Citibank to Charge $20 a Month for Checking Account!

Personally I think that this is an outrage! Citibank is going to start to charge a fee on checking accounts that don't maintain a minimum balance!


Actually according to an online article, Citibank already has such a fee imposed but this time they have raised the minimal amount to avoid the fee - would you believe that this "minimal amount is! It's $20,000!



And would you believe that Citibank now has a promotional thing going on where they want to get more customers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


According to the article, Citibank really doesn't have a "free" checking account unless you meet their required minimal amount. I believe their "smallest" checking account requires that you maintain a minimal balance of $1,500 or you will be charged an $8 monthly fee (which is going to increase to $10 a month shortly).



This kind of article troubles me because I know that people are having a hard time with money right now and I remember way in the past when I had to cancel an old savings account because they were charging me too much in fees - to the point where I wouldn't have any money in the account at all! If I had kept that savings account it would have been in the negative and I would then owe them money!


Anyway, back to the article, where you can also read the comments of others about this and if you would like you can add your own comment(s) as well!


Tell me, what do you think about this?

Citibank Increses Their Fees

FoodStamps Are Hitting A Record High!

Looking at the latest news of the day I saw a link to an article about how food stamps usage is hitting a record high this year. Of course people are blaming President Obama for this but ironically using food stamps to buy food actually helps the economy.

The article goes on to say that nearly 1 out of every five people are using food stamps now. Even then the same article states that even with food stamps people still do not have enough money at the end of the month for food.



I remember talking to a former co-worker one time and she told me that if I knew of anyone who wanted to sell some food stamps to let her know because the food stamps that she gets does not last her until the end of the month.


I started this blog because it has become apparent to me that if we want to master our own financial security then we have to learn as much about money as we can! Make it a priority! Study wealthy people and study how they made their wealth!


I also have a Working From Home blog where I blog about working from home.


You definitely have to find ways to supplement your income and if you are at the point where you don't even have a job now you have to make finding a job your JOB for now!


I hate to mention it but in the article there is even talk about changing the food stamp program!


Food Stamps Hit Record Highs In June 2012

A Tax On Grocery Bags - Part 2!

This is continued information from a previous post here on this blog.

Well it seems more and more stores are starting to charge their customers for using paper bags. I saw a new post about this subject on one of the forums that I belong to.

I was surprised to see how many more places are charging their customers for using the stores plastic bags. In my own local area I really know of only one store - Aldi's that charges customers for using their bags. They charge something like 25 cents per bag.

It's going to make grocery shopping a more expensive trip.

It certainly is not going to be a good way to help people get out of debt! It is certain going to contribute to a person's credit card debt if they are paying for their groceries with a credit card!

Banks Starting To Charge Debit Card Fees!

The online articles say that you should check your receipts to make sure that you are not being charged a fee for using your debit card!

It seems that since President Obama wants to crack down on the ways that banks charge for credit card fees the banks have found an alternative source of generating some income for themselves and that alternative is to charge people for using their debit cards.


It seems that this year more people used their debit cards than they did their credit cards which has been the first time that this has happened.

It seems that a number of banks are coming up with something called "loyalty" programs for their debit card users. However the terms still require either a fee or that the debit card user meet specific terms to be eligible for the loyalty program.

According to one online site:

"Consumers need to have an eyes wide open perspective when it comes to financial services. Fees are going to be cropping up, but that also gives you a chance to comparison shop. There may be just as many good deals at the other end of the spectrum."

To read more about this and view the article, just click here.

Are You Looking For Work?

Did you know that despite the news about there not being enough jobs for people, there are some industries that are begging for qualified workers!

One of the biggest industries that need qualified workers now is the health care industry! There are many job openings for nurses and home health care workers and aides. Also according to my Grant Basics 101 Blog, there are many job openings in our own government. Here is a quote from one of the online articles:

"Many of the positions, which require specific skills and offer salaries in the range of $30,000 to $45,000, have been vacant for six months or longer"

Since workers are needed so badly a hiring incentive program was recently announced to help encourage existing employees to refer viable candidates. Those responsible for bringing in new hires are eligible to receive $2,500 to $5,000, depending on the position. Also added in is a signing bonus for the new employees!

There are several online sites that you can go to that post job openings in your area. You should also look into working for the government as well because they have many job openings and government workers receive good benefits in addition to a highly competitive salary.

As far as other kinds of job openings are concerned here is another excerpt from an online article:

Things are even worse on the higher end of the pay scale. At a wireless leasing firm, a position for director of lead generation, which pays $90,000-$140,000, has been open for three months, with no candidates in sight.

College Students & Credit Card Debt!

Here is an interesting article about college students and credit card debt! As soon as I read it I knew that I would be posting it here!

Be Sure To Keep A Close Eye On Your Bank Account!

It seems that the banking industry is finding new ways to gouge their account holders! Basically speaking banks are going to start to increase the banking fees that they charge their customers!

For instance some banks are going to double the fees that they charge for overdraft protection and some will even increase the fees that they charge for checking account maintenance.

An online article says that the banks say that consumers are using their debit cards more now than they are using their credit cards and since credit card interest is a big income generating thing for the banks they feel that they have to recoup their money (or should I say profit(s)) from elsewhere.

A good point that the article noted was that even though the banks got a big amount of money from President Obama's stimulus plan, the banks don't seem to be helping the consumers because of it. In fact it seems to be that the opposite is happening in that the banks are looking for yet other ways to profit.

The article didn't say that all of the banks would be doing this but they did give some examples of banks that will be. So if you're concerned and want to see whether or not your bank is on the list then I suggest that you check out the online article.

The Banks Are At It Again!

It Seems That California Is Having Even More Bad Money Problems!

Now comes word that tapxpayers won't be receiving any state income tax refunds is there were supposed to get them.

Also some of those that work for the state have found out that they won't get reimbursed for travel expenses ie inspectors of things like nursing homes won't be getting reimbursed for the amount of money it takes them to travel to the nursing homes to inspect them. An online news article has said that some of these workers use their credit cards when paying for these expenses and if they aren't reimbursed that just makes their credit card balances higher! What's odd about it is that the state isn't even required to reimburse their state workers for their job-related expenses.

Also being withheld are college grants to students - government related grant programs.

For more information about government grant programs or college scholarships that you may be eligible to apple for, please visit my Grant Basics 101 Blog)

Some state workers are being mandatorily asked to not work for 2 days a month which of course means that they don't get paid for those 2 days which means they will make less money and will have less money to pay their mortgages and other bills.

Ironically, the lawmakers themselves receive as much as $4500 per month in expense allowances.

The Top 10 Scams Of 2008!

Here is a link to the top 10 scams of 2008!

It has been issued by the Chicago Better Business Bureau!

I won't give it all away but as someone that does grant research, I would have to agree that you should investigate places, people and sites that you want to do grant work for you.

Of course also included in the list are a lot of work-from-home scams as well!

The IRS Is Giving Some Taxpayers A Break!

With tax season here (already?) here is at least some good news for some taxpayers!

The IRS is trying to help make it easier for those that owe back taxes. They have relaxed some of their rules for those that owe back taxes.

The IRS Softens Some Of It's Rules!

$2 BILLION Bailout!

Do you or have you owned Enron stock? If you do then you should take a look at the article link below! It seems that this $2 Billion has accrued interest over time! You should also know that the attorney fees come out to around $600 Million plus!

Billions To Be Shared By Enron Investors!

"25 Ways To Make Quick Cash"

Below you will find a link to an article that lists 25 ways to make some quick money. I thought that most of them were merited and in fact some of the ways listed were quite good!

Here is an excerpt of one way that I want to include on my Grant Basics 101 Blog:

"Seek Emergency Assistance

Many charities provide services and items that you would otherwise spend money on, freeing up some dollars to apply to your most pressing needs. Among the most common of these are food banks and open-dining opportunities, help or waiver of utility costs, and clothing and other household essentials."

25 Ways To Make Quick Money

The Cost Of A First Class Stamp Is Going Up One Penny Starting In May!

I just happened upon the article today!

This is the first that I have heard about it and do you know I still have my stamps from the last postage increase? May is 3 months away and it really doesn't matter because if I want to mail something I'll just have to adjust to the new postage rate.

The cost of stamps is not the only thing that will be increasing.

You can read more about it by clicking here!

Depositing Your Checks Without Having To Go To The Bank?

Technology is advancing so rapidly today. People can do their banking and pay their bills online. Now comes word that those of us that do our banking online may now be able to deposit checks without having to go to the bank!

Confused? So was I at first but it really seems to be quite simple. The process involves scanning the check but it isn't a sure thing yet. It's currently being experimented on and it will depend on whether or not your bank will allow you to have such an option. A lot of people already have their checks direct deposited so this might be another very good option to have.

I certainly love the convenience of being able to do my banking at all kinds of hours! I especially hate those long lines on Fridays and I'm sure that a lot of other people do too!

Of course I realize that not everyone has a banking account but for those that do there seems to be another convenient option well on it's way!

Here is a link to an article that talks more about being able to deposit checks without having to go to the bank.

Waitress Gets $10,000 Tip!

Well it just goes to show you that you never know where money will come from!

This waitress that worked at a Pizza Hut got a $10,000 gift from someone. It's hard to say whether or not it was a tip or a gift but it doesn't really matter because I'm sure that amount of money will always be welcomed!

You can read the entire story by clicking the link in the title.