Ring in the New Year with more jingle in your pockets. For 2012, get your personal finances on track by giving your financial life a makeover with four easy fixes. Use online resources like financial comparison websites to find the best student checking accounts, savings accounts, student credit cards and personal finance software.

1. Student Checking Accounts: Minimize Fees

Checking accounts are not created equal; the quality of your account matters, especially when banks are hiking fees and creating new ones, like debit card transaction fees. The best student checking accounts offer low or no monthly fees or minimum balances, and host a variety of online and mobile banking options. Compare student checking options online and choose one with low fees and penalties that you can access easily, whether online or in person.

2. Savings Accounts for Students: Earn Interest

“Student savings” may seem like an oxymoron, but did you know your money can earn more money while sitting in the bank? Finding the best savings accounts for students is a fast lesson that saving money actually pays off. Look for a free savings account with a minimum balance requirement you can easily meet. Then compare the Annual Percentage Rates, or APY, to find a high-yield account that meets your needs. The savings accounts with highest interest rates offer up to 1% APY, earning you cash while you sleep.

3. Student Credit Cards: Earn Rewards

Unlike a savings account, the lower a credit card’s interest rate, the better it is for your wallet. If you know you won’t be paying off your full balance every month, find the best student credit cards with as low of an Annual Percentage Rate, or APR, as possible. A better idea: keep more of your money – pay off your bill monthly and avoid interest due altogether.

Like savings accounts, credit cards can (and should) earn you cash. With banks competing to issue the best rewards credit cards, it’s easier than ever to find solid credit cards with strong reward programs. Whether you want to earn rewards points or cold, hard cash back, look for a card that offers the most useful rewards on what you buy most.

4. Personal Finance Software: Manage Your Money

While saving money is always on a broke student’s mind, using the best personal finance software can help you (really) do it. Create a budget and track your spending by category. The total you spend on a semester’s worth of fancy coffee drinks might surprise you. And with your new checking account, savings account and credit card, you can manage all of your accounts in one place using personal finance software.

Start the New Year with good financial tools. By finding the best bank accounts and personal financial software for college students, you can easily save money, keep your funds secure and better manage your spending.

What are you going to do to improve your finances for the next year?