Archive for October 2008

Online Savings Account Rate Changes

Written by Nickel - 13 Comments

Not long after the Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate cut, ING Direct dropped their interest rate from 3.00% to 2.75%* APY. This is par for the course for ING Direct, as they’re always among the first to drop rates and the last to increase them. Not long thereafter, HSBC Direct dropped their rate from 3.25% [...]

Read the full article »

Published on October 24th, 2008
Modified on February 26th, 2009 - 13 Comments
Filed under: Banking
add to tip'd - stumble it - digg it

Yes, Quicken Online Really is Free

Written by Nickel - 4 Comments

Last week I wrote about Quicken Online’s transition from a paid subscription to being totally free. Not long thereafter, readers started reporting that they were getting a login message telling them that their free trial had expired.
After a bit of investigation, I heard from the Quicken team that:
“The service is free and has been since [...]

Read the full article »

Published on October 24th, 2008 - 4 Comments
Filed under: Online
add to tip'd - stumble it - digg it

Kiplinger’s Top Discount Brokers

Written by Nickel - 6 Comments

While perusing the latest issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, I ran across an article critiquing the top online brokers (see also my earlier article on the best online discount brokers). They rated twelve different brokers based on commission, research/tools, commissions/fees, investment choices, and ease of use, and customer service.
Here’s what they came up with:

Fidelity
Charles Schwab
Muriel [...]

Read the full article »

Published on October 24th, 2008
Modified on August 31st, 2009 - 6 Comments
Filed under: Saving & Investing
add to tip'd - stumble it - digg it

Is Warren Buffett Smoking Crack?

Written by Nickel - 27 Comments

Not quite a week ago, I wrote about Warren Buffett’s bullish stance when it comes to the stock market. Sure, the economy is currently in a tailspin, but Buffett sees a lot of value in the stock market right now. But guess what? Not everyone agree with the Oracle of Omaha.
In a recent article in [...]

Read the full article »

Published on October 23rd, 2008 - 27 Comments
Filed under: Saving & Investing
add to tip'd - stumble it - digg it

Second Stimulus Check? Another One Might be on the Way

Written by Nickel - 92 Comments

It seems that economic stimulus checks are once again a hot topic… Back in June, I wrote about Barack Obama’s economic plan and the fact that he was floating the idea of a second round of economic stimulus checks. While talk of another stimulus package cooled for awhile, it’s heating back up…
Apparently Deomcratic lawmakers are [...]

Read the full article »

Published on October 22nd, 2008
Modified on February 2nd, 2009 - 92 Comments
Filed under: Economy
add to tip'd - stumble it - digg it

Chase Freedom Rewards – $50 Signup Bonus

Written by Nickel - One Comment

Update: Chase has asked that the $50 bonus offer be removed. If you’re looking for a hot deal, be sure to check out these other credit card offers. Meanwhile, as of March 24, 2010, Discover is offering a $50 bonus on its Discover More card.
As noted over on Credit Addict… Rumor has it that [...]

Read the full article »

Published on October 22nd, 2008
Modified on March 24th, 2010 - One Comment
Filed under: Credit Cards
add to tip'd - stumble it - digg it

Mutual Fund Sales Loads: Just Say No

Written by Nickel - 17 Comments

In my opinion, mutual fund sales charges are one of the biggest ripoffs in the investing world. Why should you pay upwards of 5% to buy something that you can essentially get for free from a no-load mutual fund family? You’re putting yourself in a relatively deep hole from the start, and your early returns [...]

Read the full article »

Published on October 21st, 2008
Modified on September 24th, 2010 - 17 Comments
Filed under: Saving & Investing
add to tip'd - stumble it - digg it

Matching Foodbank Donations Extended

Written by Nickel - 2 Comments

This is just a quick note to let you know that my offer to match food bank donations last week resulted in $783.84 in contributions by readers to their local food banks. Now for some exciting news…
A reader wrote in over the weekend and said that they wanted to extend the program by offering to [...]

Read the full article »

Published on October 20th, 2008
Modified on October 27th, 2008 - 2 Comments
Filed under: Charity
add to tip'd - stumble it - digg it

Buying a Used Piano

Written by Nickel - 11 Comments

About two weeks ago, I returned from a trip out of town only to learn that my wife had bought a used piano for $200. As it turns out, our kids’ school was having a fundraiser, and they were selling their old piano in a silent auction. While we’ve toyed with the idea of buying [...]

Read the full article »

Published on October 20th, 2008 - 11 Comments
Filed under: Frugality
add to tip'd - stumble it - digg it

Warren Buffett is Buying Stocks

Written by Nickel - 6 Comments

The NY Times just ran an interesting Op-Ed piece from Warren Buffett. In it, he talked about his current view of the market, and how he’s been handling his personal investments:
I’ve been buying American stocks. This is my personal account I’m talking about, in which I previously owned nothing but United States government bonds… If [...]

Read the full article »

Published on October 17th, 2008
Modified on October 23rd, 2008 - 6 Comments
Filed under: Saving & Investing
add to tip'd - stumble it - digg it

Top Cards by Category

Earn $100 cash back after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases in the first 3 months of Cardmembership. Get 3% cash back at supermarkets, 2% cash back at gas stations and department stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Turn purchases into free travel: Enjoy travel rewards with no travel restrictions or blackout dates - get points for flights on any airline, stays at any hotel, and car rentals with any company.

Turn purchases into free travel: Enjoy travel rewards with no travel restrictions or blackout dates - get points for flights on any airline, stays at any hotel, and car rentals with any company.

No Balance Transfer Fee!* 0% Intro APR for up to 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. This card offers Blueprint, free and customizable account features that help you avoid unnecessary interest and pay your balances down faster.

Earn up to 5% cash back* in categories that change and enjoy a 0% introductory rate for 15 months on Balance Transfers and 15 months on Purchases.

Enjoy a 0% introductory rate for 18 months on Balance Transfers and 6 months on Purchases. Earn up to 5% cash back in categories that change.

Get rewarded for what your business already spends. Unlimited rewards potential - Membership Rewards(R) points have no limit to the amount you can earn and no expiration date.

0% intro APR on purchases for 9 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 12.99% - 18.99%*. 5% Cashback Bonus in categories that change like gas, restaurants, department stores and more. Limitations apply*. Up to 1% unlimited Cashback Bonus on everything else. No annual fee.

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 10.99% - 19.99%.* Earn 2% cashback automatically at gas stations and restaurants. Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee.

This is a prepaid reloadable debit card with a rewards program. No credit check needed and no activation fee. There is a $4.95 monthly fee, reduced to $0.99 monthly if you load $500 each month.

Previous
Pause
Next

FiveCentNickel User Survey