I have a lot of love and patience…. even for those who don’t deserve it. those who don’t deserve it need it the most, and I’ll be the first to give and offer those things.

Addison Avenue Federal Credit Union by far is the most user friendly financial institution that I have ever used!! I originally opened a loan through Zopa.com which service transferred (sold) my loan to AAFCU. I had the loan for 2 years without ever even considering leaving Wells Fargo or HSBC. Then, my financial situation this past year changed considerably… less overtime, more expenses. With both HSBC and Wells Fargo, I’ve always had high balances, was never overdrawn… then one day for the first time ever with both accounts, I overdrew my account… and was hit with $35 overdraft charges on both accounts. $70 is quite a bit of money when you are pinching pennies… and both banks, despite my excellent history with both, and having been with each institution for over 5 years, I thought it was absurd that they would not waive the fee for me just this once.

I started shopping around, but nothing really stuck out. For a non-interest bearing account, Wells Fargo was much better than BOA (I could not stand their service) and Chase. Since previously working there, I knew the ins and outs so it didn’t make sense to go to a competitor. Then, there was HSBC – My online payment account yields 0.85% with a zero balance minimum and the first 3 ATM fees are waived… couldn’t find anything better there either….

Finally, I decided to take a look at Addison. My first thought was, I’ve never heard of them prior to my loan, why should I risk it? I took the initiative to research this CU (credit union) and realized it has been around for sometime (not nearly long as WF or HSBC) but long enough for me to feel comfortable with leaving my money there. As I continued my research, these are the wonderful perks that initially got me to open my account:

1. Zero balance requirement
2. 3.51% APY if you make 12 debit card purchases, 1 ACH debit/credit out of the account per month, sign up for E-Statements
3. Large ATM network – I can use any Co-Op (almost all credit unions are apart of this network) and ATM in 7/11 stores
4. If I meet the #2 requirements, any ATM surcharge from a non-network ATM will be rebated to me
5. $5 to start membership (waived for me because of my loan transfer)
6. $25 to open the account

Considering I almost never carry cash, and I am a slave to my debit card… 3.51% definitely outshined HSBC’s measly 0.85%. I decided to deposit a small amount of money to see if the account had the same benefits of my Wells Fargo account. With WF, I knew how their processing worked, so for the most part, it was easy to balance my checkbook, understand when things would clear… etc. The downside was, their processing system (Batch system) debit card purchases could take anywhere from 1-5 business days to clear my account. If I didn’t keep a register, and update it regularly, I could potentially overdraw my account. Thank God I am very OCD about my checkbook register and I’ve only failed to keep up with it once (damn overdraft fee!).

Once I got the account I’ve noticed these benefits!

1. Most debit card purchases clear within 24 hours. Some clear as soon as 8! I went to a bar and used my debit card… with Wells Fargo, it would take 4 business days to clear, and the pending charge that was reflected on my balance would only show the charge without the tip. I used my card on a Sunday night, and it cleared with the tip total first thing Monday morning… I honestly will never have to balance a checkbook again!
2. Refunds on debit purchases only take 1 day to post to your account!! No more waiting 3-7 business days!
3. E-Deposits – This is by far the most ingenious thing for people who hate having to drive or walk somewhere to do a very simple task of making a check deposit! All I have to do is scan the check, upload and voila, my deposit posted that very moment. I just need to keep the physical check copy for 90 days.
4. The first $500 of every deposit is available immediately and the rest is subject to a 2 business day hold. This is better than WF because it was only $100 available, but the rest would be available the next day. This is going to make it very easy for me to deposit my paycheck to this account until my direct deposit changes take effect. I never need more than $200 after payday, so the 2 day lag isn’t terrible.
5. Best customer service ever! I love that with their secure mail feature, someone always gets back to me within 1 business day, and it’s a real response, not a copy paste. And, M-F you can always call a branch, and they will gladly help you.

Okay… the downside stuff….

If you want to take to a live person, it has to be during their business hours. So far, I haven’t had any issues after hours mainly because everything about this account is so very user friendly.

They even make it easy to qualify for membership! For the most part, you would have to work for HP or some other techish company (list is on their site), but if you don’t qualify that way, you can qualify this way:

If you are not eligible to join through one of our sponsor groups below, you can qualify for membership by joining the Financial Fitness Association. It’s only $5.00 to join this not-for-profit organization. To sign up, go to www.financialfitnessassociation.org, click “Join Now”, and follow the instructions.

I’m so happy about this credit union, that I’ve been telling just about everyone! Please check it out!

www.addisonavenue.com

New Year’s is around the corner, and that means, New Year’s Resolutions, etc… I’m not really looking forward to it at all. Why? Because I am terrible about finishing what I start. I think a lot of it stems from my fear of failure or feeling pressured to complete things.

I’m going to take baby steps… starting with small short term goals… and try to work my way up. So far, I’ve done relatively well with my financial goals. I started Paxil… it made me feel very void, but it helped me in my motivation… but I’ve decided to stop taking it, and just sticking to the Clonezapam… Anxiety isn’t going to get me this time!!

Just a lot going on… and I really don’t know where to start or finish. Feeling rather random. Maybe , I should sleep.

I haven’t been completing my lists… and lately, I’ve been lacking focus (surprising, I think not). I was reading a feed from Serendipity’s Guide to Saving (it’s one of my favorite personal finance blogs) and she had a list of what she envisions for herself  and her perfect future, and I decided to do the same. It’ll be nice to look back in a few years to see how everything panned out

1. What time do you wake up, and how are you feeling as you greet the day?
For work, I would ideally like to wake up at 5AM and get to work really early, and leave early… with a big smile on my face all day long.

2. Where are you? If you’re at home, what does it look like?
I will be in a 3-4 bedroom house with an AMAZING view. Berkley or Paia would be my top choices in cities to live in. I will have the large front and back yard, white picket fence and everytime I walk through the door, I can breathe and feel at home for the first time.

3. Who is with you?
I pray that AMH get’s his shit together and it’ll be us. But more than likely, I will be the “animal” lady on the block with a Greate Dane and a Dachsund.

4. What kind of work are you doing?
I will be at a job that allows me to grow and learn… With my degree, I want to work for a political marketing firm or do the books for a politician… or manage a political manager. Maybe after having some experience under my belt, I will go back to school… become a lawyer.

5. As you head out to face the day, how do you look? What are you wearing?
Classy and sexy! Clean & fresh makeup, tan and always in a killer pair of heels. For example, red Louboutin platform heels with khaki slacks, silk leopard blouse, with a black cardigan and red mini-belt.

6. How do you get to work?
An Aptera! It’s aerodynamic with AMAZING fuel economy…. and for the same price as a prius, but better

7. When you’re done with work, how will you spend you spare time and with whom? What activities do you enjoy?
I would spend time with people who enjoy my company and who want to create amazing memories. People that put smiles on my face.

8. When is your evening like?
I honestly can’t say… but I will be very happy.

9. When you go to bed that night, how are you feeling after spending the day doing exactly what you love?
Over joyous that I will not be living my life like my mother’s.

10. What are you most grateful for and what are you looking forward to as you go to sleep?
I’m grateful that I’ve managed to do so well for myself without much help of others. And I look forward to falling asleep in MY home with the people/animals that I love. I’m a simple gal..

Lea

So, for the most part, I think so far in terms of to-do lists, I’m doing an okay job. I’m crossing off items, identifying issues (being lazy) and I get to start anew again. I’m very happy

Last week, I was able to get quite a bit done. The initial execution went well, but then I had a major fail slowly following… example?

I did create a budget for myself, one I knew I could stick with. But then some drama entered my life, and emotional spending kicked in… so that budget went out the window, as well as eating well. Sure, I logged all of my food, but I’ve exceeded my daily RDI (Recommended Daily Intake) by at least 500 calories each day, and sure I exercised…. but it didn’t really make up for the bad eating habits. Either way, I’m not going to beat myself up over the mistakes I’ve done. All I can do is try to do better. My life is slowly coming together, and I can’t get discouraged now! What I’m going to do now is make my goals feel more obtainable so I will be more likely to accomplish them… and then gradually increase the difficulty, intensity, etc.

So here is my list of things I would like to accomplish this week:

1. Blog at least 3 times a week.
2. Work on Chapter 8-9 for my Philosophy class.
3. Start my Philosophy project that is due in 2 weeks. (Total priority!)
4. Get at least 3 hours of exercise a week.
5. Make my $140 dollars stretch until 11/15! (This will be rough!)
6. Read the books I’ve checked out at the library, even if it’s only 1 chapter this week…

I’m keeping my fingers crossed

Complete Success!

• Drink at least 80 oz. of water each day & record it
• Follow up on my CSUDH application
• Buy head & tail lamp for my road bike
• Log all the food I eat into fatsecret.com
• Started my new budget for 10/31/09-11/15/09.

Semi-Success!

• Go to the gym for at least an hour 3 times a week & entering it into fatsecret.com: I did go at least 3 times a week, but I only worked out for 40-45min for two of those days. At least I got off my ass!
• Drink at least 80 oz of water each day & record it: I didn’t record what I was drinking, but I’ve been drinking water like it was the last thing I will ever get to drink!
• Read and complete Ch.7-9 Philosophy homework: I only read Chapter 7 and I did a half ass job on the assignment. The other 2 I’m currently working on.

!! FAIL !!

The reason for the FAIL? Sheer procrastination and laziness. No real valid reason

• Go to yoga at least once a week (at the gym or studio)
• Blog at least 3 times a week
• Read 3 chapters from each book I borred from the library
• Start my project for my philosophy class
• Decorate my newing cleaned apartment

Starting today, I’m going to start challenging myself with a Goal/To Do list.  Every Monday, I’ll update my list with what I did and did not accomplish. I’m trying to hold myself accountable for the things I want to do, and if for whatever reason I don’t do it, I want to know why… So why the list? I’m very visual, and if I don’t accomplish something, I’m forced to explain why I didn’t every week… then if I notice a pattern, I can do everything in my abilities to fix it. Makes sense right?

1. Go to the gym for at least an hour 3 times a week & remembering to put it into fatsecret.com.
2. Log all the food I eat into fatsecret.com
3. Buy my head & tail lamp for my road bike.
4. Go to yoga at least once a week (at the gym or the studio)
5. Drink at least 80 oz. of water each day & record it
6. Blog at least 3 times a week.
7. Read 3 chapters of each book I borrowed from the library… maybe I’ll have something to write about from there.
8. Follow up with CSUDH with my application.
9. Read and complete Ch.7-9 Philosophy HW.
10. Start my project for my philosophy class.
11. Start a new budget on Friday, 10/30/09.
12. Decorate my newly cleaned apartment… remember, less is more!

I know I can do all those things this week… it’s just a matter of remembering Thank God for the Astrid App for my phone!

After reading this… maybe there is hope that there are some genuinely nice people out there.

I pray I have a moment like this. Saint Pio… can you make this happen?

You know how most people tend to date the same type of person each go-around? Like, some women only date nerds or bad boys… or they all have very similar appearances or personality traits… I have finally come to the conclusion on my “type” and I think it’s about time I try even harder to change it.

I always try to date men that were different than my exes. In that respect, I have. They all differ in ethnicities & socio-economic backgrounds… education levels and career aspirations widely range from retail to the very top of the corporate ladder. The one and only thing I can find in common with these men are the fact they are completely selfish… and instead of me being their companion, I’m just along for the ride until my usefulness expires. The most logical thing is just walk away and not get hurt, but by the time the masks finally come off, and their true colors show… I’ve already invested a lot of time, money, energy and emotion into the relationship, and I’m always heartbroken in the end.

The second I express any discontent or stand up for myself because I know I deserve some respect, I’m the bitch… I’m the one that is delusional… or I’m just completely ignored. There is never a resolution, and I end up holding a lot of anger and resentment.

It would just be nice to be with someone who had the same respect and regard for me as I did for them… but I highly doubt that will ever happen. Even my own family abuses the fact that I would do anything for them…

I am a big fan of NPR mainly because of the unbiased news coverage across the US and around the world. My favorite part of the site is the Obama Tracker widget. This widget tracks all of the policies made by Obama and classifies them as domestic, foreign or economic.

I just find it interesting that the push for economic policies were at its heaviest during his first trimester in office… since then, there has been very little done. To date, only 47 economic policies when there have been 94 domestic and 81 foreign policies… Our nation (a capitalist one obviously) has a foundation built on money. Our success and failure as a nation are directly linked to that foundation. Wouldn’t it make sense to rebuild a foundation that is falling apart before the things we’ve established on that foundation will fall apart as well? If we thrive as a nation, we can better implement domestic and foreign policies with the money we have.