My Money Blog

More IRA Options For Those Starting Out

Posted on February 16, 2006 // 27 Comments

I listed one good IRA option yesterday for those that are just starting out saving, but now I want to spend some time and explore more options. I don't want it to seem like I favor Fidelity - people were asking for a good option and I threw one out … [Read the rest]

Goodbye MB Trading

Posted on February 16, 2006 // 32 Comments

I just closed my MB Trading brokerage account, which I only recently opened. First, I didn't really like the interface of their proprietary software or their website layout at all. Neither was not very user-friendly, at least for my amateur … [Read the rest]

Time To Start Saving? Fidelity SimpleStart IRA

Posted on February 15, 2006 // 8 Comments

I'm sure some of you are motivated to do avoid some of the financial mistakes shared yesterday. A good way to start is by funding yourself an tax-advantaged IRA. Fidelity has come out with a pretty decent product for this - their SimpleStart IRA. … [Read the rest]

VirtualBank up to 4.60% APY Interest

Posted on February 15, 2006 // 6 Comments

VirtualBank recently released that their eMoney Market Account is now paying 4.60% APY. New accounts can get a $20 bonus. My Rate-Chaser Calculator may also come in handy. … [Read the rest]

Reverse Carnival of Money Mistakes

Posted on February 14, 2006 // 12 Comments

Wow, I am really impressed with the great quality and variety of submissions for this Reverse Carnival of Money Mistakes. Everything from everyday expenses to complete lifestyle overhauls is covered, and I'm sure everyone reading it can relate to at … [Read the rest]

New Pinecone Survey Sign-up Link

Posted on February 14, 2006 // 16 Comments

There appears to be a new sign-up link for Pinecone Research $5 surveys the mentioned previously, via commenter Grant: [link is dead] If you are looking for some paid surveys that are looking for new members, check out MySurvey (see my … [Read the rest]

HSBC Checking + OnlineSavings = Great Combo

Posted on February 13, 2006 // 28 Comments

I recently opened an HSBC Checking Account to get the $50 bonus, but also to work with my existing HSBC Direct/OnlineSavings account paying 4.80% APY. Now that I have both, I would definitely recommend it! With my SmartPackage Interest Checking … [Read the rest]

Prosper.com : Person-to-Person Lending

Posted on February 13, 2006 // 24 Comments

Banks have a great gig. Most pay you puny interest, and then turn around and lend it to credit card holders at 15-30% APR. A new start-up, Prosper.com, aims to shrink this gap by allowing individuals to lend directly to each other. As a lender, you … [Read the rest]

SEP-IRA Basics for the Self-Employed

Posted on February 12, 2006 // 23 Comments

Simplified Employee Pensions, or SEP-IRAs, are a retirement account available to both small business employers and employees under certain requirements. Although I'm sure they are covered more thoroughly elsewhere, I wanted to jot some notes down … [Read the rest]

Self-Employed Retirement Account Options

Posted on February 12, 2006 // 2 Comments

Before I finish my taxes, I'll have to decide how I want to put some of my self-employment income away for retirement. I didn't know there were so many options! In addition to the usual Traditional and Roth IRAs, I could also do use any of the … [Read the rest]

Tax Time Begins: Papers Everywhere

Posted on February 11, 2006 // 2 Comments

I think I'm done waiting for all my W-2s and 1099s to come in (a lot of 1099s!), so here are my fun tasks for today: 1) Make sure I'm not missing anything, as everything should've been sent out by January 31st. One sure way to ask for an audit is … [Read the rest]

Ev’Reward – Max Out Online CashBack Rebates

Posted on February 11, 2006 // 7 Comments

I get a lot of 'check this site out' e-mails, but this one actually looks useful. As I've mentioned before, many sites like Fatwallet, Upromise, and eBates offer cashback on online purchases if you purchase through their portal. Usually I have to … [Read the rest]