Fight For Your Money
and Save A Fortune by David Bach

David Bach's book talks about how to fight for your money with the legitimate large corporations who legally take your hard earned money. He doesn't spend his time like most of us talking about the scam artist out there that figure out illegal schemes to take our money. He actually explains the legal things that banks, credit card companies, cell phone companies, hotels etc.. do to take our money legally.

Bank Accounts

Some of the things David Bach tells you to do is compare a wide variety of checking, savings,and money market accounts and he explains in detail why. He also encourages you to compare fees and even give you a website to help you with that comparison.

Read the fine print before selecting an account. David Bach gives you detailed reason and explains what to look out for.

Bach suggest you go with a national bank that offers online savings accounts for the highest yields and lowest fees.

David insists that you make sure you deposits are insured and he gives you a website to check to make sure they are.

Debit Cards

One of the things David talks about is to call your bank today to find out what their specific liability policy is for debit cards. As always David Bach explains why this is important.

Know your balance before using your debit card to avoid excessive overdraft fees.

Safeguard your PIN at all times.

Never use you debit card at a machine with signs of physical tampering or at an unbranded ATM.

Check your bank statement online every day.

Use your debit card only for small, immediate transactions.

Credit Cards

David warned you to watch out for the minimum payment trap. He shows you the effects of paying only the minimum.

Watch for the old switcheroo meaning watch out for the credit card companies switching the terms on your account.

Go online to research credit cards with the best rates.

Know your payment due dates. Set up an automatic payment program to avoid being late and incurring fees.

Never pay only the minimum.

Scrutinize your statements for sneaky interest rate hikes and unexpected fees.

Renegotiate your interest rates.

Don't accept a credit card with a universal default clause or two cycle billing.

Cell Phone Plans

Bach tells you to figure out the size of the plan that's right for you then comparison shop among the major providers. Be conservative. When in doubt, go for the smaller plan.

Consider a prepaid plan if you're a low volume user, have bad credit, or have children who need a phone for emergency purposes.

If you don't make a lot of long distance calls, opt for a regional or local plan, which can get you more minutes for less money.

Check out the coverage area before you decide on a carrier.

Choose your carrier, then choose your phone.

Ask for a trial period. This is a great way to make sure the plan and the phone work for you before signing on the dotted lien.

If you change your service in any way, be sure your contract isn't being extended without your knowledge.

If your phone is lost or stolen,contact your carrier immediately.

Travel

Shop around and go online to find real bargains and Mr Bach actually gives you websites to use to search for these bargains.

Save additional money by using unexpected airports or carriers.

Protect yourself against being bumped by nailing doen your seat assignment early.

Always pay for your ticket with a credit card never by cash, check, or debit card. Learn why.

Make sure you know the rules regarding checked baggage and other no longer free services.

Hotels

Negotiate for a better rate.

Book online for a great deals, but always confirm your reservaiton and rate directly with the hotel.

If your hotel has overbooked or is lost your reservation, see what is offered as a resolution. And if nothing is offered ask.

Be aware that hotels add mandatory extra fees to the room rate for almost all amenities. Ask if you're not sure, in order to calculate the real cost of our stay.

Check your bill line by line and resolve any errors before you check out.

Fight For Your Money: How to Stop Getting Ripped Off and Save a Fortune by David Bach