More banks have imposed new fees or increased existing fees that customers happily pay because they just don’t realize what has happened. Federal regulations on banks have caused the institutions to lose a tremendous amount of profits and as a result, higher costs have been passed on to customers. Banks are hoping to recoup their major loss in profits but are offering little in the way of incentives to the customer.

Here are some tips for reconsidering your business of banking that you can use to evaluate and make the necessary transitions:

Read Disclosures

Banks that make changes to customer accounts must give written notice of their intent. Unfortunately, many consumers fail to properly review or even read any correspondence from their bank, including their regular monthly statements. Disclosures contain a lot of fine print but it does provide an updated and accurate look at how your bank account is changing.

Review Your Statements

Luckily most banks now give customers online access to previous monthly statements. Take the time to log in and review these statements. You may be surprised at the new or increased fees you have been paying for services you often use. These increased fees many include ATM usage, checking account fees, and higher overdraft charges. Keep track of these new fees and add them up over a year’s time. You may find you can not afford to bank with your present institution.

Check Your Reliance

You may be surprise at how many times during the month you utilized bank services that cost you money. You may also find that you do not rely on your bank in a way that justifies the higher cost. Check how much you are paying and decide if it’s really worth it to stay where you are.

Speak with the Branch Manager

Brick and mortar banks have a manager on duty to help you clarify the changes taking place at your bank. If you are not aware of how recent federal regulations have affected your account, seek out the manager and discuss the issues you have or the questions you want to ask. Another recent to speak to a manager is to air out your complaints about recent changes to your account. Some banks may be willing to hang on to loyal customers are will offer a better deal or waive costs in order to keep you happy.

Go Elsewhere

If you have reviewed your banking services and decide that another bank may be in order, it is wise to research all of your options. Outside of the other large banks, consumers may receive better, more cost-efficient service from a local community bank or a credit union. Do your homework to find a better facility to handle your money. If your present bank is not willing to compromise, don’t hesitate to transfer your finds elsewhere.

Reconsider How You Bank: Tips for Making a Change was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

• Make a list- Shopping without a list of items you need is one of the easiest ways to buy things that you either do not need or can not afford. This applies to grocery shopping, car shopping, house shopping; know what your needs are and how much you can afford to spend before hitting the stores.

• Take inventory- Merchants are likely chomping at the bit with the upcoming back-to-school season approaching. Traditionally this time of year is very profitable for retailers, with only Christmas and Mother’s Day bringing in more business. Before you even step foot inside a store however you should first take inventory of what items on your list (see above) that you already have at home from the previous school year. After all, the kids just got out of school in June, so many of the things they have left over from the year before can work for the upcoming year. Backpacks, lunch boxes and certain school supplies don’t expire when the final bell rings, so there is no need to replace perfectly useful items just because it is a “new” year.

• Set a budget and stick to it- Once you have determined what you must buy new, set and stick to a budget that will not place additional strain on your finances. This may involve talking to your kids about how much money is available to spend so they understand before heading out to the store that once that number has been reached, shopping is over. Of course this is easier said then done, as many children simply do not understand financial restrictions, however addressing the issue before you are in the midst of a shopping trip will be easier than going over the budget in the check-out line.

• Start early- You can save money and your sanity by starting early. Pick up a few items here and there and begin to build the back-to-school cache before the retailers launch their back-to-school specials (which often are not that special). Not only will this be more easily absorbed in your budget, but you can probably do this on the side without the kids noticing which can make it much easier than a full blown shopping trip with all the kids loading the shopping cart faster than you can tally the total. By starting early you can also take advantage of online shopping without worrying if the product will arrive in time for the first day of school.

The back-to-school shopping trip is like many other events throughout the year when we have become accustomed to spending money. In light of the recent changes in the economy and the shift in consumer spending this might be a good time to change that pattern. After all, it is not like days gone by when your kids only got clothes once or twice per year. Most kids get new clothes throughout the year, so if you don’t buy all your fall and winter clothes the last week of August there is a good chance your kids won’t freeze. Take your time, heed your budget and don’t go overboard and you should be able to get the kids back-to-school without breaking the bank.

Back-To-School Shopping Tips was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

• Make it your own. Like everything else in our society many people feel a push to keep up with the Jones’. Weddings are no exception and while it may feel a bit odd to break from the “norm” it is important to remember that this is your day. That means that whether or not you conform to “traditional” wedding planning is completely up to you and your partner. Keep this in mind when establishing your wedding budget.
• Plan the event in advance, including the budget. Of course you can’t wait until the last minute to plan a wedding. Certain aspects of the wedding will require months of preparation. Before you get started, make sure you sit down together and determine how much money is available for the big day. By knowing in advance how much money you have to work with, you will take a lot of guess work out of the wedding planning.
• Get creative. Many couples are saving a lot of money by switching out traditional components of their wedding with creative alternatives. Get better rates by changing the day or location of your wedding. Employ the help of your friends and family to help with decorations. There are lots of ways to lessen the cost of your wedding without making it look scaled back.

When establishing your budget and planning your wedding it is important to weigh which areas you are willing to save money on and where you want to spend more money. Most couples agree that having good food, drinks and entertainment for their guests is a priority. You also want to have great memories of your special day which means you want to have a good photographer and even professional hair and makeup if at all possible. Again the key is finding what is important to the couple and basing the decisions off of that information.

Planning A Wedding On A Budget was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

• Due to the increased popularity of organic products, you no longer have to search high and low or visit specialty stores to ensure your family is eating healthy. In fact, not only do most grocery stores carry organic products, they also have store brand products which will save you more money than buying the equivalent name brand. Look for coupons for your favorite organic products and always check out the clearance or marked-down items that can save you money without sacrificing quality.
• In an ideal world we would be able to have all organic produce. The reality is there will be times when buying everything organic is not possible. It is important to know that some produce is “dirtier” than others. Avoid up to 80% of pesticides by choosing onions, corn, pineapple, broccoli, peas and asparagus that is non-organic. Buy organic grapes, cherries, apples, strawberries and carrots whenever possible as they are part of the worst “offenders” group for contamination.
• Limit or eliminate sodas and juice. These sweet beverages not only pose a threat to your health, they are costly as well. With more children and adults dealing with obesity and diabetes, it makes sense to closely monitor the amount of soft drinks and juice consumed by your family.
• Experiment with different recipes to find meals that cost less yet provide a balanced diet for your family. This includes trying to incorporate beans, lentils and other legumes into your meal rotation. Reduce the amount of meat needed for your meals and see your grocery bill get smaller. You can do this by modifying your recipe to reduce the amount of meat needed, thus satisfying your craving for meat without costing a ton of money.
• Shop at the local farmers market or consider joining a co-op which allows you to buy straight from the farmer. This not only supports the local economy but also allows you to put food on your table that originated around the block versus around the world. This results in food that is less expensive, less damaging to the environment and fresher than those found in the grocery aisle.

Eating healthy is important regardless of the state of the economy. These tips should help you save money on your grocery bill while still gaining the benefits of eating a balanced diet.

Eating Healthy On A Budget was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

A special day to celebrate the birth of your child, nothing should be more joyous. Unless of course you are like me and

Budget-set it and forget it.

The first thing you have to do is determine how much money you can afford to spend on the party. Once you have a number in mind that you are comfortable with, stick to it. If you are working on a tight budget consider cutting other “entertainment” for the month and apply that money toward your party budget.

Decorate for a dollar.

Not a single dollar of course, but consider shopping at your local discount/dollar store for you party decorations. You can find great deals on balloons, cards, paper plates, silverware and decorations that will make your party look great without busting your budget.

Party food for the kids.

Many people blow their budgets in the food department. When you really think about it, kids aren’t worried about food. In most cases the parents are FAR more worried about what kind and how much food is available than the kids attending. Some simple kid friendly foods that you may want to consider are hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, pizza,cookies, punch and of course the birthday cake.

What will they do?

Now that you know you don’t need to worry about the food, you can begin focusing on the entertainment. Games will vary based on the age of your child and this is one area that will require a bit of creativity. One thing you should take into consideration is having multiple things going on at one time: board games in one area, a face painting station, a movie playing in the background. Kids have short attention spans, if you offer more than one activity at a time you are likely to keep all the kids happy and entertained.

Remember most kids just want to have a good time with their friends and loved ones. There is no need to go overboard and max out your credit cards for an afternoon that you can just as easily provide for a reasonable price.

Throw A Great Kids’ Party On A Budget was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Luckily, learning to manage money can be done through “baby steps”.  You can sort of ease into better money management, and as you initiate each step into your financial routine, you’ll notice your financial situation begins to improve over time.

Step One: Make the Decision to Improve

No one else can make the decision for you – if you really want to improve your financial situation you have got to make that decision and then stick to it.  It won’t do any good to think about it, you have to commit to making lifestyle changes to really improve your ability to manage your money.

Step Two: Start Saving

Something that is often missing from the financial routine is an automatic savings plan.  Most people who don’t save say they don’t save because there isn’t any money left over to save after paying bills and living expenses.  For many, this is an unfortunate truth – however, you must make strides to pay yourself first and change that reality.  If you can only save $2 per week right now – save $2 a week.  The important part is to make it consistent, and to do it automatically.  One of the easiest ways to do that is to set up a savings account that is connected to your everyday checking account, and simply intiate an automatic transfer of $2 per week (or whatever you decide to save) on the same day, every single week.  If you get paid bi-weekly or monthly, you might want to transfer the savings on the day you get paid.  Once the money is in the savings account – don’t touch it.

Step Three: Learn to Budget

No one wants to hear about budgeting.  Budgeting is not fun for most people.  It means “going without” or “giving up” things, for most of us.  The truth is – having an effective budget will make it possible for you to pay your bills, living expenses, contribute to savings, and get out of debt.  A budget is the plan that makes it all possible.  Budgeting is the key to better money management.  If you don’t know where to start budgeting, just do a search on Google or Yahoo for “how to budget”, and you’ll have more information than you need to get started.

Step Four: Reduce Existing Debt, Avoid Additional Debt

It’s far too easy to generate debts.  If you’ve got excessive credit cards and loan payments, you can think back and remember the rationale to getting into debt.  It probably went like this:  “If I borrow $1000 to pay for <whatever>, I’ll only have to pay $20 a month until it’s paid off.  $20 a month is nothing!”  The problem starts when you have multiple debts that you’re only paying “$20″ a month on; and suddenly you’re debt repayments equal the amount you’re making each month (or worse – they’re more than you make each month!)  All of those little repayments add up quickly, and before you know it you are in trouble.

When creating your budget, look at ways to reduce your debt as quickly as possible.  Using a debt snowball can help you eliminate and pay off debts quickly – provided you create the plan and stick with it.  Don’t be tempted into taking out additional debt in the meantime – this is where you have to be committed to better money management.  When you are debt free, you’ll have your income back because you’ll no longer be making multiple payments every month to all of those creditors!

Stepping into Better Money Management was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Earlier this summer, it is reported by a TripAdvisor survey that nine out of 10 consumers are planning a leisure trip this summer. Forty-one percent of worldwide travelers, and 51 percent of U.S. respondents, said the high price of fuel is going to affect their travel plans this summer. Thirty-one percent of travelers (37 percent of U.S. respondents) said they will take fewer car trips to save on fuel and 15 percent (18 percent of U.S. respondents) plan to take shorter distance car trips to save on fuel.

Still, 64 percent of travelers (73 percent of U.S. respondents) are planning to travel via car this summer. Seventy-two percent of travelers (71 percent of U.S. respondents) said they are planning to fly this summer. This coincides with a recent travelhorizons^TM survey co-authored by the Travel Industry Association (TIA) and Ypartnership, reporting that nearly 60 percent of Americans currently planning a trip this summer using a car, truck or SUV are not going to change their plans regardless of gas price increases.

Yet, as reported by last week’s AAA survey results, 95 percent of AAA auto travel managers say that high gas prices will cause travelers to alter their vacation plans this summer. However, this alteration does not translate to cancellation. AAA auto travel managers cited travelers taking trips closer to home, taking fewer trips, and reducing the number of vacation days traveled as the top ways that Americans will adjust their travel plans this summer.

Survey respondents pointed to Las Vegas; Orlando, FL/Walt Disney World; Branson, MO; Anaheim, CA/Disneyland; and San Francisco, CA as destinations providing bargains and value this summer. Internationally, respondents cited the Caribbean; European Cruises; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; South America; and Costa Rica as top bargain and value vacation options.

Oddly enough, Disney World is a more expensive vacation than some trips to Mexico or Canada, however there are ways you can get affordable Disney World tickets. Your Walt Disney World Vacations don’t have to cost an arm and a leg, just stay at a non-disney hotel, look for discounts such as AAA or AARP, and avoid buying food and gifts at the theme park. With a decent discount card, you can save 20% to 30% on Disney Theme Park Tickets.

Travelers are also taking advantage of travel savings this summer and fall by purposely traveling to hurricane prone destinations. Another TripAdvisor survey reveals 64 percent of U.S. respondents said they would be likely to visit a hurricane-susceptible destination this summer or fall, for a significant savings.

Eighteen percent of the TripAdvisor respondents said they are most likely to cut costs on their summer travel in their choice of accommodations. Twelve percent plan to eat in more often, 11 percent will save money by using less fuel/traveling a shorter distance, and another 11 percent will save money by taking a shorter trip/shorter trips.

“High gas prices, a weak U.S. dollar and the struggling economy are conspiring against Americans, but travelers refuse to stay home this summer,” said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor.

According to AAA, the top five domestic vacation destinations via air include Orlando, Las Vegas, New York, Las Angeles and Washington, DC. Internationally, top destinations via air this summer include Rome, London, Cancun, Dublin and Vancouver.

Other domestic “hot spots” for summer travel include New Mexico; San Antonio, Texas; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Oregon; and Miami, Florida/South Beach. International “hot sports”, according to AAA, include Croatia; Montenegro; Vietnam; Cinque Terra, Italy; and Douro River, Portugal.

Have you changed your summer vacation plans as a result of soaring gas prices?

Rising Fuel Prices Cause Travelers to Adjust Vacation Plans was created by and is property of American Consumer News.