Kae, why was it important to you to divest your personal finances?

Originally,  it was primarily a practical interest in saving money and getting the best deals. I was raised middle class in the 50s-60s and went into the workforce out of college in 1971. Income was limited and I lived frugally, taking advantage of whatever saved me money. When I moved away to DC, I joined the credit union at my workplace – and that is still my main account I use to this day! When I moved out of that area, I also opened some accounts at local banks for convenience. In addition to funding the climate crisis, the big “dirty banks” have horrible customer service. At one point in time, my mortgage was sold to one of the “big 4” and I had a really bad experience dealing with them. That solidified for me that I will stay away from them, now matter how good they try to make their deals sound.

What was the hardest moment in the move your money process and how did you overcome it?

I can’t say choosing or opening an account has been at all difficult, but there have been times when the promised deal has been obfuscated at the point of sale. When that happened and there turned out to be more restrictions than originally explained, I just moved my money back out and closed the account. So it IS important to ask for the details on how much you have to put in – and by when – as well as where the funds can originate and how the money is transferred — and don’t forget, too: whether there is a specific number of days or months the funds must remain in the account.

What pleasantly surprised you about this experience?

I’m almost always surprised by how helpful the service people are. They often go beyond my expectations to research an issue or fix a problem. One thing that helps is to use one institution as much as you can. Then if a glitch occurs, it can be more readily adjusted. For example: I had paid my exorbitant gas bill early one time (on a credit card that gave me a sufficient rebate to make that worthwhile), but the utility deducted the automatic payment anyway even though my balance by the payment date showed $0 (in most instances the creditor won’t deduct an already-paid account! — but do know your creditor’s rules as some just don’t care). My credit union paid the draft even though that produced an overdraft. As soon as I saw the problem, I corrected the balance and initiated an inquiry and complaint with both the utility and the credit union. The utility was unhelpful and unrepentant, but my credit union was totally cooperative and reversed the fees from their end. (It never hurts to ask!) And I was so mad at the gas company’s attitude that I then got a heat pump and closed my gas account!

What piece of advice would you give to someone considering switching?

1. Do your research
2. Make sure it is convenient for you
3. Double check that there aren’t special stipulations you must complete, deadlines, or other “gotchas”

Ready to experience great customer service and a clean conscience—just like Kae?

The “Move Your Money” Workbook contains detailed instructions, resources, and checklists to guide you through every step of the switching process! There’s also information on green credit cards and investments.

Prefer to speak to a real person? Peer facilitators are also available to support you via virtual “office hours”. Click here for more information.

You can also reach out to us via email at thirdactsocalbanking@gmail.com

Third Act Southern CA and THIS! Is What We Did volunteers and staff are not financial advisors and we are legally prohibited from giving financial advice. The resources and support we provide are for educational purposes only and all financial decisions are your own.

An energized crowd of students, community members and business owners, many impacted by L.A.’s recent wildfires, joined advocates for the #PollutersPay Climate Superfund bill at a press conference in front of L.A.’s City Hall on April 16, marking the 100th day since the L.A. fires began. Speakers represented 100,000 people who have signed petitions to make polluters pay.

“Climate trauma is a public health crisis of mind and body, it’s on the rise and particularly troublesome for elders,” Dr. C Freeman, a doctor who specializes in geriatric psychiatry, told the crowd. She called on legislators to pass the Polluters Pay #ClimateSuperfund bill, saying that California tax payers are now paying for the damage caused by fossil fuels, when fossil fuel companies should be paying.

Other speakers included representatives from the L.A. City Council, the Center for Biological Diversity, a Palisades Charter High School student who lost her home to the Palisades fire, a pastor from a local church that has lost 80 percent of its membership to the Altadena fires, and  other community groups and business owners. Several #thirdactsocal members attended the rally, including John and ZinShu Spock, who can be seen holding the big white signs at the top of the stairs to the right.

Third Act is asking folks to write to their state legislators about the bill, here:

https://secure.everyaction.com/tWB3ijW2e0eXEboG9edqsg2

More grassroots actions are being scheduled, so stay tuned for updates!

The five events where Third Act’s SoCal Working Group will be tabling are below: (The link shown in parentheses at the end of each listing is to our own description page with all the event’s details).

#1  Saturday, March 29, Carlsbad, at the “Launching Earth Month” event sponsored by the North County Climate Change Alliance (https://thirdact.org/socal/events/1-carlsbad-launching-earth-month/).
#2  Saturday, April 12, Whittier, at the Earth Day 2025 event sponsored by the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (https://thirdact.org/socal/events/2-whittier-earth-day-2025/https://thirdact.org/socal/events/2-whittier-earth-day-2025/).
#3  Saturday, April 19, Thousand Oaks, at the Arbor Earth Day celebration sponsored by the City of Thousand Oaks (https://thirdact.org/socal/events/3/).
#4  Monday, April 21, Torrance, at the Earth Day Teach-In sponsored by the Torrance-area League of Women Voters (https://thirdact.org/socal/events/4-earth-day-teach-in-our-power-our-planet-interactive-workshop/).
#5  Tuesday, April 22, Dominguez Hills, at the 18th Annual Cal State University Dominguez Hills Earth Day Festival sponsored by the CSUDH Office of Sustainability (https://thirdact.org/socal/events/5/).

The first step on the “roadmap” to switching banks is narrowing down the features,  services, and values that matter most to you. No bank is perfect; choosing always involves weighing trade-offs. So, before diving into all the options available, take a moment to reflect on your needs, priorities, and lifestyle. It’s a simple activity that makes the rest of the decision-making process significantly easier! Here are some helpful considerations:

1.  Location: Online vs. In-person

Did you know that some banks operate entirely online? Choosing an online bank can sometimes mean lower fees and access to a broader range of services, but for those who feel less confident with technology, relying solely on digital platforms might feel like more of a hassle than a convenience. Some banks offer a middle ground, with a few physical branches for occasional face-to-face visits and robust online tools for everyday banking. 

2. Money Access: Cash vs. Convenience

Is cash still king? Many retailers have moved online and digital wallets make in-person checkout as simple as a tap of your phone – even splitting dinner with friends can be done through services like PayPal, Zelle, or Venmo. For some, the cash-free lifestyle is liberating, but others still value ample free ATMs for quick cash withdrawals. To bridge the gap, some credit unions and online banks now partner with ATM networks like MoneyPass, providing access to ATM machines inside markets and other convenience stores. 

3. Range of Services: Checking, Savings, Credit, and More

Beyond checking and savings accounts, consider whether you might also benefit from other features like credit cards, safety deposit boxes, home mortgage loans, or investment services. While some people prefer consolidating all their banking services at one institution, others might choose to spread their accounts across different banks to feel more financially secure or find the most competitive options for each service they need. 

4. Values: Supporting People and the Planet 

Third Act’s premier “call to action” urged members to divest from banks funding the climate crisis. There are several vetting websites and accreditations that make it easier to evaluate financial institutions, ensuring they truly “put their money where their mouth is.” In addition to addressing climate change, many banks and credit unions support other meaningful social causes, such as investing in minority-owned businesses or strengthening local communities.

Ready to learn more? The “Move Your Money” Workbook contains detailed instructions, resources, and checklists to guide you through every step of the switching process! There’s also information on green credit cards and investments. 

Prefer to speak to a real person? Peer facilitators are also available to support you via virtual “office hours”. Click here for more information.  

You can also reach out to us via email at thirdactsocalbanking@gmail.com

Third Act Southern CA and THIS! Is What We Did volunteers and staff are not financial advisors and we are legally prohibited from giving financial advice. The resources and support we provide are for educational purposes only and all financial decisions are your own.

By Andrew Asch

Media coverage of the campaign’s second stadium rally was roughly four times that of its first rally, held last summer. Both rallies sent this message to Dodger owners including chairman Mark Walter: Drop your sponsorship deal with oil giant Phillips 66, owner of the 76 gas-station brand whose logo is plastered all over the stadium.

“We are Dodger fans and activists, standing here, twenty minutes away from where the deadly Altadena fires raged, to step up our demand that Dodgers owners end the team’s sponsorship deal with Phillips 66 and kick Big Oil out of the park,” campaign lead Zan Dubin said at the protest.

Dubin and others, noting that the L.A. fires were worsened by climate change, contend that Phillips 66 is greenwashing by attempting to associate the passion fans feel for their beloved championship team with the polluting fossil fuels the company provides. Over a dozen articles and videos about the home-game rally were issued by The Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Fox News, KNX News, the Daily Mail, the Eastsider and others. A Japanese media outlet is expected to publish an article soon, too.The LA Daily News quoted campaign supporter Carlos Morales, a Dodger fan from Azusa, who noted in a protest media alert that Phillips 66 was criminally indicted last fall for allegedly violating the Clean Water Act by dumping wastewater into the local sewer system from its Carson facility.

“The Dodgers shouldn’t be putting a pretty face on any polluter,” Morales said, “especially one that’s facing a six-count felony indictment for allegedly putting LA County’s environment and water treatment system at risk of great potential harm. Dropping the Phillips 66 sponsorship would tell the world that Los Angeles and its beloved championship baseball team want a healthy, sustainable future for us all.”

Dodger Fans Against Fossil Fuels, a.k.a. DF3, launched in July 2024 with an Open Letter to Walter that’s now been signed by more than 28,000 people. The campaign is hosted and sponsored by Sierra Club Angeles Chapter, but Third Act SoCal members showed up to both protests in force.

“You’d be hard-pressed to find any more rabid Dodger fans than those in the Hispanic community in Los Angeles,” Third Act SoCal member Monica Sena said at the rally. “But who suffers the most from air pollution caused by Big Oil? The marginalized communities, the Hispanic community and the Black community.  We support [the Dodgers].  We’d like the Dodgers to support us by getting rid of Phillips 66 and the air and water pollution of Big Oil products.”

Jordan Howard, an entrepreneur, strategist, and founder of Shftspace who grew up in South Los Angeles, said people of color living near oil refineries in El Segundo and Wilmington are being sickened by the refineries’ polluting emissions.

“It’s time for the Dodgers to be a leader,” Howard said. “Why not be the ones to say ‘no’ to oil? Why not be the ones to say ‘yes, we are going to protect our fans. Our fans deserve to be protected.’ The people of this city deserve to be protected.”

David Haake, co-chair of Sierra Club Angeles Chapter’s Clean Break Team, which advocates for a just transition from dirty fossil fuels, said Los Angeles is weaning itself off oil: California and Los Angeles lead America in EV adoption and about a quarter of all new cars registered in the state last year were zero emission vehicles, according to the California Energy Commission. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and Los Angeles City Council have also passed laws barring the development of new oil wells.

”LA has stood up to big oil,” Haake said. “….We want a clean, just and fossil fuel-free future. It is time that the Dodgers stood with us. The people of LA have spoken. Phillips 66 is using the Dodgers to do sportswashing.”

Dubin credited the surge in media attention to excitement over the World Series-winning Dodgers’ 2025 season. DF3 also recently received a weighty endorsement from State Senate Majority Leader Sen. Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), who wrote a letter of her own to Walter.

“Continuing to associate these corporations with our beloved boys in blue is not in our community or the planet’s best interest,” Gonzalez wrote. “….Ending the sponsorship with Phillips 66 would send the message that it’s time to end our embrace of polluting fossil fuels and work together towards a cleaner, greener future.”

Dubin said the group was thrilled with the surging media interest. “Still, we have no idea if the targets of our message have even received it. We haven’t heard from Dodger management, though we have sent them our petition, twice.”

DF3 plans further actions soon. Sign the petition to follow the campaign.

1) Why was it important to divest your personal finances?

2) What was the hardest moment in the move your money process and how did you overcome it?
It was the feeling of overwhelm and stasis. We had been with one of the big 4 dirty banks for over 35 years and had multiple accounts (6 personal and 2 business accounts!). The thought of moving our money seemed formidable. I realized that I just had to start the move and that it would take a while to complete. I found a very good community-oriented bank and I began the process of opening accounts in the new bank. It was difficult for a while having to straddle two different banks, keeping the cash flows balanced and shifting the automatic payments from the old bank to the new one. It also took time to learn the “culture” of the new bank and to learn the new mobile banking interface, yet it was a fantastic feeling of satisfaction when the process was completed and I could call up the representatives at my former bank and have them formally close those accounts, AND letting them know why I was making the move!

3) What pleasantly surprised you about this experience?
A few things. First, the process gave me the opportunity to take a fresh look at our financial situation and started me on a process of reorganization and simplification of our banking structures. Our accounts had multiplied like feral cats over the years. Did we really need all of those accounts? I was able to greatly simplify our banking, which has been a relief!
Secondly, I was able to reach real human beings at the new bank (a difficult process always at my former bank) and they were able to help me at points where I needed explanations, help with technical aspects, or just some hand-holding. Very pleasant!

4) What piece of advice would you give to someone considering switching?
I think that it’s important to research what type of financial institution you want to handle your money – it needs to work for you. There are Third Act resources to help you with this. Secondly, even though the task might feel daunting, the important thing is just to start, to take the next step, and the next after that. Before you know it, you will have completed the transition out of the dirty banks and will have dramatically reduced your carbon footprint! It’s worth doing!

Inspired by Rodney’s story? Our Banking On Our Future task force is here to help!

Visit the Third Act-approved resources below, or drop us an email at thirdactsocalbanking@gmail.com.

Step-by-step Move Your Money Workbook (in partnership with “THIS! Is What We Did”)
Drop-in office hours with a trained peer facilitator (in partnership with “THIS! Is What We Did”)
Aligning Your Money With Your Values Webinar (hosted by Green America)

Third Act volunteers are not financial advisors and are legally prohibited from giving financial advice. The resources and support we provide are for educational purposes only and all financial decisions are your own.

In the wake of the devastating LA fires, one of the most important things we climate advocates can do is talk with our family, friends, and neighbors about the connection between the fires and climate change. 

Many people are looking for someone to blame for the severity of the destruction. In their usual fashion, news outlets, social media, and blogs have amplified the voices of blame. In the rush to judgement, we’ve seen the finger pointed at L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Joe Biden, Democrats, Environmentalists, DEI advocates, rich people, the residents themselves, the fire department, and even immigrants. 

People are traumatized, angry, grief-stricken, and frustrated. And in their hurt, many are looking to lash out at someone or something. It doesn’t help that our new President is spreading lies and blame, and trying to attach strings to relief aid for victims of the fires, rather than calling for compassion and support.

In time, we’ll learn lessons from the fires, including what we can do better in the future. And I’m sure we’ll find that mistakes were made, but no individual or group was responsible for the severity of the recent fires and the damage they caused. There were a multiplicity of factors. It was, so to speak, a perfect storm–of conditions, circumstances, and chance. It will take months or years to investigate and unpack all of this.

There’s one thing we know for certain: climate change was a critical factor in creating the conditions that led to the fires and made them so destructive. And we can safely predict that climate change will lead to more fires in the future. Yet much of the news coverage of the LA fires barely mentions climate change. It ought to be the headline and a wake-up call.

The climate change we’ve been experiencing over the last few decades is a result of human activity, mainly the burning of fossil fuels. There have always been natural disasters, but events like the LA fires, record high temperatures, melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and a worsening pattern of hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, and droughts are not natural. We should not downplay the human influence by calling them natural disasters. They are unnatural disasters.

I’m convinced that a large proportion of the population hasn’t yet fully connected the dots between climate change and the extreme weather events and unnatural disasters we’ve been experiencing. Otherwise, climate change would be a burning issue (again, so to speak) and everyone would be talking about it. There would be more pressure on public officials and corporations to take serious climate action. And voters wouldn’t elect climate deniers to public office. There doesn’t seem to be massive awareness or political will…at least yet. 

Every year Yale University conducts a public survey on Americans’ views on climate change. In the most recent survey, 65% of respondents reported that they are worried about global warming, but only 33% of respondents said they’ve ever had a climate conversation with family or friends. If people aren’t talking about climate change, how can we expect it to become a priority issue?

World-renowned climate scientist, author, and climate communication expert Katherine Hayhoe says that the most important thing we as individuals can do about climate change is talk about it. As climate advocates and activists, we need to help connect the dots between unnatural disasters like the LA fires and climate change. 

So please, when you talk about the fires or other extreme weather events, bring up climate change. We need to amplify the issue to generate more awareness and level it up to a priority issue for more people. We need to talk about it!

This year, in addition to sharing personal stories, we’ll be introducing you to fantastic resources that can help you on your green banking journey. We begin today with The “Move Your Money Roadmap”, created by Third Act partner This! Is What We Did. Their 10-step guide clarifies and streamlines the green banking process.Just follow along and you’ll be on your way!

That’s all there is to it! Ready to learn more? The “Move Your Money” Workbook contains detailed instructions, resources, and checklists to make following the roadmap even easier! There’s also information on green credit cards and investments.

Prefer to speak to a real person? Peer facilitators are also available to support you via virtual “office hours”. Click here for more information. 

Third Act Southern CA and THIS! Is What We Did volunteers and staff are not financial advisors and we are legally prohibited from giving financial advice. The resources and support we provide are for educational purposes only and all financial decisions are your own.

When the 119th Congress returned to Washington DC earlier this month, three new representatives from Southern California (CA districts 27, 45, and 47) were among them. Reps George Whitesides, Dave Min, and Derek Tran have all sent a thank you to TA SoCal for helping them win those crucial races.

These new representatives will surely have their work cut out for them in a majority Republican House of Representatives. However, this is the tiniest majority in the House since the 1930s. That means these three new champions of climate and democracy will play an important role — providing balance and curbing the worst excesses of Project 2025.

Although SoCal did not succeed in flipping the House, its success in helping elect three new reps proved that grassroots action by a group of dedicated volunteers really does make a difference. Especially in races where every vote counts!

What did TA SoCal do to help make this happen?

First, we set a goal for the 2024 election more than six months before Election Day. When TA Central recommended that working groups point themselves toward flipping the House, the TA SoCal Democracy team identified four strong candidates in Southern California and set a goal of getting them elected. The result: Three of the four are representing Southern California today!

To involve as many WG members as possible, SoCal began a series of high-energy Action Days, bringing in the candidates and other motivating speakers along with fun activities and prizes. Campaign actions expanded over the election cycle, beginning with postcard writing (thousands were mailed) and cycling through phone banking, texting, and canvassing.

To help Third Actors learn electioneering skills, many for the first time, TA SoCal partnered with Activate America, which provided outstanding ongoing training and support. SoCal also reached out to TA Creatives, who helped spread the word with motivating social media posts and beautiful designs that cast a wider net of followers and participants. SoCal leaders created original videos and logos, posters, mugs, and weekly action alerts. Enthusiasm (and participation) grew throughout the election cycle.

In mid-summer, TA SoCal launched its Adopt a District program, with volunteer district leads for each of the four target districts. The Adopt a District program grew to include 80+ members actively working right up to Election Day. Because the margin of victory on each of these races was razor-thin, some members kept up their work beyond Election Day, curing ballots to make sure every vote was counted.

Action Days culminated in an exciting Action Week, shortly before Election Day, with five full days of activities and fun, including a motivating speaker each morning such as authors Heather Cox Richardson, Jessica Craven, and Third Act’s own Akaya Windwood, and each day given over to supporting a different candidate — the four Congressional candidates and then Friday our presidential climate and democracy candidate, Kamala Harris.

When the very last House race in the nation was called on November 27, it was for Derek Tran in CA district 45. TA SoCal cheered — proof that every single effort by every single volunteer really mattered!

Although one of our candidates — Will Rollins in District 41 — did not win his race, TA SoCal can be extremely proud of what it helped accomplish: three new representatives who will stand up for climate and democracy. Already, on January 10, George Whitesides, CA district 27, was interviewed on national news about the terrible wildfires in Los Angeles because of his expertise as cofounder of Megafire Action.

None of us knows exactly what 2025 will bring, or what the goals of democracy-loving Third Actors will be this year. But TA SoCal remains committed to protecting our democracy, now more than ever!