Oct 15, 2011 by Ben
As you may have noticed, there are things that are not quite right with the world lately.
Weather its political unrest in foreign countries to the Occupy Wall Street protests going on right here in America.
To put it simply, things could be better.
I’m a fixer. When I see a problem or something that could work better my mind immediately kicks into high gear to find a solution. I’m a big supporter of the OWS protests going on all over the country and world now. I’m OK that they don’t have a clear set of demands and what they’d like to see fixed because there are so many big problems wrong with our world right now, I understand their frustrations and I am glad they are out to voice them. I hope the results of the protest isn’t one fix that causes everyone to pack up camp and go home, but I hope the result is everyone in this country and those around the world starting up a conversation around “what can we do better?”, “and how can we fix this?”. That is the results I’m hoping for.
That said, I’m still a fixer at heart, so beyond being out to show support with the other protesters I have to take action to make things better. One of the things I think we can and should do more is to vote with our wallets. Money drives way too much of our political process, but it also gives us some opportunity to bring change into the system. If you don’t like how a particular company operates, or don’t like how they make their products, don’t buy their products and tell all your family and friends to do the same. If you do like how one company runs their business, support that business.
I bought a Prius, not because I’m a super tree-hugging eco-warrior hippie, but because I think gas is stupid, and I think there are much better alternatives out there and we should be exploring those. So I opted to vote with my wallet and pay for a car and car company that is actually researching and building toward that (hopefully).
So today I’m voting with my wallet again and closing my Bank of America account. I only kept this account so I’d have access to local ATM’s to deposit checks and take cash out, but I can no longer support their business practices. Beyond that, I am tired of paying them to hold on to MY MONEY!..especially when I have other choices. So I closed my account and moved all of my money over to a credit union. (it was VERY easy)
No fees, I can use any ATM and they will reimburse me, and most importantly, I can now deposit checks from home via my scanner of via my mobile phone.
So I’m getting more features, better service, and its costing me less money and I’m not supporting a business that is truly doing some very bad things.
I can’t believe I’ve been a member for 15 years and paid all that money in fees when I didn’t have to. So for this weeks 1-A-Week, I’m getting rid of a bad bank account that I do not need or want anymore. And this makes me very happy. Plus that picture on my card is HORRIBLE.
Remember remember the 5th of November. November 5th this year is Bank transfer day. If you don’t support how the banks are hurting our economy, transfer your money out and into a credit union. Even if you don’t support the OWS movement, why would you pay a company to hold your money when you don’t have to. Its very easy to find a credit union near you.
Ben…
1AW is a project by which I’m getting rid of at least 1 thing each week that I do not need, want, or use anymore. Doing at least one thing per week helps me reduce the clutter in my life and make room for what is truly important.
What are you getting rid of this week? Leave a comment and let me know.
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