alternative banking

[h3rm35]

We're a bunch of smart people here...
we can figure this out.

I recently gave up on banks/debit/credit cards, and I'm fortunate enough to have friends that haven't, so I basically use them to do my banking. They cash my checks, they use their credit cards to buy stuff online or pay bills, they write checks for my cash in order to send money to people that I love in other places...

after setting up that network of friends, I went ahead and ditched my annual cell phone and started using my prepay for all my phone calls (instead of the "emergencies" that I usually used it for.)

That's about as far as I've been able to go, and I get by, but I worry about if I have to travel, or move again...

What will I do then?

I don't want to have to depend on the fucking leeches at check cashing places, and some of my pay that I used to collect for writing, I can no longer collect due to the fact that they only use paypal for payment.

I'd love to see the brilliant minds here work with me on brainstorming up ways to bypass these leeching motherfuckers bent on stealing everything that we have so they can live fat on our slavery and misery.

please, help us all out, and post ideas, even if you can't necessarily figure out a way to work them right off the top of your head - maybe someone else can.

by the way, is it unappreciated or against the rules to crosspost into "breaking the chains?"

[yeti]

I always have current government photo ID, driver's license & passport. Each has a real, but past address on them. I never carry ID on me (unless I'm driving), but have it when necessary to shut these fucks up. They run my ID through, might ask me if I'm still living at blah blah blah - often incorrect. "Actually, that's 29 Maple, not 27." Watch that shit, stay calm and confident; they let you go...

When interacting, give them the jedi nod and a wink that you are one of them. Shed any juvenile idea that you can take them on right there, or use any kind of attitude. You always lose when alone.

Try smuggling 4 ounces of pot and a sheet of acid on a plane when you don't have jedi.

[h3rm35]

great tips, but I was specifically speaking of banking...

[---]

what's the state of play with the Indian areas that seceded from the union?

[h3rm35]

good question...
I know they've got their Dakotas that are trading in the precious metal market, but if these aren't seen as anything more than curio made out of silver, I doubt they'll be able to get a functioning banking system out of them... I'll check into it though...

[FastTadpole]

I'm self employed, good deductions in that. With my clients I barter and/or ask for cash payment whenever possible. That being said I file away my invoices for tax purposes - haven't found a way around that $ grab in Canadian law yet. I plan to keep out of the pen, everything is above board. I considered incorporating my name as well but haven't bothered yet. I also have a buddy that gets paid cash daily for his hours on the job. I put what I need into the bank to pay bills, carry my chipped bank card and ID only when I need to cash a cheque, no car and no cellphone for me either - calling card + pay phone works fine for me @ 3 cents a min. You can also use a proxy to pay phone, internet, electric, water and gas bills while still getting the tax deduction. Also consider a joint/group account with people you trust to save on gouge fees.