So Far So Good

So I got my ING pin code in the mail and used the card yesterday to pay for groceries. It went thru without any problems. Yay. I'm wondering when I will recieve my free cheques though.

Another bonus? I got the $100 yesterday in my account as promised and without me having to inquire about it. I love ING.

So what shall I do with this $100? Well I think its time to start those retirement savings. Something that is long overdue.

I'm Thriving

While I was away for one year of travels I tried to still check up on my fav blogs when I could. When I found out ING was offering chequing accounts I was all like HOT DAMN. So excited. I felt reserved though about it. I know I L-O-V-E my savings with them but I wanted to hold back before switching completely over. Since then I've been laying back waiting to hear some positive feedback from other bloggers or have some extra incentive to switch.
Recently while reading Asian Pears blog I learned about the $100 payroll deposit bonus. I was on it like white on rice. It was super easy for me to set up the chequing account online. I was able to locate all the info I need for payroll without a problem. The tricky part was I learned about this on a Friday which was exactly one week before my next payday and it was the only one left before the cutoff of Aug 31st. Luckily my payroll lady is super efficient and it all worked out.
The only snag being that I didnt have a bank card for them yet so I had to wait for my payroll to be deposited and then set up a transfer to my regular bank CIBC aka Devil in Disguise. Luckily I had some cash on hand to get me through the weekend so it worked out. Monday the card arrived but without the pin so I'm still waiting for that piece of the puzzle. The card however is super funky and I love it.
I need to clarify that I am not a rate chaser. I have wanted to make the switch for awhile. I like that I will now be able to switch $ from chequing to savings instantly. I like that there are no fees and I make a teensy bit of interest. The only draw back is the ATMs. CIBC has really super convient spots as where the company ING is hooked up with for sharesies is a local credit union which I find are kind of out the way even though there are 11 of them. I can help avoid this by using mostly interac purchases and taking out extra cash when I do so.
So we'll see how it goes. I have yet to use the card as I'm still waiting on the pin. I will keep my CIBC account though and just switch it to a lower fees account. It has an awesome VISA option I want to keep and its a good place to cash a cheque in a hurry.
Who else is thinking of or has made the switch?


*special note* AP I owe a lunch out when you come this way in 2012. Thanks for the heads up lady :)

Inspector Gadget

Hmmm, I guess I've been out of the savings game for a while because interest rates seem soooo low. Is it just me? Boourns. Oh well, I am still excited to start setting up new savings goals and pushing to meet my numbers.

I've been trying to figure out with bank to set up my TFSA and start my RSP investments with and I'm thinking for now its going to be good old ING. I seriously love that bank. I figure the first step is to just get started and they seem to offer the best rates so far. Also I have never had any hassles with them and find them super helpful whenever I've had to call in.

I was pretty excited when I heard about the THRIVE chequing accounts a few months back but I'm not sure if I'm ready to switch over. I currently pay I believe $8/mo for my chequing account with CIBC. I could be saving some major dough if I paid say.. no fees and earned interest on top of that.

So I'm curious. Are any of you set up with an ING chequing account? If not, are you considering?

54% There

I made a xfer to ING today for $350. It was a tight squeeze with all that I have going on right now but I know I'll be glad later on that I did it. This clears one goal off of my list for the month and brings me to 54% of my goal for the Aussi Fund. Yay!

Happy Anniversary ING!

Today I logged onto my ING to make a xfer and there was a happy little animated card wishing me a happy anniversary. Aww, we've been together two years this month and even though times have been rough lately I still love you best. Muah!!


While I was there I xfered $100 to the Australia Fund. I get paid on Friday and wanted to squash the spending bug by getting it out of my reach and into savings. I guess that was the GST/Climate money so I saved it after all. Yay!

P.S - ING is now down to 1.7% :(


Total Saved For Trip - $2354 (or 47%)

Exciting News!!

Since I've been in such good spirits lately I've decided to go ahead and set up another savings account with ING Direct for my Australia fund. I don't have much to put in it right now so I did the minimum transfer of $10 to get it started. Yahoo!!!!!

You may have noticed the tiny change on my side bar indicating the first small step to making this trip a reality. I am so happy about this!

It was SO easy!! I was able to do it online all by myself within two minutes. I called in to make sure I had done it correctly, which I had, so now I feel confident I could set up others if I liked no problem.

If you are thinking of opening an online savings account with ING Direct please consider using my link on the right to earn both you and myself $13 with a minimum start up deposit of $100. This offer is good for Canadians only. If you are an American leave me a comment and I'll direct you to a friend with an American link.

ING Direct Flowers

The other day I checked my PO Box and there was a letter from ING Direct. With the letter was a small orange flower that is packed full of flower seeds. All you do is soak the flower over night and then plant it!

Thanks ING for a great surprise in the mail! Just one more reason why I love thee sooooo much!