January 2006 Archives

Bank of America has started a new "kickback" program where you can literally save by spending!

It's called "Keep the Change".

In effect, Bank of America is giving its debit card users up to 99 cents per purchase and transferring that amount into the user's savings account.

Sounds great, right?

"Every time you buy something with a Bank of America Visa debit card, we'll round up your purchase to the nearest dollar amount and transfer the difference from your checking to your savings account free of charge. Because every bag of groceries, every coffee and every tank of gas adds up to more savings for you. So you get to keep the change and grow your savings. What could be easier?" --Bank of America

Truth is, the "Keep the Change" program just may be a better deal for the bank than for you.

Here's why...

How many times have you said, "Now, why didn't I think of that?"

This guy put his one-of-a-kind idea into action when he set out to create a "million dollar homepage".

It's been a huge success. And it's a great example of how you can "think outside the box" and succeed when others might tell you otherwise.

--> Here is Alex's take on things... via his own million dollar blog.

One thing's for sure, Alex Tew certainly has spurred on other people to think of creative "million dollar ideas"...

Did you know this?...

If you use a DEBIT card to pump gas, and you are not asked to enter your PIN, then the moment you scan your card, $50 or so is "frozen" from your bank account in order to pay for whatever amount of gas you should eventually pump there. THEN, even if you only pump say, $20... the remaining $30 that was "frozen" is not immediately available to you?

It's true. It's called debit card blocking.

It happened to my friend the other day. And it showed up clear as day on her "bounced check" notice.

Maybe you've heard the phrase "voice over Internet Protocol" ... otherwise known as VoIP.

Maybe you've heard of "Skype"... otherwise known as the fastest, easiest, and clearest way to talk to other people -- all over the world -- for FREE right from your computer (...rather than on a traditional telephone line).

I had heard about both some time ago, but I didn't think much about them at the time.

I mean... I've got a cellphone. I've got plenty of free roaming minutes each month. And I've even got rollover minutes coming out of my ears. Jim does too.

BUT... Some of our friends & relatives don't!

So it made sense when a friend of ours recently asked us to sign up with Skype(for free) so we could chat with him at length about a tricky computer issue he was having.

I'm not kidding when I say that in less than 5 minutes we were up & running, and eager to explore all that Skypehas to offer... but just then our friend "Skyped us" (a.k.a. phoned us) -- before we could even think of what to do next!

(If someone knows your email address, they can look you up in Skypequick & easy.)