BANK STATEMENT

I knew I should have reconciled my last three bank statements. Yesterday I received a letter from my bank that I was overdrawn and thus charged a penalty fee. I usually don’t worry about my checking account, because I always keep an extra $500 in the account. But a couple of months ago, knowing I had a balance of $13,000, I loaned my daughter and son-in-law $11,000. No problem, accept at Chanukah time, without even thinking, I gave my children and grandchildren another $1,000 in gifts as well as paying my property taxes of $2,000 before Dec. 31st. What was I thinking?

It was 8:00 p.m. when I got home yesterday, opened my mail, and saw the bad news from my bank. But to make it worse, I also received a $214 gas and electric bill for Jan., which was automatically deducted from my checking account. Obviously, the bill would certainly generate another penalty fee. Because the bank had closed at 6:00 p.m. I could not call them. Luckily they have an automated bank system and I could immediately call and transfer funds from my business www.FunnyPhotosContest.com for cute or funny photos and photo captions. Unfortunately, when I called an automated voice told me I would have to talk personally with a bank representative.

“Darn,” I thought. Waiting until morning might make it too late to avoid a second penalty fee. Since I had no choice, my only other option was to set my alarm clock for 7:30 when the bank opened and then call first thing in the morning! Guess I won’t ever again forget to reconcile my bank statement in the future – or at least I will pay more attention to the money I just give away .