A Tale of Disappointment

Over the last couple of years, I've racked up a little credit debt, both through carelessness and recklessness, but my Darwin sojourn is largely about rectifying this self imposed financial mire.

Recently a few lights appeared in the distance, on the highway to Christmas, which gave me a little hope.

I thought I was in line to receive some back pay from my former employer, and a financial company offered me a very good debt consolidation package. These two combined, or even one or the other would have made things a lot easier for me. Then a third opportunity popped up which would have allowed me to move some of my debt onto a temporary interest free credit card.

Things were looking up. I would be comfortably able to handle Christmas and receive a boost to my already accelerated debt reduction program.

Then, my former employer decided I was ineligible for the back pay because I left before the arbitrary cut off date they selected. I missed out by a month. The finance company revised their offer to less than half of the original offer despite rabid assurances from the salesperson. The new offer effectively rendered the arrangement useless, and of no benefit to me so I told them to 'never again darken my doorway.' Finally the credit card company which pre-approved my application (as did the finance company) advised me, after I was on hold for twenty minutes, and was further subjected to a ridiculous set of questions (see below), that my application had been denied.

So, I'm back to square one. Oh well. At least, I know I'm on the right track.

Here is the aformentioned conversation:

Bank representative: Do you have an account with us?

Me: No. I'm a new customer. I received pre-approval for a new credit card.

Bank rep: Do you have a credit card with us?

Me: (I sigh and repeat what I just said.)

Bank rep: I need to ask you some security questions, if the answers don't match...blah, blah, blah.

Me: No problem.

Bank rep: Can you tell about the last transaction you made, either to or from your account?

Me: I don't have any accounts.

Bank rep: Can you tell me how many different types of accounts you have with us?

Me: I don't have any accounts.

Bank rep: Can you tell me the name of the branch where your account is held?

Me: I don't have any accounts.

Bank rep: Your answers do not match what we have in our system. You will have to attend a branch to verify your identity.

Celebrate the Small Things: bank accounts and credit cards

I recently made a payment to one of my credit cards (yes I have several unfortunately) which I later found out, via a call from the bank, had not been received. The sending bank then notified me that the transfer had failed due to incorrect account details. Blah, blah, blah. Has anyone been here before? Can anybody here me?

I made a new arrangement with the bank which did not receive its gouge, I mean money, and they said I would have to pay a late fee. I said, "I'm telling you in advance to avoid the late fee." They said, "No can do Mr Cairns. However, after you make the payment, you can contact us again and we will then reverse the late fee." I said Grrrrr!!!"(but not out loud)

Wait a second. Wake up call! First world problems, am I right? I have a job. I have money to easily cover all my needs, and to allow me to live comfortably with some of the things I want. I can borrow money. I have a car which I can drive wherever I want to. I have a home. I have more food than I can eat. I may have some debt, but I'm not Robinson Crusoe there. I'm rich.

I am grateful for what I have. I thank God for my credit cards and my debt. And I love that I can chat to bank staff on line, so they can't hear the inevitable exasperation in my voice. Actually, I no longer feel frustrated. So thank God for this blog, and for those who read it.