Online Bill Pay - 2 questions--

Andrew DeFaria wrote in news:43dcdd67$0$95992$ snipped-for-privacy@news.sonic.net:

Yes, but it amazes me how some just don't act as if they understand. One kid did, the other didn't. Their spouses?!

Isn't this exactly what we should be teaching the kids *not* to do?!? Again, if you cannot afford to pay for it now then right now, you can't afford it.

Regardless, people need to be taught that buying things just to keep up with the Jones' while incurring debt is wrong.

Well it goes without saying but perhaps it should be said nonetheless - Of course the parents need to lead by example. If they don't well then the kids will just do the same.

Ah... You're wife? Grandmother? Kids? Mistress? I don't know. (I have a similar problem and it's not just with banks calling my phone but UPS, FedEx, etc. too!)

That you'd have to ask the bank.

Speaking of which I found it odd that the bank wouldn't allow me to make a purchase over and above my credit card limit but seemed to have no problem allowing my then estranged wife to do that. I guess they thought it'd be a good idea to allow her to screw me yet even further. Funny how that works. When I told them, "Hey I don't want you ever approving a purchase above my limit for me or anybody else" they told me it was at their discretion. Hmmmm... That's the last time I heard from from and the last time I ever dealt with them (For anybody who wish to avoid such crappy companies this was a Yahoo credit card. I firmly believe in giving credit where credit is do and properly identifying those companies who deserve disdain. I never understood why people protect such companies).

Yes, but why then must we sign? If somebody charges a bunch and forges your name can you get a handwriting expert to testify that it's not your signature? Otherwise what the hell is the purpose of the signature?!?

That's what all the paranoid people say!

Same can be said for any activity to justify paranoia - After you've seen some people in a car accident your attitude changes. The trick is to balance and manage the risk with the usefulness. Life is a risk! Living it is a risk - then there's these rewards...

One key tool is to recognize the real risk and separate that from perceived risk. Media reports are hardly reliable and such things led (and still lead) a lot of paranoid people to be fearful of crime when real statistics indicate that crime has gone down - way down. The paranoid people will see a news report and say "See! I told you so" then remain in their houses feeling justified in their paranoia based on a single media report.

Andrew DeFaria wrote in news:43dcf5d7$0$95938 $ snipped-for-privacy@news.sonic.net:

You made the point. A lawyer could probably explain.

Andrew DeFaria wrote in news:43dcf0fc$0$95993$ snipped-for-privacy@news.sonic.net:

But the credit card company says (more or less): You want it? Go ahead and buy it, even if you don't have the money right now. *We* are confident you'll eventually scrape it together (and we will "earn" the interest we charge in the meantime).

I keep telling everyone that the bank does *not* deserve the interest, and that it is better for us to pay in full, and eat dry bread for a while. Do they listen? (that's a rhetorical question)

Andrew DeFaria wrote in news:43dcf17f$0$95993 $ snipped-for-privacy@news.sonic.net:

We've been lucky that our family has not wanted more than we could afford, and that we had reserves when needed.

Oh you can *want* all you want - you just can't *have* because you can't

So what?!? If the credit card company says "Jump off a bridge" you gonna do it? (Rhetorical question).

Exactly.

Conversely, I've written checks in my local grocers, both independent and chains for over 40 years and never had an issue.

It would be more convenient for me to NOT write a check but given my personal feelings with regard to the open environment and the ease with which I feel someone might be able to get my pin number I feel more comfortable writing a check than inputting my pin at checkout.

It's purely subjective and a matter of personal preference. It doesn't bother you and it does bother me. And forgive me, I'm really not debating the issue or saying you are wrong. I asked a question which you have answered and it's up to me to determine what I feel is the best course of action for me.

That's an interesting point, I will consider it.

Thanks.

I work off of the bank's money quite a bit when it comes to credit cards, shifting purchases to after the closing cycle, paying bills in full, etc. but I have other purposes for them and I prefer my groceries to be pay as you go. It's a personal preference. Your method is fine and I have considered it but for now I prefer my groceries to be pay as you go.

I'm sure using cash or even pennies would work too! Not that I'd be doing that... Pennies, dimes, nickels and quarters are money too but if you wiped out your change jar when you reached the cashier expect people to groan (And I see checks as sorta like that).

Just know that I'm that dude a person or two behind you in the grocer line muttering under my breath "What a loser!".

Not really. Checks take markedly more time to process and you're holding up the rest of us.

Ah contraire - it does indeed bother me!

Just remember your actions affect others.

Groceries can easily be a pay as you go - just go there, use the CC and when you get home cut an online check to pay that amount. There! You just paid as you went!

Translation: This is the way I do it. I have no idea as to why so I'll just call it a personal preference.

Again, this is doable. Just cut a check immediately. You're done.

Thank you and I do consider myself cautious.:-)

I know precisely why; if I choose not to reveal it here it may be because it's none of your business! I could have said that initially but that would have been rude not that rude seems to bother you!

That said, there is some merit in the idea of using a CC and covering the amount of purchase online and I will consider it.

One other thing, rarely do I need to enter more than the amount of my check by the time the checker finishes with my groceries. In other words, it takes no more time than it does to sign a credit card receipt which must be printed first and often takes more time than if I had just given a check. No one groans or is otherwise inconvenienced by my check writing because by the time my groceries have been scanned, my check is already finished. Even in the rare instances when that is not the case, the bagger is still bagging.

Further, if people come to the line with only a few items, I usually let them go ahead of me knowing I have a check to write. If I come to a checkout stand with only a few items and the next person offers me the chance to take their spot, if I have to write a check, I'll decline the offer, thanking them and informing them I have to write a check.

I'm not inconsiderate. I know precisely how it feels to be standing in line waiting for some dawdler at the front of the line to fumble around and/or spend a lot of time going over their coupons with the checker. Knowing that and how it makes me feel, I'm quite conscious of the feelings of others waiting in line and do the best I can to speed up the process.

No, you are right - being rude doesn't bother me as much as being secretive.

OK so then in those rare times I'm the one behind you snickering "loser...".

That's why I use an ATM card.

That's what you think. I was just telling you the truth. There are those of us, who I happen to be a member, who definitely do think that, rest assured.

Yeah, right. Whatever. Have fun with your checkbook there buddy. I understand that old habits die hard...

How considerate.

Hmmm... You just got finished telling me that it doesn't take you any more time than anybody else, yet here you are declining an offer to go ahead of somebody else because you are writing a check. Sounds like you don't even believe yourself!

So then you admit that checks aren't as fast or not? I'm confused....