How to Turn Off Overdraft Fees, Find Unclaimed Money, and Choose Between a Balance Transfer or Personal Loan

Quick Take

• LIHEAP heating assistance applications are open now and money runs out on a first come, first served basis, even for renters
• You can call your bank and opt out of debit and ATM overdraft coverage to skip the typical $35 fee
• Unclaimed money sites like missingmoney.com let you check for free whether your state is holding cash in your name
• A 0% balance transfer can save real money, but only if you can pay off the balance before the promotional period ends and you factor in the transfer fee
• The average personal loan rate is 11.86% versus 22.15% for credit cards, and a home equity line of credit is running about 7.26%

Why does the LIHEAP heating assistance deadline matter right now?

LIHEAP helps cover heating bills, and in most states the application window just opened. The money is limited, so once it runs out for the season, it's gone. Renters qualify, not just homeowners, and applications are handled first come, first served. Search “LIHEAP” plus your state, or check the federal finder at liheaph.acf.gov to see the income limits.

How do you stop paying the $35 overdraft fee?

Call your bank and ask to opt out of debit and ATM overdraft coverage. If your balance doesn't cover a purchase, the card gets declined instead of the bank letting it through and charging you a fee that's often $30 to $42. That opt out only covers debit and ATM transactions, not checks or automatic bill payments, so those can still overdraft.

How do you find out if your state is holding money in your name?

States follow escheat laws, meaning banks have to turn over accounts that sit untouched for around five years. That money lands on a state unclaimed property list. Sites like missingmoney.com let you search for free. Never pay anyone to recover this money for you, the state doesn't charge a fee to claim what's already yours.

Is a 0% balance transfer actually worth it?

Most transfers charge a fee, typically 3 to 5% of the balance, and that fee gets added to what you owe. On a $10,000 balance at a 5% fee, you'd owe $10,500. If you can pay that off before the promotional period ends, the interest savings are significant. If you can't, some cards charge interest retroactive to day one the moment the promo period lapses. Paying off the old card also drops your credit utilization to zero, which helps your score, but closing that card right away can hurt it instead.

Should you get a personal loan to pay off credit card debt?

Personal loans come with lower average rates than credit cards, 11.86% versus 22.15% as of May 2026, and a home equity line of credit is running about 7.26% if you have equity in your home. Lenders weigh the three C's: character, capacity, and collateral, so approval is stricter than a credit card. The risk is charging the old credit card back up after consolidating, which leaves you worse off than before.

What changes financially when you have a baby?

You have 30 days from birth to add a child to an employer sponsored health plan, or 60 days if you're on the marketplace, though coverage is retroactive to the birth date either way. Daycare can run $16,000 to $17,000 a year. It's also worth setting up a will and naming a guardian before the baby arrives, since that's a harder conversation to have once things get busy.

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