A Brown Card For A Green One

I have been trying for what seems like ages to get an S-Pankki card.  You can only get these through Sokos locations it seems - or S-locations like S-Market for example if there is someone set up trying to promote them.  (Maybe there are other ways to get one too - like the internet - not sure!)

The difference between the first S card you get and the one that says "Visa" on it, is that one collects the bonus money and the other is an actual bank/credit card.  (By bank card I mean "debit", the money is linked to an account and you can shop with it.)

When I first went to Sokos to ask for a S-bank card they said I didn't have enough ID.
I had my Kela card, my green bonus card and my Passport and thought that was pretty good.  Apparently not.
I was advised I had to get a Finnish ID for Foreigners.  It's brown, not overly attractive and supposedly is brown to represent the poo that Finns might think of us Foreigners (I'm pretty sure this was sarcasm/a joke in the 6 Degrees paper months ago.  No your Finnish friends don't think you look or smell like poo!).
I'm JUST KIDDING!!!
Although, I did read that article - anyone else see it too?

Anyways, I found out it was 55� and thought it was a bit steep considering I can't use it for much.  But, considering I had over 350� sitting on my green bonus card - just not DOING anything - I figured it was a low price to pay to be able to spend my money I've been racking up by shopping at S-chain places (mostly groceries).

I went to the Police station, pushed that lovely "ASSISTANCE FOR FOREIGNERS" button and waited...and I waited and waited and waited.  In fact, I waited almost an hour, and when I walked in - I saw Mr. Prince Charming Police Officer and advised him that there weren't any applications for me to fill out so I could get my Finnish ID card.
Well, he apologized deeply and said, "That's because there isn't one.  I'm so sorry - is that what you waited so long for?"
As my Facebook status said that day, "Thank goodness he was hot."
So apparently, I just bring in a photo, my Passport and 55� (I paid with my bank card).

I finally went in and waited about 2 HOURS last week with my youngest - thankfully HE fell back asleep, mostly out of sheer boredom - and submitted his Residence Permit application (or he won't get a new Kela card) and asked to get my Finnish ID card too.
I got that all paid for and submitted and the "I know your family name and your kids first names too because I think it's kinda neat and super weird that you gave your kids SUCH Finnish names just because they were born here" officer (who is super nice) said I would get a text message advising me to pick up my ID card at the front desk.

Excellent - well, I got that text message today.
"From 16435
Tilaamanne lupa-asiakirja on saapunut.  Noutopaikka on Jyv�skyl�n p��poliisiasema.  Urhonkatu 2."

All I honestly could pick out of that was "Nouto" meaning pick up - how do I know this?  I apparently order pizza online too much.  And "Poliisi" is police (no, I have never been in trouble with the law).
The last sentence was the address for pick up.

I walked in and didn't know which button to push for a number.  I compared the text message to the buttons (there are only 3) to the machine and ended up going with one that said something about "Asiakirja" (translates to "documents") and figured it was a safe bet.
Especially when I let a fellow go ahead of me and it looked like he was picking something up and it was at the front desk!! :)

Fast forward a few hours later and I was in Sokos planning on opening a bank account so I could spend my precious 350 (and counting) euros.
I told the lady what I would like and she said fine and asked for ID.  I dug out my green bonus card, my Kela card and as soon as she saw my Passport she apologized and said she couldn't help me.
Well, I whipped out my Finnish ID card and she saw it and said, "Oh, you DO have ID- yes I can do that for you!"
(Because everything else just DOES NOT count these days...)

I got my future pin code to be sent to my future address (since I am really moving there in less than a week now..yet blogging when I should be asleep!) and she advised me that there are NO fees on this account at all.
None for withdrawing, spending - nothing.  Not sure about depositing because I just planned on spending what I collect from the S Bonus card.
Once I get that all set up (aka get the S Bank card) then I can destroy my S Bonus card and when I shop - if I am at an S-location, it will automatically calculate the bonus onto the account if I am spending with my bank card.
If not (or if I am at a regular shop that does not accept S cards) then I have to insert my card and press "BONUS" when it shows up on the machine, then remove it and then pay in whatever method I planned on using.
If I want to spend with it - I just put it in the machine and (it has a chip card) use it like normal.
She asked what would be the maximum daily limit on the account that I would withdraw from.  I advised her and then she asked if I was interested in having it as a credit card too.
I told her nope just bank card and she got me to sign some forms.
Their internet banking site is only available in Finnish.

Also, if you lose your internet banking ID number - you have to pay 20� to get a new one.
And if you lose the pin, it costs you 5� if you need a new one set up.

Ah, you want to know what I plan on buying?  A small washing machine for the future flat.
Running between buildings to do my laundry is no fun, especially with colder weather coming up and my youngest can walk already...so there's no such thing as "quickly getting the laundry" anymore.

Oh and most Finns have never seen this Finnish brown ID card for foreigners - so to REALLY get a party started, pass it around if you like!
For some reason, there are 4 identical photos of myself on the card.
3 on front, one has a hologram partially on it (the larger photo), my date of birth is written on the 2nd photo - to the left of the largest one (which is interesting because there is my DOB on the card already) and the back photo is just a mirror of the 3rd identical photo.

I guess Finns want to make sure people cannot forge them!

My Battle With Kela...Part 2?

Alright...remember last year in the fall, I received a letter from Kela requesting I pay back the 349� (and change) in rental housing allowance - because I now make "too much money" combined with Tim's income? (Because they realized that I am permanent residence and granted my first son stay-at-home-allowance since he's not in a day care).
So I forgot to update you on that.  Well, I filled out that form and sent it back to them and within about 3 weeks - I got a bill for 50� (the amount I agreed to pay per month).
Fast forward and I forgot to pay the bill and have since lost it.  I was advised by a friend to bring a tough Finnish friend with me to help me in case the rep I get pretends to "not understand" or "not speak English very well"....I opted for my own little Game Plan.

So today I met up with my friend downtown and after our coffee - I realized "CRAP.  I owe Kela money but still want to fight them....want to watch the kids while I go do this?"
She agreed and had to inquire about some information from Kela herself - so it was perfect timing as both of my boys were asleep.
I got a number from the Info desk and barely had any wait time...I walked in with my "Game Face" - sometimes known as a "B*tch Face".
I thought I'd play nice first and go from there.

I explained to the lady (KL = Kela Lady) that I cannot find my bill and I know I owe money.  I provide my Passport and she says no problem, pulls it up and says she can print me a copy easily.
Great - "Now I have some more questions for you..." - me (insert Game Face voice)
"Yes! How can I help you?" KL (super perky and friendly - I'm thinking "Darn it - she's nice...well here we go...")
"I owe you a total of 349� and some change...I fully understand you guys are not sending me anymore rental housing allowance money - but in all honesty - it's Kela's fault they didn't recognize my family's permanent residence status and therefor - I technically saved you approximately 1700� in 6 months.  Money that I will not be able to get back from this organization." - me
"Ohhh let's see...well (click click on the keyboard) - we never received your letter of appeal and sent you the bill." - KL
(My face is currently looking at her with a clear "WTF is a letter of appeal"?!)
"I'm sorry - but yes, I did write something appealing your decision and mailed it in...actually I brought it in person." - me
"Ohhh - no...(click click) that wasn't the letter of appeal.  Wow this is a complicated situation!  No, that wasn't a letter of appeal - this is what you sent, right?  Yes well that was just a regular form.  I will print you a letter of appeal and see what Kela decides.  So fill this in and submit it as soon as you can.  I can't guarantee anything because it's too late - but if you didn't know about the Letter of Appeal - they might be able to help a little more." - KL
(So I had filled out this form after getting it translated by a friend - that sounded like a lot of appealing and explain-yourself-to-Kela! for nothing.)
She puts a note in the system that I did not know about the Letter of Appeal (apparently most people don't) - but you can get one from your local Kela and she even kindly printed it for me in English.  (Guess what? I'm writing the same thing in this one too....go figure.)

Then she makes me no guarantee but said she hopes this helps...anything else?
"Oh yes.  My youngest son needs a Kela card as we plan on travelling outside of Finland and it's the only piece of identification he can have...how do I get one for him?" - me
"Well let's see....oh Ahti is not registered in the city's registration yet.  And Kela hasn't made the decision on whether or not he qualifies for child benefits or not." - KL
My son was born in October and I submitted his registration form to the Magistrate IN person in November.
"It can take awhile to do these things and we've been so busy!  I'm really sorry - when do you need to travel?" - KL
"Well, we are leaving in April and again in August." - me
"Oh okay well it shouldn't take too much longer-  but Ahti needs a residence permit - so that's why there has also probably been a delay." - KL
"You're kidding me." - me
"No I'm not!  He's born here, yes - but he's not of automatic Finnish citizenship..." - KL
"No I get that part.  I mean  - for my son to get a residence permit - he needs a Canadian Passport.  In order to get the Passport - he needs his Kela card..." - me (eyes bulging out of my head as V�in� wakes up screaming)
"Ooooooh....well let me call - it'll take awhile.  Are you sure you have time?" - KL
"Yes I definitely have time.  I can walk around with V�in� while you're on the phone." - me
(I'm singing songs and carrying V�in� - she's on the phone).
"Okay, so they are going to work on your son's Kela card soon and you don't have to pay or apply.  It'll come to you in the mail." - KL
"Great thanks! How long does it take?" - me
"Well it takes 4-6 weeks to get a card in the mail..."-KL
"That's not good.  It takes about that long to get a passport from the Canadian Embassy in Helsinki!" -me
"Oh I will send some emails and get them to work on it faster...yes that's right...Okay.  Well, the good thing is that it doesn't take long to make and send the Kela card!" - KL
"Oh thanks - have a good day."- me

Uh - if it doesn't take so long to make and send it - then why does it take 4-6 weeks normally?

And that - is a look into a system that benefits most and messes up with many... (Lots of people hate Kela - Finns included).
Don't get me wrong, I am really appreciative to have such a program and stay-at-home-allowance - but this whole scenario is getting out of whack.

Another example?  My friend's been married 6 years this year...she is STILL waiting for her new Kela card with her married name on it.

*Not all quotes may have been direct or exact - but you get the idea.*

Trust

Finland is a very trusting country.  I've said before that people give their bank account number regularly (i.e.: you owe your friend 42.50� and don't have exact change) because that's how people transfer funds here.
No cheques in Finland!  That's so over 20 years ago.

Now that the old post has been brought up - here's a few more examples that I have experienced - on trust.

• I met a lady from the internet who was selling a baby back pack carrier that we need for our up-coming trip to Estonia, Paris and Canada (airlines are awful with strollers!)...She wanted 15� - I had a 20� bill because that's what the machine spits out....she said "I don't have change and have to get going...Do you have your cell phone?  Take down my account number and send me the money."  
• I leave V�in� outside our friend's homes when visiting (if he's still asleep) in his stroller and we just keep an ear out for when he cries.  LOTS of people put their kids outside (or on a balcony) to sleep - especially in cooler weather....I do this downtown too if I'm knitting or in a small shop with too narrow of an entrance to bring a stroller.
• My card was declined at the grocery store and thankfully I was with a friend (her dog is my dogs' mutual girlfriend) - she paid for me and I paid her back by the end of the day.
• I ordered something from a Finnish bead site called HelmiQ (in English or Finnish), which I've never done before and I had the option of paying 2,95� extra to receive the bill in the mail...or they sent me their company's banking info and I transfer the funds that way.  I opted for paying online and saving myself 2,95� - I ordered it April 12th and received my package this morning.  It takes 2-3 business days for the money to get to them electronically...but once again trust.
• Finns with vehicles have blue "parking" passes that they put on their dash boards and it has a "P" on it and a clock with adjustable time arms.  When you park somewhere that doesn't require a parking fee (they have meters where you pay then get a ticket stub to display on your dash board), but does have a time limit - you put the pass visibly on the dash board and put the time you parked.  I thought it was odd and it's "too easy to cheat the system" - and I asked my friend if someone could just go back to their car and change the clock forward....she confirmed that yes - lots of people do it.  If you're caught - you're stuck with a hefty ticket.
• V�in�'s Canadian passport came a couple days before departure to Canada back in October and we still haven't received his Finnish residence permit.  Why? Because we forgot to bring the passport to the police so they can make a copy of the passport and review it...he hasn't been deported yet! (I kid...no really he's sleeping on the couch!)  We received a letter reminding us to bring it to the Police station and that was that.

Now, ask yourself this...."Would you leave your kid outside to sleep (not in a yard but in a downtown area for example) or give your bank account number to a complete stranger, if they didn't have exact funds to pay you in cash?"  (This question is not for Finns - but probably those that are Canadian who read this via my Facebook page).