Have you noticed the warning that is printed on your checkbook?  “WARNING; THE RULES
OF MONEY HAVE CHANGED”.  You say you can’t seem to find it?  Well it’s there even if
you can’t see it.  You might want to put that warning on your checkbook and every
other book or folder that has to do with your finances.  The rules have changed and
not in your favor.  Here are a few of the changes that you need to commit to memory.

BANKS ARE NOT A SAFE PLACE TO KEEP YOUR MONEY 
By the way, this is not a new change.  It has always been that way but you were not
aware of it.  Banks are falling faster than the autumn leaves, and that fallout will
continue.  You say your bank has the FDIC on all accounts?  That may be so but what
is going to happen when the number of banks that have failed keeps growing?  The FDIC
is about as secure as our dollar.  Need I say more?  

YOU WILL PAY MORE IN FEES THAN THEY PAY YOU IN INTEREST
You have heard the saying, “the house always win?”  Well that applies both to casinos
and banks!  Banks love your money and they also love the interest they earn on your
money and they are also stingy.  

IT IS TIME TO DEMAND A BETTER DEAL FROM YOUR BANK
For some reason people have a lot of respect for banks and bankers.  You can keep
that respect but you need to have a long talk with your friendly banker to get most
of the fees and charges reduced or totally removed from your accounts.  You need to
remind them that there is a bank on every other corner and if they won’t reduce them
you are moving all your accounts to a competitor. That should make them move a little
faster.

PARK YOUR EXTRA CASH IN A MONEY MARKET
Keeping all your money in your checking account helps your bank-not you!  Move that
cash to a money market account.  Do not use the one at your bank.  Every mutual fund
family has a money market and pays more than your bank does.

QUIT BUYING YOUR CHECKS FROM YOUR BANK
There are lots of companies that print checks and you can cut the cost for those
little pieces of paper in half.

IT IS TIME TO MOVE TO ON-LINE BANKING
When was the last time you walked into the lobby of your bank?  Well why are you
still living in the 19th century?  It is time to go online.  It is easier, faster,
and cheaper.  Become a part of the global economy.

Remember what Miss Piggy said about banks:  “You have to wonder about an institution
that puts a chain on a ballpoint pen.”  Remember what I said at the beginning of
this; “BANKS ARE NOT YOUR FRIEND.”




MAKE YOUR MONEY WORK AS HARD FOR YOU AS YOU WORK TO GET IT
Sound reasonable?  Sound like a good idea?  Then do it!  Why work so hard for your
money and then let it just lay in a bank vault and rot?!  Time to check ALL of your
money and investments and if they are earning their keep, it is time to change to
some other method that will keep your dollars working for you.  No one can afford to
have your money earning less than the inflation rate.  Like I said earlier, it is
time to do it.

WHAT IS IT?  ARE THE TAX LAWS WORKING FOR YOU OR AGAINST YOU?
You say you aren’t sure?  Well you need to be sure.  There are lots of laws that can
benefit you so you need to be taking full advantage of them.  Lord knows the other
ones are taking full advantage of you!

RETIREMENT & EDUCATION PLANNING
Do you have a plan to fund your kid’s education?  How about a retirement plan?  Are
they the best that money can buy, because you are buying them!  Maybe it is time to
see if you have a 21st century plan and not one from the dark ages.  

IT IS FULL REVIEW TIME
When was the last time you did a complete review of ALL of your finances?  You need
to do it now.  No excuses.  The rules of money have changed and you need to make sure
you have changed with them.  Don’t wait until it is too late to correct any problem
areas you may have.  You cannot afford that.  The time is now so get with it.