5 Fees You Shouldn't Pay

Fees suck. They're basically an extra cash grab by companies to make sure they have fully turned you upside down and shaken you for every penny you have. Ok, maybe I'm being dramatic. But all those little fees really add up! A few dollars here, a few more there... You could have gone for a nice lunch with a special someone by the end of it all! SavvySugar has some fees that you can avoid just by following some simple tips. Here are my 5 faves:

1. Don't pay checking account fees! Luckily you have a Young & Free account already, right? You don't have to worry about paying monthly checking fees. But maybe you can pass this tip along to a friend.

2. Don't get retailer credit cards! Yeah they look shiny and the offers seem good at first but keep an eye out for the extra fees. Some cards may offer up to a year before you have to pay, but you get dinged up to $80 right on day one just to have that privilege.

3. Don't pay late fees! Whenever possible, sign up for e-alerts on all your bills. This will make sure you don't lose it in the mail or set down the bill and forget it. Taking a couple minutes to sign up for e-updates will help you stay on top of those pesky late fees. Hey, you'll even save a few trees while you're at it.

4. Don't pay airline fees! Airlines are getting sneaky these days. With some companies, if you choose to book over the phone they will charge you an extra $15 just to do so. Avoid that by booking online. Also, understand your airlines luggage rules. Know how heavy your suitcase can be and if you're allowed to check a second bag for free.

5. Don't pay extra cell phone fees! This will be a blog topic all it's own next week. Make sure you understand your cell phone plan clearly. Ask if you are unsure. Understand how much you will be charged if you use your cell phone while travelling. The better you understand your cell phone plan, the less chance you'll get a scary bill.

The constant theme in all of these tips: a few extra minutes of research and work on your end can cut fees out of your life. Now you can take all those saved fees and plan for a rainy day.

Down with fees!
Dex