The Easy Way to Stop Banking

Lyubotyn By Mark Quann

The Easy Way to Stop Banking

If you know someone who would like to quit smoking cigarettes, I would recommend a book called “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking” by Allen Carr. My brother and I, and many of my friends had picked up smoking cigarettes in high school. I was 13 years old when I tried my first cigarette. I was in my late 20’s before I finally kicked the habit for good–after years of quitting and starting and quitting and starting. The “Easy Way” book was the catalyst that caused me to finally quit, and to this day I have never craved a cigarette since. I will live my life smoke-free for the rest of my life. And I will make sure that my children, and my children’s-children live smoke-free lives as well.

Coincidentally, I had also been studying the banking industry while reading Carr’s book. I soon realized that Big Tobacco uses many of the same tactics as Big Banking to “hook” Americans as customers for life.

Here is what I discovered that Big Tobacco and Big Banking have in common:

I learned there is no benefit to me in smoking cigarettes, and that it actually hurts me and my community.
I learned there is no benefit to me when I save with, or borrow from big banking, and that it actually hurts me and my community.

I learned that a corporation that is only concerned about profit had brainwashed me to believe that somehow there was a benefit to me in smoking cigarettes.
I learned that a corporation that is only concerned about profit had brainwashed me into believe that somehow there was a benefit to me in saving in a bank and accumulating debt.

I learned that cigarette companies target children and teens, get them hooked and keep them as users for life.
I learned that big banking targets children and teens into first opening a checking and savings account, gets them hooked on debt, and keeps them as users for life.

I also learned that one teenager can become a lifetime of income to Big Tobacco.
I also learned that one teenager can become a lifetime of income to Big Banking.

I learned that if a teen starts smoking a specific brand (such as Marlboro) when they are young, that they will likely remain loyal to that specific brand for life.
I learned that if a teen starts with a specific bank (such as Wells Fargo) when they are young, that they will likely remain loyal to that specific bank for life.

I learned that cigarette companies have lobbyists that influence the government to make decisions not in the best interest of the public.
I learned that big banking has lobbyists that influence the government to make decisions not in the best interest of the public.

I had destroyed my health and spent a small fortune on cigarettes–which only benefited Wall Street and the shareholders of big tobacco companies.
I had destroyed my financial health and lost a small fortune to bank fees and interest—which only benefited Wall Street and the shareholders of big banking and credit companies.

I learned that tobacco companies rely on customers being ignorant about the dangers of using their product, and that any education about tobacco is bad for Wall Street.
I learned that big banking must rely on keeping Americans ignorant about how their “products” actually work, and that any education about banking is bad for Wall Street.

I learned that I did not need tobacco and that my life would be better if I had not started smoking in the first place.
I learned that I did not need big banking and that a credit union could fulfill all my banking needs, and that I would have been better off if I had never entered a bank in the first place.

Fortunately, giving up banking is much easier than quitting smoking. But quitting both can really change your life!

Just imagine the money saved from quitting smoking, and eliminating bank fees and interest on a lifetime of debt. In addition to the health benefits of quitting smoking, the money saved from living with little debt can build you a family legacy–if well invested in a tax-free environment. And let’s not forget the health benefits of living without debt.

I wish you a smoke-free, bank-free, and debt-free 2013!