Archives for February 2010

A company contacted me to see if I wanted six free coupon codes for their compound interest calculator iPhone app. It seemed like a win-win, they get publicity and readers get some free stuff. Also, I could actually try it out since I have an iPod Touch. (I got nothing else.) If you have iTunes, read about the app here.

Quickie Review
The calculator does what it says, it calculates compound interest for you based on your inputs of starting amounts, additional deposits, time, interest rates, and compounding frequency. You can find out how much you’ll save by putting away $50 a month for 20 years, or make sure your online savings account is paying you the right amount of interest.

Honestly, I thought that something like this would be free, as you can find something equivalent for free on the internet at hundreds of sites. However, I know it does take time and effort to make a pleasant-looking and bug-free iPhone app. It does have that iPhone “slick” feel. Some pretty graphs would have made it a more complete package.

The retail cost is $2.99. I would never pay that much money for this, but then again I’ve never paid for any iPhone/iPod Touch app so far. I looked, and there was no equivalent app that was free. There were a few for 99 cents that were close but still lacked a few of the features on this app.

Giveaway
If this sounds interesting to you, just leave a comment with a valid e-mail below by Noon Pacific on February 2nd. Name not necessary. I’ll randomly pick 6 winners to get a promo code that will let you download it from the Apple App Store for free.

(Udpate: The 6 winners have been contacted. If there are some no-shows, I’ll redraw in a week.)

If you’re considering starting a new Costco membership, you should buy it through this special offer page. This looks to be the same program I sold certificates for in the past through a marketing vendor, but now Costco sells them directly. Again, you pay the same price as everyone else ($50 a year for Gold, $100 for Executive), but you will also receive a coupon booklet with $50+ in goodies (see below). Use code smartsave for Gold and smartsaveEX for Executive.

Gold Star Membership is $50 a year including a free Household Card. Offer expires June 30, 2010, and is valid only for non-members for their first year of membership. Limit one offer per household. You must apply in person at any U.S. Costco location or online at www.costco.com. Offer is nontransferable and may not be combined with any other offer or coupon. Coupons will be mailed to you within 2 3 weeks of processing your membership application.

I am not sure if the coupons are the same every time, but the following are coupons received by one reader a few months ago:

Free 2 lb bag of Kirkland Coffee
Free Rotisserie Chicken
Free 100 photos digital printing
Free 48 pack “AA” batteries 9.99 value
$3 off fresh bakery cookies
$3 off albacore tuna 8 pack
$3 off case of spring water
$3 off fresh baked 18? pizza
$3 off fresh meat
$2 off salad mix
$5 off premium floral bouquet
$3 off white meat canned chicken breast

Also see Is Costco Executive Membership worth it? (Yes, because if it isn’t they’ll refund you the difference.)