by Hope
As I have gotten on better footing financially, I have built a couple of savings accounts, been able to pay all my bills on time and stopped worrying about checks bouncing. But I recently discovered the peace of mind setting up overdraft protection can give you.
I wrote about forgetting to pay my utility bill last month. While I was looking around my bank account at that time, I found the settings for overdraft protection.
At first I set it to my credit card, that is with the same bank, but as I thought about it, I didn’t want to risk an unexpected charge that is counted as a cash advance. So I set up a separate savings account and put $500 in it and set it up as my overdraft protection.
Little did I know that I would forget a bill, I actually paid and need my overdraft protection. Thankfully there is no charge for using this service. Because to cover all the bills I scheduled, I over-drafted my daily checking account by $150.
Talk about a feeling of security!!!
It feels good to no longer worry about bouncing checks or robbing peter to pay paul and so on. I was able to immediately repay my overdraft account and am so grateful for the peace of mind this service gives me. And I think it might be the second most power psychological boost after having a decent savings account available.
Hope is a resourceful and solutions-driven business manager who has spent nearly two decades helping clients streamline their operations and grow their businesses through project management, digital marketing, and tech expertise. Recently transitioning from her role as a single mom of five foster/adoptive children to an empty nester, Hope is navigating the emotional and practical challenges of redefining her life while maintaining her determination to regain financial control and eliminate debt.
Living in a cozy small town in northeast Georgia with her three dogs, Hope cherishes the serenity of the mountains over the bustle of the beach. Though her kids are now finding their footing in the world—pursuing education, careers, and independence—she remains deeply committed to supporting them in this next chapter, even as she faces the bittersweet tug of letting go.
Since joining the Blogging Away Debt community in 2015, Hope has candidly shared her journey of financial ups and downs. Now, with a renewed focus and a clear path ahead, she’s ready to tackle her finances with the same passion and perseverance that she’s brought to her life and career. Through her writing, she continues to inspire others to confront their own financial challenges and strive for a brighter future.
I remember the satisfaction of experiencing the very same thing, and it was just a few weeks ago. I misread the amount in my checking account for the amount available including overdraft. I paid a bunch of bills, realized immediately that I was a few bucks in the negative, and then acknowledged happily that this wouldn’t cost me anything. I transferred some funds and moved on. Way to go!
That’s great that you don’t have to worry about checks bouncing, but I’m a bit confused as to how this is better than just keeping an extra $500 in your regular bank account in the first place. Maybe I’m missing something, but it sounds like you’re just making things more complicated than they need to be.