Published by Bryan 1 year, 4 months ago
in Life.
I’ve been a longtime user and advocate of ING Direct. They consistently have outstanding customer service, a very intuitive and easy to use website, and a well above average rate on their savings account (currently 4.5%). They do this with absolutely no minimum account balances or fees of any kind.
ING has always been primarily a savings-oriented bank. They’ve always offered savings accounts and CDs and have more recently introduced brokerage and IRA accounts and mortgages.
To my surprise the other day, I noticed they also are now offering a checking account, Electric Orange. It turns out they’re just testing it until mid-February or so, but I was lucky enough to get offered a chance to sign-up.
It’s an “electronic” checking account meaning they don’t have any paper checks which is fine with me since I’ve used about 6 checks in the last two years. They do offer free online bill pay, a debit card, 32,000 ATMs, $1000 in overdraft protection, oh , and a 3% yield with no minimums.
One drawback is that, like other ING accounts, the only way to deposit money is via direct deposit or through a linked checking account (although I expect that might change in the future). Not a huge hassle for me, but it will be something I’ll take into consideration as I test this out.
Published by Bryan 1 year, 4 months ago
in Life.
I think I’d like to add one more to my list of resolutions for 2007:
- To not overextend myself with activities
Published by Bryan 1 year, 4 months ago
in Life.
It’s the time of year once again where people begin making lavish lists of all the “total transformations” they’ll make in order to better their lives in 2007. Like most New Year’s resolutions they’ll go by the wayside, probably before the break of February.
I’ve decided to make a few small, but hopefully manageable resolutions for 2007:
- Eliminate trans-fats from my diet
- Set aside at least 30 minutes a day for relaxation
- Stretch every day
- Exercise at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week.
And what I think will be the hardest for me…
- Eat fewer desserts each week
This past weekend, Adam and I traveled to Virginia to see our friend Courtney graduate from James Madison University.
After arriving on Friday, Adam, Courtney and I headed over to Calhoun’s for dinner. While we were waiting for our reservation we went across the way to the wine shop for a little tasting. I bought an outstanding Cabernet Franc that I could “enjoy at breakfast in the Outer Banks.”
Saturday was graduation day and it was filled with interesting times. The president of JMU was dressed in a purple velvet robe with giant silver bling around his neck. The commencement speaker was pretty bad, but when he was done it was time for lunch.
After lunch we headed to Courtney and Miranda’s graduation party and saw many friends and made some great new ones.
Sunday we had breakfast at The Little Grill and met up with a great new friend, Matt, to head off to a local winery. The winery was fantastic and we all ended up with a few bottles before we left. Matt suggested looking for some place for dinner in one of the little towns near the winery.
After walking around for a bit we ended up heading back to Harrisonburg for dinner at Calhoun’s and then an evening of wine drinking and Arrested Development.
Overall it was a great trip. It was awesome to see Courtney’s graduation after she worked so hard and to make great new friends.
Adam and I are now the proud owner of a Nintendo Wii, who we’ve named Mr. Wii.
I was up in Grand Haven, Michigan this weekend visiting my Grandma, and I noticed a Target ad stating that they would have the Wii on sale on Sunday morning. Since I normally wake up at 6:00 am anyway, I decided just to drive up to Target at 8:00 am when it opened.
There was a small line of people, and when the store opened, a Target employee came out and said they had 9 and began handing out tickets. I just happened to be 9th in line.
I have to say, we’ve only played Wii Sports but it’s just amazingly fun.
I need some Wii friends!
I need more Netflix friends.
Apply within. 
