Money Management Advice for Everyday Banking

How you handle your finances and money management solutions can affect your life in many ways. Are you coming up short every month? Are account fees and service charges eating up your money? Do you devote a lot of time to banking and paying bills?

Fortunately, money management solutions and tools exist to help you deal with financial issues. The following tips for managing your money will help reduce financial stress, make the most of your available funds and simplify the banking process.

Budgeting.
You've heard it time and time again. Good financial planning and money management starts with a budget. Regions offers budgeting tools to help you control expenses and save money. Online calculators help you easily determine where your money's going. And, you can plan for day-to-day expenses as well as prepare for the unexpected.

By getting a handle on your money, you'll make better decisions and get the most from your available funds. Learning how to budget and developing the discipline to stick with it are skills you'll need throughout your life.

Online banking with bill pay.
Routine banking tasks, like checking account balances, transferring funds and paying your bills, can be a nuisance for busy people. Fortunately, you can simplify your banking using online resources.

With online banking, you can manage your account around the clock with the click of a mouse. You can also track your finances easily and avoid costly overdraft fees.

Plus, paying your bills online allows you to make quick and easy payments. It also gives you a good way to track your monthly expenses.

Mobile banking.
A simple and safe way to bank anytime, Regions Mobile Banking gives you three convenient options:

• Text Banking and Alerts provides real-time alerts and lets you do things like check balances, transfer funds or locate an ATM.
• With Regions mobile web site, you can manage alerts and manage your account.
• Regions' iPhone, Android and Blackberry apps provide a simple and convenient way for you to access your accounts

Direct deposit.
To simplify your banking and make funds available as soon as you get paid, ask your employer about direct deposit. You'll get your money deposited electronically to your account - no wasting time driving to the bank and standing in line. Also, establishing direct deposit may provide additional perks, like eliminating monthly fees on certain banking accounts.

Overdraft protection.
Everyone makes mistakes with their banking accounts - you forget to make a deposit or you make a math error in balancing your checkbook. Returned checks or declined payments cause stress, embarrassment and extra fees!

You can reduce this problem with overdraft protection. By using your savings, money market account or line of credit, you can make sure your checks are processed even when you don't have enough money in your account.

Work with your bank to find the best options for your money management. You'll find your bank is more than an ATM. With lots of solutions to simplify your banking and make the best use of your money, you've got a financial partner to help you throughout life.