Looking to Save a Few Bucks? Don't Cut These Corners

Cell phone companies tack on enormous fees — upwards of $150 in many cases — to discourage customers from terminating their contracts early. So if you're feeling the lure of the iPhone siren song, hang tight. The iPhone will still be there once your contract expires, and you'll have saved a big wad of cash.

An estimated 47 million Americans go without any sort of health care coverage. Tempting as it may be to save a bundle on health care, consider this: Even minor injuries that require an unexpected emergency room visit could saddle you with thousands of dollars in debt. Nearly half of all bankruptcies today are attributable to overwhelming medical costs, according to a recent Harvard study. Health care is not where you should be skimping.

It's one thing to bounce a check now and again. That'll cost you roughly $25, give or take depending on your bank's policies. But writing a check you know won't clear is against the law. If you're expecting deposits, make sure they've all cleared before writing a check for anything else.