I made it through Christmas on cash only. (I used some of the cards for online purchases, then paid off immediately). So I did not go in debt for Christmas.

I got some good stuff for Christmas, an under counter cd/clock/radio for the kitchen. It was something that WANTED, but did not NEED. So I put it on my list. I also got a set of tray tables which was also on my list. My mom gave me a jewelry box...one of the standing ones that has hooks to hang necklaces. I have a lot of silver jewelery & keeping them enclosed helps stop tarnishing, so it will definately be useful. I got a few movies and some hardback books that I was really wanting. I still haven't exchanged with my best friends, I'll be doing that tonight. They always have the best gifts... all fun stuff. And they know my taste, so I usually love them all.

Today was a heavy phone day in that I was making tons of calls to sort stuff out. Heres the 'phone log'.
-2 calls to my car insurance because they applied by 12/18 payment as a second payment to december's due date instead of to the 1/7/07 due date it was intended. After the second conversation where we went through all my payments & all the due dates for the last year, they finally agreed with me.
-2 calls to my vision insurance to sort out a denied claim. The first rep told me that the denial was accurate. The second person told me that it should have been paid & would call my eye doctor to straighten it out for me. I plan on writing a letter to the company about her good customer service. (I will follow up with the eye doctor tomorrow to confirm the issue).
-2 calls to my new bank (for the 2nd checking account). They declined my payment to the mortgage company even though the funds were there. After the first call, I found out that for the first 30 days, they hold all deposits for 5 business days. Nobody told me that. I reread all the paperwork they gave me. It is not stated anywhere. PLUS I had to go into the bank today because they never ordered my Visa check card. So far I'm not impressed. On the second call, I explained about the forgotten order of the check card, the fact that I had to make an extra trip to the branch, the fact that the additional hold time was not disclosed to me, that the mortgage company will charge a $20.00 NSF fee AND that they charged me a $32.00 NSF fee. The 2nd rep refunded the $32.00 fee, but said there was nothing they could do about the mortgag company's fee.

-1 call to mortgage company. They haven't gotten the payment returned from the bank yet, but the rep said when they do, they will resubmit the payment. I will get a $20.00 NSF fee. But since I had tried to make my payment so early, it won't be late even with having to resubmit it. (I plan on calling after the payment reposts and asking if there's anything that they can do about the fee)

WHEW and today is only 1/2 over.

My direct deposit for 12/30 is already set up. So once that goes through AND my mortgage payment clears, I'm going to close this new checking account. The customer service people were very rude, the incompetance of the person who set up the account is annoying and I was told by the rep today if there were any more issues with fees, they would NOT work with me. Now, I've been with my other bank for over 8 years & NEVER had a fee, so I don't think I will again with this new one, but their service is so bad, I'm going to close the account & just open up a 2nd checking account with my first bank. It'll be easy to switch direct deposit to that one.

I'll be back later today to do my 2007 goals.