regularly deposit money into a savings account i don't have easy access to

So this isn’t always as easy as it sounds, but i was looking at WaMu’s free checking and i was wondering what their savings accounts were like. It’s one thing to see what a Bank says about their services, so i was wondering if anyone out there uses wamu and are happy with their services and what type of fees they have that might sneak up on you or what-not…?

I intentionally set up this account without an ATM card or cheque book, so that the funds are hard to access (I’m too lazy to walk all the way to the credit union and too impatient to wait in line, unless I really have to). So money goes onto the account every month, but it doesn’t come off. There’s only been one withdrawal in the past 6 years, and that was administration fees for a special statement the credit union had to generate for me. This has helped me to build up a nice little nest egg/emergency fund/whatever you want to call it, which just keeps growing. Very gratifying and definitely worth it.

I have known since i was young that money and the lack of it might be an issue. But it’s not entirely my fault – i’m really not trying to let this be an excuse because it’s not but they make it sooo hard these days – Having a good bank is important but all the free checks and debit cards and atms in every store. I know it’s more of an issue of self-control. but for someone like me, self control is spending only $4 instead of $14 or $24. But even those little bucks add up. Now don’t get the wrong idea, i am not a shopaholic… well maybe i have a mild case of it but most girls do. and i don’t have money so when i do have a little extra money a shopping spree for me includes things like socks, toothpaste, and laundry detergent.

I tell you what i am queen of the frugal shopping… coupons, sales, buy one get one (only if it is something i will really use like toothpaste or deoderant or something) but for someone who has only ever made just enough to pay the bills plus maybe 50 left over until the next paycheck then those $4 add up real quick.

So i know a solution that is somewhat easy, and will be there to fall back on in emergencies. I now live in a small city 2 hours from the big city i used to live in. There is a credit union that is (as far as i know) only in a few cities around the state and my current city is far from included. I had a saving and checking that i let close. my dad who’s name was also on it (it was opened when i was around 14 and his name had to be attached) decided to open it back up. He did this because i was living in the big city up until last october and they lived here (where i am now) he wanted to be able to send me money if i were to need some emergency money. thankfully i only need it once for a few car issues. He still uses his account reglarly over the distance by checks and debit because that is where his pention money is automatically deposited every month.

My point is that this credit union gives an ok but better than a bank interest rate and the checking account is not currently open. so in order to witdraw money i would pretty much have to physically go there. (unless i faxed them written consent to tranfer money from my account to my dads account which would be handy in an emergency) other wise i can’t touch it. A good point being if i give my dad a check or some cash he can deposit from his account to my account at the begining of the month when his pention money drops (which isn’t alot lol) but still… you catch the drift.