New credit cards arrived in the mail. I’ve been with my credit card company almost as long as I’ve been with Lloyd. Back in college he subscribed to some ancient service where you would buy music through the mail, and never cancelled his account properly. When we moved to Maryland, lo and behold – we had Bad Credit. What?? Bad Credit?? Citibank helped us out, though, and we have been loyal customers ever since.
So this new card arrived in the mail and it has some fancy-schmancy chip on it. I had to go on the website to see what it was, since I thought it was just a new logo of a giant mutant-fingered hand holding my credit card. It is not. I guess I can put my card into a new kind of reader, then sign for my purchase, much as I do now. How is that better?
Oh, about the pants. This weekend I might be taking my new credit card to buy some jeans, since I have misplaced or ruined all but one pair of my own. Question: How do real people buy jeans? It has been about six years for me, and I never know if I am supposed to buy jeans that fit correctly when I wear them, or buy them a bit larger in case of shrinkage.
Help. I am a clothing idiot.
Gretchen says
Congrats on your new “Chip and Pin” card! Very European. I always got an exasperated sigh when I explained to a cashier that I didn’t have one. They usually had taped over the magnetic strip reader and would have to remove the tape so I could pay. With the chip and pin you insert the short end of the card into the slot and then input your pin and you’re done.
Can’t help you with any pants shopping advice. Sorry.
Brad says
Hmm… I had to google that. It’s interesting to note that the chip requires a PIN to be entered. So it’s like a debit card that processes transactions like a credit card? I assume, since you’re in America, that there is still a magnetic strip on the back.
Karla says
With a chip and pin card, it’s supposed to be harder for hackers to get your info and create fraudulent cards. But we all know that will only take about 20 minutes for the fraudsters to catch up. All of this has been a big topic of conversation at my bank meetings.
Rachel Sommerer says
We buy jeans that fit. Don’t think they have shrunk -- unless I can use that as an excuse for the increase in my bodily real estate…
Karla says
Hi Rachel! Im Karla from Lucas’ and Holly’s wedding.
Rachel Sommerer says
It’s good to put a name with a face! It was nice to meet you. Now we are family!
Kristi says
According to Jerome’s niece, you should buy them the correct size NOW. You shouldn’t wash your jeans the traditional way either. I don’t own fancy jeans, but I do have workhorse jeans. I have yet to try her method.
You can read about it here: http://www.in-spades.com/2014/08/how-to-care-for-your-clothes.html