BASICS: Bank & Credit Card Fee Reversals

We've all been hit with them before.

You look at your financial statement and are surprised to see some kind of fee you didn't expect.

The most common culprit is the overdraft fee, in which one withdraws more money than your account contains.

When faced with bank or credit card fees, there are things that you can do to try and get them reversed.

Remember, banks want to keep you as a customer

• Stay calm and collected. No one likes to deal with an unpleasant stress-ball. You want the customer service rep to help you!
  
• Feign ignorance. This is the approach I take most often. They will often waive the fee if it's your first time.
  
• Escalate to manager. The manager will do things that other customer service reps won't. If the conversation is not going the way you want, ask to speak with their supervisor.

Over the years, I've had about 90% success using the above methods. Read more!

SPECULATION: Stock Market

With the current economy, no one is feeling too good about their personal finances. I'll admit that I lost my shirt in the stock market with some small companies.

Where is the bottom? Well, if i knew that, I'd be a rich man. I am no stock guru by any means, but i decided recently to get back into the stock market. Could be a mistake, I know.

I will only buy stocks i believe in now. Intel and Apple are at the top of my list right now. Both are near 52 week lows. Both have LOTS of cash in the bank (no bankruptcy). Both have GREAT products out with near monopolies.

I just don't see how it could be a mistake with either of these companies. Sure, in the short term they might go down. But, in 10 years or so, i'm sure I will have no regrets with these investments.

**I bought 100 shares of AAPL 11/20/08 for $85.00 each**
**I bought 1000 shares of INTC 12/4/08 for $12.90 each** Read more!