KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The higher gas prices go, the more that something else has gotta give. This time of year -- graduation and moving season -- makes the offers pour into your mailbox anyway.

You can make these deals work if you're trying to save money, an not trying to bail out of trouble.

Bethany Busher banks strictly out of habit.

"I chose Home Federal because that's where my parents use."

But these days, we're all getting more pitches to switch than UT's Money wall has ATMs.

Courtney Caldwell with First Tennessee Bank says, "We're doing a 100 dollar bonus for them when they sign up for an account...It does require a 300 dollar deposit."

It's no surprise a lot of bank deals come with minimum balances.

You'll need to know what your new-bank-to-be would charge for checking, overdrawing, or using another banks ATM.

But Caldwell says that a tight economy could give solid customers more leverage.

"There is more of a drive to try to get business and our incentives have increased that drive to maintain the deposits that we have and also increase --try to get more."

But are rules the same when credit's the game?

Student Bethany Bucher says, "Too many temptations, too many things left to buy."

Justin Young graduates from UT Friday and says, "I'm living off my parents a little bit. So as far as the credit card for me, I haven't the need for one right now."

Daru Burdge with Consumer Credit Counseling Service says, "We rarely recommend that people who have credit card balances take up and accept those offers."

Burdge says its more than teaser
rates jumping. Shopping and card hopping cost you come car loan or mortgage time.

"Every application, every time your credit's run, all those applications and especially that new credit, is gonna show on your credit score and negatively impact your credit score."

Rather, she says you're better off using a competing offer to cut a better deal with your current credit card issuer to waive fees, lengthen the grace period or lower rates.

Burdge says, "Your leverage as a customer in good standing is based on the fact that they don't want you to go to another lender more than whether or not you're gonna get your balance paid off."

Your best gauge of knowing whether to switch is knowing your own habits.

If you're cash-only, or pay as you go, your credit card's interest matters a whole lot less than what you're paying for checking or whether your bank has enough ATMs.