Christian Finance Blog

Yes, I admit it. I should be in Cheapskate’s Anonymous, although I prefer to be called frugal. But you can call me cheap if you want, I really don’t care. I’m not completely cheap, though. I’ll spend money on things I care about, but I will never try to jeopardize my financial future. I always have not only the future consequences of all of my actions in mind, but the eternal consequences as well. See, we as believers are governed by something higher than this world’s economy, rules, regulations, and government. We must answer to a higher being not only here on earth but in eternity as well. We must be held accountable to God.

That being said, I always ask for a discount. I think that it is wise and being a good steward to try and get the best value for your dollar on everything. I’m not talking about taking advantage of people. I’m talking about using the money and resources God has blessed us with to get the best deal possible without hurting anyone. Everywhere I go shopping, I ask for a discount. If you’re a student, ask for a student discount. If you’re a senior citizen, ask for the discount. If you’re in the military, ask for the military discount. Even if you don’t fit in any of those, ask for a discount. When you’re checking into a hotel, ask if there’s a better rate. My philosophy is that it doesn’t hurt to ask, and the worst that can happen is that they say no.

It doesn’t matter who’s watching or if you’re going to be embarrassed asking for a discount or for using coupons. You’re never going to see the people behind you in line again. This also applies to getting “stuff” that makes you look cool. That’s why we shouldn’t buy things to impress other people. Like that shiny, fancy, new car that you want because it will make you look successful. The people you pass up on the freeway will never see you again. And their opinion doesn’t really matter anyway. The people who matter most are your family and true friends, and especially God. Everything else doesn’t really matter except who you are in God’s eyes.

So always ask for a discount and live a life that’s pleasing to God Almighty. I try to.

Oprah and Suze Orman are giving away FREE digital copies of Suze’s newest book, Women & Money! Just go to the download page and you can download the English or Spanish version for free! But the download only lasts until February 14, 2008 at 8 pm EST so hurry!

If you’re looking for a new checking account or need to have an additional one, here’s some more incentive. Now through February 29, 2008, if you open a checking account with Bank of America, they will deposit $100 within 90 days of opening the account. The best way to do it is to open it online as then MyAccess Checking is absolutely free with no monthly maintenance fees, no minimum balance requirements, and no direct deposit requirements! That’s what I like! You must open with at least $100 to be eligible for the bonus. That’s a 100% return almost instantly.

This is not eligible for existing customers or for student checking. If you open at a local branch, use offer code AOU2612. It comes with free online banking with bill pay, Bank of America Visa debit/check card with Keep the Change program and unlimited check writing. So if you need a new checking account or even if you don’t, it’s an easy way to get a free hundred dollars! Be aware that they will 1099 you as interest income.

Just think of it as an early Christmas present from me to you! Merry Christmas and remember the reason for the season!

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Even though Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) is still several weeks away, I’m already preparing for the biggest shopping day of the year! Many of the ads have already been leaked online (check out bfads.net and click on adscans on the top) and I’m already planning everything out. This has become a tradition for myself and my friends. We’ve been going for years now and this year is no different. It’s more about having fun with friends than it is about shopping for me.

For those of you who don’t know, Black Friday is the busiest shopping day of the year and it got its name because it was generally the start of the holiday season when retailers would go from “being in the red” to “being in the black”. In other words, it was the day that marked profits for retailers. Stores open extra early at 5, 6, or 7 am and have many great deals. Many people line up on Thanksgiving day from 6 pm or earlier to be first in line to get the best deals.

This is a great day to get some great deals but don’t go crazy. Just because it’s Black Friday, doesn’t mean that everything is on sale. Even the things in the ads aren’t really at a great price. I always check online to make sure it’s really a good deal. I’ve seen some people on Black Friday with carts full of stuff and they just add anything into the cart that looks good. In fact, the stuff in the aisles next to the line is usually the high margin stuff that’s not even on sale and that they make the most money on.

Remember that failing to plan is planning to fail.

Here’s another $50 bank bonus! This time it’s from the well established Wells Fargo bank with nationwide branches. All you have to open a free checking account with a minimum of $100 and you’ll receive $50 within 30-45 days of opening the account. That’s an easy 50% return on your money for FREE! Free checking has no monthly service fees and no minimum balance requirements. Be aware that they do a hard credit check.

Here’s the fine print straight from the page:

Offer subject to qualification. Limit one $50 bonus per household. To qualify for your $50 bonus, you must open and fund a new personal Wells Fargo checking account with a minimum initial deposit of $100 (not including the $50 bonus) by November 30, 2007. The $50 bonus is available with all Wells Fargo checking accounts, including non interest-earning checking accounts, except for Wells Fargo College Checking®, Wells Fargo Teen CheckingSM and Wells Fargo Opportunity Checking® accounts. The $50 bonus will be deposited to your new Wells Fargo checking account within 30 to 45 days of opening. The bonus is reported as interest on your Wells Fargo checking account for IRS tax reporting purposes. Offer may not be combined with any other offer.

Just wanted to let you know that I just received my free $100 from the Citi offer I talked about a couple months ago. I only deposited $1 and I got $100 in return! Easy money! The Citi offer is now expired but there are others offers available like the Wachovia $50 bonus and an ING Direct $25 bonus for opening a new account with at least $250. If you’re interested, shoot me an email!

Also, if you’re interested in earning 9.40% (or more) lending money to other people in the US through Prosper, sign up through this link and you’ll get $25 just for signing up!

If you have a local Wachovia Bank (Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C.) you might be interested in opening a free checking account with them for a free $50 bonus!

All you have to open a free checking account (no minimum balance requirements, no monthly service fees, and no direct deposit requirements) with $100 and you’ll receive a free $50 bonus within 120 days of opening the account. That’s an easy 50% return on your money and you’ll also get a bank that’s been ranked #1 in customer satisfaction for 6 years straight! You have to open the account by 1/31/2008.

I’m thinking about opening an account because there’s a local branch nearby. However, I probably won’t be using it as my primary bank because their ATM network is not as extensive as WaMu’s.

Here’s the fine print from the site:

To qualify for the $50.00 bonus, you must be a new customer and open your new Checking account between 9/19/2007 and 1/31/2008 with a minimum of $100.00 in new funds to Wachovia.

The account must be in good standing in order to remain eligible for the bonus. Your bonus will be directly deposited into your new Checking account within 120 days of account opening. Limit one bonus offer per household. If you need to contact us regarding this offer, please reference pricing code “ATM2″.

The value of this bonus will be reported to the IRS, state or local tax authorities if required by applicable law, and the recipient is responsible for any federal, state or local taxes on this bonus item. Not valid with any other offers. Accounts subject to approval.

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I just saw this at FatWallet. It’s a $50 bonus for opening an Orange Savings account with ING Direct with a $250 minimum. Normally they only pay out $25 so this is a great deal and an easy 20% instant return on your money. Just go to the special New York Times ING Direct page and enter the code NY3. But hurry up because this expires 9/30/2007.

The interest rate right now is about 4.3% which is still better than most banks! And apparently the $50 bonus posts right away! You don’t even have to wait for it! Also there is no credit check or hard pull when opening this account.

**This is no longer valid but you can still get the regular $25 bonus with a deposit of $250. That’s an instant 10% return! All you have to do is contact me!

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This month only, eBay is running a special No Listing Fees Month! Get rid of some of that junk laying around in your garage taking up space and earn some cash! Now through September 30, 2007, there will be no insertion fees as long as you use a gallery picture and start bidding at $9.99 or less! What a great time sell that stuff you don’t use any more!

If you don’t have an eBay account and are thinking of signing up, email me and I’ll send you a referral and you’ll get your first 3 items listed for FREE and get FREE gallery upgrade (regardless of starting price)! But hurry, this is only through September 15, 2007.

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Who wouldn’t want a free $100 with almost no catches? Well, here it is! If you sign up for a Citibank Ultimate Savings Account (currently paying 4.75%), you will receive a free $100 bonus into your account 90 days after your first statement date! There are absolutely no minimums, no fees and no Citibank checking required! Plus it’s FDIC insured and comes from a reputable bank (Citibank).

You must sign up online. But hurry up because this offer is only good until 8/31/07!

These are the terms straight from the website:

*Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 8/21/2007 and is subject to change without notice. The rate will apply only to accounts opened through citibank.com or by phone, and may change after the account is opened. Fees may reduce earnings.

** $100 Offer is only available for first-time Citibank deposit account customers, and will be paid only once to any individual. Persons who currently have or at any time have had a deposit account at Citibank (or any of its predecessor banks) are not eligible. To qualify for this offer you must apply for and open a new Ultimate Savings Account by 08/31/2007. $100 will be credited to your Ultimate Savings Account within 90 days from the end of the statement period in which your account was opened. Account must be in good standing at the time of the $100 credit. All accounts are subject to approval. Customer must be a citizen or resident alien of the United States (U.S.) with a valid U.S. taxpayer identification number. The amount of any bonus payment will be reported to the IRS as interest earned in the year credited. Persons under 18 years of age are not eligible. Offer may be modified or withdrawn at anytime without notice and is not transferable.

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