My Money Blog

Should You Keep Your Emergency Fund In Your 401k?

Posted on August 28, 2009 // 26 Comments

Before you jump to an answer or nasty comment, please give me a chance to elaborate. :) Recently, I ran across an interesting article in the Bogleheads Wiki titled Placing Cash Needs in a Tax-Advantaged Account. Essentially, because of the way the … [Read the rest]

Zecco Promotion Code: 20 Free Trades w/ New Account

Posted on August 26, 2009 // 6 Comments

If you've been considering opening an account with Zecco Trading, they just e-mailed me a new promotion that offers 20 free trades for new customers. Use the promotion code "bonus1" in the application: Offer expires 9/13/09, and the trades are … [Read the rest]

Fidelity Offers Index Fund-Based Target Retirement Funds

Posted on August 25, 2009 // 14 Comments

Here's some good news for the many 401(k) participants with Fidelity as their plan provider. Fidelity announced that they plan to launch a series of Fidelity Freedom Index Funds to complement their current Freedom Funds as soon as September. … [Read the rest]

Free $5 in Amazon MP3 Downloads

Posted on August 24, 2009 // 17 Comments

Amazon.com is offering $5 in free MP3 downloads if you buy a qualifying video game. However, currently the game Big Kahuna Reef both qualifies and is also free itself. Connect the dots. ;) Go to the Big Kahuna Reef page and click on "Get … [Read the rest]

Chase / WaMu $20 Debit Card Promotion

Posted on August 24, 2009 // 8 Comments

Chase/WaMu is offering certain customers up to $20 for using their debit cards for automatic utility bill payments. You get $10 for setting up one bill and $20 for two. Visit chase.com/get20 and click on "Enroll Now" to see if you qualify. Thanks … [Read the rest]

P2P Lending Update: LendingClub Loan Performance

Posted on August 21, 2009 // 27 Comments

Here's an update for my person-to-person (P2P) lending activity, which for me are unsecured loans between U.S. residents. It could be for credit card debt consolidation, car financing, business financing, or even buying a house. You can think of … [Read the rest]

Microlending Update: Kiva and MicroPlace Loan Performance

Posted on August 21, 2009 // 7 Comments

I saw some ads for Microplace today (probably targeted due to my internet browsing habits) and decided to check on my Microlending portfolio. If you're not familiar, microlending tries to alleviate global poverty by offering small loans to … [Read the rest]

Personal Finance Education, Delayed Gratification, and Marshmallows

Posted on August 20, 2009 // 17 Comments

Many people agree that there should be more personal finance education in school. This is supposed to be one of the keys to making the average person save more money, have less credit card debt, and invest wisely. You know, teach a high schooler … [Read the rest]

Free Sample of Nature Valley Trail Mix and Granola

Posted on August 19, 2009 // 4 Comments

Nature Valley is giving out a free sample of their Trail Chewy Trail Mix Bar and a pouch of Granola Nut Clusters when you sign up for their Eat Better America newsletter, which includes expert healthy meal ideas (sample newsletter). I just bought a … [Read the rest]

Finding The Actual Hotel Name On Hotwire.com Before Purchase

Posted on August 18, 2009 // 33 Comments

This is a follow-up to my 5-Step Guide to Finding The Lowest Rate For Hotel Rooms, which includes tips on using "opaque" sites like Hotwire.com and Priceline.com to save on hotel rooms. Specifically, I'll show you how to greatly improve your … [Read the rest]

Setting Up Automatic Credit Card & Bank Activity Alerts

Posted on August 17, 2009 // 23 Comments

I still love getting my bills via snail mail. I avoid online statements because I get over a hundred e-mails a day and it is very easy for me to put it off temporarily and never remember to read the e-mail again. A paper bill will stay on my desk … [Read the rest]

PineCone Research Application Link (Paid Online Surveys)

Posted on August 17, 2009 // 1 Comment

PineCone Research has re-opened their membership with an e-mail to current members. They remain one of the better paying and reliable survey companies, with a payout of $3 (check or PayPal) for each 15-20 minute online survey. The hardest part is … [Read the rest]