Your credit cards are often the one form of credit that you use that if you are not careful can get expensive in a hurry. But there are some steps you can take to keep them in check. Additionally there are some other things that you can do to help you save money with your bank and your suppliers. So here are 8 ways to help you keep your money in your pocket where it belongs.

1. The first thing you should do involves your bank account. Often linking your checking account to another account can save you money. But also linking a bank account to your credit cards can save you a great deal as well. If you fail to make the payment on time then the minimum payment due will automatically come out of your bank account. This will save you those late payment fees as well as a potential black mark on your credit.

2. Stay away from cash advances. A cash advance can cost up to fifty dollars per transaction with most banks depending on the amount of the advance. And many credit cards carry a higher interest rate for cash advances as well. Plus remember that when you make a payment on a credit card the amount you pay towards the balance is applied to the oldest charge owed not the charge with the highest interest rate.

3. Get your checks from a printing company instead of your bank. There is no rule that says you have to get your checks from your bank and they are probably charging more than you need to pay. Also your bank probably offers online bill payment service. Use the service as much as possible. Often the service is free and can save you on stamps as well.

4. Let local suppliers drop off what you need. Many companies that supply goods to businesses will often deliver for free. Even with the high cost of gas today they will usually provide such a service as long as your order or volume of business is significant to them. Even small orders will usually be dropped off providing you are willing to wait until they are in your area.

5. Get together with other businesses in your area to buy in bulk. Things like office supplies are often offered at a discount to buying organizations. The more businesses you have in your group the more buying power you have.

6. Be stingy about who you issue credit to. Remember until the money is in your bank account it can't make you any money. Make sure you do a thorough credit check before giving credit to someone. Even the biggest companies can develop a history of being slow payers. And if you are not paid on time then you could be facing a whole host of expensive problems.

Sometimes in business it is the smallest things that can add up to the most savings. Some of these tips are not necessarily about saving money so much as they are about not wasting money. Overdraft, over limit, and late payment fees can add up to a substantial amount of money in a relatively short period of time. Some of the other tips are just simple things that you can do to save a couple of dollars. Remember in the end it all adds up.