Do you know where your money is?

It’s important to keep your money where your money is respected. Would you leave thousands of dollars with a friend that you don’t trust? Would you leave your money with an enemy?

Okay, stupid questions. Sorry. But seriously, why leave your money where it’s not respected?

I wrote about a negative experience with a local bank. I’m an impatient man. I work hard because I want fast results. I don’t like to wait. So why would I wait in line just to access my own money or deposit a check that I could just scan with my cell? Why get ripped off with my own money? Why pay just to access my own money that I worked hard for?

Once in a while when there’s nothing else left to talk about, friends will ask me about checking accounts. I’ve heard all sorts of complaints about crappy checking accounts:

• Getting charged to look at last 10 transactions.
• Random system access fees.
• Monthly fees that add up.
• Lame customer service.
• Long lines.
• Fees that can’t really be explained.

The good news is that we live in a world where you can find out about a breakup the second it happens on Facebook and a world where you can transfer thousands of dollars within a few clicks.

The beauty is that companies compete for our business. Online checking accounts are no different. You don’t have to leave your money with the same bank account that you had as a child. You can transfer your cash and take advantage of the perks.

Let’s look at the best checking accounts if you want your money to be treated with respect:

Capital One 360 – free $50.

Recently ING Direct became Capital One 360. I haven’t heard of any complaints yet. In Canada, it’s still ING Direct, so I haven’t noticed any changes at all. You can sign up with Capital One 360 right now and claim your free money. I can’t say enough good things about this checking account. No random fees, no monthly fees, easy to use, easy to create new accounts, and they even give you free money to sign up. What else could you ask for?

Perkstreet — cashback on your purchases.

Join PerkStreet today and start earning up to 2% cash back on your everyday purchases. I checked out their site and was immediately impressed. I wish I could join myself. They offer 24/7 customer service help, mobile banking, mobile check deposits (screw those long lines with old people), and all sorts of cash back offers. You can earn up to 2% cash back when you shop online and up to 1% on everything else. I’m sold.

Those are the best checking accounts that I could find. As always, I’m open to suggestions, insults, and shots.