One of the first things that you have to remember is that the bank where you have your regular account is not necessarily the bank with the best saving accounts too. With a saving account, the stakes are higher because banks have to pay you interest on the deposits that you make. Naturally, the bank that can provide you the best rate of interest will be the best saving account bank for you. If you had blindly followed them because you didn't know what you were doing but thought it was safe to do so because others were following them you could have finished up bankrupt. A second important point to keep in mind is to match the risk to the reward regardless of the type of investment. If you are considering a high risk bond for example you need to ensure that the rewards you are being offered are equally high. While you don't need to become an expert or have an in depth knowledge you certainly need at the very least a basic understanding. The stock market is in its simplest form just an auction but it is one with a sting in the tail for the unwary. To help you start understanding the stock market you need to think of what makes it work. Another thing for you to keep in mind is that you should shop around for the best deal. And don't hesitate to haggle a bit with the banks and loan companies. Play them off against each other. No matter how good their offer sounds always tell them that you will need to think about it. That not only does that make you sound financially responsible but it allows you to go back to other lenders and say hey I've been offered this by ABC Bank can you beat it? Credit Card Bill Consolidation Loans Yes Or No Credit card bill consolidation is something everyone who is having problems making the monthly repayment should consider. That is down to the high amounts of interest that the card companies charge on your credit card bill. Consolidation loans are usually far cheaper rates of interest and really can work out to be quite a significant saving. Take your time and speak to licensed debt counsellors from as many places as you can find. While a couple of extra days won't make much difference at this stage they could add months or even years on to the length of your repayment schedule. And the old adage of time is money is very true if that happens.