Banking Changes Over 20 Years

The ways that people access and use their money has changed a lot over the past twenty years. 

Twenty years ago the standard way to do financial transactions involved: going into your local branch during banking hours, waiting in a line, doing your deposits, transfers, bill payments, withdrawing your cash, and leaving to do your other business.  Bills were often paid by mailing a cheque, which usually took a few weeks to come out of your account, and if you ever wanted to pay for something without a cheque you had to go back to your branch again to withdraw cash during banking hours.

Today consumers have a variety of ways to do their financial transactions whenever and wherever they want, faster and more accessible than 20 years ago.  Between debit cards, online banking, mobile banking (using cell phones), e-mailing money, and ATMs.

In addition to the convenience and speed of these electronic services, the decrease in cheque usage has resulted in retailers receiving far fewer NSF cheques which saves stores both time and money.  Instead of waiting for cheques to be deposited, and hopefully not bounced, debit machines allow an instant transfer of cash from the purchaser to the retailer.

Safe Online Shopping

I posted the following advice over a year ago, but with so many more people shopping online this year I figured it would be worth re-posting.


Online purchases have grown dramatically over the past decade.  Whether you are looking for auto parts, books or even clothing, you can buy them online.  While many people want to see and touch the items they are buying, more and more feel safe about purchasing their goods over the internet.

 There are security risks, but if you follow the tips below you can have more confidence in your online shopping experience.

1. Make sure your information is being entered on a secure site. 
2. Look for the latest credit card password procedures
3. Know who you are buying from. Use stores you are familiar with or people you know have dealt with.
4. Beware of refurbished items, often a detail buried in small print.
5. Check the store’s return policies before you buy.
6. Use a separate credit card for online shopping, preferably one with a low limit in case the number gets stolen.
7. If the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
8. Online deals can seem great, but what do you do if something goes wrong with the product?  Check out local retailers too as they can often provide faster service than the online merchants.

Christmas is coming, so if you are looking for a specialty item you just can't get nearby, feel free to do some online shopping, but keep safe.  Jerry

The Service We Deserve

Knowledgeable Service With A Smile

I walked into a computer store a few years ago to ask about computer repairs.  My computer was under warranty from a national dealer and they were willing to pay for a technician of my choice to repair it.  When I brought this up to the technician I went to see, the first thing he did was start telling me about all the things he would not do and asking how he was going to get paid.  After a rather unproductive and frustrating 10 minutes I left the store with no solutions to my problems, but knowing that the technician was very concerned over how he would get paid.

I went to a different store the next day, brought up the same issue, and this technician simply asked “What can I do to help?”  That was the response I was looking for.  They fixed my problem, the warranty covered repairs and I was able to use my computer again.  I have not been back to the first store since, but I have gone back to the second one for both repairs and advice.

Several years ago I worked in a city’s downtown core where there was a large mall.  Foot Locker was having a sale, and the specific shoe I wanted was half off.  I visited the store, couldn’t find the shoe on the shelves, and asked a staff