Adventures in banking

So first off, let me just say that I am hugely thankful for KA who took me to the bank 3 times now to take care of business.  That being said, I'm thinking of moving to a cash-based business!!  Just kidding, but MAN, it's insane.  Lemme give you the scoop.

So about a month ago, we went to the bank.  We didn't have our ARC cards at that time, but we did have passports, so we were able to set up an account.  No worries.  Into that account went our reimbursement for our plane tickets.  That has been sufficient to live here for a month, btw.  Anyway, we couldn't access that money because we didn't have the codes that we needed for the ATM, and the day that we went to get the money was the day that I gave my passport to the people at work.  This was the first time since I got here that I got really angry at the inconvenience.  It was one of those things - this should be so simple, and here it was a whole ordeal.  I also felt bad because I felt like I'd wasted my time, the lady at the bank's time, and KA's time!  The fact that the other 2 did get their cash didn't help my mood that day. 

That was also the day that we got our ARC cards.  So back to the bank I went to get my debit card.  I made sure to ask for the red one with the bee on the chip.  That card can be used on the bus - it'll tally up my bus use and then deduct one amount on a certain day each month.  So basically after I use up all the $ on my Tmoney card, I can just start using my debit card.  Great.  So I almost felt normal, except that I really like online banking and I also wanted to be able to send money to my acct back home.  So back to the bank KA and I went yesterday.  We spent an hour at the bank.  We set up my username and temp password for my online banking (that's not automatic here, you have to sign up separately), and we also set up a direct remittance account.  From what I understand, with online banking I could, potentially, transfer money directly to my Chase back home.  However, with the new direct remittance account, I'm going to save in fees.  So woot for that.  Now I have 2 bank accounts, one for my actual money and one that will automatically transfer any funds I put in it to my account at home.  Also - gestures are universal.  KA was trying to figure out how to translate what the bank lady said, but I got it already (if I put $ in the xfer account and for some reason it doesn't go to Chase, it'll go back into the account it came from).  I also thought it was funny how the bank lady wanted to make sure that I knew that as soon as I transfer money to the remittance account, I can't spend it here.  I wonder how many people have trouble with these concepts.

Anyway, the adventure came when I got home.  I went to the bank website and was told that I have to download and install 5 security programs before I can access my accounts.  This I did.  Every single program is on my computer... however, the bank website doesn't recognize either one or all of them.  It depends... I spent way too long going round and round reinstalling stuff, trying to get in, having error messages... just round and round.  I finally went to bed and then had the idea that maybe it was a browser issue.  I tried on Chrome today and got further into the transfer process than I had last night, but I got stumped at the 'certificate' portion.  I have NO idea what they are talking about.  So I'm going to say "yay, I can check my balance without having to go to the bank" and "I'll try to transfer the money at an ATM." 

The simplest things become such a mess and a pain when you know there's some kind of communication issue going on.  It's either me and the bank, the bank website and my computer, the website and me... something is just causing a missed connection.  Thank God there's more than one way to transfer money!!

Anyway, I had to share the saga because this has gotten past the ridiculous stage as far as I'm concerned.  With each set back, I understand more and more why people would rather sneak across a border, do menial jobs, get paid in cash, send the money home with Western Union, and go back when caught or when homesick.  Going thru official channels is (of course) the better course of action, but MAN it can be a pain in the patoot!  Ah well, I had fun telling my kids that I am, in fact, an alien and I have a card to PROVE IT!  Muah ha ha ha haaaaa - excuse the evil laugh, my voice is still messed up so this is my only outlet... siiigh... here's to getting better.