Apple Bank lowered its rates on Thursday December 20, 2007.  The following rates are still in the top ten but they have lost the #1 spot on the 1 year CD chart slipping a few spots to E*Trade.  Below is a recap on how the rates changed –

1 year:  5.16% to 5.05%

2 years:  5.11% to 5.05%

5 years:  5.14% to 5.11%

Apple Bank is a FDIC insured bank and more information can be found on their website.

A new bank has popped into the picture offering great CD rates for a reasonable value.  New Bank is FDIC insured and only requires a $5,000 minimum deposit on all of their CDs.

Their rates as of 12/18/2007 –

Besides the great CD rates, New Bank is offering a great promotion, here are the details –

Open a checking account with $2,500 and New Bank will pay you $50

Terms and conditions can be found on their website, located here.

Yes, it’s the holiday season once again and what does this mean?  You guessed it, it’s time to whip out your wallet and start spending for the relatives.  I thought up of a couple ideas that can help you save a few bucks during the holiday season.

Talk with friends and exchange cards

Like most adults, we really don’t need that much once we get older.  When you get to that age where you can buy anything, it’s hard to buy for other people.  Instead of purchasing gifts they may not use, just tell everyone ahead of time that you should just exchange a simple card with a basket of goodies.

Have a potluck

If you hold the Christmas party or one of your relatives do, simply ask if they want to hold a potluck type dinner.  Each guest can bring a specialty dish.  A good idea when it comes to dishes is that each child can bring a particular theme.  You can say the wives have to bring a side salad dish, while the husbands bring the meat dishes.

Draw names

If you usually buy gift for everyone in the family, you should bring up the idea of having a gift exchange.  Simply get together around thanksgiving or a few weeks prior and draw a name.  This way you’re only entitle to buying a gift for one person.

Recycle last year’s decorations

If you throw away the decorations each year, simply throw them into a box and throw them up into the attic.  When the Christmas season comes around again, you pull out this box and decorate the house.

This one is for all of you last minute christmas shoppers out there.  I recently came across a great deal that most of you should take advantage of!  If you haven’t already noticed but Google is offering a very nifty “checkout” program.  Like paypal, Google’s checkout system is very easy to use and it’s very user friendly.

During the Christmas Season, you can save up to $50 with a few online retailers like –

Aeropostale
Beauty.com
Buy.com
Drugstore.com
TigerDirect.com

A whole list can be found on the Google Checkout deals webpage.

Open up a free compass bank build to order free checking account and recieve a $50 Itunes Gift Card.  This offer expires on 12/31/2007 and you must make an initial deposit of at least $25.  Here’s a quote from their website –

You must complete an online Personal Checking application, be approved to open a new Compass Build-to-Order Free Checking account online and make an initial deposit of at least $25 within 30 days of registering for this offer.

See the full terms on compass bank’s website.