Overdraft protection

One advice: beware of overdraft protection on debit cards.

What is this? Simply, it is a practice that is gaining popularity among banks, in which they allow you to spend money with your card even if your account is empty (under the principle that you will sooner or later put money in that account to cover the expense).

Sounds nifty, right? Wrong.

Banks charge for this service. So, when you unwittingly make a purchase of, for example, 2$ at the coffee with your empty account's card, you're setting yourself up to later in the month receive a bill of 2$ plus about 34$. Thirty-four dollars extra for each transaction, so if you go about your day spending with your card, you're in for a multiple zero surprise.

It's an expensive coffee.

Bottom line, beware of overspending. Always know how much you have in your account. And beware those convenient concessions your bank makes... banks aren't there to lose money, on any of their services.