Banks get a pretty bad rap for a lot of well-deserved reasons.
Credit Unions are anattractive alternative, but that doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed an easy life.
Here are some of the biggest problems with credit unions, as well as how to fix them.
They also have specific requirements for entry, which means not everyone can get in.
Lifehacker readers haveexpressed their love for Mint and YNAB(among others).
The software doesn’t come free, but it’s more than worth the cost.
There’s bound to be another Starbucks on literally (not figuratively) every street corner in existence.
The same goes for bigger banks.
The solution:give a shot to find a branch in aco-op.
For comparison, Chase bank has5,100 branches throughout the US.
As a personal example, I found 56 new co-op branches that offer services to my Georgia-only credit union.
We’ve already talked about some of thebest credit cards for their rewards.
The Amazon Rewards card won out that battle, and its issued via Chase.
To a certain extent, big banks and credit unions can live together in harmony.
In general, it’s smart to haveat least a few open credit cards.
Rewards cards are good for the day-to-day purchases you’ve got the option to pay off immediately.
Ideally, you’ll have both open and use them for the correct task.
The solution:The easiest way to avoid ATM fees is to avoid ATMs altogether.
Onesurprisingly overlooked strategyis to utilize stores with cash back offers to withdraw money from your account.
Plus, you get gum.
Or, you’ve got the option to withdraw cash during your normal shopping.
Photos byMatt McGee,Images Money, andJordan Sim.