How often do you just toss your bank statement into the “to-file” box and move on? There are a few reasons why you should take a moment to scan through it:

1. You need to have an idea of where your money is going! It will make you more likely to stick to a budget if you open your statement and think “Ouch! I didn’t realize I spent so much at (insert favorite store here)”! (Especially if you usually pay by debit or check.)
2. You need to check for any fraudulent charges. If you see a payment you didn’t make, call your bank right away!
3. You need to check for any mis-charges. One time my bank charged me for checks I didn’t order. I called and after they looked into it and figured out what went wrong, my money was refunded. (And I received a package of useless checks with my maiden name on them!)