Sometimes it’s the little things that really add up to make a difference in hitting your long-term financial goals. Even if some of the advice in this series may seem to address things that are too small to worry about, these are the healthy financial habits that are used by some of the wealthiest people in the world today. Taking the time to consider these money saving tips can help you to save extra cash with just a little bit of thought and planning.

If you added up the ATM fees people have paid in the last year, it would probably make you sick. Think about it – why does a bank really need to charge a fee? It’s nothing more than a money making scheme that capitalizes on our impulsive ‘must have it now’ nature. I mean, it’s not like they are doing it to protect themselves – if you don’t have the funds available in your account, you can’t withdraw the money.

That’s why, when you head out to an ATM machine, don’t just head to the closest one. Instead, make a point to plan a bit more, or drive an extra couple of miles if at all possible to hit a no fee ATM or to go to your own bank. You may even want to consider switching banks to one that is more convenient or to PNC who reimburses other bank’s ATM fees if you have at least a $2000 balance. At the very least, try to get into the habit of stopping by a conveniently located ATM machine along one of the routes you travel once or twice a week if you need cash. Plan ahead and stick to your budget – don’t withdraw extra money unless it is a real emergency!