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Banks will never be the same: Online check deposits

06 Sep

Personally, I’ve been waiting for this for years.  Unless you’ve somehow been able to never, ever receive payments via a paper check, it’s been really difficult to make an occasional visit to the bank.  Finally, Citi, Chase, and a few other banks are slowly starting to roll out a new feature that will let me essentially eliminate visits to banks.  I can only wonder how it will change the banking scene, especially brick and mortar banks.

Sure there will always be reason to visit the bank, maybe when you need a loan, want traveler’s checks, or maybe you need financial advice (sarcasm), but will it justify huge electricity, rent, and other bills associated with a physical location?

ING will be rolling out an online check deposit system soon too.  If you don’t know what online check deposits are, basically you take a digital picture of a paper check and submit it online, and magically the deposit will be taken care of.  No more filling out those annoying bank deposit slips or hoping you don’t get robbed while depositing checks at the ATM.

I wish to thank my bank for many years of service, but I think I’ll be closing that account.  I may keep my credit union account for those occasional visits.

 
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Posted in General on September 6, 2011

 

How I would change our US government right now

05 Aug

Our country was just downgraded.  The impact of this is yet to be determined, and may not be known for sometime, as the effects will ripple through our country slowly.

I do believe this is the time, we as a country, need to discuss how and what needs to be changed in order for our country to head in the right direction.  Here are the things I would put into effect immediately if I could:

  1. Eliminate all private funding for elected officials.  No more lobbying.  No more private donations.  All elected officials can only run on public funds.  The amount they receive to run for a specific office is determined by the type and size of the office they are running for.
    REASON:  This will eliminate any outside influences, especially those of the corporate nature.  Candidates will run on the platform and principles they believe in.  Their only worry?  The public–the people they represent.
  2. Institute a balance budget amendment over a course of 10 years.
    REASON:  Our country should operate just like any other person.  Borrowing is still an option, but only if the revenues would allow.  Expenses should never be greater than income.
  3. Everyone should be paying some taxes – business, citizens, and even illegal immigrants – even if that means the lowest tax bracket is 1%.  This is related to point #4.
    REASON:  Freedom is not free.  Our country protects everyone in this country regardless of whether you are here legally or illegally.  We all work to make this country what it is, and everyone should do a little to contribute.
  4. Revamp our tax system to make it simple and efficient.
    REASON:  This will eliminate the enormous amount of waste our government spends on tracking and collecting taxes.  We also need to eliminate/minimize the possibility of fraud and collect on earnings made by non-citizens (aka illegal immigrants).

 
Even if we just implemented point #1, I think we would see some dramatic and immediate changes to our government.  I don’t see why anyone would argue against making our elected officials run on a fair, even playing field.  Point #2 is also very important.  If the US implemented points #1 & #2, our country would be headed in the right direction.  Points #3 & #4 are also important, but I think first we need to clean up our government and put rules into place that will help us achieve a more responsible government.

 
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Posted in General on August 5, 2011

 

If you see our country as a house on fire…

30 Jul

Then we, Americans, are trapped in this house.  Now is the time for action.  I ask you to weigh your principles and prioritize them.  Save the house or save the people?

I believe in principle, and I agree we need to get our country’s debt in order.  However, don’t principles have priorities?  This world is NOT black and white, despite what some would like to believe.  These choices have serious consequences.  In my life, I have made many personal choices based on principle, but it’s always about weighing the priorities and then making a decision.

I ask our elected officials to remember that this isn’t a game.  If you miss a payment, is that not against principle?  Grow up.  It’s clear everyone will not agree on everything.  Does America’s reputation and credit worthiness not count for anything in this debate?

Have you weighed your principles recently?  What’s the most important, IMMEDIATE priority here?

 
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Posted in General on July 30, 2011

 

So talks break down…

22 Jul

And I quote Speaker Boehner on his interview just now when asked the question, 400$ billion is not that much in looking at the big picture of a 3.7$ trillion dollar package, why did that cause the breakdown?

He said basically that the reason it caused the breakdown is because it comes from the very people that will invest in our economy.  Well, I say then, so be it.

Dear Speaker Boehner:

I’m an average American, working for a large company.  I understand that there are two ways to make up for this budget crisis facing our country:  new revenues/taxes OR spending cuts.

I would like to see a mix of both.

I understand that almost half the citizens in this country pay no taxes.  I also understand that the tax cuts created during the Bush years have not been reverted.  I also understand that government spends too much.

I’m not talking just tax the rich, because corporations are raking in profits while paying less taxes then they should, some people don’t pay taxes at all!  All I’m asking is that you, and every elected official be reasonable and fair.

Regards,

Financial Freedumb & Brownie

 
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Posted in General on July 22, 2011

 

Why Netflix? Why?

18 Jul

I’ve been an on and off subscriber since the early days of Netflix.  When I have time to watch DVD’s that’s the first service I turn to.  I don’t know what made them increases prices in the manner they did, but it’s probably one of the worst price increase roll outs I have seen.

I plan to cancel my subscription once my current billing period is over.  I haven’t been using Netflix, both DVD and streaming, as much as I’d like.  Maybe I’ll sign up again when I have time, but with DVD options like Redbox and streaming options like Hulu, what’s the point?

Thanks Netflix for the many years of service and for pioneering a new industry.  Hopefully these increases end up producing real results in the form of current streaming content, which might make me come back.

 
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Posted in General on July 18, 2011

 

I’m with the president on this one…

14 Jul

Whatever the solution is to the national debt crisis, I firmly believe that the solution has to be a combination of tax increases and spending cuts.

I’m not agreeing to an all out increase of income taxes, but a reversal of the tax breaks given during the Bush years, even to the middle and lower classes.  If we’re all in this together, than that’s fair.  Do I agree with Democrats on just reverting taxes on the wealthy?  I’m not going to lie, I’d take it, but I’m not in the upper tier, so I’d take it.

After the taxes have been reverted, then we should start looking at cuts.

Compromise!  You give, I give…or I give, you give.  Whatever the case, someone needs to make the first move.  If this leads to a national crisis, I’m thinking the president gets off looking like the hero.  He’s at least trying to compromise.  The GOP on the other hand, looks like they are unwilling to budge at all.

 
4 Comments

Posted in General on July 14, 2011

 

Buying something you plan to return. Is it wrong?

27 Jun

Recently, I was reading a review for a camera I want to purchase soon, and I noticed this person went into Best Buy, bought a camera with the intention of returning it.  Regardless of whether or not they had a demo version, I believe this is wrong.

The worst I’ve done is purchased the same item, only to return the old one because something was wrong with it.  Maybe that’s a little unethical as well?  These are obviously items with no serial numbers printed on the box, or it wouldn’t work.  I just rather not deal with warranties and other paperwork.  Buying and returning the defective device is so much easier.

I wonder if the sense of entitlement people have in today’s culture has lead to this type of behavior?

 
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Posted in General on June 27, 2011

 

The Voice – Final Four??

22 Jun

I just love this show because the talent is amazing.  I really enjoy TV’s shift from reality to talent…it’s refreshing to see so many people with amazing gifts.

But the Voice has my attention right now, and I really hope the final four is Javier Colon, Vicci Martinez, Beverly McClellan, and Dia Frampton.  Such amazing contrast in talent…the most similarity is Beverly and Vicci.  I can’t decide between Javier, Vicci, and Dia.  Beverly was good, but I don’t think she was as good as the other three.   The other three were just amazing.

  • Javier Colon sang Fix You
    Not the best song. Too much that took away from his voice, which I believe is the key to him winning. Just on voice, Javier leads all…although I think Dia is very close.  Christina is right…he should’ve sang a more soulful song that featured his voice.
  • Vicci Martinez sang Dog Days are Over
    Strong. Powerful.  WOW.  It wasn’t just the song.  It was the entire performance.  I couldn’t help but cheer for her. The drums, the swagger, everything just pulled me in.
  • Dia Frampton sang Losing My Religion
    Great performance. I can’t believe how much she surprised me. The right song choice and her own style just comes together.  Her voice is so unique, but I don’t know how much she can “sing.”
  • Beverly McClellan sang The Thrill is Gone
    Another strong singer…I think it was just the wrong song. I’m not saying it’s a bad song, it just wasn’t enough to pull me in.  I have some doubts about Beverly still.

 

I can’t wait until results!

 
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Posted in General on June 22, 2011

 

Casual discussion with friends about how much they make…

20 Jun

When I graduated college and started my working career, salary was all the talk.  Now, some 10 years later, I rarely discuss salary with my friends.  One day though, while casually hanging out with some friends, one of my friend’s parents asked his son, “Hey so how much are you making now?”  There were about 3 seconds of awkward silence, then my friend says, “a little over $100k.”  I was pretty shocked, but that also made me wonder.  How much are my friends making now?

I asked this before, but it still holds true some 5 years later, why is income such a taboo topic?  It’s as if people get their feelings hurt among friends to hear someone is doing well or not so well.  In my eyes, as long as you got food on the table, able save a little, and comfortable, you are FINE.  If you make more than me, that’s AWESOME.  If you make less, well, sucks for you!  haha.  Just kidding, but really, if you’re not happy, then work harder?

Person (@age)
@33:  $108,000
@34:  $67,000
@35:  $120,000
@34: $80,000
@34: $64,000
@34: $130,000

In general, my friends are all doing pretty well.  In fact, I know at least 3 of my other friends, who I haven’t felt comfortable asking are making $100k+, and another friend making around $60k.

 
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Posted in General on June 20, 2011

 

Net Worth 05.2011 [$449,430.57]

13 Jun

I have a mortgage now…

 

 
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Posted in General on June 13, 2011