Credit Unions - Better than Banks

I don't have any checking or savings accounts with traditional banks. Everytime I didn they would change the rules of my accounts after about a year. They would make the interest bearing checking account no longer free or raise the minimum amount required to get interest on my savings accounts. Or they did some other piddly thing to tick me off. They would change the rules to their accounts to raise fees to try make a couple of bucks off me. I just got tired of having to keep track of this months new rules and adjusting my usage of their accounts so I wouldn't get hit with the newest fee.
My solution that I have been using for the last 20 years is to use a credit union. Their accounts are always consumer friendly. No minimum on interest checking accounts. No minimum on savings accounts. Good rates and services. The offer online account access, free check images and free online bill payment. I get my car loans through them and they lower the rate 1/2% if you let them take it out of your checking account. That's a win-win since I don't have to write a check and that is where the money was going to come from anyway. And if you have read any of my posts, I like automatic payment methods.
Setup Your Automatic Savings Plans
Fund Your 401K Then Up the Amount
Organize Your Checking Accounts to Better Manage Your Money

I found one credit union through my employer and the other is in the community. I'm sure you can find one easily. Ask a co-worker, your HR department or a neighbor. I won't go back to a bank anytime soon.

Save Money by Not Being Able to Get To It

In an earlier writeup I talked about how I use different checking accounts and direct deposit to put my monthly expenses on auto pilot. I also use a similar trick to help me save more money. First I created a savings account at a credit union through work. The credit union is located about 30 miles away from my home and about 20 miles from my work. It is really inconvenient to get to. They tried to offer me a debit card and a credit card so I could have easy access to my cash. I refused to accept one. Sounds like it would be the last thing you would do. The next thing I did was to set up a direct deposit through work to put a small amount of savings in this account every paycheck. I then try to forget I have this money. When I get tempted or desperate for money I might remember that I have this account but then it's difficult to get the money out. I don't like to drive out there. I can't use an ATM. I can't use a credit or debit card to spend it. It's just a hassle. I usually try to find another way to come up with the money or decide I don't really need to spend that money right now. The whole time it's earning a small amount of interest but the total amount keeps building slowly because I don't touch it.

Setting up these automated systems to help you save or spend money wisely is super easy to do. Once you get them started they just take care of themselves. Try it, REALLY!