboring city.
How can you protect yourself?
• Ask the seller for the vehicle identification number (VIN) and check it with the National Insurance Crime Bureau (https://www.nicb.org/).
• Inspect the car's title carefully. The paper should have a cottony feel to it, almost like money, and it should have a watermark seal on it too.
• Meet the seller in a safe place, such as a police substation.
If you get a funny or weird feeling, walk away.
DEAR HELOISE: In the chillier months, I add a bracelet to the back of my necklaces so the necklaces will lay further down my front. This will accommodate turtle- and cowlneck sweaters and layers in general.
-- Christy R. in Indiana
DEAR HELOISE: To lay out a meal for my toddler son in his car seat, at the drive-thru I ask for one of those fiberboard drink carriers. Each food item can go into one of the wells of the carrier: sandwich, fries, fruit snack and drink. So much easier than constantly reaching into a bag.
-- Ginny T. in Pennsylvania
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email
Heloise@Heloise.com