Most banks no longer actively solicit customers by offering deposit gifts, but you can win definite advantages — such as lowered minimum deposit requirements, competitive interest rates, or free checks — that make shopping for a bank worthwhile. The same holds true for short-term investing. This can seem like a lot of comparison-shopping for a small benefit, and yet shopping around raises earning potential that adds up in the long run. Avoiding hidden fees, utilizing higher-yielding bank products, and discovering lucrative short-term investments are simple financial steps that will help you maximize your savings.

