A person really has to watch

I have kept a Reader's Digest subscription going for years; the size is perfect for slipping in a purse (or lunchbox, in Cliff's case) so it's handy for those times when we're somewhere waiting, for instance at a doctor's or dentist's office.  The articles are brief, so you're not committing to a lot of time when you start reading.  I've learned a lot from Reader's Digest.
However, my subscription lapsed, and I've decided this is one thing we can easily do without.  I know it's time to renew, because they've been sending me bills for a couple of months.  But I didn't renew, so why are they sending me bills that sound like I re-subscribed?   In fact, they've sent me two magazines that I shouldn't have received, and the tone of their little notes make me feel more like a freeloader with each reminder.
I found a phone number on the bill Thursday and gave them a call.  I explained the problem to the customer service person and gave her my name and address.
"Oh," she said, "you're on automatic renewal."
What?  I never asked for that!
She took me off the plan and graciously told me I could keep the two magazines that I wasn't supposed to receive.
I just wonder how many people renew their subscriptions who otherwise would not, if they hadn't been bullied into "automatically renewal"?
The same day, I received a credit card bill charging me $1.82 in interest; I had made no purchases, so how did I rack up interest?  We're down to three credit cards, and I still have to weed at least one of them out; I just haven't decided which one.  I've gotten rid of Kohl's, Home Depot, Sears, and two gasoline credit cards.  I kept these for years because credit card holders get special deals; it was really hard to destroy my Kohl's card, because that's where I buy shoes, and sometimes I got 30% off a sale price as a card-holder.  Still, we do not need all that plastic filling up our billfolds.
If I get angry with any of my remaining three card providers, they are history.  I was ready to tell somebody that when I called Chase card customer service.
This summer we used that card to excess (the Arkansas trip and lots of diesel fuel for tractors), and in the end it took me three months to pay them off.  We swore never to let that happen again, even if we have to sit at home for the rest of our lives.
The lady explained to me that ours is a revolving charge account and the $1.82 is carried over from the previous month.
Just as I was getting ready to tell her what she could do with my account, she said, "Oh, wait; I think I can take that off your bill.  Yes, I can; it should show up as being removed within a few days."
So I still have a decision to make about which card I get rid of.  I'll wait and see if that $1.82 really is removed before I decide.



Here's a video to show you how my dog, Iris, plays with shadows.  She also plays with beams of light, and chases birds flying overhead.  She's nuts.

More about debit cards

Dave Ramsey is quite the champion of debit cards.  He doesn't want people using a credit card, even if they carry a zero balance, for the simple reason that most people will buy more with a credit card than they would with a debit card.  I'm pretty sure that's true of me; I'll be using cash whenever possible.  Here's what Dave has to say about debit card safety.  The print shows up small on my monitor; if it's too small for you to read, just do ctrl/+ until it's easy to read.


Think a credit card is safer to use than a debit card? Most people do. They convince themselves that credit cards carry a better track record, and you're less likely to have your money stolen from you when you use a credit card. Sadly, those people are wrong.

Credit cards carry a huge risk of allowing the user to incur debt. Debit cards force you to pay with money you already have. If you hold a debit card from a well-known name like Visa or MasterCard, it will have the same policy about unauthorized charges that credit cards have. Don't fool yourself into thinking that credit cards are the "safe" way to go. They'll only get you into trouble and force you to make payments.

Debit cards are being used at an all-time high today and are used more often than credit cards. Last year debit card use exceeded a trillion dollars. That's a lot of people using debit cards! Although we like to see the increase of debit cards versus credit cards, we still want to make sure you're being careful with your debit card.

Since a debit card is directly linked to your bank account, it's a convenient way to purchase things without incurring debt. When you use a debit card, the money is immediately withdrawn from your account, which means no interest, late fees, over-the-limit fees or annual fees—all good things to help you avoid debt. Debit cards are also great to use because they don't require you to carry cash or write a check.

Know your PIN.

When you make a purchase with your debit card, you should have the choice of running it as a debit or credit purchase. Always choose credit. Credit? Yes. This will insure that you are protected by the card company's zero-liability policy—you will not be responsible for unauthorized transactions. If you have to use your PIN, be sure to memorize your PIN and never carry it with you. Report lost cards immediately, change your PIN frequently, and use your debit card only if you must.

Check bank statements.

To insure that no one but you is using your debit card, check your bank statements online every day. It may seem tedious, but it's better than someone stealing your money. Be sure your internet connection and computer are secure before logging into your personal information. If you spot anything suspicious, call your bank immediately.

Watch your debit card.

Keep your eyes on your debit card when transactions are taking place. It should be within your sight at all times. Once the card leaves your view, anyone has access to your card information and ultimately your bank account. That's why it's always best to use cash!

Check your credit report.

Every year you can order a free credit report from each of the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies (one per company so you really get three a year). Do it! If you think someone used your debit card, report it to the credit bureau immediately and request a copy of your credit report. Monitoring it regularly will help cut down on any illegal activities.

Be on the lookout.

The latest scam involves criminals attaching "skimmers" to card-swiping devices and gaining access to your personal information and bank account. If a card-swiper looks questionable, don't use it. Never use an unbranded ATM.

With all that being said, I will still be using a credit card online.  There is too much information out there saying you should not use debit cards for an Internet purchase.  I will only use the credit card, however, if I have the money in the bank; that way I can go online and pay it within a day or two, whenever it shows up on my account.  Of course, with many of my purchases I use Paypal, which comes directly out of my bank account.  That's ideal, because I am spending money that I actually have.  

To see why Dave doesn't want us using credit cards at all, click HERE.