2/14/12
2/4/12
Organizing and Decluttering
I came across this article on how to organize and declutter during midlife transitions which is about my timeline.
Since dd started college last fall, this was something I was working on with one less in the house. Since ds is still in jr. high, I have four years left but four years to get rid of many many things, books, toys and clothing seem to pile up and they have to go.
So far, I have done well and hope to continue the trend!
I just need to get my husband on board, he likes his stuff.
Organizing and Decluttering During Mid-Life Transitions
Since dd started college last fall, this was something I was working on with one less in the house. Since ds is still in jr. high, I have four years left but four years to get rid of many many things, books, toys and clothing seem to pile up and they have to go.
So far, I have done well and hope to continue the trend!
I just need to get my husband on board, he likes his stuff.
Organizing and Decluttering During Mid-Life Transitions
1/13/12
12/9/11
Banco Santander SA
They bought out Sovereign Bank (formally Shawmut Bank) and are in vast numbers here on the East Coast. According to this MSN article, this Spanish bank are not liked very much in the UK either. They plan on expanding their business in the USA, as if we need another bank headache. (Poster comments tell money horror stories.)
However, many customers have had nothing but headaches from them and extremely poor customer service. Most complain about the outrageous fees they are charged, or unknown surprise outrageous fees, and phone harassment for payments.
There is a class action law suit for their illegal Mafia style business practices which makes Bank of America's consumer issues seem like a picnic/walk in the park.
So from what I have been reading, very scary and stressful. I just hope any loan I have from my present banks are NOT sold to them!
If you do have an account with them, read the article, check your statements carefully and beware of their bad bully business tactics. If you are thinking of getting an account there, think twice about it, you would not put your money down a garbage disposal now would you?
Sovereign Bank/BancoSantander SA Complaints
However, many customers have had nothing but headaches from them and extremely poor customer service. Most complain about the outrageous fees they are charged, or unknown surprise outrageous fees, and phone harassment for payments.
There is a class action law suit for their illegal Mafia style business practices which makes Bank of America's consumer issues seem like a picnic/walk in the park.
So from what I have been reading, very scary and stressful. I just hope any loan I have from my present banks are NOT sold to them!
If you do have an account with them, read the article, check your statements carefully and beware of their bad bully business tactics. If you are thinking of getting an account there, think twice about it, you would not put your money down a garbage disposal now would you?
Sovereign Bank/BancoSantander SA Complaints
11/30/11
Ireland
We just got back from a visit to Ireland! WOW -- Aer Lingus had super speedy service, we got there in just FOUR hours from Logan/Boston! That is because we were pushed over Maine and Canada due to the air stream shaving off a couple of hours of flight. No fun landing at Shannon at 5:30 am though. Way too early! but an hour more of vacation time!
It was a nice pleasant jaunt. We rented a cottage in the country. Very comfortable with a restaurant next door!
dd was able to stay with us almost the entire time since her classes ended and it was reading week.
We toured around, visited Bunratty, Cashel, Farney Castle, Dunmore and Michelstown Caves, Cliffs of Moher, and the Hunt Museum plus a few other places in between. I liked Tipperary and Thurles. Did not like dh's ideas for "short cuts" in a foreign country.
When we were leaving, dd benefited by us when we gave her all of our leftover Euros so she could buy her groceries.
It was a nice pleasant jaunt. We rented a cottage in the country. Very comfortable with a restaurant next door!
dd was able to stay with us almost the entire time since her classes ended and it was reading week.
We toured around, visited Bunratty, Cashel, Farney Castle, Dunmore and Michelstown Caves, Cliffs of Moher, and the Hunt Museum plus a few other places in between. I liked Tipperary and Thurles. Did not like dh's ideas for "short cuts" in a foreign country.
When we were leaving, dd benefited by us when we gave her all of our leftover Euros so she could buy her groceries.
11/2/11
Halloween Northeaster Blizzard
We went to the town Halloween party on the Main Street.
Since our daughter is away, we did not participate in the family costume contest as we usually have done, I am hoping I am retired from that now.
I did do my son's "Loki -- The Magical Detective" costume and he won (by default, only entry in his age group) a gift certificate to the pizza house.
It was extremely cold for October though and just as we were leaving, it started to snow. Later on back at home, about 8 pm, our power went off, as usual, dh was NOT home again for a power outage.
And it stayed off for 4 days! We also had about 8 inches of snow also.
There was no school on Monday (like there was no school after Hurricane Irene, late August). It was great that there was school on Tuesday where at least my son would be warm. We went out in the am and saw the utility trucks nearby. The utility company said we would be without power for a week! I cried.
Our neighbors across the ways had power and heat BUT the lady neighbor was really mad because she has Comcast Triple Play and had no TV, computer, or phone. Gee, I would do anything for heat and light!
We don't have a fireplace here or any sort of stove.
I texted a message to dd's Google address (first time I ever did that) and told her no power for a week. She later said, yes she did get it. I tried to email my account (for fun, something to do) but it did not work. My phone died on me later.
On Tuesday afternoon, it was sunny and warmer out. We had used the car so it was warm in there. I decided to stay in the car in the sun and eat my lunch. A while later, dh opened the front door and said the power was back on.
I was thinking, maybe, if we had known, we should have gone to Ireland to visit dd this week.
I really hate the inconvenience these freak New England storms create.
Santa better bring me a generator this year.
Since our daughter is away, we did not participate in the family costume contest as we usually have done, I am hoping I am retired from that now.
I did do my son's "Loki -- The Magical Detective" costume and he won (by default, only entry in his age group) a gift certificate to the pizza house.
It was extremely cold for October though and just as we were leaving, it started to snow. Later on back at home, about 8 pm, our power went off, as usual, dh was NOT home again for a power outage.
And it stayed off for 4 days! We also had about 8 inches of snow also.
There was no school on Monday (like there was no school after Hurricane Irene, late August). It was great that there was school on Tuesday where at least my son would be warm. We went out in the am and saw the utility trucks nearby. The utility company said we would be without power for a week! I cried.
Our neighbors across the ways had power and heat BUT the lady neighbor was really mad because she has Comcast Triple Play and had no TV, computer, or phone. Gee, I would do anything for heat and light!
We don't have a fireplace here or any sort of stove.
I texted a message to dd's Google address (first time I ever did that) and told her no power for a week. She later said, yes she did get it. I tried to email my account (for fun, something to do) but it did not work. My phone died on me later.
On Tuesday afternoon, it was sunny and warmer out. We had used the car so it was warm in there. I decided to stay in the car in the sun and eat my lunch. A while later, dh opened the front door and said the power was back on.
I was thinking, maybe, if we had known, we should have gone to Ireland to visit dd this week.
I really hate the inconvenience these freak New England storms create.
Santa better bring me a generator this year.
10/11/11
Bank Fees
Bank of America wishing to charge a monthly fee of $5.00 to use a debit card is really outrageous on so many levels.
I think people should take a look at their statements closely because we had a "free" checking account until they changed the rules (notification with very fine print). Yes, they nationally advertised free checking accounts (to get more customers), and then a few months later, changed our account (already had it for decades), then instituted fees if you had a balance that fell below their regulated balance. The fee is $15 per month if your daily balance falls below the regulated balance. Even ONE day, can cost you an extra $15. Other types of checking accounts had other monthly fees associated with them also. Even the senior citizens have to pay!
Now CitiBank has announced their new fee schedule.
If you have less than $6000. their EZ checking account charges $15. per month.
If you have $15K in a combo of checking, savings and loans, that is $20. per month.
The mid level plan has no fee but you must qualify by having a combination of $1500. balance (savings, checking, CDs, loans), have direct deposit and pay one bill online per month.
I guess this gives new meaning to "count your pennies".
I think people should take a look at their statements closely because we had a "free" checking account until they changed the rules (notification with very fine print). Yes, they nationally advertised free checking accounts (to get more customers), and then a few months later, changed our account (already had it for decades), then instituted fees if you had a balance that fell below their regulated balance. The fee is $15 per month if your daily balance falls below the regulated balance. Even ONE day, can cost you an extra $15. Other types of checking accounts had other monthly fees associated with them also. Even the senior citizens have to pay!
Now CitiBank has announced their new fee schedule.
If you have less than $6000. their EZ checking account charges $15. per month.
If you have $15K in a combo of checking, savings and loans, that is $20. per month.
The mid level plan has no fee but you must qualify by having a combination of $1500. balance (savings, checking, CDs, loans), have direct deposit and pay one bill online per month.
I guess this gives new meaning to "count your pennies".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
