Two bucks saved is two bucks earned!

I discovered this tip a few days ago while perusing the Kashi web-site. If you head on over there, you’ll see a button in the upper right corner urging you to “join the community“. If you click the button, you’ll be taken to a form asking for your name, e-mail address and to choose a user name.

Click the Wheat Sprigs!

Kashi has a unique spam bot verification system where they ask you to click the pictures of two wheat sprigs, so don’t skip over the pictures! Once fill in your info, read and confirm to their terms, and click the wheat sprigs, you’ll be taken to your user page with a button prompting you to view and print your $2 coupon!

Pretty painless way to save two bucks and get a great tasting pizza.

The dragon knows to save...do you?

Photo credit to m.prinke.

As I mention in my about section, my online savings account brings in $50 a month, which is no giant treasure, but it pays for almost my entire monthly iPhone bill. Considering the recent crashes in the stock market, I’ll gladly lose the extra 2% or so the market generates over time for the guarantee that my money is safe and secure. Over the course of history, the stock market generally returns a 5-6% rate per year. As these online savings accounts are right now offering a rate around 3% and were up to 5-6% earlier in the year, they’re a great way to save and at least keep up with inflation, all while knowing that your money is safe and sound with the FDIC’s guarantee. Mr. Money advocates taking risks in order to get great returns, but first we must have a safety net and an online savings account is a great way to build that net.

Personally, I’ve used HSBC Direct and ING Direct and have had nothing but pleasant experiences so far. Even if you’re only able to put away a few dollars at first, eventually the savings will build and snowball and by then you’ll be encouraged to put as much money as possible into the savings account since you’ll actually see real results quickly. Sure, there are higher yield investments out there but considering that these savings accounts are FDIC insured and that the interest is guaranteed, it’s quite difficult to beat these accounts as a no hassle way to passive income. Here’s a run-down of three quality online savings account:

1. HSBC Direct
   • Branches in some states.
   • Refunds 100% of other banks’ ATM fees.
   • no minimum balance
   • $1 to start
   • No fees
2. ING Direct
   • No physical branches
   • $1 to start
   • no minimum balance
   • No fees
3. FNBO Direct
• No fees
• $1 to start
• no minimum balance
• Branches in some states.

Any of those banks would make a fine choice for an online savings account. They all offer a similar savings rate with no fees and no minimum balance. Personally, I’m a big fan of HSBC Direct and their policy of refunding all ATM fees. The important thing is that you open an account now and start savings. If the economic news of the past month has taught us anything it’s that savings accounts are important to individuals and our economy as a whole. Living credit card to credit card is no way to live and I urge all my readers to save, even if it’s only a few dollars a month. Your future self will thank you!