This is just a quick note to point out that optionsXpress is currently offering a $100 bonus for opening a new brokerage account with them. All you have to do is open an account and fund it with at least $500 in cash or securities (transferred in from another brokerage) before the end of the [...]
Archive for November 2009
optionsXpress $100 Signup Bonus
Written by Nickel - One Comment
Published on November 30th, 2009 - One Comment
Filed under: Saving & Investing
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Filed under: Saving & Investing
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What is Debt Settlement?
Written by Nickel - 12 Comments
Debt settlement. I’ve heard this term over and over in recent months. While I’ve had a vague idea of what this means, I’ve never known exactly what debt settlement entails, so today I thought I’d take a closer look.
Debt settlement in a nutshell
Debt settlement involves negotiating with a creditor to agree on a reduced balance [...]
Published on November 30th, 2009 - 12 Comments
Filed under: Debt Reduction
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Filed under: Debt Reduction
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Weekly Roundup – Cinnamon Bear Edition
Written by Nickel - 2 Comments
Today was a big day in our household… November 29th marks the traditional start of the “The Cinnamon Bear,” an old-time, holiday-themed radio serial. I first learned about The Cinnamon Bear when JD wrote about it over at Get Rich Slowly a few years ago.
If you have kids, this is definitely worth checking out. The [...]
Published on November 29th, 2009 - 2 Comments
Filed under: Link Love
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Filed under: Link Love
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Federal Tax Brackets 2010 (Income Tax Brackets 2010)
Written by Nickel - 22 Comments
With just over a month left in 2009, it’s time to start thinking about your finances in 2010. Back in late October, the IRS released details regarding income tax changes for 2010, including (very slightly) modified income tax brackets. Here’s a quick rundown.
Federal Income Tax Brackets 2010
Here’s a quick rundown of Federal income tax brackets [...]
Published on November 27th, 2009 - 22 Comments
Filed under: Taxes
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Filed under: Taxes
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Why We Avoid Black Friday Like the Black Death
Written by Matt Jabs - 20 Comments
Let me start by wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving holiday from all the writers here at FiveCentNickel. Hopefully you’re spending time with family, eating turkey, and falling asleep while watching the Lion’s lose.
(I can say that since I live in Michigan and am a long-time suffering fan!)
I don’t want to take up a ton of [...]
Published on November 26th, 2009 - 20 Comments
Filed under: Frugality
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Filed under: Frugality
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Making Mortgage Prepayments
Written by Nickel - 21 Comments
I recently received the following question from a reader named Merry that’s interested in paying off her mortgage early.
I have been making an extra regular mortgage payment in the middle of every month. Currently, my next mortgage payment is not due until May 1, 2010. Is this the best way to put extra money toward [...]
Published on November 25th, 2009 - 21 Comments
Filed under: Debt Reduction, Mortgages
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Filed under: Debt Reduction, Mortgages
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Save Time and Money by Asking for Help
Written by Laura Martinez - 9 Comments
Those that have been following my weekly posts know that we’ll be closing on our new place soon. We’re knee deep in packing, ordering a refrigerator, etc. Everything is moving fast and we’re trying to remain cool.
During this time, we’ve benefitted tremendously from the advice and help of our family and friends. We’re first time [...]
Published on November 24th, 2009 - 9 Comments
Filed under: Frugality
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Filed under: Frugality
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Get $50 Free from PerkStreet Financial
Written by Nickel - 8 Comments
This is just a quick note to point out that PerkStreet Financial is offering a $50 signup bonus for new customers who open an online checking account with them.
Here’s the scoop:
To get the $50 bonus, open an account with a $25 minimum deposit and keep the account active for three straight months. We’ll deposit $50 [...]
Published on November 23rd, 2009 - 8 Comments
Filed under: Banking
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Filed under: Banking
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Streamlining Our Netflix Subscription
Written by Nickel - 14 Comments
Back in April, I wrote up a fairly detailed comparison of Netflix vs. Blockbuster. In a nutshell, we started out as Netflix subscribers, eventually migrated over to Blockbuster Total Access for the in-store exchanges, and then came back to Netflix when Blockbuster tightened up their exchange policy.
Overall, we’ve been quite happy with this decision. [...]
Published on November 23rd, 2009 - 14 Comments
Filed under: Frugality
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Filed under: Frugality
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Effect of Foreclosure, Short Sale, and Bankruptcy on Your Credit Score
Written by Nickel - 16 Comments
Have you ever wondered what kind of impact a foreclosure, short sale, or bankruptcy would have on your credit score? Well, wonder no more…
According to a recent report from VantageScore Solutions, which is a credit scoring company created by the “big three” (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), here’s what you can expect:
Short sale = 120-130 points
Foreclosure [...]
Published on November 20th, 2009 - 16 Comments
Filed under: Credit Cards, Mortgages
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Filed under: Credit Cards, Mortgages
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