Handle all of your accounts from your home computer.

If doing your banking has become a hassle of frequent ATM visits and long lines at the teller window, you should consider handling your accounts on the web, from the comfort and privacy of your own home. More than just a way of viewing your accounts via your computer, online banking can revolutionize the way that you keep track of your money.

Liz Pulliam Weston writes the weekly "Money Talk" column for the Los Angeles Times. She is also a financial columnist for MSN.com and a graduate of the personal financial planning certificate program at UC Irvine. Here she explains many of the advantages of doing your bankng on the Web:

• All access, all hours.
  With online banking you get 24-hour access to your accounts from wherever you have Internet access. You can view your balances, transfer money, or even download your transactions into your own personal finance software.

• Easy bill paying.
  With bill pay, you set up each of your accounts just once and then you can pay your monthly bill with the click of a mouse. An even more efficient solution is to set up recurring payments, so the bills are taken care of automatically and you don't even have to think about it.

• Print all transactions.
  Make sure to print verifications of everything you do, and at the end of the month you can compare your printed records to the statement you get from your bank.

• Start slowly.
  You don't have to rush into online banking. Try starting slowly by paying one or two bills a month on the web, and seeing if everything goes smoothly. Don't worry if you don't know where to start; most banks even offer tutorials on their site to walk you through the process.

For more information about online banking, check out the following organizations or websites:

MSN Money
http://moneycentral.msn.com

FDIC: Tips for Safe Banking Over the Internet
www.fdic.gov

NCUA: Tips to Safely Conduct Financial Transactions Over the Internet
www.ncua.gov

Maybank: Security Tips for a Safer Online Banking Experience
http://info.maybank2u.com.sg

Consumer.gov: Your Money
www.consumer.gov