Why You Need $500 in the Bank

While this isn't spot on with regard to deals and savings, I think this very good article by Liz Pulliam Weston over at MSN Money is a great primer on the importance of savings, and how specifically a small nest egg, $500, can save you money every day. Here are a few suggestions that my wife and I have found to work. We have recently bumped up our savings efforts:

1. Set up a savings account at another bank. We have a high interest savings account at an online bank(Check out E-Trade's 4.40% Savings Account). Every payday we transfer some money into that account. We can access the money if we need it, it just takes a little effort. So, money that goes there, stays there.
2. Collect all of your change. We had over $200 in change sitting around the house. Now it is in the high yield savings. Found money!
3. Watch the grocery bills. My wife is a master at this. She sets a budget for the shopping for the week, and then celebrates when she is able to get everything on her list for less than the budget. Sure, sometimes the budget isn't enough and we go over, but when we are under, the extra goes into savings!

Just using these three tips, we have put away enough for 1 month's mortgage payment. That is a huge cushion that we haven't had before. It wasn't hard to do, it just takes a little planning.

Save some money by saving! Duh. What a concept!

Comcastic? Yeah, Comcastic!

Hey gang, I was talking with some of my friends that have DSL the other day. They were talking about speed, and service and everyone seemed to have some kind of complaint about their service provider. I have been using Comcast (back when they were MediaOne) and rarely, if ever have a problem. And where I live, they just rolled out a DVR with Tivo software that is pretty sweet. Right now they have a Triple Play that has cable, phone and broadband internet for $99/mo. It is definitely a good deal. The internet speed is awesome, and the TV service is good, and if you switch to their phone service, you get to keep your number...and, in some markets, they have a mobile service called Pivot which is pretty good, too. Comcast Digital Cable worth checking out.

Traveling? Need a place to stay?

Typically, when I travel for business, the trips are last minute and often too expensive. I have really come to like Hotels.com
. They find prices that you can't get anywhere else. I haven't done the Priceline thing, but on my last last minute trip to Kansas City, I paid almost $40 less than my traveling companion...and he booked direct from the hotel. I can't guarantee it, but I am now a Hotels.com convert. Check them out.

Want to save $7,000,000,000?

According to a recent report, folks who show on ebay have collectively save $7 BILLION dollars vs buying products at retail. Talk about a great deal! Click here for eBay!

Credit Tools

A big part of financial success is managing one's credit. The difference between great credit and bad credit can cost you thousands of dollars a year in increased house payments, insurance payments, credit card interest rates. It is important to keep your eye on your credit. I am using Equifax. Check it out. Get Equifax Credit Watch Gold 3-in-1 Now! This isn't a huge endorsement of Equifax, because I believe that all of these services offer roughly the same kind of service, but Equifax was easy to use and modestly priced. And it helped me find errors on my report. Enjoy.

10% Off Patriots and Giants Gear At Amazon. Offer expires 1/25/08

The big game is approaching and Amazon is offering 10% Off Patriots gear. Things like dartboards, chairs, etc. Apparently, they offer Giants products too, though one cannot imagine why.

Go Pats. This offer expeires 1/25/08.

Great FREE Checking offer from WaMu

So, I have a WaMu Credit Card that I like very well. It has a great rate. But I discovered a very good, FREE checking account from WaMu. It offers FREE ATM withdrawals, FREE checks for life, and a Gold Debit Card that pays $0.03 per Mastercard transaction and that is good for up to $250 a year. That is pretty sweet. Check it out: WaMu Free Checking

Save 5% at Buy.com Through 1/31/08

OK, Just got this link $5 off $100 All Stores Coupon! New Customers Only - See Site for Details! exp 1/31/08 Buy.com has great products, great prices, and get there before the end of the month.

Dish TV Offers

Hey Gang, there are great offers available from Dish TV these days. Satellite TV is growing in popularity everyday, and the picture quality is great. There are a ton of high-def options. It is hard to find places that have the best products, and great service, but there is a company called All American Dish. They offer the very best satellite TV offers, they offer NATIONWIDE installation, and fantastic customer service. Check them out, great DISH TV offers from All American Dish!

FON Free WiFi Anywhere?

I was out shoveling snow the other day, and as I cleared off the sidewalk at the corner, I noticed a "warchalking" symbol attached to the telephone pole. Apparently, someone has figured out that my network isn't secured. I was doing a little poking around, and I discovered this really interesting company, FON, that allows you to share your WiFi. In return, you get some cash, OR the opportunity to jump on anyone of FON's 450,000 WiFi partners. Seems pretty interesting, and it is certainly cheaper than a mobile broadband card from any carrier. Worth checking out.

Welcome to Deal City Blog

Hey Gang, I am going to post the very best deals I can find....every day.

The goal of this blog is two-fold:

1. I want to make this a great place to stop to find deals on all sorts of things, not just products, but services, credit cards, etc. I like to save a few bucks when I buy stuff, so I bet you would like to do so as well.
2. I want to make this a place where I can talk about companies and opportunities that I like!

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you find something to buy!