PerkStreet – Free Online Checking, Cash Back Rewards and More – Review

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Who PerkStreet Free Online Checking is For

Are you looking for a free checking account that offers more than just basic checking services?

How about an alternative to using a credit card for your purchases (but don’t want to carry cash)?

PerkStreet(SM)’s online checking account is not only free, but offers up a generous cash back rewards when you use their debit card.

Read on for our PerkSreet review.

PerkStreet offers the debit card that helps you get debt free.  By using a debit card for your purchases you can PerkStreet Financialeasily manage your money and budget for what you spend rather than risk the possibility of incurring credit card debt.

Their rewards checking helps further being debt free by giving you up to 25% cash back on purchases (depending on the purchase).  They offer free online checking accounts and perks like bill pay, free ATM usage, excellent rewards, easy mailed-in deposits, and more.

The premise behind the bank is to offer superior service and you can talk to a live person 24 hours a day with any questions you might have.  The company’s focus is to serve people who want to manage their money responsibly and not go into debt with offering generous rewards for debit card use.
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The Roth vs. Traditional IRA – Which is Best for You?

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If you’re considering adding an Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) as part of your overall retirement plan, you may be wondering whether a Roth or traditional account will work better.

Depending on your circumstances, it could be either, or it can even be both.

What is a Traditional IRA? – Basics

Traditional IRAs allow you to save up to $5,000 ($5,500 for 2013) in a self-directed, tax deferred account.  You can also increase the amount of that contribution by $1,000 if you are age 50 or older.

Not only will this allow you to build your own retirement portfolio, but you can also contribute to an IRA even though you’re covered by another retirement plan.  However there are limits on the tax deductibility if you are covered by another plan.

For single taxpayers, the IRA deductibility begins to phase out with an income of $58,000 per year.  It completely phases out at $68,000.
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Personal Capital Review – A One Stop Financial Center

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It’s tough keeping track of all of your money and investing accounts.

It’s not impossible, for sure, but it can be a pain switching between accounts to see exactly what you are invested in for which account.

Wouldn’t it be great if you had one place that can give you a snapshot of your money?

And then wouldn’t it be awesome if you could get a better idea of your allocations to better make sure you are diversified  in the right places?  Oh, and if you could see what your fund fees were costing you in one spot that would be nice too, right?

Some objective financial advice based on your accounts would be a sweet thing to have access to as well, wouldn’t it?

Enter Personal Capital.

Personal Capital describes itself as “Your Next Generation Financial Advisor”, and it may be just that.

Not only does the application allow you to combine your various financial accounts in one place, but it also provides expert, personal investment management with low fees.

What Personal Capital does

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British Airways Visa Signature® Card | Review

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Do you fly British Airways?  (They have over 300 destinations BTW.)

If you do then you should take a look at the British Airways Visa Signature® Card.

The British Airways Visa Signature® Card is what many consider an airline miles credit card.  It’s a card that is issued on behalf of the airline where you can typically earn that airline’s miles faster when you buy flights with the card and you can earn additional miles on general purchases.  These miles can then be redeemed for free flights with the airline.

You can also see lots of other great perks in an airline miles card that help make owning the airline’s credit card well worth it.Continue Reading

The Fiscal Cliff Doesn’t Just Affect the Rich

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Though the election is long over, the debate over whether or not to extend the Bush-era tax cuts continues.

This is the so-called “fiscal cliff” that’s all over the media right now.

On the surface, this sometimes seems like a debate over taxes in general, and specifically on higher taxes for the rich.

But don’t bet on it – the fiscal cliff doesn’t just affect the rich – it has the middle class squarely in its crosshairs.

A series of tax increases will begin on January 1, 2013, if Congress does not take action to restore at least some of the Bush-era cuts.

And they’ll be substantial.

Not only will the tax cuts reach deep into the wallets of everyone who has a paycheck, but the fallout from the changes will have wide effects on the overall ecomomy too.

How the Fiscal Cliff Will Affect More Than the Rich

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Chase Ink Bold® Business Card Review

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Are you a small business owner?  Interested in a small business card that can help you manage your business AND earn you rewards on expenses?  Looking for a great travel rewards card to maximize your business travel?

How about one that is offering a great bonus right now?

The Chase Ink Bold® Business Card is offering 50,000 bonus points when you open an account and spend $5,000 in the first 3 months.

50,000 points will get you $500 cash back or $625 towards travel rewards.

Chase Ink Bold® Business Card Review – The Nitty Gritty

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Groupon American Apparel National Deal

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You’ve heard me talk about Groupon before. I’ve reviewed Groupon and I wrote about their Gap national deal a while back.

Truth is I don’t usually mention deals here on Free From Broke, but this deal was pretty popular last year and Groupon is running it again this year.

Here’s today’s deal:

American Apparel

$25 for $50 worth of clothing and accessories from American Apparel Online and In-Store (you pick whether online or in-store).

or

$50 for $100 worth of clothing and accessories from American Apparel In-Store.

Groupon deals tend to be for local stores and activities but occasionally they roll out a national deal.  This particular deal is limited to one per person, for U.S. residents only.  You can buy an additional Groupon as a gift.
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United MileagePlus® Explorer Card Review

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Do you fly United Airlines with any frequency?

Would you like special flying privileges on your United flights?  Would you like to earn free flights and more?

If you answered yes to any of the above then you need to look at the United MileagePlus® Explorer Card from Chase.

The United MileagePlus Explorer Card is considered an airline miles credit card.  What that means is the purchases you make earn you airline miles which can be redeemed for flights and more.  Airline miles cards are a great way to use your purchases to earn you free flights.

Here’s what the United MileagePlus Explorer Card offers you:

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ING Direct/Capital One 360 Black Friday Action

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ING Black Friday Page

Black Friday isn’t just for retail stores.

ING Direct/Capital One 360 (Capital One 360 is their new name come February) is offering up their annual Black Friday specials this year from November 23rd through November 25th.

If you don’t feel like going out and spending your money you can check out what ING Direct will be offering for you to save.

You know I’ve been an ING Direct customer for years and think it’s a great place for online savings so I’m pretty excited to see what they are going to offer (we also use their online checking and their ShareBuilder investing site)!

Take a look at this year’s “don’t miss” ING Direct Black Friday deals:

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Think Long Term When Shopping Black Friday and Cyber Monday

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Black Friday Sales

When you do your Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping don’t just think of things for the upcoming holidays — think long-term!

Many sales are at their best on these days.  It may be worth it for you to take advantage now and buy items for events and purposes throughout the year.

Many a time has passed where I thought I’d see an item on sale again but it ended up not being as good as the Black Friday or Cyber Monday price.  Damn!  Missed out.

Of course for this to work you have to have money in your budget to buy extra now for the rest of the year.  It’s silly to put great deals on credit if you are going to end up paying credit card interest later on.

If you think out it and plan well, buying now can save you money, and time, for the upcoming year.

Here are some great occasions to shop for on Black Friday and Cyber Monday:

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