Recently, both my Twitter and Facebook accounts were hacked. A friend alerted me to the Twitter issue, which was great because I never go on there, so I had no idea. Apparently I was sending spammy messages to my followers and had no clue. When I logged in to check, there was a very nasty message from one of my followers, thanking me in some not so nice terms for my message to her. You would think that if this person knew me at all they would know I would never do something like that. Facebook sent me an email alerting me to the fact that someone in another country had signed into my account, so I was able to change my password quickly there.
This experience opened my eyes to how easy it is for someone to get your information. I bank online, and I always worry that someone will try to access that information as well. There are sites like IdentityHawk that help you protect yourself online, and I might just sign up for it. I'm convinced, though, that anyone who tries to steal my identity will be shocked when they can't get credit in my name, and really, who would want access to the $3 I have in the bank? But, having identity theft protection is still a really good idea.
Showing posts with label banking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label banking. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Friday, December 2, 2011
Accounts
I used to have a savings account attached to my checking account. When my husband left back in February, I had to close it because it was sucking money out of my checking account.
Let me explain. I signed up for a type of account where whenever I used my debit card, it would take the change (up to the nearest dollar) and transfer it to my checking account. It was great for a while, but when money became tight, I had to have access to all of my money, and the bank started charging me when I would transfer the money back into my checking account. So I closed the account.
These days I am still struggling with money. That said, I want to open a savings account so that on the weeks when I do need a little extra cash, I will have it stashed away somewhere. Plus, with tax refund time approaching, I know I will have some money to put aside into a savings account. As I usually do, I headed to the internet to find some information on the best online savings accounts . I found an article on a bank's website that discussed the benefits of interest rates and customer service, and to be honest, I am leaning towards opening a savings account with them. A few of their benefits include: no monthly fees, flexible access with ATM card, and the ability to link your savings account to other accounts for overdraft protection. They are FDIC insured, and offer convenient online banking features. The online banking is important to me, because I am obsessive about checking my balances and transferring money online, especially since I make quite a bit of money through paypal.
I am hoping that by opening a savings account, I will be motivated to keep money in it. It would be nice to not have to hit my dad up for cash on the weeks I just won't make it until Friday.
Let me explain. I signed up for a type of account where whenever I used my debit card, it would take the change (up to the nearest dollar) and transfer it to my checking account. It was great for a while, but when money became tight, I had to have access to all of my money, and the bank started charging me when I would transfer the money back into my checking account. So I closed the account.
These days I am still struggling with money. That said, I want to open a savings account so that on the weeks when I do need a little extra cash, I will have it stashed away somewhere. Plus, with tax refund time approaching, I know I will have some money to put aside into a savings account. As I usually do, I headed to the internet to find some information on the best online savings accounts . I found an article on a bank's website that discussed the benefits of interest rates and customer service, and to be honest, I am leaning towards opening a savings account with them. A few of their benefits include: no monthly fees, flexible access with ATM card, and the ability to link your savings account to other accounts for overdraft protection. They are FDIC insured, and offer convenient online banking features. The online banking is important to me, because I am obsessive about checking my balances and transferring money online, especially since I make quite a bit of money through paypal.
I am hoping that by opening a savings account, I will be motivated to keep money in it. It would be nice to not have to hit my dad up for cash on the weeks I just won't make it until Friday.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Holiday Tips And A $50 Bank Of America Gift Card Giveaway!
This time of year, everyone is talking about running errands and trying to get all their shopping done, while still saving time and money. Some people think this is impossible, but it's not. You just have to have a plan in mind, and then make sure that you stick to that plan. You can also make all the running around more fun by doing it with a friend. I am taking this advice to heart and going shopping with my sister tomorrow.
Not only does this make it more fun, it also saves on gas and babysitting. I will sit in the car with the kids if she needs to pop into a store for something, and she will do the same for me. We also have a route all planned out, so we don't end up backtracking. I had no idea that you could use Map Quest to map out a route ahead of time, putting in all the stops you need to make (up to 26 different locations!) and getting the fastest route. I always just used Map Quest to get to places I didn't know how to get to. I think I am going to be taking advantage of this feature frequently in the next week or so.
Another great tip is to call ahead and make sure the gifts you are after are actually in stock before driving all the way to the store. Last year, we had a hard time finding a wii. My husband spent fifteen minutes on the phone locating one, instead of spending an entire day driving from store to store.
Once you have all your gifts bought, why not have a wrapping party? Invite over your girlfriends and spend the evening wrapping gifts, drinking, and eating yummy food. If you are really ambitious, you can even bake some cookies for a cookie exchange. I do this every year with my mom and sisters, and it is always a lot of fun.
I also take advantage of the kids being out of school by roping them into helping around the house. My youngest daughter loves to dust and clean the bathrooms (I know that's weird, but it means I don't have to scrub toilets, so I let her do it...I mean, who am I to stop her if that's what makes her happy?) and my son is a whiz at getting the dishes done. My middle child has taken over doing the laundry, which frees up a lot of my time, so I can concentrate on blogging and Facebook. You know, the important things. My point is, if you have little helpers in the house, let them help. Ask them what they would like to do, and let them do it. If they don't want to help, make them. It's okay, you're the parent. It's your job to make your kids miserable.
Okay, so maybe I'm kidding a little, but I find that if the kid gets to pick what they are going to do, it gets done better and faster. And I am all about getting things done fast and easy. Let's take banking, for instance. I have been with Bank Of America for a little over a year, and have only been in the bank one time. I had to go in the day after I opened my account online to make the initial deposit. Since then, I have done all my banking online and with their ATM's. Honestly, I have never seen an ATM that can do so much. You can make deposits consisting of checks or cash. You don't need to have envelopes or deposit slips, either. When you deposit cash, you simply put the entire wad into the little window (instead of having to feed each bill into the machine separately), and it prints out a receipt listing not only the total amount deposited, but exactly how many bills and which denominations they were. I know, it's pretty cool. You can also have an image of the checks you deposit printed on your receipt. It really is pretty awesome.
Mostly, though, I do all my banking online. I can go on whenever I want, and check my balance and transfer funds. Debits show up immediately, so whenever we go out shopping, the first thing I do when I get home is check online to make sure everything went through properly. There was one time that a produce stand charged me three times for one order, claiming they were having issues with their debit card machine. I was able to go home, print out my bank statement, and take it back up there, showing them their mistake. They refunded my money, and I was on my way.
These are just two of the features Bank Of America offers to the people who bank with them. I know that not having to run to the back for every little detail saves me not only time, but sanity as well. Banks can gets crazy busy sometimes, and you all know how much I hate being around people.
Since it is Christmastime, I am going to give one of you a pre-loaded $50 Bank Of America gift card. I can't have it to you before Christmas, but I am sure that it will come in just as handy after Christmas for all those "after Christmas" sales. I know I buy a ton of decorations every year after Christmas when they slash the prices.
To enter this giveaway, simply share with me one of your Holiday time saving tips. (of course, if you tweet, facebook, or blog about this giveaway, or follow me, or like me, you can earn extra entries...just leave separate comments for each!)
This giveaway will run until 11:59pm on December 24, 2010, and I will announce the winner on Christmas. or probably the day after, depending on how busy Christmas is. US bloggers only, please. Good luck!
This contest is hosted and fulfilled solely by my kids are my world. I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Bank of America and received a Bank of America preloaded gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.
Not only does this make it more fun, it also saves on gas and babysitting. I will sit in the car with the kids if she needs to pop into a store for something, and she will do the same for me. We also have a route all planned out, so we don't end up backtracking. I had no idea that you could use Map Quest to map out a route ahead of time, putting in all the stops you need to make (up to 26 different locations!) and getting the fastest route. I always just used Map Quest to get to places I didn't know how to get to. I think I am going to be taking advantage of this feature frequently in the next week or so.
Once you have all your gifts bought, why not have a wrapping party? Invite over your girlfriends and spend the evening wrapping gifts, drinking, and eating yummy food. If you are really ambitious, you can even bake some cookies for a cookie exchange. I do this every year with my mom and sisters, and it is always a lot of fun.
I also take advantage of the kids being out of school by roping them into helping around the house. My youngest daughter loves to dust and clean the bathrooms (I know that's weird, but it means I don't have to scrub toilets, so I let her do it...I mean, who am I to stop her if that's what makes her happy?) and my son is a whiz at getting the dishes done. My middle child has taken over doing the laundry, which frees up a lot of my time, so I can concentrate on blogging and Facebook. You know, the important things. My point is, if you have little helpers in the house, let them help. Ask them what they would like to do, and let them do it. If they don't want to help, make them. It's okay, you're the parent. It's your job to make your kids miserable.
Mostly, though, I do all my banking online. I can go on whenever I want, and check my balance and transfer funds. Debits show up immediately, so whenever we go out shopping, the first thing I do when I get home is check online to make sure everything went through properly. There was one time that a produce stand charged me three times for one order, claiming they were having issues with their debit card machine. I was able to go home, print out my bank statement, and take it back up there, showing them their mistake. They refunded my money, and I was on my way.
These are just two of the features Bank Of America offers to the people who bank with them. I know that not having to run to the back for every little detail saves me not only time, but sanity as well. Banks can gets crazy busy sometimes, and you all know how much I hate being around people.
Since it is Christmastime, I am going to give one of you a pre-loaded $50 Bank Of America gift card. I can't have it to you before Christmas, but I am sure that it will come in just as handy after Christmas for all those "after Christmas" sales. I know I buy a ton of decorations every year after Christmas when they slash the prices.
To enter this giveaway, simply share with me one of your Holiday time saving tips. (of course, if you tweet, facebook, or blog about this giveaway, or follow me, or like me, you can earn extra entries...just leave separate comments for each!)
This giveaway will run until 11:59pm on December 24, 2010, and I will announce the winner on Christmas. or probably the day after, depending on how busy Christmas is. US bloggers only, please. Good luck!
This contest is hosted and fulfilled solely by my kids are my world. I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Bank of America and received a Bank of America preloaded gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.
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