MANAGING YOUR FINANCES
Nine Simple Steps to Financial Freedom 
Our partner financial institutions have some tips to help you on the way to financial success:
- Write down every check or debit card transaction in your check register
- Read your statements & compare them to your check register to catch errors
- Don’t write a check for more money than you have in your account to avoid costly overdraft fees
- Sign up for direct deposit at work so your money goes straight into your account
- Sign up for online banking – it’s easy to use and helps keep track of your transactions
- Sign up for automatic bill pay to help avoid late fees
- Avoid ATM fees by using only ATM's provided by your bank or credit union
- Don’t sign blank checks or let anyone else use them
- Keep your PIN a secret
Second Chance Program / Financial Education
Have a troubled banking history? Then learning how to take control of your finances is even more important. That’s where the Bank on St. Pete Second Chance program can help. Working with our partners, we have assembled a list of FREE classes that will help you make smart decisions about how you manage your money. You’ll learn how to make and stick to a budget, balance a checkbook, pay bills on time and start saving so you can purchase a new car, pay for college, or buy your first home. Whether you need a fresh start or just want to learn how to make the most of your money, Bank on St. Pete partners are here for you.
Credability (formerly Consumer Credit Counseling) can provide the Checkwise financial education class to interested Bank on clients. However, please note that there is a fee for this program.
Those Bank on clients interested in the CheckWise Program can visit: www.CredAbility.org/checkwise.
In addition, persons interested can go to their website at www.CredAbility.org and click on the CheckWise icon to obtain more information and sign up to complete the class.
Please contact Sharon Burton-Hicks at (800-864-9481), ext 8368 for more information on the Credability checkwise program.
