As featured in The Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine, and more!

October 2008

New Chase $100 Bonus Codes, Expire November 30, 2008

by Luke Landes

See our update with a new code. If you plan on opening a new checking account at Chase, use one of the following bonus codes to receive a $100 bonus. 3333324005410519 (Expired) 3333324023258503 (Expired) Generate your own $100 Chase Checking Coupon HERE. (Expires August 14th, 2010) The codes are only valid for one use each, ... Continue reading this article…

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New FDIC Deposit Insurance Coverage Limits

by Luke Landes

With the $700+ billion bailout bill signed into law, the FDIC now insures more deposits per account holder per bank. Here are the new limits for the most common account types, effective October 3. Single accounts are insured up to $250,000 per owner through December 31, 2009 Joint accounts are insured up to $250,000 per ... Continue reading this article…

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Giving Away My Old Television

by Luke Landes

About a year ago, I purchased a high definition television and began upgrading my in-home entertainment experience. I don’t regret it at all. When I purchased the TV, I moved my old 26-inch cathode ray tube (CRT) television to the bedroom. The old TV is a monster. It remained on the floor in the corner ... Continue reading this article…

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$50 Bonus for New TradeKing Brokerage Account

by Luke Landes

TradeKing is an online brokerage featuring a low commission of $4.95. For a short time, if you open account at TradeKing, fund it with $2,500 within 30 days and make a trade within 180 days, you can earn a $50 bonus. You’ll also have to maintain a $2,500 minimum bonus for six months, otherwise TradeKing ... Continue reading this article…

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What’s Going on With Wachovia, Citi, and Wells Fargo

by Luke Landes

This would-be acquisition is turning into a mess. First Citi agreed to buy Wachovia’s deposits with the help of the FDIC. Wachovia accepted this deal under duress, apparently. The FDIC warned Wachovia that if they did not agree to the deal, the government would seize Wachovia’s deposits. That left Wachovia little choice but to accept. ... Continue reading this article…

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MoneyBlogNetwork Weekend Roundup

by Luke Landes

Here are a few articles from the MoneyBlogNetwork that I’ve enjoyed recently: How I Live Without Borrowing Money A Quick Look at the Dow Jones Sector Indexes (It’s Not Good!) You Make HOW Much? Getting Paid What You’re Worth What Politicians Give Make Your Clothes Last Longer (Without Spending Big) Back to Basics: Spend Less ... Continue reading this article…

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Personal Income Statement, September 2008 (Net Income: $7,473)

by Luke Landes

While September wasn’t as bountiful as August, I’m still adding to my bottom line. Even though my balance sheet showed a decline, it was mainly due to unrealized losses in investments, not a lack of income. Each month, to accompany my balance sheet, I publish my income and expense report to keep myself motivated to ... Continue reading this article…

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Personal Balance Sheet, September 2008 ($171,916, -0.8%)

by Luke Landes

Every month, I publicly review my personal financial condition. If you’re wondering why I post under a pseudonym, Flexo, this is the primary reason. I’d prefer that those who know my in real life, except for a few individuals, are not aware of this information. Reviewing my finances online helps me be accountable for my ... Continue reading this article…

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Wells Fargo Steps in With a Better Offer for Wachovia

by Luke Landes

Although Wachovia was recently saved by Citi and the FDIC, Wells Fargo stepped into the picture with a better offer. In this deal, Wells Fargo would take on all of Wachovia, including deposits, brokerage, and investment management, for $15 billion. Earlier this week, Citi offered $2.2 for Wachovia’s banking operations only. If the Wells Fargo ... Continue reading this article…

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Deadline for Income Tax Extension Filing, October 15, is Almost Here

by Luke Landes

If you’ve filed for an extension for reporting last year’s federal income tax, your deadline is quickly arriving. Here are some important resources to help you make that deadline. File your taxes for free. The Free File Alliance allows residents in most states to file for free as long as the taxpayer meets certain qualifications. ... Continue reading this article…

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Get a $50 or $100 Gift Card From American Express

by Luke Landes

If you’re responsible with credit cards and looking for a bonus, look into the Preferred Rewards Green Card or the Preferred Rewards Gold Card from American Express. Both of these cards are charge cards, so if you use one of these cards, you must pay the balance in full every month. With the American Express ... Continue reading this article…

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Considering Tax-Exempt Money Market Funds

by Luke Landes

A few days ago, I mentioned I invested in the stock market at a low with money marked for an intermediate time horizon. I didn’t get the price I wanted, however. I initiated the $3,000 investment in VTSMX, the index fund following the total stock market, on Monday night following the stock market’s sharp decline. ... Continue reading this article…

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Subscribe to Consumerism Commentary

by Luke Landes

If you’re interested in getting on the waiting list for the ING Direct referrals, pay attention here. By subscribing to our RSS feed with feed-reading software such as Google Reader or aggregators such as My Yahoo, you’ll always be aware of new content here. If you prefer to have daily updates emailed directly to you, ... Continue reading this article…

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Acquisitions Continue: Citi Buys Wachovia

by Luke Landes

October 3 update: Wells Fargo has stepped in and placed a better offer for Wachovia. Wachovia is my main brick-and-mortar bank. The bank has held my primary, though small, savings and checking accounts for about fifteen years. During this time, it hasn’t always been known as Wachovia to me due to a series of mergers ... Continue reading this article…

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