OMG the $$$!

A post in which I kvetch about money.

I've been with Wachovia for years. Five of 'em. No breaks in accounts, and at one point there were multiple accounts. I'm a big believer in brand loyalty and though I couldn't tell you why I've always thought the best thing was to find a bank and stay with them. I've had an account with the educator's credit union for ages.

But as nice as the people at every Wachovia branch are, the bank is hardballing me and I don't like it. I hate overdrafting. I hate hate hate hate it. It's embarassing, it's avoidable, it happens too often... It's bad. Like everyone else, I've been watching my pursestrings lately and trying to be careful. But for the past several cycles the bank has placed holds on funds in my account for several transactions at a time (legit! totally legit!). Unfortunately, they hold these funds, allow other transactions to go through, sometimes overdrafting, and then when the held funds are actually taken out of the account they overdraft the bejeezus out of me.

I'm never a pain when I call the bank to talk about this. I know a lot of the time it's my being irresponsible, and I keep hoping one of these days I'll turn over that leaf and start monitoring things. But charging four overdraft fees to my account (to the tune of $140) when one transaction actually overdrafted? Or when none of the transactions would have overdrafted if there hadn't been a fee because the funds were being held? WTF, bank?!

Doesn't help my mood AT ALL when your snarky little CSR talks down to me. There's difference between "your screen, Miss Jenkins, and the bank's screens." Firstly it's Jennelle, you twatwaffle, and it's right in front of you, and secondly, I've been several shades more decent than I know my friends or family would be. I don't want to believe that yelling and bitching is the only way to accomplish something, but that's what you're showing me.

Smangry. Scared. A fraction of my tuition comes out of the bank this month, and there are other important bills due, AND it's the boy's birthday. There is jussssst enough to cover tuition. I know I'm switching banks, but fear of the whole situation just makes me want to cry. Sooooo effective, that.