I want to quit the bank! Part II...

Another of life's lessons learned: if you aren't planning on staying with a company forever and you make diddly-squat, it doesn't make much sense to have a 401k account.

I opened it in the first place, because I've heard all my life you're supposed to have one for retirement.

Advice from friends more 'in the know' on this financial stuff- Take the same money from your check and invest somewhere else. Hubby says a Keogh plan is better. Oh sure, NOW you tell me.

So today I called Fidelity to ask about closing the account and/or withdrawing the funds. Well it seems that according to our company's guidelines, I can't close the account unless I quit my job!

"Okay, so can I withdraw some of the funds then?"

"Nope, not unless it's a hardship." WHAT??? So I can't even touch my own money?

I wish I'd have known that before I opened the account. You can't touch it, and yes even if you do make a withdrawl they take out the 30% for taxes and fees... what's the point? I know, I know, you're saving for retirement, but as I said I'm not staying with this company until I'm 65 and don't know if I'll be transferring the funds in the future or what.

So another lesson learned... research what you're doing before opening any type of financial accounts.

What a pain in the arse...