How stupid am I?
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| Thu, 01-19-2006 - 2:06pm |
Just when I think I can get caught up on a couple of things I do something stupid. I rarely bounce checks. But I knew I would bounce one this pay to pay somethings on time. then I would be OK for next month because they wouldn't be due until after payday. Well because of the holiday on Monday, things posted late. (after the bounced check) So now I have 10,count them 10 overdrafts at $34 a piece. I am in tears, at work. How could I be so stupid? I already called the bank, they won't budge. So instead being able to have a cushion in my account, I have to pay $340 in charges. I keep trying to tell myself that this to shall pass. And the long scheme of life this is only a bump in the road. But I'm a single mom and sometimes I just get so tired worrying about things.
Please I need words of encouragement, no slamming please.
Dar

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I don't think anyone on this board would slam you for bouncing checks. Everyone is very nice and understanding, and wouldn't be on this board if it didn't happen to us.
Please don't worry. This too shall pass, and yes, in the grand scheme of things it won't matter, (although I am sure it seems like it matters a lot now) . I have bounced checks and had hundreds of dollars of late fees (it seems when you bounce one, it causes another and another and another...!)
I can't believe your bank won't budge on any though! I would call back and ask to speak to a supervisor. If you don't do it that often, they should be able to come off of one or of those fees!!!
As long as you have food on the table this week, don't worry yourself. Things will get better, you will get paid again, and you will be able to have a cushion again. I am sorry you had bad news today, but look forward to tomorrow, it will be a new day--and I promise the bounced checks won't sting as bad as they do today..
I hope this help!
Shannon
Have you bounced a lot before? If you have, it could be difficult to get any of this money back. If you haven't I would go in person to the bank and talk to an member representative, or whatever they call the people sat at the desks and see if some of the charges can be reversed. If you have direct deposit, even better because you can say that the itmes cleared at different times.
Can you have a line of credit attached to your checking account? I had this happen once with a bill that went through at a time before my direct deposit. I then put a LOC on my checking to give me a small cushion. I have just $300 on mine.
Hugs!!!
Becky
CL of 4th, 5th & 6th grade Scoliosis
Sorry you are going through this right now. I know that when things are tight $300+ seems like such a large amount, but I too hope you can move forward from this point & not be so tough on yourself. It's a lesson learned & you must move on. Don't beat yourself up, we all make mistakes.
I hope your week/weekend go much better for you. Be sure & enjoy your family, they are priceless at times like these.
cindylee
Omg, do I know what you are going thru! I deposited a check into the ATM, that did not clear until four days later, (I was not aware of this). I used my debit card over the weekend, and everything was fine until this morning, when I looked at my account and saw that I had 10 overdraft fees as well. I called the bank, and they gave two of them back, so it is a little better, but not much. Dont beat yourself up about it, these things happen. I hope things get better for you.
Amber
Nope, no slams here! :-D Just Hugs and Hope and Encouragement. I've been on this board for over a year now, and I have yet to see anyone slammed, so no worries, ok? :-D
I think most of us have had at 'least' one overdraft, and although it feels bad when you first find out about it, this will pass.
Being a single Mom, are you receiving proper child support payments? If you need help with that, you could make some calls to try and get what you need from your child/children's Dad.
Do you qualify for food assistance programs? That could ease the strain on your budget a little.
Please don't beat yourself up over these overdrafts. We're all human, and we all make mistakes. It doesn't make you a bad person.
Since you're at work, just close your eyes for a minute or two and think about the positives....as many as you can think of. Your health, your children, your family, your friends, your job, etc etc. Count your blessings during this stressful time, and hopefully it will bring a smile to your face.
Hugs,
Pat :-D
Hello,
I too have bounced checks in the past, thinking that payday would happen before they were cashed, (hoping anyway!). I have a line of credit loan as overdraft protection on my checking account. If I didn't have that, then I would have bounced a check this week! If you can sign up for overdraft protection, *please* do so.
I noticed that the line of credit loan had "deposited" $100 into my checking account to cover a check. The bank transfers in increments of $100 to save time.. my check didn't need that much to cover it. Anyway, two days later, it's payday and I immediately send a $100 transfer from the checking account back to the loan, and pay 3 cents worth of interest. I'd rather deal with a little interest on the line of credit loan and pay it off at my next payday, than deal with $35 charge for an unexpected withdrawal.
Sincerely,
Lindsey Schocke
My Little Secret
http://2-b.us/?i=33800/ivillage
Sincerely,
Lindsey Schocke
Geeks on Tap: Mission Accomplished
Oh, please don't kick yourself! I've done this myself and I'm an accountant for corn's sake! It's very very easy to do in this age of the instant check clearing. Gone are the days when we could count on "float" time. But the banks still hold our deposits just as long. I just try to be very carefull and check my statement online every other day or so and keep a little cushion of $$ in the account at all times. It's really hard to be the single earner parent--I know--I am one.
You're not stupid at all, neither am I!
Cupcake
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