For most everyday Americans, whatever bit of recovery we have seen, is now being eaten up at the gas pump. I swear, if the oil companies post record profits again like they did after Hurricane Katrina, I think we should all invest in good shoes and start walking! But that’s another soapbox topic for another day. Today, I would like to share a very recent experience I had changing internet service providers and the lesson I learned.

Trim the Bills to Reap Savings

A little more than a month ago, I married to the most wonderful man in the world and as finances changed I began to take a harder, closer look at our household budget to find places we could trim-the-fat… » Read more

Aurora Bank Checking Account—Where the Customer Comes First

Aurora Bank is one of the most customer-centric online banks so if feeling like you are a partner with your bank is important to you then Aurora Bank will give you a great online bank experience. And even better than their customer service, your online checking account with Aurora Bank puts you in the driver’s seat with super easy access to your checking account.

The Nuts and the Bolts

As of 14 May 2011, the APY is 0.84% on balances above $1000 (5 October 5, 2010, the APY is just .10%)  but the website, www.aurorabank.com, appears to have offered graduated interest rates according to your balance at one time according to the currently posted rate schedule. Perhaps… » Read more

A complete review on HSBC Checking account and rates.

Corporate Strength and Security = Piece of Mind

In the tumultuous banking world of today it can be difficult to know on whom to trust especially when it comes to trusting an online bank with your money. If trust is a big issue for you but you are ready to move your accounts online then HSBC is “the world’s local bank.” And if that isn’t enough, the bank is rated as one of the best online banks in the world by Forbes Magazine.

A Checking Accounts for Anyone

HSBC has made online checking accounts easy for anyone. There are no minimum balance requirements so you can have the piece of mind you are not going to be assessed fees… » Read more

Nationwide Bank Checking Account review covers the different checking accounts offered and their rates.

Nationwide Bank—Financially Sound

As one of the few banks to actually grow during the recession, Nationwide Bank has a strength few other banks can offer.  They are one of the best online banks in the industry.  They have many bank products but their online checking accounts offer two options—interest or non-interest bearing.  Either account is easy to open and easy to maintain.

Direct Checking—Basic but not Boring

The Nationwide Bank direct checking account is just like the typical account you would find at your corner bank but with the added flexibility of an online bank account. The Nationwide Bank direct checking account has one of… » Read more

Checking Out State Farm Bank Checking Accounts

State Farm is one of the most trusted names in the insurance industry and it is rapidly becoming one of the most trusted names in personal online banking.  The bank offers many financial services including online checking accounts.  You have the option to interest or non-interest bearing accounts.  State Farm Bank is also one of the few online banks to offer account materials and customer service in Spanish.

In Your Best Interest

Interest checking at State Farm Bank offers some of the best interest rates available which are assessed according to your zip code.  Finding the interest rates at www.statefarmbank.com is very easy.  You just click on the interest checking account… » Read more

Discover Bank Checking is a Step Above

Discover Bank is consistently recognized as one of the best online banks. Many of their products boast some of the highest interest rates in the industry; their high interest money market account is no exception. As you compare online money market accounts, the current 1.20% APY rate is hard to beat.

Uncovering Discover Bank’s Money Market Account

The Discover Bank money market account is fairly easy to understand. An opening deposit of $2,500 is required and the balance must be maintained to earn interest. The interest rates are graduated according to your average daily balance so the higher your balance the greater return. However should your account dip below $2,500 the $10 fee will affect your rate of return. While the money market… » Read more

The Dollars and Sense of a Dollar Savings Direct Online Savings Account

In three words: fantastic interest rates.  As you compare online savings accounts, a high yield savings does not get much higher than 1.00% APY. DollarSavingsDirect hosts one of the best savings account. As one of the highest saving rates available, an online bank account from Dollar Savings Direct is a no-frills way to maximize your return.  While DollarSavingDirect.com leaves a lot to be desired in terms of easy access to information.  However, the company has been in business for over 160 years and there is strength in both its history and its track record as one of the best bank financial institutions in the nation.  And as… » Read more

Top 100 Money Market Account, Highest Yields

Nationwide Bank does a lot of things well and having one of the best money market rates is part of their tradition of excellence.  Bank Rate, an independent interest rate comparison website, named the Nationwide money market account “Top Tier, 100 Highest Yields” for the first quarter of 2010 (second quarter rankings are not yet available).   And since the purpose of a money market account is to marry maximum flexibility with the highest current money market rates, you can feel confident you will have frequent access to your money while it is growing at one of the fastest rates available.  There is a minimum opening deposit and daily balance requirement of $1,000.

Benefits of a Nationwide Bank High

Superior Interest Rates, Superior Savings

You work hard enough for your money, so Discover Bank gives you the best savings account interest rates—at five times the national average of regular savings accounts.  Not only do you earn the best interest rates, but the account is super easy to open with a mouse click to the online form or a telephone call to their equally superior customer service team.  In case you are skeptical of the claim “five times” the interest of your savings account, Money Magazine has distinguished Discover Bank time and time again as one of the best online savings accounts available today.  Not only are the… » Read more

No matter what your long term saving goal is, a State Farm Bank CD is the solution.  These high rate cds are the perfect blend of safety and growth to meet your goals.  State Farm has four options from which to choose: Fixed Rate, Roth IRA, Traditional IRA or Coverdell Education plans.  All State Farm Bank CD accounts are backed by the FDIC. State Farm’s Certificates of  Deposit interest rates are compounded daily and credited at maturity if  the term is 12 months or less.  On their website, State Farm does not quote APY rates unless you enter in your zip code. We tested three zip codes and came up with the same results… » Read more