YOU BUY A PAIR OF SNEAKERS FOR $100 ON YOUR DEBIT CARD...
You only have $99 in your account.
The bank might "lend" you the $1 but then charge up to $40 in overdraft fees.
Your $100 pair of shoes suddenly cost $140.
BE AWARE OF YOUR BALANCE.

What`s Up?

YOU WANT TO BUY A SODA BUT ARE SHORT ON CASH...
You go to the ATM and withdraw $10.
The ATM isn`t affiliated with your bank so it charges a $2.50 fee for the withdrawal and your bank charges a $2 fee for an out-of-network transaction.
Your $1.50 soda just cost you $6.
DECIDE IF IT`S WORTH IT.

For Real?

YOU GET PAID $210 EVERY OTHER WEEK...
You don`t have a bank account.
You go to a check cashing store.
You walk away with $199.50.
You`re working three hours ($21) every month just to cash your check.
OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT.

Come On!

YOU`re DYING FOR A NEW GAME CONSOLE...
You don`t think you can save $350 fast enough.
You buy it on a store purchase plan.
You pay the minimum of $10 a month at 18% interest.
It takes you more than 4 years to get rid of the debt.
In that time, you pay $150 in interest -- and that 4-year-old console cost you $500.
PLAN CAREFULLY.

No Way!

YOU USE YOUR CREDIT CARD AT THE STORE. "CASH BACK?" POPS UP...
You hit $20 to save a trip to the bank.
Instantly you start paying up to 25% interest and probably some fees.
That $20 could cost you double or more.
THINK BEFORE YOU SPEND.

How`s that?

YOU PAY YOUR CREDIT CARD BILL LATE OR MISS PAYMENTS...
Your credit score goes down.
If you have bad credit and you go to get a cell phone, an apartment or in some cases even a job, you may be turned down.
PAY YOUR BILLS ON TIME.

That`s true?

YOU GET A CAR LOAN FOR $15,000, AND YOUR CAR PAYMENT IS $227 A MONTH.
But that`s not all you`ll pay.
Your total annual cost for owning and driving that car is $404 a month.

• Gas and oli: $750
• Maintenance and repairs: $143 -- if your car is in pretty good shape
• Registration and taxes (depending on your state): $250
• Insurance: $976 (depending on the type of car, your gender, etc.)

Note: The examples provided above are for educational purposes only. Their accuracy and applicability to your individual circumstances are not guaranteed.