More resources

I hesitate to plug products but, if you noticed on this week's lesson in the member resource center, Dave is plugging identity theft insurance from a company called Zander Insurance Group.

So, with Dave's "blessing," I thought I'd share a few products that Danielle and I are using and mention some others shared in class. Most of these are online products so my apologies to those who don't like to mix technology and finances!

Accounts for Emergency Fund and "Sinking Funds" (e.g. for Car purchase)

• HSBCAdvance online money market account (1.35% APR as of 2/4/10).
  
  Using it as our emergency fund with ACH withdrawal from my main checking account on a predetermined basis.
  
  
• PerkStreet Financial online checking account (1 transactions/month like a deposit, transfer, payment or ATM withdrawal to avoid $4.95/month fee; get a debit card and checkbook; music, coffee or cash rewards which accrue with "credit" transactions linked to checking account - not actually credit purchases).
  
  Using it as our "sinking fund" to pay for things like property taxes and other large purchases that we're saving up for. Transfer funds online per our allocated spending plan.
  
  **SHAMELESS PLUG** If you do sign up for PerkStreet, please reference my phone number 4152365137. I'll treat you to coffee or buy you a song on iTunes when I get our first rewards :)

Tools for tracking your spending

• "My Spending Report" or similar products at your financial institutions usually provide online, real-time data to help you see where the money goes.
• Mint.com* is a free online tool to manage budgets and track your spending. It can provide a comprehensive view of your assets and liabilities in one place.
• Mvelopes.com* is an online, subscription-based services based on the envelope system.

* Danielle and I don't use these personally.

What else is out there that you're using?