Ohio CollegeAdvantage 529 Plan: Free $25 Starter Bonus

Posted on September 10, 2009 // 16 Comments

The Ohio CollegeAdvantage 529 Savings Plan is again offering a $25 refer-a-friend bonus if you open an account and deposit at least $25 by December 15, 2009. You can be a resident of any state, and there are no application or annual fees.

Rated a Top 529 Plan by Morningstar
In a recent article The Best and Worst 529 College-Savings Plans by Morningstar, the Ohio CollegeAdvantage plan was rated in the top 5 plans:

Features they liked included having a wide variety of investment options (including active/passive, multiple age-based options, and even ultra-safe CDs), as well as low total expenses. In-state resident can also deduct up to $2,000 of contributions per year, with excess carryover allowed.

My Personal Experience
So far, I am quite impressed with the Ohio plan. The website itself is functional and fast, there are a variety of investment choices (cash, index funds, active funds), they are upfront with the fees, and the expenses are very competitive – either the lowest or near the lowest in the nation. There are no inactivity fees, minimum balance fees, or other bogus fees. The only bad thing I can think of is that every time I make a purchase I get a snail-mail confirmation with no paperless option, which seems wasteful.

I have gotten the $25 bonuses plus several referrals, with no complaints from the people I referred. I have also started an auto-debit from my checking account for $50 a month. Right now, half of my 529 is in the Vanguard inflation-protected bond fund. This is an investment option that is unavailable in most state plans. I feel that since college is only at most 18 years away with a big lump-sum payment, I would prefer less volatility while marching towards that goal. This is in contrast to saving for retirement, where I currently have 35 years until I turn 65, and hopefully another 20 years after that as well.

Referral Bonus Instructions
Currently the newly referred person gets $25, and the referring person gets $50, and I’d love for you to help fund my kid’s college dreams. 😀 Here’s how:

  1. You can enroll online or via mail. The online process was quick and easy, and I didn’t have to mail in anything.
  2. The first step is to input your personal info and choose a login/password. Next, you’ll verify your e-mail and complete the application.
  3. After that, you’ll choose your funding amount and select an investment fund. Your initial deposit must be a least $25, and is funded using the account/routing numbers of your bank account. At the bottom, you will need to enter a referral code to get the bonus. Enter *.
  4. In 1-3 days, your initial deposit will be taken from your bank account, and in 5-7 business days you will get your $25 bonus. The $25 will be deposited directly into the 529 account, and will be invested in the same thing as your initial deposit.

If a child has two parents, one parent may sign-up and then refer the 2nd parent to get another bonus, while both can list the same child as the beneficiary. If your child is not born yet or does not have a Social Security number yet, you can choose yourself or another family member as the beneficiary, and then later on fill out a Change of Beneficiary form.

Here is a screenshot of me getting my $25 bonus successfully and as promised:

* Javascript is required. If you can’t see any numbers, please use 2439350.

Filed Under: Deals & Offers, Family, Investing //

Restaurant.com: $25 Certificates for $1

Posted on September 9, 2009 // 35 Comments

Restaurant.com is offering a whopping 90% off with the coupon code NINETY, resulting in a $25 “certificate” for $1. Starts midnight 9/9/09 and expires in 90 hours.

I have never bought one of these certificates, due to all their restrictions and fine print. Here are just a few:

  • The “retail” price of these things is $10, and they still have to discount, so that should tell you something about the true value.
  • Participating restaurants are limited, and usually offer either bad food with okay prices, or good food with really high prices. I have never seen a restaurant on their list that I have been a regular diner at already.
  • Virtually all restaurants require a minimum purchase of $35+, making these more coupons than gift certificates. Also, they can often only be used on Fridays or weekends.
  • You have to triple-check that any specific place still takes the certificate, because the website may be outdated and turnover is high. Showing up with friends, only to be turned away, is annoying.
  • You have to announce that you’re paying with a certificate before you order, which for some has affected food quality and/or service. Be sure to tip on pre-coupon amount. Some restaurants will mandate a 18% tip on the pre-discount bill.

Still at $1 a piece, it might be worth a shot if you can find one decent participating restaurant. For those that have used these before, how did it work out?

Filed Under: Deals & Offers, Frugal Living //

Free Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwiches

Posted on September 7, 2009 // Leave a Comment

You can get a free Chick-fil-A Original Chicken sandwich today 9/7 if you show up wearing your team logo. You can also get a coupon by mail for a free Chick-fil-A Original Chicken Sandwich if you sign up for their newsletter (first 250,000). More info and sign up at ChickenWave.com. I really miss eating these things. Thanks Pat and Sarah!

Filed Under: Deals & Offers //

Zecco Promotion Code: 20 Free Trades w/ New Account

Posted on August 26, 2009 // 6 Comments

If you’ve been considering opening an account with Zecco Trading, they just e-mailed me a new promotion that offers 20 free trades for new customers. Use the promotion code “bonus1” in the application:

Offer expires 9/13/09, and the trades are available for 90 days. More details:

Get 20 free stock trades when you sign up with Zecco Trading!

Zecco Trading is offering 20 free stock trades — a $90 value — to all new brokerage customers who sign up by Sunday, September 13th 2009! Use promo code “bonus1” to qualify.

These free stock trades are special, because you have a whole 90 days to use them. Some other brokerages give you free equity trades to use within 30 days of signing up, so by the time you transfer money into your account, the free stock trades might have expired! With Zecco Trading, you have more time to use your free stock trades when it makes sense to trade. […]

Be sure to use the promotion code “bonus1” when signing up. Be sure to use all lowercase or the code won’t work. Special terms and conditions:

* New Zecco Trading accounts must be opened and approved by Sunday, September 13th, 2009.
* The 20 free stock trades will be granted on or before September 16th, 2009. The free trades will expire 90 days after the date they are granted.
* Offer not eligible to existing Zecco Trading customers.
* Limit one bonus per household.

Zecco Quick Overview

I’ve had a Zecco account for a couple years now, so here’s a quick snapshot. The standard commission cost is $4.50 per trade. There are no minimum balance requirements and no inactivity fees. They offer free online ACH cash transfers in/out. Idle cash can be put into a money market sweep that is usually not that bad (CSAXX), but right now all money market yields are pitiful. Online statements are free, but paper statements cost $2 per month.

However, if you maintain a total account equity of $25,000 or make 25 traders per month, then you get 10 free trades per month. Account equity isn’t just cash, it’s the total value of your holdings including stocks, so you might consider shifting some outside holdings to Zecco to qualify. As long as you hit the $25k mark once during the month, you’ll get 10 free trades that month. (This is in addition to the 20 free trades given out above.)

Filed Under: Deals & Offers, Investing //

Free $5 in Amazon MP3 Downloads

Posted on August 24, 2009 // 17 Comments

Amazon.com is offering $5 in free MP3 downloads if you buy a qualifying video game. However, currently the game Big Kahuna Reef both qualifies and is also free itself. Connect the dots. 😉

  1. Go to the Big Kahuna Reef page and click on “Get the game FREE”.
  2. You may need to enter some credit card information, but upon checkout you should confirm that it is free. Complete checkout.
  3. You don’t need to download it, unless you want to. Check your e-mail for one with a title of “Your Amazon.com Promotional Credit”. You will NOT receive a special code, but it should indicate that you have a $5 credit towards Amazon MP3s that will automatically be applied to your next purchase.
  4. Go to the MP3 section and try to buy something you like. The first $5 should be free.

I just did this and am listening to my free music right now in hassle-free .mp3 format. Credit to FW. Note: It will ask you to install the AmazonMP3 Downloader software, but you can go to “skip” this for individual songs. Entire album purchases may require installation.

Filed Under: Deals & Offers //

Chase / WaMu $20 Debit Card Promotion

Posted on August 24, 2009 // 8 Comments

Chase/WaMu is offering certain customers up to $20 for using their debit cards for automatic utility bill payments. You get $10 for setting up one bill and $20 for two. Visit chase.com/get20 and click on “Enroll Now” to see if you qualify. Thanks to reader Randy for the tip.

This is an exclusive offer and is by invitation only. You must enroll your Chase or WaMu Debit Card by September 30, 2009 in order to qualify for this promotion. After enrolling your debit card you will earn $10 (up to $20) for each new automatic bill payment that is set up in the following service provider categories: Phone, Cable/Satellite TV, Insurance and Utilities. Utility categories include electric, water/sewage, trash service and gas. Automatic bill payments of $25 or more each must be deducted from your checking account by October 31, 2009.

Filed Under: Deals & Offers //

Free Sample of Nature Valley Trail Mix and Granola

Posted on August 19, 2009 // 4 Comments

Nature Valley is giving out a free sample of their Trail Chewy Trail Mix Bar and a pouch of Granola Nut Clusters when you sign up for their Eat Better America newsletter, which includes expert healthy meal ideas (sample newsletter). I just bought a case of these trail mix bars from Costco for about 20 cents each, not bad for a snack.

Filed Under: Deals & Offers //

Free US Airways Silver Preferred Status For 90 Days

Posted on August 9, 2009 // 4 Comments

US Airways is running a promotion where you can try out their Silver Preferred “Elite” status for 90 days. Normally, you’d have to pay $200 or fly 25,000 Preferred-qualifying miles (or 30 qualifying segments) within a calendar year. You must register by August 31st.

The perks of Silver Preferred include:

  • Priority check-in, express security lines, and early boarding.
  • First and second checked bag (free of charge)
  • Free upgrades to first-class when available.
  • 25% bonus miles flown on US Airways

A pretty good deal if you are making any US Airways flights in the next 90 days. I’m not sure how they count the 90 days, it may be a good idea to register near the end of the promotion if you’re traveling during the winter holidays.

Try Preferred status on for size. See how you like it. At the end of your 90-day trial, you may want to keep it! Once you register, you’ll be Preferred within 14 days. […] Just register between May 15 and August 31, 2009. Then, check your Dividend Miles profile to make sure we have your contact information so we can send you an email with your new status.

Filed Under: Deals & Offers, Travel //

OptionsXpress $100 New Account Bonus via Referral

Posted on August 7, 2009 // 12 Comments

Here’s another solid opening account bonus for an online broker. OptionsXpress is offering new customers a $100 bonus if they open an account with a referral from a current customer. You must maintain an average balance of $500 for 6 months, and make at least one trade. That’s a pretty sweet return on $500 in exchange for you trying out their service.

OptionsXpress offers $14.95 trades, free real-time and streaming quotes, and has lots of features for options traders. There are no minimum account balances, no account maintenance fees, and no inactivity fees.

If you’re looking for something safe to buy, the new WisdomTree Current Income Fund ETF (USY) is designed to have very low volatility and currently yields 1.03%. Another option I like is PowerShares VRDO Tax-Free Weekly (PVI), which also has a stable NAV from VRDOs and currently yields 2.62% tax-free. These would also work well with the TradeKing $50 bonus if you’re low on stock ideas.

I have an account, so if you’d like a referral just contact me with OptionsXpress in the subject, and I’ll be happy to send you one. I only need your e-mail address. You must open your account with the same e-mail you give me, and also use the promotional code FRIEND on your application.

Here’s the complete fine print:

$100 in your account and $100 in your friend’s account
Offer limited to one $100 bonus per referrer and referred friend, for each unique referral resulting in a newly activated, funded optionsXpress account meeting the terms and conditions of the refer a friend program. To qualify for the $100 bonus, the referred account must maintain a per account average balance of $500 for 6 months, and the account must trade at least once. The $100 bonus will be deposited into the referrer and referred accounts within 45 days after the referred friend meets the terms and conditions of the offer. To qualify, the referrer must enter the referred friend’s email address through this page, and the referred friend must enter the promo code “FRIEND” through the new account application form when opening the new account. A referred customer can only qualify for the $100 bonus a total of one time. A customer can only qualify for a total of $500 from any combination of optionsXpress cash promotions per calendar year. Deposits of new funds or securities from existing optionsXpress accounts are not eligible for this offer. Qualified (IRA), linked and shared accounts are not eligible for this offer. This offer is not valid for optionsXpress associates, non-U.S. residents, certain referring parties, and where otherwise prohibited. Customers can not exchange the $100 for other offers, cash or credit. We reserve the right at our sole discretion, to cancel, modify or suspend this offer program at any time without notice.

Filed Under: Deals & Offers, Investing //

Costco Membership Certificates w/ $50 in Free Costco Coupons

Posted on August 4, 2009 // 32 Comments

Update: Costco is no longer allowing me to sell these certificates. Sorry!

See Is Costco Executive Membership worth it?

Filed Under: Deals & Offers, Frugal Living //

TradeKing New Account $50 Bonus

Posted on August 3, 2009 // 3 Comments

Online broker TradeKing.com has brought back their $50 sign-up bonus for new accounts as part of celebrating National Friendship Day. If you get a referral from an existing account holder, fund it with at least $1,000, and make a trade, both people will get $50.

Simply enter your friends’ email addresses below between now and August 27, and press Send. As soon as your friend deposits $1,000 and executes a trade, we’ll deposit $50 into both of your accounts. Isn’t friendship grand? Please note that your friends must click the link in the email for us to track them and for you to receive your reward. But don’t worry. We tell them that in the email they’ll receive.

[..]You must have a regular non-retirement investment account, and you must leave the account open, with your referral money in there, for at least 6 months. Your friends must open a non-IRA account by August 31st, fund their account with at least $1,000 within 30 days of opening the account, and make a minimum of one trade within 180 days of account opening to receive their $50. But even if they act on it later, you’ll still receive your $50. So what are you waiting for? Start entering email addresses!

I have an account, so if you’d like a referral just contact me, and I’ll be happy to send you one. I only need your e-mail address. There is no promotion code, but you’ll need to click on the specific link on the e-mail for tracking purposes.

TradeKing offers $4.95 trades with no minimum balance requirement. For more information, please check out my TradeKing Review.

Filed Under: Deals & Offers, Investing //

WT Direct Extends $150 Promotion to August 15

Posted on August 3, 2009 // 2 Comments

Online bank WT Direct has extended the terms of their $150 bonus promotion such that you only need to have your account funded by August 15th (previously July 31st).

You can read about the details in this previous WT Direct $150 bonus post. Keep in mind that this change actually makes the numbers for the promotion a bit better, since now you only have to keep your money there for 2 1/2 months instead of 3 months. Depending on your opening balance, you’ll get somewhere between 2.95% to 3.2% APY during your 2.5 month commitment. This is a higher yield than any bank CD that I’ve seen of similar maturity length.

Filed Under: Banking, Deals & Offers //
« Previous Page
Next Page »