How can you avoid being overdrawn on your checking account?

Because of the lag time that happens with debit card purchases, I am going overdrawn and having to pay fees. Any practical advice on this?
How can you avoid being overdrawn on your checking account?
Make sure you write down every purchase. Also, I have an extra $150 in my checking account that is not listed in my checkbook. I always know when I balance that the bank is going to show me with an "extra" $150. However, if my checkbook shows me having $95.25.. then that's all I have to spend. (That way you have a little extra in your account if you happen to forget to write something down.. so it won't cause you to overdraft). This works for me.. good luck to you!
Reply:Balance your checkbook. Never spend money that you don't have in the bank.
Reply:Keeping accurate records as already mentioned should help providing you always check before making a purchase. There are some banks that have a special type of No Bounce account which is connected to a savings account and they will forward the money to your checking to prevent an overdraw or bouncing check.
Reply:1) deposit more


2) spend less





OK, this is why minimalists don't write books. Still this is the answer, the whole answer and nothing but the answer.
Reply:Well, this may not be practical, but my mother and i (once the money has been placed into our accounts) take all but one hundred dollars of the money in the account out,in cash. My mom keeps hers as cash, but what i use is the new Visa card. Its like a debet card, but its more of a gift card. Its called "The All-Access Visa Prepaid Card". Its "reloadable" which mean that its like a girft card in the sence that what money you place on it, is the limit. But unlike a gift card, you can put more money on it at anytime. You can use it just like a debit card, but there are NO overdrafts simply bc if you do not have the funds available to pay for somehting, it doesnt let the purchase go through/ be paid. You can call the 800 number to find out what the balance is, or check it online. There are fees for somethings, but you have service plan options. I choose the Pay-as-you-go one since it is just easier for me. You can pick up a brochure on it at any Walmart (providing there is one near you) or you can check it out on Visa's website. Either way, if you choose to take to money out, resist ALL temtaions, and whatever you do, DO NOT USE Your bank card at all, until more money as be placed in the account. NO yes it is drastic, but drastic has worked for 5 months for both my mother and I, no overdrafts with the late fees or anything. Its all a suggestion, but do your best to be on top of it, bc those overage charges on my cell phone are nicer then the overdrafts i used to get, so I dont want anyone else to end up like that. below is the Visa link to the page i was talking about, and best wishes, and of course best of luck.
Reply:Well if your bank has online banking keep up to date with that, and I know it's hard but really balance using receipts you got from debit card purchases. If you write each item in as if you are writing a check in the ledger, you should have a better idea. Know that when you authorize a company to use your debit card it can take up to 60 days for them to actually collect the funds. Of course, this almost never happens because stores will try to authorize as soon as possible, and frequently run batch requests to collect the money, but it CAN happen so you need to keep an eye on what you have done versus what has actually come out of your account. Also see if your bank offers over draft loans. If you pay it back quickly, you'll pay way less in interest compared to NSF fees on individual items.
Reply:Yes...dont spend more then you have in your checking account.
Reply:make sure you keep your account balanced at all times and deduct your debit card purchases right away. you cant depend on your online statement if its not figuring in your debit card purchases.
Reply:It's called a checkbook ledger.





As you make a debit or check purchase or withdraw money from your account you write it in the ledger, where, when and how much and subtract it from what's available. Now you know how much is available, even when it hasn't come out of the account yet.
Reply:People keep talking about balancing check books, but if you're a guy and don't carry a purse and balance it right away, this is not going to happen.. I used to withdraw $ from the ATM and keep the receipts with account balances in my wallet. Another thing to do if you need to pay with it is use a credit card to pay for purchases and then pay it off each month.. Just don't overspend.. This will avoid the overdrafts at least.
Reply:balance your checkbook!! You have to write all of your deposits in it. deduct all of the checks you write. Deduct all of your debits right away. Buy a calculator. and do NOT write a check when you dont have the money to cover it!!
Reply:you have to be diligent in recording and deducting your purchases in your check ledger and tracking your correct balance after you make the purchases not waiting for them to show in your bank account. When you make the purchase, the money has been spent--it might be sitting in your bank account for a few days, but it is no longer your money to spend.





Also when you are entering your deductions in your check ledger , round up--if the purchase is 19.45, write in 20, eventually you'll have a decent padding.





next step, if you have a savings account, then link the account to the checking account and they can pull money from the savings to pay for over drafts in the checking--you'll still have to pay a fee, but it is no where near as expensive as bouncing a debit purchase or a check.
Reply:This happens to a lot of people, including me. I am not totally sure. All I know is, it is a B i a t c h paying for these stupid fees, over and over again.