Mustachian People Problems (just for fun)

[Tinker]

Tell me if this counts:

I can’t go through the drive-through at El Pollo Loco because my e-cargo bike isnt heavy enough to trigger the magnet sensor in the drive-through lane that triggers the whole operation.

(It’s ok I got a delicious burrito and Mexican Coke from El Super Taco instead.)

It is generally considered a safety issue to take any bike through the drive thru. I have never understood why, since everyone is moving so slowly it should be easy to see whatever is in front of you, but it is a thing.

Walking through drive-thrus has been a thing here, before CovPass and other infrastructure was built

[TomTX]

It is generally considered a safety issue to take any bike through the drive thru. I have never understood why, since everyone is moving so slowly it should be easy to see whatever is in front of you, but it is a thing.

I've been biking through drive thru lanes for decades at a variety of places without complaints. Since my bike can be legally used as a vehicle on most* public roads shared with motor vehicles in Texas, I don't see where there would be grounds for a complaint.

Many years ago I did get a complaint when walking through a drive thru.

*Generally not controlled access freeways, which often have speeds of 70+ MPH. This is sensible.

[Dicey]

Back in the '90's, I remember a Burger King in Chico, CA touting its drive through for bicycles as the "first ever". Wonder if it's still there?

[Extramedium]

I have definitely taken my bike through drive-throughs while on long bike rides.  I have very fond memories of being famished after riding 50+ mile, and getting a biscuit and chicken at a Popeye's.  Some of the best food I ever ate, standing over my bike!

[Not Sure]

Mrs. Not Sure and I recently moved to advance her career.  Between said advancing and payouts from both our employers we have maxed all available income deferral accounts and are likely to unwillingly enter the 22% marginal tax bracket for 2021.  The 10% marginal jump in taxation is impacting my desire to reenter the workforce in 2021.

I found another employer that claimed the ability to contribute up to 100% of wages to a 401a but alas the maximum employee contribution is 25%.  That ability to defer an additional 25% of my wages in 2021 and beyond may just get me to sign up though.

If only they were better positioned for bicycle commuting...

[Johnny]

I spend quite a bit of time trying to figure out how to lower my taxable income. Common deductions like maxing out one's 401k and HSA are standard. I'm now playing with contributing to commuter expenses even though I don't really have any due to Covid-19; essentially loading up on a pretax commuter debit card to top up my subway pass for future use.

[AerynLee]

I left my old job in September 2018. Once I knew my retirement account contributions from my last paycheck had been deposited I closed it out and transferred to my Vanguard IRA around January 2019. Then in April 2019 I received a paycheck for back pay for a union raise that was backdated to before I left. They withheld my old contribution rate and put it in my closed account (plus their generous match at least). Now I have $28 in a retirement account, but it costs $25 to get the money out, either as a direct rollover or as a straight withdrawal. Not worth the hassle to close out, but I'm annoyed at having the extra account

[MudPuppy]

I had a more awkward load than usual to carry inside when my spouse got home from the store. That’s because eggs were a penny cheaper by the individual dozen than they were by the 5 dozen box.

[Morning Glory]

We are trying to use up stuff to move in a couple months but ran out of yeast. Our choices were 4 oz for $5 (Walmart) or 32 oz for 4.89 (Costco).  I ran the numbers on just buying bread for that amount of time and it doesn't work out.  Same for buying the little packets. We got the 32oz.

[pasadenafr]

I'm sore from all the firewood I've been carrying from the common pile up the neighborhood to my home. I should really buy some sort of storage shelf (can't store it outside as my porch isn't protected).

Alternatively, I could un-mustache myself and turn the central heating on.

(Also a rant: why does pine / hemlock / fir wood burn SO DAMN FAST? Give me some oak, people!)

[GuitarStv]

I'm sore from all the firewood I've been carrying from the common pile up the neighborhood to my home. I should really buy some sort of storage shelf (can't store it outside as my porch isn't protected).

You can store firewood outside and it should continue to dry out just fine as long as it's piled properly.  You want to put the bark side up like this to aid in the drying process:



When I was living in Northern Ontario, our house was heated by a wood stove.  Our woodshed wouldn't hold all the wood necessary to get through the winter, so we often had to pile it outside too.  If you live in a place with a ton of rain, you might want to put a tarp over the top half of the wood pile (but leave the bottom open so that moisture from the cut wood can continue to escape).

[pasadenafr]

I'm sore from all the firewood I've been carrying from the common pile up the neighborhood to my home. I should really buy some sort of storage shelf (can't store it outside as my porch isn't protected).

You can store firewood outside and it should continue to dry out just fine as long as it's piled properly.  You want to put the bark side up like this to aid in the drying process:


When I was living in Northern Ontario, our house was heated by a wood stove.  Our woodshed wouldn't hold all the wood necessary to get through the winter, so we often had to pile it outside too.  If you live in a place with a ton of rain, you might want to put a tarp over the top half of the wood pile (but leave the bottom open so that moisture from the cut wood can continue to escape).

I'm in a townhome and my back porch is rather small and yes, I live in Seattle so rain is a problem. Besides, apparently the HOA doesn't allow us to pile too much wood where it's visible (*rolls eyes*). So I could, and use my BBQ's tarp on top, but it would only be a few days' worth. Might do it just so I don't have to buy a shelf.

That being said, I spoke with my neighbor (he's the one cutting the wood), and he showed me another pile that is closer to our houses. It's newer, which is why I didn't know about it, and the wood is a little more green, but dry enough for use this year. I tried it and it worked great. Dry enough to be easy to light up, not much more smoke, burns a little longer (still not long enough lol) and I enjoy all the crackling and the smell.

[GuitarStv]

burns a little longer (still not long enough lol) and I enjoy all the crackling and the smell.

As long as you're not getting out of bed three times a night to toss logs on to keep the house from freezing I figure it's burning long enough.  :P

[pasadenafr]

burns a little longer (still not long enough lol) and I enjoy all the crackling and the smell.

As long as you're not getting out of bed three times a night to toss logs on to keep the house from freezing I figure it's burning long enough.  :P

Nah, I light it up when I get up in the morning, and feed it / restart it a few times. I find that even though it doesn't actually heat the place (as per my thermostat), it does take away the humidity and that's enough for me to be comfortable. Will be fine as long as the highs stay in the 50's. I've made improvements in my storage method and now I can stock up enough for a couple of days at a time. No need for a dedicated storage shelf anymore 😁 (ok it's not pretty but then I live alone and it's kinda hidden in a corner behind the fireplace).

[ixtap]

Just upped MBR contributions to 50%. We also pay taxes (as one does) and contribute to ESPP. I guess the next few months are a trial run at cash flow management without a paycheck...

[havregryn]

I think this is a Mustachian people problem -  I am preparing to go back to full time work after a long time at home (had a baby in December 2019 and stayed home all this time to make it easier for the family to weather the covid period) and we got completely used to living on one income and still saving. Now we are about to get the firehose of cash that is my (substantial) salary back into our budget so I wanted to "treat" myself and us and I don't know, buy something. But I don't know what to buy. There is absolutely nothing we want or need that I wouldn't buy otherwise and that wouldn't fit the budget without my income just fine.

Now, I know how this sounds but I am LITERALLY beginning to worry there is something wrong with me and I don't know how to live in capitalism.

I thought OK, I'll go get some new clothes but then I found prices of everything designer-ish ridiculous and everything basic felt unnecessary so I went and bought some "fancier" stuff on a second hand online shop (and spent a minuscule amount of money given that we live in one of the highest COL areas on the planet) so that didn't really register as any real spending on our already generous budget (very, very high COL here).

Kids are at school as we can't just go and travel (that's our only indulgent budget item), so I am all out of ideas.

I know I don't have to spend money for the sake of spending money to validate the fact I am earning it (lol) but I still feel weird about it (thank you, society).

[Not Sure]

I know I don't have to spend money for the sake of spending money to validate the fact I am earning it (lol) but I still feel weird about it (thank you, society).

Awesome!  Celebrate by maxing another 401k?

[ToTheMoon]

Is there a child/youth centre that could use some sprucing up? Donations/larger donations to charity?

I think you have the biggest mustachian people problem of all - too much money! :D

[havregryn]

I know I don't have to spend money for the sake of spending money to validate the fact I am earning it (lol) but I still feel weird about it (thank you, society).

Awesome!  Celebrate by maxing another 401k?

We live in Europe (Luxembourg) so we don't have those, we have some vaguely similar things (with much lower limits) that we have maxed out ages ago. There is nothing for us to do now but to put everything I bring home into taxable investments (which we will eventually do after maybe sitting on it for too long wondering about potential upgrades to our housing situation) .
It's just...I don't know...it feels weird. I honestly thought I would have fun doing some mindless shopping just because and instead it filled me with existential angst.

I think I will go with the option to make a donation, but not here (this is literally a golden castle and a global tax haven, this place has some serious $$$ and poor people moved to surrounding countries long ago), my home country is poor and there are many causes there I want to support. What sucks with that and why I don't do more of this to begin with is that I find it hard to find truly trustworthy organisations over there. I did a lot of volunteering in my youth and I have seen things I can't unsee.

[ixtap]

I went ahead and paid the dentist my portion for new braces. Picked up mail in the way home to find the new card with a bonus offer and a slightly better rate. Since we will use the new card for spending over the next couple of months, we will get the bonus, but lost out on nearly $18 in additional cash back :(

[zolotiyeruki]

Now, I know how this sounds but I am LITERALLY beginning to worry there is something wrong with me and I don't know how to live in consumerism.

FTFY. 

Investing all that extra cash?  Great!  Do you realize that what you're "splurging on" is years of freedom from having to work?  That, to me, is one of the greatest luxuries of all--complete control over your own time.

[sonofsven]

burns a little longer (still not long enough lol) and I enjoy all the crackling and the smell.

As long as you're not getting out of bed three times a night to toss logs on to keep the house from freezing I figure it's burning long enough.  :P

It's like you know me.

Passadenafr: sounds like you're burning wood that's a little wet; that's not ideal but it happens.
Just make sure to get your chimney cleaned regularly, wet wood will build up creosote faster, and if you ever do have a chimney fire you'll never want to have another.
Safety Sal, out.

My problem: I do the bank account bonus thing and on the last one it took US Bank  five weeks to post my $400 bonus!

[Mighty Eyebrows]

But I don't know what to buy. There is absolutely nothing we want or need that I wouldn't buy otherwise and that wouldn't fit the budget without my income just fine.

I have this same problem. My frugality is so ingrained that it is hard to think of any material thing to "treat" myself. It is physically painful to buy anything I don't need.

However, you could treat your significant other to a trip and take some time away (if you can). If children are an issue, engage relatives or friends to make enough space.

Also, you could take up a new and creative hobby. Then buying a few necessary tools doesn't feel wasteful. Plus, you get to create something cool.

[Siebrie]

My MPP: 'Free Roadside Assistance Insurance with [major gas station chain] for as long as you fill up your tank 40l/month!' I don't.....

[Sugaree]

My MPP today is that I think I'm about to be offered a job that I really, really don't want and I'm not sure what the best way to turn it down will be without burning bridges that could affect the job I really do want in the future.

[frugalnacho]

Doing some home renovations and charged about $4k on cc for building materials.  I wanted to balance my checking account and square everything away so I paid the bill early, but the auto payment ended up going through about 2 weeks later for the full amount.  Now my checking account balance is out of whack, and I have a -$4k balance on one of my cards.  Now I have to go specifically request they pay me instead of just leaving the balance.  Or just leaving it for like 6 months until they automatically do it.

[merula]

My MPP today is that I think I'm about to be offered a job that I really, really don't want and I'm not sure what the best way to turn it down will be without burning bridges that could affect the job I really do want in the future.

I actually just went through this. My approach was (1) complete honesty with those involved who I could be totally honest with and (2) telling everyone else that I'm deeply committed to A, B and C, which makes the job focused on X, Y and Z a poor fit for me.

I ended up getting the job I really wanted, at a 20% raise too. Which creates the MPP that I'm now on a faster track to FIRE but in a job I could see myself as being a SWAMI in for the first time ever.

[gaja]

My job had a merger in 2020, and changed for the worse. Now they are considering splitting up again. It will be decided in February. I've decided that if it doesn't happen, I'll quit and either barista-FIRE (could survive well e.g. working as a teacher a couple of days a week, or renting out cottages at the homestead) or find a new and better job closer to where the kids will attend school.

My MPP: I really, really want the business to split up again, as it will be the best for the society as a whole (governmental institution). But if they do, I would want to stay around at get it back on track, and have fun with my colleagues. And as time goes and the homestead improves, I get less and less inclined to spend too much time away from it and the family. So sometimes I catch myself in hoping for the merger to stick, so I can have an excuse to quit.

[Steeze]

DW put her notice in at work... our household income is dropping by 40%,  healthcare costs will quadruple and now we can only invest $5k a month. Sad.

[Adventine]

DW put her notice in at work... our household income is dropping by 40%,  healthcare costs will quadruple and now we can only invest $5k a month. Sad.

Oh, the tragedy! :P

[ixtap]

Last year's open enrollment documents didn't mention the traditional "use the campus health center for an additional HSA bonus contribution," so we did higher than usual payroll deductions to the HSA. And did not readjust when we realized we were indeed getting those contributions. All the incentive bonuses seem to be coming by paycheck, but I am a little worried we may miss out on the last bit of seed money in December. And we just won't know until that paycheck comes two months from now because DH is not going to waste a single moment contacting anyone (his employment and his HSA, I just make recommendations), so why do I care so much?! I have made more than that in CC card bonuses this year.

Which brings me to another MPP: we have gotten informed delivery since we had our mail held for a month over the summer. Everything comes like clockwork on the day it is scanned. Except a CC bonus check. Three days after being scanned, it still hadn't arrived, so I did something I hate doing: I picked up the phone and called customer service. The rewards are to be redeposited in my account and the check canceled. Guess what finally showed up on the fourth day, clearly mangled and with codes handwritten all over it? Now I have to figure this all out all over again. Heaven forbid I use that card which only earns 1.5% just to be able to use the rewards as statement credit!

[secondcor521]

Which brings me to another MPP: we have gotten informed delivery since we had our mail held for a month over the summer. Everything comes like clockwork on the day it is scanned. Except a CC bonus check. Three days after being scanned, it still hadn't arrived, so I did something I hate doing: I picked up the phone and called customer service. The rewards are to be redeposited in my account and the check canceled. Guess what finally showed up on the fourth day, clearly mangled and with codes handwritten all over it? Now I have to figure this all out all over again. Heaven forbid I use that card which only earns 1.5% just to be able to use the rewards as statement credit!

Bit of a hassle, and you may not want to do it with your mail troubles, but the CC company will send you the statement credit as a check for free.  I've even had a CC deposit the credit balance into my bank account once or twice, which is even slicker.

[Taran Wanderer]

I looked back at our non-tax spending over the last several years. It’s been pretty consistent since we moved into the bigger house, but our income has doubled. Taxes are up, too, but the amount of surplus each month is a little astonishing even after maxing out employer and IRA retirement options. It’s tempting to spend on something, but we can’t think of anything that would make our lives better. Alas, we will just keep investing the surplus.

[ixtap]

Which brings me to another MPP: we have gotten informed delivery since we had our mail held for a month over the summer. Everything comes like clockwork on the day it is scanned. Except a CC bonus check. Three days after being scanned, it still hadn't arrived, so I did something I hate doing: I picked up the phone and called customer service. The rewards are to be redeposited in my account and the check canceled. Guess what finally showed up on the fourth day, clearly mangled and with codes handwritten all over it? Now I have to figure this all out all over again. Heaven forbid I use that card which only earns 1.5% just to be able to use the rewards as statement credit!

Bit of a hassle, and you may not want to do it with your mail troubles, but the CC company will send you the statement credit as a check for free.  I've even had a CC deposit the credit balance into my bank account once or twice, which is even slicker.

That is what this check was supposed to be. They don't have a dd option, I would have started there!

[DadJokes]

Because of the improved child tax credit, we are doing less pre-tax investing and more Roth investing.  As a result, our AGI is now going to be too high to get the retirement savings tax credit.

[TrMama]

My latest problem is that apparently I only know how to shovel money into my accounts. I seem to suck at the mechanics of spending large amounts.

We had a heat pump installed in August that cost $20K. NBD I thought, we have plenty of cash in a savings account. I can either increase the credit limit on my cc (which is currently only $10K) or do an etransfer. Except that when I tried to increase my credit limit, the bank never picked up the phone and just left me as caller #3 on hold. No matter what time of day I called, or how long I waited, I was still always caller #3. Their online mechanism to request an increase had a similar outcome. It's been 2 months and I still haven't heard back about my online request.

That's fine I thought, I'll just send an etransfer for the entire amount. I know I've done those before for larger payments. Except apparently both banks we deal with now have a limit of only $3K/transfer/24h. That's a lot of transfers for a $20K invoice, and each one costs $1.

In the end I think I did something like 4 etransfers (from 2 different accounts) and then paid the balance on the cc.

The whole episode was kind of embarrassing and a massive PITA.

[secondcor521]

That's fine I thought, I'll just send an etransfer for the entire amount. I know I've done those before for larger payments. Except apparently both banks we deal with now have a limit of only $3K/transfer/24h. That's a lot of transfers for a $20K invoice, and each one costs $1.

Sometimes banks will increase the transfer limit either temporarily or permanently if you call and ask.  Assuming you can get a hold of anyone.

[Taran Wanderer]

You have to pay money to transfer money? Time to get a new bank. I’ve transferred $25,000 or $50,000 at a time and had zero issues or costs.

[NorCal]

My latest problem is that apparently I only know how to shovel money into my accounts. I seem to suck at the mechanics of spending large amounts.

We had a heat pump installed in August that cost $20K. NBD I thought, we have plenty of cash in a savings account. I can either increase the credit limit on my cc (which is currently only $10K) or do an etransfer. Except that when I tried to increase my credit limit, the bank never picked up the phone and just left me as caller #3 on hold. No matter what time of day I called, or how long I waited, I was still always caller #3. Their online mechanism to request an increase had a similar outcome. It's been 2 months and I still haven't heard back about my online request.

That's fine I thought, I'll just send an etransfer for the entire amount. I know I've done those before for larger payments. Except apparently both banks we deal with now have a limit of only $3K/transfer/24h. That's a lot of transfers for a $20K invoice, and each one costs $1.

In the end I think I did something like 4 etransfers (from 2 different accounts) and then paid the balance on the cc.

The whole episode was kind of embarrassing and a massive PITA.

One thing to look into is whether the limits vary depending on which institution initiates the transfer.  “Push” transfers often have different limits than “Pull” transfers.

For example, when I initiate a transfer from USAA to Schwab, there’s a $5k or $10k limit. However, if I initiate that same transfer from Schwab, there is no limit.  Try setting up your accounts from the other institution before you change firms.

[ixtap]

Maybe this is more of a success than a problem...we are going to spend the very extended holidays with family. With the shipping delays of late and the thought "why would I buy that to just let it sit in the house while we are traveling??" We are evidently preceding our travels with a buy nothing and eat down your pantry month.

[clarkfan1979]

Maybe this is more of a success than a problem...we are going to spend the very extended holidays with family. With the shipping delays of late and the thought "why would I buy that to just let it sit in the house while we are traveling??" We are evidently preceding our travels with a buy nothing and eat down your pantry month.

My wife and I shared a car when we lived in Hawaii. When we moved from Hawaii to Colorado in August 2019, we decided to get a 2nd car. My mom let me borrow her 3rd car while I looked for a 2nd car to purchase. My mom's 3rd car wasn't in great shape, but I didn't care. It bought me some time to find something that I really liked. I got my own car in January 2020. It was a 2007 Pontiac Vibe with 153,000 miles for $2750.

In October/November my uncle heard that I was driving my mom's 3rd car. He immediately assumed that I was broke and without options, so he kindly offered me the opportunity to buy one of his old car's for $5,000. I replied with, "no thanks". He was then really confused on why I wouldn't accept his kind gesture. 

[TrMama]

My latest problem is that apparently I only know how to shovel money into my accounts. I seem to suck at the mechanics of spending large amounts.

We had a heat pump installed in August that cost $20K. NBD I thought, we have plenty of cash in a savings account. I can either increase the credit limit on my cc (which is currently only $10K) or do an etransfer. Except that when I tried to increase my credit limit, the bank never picked up the phone and just left me as caller #3 on hold. No matter what time of day I called, or how long I waited, I was still always caller #3. Their online mechanism to request an increase had a similar outcome. It's been 2 months and I still haven't heard back about my online request.

That's fine I thought, I'll just send an etransfer for the entire amount. I know I've done those before for larger payments. Except apparently both banks we deal with now have a limit of only $3K/transfer/24h. That's a lot of transfers for a $20K invoice, and each one costs $1.

In the end I think I did something like 4 etransfers (from 2 different accounts) and then paid the balance on the cc.

The whole episode was kind of embarrassing and a massive PITA.

One thing to look into is whether the limits vary depending on which institution initiates the transfer.  “Push” transfers often have different limits than “Pull” transfers.

For example, when I initiate a transfer from USAA to Schwab, there’s a $5k or $10k limit. However, if I initiate that same transfer from Schwab, there is no limit.  Try setting up your accounts from the other institution before you change firms.

These were Canadian etransfers. They're pushed from my bank account to an email address. You include a security question and the recipient has to answer it correctly to access the money. Clearly enough people have been swindled this way that the banks decided to limit the damage.

What I should have done was call the HVAC company to get their bank account# so I could do a proper bank transfer as you described above.

[NorthernIkigai]

My MPP is that I’ve never before heard of someone having a 3rd car. Well, yes, soccer stars collecting 19 sports cars and whatever, but not someone’s mom having one to lend.

[ditheca]

My MPP is that I’ve never before heard of someone having a 3rd car. Well, yes, soccer stars collecting 19 sports cars and whatever, but not someone’s mom having one to lend.

My boss has three cars in case one of his children (who live in other States) need to borrow one...

My parents are disappointed that my new house doesn't have any guest rooms. If every relative on both sides of the family visit at the same time, the empty bedrooms at my parents' and grandparents' houses might be inadequate.

[zolotiyeruki]

My MPP is that I’ve never before heard of someone having a 3rd car. Well, yes, soccer stars collecting 19 sports cars and whatever, but not someone’s mom having one to lend.

Around me, in many families, one parent drives to work, the kids drive a second car to school or activities, and the other parent either drives to work or is running errands.  Heck, even our family is finally succumbing to the convenience of having three cars.  Now, before you strip me of my Mustache Card, you have to realize that both of our current vehicles have over 200,000 miles, and the car we are likely to acquire also has over 200,000 miles and we are getting it for very little money, and will likely only see 2000-3000 miles per year.

Now, if it's just one person owning three cars, then yeah, that seems facepunch-worthy.

[honeybbq]

My MPP is that I’ve never before heard of someone having a 3rd car. Well, yes, soccer stars collecting 19 sports cars and whatever, but not someone’s mom having one to lend.

My father had 7 cars when he passed away in the 80's. He was a "car guy" and he liked fixing them up and they were his hobby. 2 of the cars could be attributed to family members. One to pull the trailer. The rest... for fun!

[Sugaree]

My MPP today is that I think I'm about to be offered a job that I really, really don't want and I'm not sure what the best way to turn it down will be without burning bridges that could affect the job I really do want in the future.

I actually just went through this. My approach was (1) complete honesty with those involved who I could be totally honest with and (2) telling everyone else that I'm deeply committed to A, B and C, which makes the job focused on X, Y and Z a poor fit for me.

I ended up getting the job I really wanted, at a 20% raise too. Which creates the MPP that I'm now on a faster track to FIRE but in a job I could see myself as being a SWAMI in for the first time ever.

Turning it down ended up being just a couple of clicks.  If anyone contacts me about it then I'll explain that I'm happy where I'm at.  I probably shouldn't mention than I'd rather gouge my own eyeballs out with a rusty spoon than do what this job entailed. 

[oneday]

My MPP is that I’ve never before heard of someone having a 3rd car. Well, yes, soccer stars collecting 19 sports cars and whatever, but not someone’s mom having one to lend.

My father had 7 cars when he passed away in the 80's. He was a "car guy" and he liked fixing them up and they were his hobby. 2 of the cars could be attributed to family members. One to pull the trailer. The rest... for fun!

My dad was also a car guy. He justified his process of buying any car he could score for a deal and fixing it up by loaning them to teenagers (we had a glut of them when I was in high school) in the extended family or anyone who had a car in the shop. These were not typical "fun" or "glamorous" cars. I remember a Gremlin and a Caprice. But it was fun for him!

[Mighty Eyebrows]

These were Canadian etransfers. They're pushed from my bank account to an email address. You include a security question and the recipient has to answer it correctly to access the money. Clearly enough people have been swindled this way that the banks decided to limit the damage.

What I should have done was call the HVAC company to get their bank account# so I could do a proper bank transfer as you described above.

If it is any consolation, even business accounts have dollar limits for online transfers. Our corporate account at RBC had to request a code-generating Fob so as to transfer more than 10k at a time.

For larger amounts I am close enough to a branch to walk in with ID + account numbers and initiate a transfer. I haven't tried this between different banks, though.

[LennStar]

That's fine I thought, I'll just send an etransfer for the entire amount. I know I've done those before for larger payments. Except apparently both banks we deal with now have a limit of only $3K/transfer/24h. That's a lot of transfers for a $20K invoice, and each one costs $1.

Sometimes banks will increase the transfer limit either temporarily or permanently if you call and ask.  Assuming you can get a hold of anyone.

Here it takes about 10 minutes and annoying 3 SMS to get the limit to wherever you want it.