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Thus revealed, the creature buried its nose in the tire-tilled soil...

September 14, 2006

So I got a letter in the mail today from my bank, which, at this time, is unable to approve my request for a credit card. I like that: "Unfortunately, at this time, we are unable to approve your request." As if it's out of their hands and they really would like to, but Hurricane Katrina wrecked their facilities and they're still rebuilding and those gosh-darned red kerchief-wearing bandits with their polished six-shooters keep emptying their vaults and they just don't have any credit to give to people who aren't super rich even though those people have had accounts with their bank since fucking 1999.

Oh, and apparently I'm supposed to be paying quarterly taxes, so I have to send a hefty check to the government tomorrow because I've neglected to pay for the first two quarters. I fucking hate my bank and finances and this country and the fact that I need to build credit to do anything yet can't build credit because my own fucking bank won't even give me a card and my head is throbbing and I feel very, very ill but not so ill that I wouldn't slam my fist down hard on that glowing red button and blow this fucking planet into microscopic smithereens. I'm highly upset right now.

-posted by Wes | 5:02 pm | Comments (6)

6 Comments »

Omni says:

September 15, 2006 at 12:09 am

That sucks!! 🙁

Have you looked into getting a secured credit card? Even if you only get one for $100 at 1st, it'll build your credit history.

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Paul says:

September 15, 2006 at 4:41 pm

Credit stinks. But if you have to establish credit there are two easy ways of doing it. One, see if your bank can get you a SECURED credit card.. basically you put money in an account, $300 or so and they use that as your credit line. As long as you make the payments it establishes credit. Or you can get a cell phone and that also establishes credit as you make payments.

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Wes says:

September 15, 2006 at 5:03 pm

Thanks for the tip, Paul. I gave the bank division a call today and apparently the entire process is automated, so my application was rejected automatically because I don't have any credit at this point. They're sending me the forms to appeal the refusal, which will at least result in an actual person reviewing my application. 😛

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Jenny says:

September 15, 2006 at 6:00 pm

Wait, are you paying 2006 taxes or 2005 taxes? Because if you're paying 2006 taxes, quarterly tax payments during the tax year isn't mandatory, is it? I know it is extremely prudent for us unfortunate 1099 freelancers to pay it out in increments throughout the year, but I always thought it was something smart to do, rather than something required. Unless you're paying taxes for 2005 in increments, in which case I understand your predicament.

Glad to hear your application will be reviewed by a real person! When I had bad credit I wrote a letter to my bank about the fact that I was trying to improve my score and they had pity on me and gave me a card with a low limit. That seemed to help a lot to get me on the right track. Hope it works out for ya!

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Wes says:

September 15, 2006 at 6:19 pm

Hi, Jenny!

Paying quarterly taxes isn't mandatory per se, but there is a monetary penalty for not doing it -- I think it amounts to something like 6% interest. That's more than I'd like to pay, and I guess getting hit hard now and somewhat less hard in January won't be quite as painful as getting hit extremely hard later, so eh. EFTPS will also let folks make payments directly to the govt throughout the year via credit card or direct withdrawal, but it takes two weeks for them to get you signed up and whatnot. I sent them a check this time, but in the future I plan to use this system to make payments.

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Omni says:

September 15, 2006 at 6:21 pm

Hey, where'd my post from yesterday go? :-O

I'd suggested what Paul did, about a secured credit card; since there's no possible loss to the bank from it, it's virtually a sure thing.

Wes, being rejected for a credit card usually goes on your credit history; be sure and ask your bank to NOT do that if they accept you for a card, or to add a notation to it if they can't remove it.

Jenny, at least for some people quarterly taxes ARE a legal requirement, and not just for freelancers; my mother, for example, has to pay them for some reason having to do with her receiving half of my father's military pension.

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