Itching to live in a big city? You'll probably spend more time in your car than you do in your dramatically overpriced home.

A few weeks ago I wrote an article called “I’m Sorry I Don’t Want to Live in the Big City.” Yet another couple of my friends are moving across the state this weekend, further aggravating my condition.

My condition is one of mild irritation. It gets inflamed when people who live in this perfectly good mid-sized metro talk about “the big city” as though it is so superior. That’s fine — people are entitled to their opinions.

Fanning the flames

However, mild irritation is replaced by frustration and higher blood pressure when people try to talk me into jumping on this horribly ill-advised big-city bandwagon. Worse yet, they act befuddled when I tell them I have no interest in doing so.

They go all wide-eyed and gasp “Why not?” as though I’ve just said I don’t like puppies and music. Because of my frustration and blood pressure heightening condition, I usually just gasp “Whyyyyyyyy would I?” and leave it at that. But now, thanks to this nifty calculator I found on CNN, I can calmly, and coolly explain that I don’t want to have to get a personal loan every month just to pay my rent.

Check out the cost of living calculator

I found this simple cost of living calculator at CNN Money. It simply asks “How far will my salary go in another city?” You plug in  your yearly earnings and the city you live in, and it tells you how much you’d have to make per year to maintain a comparable standard of living in whichever city you choose to compare it to.

The best part, at least for me, is that it not only tells you how much you’d have to make to “get by” in this other city, it says how much more things cost there. For instance, in “the big city,” compared to the city I live in now, groceries cost 16 percent more and health care costs 12 percent more.

The dealbreaker

Best of all, I found out from the cost of living calculator that in this “big city,” this ridiculously overcrowded metropolis on the other side of the state, housing costs 91 percent more!

So next time I get the shocked, aghast “Why not?!” I have statistical evidence that life will not be superior in the magical, mystical big city. Not to mention that I’d have to make almost $10,000 more per year to maintain my eating and paying rent habits.

Don’t even try

There is more than one “big city” in my neck of the woods that my fellow residents apparently hold some sort of hero worship for just because it’s “bigger” and “closer to the beach.” So  it’s possible that after I’ve thwarted the Big City Number One argument, they’ll just start talking up Big City Two.

But I am a step ahead! I checked on this other Big City. The one that’s not quite so big but a little bit farther away and has a few more hippies. It says housing in this hip, environmentally friendly place will cost 65 percent more, groceries will cost 10 percent and utilities will be 11 percent more.

So, if you’re like me, and sick of fielding questions on why on earth you don’t want to pack up all of your things and move to a place where you’ll pay thousands more in rent for the privilege of sitting in traffic jams on a daily basis, check out the cost of living calculator.

Recent consolidation in the banking industry could be bad news for consumers. Here is what you need to know.

Your Online Cash Advances News Source Quoted With Edits From: Bank mergers and your savings (CNN Money)

Don’t let the banks pass anything on to you under the covers

As banks mergers take in response to the recent economic fallout, it may cause unwanted trouble for consumers.

In this article by CNN Money, three points are presented to make consumers aware of the new reality with today’s banking.

Cover your bases for a sound transition

What is your bank costing you? Do you need online cash advances?

First point that was mentioned, were the fees. We are all familiar with the banking industries fees, but we should be extra careful now however, as the costs accrued during consolidation are often passed on to the consumer in some form of fees. Expect to see overdraft fees and or your monthly service fees rise.

Secondly consumers are encouraged to know the risks. From and investing standpoint, be prepared to see your rates drop on deposits. You may also be required to take sustain a higher minimum balance within your accounts to avoid penalty fees. Higher interest rates are also to be expected on any loans that take out.

Thirdly, make sure to study your monthly bank statements for any change in fees or terms. Re-evaluate any other services your are currently enrolled in with your bank such as credit cards or insurance policies for any suspicious changes.

If you are use to borrowing against a line of credit for personal or business needs, be sure to prepare yourself for changes as they may be cut back. If you are still finding yourself struggling to make ends meet, you can apply for online cash advances to help you get back on your feet.