Fasten your seatbelts. We're going to experience some turbulence.

[Fritz Walter]

41. We do have options away from this paradigm

One, for the Money
Several years ago, when my too-big-to-fail bank hit me with overdraft fees (because a regular, direct deposit landed mere nanoseconds after a scheduled payment), I closed all accounts there and walked my deposit accounts, credit card, mortgage, home equity line of credit and six figures worth of investments literally down the street to my friendly neighborhood credit union. It took some careful planning and preparation, but within a month the transition was complete. Never. Looked. Back. The CU offers the same or better services at much lower fees and a much better rate of return on investment than the bank ever did. Their certified financial planner works with me at no cost, versus the "Let's Make a Plan" scheme currently promoted; so, Let's Not, and not say that we did. If you are eligible to join a credit union, what are you waiting for? They're safer (via regulations) and more member- ("customer&quot friendly than any of the banks listed above or even the local/regional banks not shown. Their motto pretty much says it all: We Never Forget That It's Your Money. Yes, they have lobbyists, but their focus has been on preventing the banks from pushing legislature through that would take away CUs' tax-exempt status.

Two, for the Show
I am unplugged from most of the media streams listed above. I get my news from the Internet, including Google News. These conglomerates, and especially local daily newspapers HATE hearing that. I get my music on free streams or via downloading/ripping. Movies? Pass! The only thing keeping me on cable is broadband and when a less expensive alternative (with the same relative bandwidth) comes along, I'm cutting that, too.