Figured out I'd been misreading my checking account balance for 2 years

I used to look at the 'available balance' number and think that was what I had to spend... but last month at a Chase branch in Austin a teller finally explained the 'current balance' is the real one. How did I miss that for so long? Anyone else make this mistake?

2 comments

2 Comments

oscarcooper9d ago

The "available balance" thing got me too for a while. But this is just part of a bigger pattern in life where we rely on the wrong number. Like how people look at the sticker price on a car instead of what they'll actually pay after fees. Or how Netflix shows you the "watch again" button instead of the "are you sure you want to start a new season at 2am" warning. Banks and companies design those numbers to keep you confused. They know most people just glance and move on.

jessicaw111d ago

Can't believe Netflix actually does that to people @oscarcooper!