FreedomPop Hotspot now only $40

Two months ago I blogged about my FreedomPop Photon Hotspot. I've been using it every day since and it's great. There are definitely dead spots along my daily routes (see Wimax coverage map), but overall I am quite pleased. It works well in San Jose, Oakland Chinatown, and many spots inbetween. I paid over $104 for it, for which $99 is refundable if I return it within a year.

Today they announced the updated model for only $40! I'll let you read the articles below as that will save me from having to explain everything to you. Essentially it is the same, $0 for 500mb 4G coverage. If you also want 3G coverage (to overlap the dead spots), it's $3.99/month.

Fierce Wireless

Cnet

Gigaom

Sacramento Bee

Techcrunch

For me, other than the original purchase price, I don't pay any recurring fees for the 500mb monthly allowance. When I dipped to less than 100mb left, I automatically got charged $10 to buy credit in case I overuse my monthly allowance. That credit never expires. If you turn off "Auto Top-Off" then you will never get charged the $10, but you will also only get to use 400 of the 500mb.

I currently have five friends that I connect with. Each of them give me an extra 50mb every month. So now every month we all each get a total of 750mb (500mb + 50mb + 50mb + 50mb + 50mb + 50mb). Towards the end of my month, if I have extra mbs that I know I will not use, I can give them to my friends in 20, 50 and 100mb increments. That way I can use up all the data instead of letting it go to waste.

So if you're still sitting on the fence, this is a real no-brainer. Once you get one, I can add your email to our sharing list and Boom! we'll all be up to 750mb just like that! Get another one for your kids and we'll get another 50mb! This is my definition of friends with benefits!

Sign up here: FreedomPop

Free 500mb data with FreedomPop

I've been on the T-Mobile no-contract prepaid plan for eight years now. $100 for 1000 minutes/year just cannot be beat. I purchased the original $100, then just topped off $50 every year after. The unused minutes rollover and never expires as long as I top up before the year is up. With the availability of a land line and wi-fi all day at my desk, I only average about 40 minutes a month, using it mainly on the road and on weekends. I'm sure I've saved into the thousands compared to a monthly plan.

Two things I miss most about my prepaid plan are:

1. Cannot buy $199 iPhone 5. I have to either buy a $649 unlocked version, or buy a used iPhone 4/4S for around $200
2. No data plan. Hotspots are available at many places like McDonalds, Starbucks, library, City of Milpitas, JCPenney, but not when I need it: in my car, at the park, in a restaurant, etc. 

To address the first problem, I have reliable germ-free friends that always sell me their used iPhones when they upgrade. They always want the best, and I'll gladly settle for second best. Thanks to them, I've owned every previous generation of the iPhone.

To address problem number two, I ordered the FreedomPop Photon Hotspot.

For the last two weeks, I've been using the Photon for my daily commute and weekends. It supports up to eight devices on it—enough for both our iPhones, iPad and Macbook. And being in San Jose, the speeds are incredibly fast on Clearwire's 4G Wimax. So far, I've been quite pleased. I reply to email quicker, text message, and use maps for traffic and navigation.

Note: In other places, like along I-880 traveling through Hayward, speeds will drop 50-75%. Also, each speed test eats up 10mb of data, so use sparingly.

500mb for FREE!

With the purchase of the Photon hotspot, you get 500mb for free every month. No strings. The cost of the Photon is $99 + $6.99 shipping and takes two weeks to arrive. They call the $99 a "deposit" because you can return it within a year and get your money back (you pay shipping). What they are hoping is that you will enjoy the service so much, you will just keep the Photon, forfeiting your deposit after a year.

The free 500mb should last about a month if you do moderate levels of email, Facebook and photo uploads. 500mb averages to about 16mb/day. Below is my usage on Friday sitting in a doctor's waiting room, and Saturday at a restaurant. 1mb for checking email, 2-6mb for Facebook updates and light surfing, and 17mb for taking pictures which I set to automatically upload to my photo stream. As demonstrated, it is about 16mb per day, and good enough for me.

If you go over your 500mb, you will be charged 2¢ per mb. Fortunately upon sign up, you are given an extra 1gb to cover any overages. This is a nice perk to relieve any anxiety you might have incurring any surprise charges. If you avoid Netflix, YouTube and other streaming sites, 500mb should be enough.

Earn More Data

You can also pay $10 for 1gb/month, or complete offers to earn additional data. But the easiest way is to just link your friends. If you sign up and find me in your address book, we both get an extra 50mb/month. Additionally, you'll get another 50mb for every friend you connect with, up to 1gb. Unlike Facebook, on FreedomPop there ain't no shame being a friend collector. This is how they try to lock you up after a year. Let's say, upon the 12th month, you have 10 friend getting you an extra 500mb/month free. You won't want to cancel the plan just to get your $99 back. It's better to just stay on for free.

So hurry up and get your FreedomPop Photon, because I just can't wait to be your friend! Yep, you and I can be buddies in the 50/50 club! Please consider it. I even penned a poem to encourage you:

All through the city I walk it alone

searching for wi-fi I can't call my own.

Discovering the Photon is such a cool treat

Too bad for me it's not all-you-can-eat.

 Now searching again for friends to connect

to build up my data, that's all I expect.

 We link up online, rewarded with fifty

Can life be this good, while being so thrifty?

Checking in everywhere, and replying to mail
Post pics from a meal, before it gets stale.
 Maps for directions, news of weather and crime
How'd we live without data for such a long time?

You long for the day to thank me face to face

But now with my hotspot, I'm never in one place.

You think of me often, but please don't lose sight

'Cause I only needed you for fifty megabytes.

-WFP

External links/reviews:

http://www.freedompop.com/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jordanshapiro/2013/02/23/freedompop-hands-on-and-unplugged-at-home/

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2410839,00.asp

http://www.biblemoneymatters.com/freedompop-review-free-4g-wireless-internet-access-can-help-you-save-on-your-cell-phone-bill/

34% off at JCPenny

Right now you can save 34% shopping online at JCPenny. Here's how:

1. Purchase a giftcard from Cardpool. Currently, JCPenny giftcards are at a whopping 28% off! You can choose to have the physical card mailed free to you (for use both instore and online), but that will take a few days. Or you can buy an electronic giftcard (online orders only) and the code will be emailed to you within 24 hours. For me, it took 5 hours.
2. Create an account on Ebates. Right now they are offering 6% cashback if you use their JCPenny link to start shopping. The 6% may last a day or two, but it's possible it may drop back to 3% tomorrow, so don't wait too long.
3. Go to jcpenney.com and start shopping! Use code "JCPSHIP" to get free shipping for orders over $50 (before tax). If your order is less than $50, most items are available for free store pickup. Combine the two steps and you will save 34% without leaving the comfort of your desk!

Note: To doubly make sure you are getting your Ebates, what I like to do is just load up the shopping cart with my final order. Then before checkout, open another browser window. Go to Ebates and link back to JCPenny. Your items should still be in your cart. Check out with your giftcard, and within a day, Ebates will send you a confirmation of your 6% cashback amount. Easy! The funds will be available to you in three months in case you return any items.

A few notable items for sale:

Nike Slide Sandal

Almost as comfy as Crocs, but no way as ugly.

Normally $20, now on sale for $15. $10 after discount.

Adult Rashguard Swimshirt

Why do only kids have swimshirts? I want one to keep me warm and eliminate the forgetful habit of applying sunblock. Plus, it'll hide my farmer's tan and hairy armpits.

Normally $15, now on sale for $12. $8 after discount.

Captain America T-shirt

Yeah! What's not to love? Other TV/Movie designs also available.

Normally $10, now on sale for $7. $4.62 after discount.

I am sure you will find lots of other items suitable for your taste and budget. 34% instantly turns sale items into clearance items. I'm sure you'll have no problem getting to $50. Happy shopping!

SlurpFree Today, May 23

Woohoo! Don't have to wait until July 11.

"Participating 7-Eleven stores, while supplies last

Summer's here and so is FREE Slurpee. Swing by 7-Eleven on May 23rd between 11a-7p and grab yourself 7.11 ounces of cool, refreshing glory juice. Our treat! And don't miss our new Slurpee Lite™ Fanta Sugar-free Mango - 50% fewer calories. Same big Slurpee taste."

https://www.facebook.com/events/412724578757341

The world is coming to an end: Kidvantage ends June 1

I can't believe it, but Sears Kidvantage's Wear-out guarantee is ending June 1. Oh the horror!!!

From their website (http://www.mysears.com/kidvantage/details.html):
"This guarantee will be eliminated for purchases made on June 1, 2012 and thereafter."

That means now is the time to load up on shoes and other clothing. I'm guessing that when you make your first exchange after June 1, you won't be able to make a second exchange unless you retain the original receipt, which the cashier may take from you. The gravy train is over. I am so bummed.

We've saved a ton of money over the last five years. I estimated that we've exchanged well over 20 pairs of shoes and 10 pairs of pants. That's like $800! It will be painful to start buying shoes every three months for each kid (like my rich friends do––how do they do it??). Maybe now we'll just have to keep the kids indoors at all times, or start duct taping the holes, or make them wear flip-flops year round... Actually now that summer is around the corner, we'll send them to the pool more often just to preserve their shoes. Desperate times calls for desperate measures.

Guess we'll just have to find other ways to save money. Speaking of which...

Here's a tip to save money shopping online at Sears (or Home Depot, etc):

• Go buy a gift card at Gift Card Rescue where they sell Sears giftcards at 8.5%* off. Cardpool also sells giftcards but currently Sears is only 7% off.
• Create an account at Ebates (or Fatwallet). Once logged in, from Ebates or Fatwallet, search Sears and click to go to Sears website. You then will get an additional 3 or 4%* cashback for your entire purchase. 

Combine both and you'll get 12.5% off. Select store pick up to avoid shipping cost. That 12% can be quite a big savings if you are buying large items like a tv or an appliance. Hey, it's free money if you want to make the effort.

*Note: The percentage rates fluctuate so everyday may be different. At Ebates and Fatwallet it's usually between 1 and 4% but occasionally it is double so you can get up to 8% back.

Free Onion Rings this weekend at Burger King

http://www.bk.com

Free Slurpee Day Today

Today is July 11 and it's the annual free Slurpee day. As I've discovered over the years, not every store participates in this promo. To maximize your enjoyment potential, try to select the stores in the better neighborhoods and avoid the ones in the ghettolicious parts of town.
Have fun.

http://www.7-eleven.com/

National Doughnut Day Friday

It's been a while since there's been any good freebies. But not to fret, tomorrow, June 3rd, is National Doughnut Day! Stop by Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donuts to get your free doughnut. Enjoy!

LINK

31¢ Scoop Night

Be sure to get your cheap ice cream tomorrow night. Unlike previous years, I think the weather may be pretty warm. Mmm, Gold Medal Ribbon is my favorite! And the next day, my carpoolers may discover just how lactose-intolerant I am :)

http://www.baskinrobbins.com/

Free NIV Bible download for iPhone and Android

LINK


2011 marks the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. To commemorate this milestone achievement, which made the Bible available in the common language of the people, throughout 2011, YouVersion will roll out events and opportunities that will help you more easily access, engage and share the Bible. The first of these events is that Bible App™ users will be able to download the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible. Made possible through a special partnership with Biblica and Zondervan, this offer will only be available for a limited time.

Beginning THIS SATURDAY, February 12, at 8:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time (GMT-5), and lasting for 400 hours, you’ll be able to download the NIV to your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Android device. When you download the NIV, that means you’ll be able to read it even when you can’t connect to your service provider or to the Internet. This special promotion will end on March 1, at 12:00 PM noon U.S. Eastern Time (GMT-5).

Downloading offline versions:

When the NIV becomes available on Saturday, here’s how you’ll be able to get yours:

iPhone/iPad/iPod touch:

Make sure you’re connected to the Internet or to your service provider. Then, from the Bible reader:

1. Tap the top bar, where the current translation is presently displayed.
2. All versions display in alphabetical order by language. Any translation with a download icon (a green box with a white arrow pointing downward) means it’s available as an offline version. Tap that version’s download icon.
3. Follow the instructions and tap the large Download button.

Android:

Make sure you’re connected to the Internet or to your service provider. Then, from the Bible reader:

1. Tap the box at the top right that displays the version short code.
2. All available Bible versions display. Any translation with a download icon (an arrow pointing down) means it’s available as an offline version. Tap that version’s download icon.
3. After a few moments, a different icon displays next to the short code, indicating your download is complete.

1000 Free minutes for iPhone users

 

AT&T is continuing to say thank you to their iPhone users who are sticking with them. Last week was a 20% off an accessory coupon and this week is a free extra 1000 rollover minutes. Some readers have sent in screenshots of the above, let us know if you received one, too. Thanks, Vinod.
Update: We are hearing that if you did not recieve the text just send the word “yes” to the 11113020 number and you will recieve a text that says your account has been credited!  Anyone want to verify?
Update 2: Confirmed below!
Update 3: There was some concern it was a scam but we’ve now verified it with AT&T – It’s legit.

LINK

Welcome to iOS

Thanks to Bank of the West and Christmas gift giving, many of you received either an iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad. For many of you, this will be your first Apple product ever! Congratulations! You are about to enter the Apple ecosystem known as iOS. So get ready, as your life is about to change dramatically for the better. And for those of you who opted for an Android or a Best Buy $299 peecee craptop, good for you too, because you truly got what you deserved.

Free Apps
The biggest appeal being on iOS is the iTunes App Store. There are over 300,000 apps available, both paid and free. Many of the free apps are trial versions that have limited functionality or perhaps just the first few levels of a game. The apps you really want are the full version apps, but for free. Most full version paid apps are only offered free for a very limited time. The best website to find out what paid apps are free daily is freeappalert.com. Bookmark it and check everyday, or subscribe to the RSS feed.

Best Stuff
Engadget recently had an useful article "Just got an iPhone?" It's a brief summary of what's available for the iOS products. Another place I like to go for research is iLounge.com where you can research how-to's or sign up as a member to post questions where tons of knowledgeable people can answer. The apps I personally use the most are iBART (BART schedules), WhatsApp (instant messaging via wifi), and Tango (Facetime/phone over wifi and 3G). And of course, Navigon MyRegion for the iPhone or iPad 3G.

Accessories
If you go to the Apple Store or visit the kiosks inside the mall, you'll find that cases and screen protectors will cost upward of $15 and $7 respectively. If you go on ebay you'll find cases and 3-pack screen protectors starting at 99¢. These products are shipped from China so you can take comfort that you're keeping some 11-yo girl employed at the sweat shop. It will also take two weeks to arrive. If you need it sooner, select a US seller, pay an extra dollar or two, and you should receive in three days. So shop the kiosk and touch and feel the one you like. Then come home and find the exact item on ebay for 1/10th the price. Same applies to chargers and cables. Get a few to leave at the office, car, and each computer.

Jailbreak
Jailbreaking will allow you to customize the icons, background and broadcasting (tethering) your 3G signal. It will also allow you to unlock your iPhone for use on T-Mobile. And it will allow you to install unauthorized and pirated apps. So unless you're on T-Mobile or tethering your unlimited data plan for your iPad to piggyback on, I would not recommend jailbreaking. With the latest 4.2 iOS, some of the jailbreak-only features (background, folders, etc) are already included. If you really want to jailbreak, contact me offline, as there are many different procedures for the many different configurations. iPhone Hacks is one of the sites I subscribe to for jailbreaking instructions. For Mac users, iClarified has some great tutorials. If you want to try, here it is: Instructions for jailbreaking iPod Touch 4g

Halo Effect
Back during the days of the iPhone infancy, many industry pundits spoke of the Apple Halo Effect. It states that non-Mac users with first time Apple experience are causing them to purchase a Mac for the first time also. They realize Apple products just work, and work well – a far departure from the peecee environment. For the last five years, Macs have outpaced the entire computer market in terms of sales growth. So obviously many many people are making the smarter choice to switch. My question to you is: Will you see the light and switch too?

Merry Christmas from Bank of the West

Yesterday, along with many of my faithful and happy readers, I received my free iPod Touch from Bank of the West – just in time for Christmas!

I blogged about this in July and many of you jumped on it immediately. To you, you are welcome! You know a great find when you see it and your sense of urgency is to be commended. To the others who ignored my warning that they might pull the promo early only to find out that that's exactly what happened… well sorry, but I TOLD YOU SO!  You know, I can only lead a horse to water… Bottom line, this is a great freebie that required very little effort.

I also predicted at the time that we would receive the then-not-yet-announced 4th generation iPod Touch with dual cameras ($229 value) rather than the 3rd generation ($199). And again I was right! (Well, maybe I was half-right). Last week, people around the web forums were complaining about receiving the older model, including one friend in Alameda. But the latest batch of iPods delivered yesterday were all reported to be the latest 4th generation! Woohoo! Yep, good things do come to those who wait!

Rumor is that the people who both set up direct deposit and used the card for 20 debit transactions were rewarded with the newer model for being potential excellent customers. But who really knows? Maybe it just comes down to us being special and them being not. Who said life was fair?

So far, online banking at Bank of the West is pretty straightforward. I have yet to walk into a branch office because I don't need to. I can cancel my direct deposit, stop doing direct deposit and bill pay, and it still will not incur any fees. The checking account is really free! My only gripe is that there is a $3 fee to wire money out to another bank. Other than that, I may keep this account for awhile, or until the next great promotion :)

Merry Christmas to all of you.




Photo credit: Bryan's FB

I love me some El Pollo Loco

Something cheap every day this month. Gotta love it!

http://www.elpolloloco.com/30thAnniversary/index.html

Gilroy Gardens for $12

LINK: http://www.gilroygardens.org/schoolspecial.html

Kidvantage: 7 for the price of 1

This morning on the way to a memorial service, with 30 minutes to kill, I decided to swing by Sears in Downtown Oakland. I found plenty of metered parking, even one with 19 minutes left! I looked in my wallet and only had 15¢, which bought me another THREE minutes! So with 22 minutes, I ran into Sears for another Kidvantage exchange.

It's been a while since I blogged about Kidvantage, skipping the last two exchanges. So if you count those exchanges, we've exchanged Dustin's size 2 Skechers SIX times! That means we've gotten 7 pairs for the price of one! If you do the math, at $35-40/pair, we've gotten over $200 worth of additional shoes with the initial $30 purchase. And that's not even counting the many times we exchange for Colby, plus all the pants too! Today I exchanged Dustin's size 3 and Colby's size 12. We seem to do an exchange every 3-4 months.

So a little bit of news, the Kidvantage program is changing a little. Last time when Chrissy exchanged the jeans, she was told that now they require a receipt – she didn't have one. But they know the policy is new so they exchanged it anyway. Perhaps she'll need one next time. We save all our receipts.

Today's exchange went quickly without a hitch, and I was back at the car with 7 minutes left on the meter. To expedite the transaction, find the replacement shoe that's the same size and sale price as the one you are returning. It doesn't even have to be the same brand. And having a receipt will eliminate the use of the Jedi mind trick.

As repeated on my previous post, I know some of you still refuse to shop at Sears. You continue to buy your kid shoes at Footlocker, Kohls, JCPenny, etc., totally ignoring my valuable advice and unnecessarily spending all your hard-earned money... Well that's ok. I truly admire your deep pockets and tremendous spending power. I always say, if I myself can't be rich, the next best thing is to have rich friends!

But a warning to you parents, if your kids refuse the shoes at Sears because they don't like the "style" or what not, and make you spend more elsewhere for a better "style", then your kids are slowly developing an attitude that can easily lead to being high-maintenance as a grown-up. Our kids wear what we buy them and that's that. And when they get older, I'll warn them to stay far away from high-maintenance people – that is, unless they want to be broke the rest of their lives.

When I got home with the new shoes, my boys were thrilled! My mom, fully aware of all our Kidvantage savings said (in Chinese), "Isn't America great?"

From their website (http://www.mysears.com/kidvantage/details.html):
There’s no limit to the savings you can earn with KidVantage Club!

Kidvantage wear-out guarantee
You want the kids’ clothes and shoes you buy to last—especially in today’s economy. That’s why KidVantage Club members get this great guarantee: if the kids’ clothes or shoes you buy at Sears wear out before they’re outgrown, we’ll replace them for free. You’ll get an identical item, whenever possible, or a similar item of equal value in the same size. Please note that you must present your receipt to replace worn-out national brand clothing and shoes.

• The KidVantage® program is not available for purchases made at sears.com. The KidVantage program is only offered through our Sears’ retail stores. Simply provide your phone number to the Sales Associate at the time of purchase.
• KidVantage Club applies to children’s clothes, sizes infant to 20, and children’s shoes, girls’ to size 4, boys’ to size 6, sold by Sears’ retail stores in the U.S.
• Kids’ Lands’ End® merchandise, Great Price Items and clearance merchandise count toward your $100 total and the Wear-Out guarantee. The program does NOT include infant furniture, accessories, electronics and toys.
• After you spend $100 in qualifying purchases, look for your coupon printed on your receipt. The 15% off sales receipt coupon may not be applied toward the purchase of Kids’ Lands’ End® merchandise, Great Price Items or clearance merchandise. The 15% off sales receipt coupon expires 6 months after the date of issue.
• Wear-out guarantee excludes stain-damaged clothing. Your receipt may be required at the time of exchange.
• Sears reserves the right to modify the benefits and incentives or cancel the KidVantage Club at any time.
• All brands are not available at all stores.

What others are saying about Kidvantage:
http://www.viewpoints.com/Sears-Kidvantage-Membership-Club-Childrens-clothing-reviews

Related Links:
1st exchange
2nd exchange
3rd exchange
4th exchange

Talk to Facebook friends for FREE on Vonage

I just found another reason to LOVE my iPhone! Vonage Facebook App!!

Everyone that has an iPhone/Android and Facebook MUST ABSOLUTELY install this app! Especially people like me.

Why I like:

• I'm on prepaid, so using my phone via Vonage does not cost me minutes
• My home got no cell phone coverage, but wifi always on
• I like almost all my 200 Facebook friends and don't ever mind them calling me 
• You don't have to give out your real phone number
• Works with most countries, so no roaming charges
• It's FREE

Props to Will for alerting me to this and being my first Vonage friend. Talking to Will was surprisingly clear on wifi (voice over IP). I looking forward to seeing (and hearing) the rest of you on my Friends list!


Link: NewsFactor Network | Vonage Offers Free Mobile Calls for Facebook Friends

Vonage is getting into the mobile-apps game with a social-media twist, combining two of the tech industry's hottest trends with a new service for Facebook. The Vonage Mobile application lets users make free mobile calls to Facebook friends who also have the app. 

Vonage customers can download the mobile app from the iTunes Store, Android Market, or the Vonage Facebook fan page. The software is free. Then users enter their Facebook ID and password. This only has to be done once.

The software automatically loads the user's Facebook contacts and groups them according to who can be called for free -- that is, those who have also downloaded the Vonage Mobile application for Facebook -- and which friends are available for instant messaging on Facebook.

Finally, the user can touch a friend's name from the Call Free list to make a free call. When the user places a call, the friend's profile picture and status update display on the screen. The phone will ring for incoming Vonage calls from Facebook friends, even if the app is closed.

The app also invites the user's friends who don't have the app to download it on the Vonage Facebook fan page. The service works over Wi-Fi as well as 3G and 4G networks in most countries and essentially eliminates traditional dialing.

Birthday meals

Another good thing about your birthday is the free meals. Above is my Rooty Tooty Fresh N' Fruity meal at IHOP. When you sign up for the Pancake Revolution you'll get a free birthday meal. This sure beats fighting to get that free Denny's Grand Slam with a million other people early in the morning. I just went to my local IHOP within a two-week window of my birthday and got my free meal. And for the month of August, kids 12 and under eat for free every day, 4-10 p.m.

And speaking of Denny's, I just found out that they also offer a free birthday Grand Slam. I'm signing up for Denny's Rewards here. And just like IHOP, kids also eat free at Denny's from 4-10 p.m.

Every year I also go to Red Robin to get my free overpriced burger. Their $10 burgers come with endless fries, and the $4.45 kid meals come with endless chocolate milk or lemonade. You don't necessarily have to order the hamburger, so I opted for a Teriyaki Chicken burger. It was so good that I went to a second Red Robin for a second free meal two days later! But at my second visit, I wanted what my friend had at my first visit, the Ensenada Chicken platter. Since my coupon was only good for a burger, I ordered a burger for my friend, and my friend ordered the chicken platter for me! Plus I get to mooch off their endless fries! Also at the second visit, I got a free hot fudge ice cream sundae! (I'm guessing this depends on your waiter). Sign up for their E-Club here.

And don't forget about the dessert. You can sign up yourself, spouse, kids, parents, etc. for birthday clubs for both Cold Stone Creamery and Baskin Robbins.

Happy birthday and happy eating!

Free iPod Touch

Here's an easy way to get a free iPod Touch. Start with $100 deposit and set up direct deposit of your paycheck. Be patient because your iPod won't be delivered until December 15, but that is a good thing. Why?

Apple has consistently updated the iPod line at the end of every summer. That's why during the summer they offer free iPod Touches with Mac purchases for educational buyers – they want to clear out the old stuff before the new one arrives. So come December when the Bank of the West starts shipping the iPod Touches, chances are you'll get the latest 4th generation model, which is highly rumored to include a camera and Facetime like the latest iPhone 4. Even in the fine print it states, "The iPod touch® shipped may differ from the iPod touch® shown."

Sign up deadline is September 3, but I wouldn't wait that long in case they decide to pull the promotion early. Now I'll have to get my wife to close her Citibank account, which by the way, we opened five years ago just to get a free iPod Mini. Prior to that, I opened and closed a Citibank account to get the Sony DVD player we currently use. Don't you just love it when banks compete?

SIGN UP HERE


Fine print:
Open any new personal checking account and either establish minimum monthly recurring direct deposit of $500, or make 10 bill payments with Bank of the West Online Banking or make 20 debit card transactions. Direct deposit must be payroll, Social Security, pension or other government benefits. Qualifying debit card transactions include signature, or PIN-based purchases only. Qualifying transactions must be completed by 10/31/10. Offer valid for new personal checking accounts opened from 07/19/10 – 09/3/10 with $100 or more from a financial institution other than Bank of the West. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer and is subject to change without prior notice and may be terminated at any time. Offer valid for qualifying accounts opened at participating branches in CA, CO, UT, WY, and NV or opened online. Offer does not apply to second or multiple checking accounts. Limit of one new checking account bonus per household per calendar year. iPod touch® will be shipped to your account address of record by December 15, 2010. You must have a U.S. mailing address on 10/31/10 to be eligible. Accounts overdrawn or closed as of 10/31/10 are not eligible for this offer. The iPod touch® shipped may differ from the iPod touch® shown. To the extent required by law, Bank of the West will report the value of the iPod touch® to the IRS on Form 1099. Any applicable taxes are the responsibility of the account holder. All accounts are subject to the Bank’s standard terms and conditions and fee schedule. Apple, iPod and iPod touch are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple is not a participant in or sponsor of this promotion. ©2010 Bank of the West. Member FDIC.

7-Eleven Day is Sunday

7-Eleven Day 2010
Join us at any participating 7-Eleven Store in the US and get a free 7.11oz Slurpee drink.

We try to go every year. And your mileage may vary (YMMV). Try to avoid the ones located in the ghetto. Chances are, they're either not participating or their machine is "broken".

LINK