EFFIE BATEMAN | Lifestyle | CONTACT
As Australians flock overseas to escape the cold this winter, one Betoota local is proudly sticking it to himself by using his everyday debit card for every single transaction and getting fleeced by the banks with hidden fees.
Speaking to one of our reporters on the phone as he stood outside a cafe in Canada, 32-year-old Jake Callahan was unbothered by the fact that he was spending roughly $20 extra in unnecessary fees by stubbornly refusing to get with the 21st century.
He says he’s not that miffed because he reckons that holiday money isn’t really money, just like how holiday beers aren’t real beers.
When asked if why he continues to be fleeced on every pint while using his debit card from the Big Banks while travelling abroad, Jake says he just hadn’t thought about it- even though he gets charged an international transaction fee for every tap.
Still, Jake reckons he doesn’t look at his bank statements while he’s travelling.
“It’s only a couple of dollars here and there”, says Jake, unaware his bank card is costing him a lot more than a couple of dollars here and there, “I doubt it’s much difference.”
Our reporter tries to explain how bank fees work and how Jake is losing almost seven times more when using a card from the Big Banks, compared to her Wise Card but it barely registers until she casually mentions he’s basically throwing away the equivalent of three beers a week.
“Schooners or pints!?”
“Yeah alright, fair call. Won’t make the same mistake next time.”
More to come.
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