So I get a call from my landlord saying she just put up a bid for some beachfront property and may have to sell the house I'm renting to pay for it. Another "heads up" that we may have to move again in less than 9 months. I'm getting really. tired. … [Read the rest]
Buying Savings Bonds Now or Later? Two “Experts” Collide
Posted on October 26, 2005 // 8 Comments
I guess the word has spread about the great I-Bonds rates, as is shown by this recent USA Today article. Unfortunately, this article does not help me at all, since the key to buying now or later is the upcoming fixed rate, and these two so-called … [Read the rest]
Last updated: October 9, 2011
Bored Money: e-Rewards is my NetFlix Alternative
Posted on October 25, 2005 // 12 Comments
Next up in the Bored Money arena is e-Rewards. It's similar to MyPoints in that the make you fill out a big long profile and then pay you to receive e-mails, sign-up for offers, and fill out online surveys. They differ in that instead of Points and … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 9, 2018
Savings Bonds Purchased, $5 Oops, More on Partial Redemptions
Posted on October 25, 2005 // 3 Comments
My $5,000 I-Bond online purchase looks like it went off today without a hitch at Treasury Direct. Well, almost. I didn't pay attention to my BillPay along with my checking account balance and I ended up going below the $1,000 minimum on my … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 5, 2006
Bored Money: Pinecone Research Online Surveys
Posted on October 24, 2005 // 14 Comments
Pinecone Research is a consumer opinion research group that polls people via online surveys and occasionally by actually sending you out product samples to review. In exchange for your feedback, they mail you a $5 check for each online survey you … [Read the rest]
Last updated: October 16, 2011
Bored Money: MyPoints Rewards For Getting Spam
Posted on October 23, 2005 // 18 Comments
I've decided to add a new category called Bored Money. Be forewarned that these are not an efficient use of most people's time. But if you have a desk job or any job with some downtime and internet access (or are just bored), why not eek out a … [Read the rest]
Last updated: October 16, 2011
Gambling: I Have No Dental Insurance
Posted on October 22, 2005 // 17 Comments
Every since I quit my job in July, I have had no dental insurance. I just had x-rays and a cleaning in June, so I figured I was good at least until the end of the year. As Open Enrollment is here, I have decided not to be added onto my wife's … [Read the rest]
Last updated: September 13, 2006
Applied for HSA Health Insurance Today
Posted on October 22, 2005 // 3 Comments
I finally got around to applying to an HSA-eligible high-deductible health insurance plan today on eHealthInsurance. (Please see my previous posts on getting quotes and HSA pros and cons). I kind of dropped the ball, as Open Enrollment for my … [Read the rest]
Last updated: February 25, 2019
Choosing Card Issuers for 0% APR Balance Transfer Offers
Posted on October 20, 2005 // 22 Comments
Please also see my updated guide on How To Make Money From 0% APR Balance Transfers I haven't been as active in the 0% APR balance transfers game recently (still have $20k in borrowed money), but sometimes the trickiest part after finding the best … [Read the rest]
Last updated: March 13, 2014
Partial Redemption of Electronic Savings Bonds
Posted on October 19, 2005 // 10 Comments
A relatively unpublicized new feature of buying your Savings Bonds online is the ability to cash out only part of your bonds, mentioned briefly here. I just noticed this recently, and explored it further in my account with my paper bonds that were … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 5, 2006
Emigrant Direct Referral Bonus Update #4 – 1,000 Referrals!
Posted on October 19, 2005 // Leave a Comment
(11/5/05: I have streamlined the directions for new participants. Please follow the new directions for the Emigrant Direct $10 Opening Referral Bonus Promotion.) I just got official word that I am approved for 1,000 Emigrant Direct Bonuses now … [Read the rest]
Last updated: December 29, 2014
Getting Ready to Buy I-Bonds
Posted on October 18, 2005 // 16 Comments
I've been talking a lot about I-Bonds, mostly because, for me, it's the equivalent of a 14-month Bank CD returning 5.83% APY. You won't see an interest rate that high anywhere else. I'll need this money in a year and a half, so a 14-month time frame … [Read the rest]
Last updated: August 5, 2006
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