Sunday, March 04, 2012

Mind Your Own Business

Not you, personally. I'm sure if I were having a conversation with you, it wouldn't include specific questions about how I spend my own money. Yes, I'm talking about my banks.

Is it just me, or have you noticed that going inside your bank these days is akin to walking onto a used car lot? Jeez, Louise, people! I don't need investment advice. I don't want to open an IRA. And I don't want to explain to you why I'm withdrawing my own darn money!

As I'm formerly from the finance field and worked in banking, you may call me a bit paranoid, but I do not keep all my money in one place. When I released my backlist as ebooks, it was either wait on checks for payment of give vendors account information to receive a wire transfer. Wire transfer is cool. Giving out my checking account information to a bunch of people is not. So I opened a new account at a totally different bank (so the accounts can't be linked) to receive my ebook payments. Once the payments hit at the end of every month, I withdraw the money in cash and deposit it into my regular checking to do whatever I had planned to do with it - pay off bills, home repair, new shoes (more on that later).

What I noticed is that I can't cash a check without a quiz on if I need a savings and do I want to talk to an investment counselor. Apparently, spending your own money is quite painful for banks, because you know, they're not making near enough money scamming you on NSF fees and 30% interest rates for people who've never made a late payment.

Since I knew I was going to slug someone for prying into my personal business, I started lying on my checks. Yes, that's right - lying. Now, in the memo field, I put a reason for the check. Usually, it's stuff like "kitchen remodel," "tile" and "AC repair." The teller always reads the reason and then asks if I'm doing remodeling, etc. but they don't launch into telling me how to spend (or not spend) my own money.

Of course, then there's the trip to my regular bank. I ran out of deposit slips and went inside a couple of times and it was the same thing all over again - God forbid you deposit money into an account. They simply can't stand not being able to get their hands on it. And I'd tell them "Can I just get this processed. I'm late for work." And still, they'd launch into a million questions about my job, my retirement plan, my 401k and my satisfaction with it.

So the last time I was in there, I asked for some blank deposit slips. They don't leave them sitting out any longer. The counselor says "You don't need a deposit slip. We can look up the account and make the deposit in here, no problem." Finally at my limit, I said "But I never want to come inside again. You people waste my time being nosy. I intend to use the drive-through for the rest of my life. And if they ask questions there, I'm going to crank up my car stereo and pretend I can't hear you."

Of course, the woman who'd just wasting 20 minutes of my time - yes, 20 minutes for a cash deposit - gave me a look like *I* was the bitch. sigh

In a recent shopping trip, I did spend some ebook money on new shoes. How do you like them?


In other news, I'm looking for volunteers to be members of my street team.

What is a street team, you ask? Well, a street team is essentially a core group of fans that spread word about an author's books in the hopes of gaining more readers.

Most street team members spread the word using social media, such as blogs, Twitter and Facebook, but good old-fashioned conversation is also welcome. Basically, your job would be telling as many people as possible about my new releases.

So what do you get in return? All street team members will be among the first to hear new announcements - falling only behind my husband, family and closest friends. You'll get free promo items, both for yourself and to distribute to potential readers, a private Facebook group where you can chat with other street team members, and you'll be automatically entered in regular drawings for prizes such as autographed books, gift cards and other goodies.

If you're interested in becoming part of my street team, please contact me through my website.

Have a great week, all!

Deadly DeLeon


11 comments:

Jenn said...

LOL! I would've loved to have seen her face. Oh, I'm still laughing. lol

I am NOT a shoe person, but I'd consider something, or someone, for those. They're gorgeous. Of course, they'd sit in the closet and I'd have to show them off while dangling from my fingers, 'cause I'd kill myself if I tried walking in them. :)

Jenn said...

Oops, that should say, I'd consider selling something or someone. ;)

Brandy said...

I can relate. I went with my husband yesterday for him to get a haircut and they wanted not only his phone number, but our address. Um, no. And when I refused I was given the same look you were.

Heather said...

Wow, I'm glad that isn't my bank. Mine still leaves extra deposit and savings slips out, and doesn't treat me to a modern day version of the Inquisition each week. With my bank you get a polite "Are you enjoying your day so far?" or "Any plans for the weekend?" followed by "Anything else I can do for you today?" and that's it.

Cheryl said...

I have a friend who works for a small town bank & she hates that part of her job. She keeps getting marked down for not 'cross selling' bank services.
Maybe you could start telling them no thanks but I'll take fries with that!

Tori Lennox said...

Sometimes I think keep my money under the mattress is a better plan. Geez.

Jana DeLeon said...

Jennifer - it wasn't a pleasant look, but it was quite amusing from my perspective. I felt much better once I left, that's for sure. LOL

I have great balance for walking in heels, but those aren't really the kind of shoes you're supposed to do a lot of walking in. They're the kind where your guy is supposed to let you off at the door and you walk in and sit and look pretty in them. :)

Jana DeLeon said...

Brandy - for a haircut?!?!?!?!

Wow! That is insane. Marketing in this country has gotten a little out of hand.

Jana DeLeon said...

Heather - well, I'm glad someone's having a positive experience. Between my husband and I, we use three different banks and all of them are a PITA. Maybe it's in the water here in Dallas. LOL

Jana DeLeon said...

Cheryl - Yeah, I know they're being required to push the services, but when you keep telling someone "I'm an accountant and I'm late for work" it's really obnoxious for them to keep asking questions about your money. Clearly, I've got it covered.

I have also sent complaints to the corporate headquarters or every one of the banks, complaining about that very thing. Customers simply shouldn't have strangers, essentially, all up in their business.

Jana DeLeon said...

Tori - that might be a better plan. God knows, with me, my husband, three dogs and three cats on the bed, no one could get at it. LOL