phyncke

It is a beautiful day here in sunny California. Slightly cool and sunny. I took a walk this morning first thing. My friend M**** and I like to walk on Saturday mornings and talk on the phone. She lives on the other side of the country and we can keep up-to-date that way. It is nice and we both get exercise. We took a little break from it for some weeks but now that it is Spring we can get back to it and do our weekly walk. It was nice this morning. I chose to do an easier, level, walk. I usually do a hill walk up to the historic hotel in Berkeley but chose to do some streets near my house and not be so strenuous. It was just good to be out there walking so I took it easy and got some steps in. It was not too daunting and when I feel up to it - I can do the hilly walk. I will get to that later.

So my car - it is not good news. The transmission service did not fix the problem so they have to see what needs to be done. Either a rebuild or a used transmission. The tech thought a rebuilt transmission. That can cost some money so I have to see what it will be and see if it is worth it for this car. I love the car - it is fun and peppy to drive. I am saving my stimulus funds towards this and will see what happens. Thank you, Joe Biden.

Seems like you go along and something has to happen to derail you - something always comes up. I am still dealing with vet bills for both Teddy and Bear but I have the payment schedule set for those and will be able to get those paid off before the medical credit card starts to charge interest. So that is good. Very glad about that. I did the numbers last night. I had thought I needed to use the stimulus funds for that but I don't have to. So that works. It helps to plan things and it makes me feel better to have a plan.

So that is me this week - dealing with the car and financial things. I have Monday and Tuesday off this week - they suggested we take time off during Spring Break so I did. I am doing some medical things - blood tests and mammogram that I have put off due to the pandemic. Better get those done and I will go in for my check up once I have those done. So getting that done.

Anyhoo - that is it for me - I am getting a burger tonight - at True Burger in Oakland, CA. The deliciousness. I love a good burger.

Hope you are well there. Stay safe and healthy.

PS - I am considering getting a paid account on DW here and wonder if anyone has one - trying to see if it is worth it. I am wanting more icons here and have been posting more. Let me know what you think - let me know if you pay and if you find it is worth it. They won't let you add icons to a free account.

And found it not so special. I was just renewing my ATM card and they had this deal for me. I was in the mood to listen so they gave me this schpiel about overdraft protection. I tell you - this is just a way for the bank to collect a whole lot of transaction fees. I might have been interested if the fee per transaction had been at all reasonable - BUT, get this, the per transaction fee is $35.00. This is not small. I might have been willing to pay $10.00 per thing for that convenience. But honestly - $35.00 per transaction is way too much and if you are going over -- it is not going to be just one item on your account - it will be 3-4 charges and there you go, you are in the hole $140.00 in fees and then the amount of the transactions that you have to cover. You have to immediately cover the balance on your account. This does not seem like protection to me. It is the same if you allow protection from your credit card too - that transaction fee is there as well. I remember that being pretty high too. I declined overdraft and told them I would rather my transaction be declined than pay those kind of fees.

I use common sense as my guide here. I don't pay fees to banks. I don't pay for my accounts, I don't pay transaction fees, I don't believe in paying to use my money. I believe my Dad taught me that. Just makes sense to me. It really burns me to pay fees for anything - late or no. I keep an eye on my online thing there and scan at least once a week (or more) for anything that is not kosher.

Example - tonight I thought I was late on something, called to check and as a courtesy they reversed the late fee for me. I did not ask for it, but she did that for me. But here is my tip to you - if you ask them, they will wipe out fees for you. They really will. I have had bank fees reversed quite a bit. They would much rather keep you as a happy customer than lose you over a fee. Most customer service reps have the power to credit you a fee and enjoy doing it. It is like a gift to you the customer. Sometimes they do this to be nice. I have had this happen a few times. Tonight, I did not ask, she just did it for me.

Anyhoo. A little financial wisdom. Don't pay fees! They do add up.