Your October WellsWire

In This Edition
Banking Essentials
Investment Accounts
Managing Your Financial Accounts
Managing Your Money
Back to Basics
Taking the first steps toward financial freedom starts with the
basics. Whether you bank online, via ATM, phone, in person, or any
combination of these, becoming familiar with the accounts and
services your bank offers will make it easier to find the loans,
credit cards and even home mortgages that are right for you. By
learning what your bank has to offer, you can take advantage
of the financial products and services that best fit your
financial needs.
Banking Essentials
It's important to learn the features of even the most basic
banking products. Finding the right account is easy when you've
done the research.
Checking and Savings Accounts
Most people have checking and savings accounts, but may not know
that the types of accounts available vary widely. Everybody's
financial needs are different, and that's why it's important to
choose the account that fits the way you want to bank and enhances
your lifestyle.
? Checking Accounts. Do you keep a steady amount of money in your
checking account? Is your checking account your main financial
services account? The right checking account has it all -
convenience, flexibility and fast, easy access to your money.
Checking accounts give you the freedom to write checks against
your account balance and to have access to your money through an
ATM or online banking. And since everyone's financial needs are
different, there are a wide variety of checking accounts available,
including interest bearing or non-interest bearing, all of which
are FDIC insured. From accounts that offer you free checking with
direct deposit to low-fee student accounts to top-of-the-line
financial relationship accounts, there's a checking account
that fits your lifestyle.
? Savings Accounts. Whether you're saving for a new house or a
child's college education, the best way to achieve your financial
goals is to put money away each month. An Automatic Savings Plan
makes saving even easier by automatically moving a pre-determined
amount of money between your accounts. Savings accounts are interest-
bearing accounts with low minimum balance requirements. They are
a convenient way to save for the future and most savings accounts
can be used as overdraft protection for your checking account. Find
out more about the variety of savings accounts available to you.
? Time Accounts (CDs)
If you're planning for a vacation or saving for the future, time
accounts , also known as certificates of deposit, are a solid choice for your
savings needs. Time accounts offer guaranteed rates of return for a fixed term,
flexibility in length of investment term and are eligible for FDIC insurance.
ATM, Check, and Credit Cards
Both ATM cards and check cards provide convenient access to your
accounts, allowing you to withdraw cash, make deposits and transfer
funds through an ATM. An ATM card also offers you the ability to make
purchases using your Secret Code or Personal Identification Number
(PIN) at participating merchants. With a check card , you have
expanded purchasing power at merchants worldwide that accept either
Visa
(or MasterCard
), depending on which logo is displayed on your
card. Whenever you use a check card or ATM card to make a purchase,
the purchase amount is always deducted from your checking account
and detailed on your monthly statement for easy record keeping.
Additionally, there are several types of credit cards , which give
you the convenience and financial flexibility of paying for your
purchases over time, depending on your credit limit. With all of
these choices, there is definitely a card (or cards) that is right
for you.
Investment Accounts
These days, most people have some sort of an investment account.
However, the type of investment account people choose depends on
their comfort level and goals. Whether you're new to investing,
experienced at managing your own investments, or simply want to work
with a financial consultant, there are options for you.
? Full-service brokerage. New to investing? Prefer talking to
somebody in person? An experienced financial consultant can help.
It's not always easy making investment choices on your own. Working
with a financial consultant , you get the tailored advice you need to
make informed investment decisions.
? Online brokerage. If you prefer to manage your investments on
your own, online brokerage gives you the dynamic tools to manage your
portfolio, research the marketplace, assess your opportunities and
make the right decisions.
? Wells ShareBuilder. With Wells ShareBuilder you can invest in
stocks and index shares in regular intervals, weekly or monthly. Over
time, you will automatically build your portfolio share by share.
With no investment minimums and low transaction fees, this
affordable technique uses dollar-cost averaging to help you
reach your long-term goals.
Managing Your Financial Accounts
? Online Banking Basics
How do you access your accounts? In a branch, at an ATM, over the
phone, or online? As many people have discovered, banking online is
the fastest, most convenient way to access all their accounts, manage
investments, transfer funds and pay bills - all with just the click
of a mouse.
? Online account access. Need to check your balance from work? Want
to make a quick transfer between accounts but don't have time to stop
at the bank or ATM? Online account access lets you view your account
balances and transactions, transfer funds, pay bills online, and
contact customer service. It's an easy and convenient way to manage
your accounts from your computer.
? Online bill pay. With online bill pay, you can pay any individual
or company in the U.S. from the comfort of your home computer, the
office, or anywhere you have Internet access. And the money you will
save on postage can really add up. Try this demo to see how easy
it is.
Managing Your Money
If you're like most people, you work hard and strive to achieve your
dreams. It's important to build a financial foundation to ensure you
arrive where you want to be. Here are a few tips on how you can make
smart decisions about your financial future.
Taking Control of Your Finances
It's not how much you make, but what you do with your money that
matters. Cutting out a few minor expenses can make a big difference
in your savings. There's no better way to stay out of debt than by
tracking your spending and sticking to a budget. A budget can help
you control your finances, decrease your debt, and build a strong
credit history. Where do you spend your money? Determining your cash
flow is the first step in creating a successful budget.
Building Your Credit and Controlling Debt
Managing credit can be a challenge. But a good credit rating is key
to many financial decisions. Learning how to establish and maintain
good credit can make a big difference in your savings. Understanding
how to manage your debt can empower you to take charge of your
financial future. The quality of your life is directly linked to how
well you manage your credit and debt.
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One Last Thought
Managing your money means making major financial decisions. In
addition to the tips provided in this newsletter, a wealth of
information can be found at http://www.wellsfargo.com . We'll see
you next month with more practical information for managing your
financial life.
?2001 Wells Fargo Banks. All rights reserved. Members FDIC.
Investment products offered through Wells Fargo Investments
- Not FDIC Insured - No Bank Guarantee - May Lose Value
Full-service and online brokerage accounts are available through
Wells Fargo Investments, LLC (member NYSE/SIPC), a non-bank affiliate
of Wells Fargo & Company.
Financial consultants are registered representatives of Wells
Fargo Investments.
Wells ShareBuilder is offered through ShareBuilder Securities
Corporation, member NASD/SIPC, a subsidiary of Netstock Corporation.
ShareBuilder Securities Corporation is a separate broker/dealer that
is not affiliated with Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo owns a minority
interest in Netstock Corporation, parent of ShareBuilder Securities
Corporation. Questions about and access to Wells ShareBuilder must
be directed to ShareBuilder Securities at 1-877-595-0208 between 5am
and 6pm Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.
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