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You Should Check Your Bank Transactions Monthly for Una …

In today’s digital world, where online shopping, automatic payments, and mobile banking are part of everyday life, it’s more important than ever to regularly monitor your financial accounts. One of the simplest yet most powerful habits you can adopt is reviewing your bank transactions monthly. This quick check-in can help you catch unauthorized charges, protect your hard-earned money, and maintain control over your finances.

Since we are using cash less and less, keeping on top of your transactions is becoming more important. Personal data breaches are happening more often, and your card information (and other important information) may be visible to others online. Just the other day I found an unauthorized purchase on my card from reviewing my statements. Thus, I suggest you do the same.

The Risk of Unauthorized Charges

Unauthorized charges can happen in several ways:

  • Fraudulent activity: A stolen debit card number or compromised bank login can lead to purchases or withdrawals you didn’t make.
  • Subscription traps: Some services continue to charge monthly fees long after a free trial has ended.
  • Billing errors: Sometimes, companies make mistakes and charge the wrong amount or duplicate transactions.

Many people don’t notice small charges right away, especially if they’re under $10, but fraudsters often start small to see if the card is active. If these go unchecked, the problem can escalate.

Benefits of Monthly Transaction Reviews

  1. Early Detection of Fraud
    Spotting unauthorized charges early gives you the best chance to recover your money and minimize damage. Most banks have a time window typically 60 days for disputing transactions.
  2. Improved Budget Awareness
    When you review your transactions regularly, you’re more aware of where your money is going. It helps you catch forgotten subscriptions or notice rising expenses.
  3. Avoiding Overdrafts
    Regular reviews help ensure that no unexpected charges push your account into the negative, potentially leading to overdraft fees.
  4. Stronger Financial Habits
    Just like checking your credit report or updating your budget, reviewing transactions monthly creates a habit of financial responsibility.

How to Review Your Transactions

  • Log in to your online banking account or app.
  • Filter transactions by date, usually for the last 30 days.
  • Scan each charge even the small ones and match them to receipts, subscriptions, or known purchases.
  • Flag anything unfamiliar. If you don’t recognize a transaction:
    • Look up the merchant’s name (sometimes it appears differently than the store).
    • Contact your bank or the merchant for clarification.
    • Dispute any truly unauthorized charges.

Tips to Stay on Top of It

  • Set a recurring calendar reminder each month to review your statement.
  • Use banking apps with instant transaction alerts to spot suspicious activity in real-time.
  • Keep a spending journal or use budgeting tools that categorize and track your spending for easier monthly reviews.

Final Thoughts

Checking your bank transactions monthly might seem tedious, but it’s a small effort that can prevent major headaches. From catching fraud early to understanding your spending habits, this practice gives you more control over your finances. Think of it as a routine check-up for your money just like you would for your health. Start this month. Your future self and your wallet will thank you.
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MILLS WEALTH ADVISORS

Your Fiduciary Financial Advisor in Southlake, TX

Stop by our Southlake wealth-management office, just off TX-114 and minutes from Westlake, Trophy Club, and Colleyville, to meet the team that’s guided North Texas families and business owners for 25 years. Mills Wealth Advisors delivers fee-only financial planning, retirement-income strategies, tax-efficient investing, and exit-planning expertise to clients across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Tap the map below for turn-by-turn directions or give us a call to book your complimentary discovery meeting today.

  1. Leave Westlake
    • Head south (≈ 350 ft, restricted-use road).
    • Turn left toward Trophy Club Dr / Westlake Pkwy (≈ 440 ft, restricted).
    • Turn left onto Trophy Club Dr / Westlake Pkwy (0.1 mi).
  2. Join TX-114 East
    • Turn right onto TX-114 Frontage Rd (0.4 mi).
    • Use the left lane to merge onto TX-114 E (1.4 mi).
  3. Exit for Dove Rd / White Chapel Blvd
    • Take the Dove Rd exit (0.5 mi) and keep right.
    • Continue on W State Hwy 114 (0.9 mi).
  4. North White Chapel Boulevard
    • Turn right onto N White Chapel Blvd (0.3 mi).
    • At the first traffic circle, take the 2nd exit to stay on N White Chapel Blvd (2.2 mi).
    • At the next traffic circle, take the 3rd exit (≈ 460 ft).
  5. Arrive
    • Turn right; Mills Wealth Advisors will be on the left after ≈ 130 ft.
    • Address: 1207 S White Chapel Blvd #150, Southlake, TX 76092.
  1. Leave Trophy Club
    • From Hamper Ct, head southwest to Hogans Dr (≈ 350 ft, restricted).
    • Turn right onto Hogans Dr (0.2 mi).
    • Turn right onto Indian Creek Dr (≈ 400 ft).
    • Turn left onto Trophy Club Dr and continue toward TX-114 (0.4 mi).
  2. Join TX-114 East
    • Turn left onto TX-114 Frontage Rd (0.4 mi).
    • Use the left lane to merge onto TX-114 E (1.4 mi).
  3. Exit for Dove Rd / White Chapel Blvd
    • Take the Dove Rd exit (0.5 mi) and keep right.
    • Continue onto W State Hwy 114 (0.9 mi).
  4. North White Chapel Boulevard
    • Turn right onto N White Chapel Blvd (0.3 mi).
    • At the first traffic circle, take the 2nd exit to stay on N White Chapel Blvd (2.2 mi).
    • At the next traffic circle, take the 3rd exit (≈ 460 ft).
  5. Arrive
    • Turn right; Mills Wealth Advisors is on the left after ≈ 130 ft.
    • Address: 1207 S White Chapel Blvd #150, Southlake, TX 76092.
  1. Depart Colleyville
    • Head northwest (≈ 85 ft) to Colleyville Blvd.
    • Turn right onto Colleyville Blvd (0.2 mi).
  2. Pleasant Run Road
    • Turn left onto Pleasant Run Rd (2.0 mi).
    • At the traffic circle, continue straight to stay on Pleasant Run Rd (0.6 mi).
  3. South White Chapel Boulevard
    • Pleasant Run Rd becomes S White Chapel Blvd—continue for 0.5 mi.
    • At the next traffic circle, take the 1st exit (≈ 312 ft).
  4. Arrive
    • Turn right; Mills Wealth Advisors is on the left after ≈ 131 ft.
    • Address: 1207 S White Chapel Blvd #150, Southlake, TX 76092.
  1. Keller Parkway (FM 1709)
    • Head east on Keller Pkwy toward Rufe Snow Dr.
    • Pass Scooter’s Coffee on the right. Distance: 1.5 mi.
  2. Southlake Boulevard
    • Continue straight; Keller Pkwy becomes W Southlake Blvd. Distance: 1.0 mi.
  3. Davis Boulevard (FM 1938)
    • Turn right toward Davis Blvd / S Randol Mill Ave (112 ft).
    • Turn right onto Davis Blvd and continue 0.7 mi.
  4. W Continental Boulevard
    • Turn left onto W Continental Blvd. Distance: 1.7 mi.
    • At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit to stay on W Continental Blvd (≈ 370 ft).
  5. Arrival on S White Chapel Boulevard
    • Turn right, then the destination will be on the left after ≈ 130 ft.
    • Mills Wealth Advisors – 1207 S White Chapel Blvd #150, Southlake, TX 76092.

1207 S. White Chapel Blvd.
Suite 150
Southlake, TX 76092

For more than twenty-five years, we’ve been serving the financial needs of businesses, individuals, and families in Southlake, Texas and around the country.
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