All shiny and new

This morning, I opened a new checking account and a savings account at a new bank. I’ve been wanting to do this for quite some time. But I haven’t really had the excess sitting in my account until now. I was going to do it last year after getting my tax refund, but I ended up having to pay in instead of getting a refund. But it’s done now. I should have my check card by the end of next week and my check blanks either by then end of next week or early the following week. Once I have those, then I’ll be depositing my checks in that account. Once I get my money from Google (for the ads … I finally hit $100 last month after having an account since October 2004), I’ll be closing my other checking account.

I’ve had that account since 1994 when I got a scholarship for college. That’s a long time. And I’m closing that account? Yep. A few years ago, the bank changed hands and names. Ever since then, I haven’t really been happy. Small things here and there that add up.

It’ll be nice to start fresh. And even better that I’ll get 10¢ back every time I use my check card. And I use that all the time. The only time I write checks these days is if I can’t pay a bill online. And standard (bank design) check blanks (even duplicates) are free. My current bank charges for even the standard design. And the new bank is more convenient for me. I don’t have to go on the other side of interstate to get to it or past the tracks if I go to the one downtown after work (there is a branch downtown, but it’s much closer to work). And their lobby hours are 7:30am to 7:30pm weekdays and 9am to 1pm Saturdays. That’s nice, especially since my driver’s side window doesn’t work (that’s another post I’ve been meaning to write).