*Updated 01/12/2009*

At the beginning of this year I opened a high-yield savings account, something that has been a goal of mine for a long time. After much research on the best high-yield savings programs, I chose to open my account with ING Direct.  Thanks to their great referral progam, I got $25 free for opening my account with $250.

To get the $25 bonus:

• Either leave a comment with your email or use my contact form.  I will send you a referral within 1-2 days.  (Please note:  don’t type your exact email, otherwise bots will pick it up and you’ll start getting spammed!  It should look something like janedoe @ youremailserv dot whatever)
• Once I receive your request, I’ll email you a referral link.
• Use the referral link in the email, and complete the application.  (don’t worry about entering a promotional code; the links have that information built in)
• Deposit a minimum of $25o when you open the account and leave it there for 30 days.
• Get your free $25!
• Start referring other people!

Another great thing about ING is that there is no minimum balance requirement and no annual or monthly fees. Interest on your savings account is accrued daily, compounded monthly and credited to your available balance at the end of each month.  The current Annual Percentage Yield is 2.5%.

By using one of my referral links, I will also get a $10 bonus, which will go straight into my new emergency fund.  So thank you ahead of time   Once you join, then you can start referring more people and earning more money!

Remember to check out your local Craigslist or Freecycle site today for garage sales or cheap furniture. Odds are you’ll be able to find decent furniture for a low price, maybe even free.

I’m moving at the end of this month, and we will have furnished much of our house for a very low price. This will include two free couches from the previous renter! And I’m getting a really nice big framed mirror from my boyfriend’s roommate; he was going to throw it away!

One of the best ways to score free stuff is to just ask. You would be surprised to find how much people actually throw away because they don’t want to haul it. I remember seeing a leather couch in the dumpster one year at my college!

*Note* For those of you that are grossed out by used furniture, just pick up some upholstery cleaner. It might take you 30 minutes or so to clean it, but hey, it’s better than paying $500 or more for one that probably won’t last that long anyways.

Photo credit: khargrav