If you want to use plastic when you purchase, you have quite a few options. In addition to the debit vs. credit card decision, you can choose among different types of debit and credit cards.

It starts to get confusing when you consider prepaid debit cards and secured credit cards. From a certain perspective, they're the same thing: they don't let you get yourself deeply in debt. However, they are very different, and you should be sure to choose the product that's actually going to do what you need. MyBankTracker.com explains the differences between secured credit cards and prepaid debit cards nicely.

In short, the fees (and reasons for fees) differ, and the effect on your credit is different. Secured credit cards can help you build credit, while prepaid debit cards do not affect your credit. There may come a time when prepaid debit cards help your credit, but we're not there yet.

Further reading:

• Using Debit vs Credit Cards in Everyday Life
• Advantages of Federal Student Loans

Bank of America tried to institute a $5 per month charge for debit card customers last year, but the move turned out to be a disaster. B of A eventually scrapped plans to charge the fee, but the damage was done: customers got angry about a fee they believed was unfair.

Bank of America executives revealed that account closings surged 20% above expectations at the end of 2011 -- shortly after the monthly fee proposal made headlines. Their timing could not have been worse; Bank Transfer Day, November 5th 2011, was a popular movement designed to get consumers to transfer accounts to credit unions.

Banks have learned that they'll have to either deal with leaner times or find other ways to increase revenue. Broad based fee increases only send customers off to the competition.

Further reading:

• Bank Of America Debit Card Fiasco Resulted In 20% Jump In Closed Accounts
• How to Find a Credit Union

Unhappy with the interest rate on your savings account? Consider switching banks. Rates are low all over, but some banks pay more than others.

Money-Rates.com recently published a study on savings account rates available nationwide. A highlight from their research:

"depending on where you bank, you could be earning 100 times more -- or less -- interest than other depositors in comparable accounts at other institutions."

This means you could be leaving money on the table -- why not earn more if it's available?

For many, it's hardly worth it to switch banks just for a better interest rate. Before you go to the trouble of filling out applications and moving money, figure out how much more you'll really earn. If you keep a small balance in your account, the difference may be just a few bucks over the course of a year. If, on the other hand, you've got a lot of cash in savings, a switch may be in order.

Want an easy way to earn more? Money-Rates.com found that online banks generally pay four times as much as brick and mortar banks. An internet bank account will be an improvement compared to almost any traditional savings account.

Further reading:

• Online Banking 101

Ever since the financial crisis, bank lending has been dismal. Either it wasn't easy to get a loan, or banks claimed that not enough qualified borrowers were asking for money.

Now things look different. Banks report that the amount of money out on loan is actually increasing -- for the first time in a long time. That's most likely good news for the economy. If businesses and consumers borrow money (responsibly), the economy is likely to recover; more jobs should eventually follow.

If your business has been unable to get a loan in recent years, things may change soon. Take a look at your ability to borrow -- your income, collateral, and credit scores -- and talk with your banker if it makes sense to borrow.