CIT bank, nursing watches, and cilantro sauce
Hi. I’ve been reading your blog for a while and remember at one point seeing a blog post about your banking situation. I would appreciate a post about how you bank and specific services you use as I’m fairly young and looking at different options. I tried just googling Citi but they have so many things going on it’s confusing. Specific links or names of the options you use would be a helpful starting point.
-Agile
Oooh, I know why you got stuck! I have mentioned my savings account at CIT Bank, not CitiBank.
CitiBank does have a dizzying array of options, but CIT Bank is pretty slimmed down. I have their Platinum Savings account, which offers a very competitive interest rate.
So, that's where I have my cash savings parked.
It's an online-only bank, but given that it's just a savings account, I don't find that to be at all inconvenient. It's linked to my checking account, which makes transfers nice and easy.
Click here to open a CIT savings account.
Note from CIT: For complete list of account details and fees, see our Personal Account disclosures.
I’m curious. Do nurses not need watches with secondhand anymore?
-Bee
(Note: this was in response to me saying I'd listed my student nurse watch (with a second hand) for sale.)
Nurses do still need clocks/watches, but the hospital where I work has big clocks up on the walls of each room, and if push came to shove, I would also be allowed to use my phone to time something.
But when you are a student nurse, no phone is allowed.
So, I am happily going back to wearing my Withings watch, which is a non-smart-watch activity tracker.
You guys always have questions about my watch when it appears in pictures so: the one I have is a few years old, but it is the most similar to the ScanWatch Light, which is a little cheaper on Amazon than straight from Withings.
However, the one on Amazon doesn't come in the gold metal color that I have; you'll have to go to Withings for that!
I love my Withings watch because it tracks basic activity, sleep, and heart rate, and tells time. THAT'S IT. I do not want to read text messages on my wrist. I already find a phone distracting; I don't want to be glancing at my watch in the middle of talking to someone.
I also love that it looks like a normal watch. People compliment me on it all the time, and they're always really surprised to find out that it's an activity tracker.
Speaking of design: look how beautiful this blue ScanWatch2 is!! (not an affiliate link) I have zero reason to buy a new watch at this point, but when my current one dies I will probably choose this color scheme.
One last thing: I love that I hardly ever have to charge my Withings watch. Maybe once a month or so, the battery gets low, and then I have to charge it for about an hour.
What is the dressing on the crab salad? Looks like the cilantro sauce, which causes me to ask if that is homemade or storebought.
-CA Artist Jana
Yup, it's cilantro sauce and it's homemade. I have used recipes before, but at this point, I just eyeball the ingredients and throw them in the food processor.
Generally, it's sour cream, mayo, cilantro, lime juice, black pepper, fresh jalapeño pepper if I have it, garlic, and salt to taste.
I find this to be a pretty flexible combo of ingredients, and as long as you have a creamy base and cilantro, it works out even if you don't have everything else.
But do make sure to rinse your cilantro well. I have been occasionally lazy with that and then my dressing is gritty with sand. Cilantro is surprisingly sand-ridden sometimes!
Got something to say about savings accounts, smartwatches, or cilantro sauce? Talk to us!
P.S. If you have a question you want me to answer, leave me a comment or email at thefrugalgirl@gmail.com 🙂
I still wear a watch with a second hand - just a watch, no tracking or messages. Where I teach, the room does not always have a visible clock, so I like having one on my wrist I can see without any issue. I used to buy a timex boys watch because it was sturdy and water resistant. However, the model changed and no longer has the Indigo feature ( push the stem, and the screen glows . Helpful for middle of the night wakings.) So I switched to an adult model. We even bought a battery replacement kit so I don't have to bring it to a jeweler to get batteries inserted.
Did the watch have to meet some sanitary standards- I'm just thinking about germs getting stuck on/under the bsnd.
They didn't give us any watch rules about sanitation; it just had to have a second hand!
I have one of those CIT saving accounts, thanks to your recommendation. Too bad they don't give you a referral bonus or something.
I have always worn a watch, and still do. I don't carry my phone in my pocket all the time or whatever. It's too big. But my wrist is always with me. 🙂 I'm pretty picky about my watches. My pet peeve is watches with no numbers. Like, yes, I know where 12, 3, 6, and 9 are on a watch, and I can figure out the time without actual numbers, but why should I? Just put the numbers on there. One of my sons likes watches with Roman numerals, but I prefer the normal numbers.
@kristin @ going country, Oh! And very relevant: I just last week saw a blog post on a very large NYC-based blog about watches, in which the author was saying if you want to get into watches, here are some under-$500 options. (!!!) She recommended buying secondhand, though, so you can get one of those watches for more like $250. (!!!) I'm guessing this blog and that one have much of an audience overlap. There was an update later, though, saying readers had asked for recommendations under $50, which they provided, so I guess I wasn't the only one thinking in exclamation points when I saw those prices.
@kristin @ going country, I prefer a watch (and a clock) with numbers too!
Haha, you would hate my Withings watch then! No numbers at all. 🙂
@kristin @ going country, I read the same post on a different blog and was equally horrified! I almost suggested my speidel watch, which I dearly love - designed for nurses but also great for this phone-resistant teacher. But on further consideration, I thought it wasn’t quite the right crowd. 🙂 I know the suggestion will be welcome here though!
Mystery solved! Thanks, Kristen. I hadn't thought about the big clocks in the hospital room being a substitute for a watch with a secondhand. Of course, I use my timer and alarms on my smart phone all the time.
I love a watch!! I have several, including a refurbished one that was my husband’s high school/college watch. It has a red suede band for a pop! I also wear a great big men’s Fossil watch that was a hand-me-down. It feels like such a fashion statement. I always wore a Timex watch with a second hand. We were never guaranteed that room clocks would be working back in the day. I still have it, but never wear it. It’s small & nondescript. I guess I’ve gotten more bold as I’ve aged!!
I was wondering about the watch, also. My mother was an RN, and her watch with a second hand was as important to her as her stethoscope.
I tried online banking with Ali. My hipster teaching buddies recommended it but I had tech issues for awhile and then I became too insecure. I also had a credit card with my credit union but had serious problems when I was traveling out of state. The card was shut down and I had no way of getting cash. After that I changed everything over to Chase. I have not had a problem since. I do have an HSA account at our local bank. I have a back up card with citibank which I use rarely to keep it open.
I have 3 month emergency reserve in my checking. I could buy 3 - 6 months CDs but truth be told, I feel better with that money more fluid. So I leave it in it's low yielding account.
At 61 I am now personally acquainted with several people my age and older who have lost small to large sums in scams. This includes everything from $5,000 responding to a phony plea from help on the phone to a fake PAYPAL letter saying a transaction didn't go through. The kicker was a smart friend who was investing his life long savings with a financial advisor in "small group investing with high yields." My friend lost 2,000,000 and the guy is now in jail.
So I am not on the financial cutting edge but I am comfortable the way things are. I only have accounts that are FDIC insured and only have the amount in them that match the insurance cap. I do have a financial advisor for my retirement funds and I like her. She rolled over my 403B into an IRA now that I have retired. She changed my only Roth into more active funds and she is very transperant with good advice. But she only invests in established broad based mutual funds that I can check online through the company and not just her.
Discover bank through my discover card has a decent percentage on online savings accounts. 3.8%. It is also very convenient.
I opened two online savings accounts to have a place to park money for big expenses, for better rates and to earn the bonuses, ha. I still use both and easily transfer back and forth as needed.
I’m a type person who can’t mix my money for every day with my future expense money, I will lose track. I set up an auto transfer from my checking to those online savings accounts.
My comment on cilantro sauce -yuck. I’m one of those that cilantro tastes like soap to me.
I love watches with a second hand. The pretty watch DH bought me has that but no numbers, just little silver squares on a white background which is not my first choice but I’m used to it now. My other, tough watch I bought has numbers and the date, with a second hand. I don’t want to dig my phone out of my purse or pocket just to see the time or time something. Too many steps to take when I can instead glance at my wrist. Which, as Kristin@goingcountry said, I always have with me.
Not to be gruesome, but be sure to put POD (Payable On Death) designations on all your financial accounts, particularly (but not only) online accounts. Checking, savings, IRAs, 401Ks, stock certificates, LLC ownership certificates, everything. Online-only accounts especially can be difficult for executors/personal representatives to access. This is something to do not for yourself but for those you love.
@JDinNM, I don't find this suggestion gruesome at all; I think it's entirely practical and useful. In fact, I've done this on most of my accounts.
But see my comment below. One reason I'm thinking of moving my current savings account (which is currently earning zilch at my local bank) to one of the online banks is that I'd like to put my executor's name on the online account, so that he'll have access to money for my immediate post-death expenses when the time comes. (And for those of you who think he might take dubious advantage of this, I'm not worried. I trust this guy a LOT more than I trust the one of my three siblings who is likely to survive me. Said sibling bled my father financially dry, and would have done the same with my mother and my stepmother if both those sensible ladies hadn't put their feet down.)
@A. Marie, If you trust someone enough to appoint him in your Will as your executor or your Trust as Trustee, you can certainly add him to one of your accounts now. The Power of Attorney (POA) route can be more difficult/time-consuming.
AGREED.
@A. Marie, Just be aware that, in the meantime, he might get reported to the IRS for interest earned on the account.
@JDinNM, this is great advice. Not gruesome at all. Super important to have designations on everything, whether it be POD, TODD (Transfer on Death Deed), beneficiaries or contingent beneficiaries.
@MB in MN, TODDs are especially useful as a way to avoid probate. They can always be revoked during your lifetime or if you need to make changes in beneficiaries, and do not prevent you from selling the property or otherwise transferring it during your lifetime.
@JDinNM, I'm on a number of my Dad's accounts and never get a 1099 for interest.
@JDinNM, thanks for the reminder about the IRS and the interest. I still may open an online savings account, but if I do, I'll make it POD/TOD to my executor.
I have my emergency fund in CIT based on Kristen's recommendation! For other savings, I have them in Vanguard in the form of ETFs and index funds. I also have a retirement account through my university employer. It's helpful to think of savings in the form of long-term investments you don't touch and shorter-term investments for goals (car/home/etc). I would build up an emergency fund though before doing anything else, for those unexpected things that come up.
When my last wristwatch died on me, I tried using my cell phone as my timekeeper for a while--but that became tiresome, as several other commenters have noted. So I was glad to find a working Timex Ironman Triathlon watch in the middle of my street almost a year ago. It's digital (I'm old-school enough to prefer analog), and the Indiglo function doesn't work--but for free, I'm not fussy!
As for the CIT Bank savings account, I'm still considering either that one or the Discover online savings account that Stephanie mentioned. First, though, I want to have a long chat with my eventual executor (DH's last, best, and most trustworthy employee) about various matters, including this one. After everything that NDN's CF and I have gone through with NDN and will still be going through--even though, praise the Lord, we have **finally** crossed the finish line on getting her to sign her final end-of-life paperwork!--I want to make things as easy for my guy as I can.
And as for the cilantro sauce, I love cilantro but don't like creamy salad dressings, so I'll stick to my humble homemade vinaigrettes. But to each her/his own.
@A. Marie, I have a salad recipe with cilantro in a non-creamy dressing. I just mince the cilantro finely. The dressing has EVOO, citrus juices, etc.
Oooh, do share!
I also dislike using my phone as a watch; then I have to always pull it out of my pocket. Not a fan.
As most of you know, Banking/Money became more complicated in a good way with the death of my single, frugal, wisely invested uncle. I have a very good financial advisor helping me navigate these new waters of inheritance and safe investment. Right now, I have "regular" money in a local bank with a savings account that makes on-line transfers very easy. I had my car loan through a local credit union and when I paid it off, I socked some of the beneficiary money there for easy access for a couple of trips I'd like to make. (Hello, Bali and Scotland.) I also have a sentimental account in my old hometown bank that was my Dad's. If you'd told me a year ago, I'd be doing this, I would have looked at you cross-eyed.
Watches: I stand by my Victorinox. I have probably had two dozen watches in my lifetime and this one has had three new bands, d/t wearing out. The jeweler and I have almost a set date to have the battery changed. It has military time should I need it. The date is too little for me to see and although this is not waterproof, "It Has Stood the Test of Time." And I got it myself on eBay.
Cilantro: I did not like it at first. But strangely enough, it "grew" on me. Though it bolts quickly, it is easy to grow in cooler weather. I get it on the regular with MisFits and use it esp. egg roll in a bowl or ramen dishes. Taco salad, pork carnitas tacos or tostadas are my other choices for use.
Hey there,
I'm one of those really weird people who fry watch batteries and make televisions go all static when I get near them so I wear a waterproof Citizen stainless steel solar powered watch which is still going strong after 10 years so can recommend. It's simple and a bit old school but I think it's nice.
I also wear my Fitbit versa 4 which was a Christmas gift and I do like it though I don't wear it at night. Oh, and I had to replace the plastic band with a stainless steel link one because the plastic one irritates my skin when ever I sweat.
So far so good with that one also though I don't wear it all the time. I've only had it for six months and if it goes haywire I'll be most distressed.
@April,
That happens with my sister too! She eventually found a watch on a necklace that worked. I think she has to wind it by hand - no battery to mess with.
@mbmom11,
Lol...glad I'm not the only one with this odd quirk, don't really understand it but there you are.
My husband gifted me with a beautiful gold watch our first Christmas together, but alas I can't wear it, so it sits in my jewelry box awaiting the day when our daughter decides she wants to have a nice dressy watch.
My Citizen watch is still with me sound and intact. If your sister ever wants a wristwatch, I can attest that they are zap proof.
@April, I have the same effect on electronics. I don't think my husband believed me when we were first together, but about a year into our marriage he resigned himself to replacing electronics more frequently when I am using them. I also have trouble with cell phones because I hear static that no one else does. My doc is convinced that people born with certain cardiac arrythmias have these issues more often.
That's so wild! I'd never heard of this before today.
@Lindsey, my mother-in-law had the same problem. She killed a number of watches before finally going back to a manually wound old school watch.
@Lindsey,
Oh, hey WOW! Hold on and wait a just a minute!
As soon as you mentioned hearing static on your cell phone a light bulb went off in my head...I get the same...also sometimes along with the sporadic static also a brief weird wind tunnel sound before a dropped call.
It's obnoxious.
But I never put the two together (which is odd for me), I just chalked it up to bad reception even though others weren't experiencing the same.
Huh. Now I'm wondering what else, if anything, I've affected that I didn't pay attention to.
On the upside, I don't seem to affect computers though (thank goodness, I'd quickly be out of a job if I did) But I'll static up a radio in a hot second if I get to close.
Certain cardiac arrythmias...Now THATS something to look into.
Interesting. I forsee myself jumping down a few rabbit holes on this subject!
@Kristen thanks for sharing the recipe for the cilantro sauce! I have been intrigued by that for years and it is definitely taco season as they prepare quickly and are a healthy meal option. Now I can jazz them up 🙂
I have a vintage bulova waterproof stainless steel with stopwatch that I have worn for 40+ yrs. I love it. Since I am trauma ICU, it takes a beating with sani- wipes. I bought it at a garage sale in San Francisco back in the 80's. My hospital has big atomic time clocks in each room.
I also have a swatch watch that I bought at expo 86, as my ID clip. The patients love the colorful flags on the watch face.
Love cilantro everything, keep a bouquet of fresh picked in my fridge in a pint mason jar.
Thanks to Kristen, I have a CIT acct for online bill paying and another acct with 6 months expenses savings.
Thank you for answering my dressing question. If I ever do this, I will try to use a wire whisk or maybe the immersion blender. Don’t have a food processor and don’t like washing my blender.
Is your watch connected to your phone somehow?
Does it require a subscription?
i c the whole world of manattan (practically) wears smart watches. I like my Bulova Caravelle just fine thanks. it is delicate, pretty and has gold and silver tone. it makes my plain gold wedding band look special. i have the original wedding band. hubby is on his third. he lost the two previous ones. he went to australia on a business trip i told him if he doesn't come home with his wedding ring he shouldn't come home. well, it came home with him but shortly thereafter it was lost. i don't chase after savings account interest as i just have to pay more in taxes. i do put every spare cent into the stock market and if i need money i sell something. there is always something to sell either to get the profit or for a tax loss to offset a gain.
now that the weather is nice i sit on a bench in the middle of stuy town and watch the world go by. my cockapoo buddy likes to sit on the bench with me. that is where i notice all the smart watches.
this year hubby and i will celebrate 25 years of marriage. g-d willing. where did the time go? sept 14. i wanted to get married on my birthday sept 12 like my mother-in-law did but my parents wouldn't let me. they were footing the bill. it was really beautiful. but, hardly any of hubby's friends were there, nor mine. mother-in-law said the wedding is for the parents. how weird is that? ah well at least our kids will have a wedding that suits them.
@Anita Isaac, the one kiddo of mine who is married did it their way. Husband and I lump summed cash (we've also gifted cash here and there). They spent squat on the ceremony and had a nice reception when the weather was better. Other kiddo I doubt will get married. Got the same amount of lump sum cash.
Since when did your child's wedding become all about the (sometimes paying) parent?
@Selena, not sure but my family was very difficult.
I have a lovely Skagen watch that just tells time in minutes and hours. I love it because it looks right on my super skinny wrists but is big enough to be read easily. When it looked like the Skagen might not make it back from being repaired, I bought a Timex Indiglo that's really too big for me -- the strap is hitched up in the last hole and still slops around some. But it's good for wearing at night when I need to check the time.
I've been wearing a Timex Ironman for the last 30+ years. Price friendly, durable, and accurate. I use the stopwatch and countdown timers frequently. I sometimes switch it out for a base level Fitbit to track heart rate and activity throughout the day.
That being said, an analog dial with a second hand has its own unique allure.
Can't wait to try the cilantro sauce. Thank you for sharing!
I wore a wristwatch almost literally non-stop from the age of 6 until I gave birth to my first child at the age of 32. I basically only took it off to shower. When I went into labor they needed me to take it off, and then I worried about it hurting the baby as I snuggled and nursed. So I haven't gone back, and I just rely on my phone. One of these days, when baby #3 is big enough, I will go back to the beautiful watch my husband got me. While I pretty much always have my phone on me, I really enjoyed the convenience and experience of wearing a watch.
@Carla G, that’s so funny…I did the same thing! I used to wear a watch and a bracelet, and when my little guy arrived it just seemed so chunky and uncomfortable for him that I took them off. And now somehow I’ve lost the habit and haven’t worn anything in years…he’s turning 4 soon!
In most SA hospitals, nurses are not allowed to wear wristwatches (though some do). Many of us wear fob watches on our uniforms. Rings are limited to single wedding bands.