Fulltimer Banking

[Scott & Heather]

Heather and I have been searching for the easiest solutions to bus fulltimer issues like banking, internet, and mail. The mail issue is never going to be easily resolved for those of us on the move, but Verizon mobile internet with a Wilson antenna/booster has proven reliable everywhere. Now for banking. We initially banked at Chase. That proved to be expensive because for all of our accounts and business account it cost us $15 in fees just to keep the accounts. So we switched to PNC which is the last bank to offer free business checking solely through their virtual wallet program. We deposit checks using our iPhones and their mobile deposit app.  But this still leaves an issue depositing cash into our accounts. PNC does not have branches out west and really is a Midwest and Eastern bank. I've been trying to find creative ways to deposit cash even trying to buy a money order or cashiers check from Walmart and deposit it via mobile deposit. Mobile deposit doesn't accept cashiers checks or money orders sadly. So back to square one. I'm experimenting today with another idea. At walmart, you can buy a moneypak with cash. You can then fund your paypal account with your moneypak for free...our paypal account automatically dumps our paypal funds into our bank account also for free. I'm going to try it today. I'll let you know if I hit a snag. Maybe no one else has this issue, but we do and it's annoying. And I wouldn't feel safe having thousands of dollars cash in our coach so that's not an option.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Clumsy fingers may contribute to mistakes.

[luvrbus]

Have you tried to speak with the president of the Chase bank in your area we been with Chase a long time with businesses, personal and trust accounts we pay nothing even the checks are free and they not your standard size and we get the original canceled check back not a copy each month the presidents in that area for Chase can wave those fees 

[Scott & Heather]

They did waive the fees for us but then our accounts were compromised when my wallet was stolen so when the accounts were cancelled and new ones made they couldn't do that for us anymore. Trust me, we tried hard. We love chase.


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[TheHollands!]

 I use my cash to get a discount on diesel.

[Seangie]

Scott -

We pay all our bills with a single credit card which we get 3% back on (chase) This keeps us to having to pay only one bill a month which we can pay direct online.  As far as checking - we are currently using a small bank out of NC (with 2% return on the account) and I know this might not be the best solution for you but we mail our checks snail mail.  Scan them, keep them in seperate envelopes and mail them to the bank.  Free checking.

Let us know what you end up with.   We are always looking for better options for free checking.

-Sean




www.herdofturtles.org
1984 Eagle Model 10S

[bobofthenorth]

My primary account is with the same small credit union that we have banked with for over 30 years.  I also keep an account with one of the Canadian chartered banks because I have found it is easier to email money from a bank to a bank and from a credit union to another credit union.  I don't trust any of the bastards so I also keep an ING account which is linked to both the credit union and chartered bank accounts.  The most important thing for me is that I need someone on the end of the phone that knows me.  It doesn't happen often but if I need to I can call my credit union and talk to someone who will recognize my voice.  With online access, Paypal, email transfers and the ability to e-transfer money I don't think I write 5 cheques per year anymore.  I pay pretty well everything with a credit card.  Periodically I think I should set up a low limit credit card and use that for online purchases but I never seem to get around to doing that.  On the one occasion when some asshole went on a spending spree with my card my bank made good immediately, cancelled the old one and had a new card in my hands within days so I'm not sure the low limit card would be worth the headache.  In that case I spotted the fraud online before the bank did.

[luvrbus]

Here in the US credit unions are not as heavy regulated as banks since all have a not for profit status with only non paid boards members and the members are the owners but some credit union don't always recognize the members as owners  lol

[Dave5Cs]

Our Credit Union actually links to other one across the country as do a lot of California CU's. So If I am in another state or near a CU I can go in and give them my card from my bank and make a deposit or withdrawal or transfer right there or on line doesn't matter.

Dave

[bobofthenorth]

There's a weird mish mash of laws regarding Canadian soviet unions too.  But generally I've found their fees are lower and its easier to talk to someone who gives a damn.

[luvrbus]

LOL I bet our buddy Doyle was a tough @$# banker Bob, times have changed my banker back when the interest rate was 20% and I needed money he would tell me just write checks I'll cover them as a overdraft for 5 bucks each those were some hefty checks too 

I bet today the banks would bounce a 20 dollar check if the funds were not there

[RJ]

Scott -

IIRC, Chris & Cherie (Technomadia.com) recently wrote about this very subject on their blog.  Might want to take a look and see if what they're doing will work for you.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[Ed Hackenbruch]

 We have been using Wells Fargo checking for years with no fees.

[luvrbus]

If it hadn't been for the US and state regulators there would have been over 3000 Arvest Banks (Walton) in every Walmart across the nation then it would not be a problem for full timers if you shop Walmart

[Ed Hackenbruch]

If we aren't near any Wells Fargos during our travels we just get cash back from Wal Mart or whatever store we are buying something in.

[eagle19952]

Jeewhizzz..if I had $1000's of dollars laying around in the coach, I don't think I'd be sweating an small account fee...(lol) etc.