Get 30% off any one print book with coupon code BOOKDEAL, must be sold and shipped by Amazon.com. Expires December 1, 2013 at 11:59pm PST. Max discount $10. Books can be the gifts with the highest ROI. 😉 Visit this link for more information. Here are my financial book reviews.
Capital One Sharebuilder Black Friday and Cyber Monday Promotions: Up to $1,000
Posted on November 28, 2013 // 3 Comments
Online stock brokerage firm Capital One Sharebuilder announced a few Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions this year. Please note the valid dates on the promotional codes below. I’m full of tryptophan so I’m just going to pretty much copy and paste the press release I got. Real-time trades are $6.95, automatic scheduled trades are $4.
New non-IRA Account Bonus with Promo Code BFSB2013
- $150 bonus for new customers who open a ShareBuilder account between Nov. 29 and Dec. 2, 2013, and execute at least three trades by Dec. 27, 2013.
The other current promotion is a $100 bonus for $5,000+ deposit with no trade requirement, using promotional code 100LSQ4. Must open account by 12/31/13 and deposit must be completed by 2/14/14.
IRA-only Bonus with Promo Code BFIRA2013
Investors who open a new IRA account between Nov. 29 and Dec. 2, 2013, and fund it (deposit, transfer and/or roll over into) by Jan. 31, 2014 are eligible for $75 to $1,000 in bonuses based on rollover size:
Barclaycard Travel Community: Share Stories for Bonus Miles
Posted on November 21, 2013 // 2 Comments
Barclaycard recently started a “Barclaycard Travel Community” at BarclayCardTravel.com. Although it’s obviously another “social media” attempt to promote their new Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard (actually a pretty good travel card with 2% rewards), you do earn “Participation Miles” for sharing your travel stories and tips:
- Completing a profile will earn each Member 500 miles; a profile is considered complete when the following information is added: 1) the City and State in which the member lives 2) At least one travel interest is selected 3) at least one travel companion is selected 4) at least 1 travel style is selected 5) at least 5 cities are added to the “My travels” map
- Members earn 200 miles for each travel story that is posted.
- Every time the story that is authored by a member is kudoed by another member, the member will receive 10 miles.
The points earned directly transfer over the miles balance on your Arrival World card (500 = $5 travel credit, or non-cardmembers can get a $25 Amazon.com gift code each time they accumulate 2,500 miles).
Here is how to link up your Barclaycard Arrival card taken from member Emeritus:
1. Login via Barclaycardus.com
2. On the right side, look for “Earn More Miles” banner and click.
3. At the bottom of the registration page there’s a link “Already a Travel Community member? Link your account today.” Click that and submit.
I got the initial 500 miles pretty easily (miles post a day later), and $2 worth of miles for each post isn’t too bad if you like sharing (and maybe have some old stuff on your personal blog or something). I gave out some kudos as well – some of the stories are good but some are pretty pointless.
Free 39-Week Subscription to Wall Street Journal
Posted on November 19, 2013 // 29 Comments
Same offer, but link works again. Here’s a free 39-week subscription to the Wall Street Journal. New subscribers only. Not a trial, no credit card required. Just fill out the first page, hit “Click Here”, and that’s it. Use a spam e-mail if you want. No need to sign up for anything else.
I’ve passed on this offer in the past, but these days it seems that most good WSJ articles are behind their paywall unless you read it on the first day of publication (even with the Google News trick). I don’t think I’ll read the physical paper all the way through, but the free online access will be appreciated. Readers have already reported receiving their issues from signing up in October, but quantities are limited.
Shoprunner Membership with American Express
Posted on November 17, 2013 // 11 Comments
Update: American Express is now offering Shoprunner if you enroll at ShopRunner.com/AmericanExpress and agree to keep your AmEx card as the default payment method for their Express Checkout feature. You can still choose to use another credit card for any specific purchase. I didn’t see this as a big deal as in May 2013 they already offered a year-long subscription for free, and who knows how long Shoprunner itself or this AmEx partnership will last.
Shoprunner is similar to Amazon Prime in that it offers unlimited free 2-day shipping with no minimum order amount from a variety of online merchants including Newegg, Babies R Us, Blue Nile, Sports Authority, Drugstore.com, and GNC. It also allows you free return shipping and the ability to ship to any address, making it handy for gifts. You can also get free delivery from Domino’s pizza.
You’ll need a consumer or business American Express card issued by an AmEx-affiliated bank (Starwood Preferred yes, Blue Cash Preferred yes, Business Gold yes, Costco yes, FIA/Fidelity no, Citibank no, prepaid versions no).
I’ve used my membership a few times to send gifts from Babies R Us, although I wouldn’t pay $79 a year for it.
SavedPlus Review: Automated Savings Linked to Spending
Posted on November 6, 2013 // 8 Comments
You’ve probably heard the adage “pay yourself first”. Well, now there is a website that will help you essentially tax yourself first. Recently mentioned in Businessweek magazine, SavedPlus.com tracks your spending and automatically transfers a set percentage of whatever you spend into your savings account.
Let’s say you choose a 10% preset savings and spend $75. SavedPlus will then transfer $7.50 from your checking account into your savings account. (In practice, the transfers are only done once a week.) This is an interesting way to force yourself to save, and perhaps knowing you’ll have to set aside extra will keep you from spending so much in the first place. You will have to provide your financial passwords for them to track everything. They claim the usual security precautions, using Yodlee for account aggregation. iOS and Android apps are also available.
After playing with it for a couple of days… so far I felt the interface to be a bit clunky and it took me a few tries to get my accounts linked up properly. It’s just not as polished as say Mint.com. A handy feature allows you to link credit card(s) to track spending; you don’t have to buy everything with your checking account debit card.
Expired $100 bonus offer. Their new Christmas promotion offers to match up to $100 your SavedPlus savings as of December 15th, 2013. You have to follow the directions carefully to set it up and it is limited to the first 100 new users, but otherwise it appears to be a pretty easy 100 bucks and they provide enrollment confirmation so you know you’re in. There is no need to change your spending habits at all. The promo worked, it got my attention!
Obihai + Google Voice = Free Home Phone Service Until End of 2013
Posted on November 5, 2013 // 10 Comments
(Update November 2013: Google announced a few days ago that third-party apps like Obihai and GrooveIP will no longer work with Google Voice as of May 15, 2014. Obihai confirmed this on their official blog, while stating that your box will still be compatible with many other low-cost VoIP providers. It looks like Google wants people to do the free calling via their own apps…)
Original post December 2012:
Pentagon Federal Offering 3-Year CDs at 2.02% APY
Posted on November 4, 2013 // 3 Comments
Pentagon Federal Credit Union is now offering 2.02% APY rate on it’s 3, 4, 5, and 7-year CDs (they call it a Money Market Certificate). The minimum opening deposit is $1,000. Early withdrawal penalties are as follows:
- For terms from 6 months to 4 years, you will lose the last 180 days of interest. If you haven’t earned 180 days of interest yet, you lose all the interest and get back only your opening amount.
- For terms of 5 years or longer, you will lose the last 365 days of interest. If you haven’t earned 365 days of interest yet, you lose all the interest and get back only your opening amount.
As a credit union, you must meet their eligibility requirements to join. Basically all members of the military and their immediate families are welcome, as well as many other military-related groups. Otherwise, simply become a member of the organization Voices for America’s Troops. Membership costs $15/yr, and you don’t need to renew to remain a PenFed member. “Voices for America’s Troops advocates for a strong national defense, including sustaining and improving quality of life programs for America’s troops, their families and survivors.”
(I ran a search through the blog archives and found a post about PenFed offering 6.25% APY 3-year CDs back in late 2006. I wonder how long until we see rates like that again?)
Quick Reference: Membership Rewards vs. Starwood Points vs. Chase Ultimate Rewards
Posted on October 24, 2013 // Leave a Comment
Due to birth of our first child, we haven’t been traveling much the last 24 months. However, I’ve still been racking up the miles (via credit card bonuses, credit card rewards, dining rewards, and shopping portals) and have built up a sizable pile with the three major “superpoints” programs – those that allow transfers to a variety of air and hotel partners. Everyone has their own preferred programs and unique travel needs, but here is a quick reference guide to simplify things. My favorite transfer partners are bolded, but all of the other options are also included. These days I’ll probably just be topping off an account off to qualify for an award ticket or free hotel night. Ratios are 1:1 unless otherwise noted.
Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR) Points
- United Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- British Airways
- Hyatt
- Korean Air
- Virgin Atlantic
- Marriott
- Ritz-Carlton
- IHG Rewards Club
- Amtrak
Credit card bonuses and rewards are the fastest way to jumpstart your miles balance. Here are related offers:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review – 40,000 Ultimate Rewards point bonus, 2X points on travel and dining.
- Chase Ink Bold Business charge card review – 50,000 Ultimate Rewards point bonus, 5X points on office supplies, internet, phone, TV service, 2X on hotels and gas.
- Chase Ink Plus Business credit card review – 50,000 Ultimate Rewards point bonus, 5X points on office supplies, internet, phone, TV service, 2X on hotels and gas.
American Express Membership Rewards (MR) Points
American Express Membership Rewards Transfer Bonuses – British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Choice Hotels
Posted on October 24, 2013 // Leave a Comment
American Express occasionally runs limited-time promotions that increase the transfer rate from their Membership Rewards points. To see these bonuses, visit MembershipRewards.com. Currently promotions:
- British Airways 20% Bonus. That makes 1,000 Membership Rewards® Points = 1,200 Avios. Points must be transferred in increments of 1,000. Promo expires December 31, 2013.
- Virgin Atlantic 30% Bonus. That makes 1,000 Membership Rewards® Points = 1,300 Flying Club Miles. Points must be transferred in increments of 1,000. Promo expires November 30, 2013.
- Choice Privileges Hotels 20% Bonus. That makes 1,000 Membership Rewards® Points = 1,200 Choice Privileges® points. Points must be transferred in increments of 1,000. Promo expires November 30, 2013.
TripAdvisor + American Express $5 Promo
Posted on October 9, 2013 // 1 Comment
Link your American Express card, write an approved review on TripAdvisor, get $5. Details at sync.americanexpress.com/tripadvisor:
Get a $5 statement credit when you connect your eligible American Express Card with TripAdvisor and leave one posted review (approved by TripAdvisor) before 23.59 (EST) on December 31, 2013.
You must connect your American Express Card to TripAdvisor to be eligible to receive the $5 statement credit. Quantities are limited. Only one $5 statement credit per connected Card. Your Card must remain connected until the statement credit is applied. Statement credit may not be received if a review doesn’t meet TripAdvisor’s qualifications and is not posted by TripAdvisor.
Gradsave Groupon: $50 Towards Any 529 College Savings Plan For $30
Posted on October 9, 2013 // 20 Comments
Groupon is currently offering a $50 Gradsave gift card for $30, which can be redeemed for a $50 deposit into any national 529 college savings plan. So if you’re already meaning to contribute some money towards a 529 plan, it’s basically at least $20 in free money. Thanks to reader Jon for the tip. Gradsave ran a similar promotion earlier and I successfully got it transferred to my daughter’s existing Ohio CollegeAdvantage 529 plan. It may take a couple of weeks.
Expires 60 days after purchase. Limit 1 per person, may buy 3 additional as gifts. Limit 1 per customer, beneficiary, account, savings plan, or 529 plan. Online only. New customers only. Cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers.
You can save a little extra on your Groupon deals with cashback shopping portals like eBates ($10 new customer bonus), Mr. Rebates ($5 bonus), and BigCrumbs. This should also count towards the Alaska Air promo I posted yesterday.
Also, 529 contributions can be taken out without penalty. If you withdraw any earnings for unqualified expenses, then you will be subject to income taxes as well as a 10% penalty. You can even set yourself up as the beneficiary if you have qualified educational expenses now or coming up (computer equipment counts if you’re a student). I’m just tucking it away for the kiddo.
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