Free From Broke

A Personal Finance Blog for Regular Folks

Glen Craig

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

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Sadly PerkStreet will be closing its doors for good on September 26th, 2013.  They are not accepting any new applications.  If you have money with them already then your money is safe.  For more information on PerkStreet’s closing take a look at their announcement article: http://www.perkstreet.com/announcement.aspx

We’ve done a write-up about the closure and what your next steps should be if you have a PerkStreet account: PerkStreet Financial Online Checking is Shutting Down (What Happens to My Money?)

 

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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British Airways Visa Signature Card Review – 50,000 Bonus Avios

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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. [Read more…] about British Airways Visa Signature Card Review – 50,000 Bonus Avios

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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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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