Comments on: Money For Nothing: Five Ways To Put Money In Your Pocket With Zero Effort http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:44:30 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: t.lawler http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-152911 t.lawler Fri, 11 Jan 2008 18:16:05 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/#comment-152911 does any one think that every light bulb in thier home is on for 4 hours a day. in your case you state that an average person uses 80 hours (20X4) of electric power everday day for light. I don't think so. Most people that have to pay thier own electric bills are already know the cost of lighting. that is why they turn off unused lighting. does any one think that every light bulb in thier home is on for 4 hours a day. in your case you state that an average person uses 80 hours (20X4) of electric power everday day for light.

I don’t think so. Most people that have to pay thier own electric bills are already know the cost of lighting. that is why they turn off unused lighting.

]]> By: Lyria Peynado http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-49102 Lyria Peynado Sun, 22 Jul 2007 14:56:44 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/#comment-49102 I have started recently using CFL's and I have experienced my energy bill reducing. For my PC, I constantly comes in from work to find the PC running with everyone asleep and have to go ahead and sgut it down. Thanks for the innovative ideas alot. For savings, I am already on the ball with ING. I have encouraged my children, friends and co-workers to join; it has beeb rewarding. Since my grand-daughters birth, I have started an account for her also. I have started recently using CFL’s and I have experienced my energy bill reducing. For my PC, I constantly comes in from work to find the PC running with everyone asleep and have to go ahead and sgut it down. Thanks for the innovative ideas alot. For savings, I am already on the ball with ING. I have encouraged my children, friends and co-workers to join; it has beeb rewarding. Since my grand-daughters birth, I have started an account for her also.

]]> By: Jess http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-25400 Jess Mon, 14 May 2007 03:21:43 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/#comment-25400 Macs have the same option to automatically shutdown, as well as the option to automatically start up (which might be of interest to those that are plugged into their computers all the time). You go to the System Preferences then click on the Energy Saving option and then click on the Schedule button. From there you can schedule when you want your computer to turn off and on. You do nothing but that :) Macs have the same option to automatically shutdown, as well as the option to automatically start up (which might be of interest to those that are plugged into their computers all the time). You go to the System Preferences then click on the Energy Saving option and then click on the Schedule button. From there you can schedule when you want your computer to turn off and on. You do nothing but that :)

]]> By: Nguyen http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-11506 Nguyen Mon, 19 Mar 2007 23:30:16 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/#comment-11506 You might want to also check out AmTrust's e-Money Market account, which is currently earning 5.35%. This is not an introductory rate from what I can tell. $1K minimum to start but once you have the account, only $.01 is required to keep it open. Since you can link to a number of external accounts, I'm going to take full advantage and shop around for better rates, including introductory. My transfers in and out of AmTrust seems to take only a day or two to clear. You might want to also check out AmTrust’s e-Money Market account, which is currently earning 5.35%. This is not an introductory rate from what I can tell. $1K minimum to start but once you have the account, only $.01 is required to keep it open.

Since you can link to a number of external accounts, I’m going to take full advantage and shop around for better rates, including introductory. My transfers in and out of AmTrust seems to take only a day or two to clear.

]]> By: Andy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-10085 Andy Sat, 10 Mar 2007 18:40:39 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/#comment-10085 I especially like the idea of that savings account deductions plan. I'd even be interested in joining. And as for the computer, that makes a lot of sense. I have done a lot of P2P downloading in the past and would leave my comps on but now that my hard drives are completely full I think I'll start implementing this practice. I especially like the idea of that savings account deductions plan. I’d even be interested in joining. And as for the computer, that makes a lot of sense. I have done a lot of P2P downloading in the past and would leave my comps on but now that my hard drives are completely full I think I’ll start implementing this practice.

]]> By: Trent http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-9008 Trent Mon, 05 Mar 2007 01:27:03 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/#comment-9008 HSBC's rate increase is temporary - it only lasts until April 30, 2007, then the accounts return to the old rate. HSBC’s rate increase is temporary – it only lasts until April 30, 2007, then the accounts return to the old rate.

]]> By: k8lynn http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-8991 k8lynn Sun, 04 Mar 2007 22:41:18 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/#comment-8991 Your advice to open an ING account is out of date. HSBC direct has been offering 6% since the beggining of the year. It is beating ING. BTW..I opened an ING account last year with their special rate. This year I opened an HSBC account. One thing that I beleive HSBC is doing that ING is not, it lets you link more than one account. As soon as I figure out how to link ING, I am going to transfer the $s. Your advice to open an ING account is out of date. HSBC direct has been offering 6% since the beggining of the year. It is beating ING.

BTW..I opened an ING account last year with their special rate. This year I opened an HSBC account. One thing that I beleive HSBC is doing that ING is not, it lets you link more than one account. As soon as I figure out how to link ING, I am going to transfer the $s.

]]> By: Dannyboy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-7519 Dannyboy Sat, 24 Feb 2007 05:25:55 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/#comment-7519 Paypal consistantly pays at least 1/2% higher than ING on their deposits. Paypal consistantly pays at least 1/2% higher than ING on their deposits.

]]> By: Melissa http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-5958 Melissa Sun, 11 Feb 2007 06:37:12 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/#comment-5958 Great article....thanks for the tips. I will open an account with ING ASAP!! Great article….thanks for the tips. I will open an account with ING ASAP!!

]]> By: One Man Band » This Week’s Carnival of the Capitalists is Up http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-321 One Man Band » This Week’s Carnival of the Capitalists is Up Mon, 27 Nov 2006 21:41:28 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/#comment-321 [...] The second-click-through award goes to The Simple Dollar for “Money For Nothing: Five Ways To Put Money In Your Pocket With Zero Effort” because a one-man band should always be looking for ways to make or stretch a dollar, as long as it doesn’t distract from the main event. (Sadly, I already do three out of the five suggestions — and my fussy hubby dislikes flourescent lighting, so that one is out.) [...] [...] The second-click-through award goes to The Simple Dollar for “Money For Nothing: Five Ways To Put Money In Your Pocket With Zero Effort” because a one-man band should always be looking for ways to make or stretch a dollar, as long as it doesn’t distract from the main event. (Sadly, I already do three out of the five suggestions — and my fussy hubby dislikes flourescent lighting, so that one is out.) [...]

]]> By: Becca http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-283 Becca Thu, 23 Nov 2006 00:12:05 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/#comment-283 Good suggestions. I'd add that often you can find discounts or rebates for CF bulbs - the 99 Ranch (an Asian grocery store) around here offers 3 bulbs for $1 which is partly subsidized through PG&E (the gas and electric company). Also, I'm surprised that anyone pays $4.99 for a 4-pack of T.P. We pay less than that for 12 rolls. Good suggestions. I’d add that often you can find discounts or rebates for CF bulbs – the 99 Ranch (an Asian grocery store) around here offers 3 bulbs for $1 which is partly subsidized through PG&E (the gas and electric company).

Also, I’m surprised that anyone pays $4.99 for a 4-pack of T.P. We pay less than that for 12 rolls.

]]> By: Matt http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-282 Matt Wed, 22 Nov 2006 21:51:45 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/#comment-282 Great suggestions though I don't think I would be able to shut the computer down each night. I'm one of those people who has their computer doing stuff virtually all the time. But I think it might make a big impact on the electricity bill. Great suggestions though I don’t think I would be able to shut the computer down each night. I’m one of those people who has their computer doing stuff virtually all the time.

But I think it might make a big impact on the electricity bill.

]]> By: Joseph Huang http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-279 Joseph Huang Wed, 22 Nov 2006 18:59:53 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/#comment-279 Most consumers are not charged by power factor. There is only a bit of mercury, much less than what would be in the air due to coal-burning to supply a incadescent. Old flourescents took 1 minute or longer to reach maximum brightness, but the new ones take a few seconds. Most consumers are not charged by power factor. There is only a bit of mercury, much less than what would be in the air due to coal-burning to supply a incadescent. Old flourescents took 1 minute or longer to reach maximum brightness, but the new ones take a few seconds.

]]> By: Yan http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-278 Yan Wed, 22 Nov 2006 17:35:06 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/#comment-278 I understand you stress out the financial side of the story yet here are a few cons of using CFL's: 1. You cannot dimm fluorescent lamps 2. Mercury they contain presents an environmental hasard (must dispose of properly) 3. They pollute the grid power quality 4. They have much worse power factor (have to take that into account in your calculations) 5. Emitted light quality is close to but not as good as that of regular bulbs 6. They do not lighten up right away and some take time to fully brighten up (1 minute or longer) I understand you stress out the financial side of the story yet here are a few cons of using CFL’s:
1. You cannot dimm fluorescent lamps
2. Mercury they contain presents an environmental hasard (must dispose of properly)
3. They pollute the grid power quality
4. They have much worse power factor (have to take that into account in your calculations)
5. Emitted light quality is close to but not as good as that of regular bulbs
6. They do not lighten up right away and some take time to fully brighten up (1 minute or longer)

]]> By: bluntmoney http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-276 bluntmoney Wed, 22 Nov 2006 16:12:37 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/#comment-276 I agree with you on all of those (and do them, too). You save one more way by using CFLs too if you live somewhere that it's hot most of the time: regular light bulbs put off a ton of heat, so if you change them out for CFLs your rooms will be cooler and you'll have to run the AC less. I agree with you on all of those (and do them, too). You save one more way by using CFLs too if you live somewhere that it’s hot most of the time: regular light bulbs put off a ton of heat, so if you change them out for CFLs your rooms will be cooler and you’ll have to run the AC less.

]]> By: Trent http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-274 Trent Wed, 22 Nov 2006 15:34:06 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/#comment-274 My only comment on this is purely anecdotal. Where I grew up, we were on the edge of the electrical grid, so surges were common. We would blow ordinary light bulbs all of the time, but we used fluorescent bulbs for growing plants and such and I don't even recall a single fluorescent bulb blowing - other than one I dropped on the floor. So, my guess would be yes. You could buy one or two and try them out and see if they blow. My only comment on this is purely anecdotal. Where I grew up, we were on the edge of the electrical grid, so surges were common. We would blow ordinary light bulbs all of the time, but we used fluorescent bulbs for growing plants and such and I don’t even recall a single fluorescent bulb blowing – other than one I dropped on the floor. So, my guess would be yes. You could buy one or two and try them out and see if they blow.

]]> By: Andrew Barilla http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/comment-page-1/#comment-273 Andrew Barilla Wed, 22 Nov 2006 15:17:30 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/22/money-for-nothing-five-ways-to-put-money-in-your-pocket-with-zero-effort/#comment-273 My family is big on sustainable living and would love to use the florescent light bulbs more but we have a concern. Our electric service coming is constantly surging and there have been cases where conventional light bulbs have blown less than 24 hours after replacing them. This problem is outside of their house but the electrical company is in denial about it. Anyway, to make a long story short, does anyone know if these light bulbs are more resilient to surges than conventional ones? My family is big on sustainable living and would love to use the florescent light bulbs more but we have a concern. Our electric service coming is constantly surging and there have been cases where conventional light bulbs have blown less than 24 hours after replacing them. This problem is outside of their house but the electrical company is in denial about it.

Anyway, to make a long story short, does anyone know if these light bulbs are more resilient to surges than conventional ones?

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