What can I say?

[Aliviasmom]

I was expecting to receive a financial aid check on Monday, so I "floated" two checks over the weekend. The check didn't come, so they both bounced...at a cost of $35.00 each! Because of this, I'm left with just under $100 to last two weeks...and I need a tank of gas! Is there anything I can do? Can I call my bank (there isn't a physical location that I can go to) and request even ONE of them being refunded?

[Denvergirlie]

You can request it but be prepared that they say no

[1growingsprout]

you can request, but they will probalby ask why you wrote checks knowing there wasn't enough money to cover them.

[Mama2Bug]

I don't think there's much you can do about the bank fees, unless you're prepared to lie and say that you didn't know the money wasn't there. Even then, they'd wonder why you aren't keeping up with your account.

Do you have food in the house? As in, even if it isn't the stuff you would normally eat, do you have things that will make up meals for the next two weeks? Can you eat pancakes for dinner, soup and sandwiches, drink iced tea etc? If you can funnel the whole $100.00 toward gas, will you be able to squeak through?

Do you have food pantries near you? Might not be what you'd like to eat but, if you don't have any dietary restrictions, it could supplement what you already have at home. They don't typically ask TOO many questions about why you're there.

Last- and this isn't a wonderful suggestion, but we've had to do it once in the past- can you stand to bounce one more check? Because the fee is still only going to be an additional $35.00 if you bounce one more, no matter how much it is for. If you're confident that you can cover the fee in two weeks AND you can be 100% positive that you'll spend not one more penny except what you put in your gas tank, you can always go to the grocery store and stock up.

Good luck.

[texmati]

Originally Posted by Mama2Bug

Last- and this isn't a wonderful suggestion, but we've had to do it once in the past- can you stand to bounce one more check? Because the fee is still only going to be an additional $35.00 if you bounce one more, no matter how much it is for. If you're confident that you can cover the fee in two weeks AND you can be 100% positive that you'll spend not one more penny except what you put in your gas tank, you can always go to the grocery store and stock up.

Good luck.

I would really, really really, try not to do this. You'd be better off putting something on a credit card.

I would also def. call and just tell them that you made a mistake. (which is true), and is there anyway that both or one of the fees could be removed.

If they say no, ask if you could speak to a manager (very, very, politely).

Whenever I'm in a situation like this, I always make sure to tell the manager that the person I spoke to first was very helpful and polite.

Good Luck!!!

[happyhats]

Mama 2Bug had some good suggestions. Also, don't beat yourself up but rather learn from your mistakes. I've been there. A lot of people have. It's taken me a long time to realize I have a bad relationship with money and really try to work on it.

There is nothing wrong with asking for help, going to the food banks, etc.

If you're in really desperate straits you could try a pay day loan, but those interest rates are insane....really, try not to go there.

[Purplehaze]

recently

there was an article in the paper- I guess with banks feeling the pinch or wanting to make an example of people- I don't know, but they have been having people arrrested for bouncing checks : ( I would hate for that to happen to you, so please do not write any more checks, that is WAY more hassle then it is worth.

Can you cash in cans? List items for sale in the trading post or diaper swappers? Sell something on craigs list? Barter with a friend? Can you walk places? Just eat out of the pantry- and yes, check out the food bank, see if you can get some stuff to tide you over. Do you get wic? If not, look into it...

I would not hold out hope of the bank returning those fees to you...

With $100- I would try to make good on the checks you bounced, put $30 into the gas tank and keep out $10 for groceries... walk as many places as you can...

Do you have any bills you can cancel? We are looking at getting rid of the cell phones maybe... or some of the land line services.

[3*is*magic]

I'd go to the store and spend $20-25 on the following:

oatmeal
peanut Butter (if no allergies)
a few loaves of the cheapest bread they have
a dozen eggs
beans (dried)
rice
inexpensive soup
pancake mix

And if you *need* to fill your car with gas, I'd do it today. It's not getting any cheaper.

[IlluminatedAttic]

*IF* the check you were expecting is a regular payment from something, like a paycheck or an alimony payment, then definitely ask the the bank to review their records showing the regular deposit of these funds and ask for the fees to be waved. Our bank agreed to do so on two occasions when dh's paycheck deposit glitched for some reason. They accepted that our assumption that the funds would be available were backed-up.

[Garden~Lover]

I would also keep checking if the places you wrote the checks are going to keep trying to cash them. Dont they have up to three times to try and cash them?
are you still getting the check that was supposed to be deposited?

[McFeelings]

In addition to the belt tightening to survive the next few weeks I do the following:

1- Call your bank and politely request that they waive the fees.

2- Call the recipients of the two floated checks and personally apologize for your banking error. Its good karma and will hopefully maintain your good standing with them.

3- Do NOT float anymore checks. It is illegal and you could land in jail particularly since there is now "evidence" that you are aware that your account already bounced two checks.

Hang in there! I've been where you are right now with respect to bouncing checks unintentionally. It will get better if you stick to your budget and do the right thing.

[Aliviasmom]

Thank you all for your replies.

The $100 is AFTER I subtract the checks that I wrote. I'm very low income, so we get foodstamps and groceries aren't a problem. Also, I do not have any credit cards.

I figure I can put $40 in my tank (I only live a few miles from work) and $25 of it has to go to my cable bill. (I NEED to have it in order to keep in contact with my professor for the class I am taking.) I called the cable company last night and made payment arrangements with them. This leaves us with $35 for incidentals and unexpected things for two weeks. I'm sure I can DO it, it's just going to be tight and an extra $35 would really help.

I have problems with my own money. And I KNOW it. I think I have this thought process that I have to spend every penny I have. I'll have to come to you ladies later with my bills and figure SOMETHING out. I've seen the advice given here and it's all very good.

[Thystle]

Originally Posted by Aliviasmom

I think I have this thought process that I have to spend every penny I have.

Did you grow up "poor" or have things/money taken from you as a child? I have found many (including myself not so long ago) feel panicked when they had money left over because it might "disappear".

[CameronsMama]

Originally Posted by IlluminatedAttic

*IF* the check you were expecting is a regular payment from something, like a paycheck or an alimony payment, then definitely ask the the bank to review their records showing the regular deposit of these funds and ask for the fees to be waved. Our bank agreed to do so on two occasions when dh's paycheck deposit glitched for some reason. They accepted that our assumption that the funds would be available were backed-up.

I think this is a good idea. Really, when it comes to asking the bank to cut you some slack, you've got nothing to lose. Worst thing is they say no. If they can't waive the fees they might reduce them as a courtesy. Even if they give you $10 back, that's still $10 more than you have now, yk?