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If I'm quick to take offense, I will always have plenty to be offended about. (Larsen & Hegarty, Believing In Myself, 29 March)

Has an outburst of temper, with accusations and reproaches, ever improved the situation? (One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 15 April)

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I didn't post anything to my blogs for three days. I'm involved in other things that are more pressing. Cyndi and I are working on everything involved in buying and setting up a new computer system for me. Fortunately she was willing to become my Information Technology (IT) Department. As of last night most of the issues seem to be resolved. I'm certainly looking forward to having good color rendition.

For the first time in my memory the purchase of one bank by another bank worked to my benefit. Yesterday I was able to close a Certificate of Deposit that matured at Wells Fargo. Their home office is in Portland, OR. I have never been in Wells Fargo bank. Because they purchased the Wachovia bank I was able to go to a local branch a couple of miles from the house to close the account and get a check for the balance. There was lots of red tape and phone calls. I was there about one hour. The wait was worth it.

This morning I'm listening to a jazz album by the group Euge Groove. This album has some singing on it.

Mr. Dickie
24/May/2011 8:40

In My Opinion

If a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it. (Edgar Watson Howe in The Book Of Choices by Mike Magee, M.D., p. 146)

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I spent a good deal of time yesterday working on my project to seize control of the management of our money from banks that are no longer serving our best interests. It's shocking how much time I'm spending on these projects. I'm trying to keep in mind that the effort will reap long-term benefits.

All of the contradictory talk coming out of Washington continues to be very upsetting. It's becoming more and more evident that our failure to insist that the members of Congress and the Administration carry out the duties they were elected to perform is now coming home to roost.

In my opinion it's time to:

• provide affordable health care to everyone,
• more tightly regulate health care, banking, real estate and stock market business,
• revamp tax law,
• install term limits,
• eliminate earmarks,
• give the President the line-item veto
• insist that no wars be started unless debated and approved in Congress.

As I once asked my immediate supervisor, "Do you know when Hell will freeze over?"

Mr. Dickie
14/Apr/2011 7:59

Ron Witt Honored

Commitment requires a decision of the mind followed by an act of the will that you will follow through regardless of the difficulty or cost. (The One Year Mini For Men, 19 October)

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I didn't post to my two Google blogs from 22 October to 25 October. I was busy taking care of two pressing matters. First I took care of some banking business. Then I helped our daughter rent storage space and begin moving out of her apartment. I took the two back seats out of the minivan. This allowed us to move several items of furniture without damaging anything. She is supposed to be out of her apartment by the end of the month.

Congratulations to cousin-in-law, Ron Witt, who had a school administration building named after him on Sunday October 24th. Ron served the schools in Millard, Nebraska during his entire career. He started as a teacher and coach and rose to be superintendent of schools.

Mr. Dickie
26/Oct/2010 9:51

You Can Bank On It

Of course you are at perfect liberty to handle this matter any way you please. (As Bill Sees It, p. 273)

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Today is 10-10-10 Day.

I'm trying to redeem a certificate of deposit at U.S. Bank. I called them on October 1st, the day the CD matured. Yesterday, eight days later, I received a letter from them telling me that they are going to do what I requested. Of course, there is still no sign of a check from the bank. I'm planning to redeem all of the certificates I have at this bank. The idea of having to go through this process several times is upsetting.

Yesterday was a very nice fall day. I went for two walks. First I walked by myself in the neighborhood for forty minutes. When Melva came home from work (the boss asked her to work an extra day) we walked again.

Mr. Dickie
10/Oct/2010 9:10

Discipline

If you want to put a stop to mediocrity, to replace excuses with fresh determination and procrastination with tough-minded perseverance you need discipline. (Charles R. Swindoll, Wisdom For The Way, p. 272)

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I went for a morning walk in the neighborhood. I was outside for about an hour. I stopped to talk to the next door neighbor for about ten minutes. The weather was cool. A great morning for a walk.

I'm still working on banking projects. I'm trying to learn more about TreasuryDirect which I think I can use to keep track of Savings Bond maturity.

Mr. Dickie
6/Oct/2010 13:13

The Recession Is Over

When you are offended at any man's fault, turn to yourself and study your own failings. Then you will forget your anger. (Epictetus in One Day At A Time in Al-Anon, 23 September)

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Recently the federal government announced that the recession has been over for some time. If you believe this you haven't done your homework. Consider this. If you have $15,000 to put into a bank or credit union how much will you have at the end of one year? Here are three results from a calculator I used on the Wallet Pop website. What does the bank mean when their employees say, "We want to help you out?" Would you be willing to loan me $15,000 for one year if I paid you back $15,008?

Bank savings account at 0.05% interest - $15,008
Bank Certificate of Deposit at 0.45% interest - $15,068
Credit Union Certificate of Deposit at 2.13% interest - $15323

For further information on whether the recession is over you might enjoy reading the September 23, 2010 column of Washington Post writer Michelle Singletary.

The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/22/AR2010092205546.html


Mr. Dickie
24/Sep/2010 8:12

Management

For most of us, thought management is, well, unthought of. (Max Lucado, Grace For The Moment, 21 September)

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This morning I continued working on my project to simplify our banking business. This is necessary because most banks are no longer paying fair interest rates. In my opinion they are using our money almost for free. Many banks also declare certificate of deposit accounts as abandoned if we let them roll-over for several years. They don't do anything to confirm that that the customer has truly abandoned the money. I'm resentful of the way we are being treated and I'm determined to close such accounts as soon as possible.

Mr. Dickie
23/Sep/2010 14:26

Credit Union Business

A popular government is not a government of a majority, by a majority, for a majority of the people. It is a government of the whole people, by a majority of the whole people under such rules and checks as will secure a wise, just, and beneficent government for all the people. (William H. Taft)

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Yesterday I was on Capitol Hill visiting the Library of Congress Federal Credit Union. I took the Orange subway line. I used the plastic Smartrip card to pay for the subway ride and the bus ride up the hill at the end of the trip. Riding the subway and visiting the Madison Building brought back many fond memories of the days when I worked at The Library. I was at The Library picking up a letter from Cyndi. Her place of work in two blocks away from the Ballston station, also on the Orange line. I took the train to Ballston and hand-delivered the letter to Cyndi in front of her office building. It was a perfect fall day to be out moving around in the city.

Today, I called the Credit Union because I needed help to get signed on to our accounts using the computer. This is part of my plan to consolidate and simplify our banking business. I was surprised when I learned that the lady helping me was located at their administrative office which is about a mile from the house. She told me that I can come to that location to make deposits. I think this will be very convenient as I shutdown some accounts with banks that no longer serve us well. It's important, to me, that whatever process I chose be simple and easy to negotiate.

Mr. Dickie
22/Sep/2010 13:28

Bank On It!

Because a thing seems difficult for you, do not think it is impossible for anyone to accomplish. But whatever is possible for another, believe that you, too, are capable of it. (Marcus Aurelius in One Day At A Time in Al-Anon, 24 April)

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Lots of bank business yesterday.

• I had to visit one failed bank to tell them that we are willing to continue to do business with them. Otherwise, the federal government would require them to give our money to the state.
• I called another bank to tell them, "I'm not dead." Otherwise, at some point they would close the Certificate of Deposit accounts and send the money to another state.
• And, finally I called another bank to let them know that I was willing to let them have my money for another twenty-four months at the paltry interest rate of 1.15%. Otherwise, I could have withdrawn the money and put it in a sock under the mattress.

Is there any reason to feel good about any of this?

Mr. Dickie
12/May/2010 8:55