Subj : Re: Emerg. Broadcast Stations To : Barry Martin From : Nancy Backus Date : Fri Jul 24 2020 18:09:58 -=> Quoting Barry Martin to Nancy Backus on 05-Jul-2020 08:32 <=- BM> NB>> The trick is to normally stay on top of things, only buying what is NB>> well within one's means, so that one has the margin to get the less NB>> accessible needs when they arise... and be able to make any necessary NB>> payments on any debt that needs to be incurred... And then, when you NB>> have the money and don't need to borrow, not to be sucked in by the NB>> pesterers... ;) BM> Yes. Was reading the other day what the article classified as poor BM> were constantly zinged: if no bank account the person gets charged $7 BM> (article's number) for check cashing. So to use easy numbers their BM> $100 paycheck is now a little over $90. Pay a bill by buying a money BM> order, there's a fee for that, further chipping away at that paycheck. The commercial banks, even the small town ones, aren't set up to be kind to the poor, what with their fees and monthly maintenance charges when under some minimum amount (or without direct deposit of pay or pension)... But that's where the credit unions come in as a godsend to the poor... As long as one meets some basic criteria (generally living or working in the area served by the credit union), one can open a free checking account, no fees, and for as little as a $1 deposit... So the person the article referenced could deposit the paycheck into the account, and write checks to pay the bills, no extra fees... And the FCU I use gives a free box of checks when one opens the account... and a debit card if one wishes, to access the account without checks... :) BM> OTOH I get money (interest/dividend) because I have money in the bank/ BM> credit union, get free checking (and whine about paying for a new box BM> of checks)..... Credit unions are a much more friendly option... :) And the accounts that I use a lot of checks for, I generally get my checks mail-order at one of the discount places like Checks Unlimited... their 4-box offers for new customers are a lot less expensive than buying new checks through the bank or CU... :) It takes me a long time to use up 4 boxes worth of checks... BM>>> I remember when the store switched over to direct deposit: no physical BM>>> paycheck to symbolize payment of the work I've done. Work work work BM>>> and nothing in return. Sure, the money was in my account, just I BM>>> didn't get to touch it like with the paper paycheck. NB>>> A different psychological/mental impact.... ;) BM>> Yes: I was raised with paper so when "took that away" the link between BM>> work and payment was gone. NB>> That's when one needs to set up other ways of maintaining that link NB>> mentally... whether between work and pay, or income and outgo... :) BM> Right. For me the handwritten entries in the journal seem to help BM> with that linking. So that works for you.. :) For me, it's usually sufficient to enter the direct deposit into the bankbook... ;) And to keep up with the various debits, checks, withdrawals etc into the checkbook register... :) ttyl neb .... Rumors of the death of the BBS have been GREATLY Exaggerated --- EzyBlueWave V3.00 01FB001F * Origin: Tiny's BBS - http://www.tinysbbs.com (454:1/452) .