Comments | punkwalrus: Gahvbm errrr djjmmmmfff...zzzzz ...zzzzz

punkwalrus

Gahvbm errrr djjmmmmfff...zzzzz ...zzzzz

Jul 23, 2007 08:53

By Caffeine alone I set my mind in motion, by the beans of Java the thoughts acquire speed, the hands acquire shaking, the shaking is a warning. By Caffeine alone I set my mind in motion.Jesus Christ, I am exhausted. I am running on maybe 90 minutes of sleep. The reasons behind this are basically my finances, as skimmed before in a previous ( Read more... )

finances, sleepy, coffee, tcep, caffeine, money

Comments 3

anonymous July 24 2007, 16:36:21 UTC

Oh dear! Do take care Punky! I'd hate to see you get ill again because of some sleep deficit :( Or worries, for that matter...

One thing though... I've never understood why the US still cling so vehemently to checks. Over here in Europe we've switched to direct deposits decades ago. This seems to be a less problematic system and is much more suitable for online banking.

The last time I saw anyone cut a check was around 1987 I believe... Then all of us switched to direct deposit (for bills and such) and debit cards (for paying in shops).

Cailin Coilleach

punkwalrus July 24 2007, 16:50:41 UTC

To be fair, I am a little behind. I would say that checks are still important, however. Like if I had to pay for something I bought off a friend, and it was more than $20, I'd cut them a check. I just ordered a proprietary 9V adapter from a company who only had a paper form, and they only accept checks. Same with my upcoming high school reunion, although they did accept credit cards for an additional fee.

Credit Card companies charge fees to merchants, anywhere between 2-5% on average. Even debit cards charge 25 cents to a $1 a transaction, more so for withdrawing cash at a foreign ATM. And the ATM fees get worse every year. It used to be $2 just a few years ago ($1 from my bank, $1 for the ATM bank) but now I have paid up to $6.50 for withdrawing just $20 (ATMs in convenience stores and truck stops are massive ripoffs). But if I withdraw from my bank's ATM, I pay nothing for the first 6 withdraws a calendar month ($1 after that).

anonymous July 24 2007, 19:09:24 UTC

Sweet Jeebus! That's insane!

In the Netherlands all ATM withdrawals are free, regardless of which bank you're with. And since the European Community started messing with things, all ATM withdrawals across Europe are free as well. It sounds to me like all those US banks should get their collective asses in gear and start collaborating!

I'll go and read around the web to see if there aren't any bank reforms planned for you guys...

Also... Paying among friends is usually done by direct deposit as well. Most companies over here (I'd wager 99%) accept either credit cards (with a fee, that's true), direct deposit or COD.

I guess it's just so ingrained in your economy and culture that it's hard to even think about getting rid of checks.