TER General Board

Care to share what those alleged fraudulent charges are?
Dr Who revived 409 reads
posted

Since you claimed that your initial dispute was turned down...sounds like YOU did something that may be a much bigger headache than hiding a few bucks from the SO.

I'd toss out some ideas...but since everyone who suggests "anything" gets shot down by YOU...seems like you've already come to the conclusion that YOU won't be able to successfully hide your mischief.

Perhaps check at Target when they have a sale on balls and a backbone.  Sounds like that may be your best bet.  And for Pete's sake...don't dispute those charges!
Posted By: m435tr0d
=== Long story short ===  
 I use a Amex Server prepaid card via direct deposit of fixed amount to get hobby money before remainder is deposited to my joint checking. Recently the card had fraudulent charges and Amex ultimately closed the account altogether stating I broke TOS.  
 === /End Long story short ===  
   
 === Long story ===  
 For years I have been using an Amex Serve card to receive direct deposit from my paycheck. I basically have my hobby money (fixed amount) deposited to my Amex Serve card via direct deposit and the remainder deposited to my joint bank account with my spouse. I can then do atm withdrawals whenever I need money.  
   
 This worked great until recently when my Amex Serve card received 5 fraudulent charges on the same morning. I contacted Serve to fix it and dispute the charges, they sent a new card, opened and investigation, and all that jazz. But in the end they determined the charges were legit and I broke terms of service by disputing them, lmfao (not really), and they closed my account. They did however mail a check for remaining balance, but I have to pursue the company with the fraudulent charges if I want that money.  
 === /End Long Story ===  
   
   
 === Possible solutions ===  
 Now, I am looking for some other solution to obtaining my hobby money. I don't know what others do, but would like to hear any input or tips. Ideas I am currently pondering:  
   
  1. Get a live check from my company for my hobby money and remainder direct deposited.  
     Cons: going into a bank to cash, possible fees, not having electronic (cc number) access to use the money online for other things.  
  2. Get another Amex Serve card.  
     Pros: direct deposit, no monthly fee as long as you have one monthly direct deposit, no atm withdrawal fees when using moneypass atm, and being able to use it online for other purchases.  
     Cons: basically what happened in my above story and the fact I might not be able to get another one.  
  3. Get some other prepaid debit card and setup the same with direct deposit.  
     Cons: dealing with possible atm withdrawal fees and monthly service fees from the new provider, and being unsure how well the new service will work for my purposes.  
  4. A bank account with no monthly fee with direct deposit.  
     Cons: possibility of bank sending a tax income statement that needs to be filed with taxes (wife does them), the fact this account will more than likely show on credit reports, and seems more traceable.  
   
 Thanks for any help guys.

=== Long story short ===
I use a Amex Server prepaid card via direct deposit of fixed amount to get hobby money before remainder is deposited to my joint checking. Recently the card had fraudulent charges and Amex ultimately closed the account altogether stating I broke TOS.
=== /End Long story short ===

=== Long story ===
For years I have been using an Amex Serve card to receive direct deposit from my paycheck. I basically have my hobby money (fixed amount) deposited to my Amex Serve card via direct deposit and the remainder deposited to my joint bank account with my spouse. I can then do atm withdrawals whenever I need money.

This worked great until recently when my Amex Serve card received 5 fraudulent charges on the same morning. I contacted Serve to fix it and dispute the charges, they sent a new card, opened and investigation, and all that jazz. But in the end they determined the charges were legit and I broke terms of service by disputing them, lmfao (not really), and they closed my account. They did however mail a check for remaining balance, but I have to pursue the company with the fraudulent charges if I want that money.
=== /End Long Story ===

 
=== Possible solutions ===
Now, I am looking for some other solution to obtaining my hobby money. I don't know what others do, but would like to hear any input or tips. Ideas I am currently pondering:

 1. Get a live check from my company for my hobby money and remainder direct deposited.
    Cons: going into a bank to cash, possible fees, not having electronic (cc number) access to use the money online for other things.
 2. Get another Amex Serve card.
    Pros: direct deposit, no monthly fee as long as you have one monthly direct deposit, no atm withdrawal fees when using moneypass atm, and being able to use it online for other purchases.
    Cons: basically what happened in my above story and the fact I might not be able to get another one.
 3. Get some other prepaid debit card and setup the same with direct deposit.
    Cons: dealing with possible atm withdrawal fees and monthly service fees from the new provider, and being unsure how well the new service will work for my purposes.
 4. A bank account with no monthly fee with direct deposit.
    Cons: possibility of bank sending a tax income statement that needs to be filed with taxes (wife does them), the fact this account will more than likely show on credit reports, and seems more traceable.

Thanks for any help guys.

like most of your "con's" seem to be based on being cheap.  Anytime, you're fucking around outside your marriage, whether its with a provider or the 20yo daughter of your neighbor, there are going to be hidden costs that you didn't plan on.  Sometimes, when you try to skimp, that's how you get caught.  There's an old saying that will get rid of most of your stressing over this:
"Don't sweat the small stuff."

hmm, interesting observation... Well I take no offense to it, but I wouldn't say I am cheap. I am attempting to avoid using anything traceable. If you have advice then you are welcome to provide it no matter how "un-cheap" you deem it.

cash a check every few weeks and keep the cash in a desk drawer at home.  When I run low, I cash another check.  However, I have an employee who hobbies and a few years ago when he was getting a substantial raise, he approached me on getting a second check in the amount of the raise, which I think is similar to one of your suggestions.  That way, he still takes his regular check home and lets his wife take it to the bank.  Then he has a separate account (paperless statements) for himself and withdraws money as he hobbies from the ATM.  He says in two years not a single suspicion from his spouse because his paychecks, which she sees, are always for the same amount.

I do like the idea, but I don't know if your employee has realized that any account that draws interest, no matter how small will have a statement for filing with taxes at year end. Additionally the account may actually show in credit reports.  

For the credit report issue (if ever noticed) a possible solution is to get it at the same bank as my own regular one and claim I was unaware of the account and say I will call to have it closed I guess. Then just keep it open like that forever. Assuming it doesn't draw any interest I need to claim on taxes.

I guess maybe a fake identity could work! Fake id (easy to buy), doctored proof of residence at some other address, and open a bank account at a bank that doesn't require much more than that. Might not be too crazy since discretion is important.

You're worrying about a few bucks and how to hide from your wife/SO.  But committing bank fraud is OK with you LOL

What about those fraudulent charges again?  LOL

Posted By: m435tr0d
I guess maybe a fake identity could work! Fake id (easy to buy), doctored proof of residence at some other address, and open a bank account at a bank that doesn't require much more than that. Might not be too crazy since discretion is important.

Posted By: m435tr0d
I guess maybe a fake identity could work! Fake id (easy to buy), doctored proof of residence at some other address, and open a bank account at a bank that doesn't require much more than that. Might not be too crazy since discretion is important.
 
You can't open a bank account without an SSN. How quickly do the banks cross-check SSNs against the government lists these days? I'll take a guess and say 5 business days, tops.

Hire a local kid to do various chores at home or at work. I know that $100 per hour is a lot to pay for mowing the lawn or helping to clean out the garage, but he or she is going to kick back 85% of it to you. I hope you have a really messy garage. If not, you might have to re-shingle your roof

DO NOT accrue interest.  If you get an account that is based on some type of analysis in order to determine the monthly charges vs. interest, unless you are keeping a high five-figure balance, the charges will offset the interest and you will not get an interest statement at the end of the year.  Of course, the excess charges above the interest earned will be charged against your balance, but that's peanuts compared to the privacy you get.

I thought that might be the case. I will have to be sure going into it I guess. This may actually be the best solution. Would be nice if it didn't show on a credit report but I guess that is still easy enough to write-off as an unknown if ever questioned.

A bank savings account will NOT show on your credit report.  

With the low interest rates today, unless you have serious $ in this account you will likely not generate enough interest to generate a 1099. But, the key is to have a legit hobby or 2, preferably one where you begin to generate income that can be turned into cash to be hidden in a book vault, bank safe deposit box, or gun safe.

Who gets a real paycheck any more to actually take to the bank to cash?

I have separate accounts. My money is my money and wife's is hers.  

Posted By: coeur-de-lion
cash a check every few weeks and keep the cash in a desk drawer at home.  When I run low, I cash another check.  However, I have an employee who hobbies and a few years ago when he was getting a substantial raise, he approached me on getting a second check in the amount of the raise, which I think is similar to one of your suggestions.  That way, he still takes his regular check home and lets his wife take it to the bank.  Then he has a separate account (paperless statements) for himself and withdraws money as he hobbies from the ATM.  He says in two years not a single suspicion from his spouse because his paychecks, which she sees, are always for the same amount.  

I don't see why you're concerned about the bank statement given you say your wife does the taxes -- she would clearly then know that some of your money is not deposited into the joint account. So what exactly are you trying to hide? What it's spent on not that you have a fund for your own to spend without explaining.

As I stated elsewhere in this thread, she really doesn't notice the smaller amount of money missing from a paycheck nor does she or will she go through the trouble of adding up all the paychecks for the year and comparing them against my final income. If she did there are ways around dealing with that I can come up with. But I digress, that is not the question here...

How might others suggest dealing with keeping the money covert?

Well the sensible solution is the honest one: I make the money and will spend it how I want. I don't want to have to explain everything so the smart thing for our happy relationship is to have the joint account for the household expenses and then separate accounts for personal spending.

Problem solved.

If she pushed back about "it's been fine until now" let her not it's not been find and you're unable to keep your dissatisfaction in check.  

Or just tell her you need your hooker money and ask her if she things there's a way to consider it an expense for tax purposes.

-- Modified on 10/25/2016 5:46:22 PM

Senator.Blutarsky404 reads

Seems to me, she'll eventually want to know where the missing cash went. I'm not sure there's a good solution for you now. My advice would have been separate accounts from the start and control of all the IRS reporting.

Generally I have found that most people don't try to compare the amount of annual income (after taxes and all the other stuff) to what comes into their bank account per year from one source. You are reading into it too much and this is very much not the question I am asking.

Anyone have suggestions on what they do whilst having a joint checking account?

You need to let it go.  She was sick of you..and from your repeated posts here it's pretty obvious why she got sick of you.

I'm sure she also is enforcing that restraining order.

Go enjoy your pitiful life...please.

Maybe see that therapist more often as well.  So far once a week isn't helping you.

And no russ...she shouldn't be paying YOU spousal support.  Get a real job already...and make your own money.

Posted By: russbbj

I left her, I don't pay spousal support and neither does she.

I have a job, and a rather good one, nobody has supported me since I graduated HS and left for the service.

My railing against marriage is from friend's horror stories.

Listen up skippy, since you seem to have such an issue with my posts, simply don't read them.

If you'd like a challenge, explain a positive reason for a man to get married. It's lose/lose, there isn't an upside. Once a man signs the marriage license, he's opened himself up to losing half of his wealth, period. A wife has to do something exceptionally bad to lose in divorce court, its nearly a slam dunk. I realize that I rail against marriage a lot, probably more than need be, but I did not do it in the post which you responded to. I gave my opinion of an answer to the OP question of how to hide expenses from the wife, simple, just get rid of the wife, no more accountability to her. I really don't care if you don't like my answer.

A man can be a father, a partner, a provider without opening up half of his wealth by participating in the bullshit societal pressure of getting married. I'm not a father, I'm too selfish to be a father. I was a good partner and good provider, certainly not the best but good none the less. I never cheated, didn't start this life until I was divorced. We made similar money and had similar wealth, so half of the difference wasn't substantial and I realize just how fortunate I was in that regard. She got fat (state of mind, more distructive than the weight) and I couldn't endure the jealousy, ugliest of all emotions, so I left.

There's my situation, cease and desist making up what you think happened, you are wrong.

I'm done with you skippy, I suggest you don't read my posts, it seems to bother you too much.

Then you go on and on and on claiming to be the speaker to "us" using "friends horror stories" as your warning  LOL

You really are a pathetic soul.  Give it a rest already.  

I know she's hurt you...badly.  But whining about it over and over here is really sad.  She's moved on.  You need to.

As for losing half of this marital estate....when the spouse pays at least half...why in the fuck isn't "she" entitled to it?  You losers think you're so entitled.  You're not...she made money too.  If you actually had something to "protect" going into some union...that's what pre-nuptial agreements are for.  Maybe that's what you're really all pissed off about?  She wanted to protect HER money from you.  

Stick with seeing hookers that love to be paid to lie to you.  It works.  But quit railing on the women who are hard workers and don't want leeches like YOU whining about how they are trying to "steal your money".  They don't give a shit about your paltry estate.

Please look up what a misogynist is.  Then look in a mirror.

Posted By: russbbj
I left her, I don't pay spousal support and neither does she.  
   
 I have a job, and a rather good one, nobody has supported me since I graduated HS and left for the service.  
   
 My railing against marriage is from friend's horror stories.  
   
 Listen up skippy, since you seem to have such an issue with my posts, simply don't read them.  
   
 If you'd like a challenge, explain a positive reason for a man to get married. It's lose/lose, there isn't an upside. Once a man signs the marriage license, he's opened himself up to losing half of his wealth, period. A wife has to do something exceptionally bad to lose in divorce court, its nearly a slam dunk. I realize that I rail against marriage a lot, probably more than need be, but I did not do it in the post which you responded to. I gave my opinion of an answer to the OP question of how to hide expenses from the wife, simple, just get rid of the wife, no more accountability to her. I really don't care if you don't like my answer.  
   
 A man can be a father, a partner, a provider without opening up half of his wealth by participating in the bullshit societal pressure of getting married. I'm not a father, I'm too selfish to be a father. I was a good partner and good provider, certainly not the best but good none the less. I never cheated, didn't start this life until I was divorced. We made similar money and had similar wealth, so half of the difference wasn't substantial and I realize just how fortunate I was in that regard. She got fat (state of mind, more distructive than the weight) and I couldn't endure the jealousy, ugliest of all emotions, so I left.  
   
 There's my situation, cease and desist making up what you think happened, you are wrong.  
   
 I'm done with you skippy, I suggest you don't read my posts, it seems to bother you too much.

YOU know that most of the johns have an SO...and most of those same johns have NO problems with using monies to pay hookers.

His question is as paranoid as those johns who worry about the cell phone crap.  Or the GPS tracking them.  Or any of the other mindless issues that these tools make into major life altering issues.

I'll stand by my recommendation of buying some balls and a backbone.  

I'm sure he also spends weeks of angst over which hooker to see.  

Now if he wants to know if the size of his cock is important.....  ;

Since you claimed that your initial dispute was turned down...sounds like YOU did something that may be a much bigger headache than hiding a few bucks from the SO.

I'd toss out some ideas...but since everyone who suggests "anything" gets shot down by YOU...seems like you've already come to the conclusion that YOU won't be able to successfully hide your mischief.

Perhaps check at Target when they have a sale on balls and a backbone.  Sounds like that may be your best bet.  And for Pete's sake...don't dispute those charges!

Posted By: m435tr0d
=== Long story short ===  
 I use a Amex Server prepaid card via direct deposit of fixed amount to get hobby money before remainder is deposited to my joint checking. Recently the card had fraudulent charges and Amex ultimately closed the account altogether stating I broke TOS.  
 === /End Long story short ===  
   
 === Long story ===  
 For years I have been using an Amex Serve card to receive direct deposit from my paycheck. I basically have my hobby money (fixed amount) deposited to my Amex Serve card via direct deposit and the remainder deposited to my joint bank account with my spouse. I can then do atm withdrawals whenever I need money.  
   
 This worked great until recently when my Amex Serve card received 5 fraudulent charges on the same morning. I contacted Serve to fix it and dispute the charges, they sent a new card, opened and investigation, and all that jazz. But in the end they determined the charges were legit and I broke terms of service by disputing them, lmfao (not really), and they closed my account. They did however mail a check for remaining balance, but I have to pursue the company with the fraudulent charges if I want that money.  
 === /End Long Story ===  
   
   
 === Possible solutions ===  
 Now, I am looking for some other solution to obtaining my hobby money. I don't know what others do, but would like to hear any input or tips. Ideas I am currently pondering:  
   
  1. Get a live check from my company for my hobby money and remainder direct deposited.  
     Cons: going into a bank to cash, possible fees, not having electronic (cc number) access to use the money online for other things.  
  2. Get another Amex Serve card.  
     Pros: direct deposit, no monthly fee as long as you have one monthly direct deposit, no atm withdrawal fees when using moneypass atm, and being able to use it online for other purchases.  
     Cons: basically what happened in my above story and the fact I might not be able to get another one.  
  3. Get some other prepaid debit card and setup the same with direct deposit.  
     Cons: dealing with possible atm withdrawal fees and monthly service fees from the new provider, and being unsure how well the new service will work for my purposes.  
  4. A bank account with no monthly fee with direct deposit.  
     Cons: possibility of bank sending a tax income statement that needs to be filed with taxes (wife does them), the fact this account will more than likely show on credit reports, and seems more traceable.  
   
 Thanks for any help guys.

Pretty sure no one has really presented a possibly solution aside from get a divorce and/or your screwed other than coeur-de-lion whom I did already thank, whilst discussing the possible ramifications. Not really sure why there is so much animosity on these boards, just asking for suggestions from fellow hobbyists. I know that most of the girls I have seen, when asked, say that at least 50% of their clients are married and those are the ones who admit it, so I don't see the reason for the public flogging.

Nonetheless, sure I will divulge on my fraudulent charges. They were five charges within hours of each other for some magazine subscription website, I am quite confident I never entered into any agreement with a magazine subscription company. I can only guess that I used my card on a site (for either hobby related stuff, or various things I don't care to tell my wife I am purchasing) and the number was stolen from that site, or perhaps a bad swipe at a gas pump (with a card skimmer) when I was in an area I wasn't supposed to be. My guess is that magazine company is a front for some sort of credit card theft ring or someone uses their payment gateway to determine if a card works.

I know that I will hide "my mischief" (as you put it) one way or another, I only hope for some bright ideas from others with experience. Currently not one person has come out to say, "yeah I am in the same boat and this is what I do."  

coeur-de-lion did however let me in on his employee's method which is nice insight. For the most part I am only receiving life-advice, not really suggestions on the topic at hand... meh

This is no public flogging -- just some harmless ribbing because you seem to be making a mountain out of a molehill.

In the end, just like trying to decide if you want to do an over night with an ATF or if you ask if which of two different girls you should go see and then list the pros and cons of the question we're going to make fun of you and ultimately tell you it's up to you because it's your life.

You listed a number of alternative. Pick one if you don't like anything others have said.

I have no idea what the numbers are but you could also just put all the money in a joint account and then hit the ATM periodically to build your piggy bank or just for each visit. In the end you know your wife and how to lie to her better than any of us.

Bad luck on your part but IF you went on some site then you put in information pertaining to whatever and that included a credit card number. You also clicked the "SUBMIT" button or whatever they use.  

I'd love to know the justification by the credit card company that YOU were the one who made the purchases or request copies of the receipts so you can at least see what you bought.  

Posted By: m435tr0d
Pretty sure no one has really presented a possibly solution aside from get a divorce and/or your screwed other than coeur-de-lion whom I did already thank, whilst discussing the possible ramifications. Not really sure why there is so much animosity on these boards, just asking for suggestions from fellow hobbyists. I know that most of the girls I have seen, when asked, say that at least 50% of their clients are married and those are the ones who admit it, so I don't see the reason for the public flogging.  
   
 Nonetheless, sure I will divulge on my fraudulent charges. They were five charges within hours of each other for some magazine subscription website, I am quite confident I never entered into any agreement with a magazine subscription company. I can only guess that I used my card on a site (for either hobby related stuff, or various things I don't care to tell my wife I am purchasing) and the number was stolen from that site, or perhaps a bad swipe at a gas pump (with a card skimmer) when I was in an area I wasn't supposed to be. My guess is that magazine company is a front for some sort of credit card theft ring or someone uses their payment gateway to determine if a card works.  
   
 I know that I will hide "my mischief" (as you put it) one way or another, I only hope for some bright ideas from others with experience. Currently not one person has come out to say, "yeah I am in the same boat and this is what I do."  
   
 coeur-de-lion did however let me in on his employee's method which is nice insight. For the most part I am only receiving life-advice, not really suggestions on the topic at hand... meh

John_Laroche479 reads

1. don't skim from a paycheck, but do it from expense reimbursements if you have them. I travel using my own vehicle and can easily pocket the extra cash Uncle Sam allows. Same with Per Diem.

2. get another expensive hobby and pay with it using cash. That is, develop a habit of spending lots of cash, not with CCs. Golf is one example. Poker with the guys is another. Easy to skim off the top or report a big loss, or a generous day you bought your buddies a round of golf and dinner.

3. If you do any of the household shopping, buy gift cards. She may notice grocery bills increase, but not know why. Either redeem them for cash (you may loose 5-10%) or find a provide who accepts them in lieu of cash.

This is the kind of info I was looking for. Very good! Thanks!

Your suggestion is don't do any of my ideas and go completely cash-based and/or skimming where possible. Makes sense to me. I might still do a hybrid of the two possibly but it is the safest route for sure.

Thanks again

This method was suggested elsewhere, and seems to have some merit:

Set up a stock brokerage account (at Etrade or the like, where she has no account) in your name only.
Buy some dividend-paying well-known stocks.  
"Forget" to turn on Dividend Reinvestment so that the cash feature of the account builds up.  
Get an ATM card to access the cash feature.
Fuck around.  

There may be tricky moments when they decide to send you a new/updated ATM card, but those can be passed off as "somebody wants me to open another account, Honey" among all the other card offer come-ons in the mail.  

You will have annual tax-filing statements with summary amounts, including the dividends, but they won't show your ATM withdrawals.  

 
Anybody see problems with this

This also a very nice idea! Thanks for rehashing from wherever you found it.

Skyfyre388 reads

I was going to suggest the same thing. One can see how LAME many of the characters on this board are. The OP asks a very legit and worthy question yet 90% of the responses are GARBAGE opinions that are absolutely USELESS and contribute NOTHING to the collective intellect of the board.

Back to the original question. I too have Mutual Funds Accounts with Vanguard as well as Stock Brokerage Account with E-Trade.  

The possibilities for hiding or pilfering money is endless. First off one can set up Automatic Deposit as a percentage of paycheck into one of these accounts. Secondly one can skimp the interest or dividend or just ask for a small withdraw from time to time.

There's nothing wrong with using a private P.O or even your work address as mailing address when setting up these accounts to monthly and tax statements do not go home

You are the lamer when you hang around a board for two years with no intention of buying anything. You are a self admitted street monger for Christ's sakes.

Stock accounts generate 1099's. The IRS gets a copy. If he files a joint return his wife will know about it. If he wants to stay out of trouble it will have to be on his tax returns.

Opening up a NON-interest bearing checking account with a PO box is the way to go. It will not generate 1099's and
he won't have to worry.

Potential Risk -- wife will see distribution and capital gain statements and wonder where the $ is going.



-- Modified on 10/25/2016 4:15:35 PM

You can typically do that at the grocery store, etc. Perhaps just small-ish increments?

Yeah, for security my wife and I don't use debit cards as a rule, so it wouldn't work for me but I am sure it could help others. Thanks for the idea.

I know I will catch shit for saying so - but it really is depressing to realize the great lengths men will go to deceive their spouse.  I try my best to not think about it and then I stumble upon threads like this...such a bummer.  xoxo  Okay back to la la land.  

Posted By: m435tr0d
=== Long story short ===  
 I use a Amex Server prepaid card via direct deposit of fixed amount to get hobby money before remainder is deposited to my joint checking. Recently the card had fraudulent charges and Amex ultimately closed the account altogether stating I broke TOS.  
 === /End Long story short ===  
   
 === Long story ===  
 For years I have been using an Amex Serve card to receive direct deposit from my paycheck. I basically have my hobby money (fixed amount) deposited to my Amex Serve card via direct deposit and the remainder deposited to my joint bank account with my spouse. I can then do atm withdrawals whenever I need money.  
   
 This worked great until recently when my Amex Serve card received 5 fraudulent charges on the same morning. I contacted Serve to fix it and dispute the charges, they sent a new card, opened and investigation, and all that jazz. But in the end they determined the charges were legit and I broke terms of service by disputing them, lmfao (not really), and they closed my account. They did however mail a check for remaining balance, but I have to pursue the company with the fraudulent charges if I want that money.  
 === /End Long Story ===  
   
   
 === Possible solutions ===  
 Now, I am looking for some other solution to obtaining my hobby money. I don't know what others do, but would like to hear any input or tips. Ideas I am currently pondering:  
   
  1. Get a live check from my company for my hobby money and remainder direct deposited.  
     Cons: going into a bank to cash, possible fees, not having electronic (cc number) access to use the money online for other things.  
  2. Get another Amex Serve card.  
     Pros: direct deposit, no monthly fee as long as you have one monthly direct deposit, no atm withdrawal fees when using moneypass atm, and being able to use it online for other purchases.  
     Cons: basically what happened in my above story and the fact I might not be able to get another one.  
  3. Get some other prepaid debit card and setup the same with direct deposit.  
     Cons: dealing with possible atm withdrawal fees and monthly service fees from the new provider, and being unsure how well the new service will work for my purposes.  
  4. A bank account with no monthly fee with direct deposit.  
     Cons: possibility of bank sending a tax income statement that needs to be filed with taxes (wife does them), the fact this account will more than likely show on credit reports, and seems more traceable.  
   
 Thanks for any help guys.

Why don't you start a tread for the ladies to discuss how they keep their SOs/BFs/spouses from finding out about their work. I have a feeling that the SOME of the ladies here will have similarly "depressing" (to some) suggestions.  :)

stash the funds. Other options include bonus checks, rental income checks, etc.--just cash and stash.

Make sure the hobby credit card address gets changed to the PO box. Also when you register with hotels use the hobby mailbox. You don't want hotel mail going to your home address. Sometimes that does not always work, one time I had to get on the phone with American express and tell them to stop sending stuff to my home address connected with the hampton inn.

The other thing is to get a bank account or a brokerage account. Make sure that statements are electronic only.  

Lastly you do the taxes and file electronically.

I am thankful for being single... and just play with my clients.  
One of the reasons why I would never marry.

I have my payroll check deposited into 2 accounts, 1 is a joint account, and the other is the account in another bank I use to fund the kids 529 accounts and I also use for my legit hobbiest, but I use this bank for nothing else.  The mailing address on the 2nd account is an out-of-town (20 miles away) PO Box, and I also use this same address for all of my hotel "points" accounts and anything else that pops-up and could cause potential "issues", and I also use this as the return address anytime I mail anything hobby related ($ to P411, etc.).  (And if I forget something at a hotel or wherever, this is the address it is mailed to.)

I also try hard to keep cash on-hand in my bank safe-deposit box and also in my gun safe, just in case -- one never knows when I need cash for a legit hobby, or to buy a new toy. I do a few other things, but these are the basics. The key is to avoid colliding worlds!

-- Modified on 10/25/2016 4:11:15 PM

in a sock in my sock drawer and only use that.

toozman417 reads

I guess it depends on how closely your wife audits your spending, but if you set aside $100 from each ATM withdrawal you can accumulate a tidy sum for hobbying in just a few weeks. Once you've established this sort of slush fund and are disciplined about maintaining a balance, it should never run dry unless you go crazy on a long weekend.  

Or, you could sell some of your wife's old shoes to fetish freaks on CL. If she's that worried about your spending she'll probably never miss them.

It was easy to get a Debit card with skimmed money but now they request a SS #.  It's easy to fake the requested addressfor the prepaid Debit card but I can't fake a SS # they're actually checking.  Anyone using a prepaid where you don't supply SS #?

Register Now!