So, I just joined Alliant Credit Union for their currently quite high (compared to all other banks) 2.00% APY on their savings account.  They have received a lot of great reviews from other users (fatwallet finance forum members speak highly of them), and they’ve kept their savings interest rates at the top end of banks and credit unions for a while now.

I will be moving the majority of my savings into this account… 2% isn’t amazing, but it isn’t shabby for a free savings account with no hoops to jump through.  They also offer free bill pay, and ACH push and pull to other accounts.  I already got my box of free checks, and ATM card.

In order to join, you have to be a member of a qualifying organization, of which there are many.  If you aren’t, you can also donate $10 to Orphan Foundation of America to become a member, and then join Alliant.  Just a heads up, Alliant does a hard pull on your credit report to open an account.  So far, I’m happy with their customer service.  Will report on any issues that I have, as I use the account more.

Linky

Tags: No Comments.

My favorite gaming site, ecribbage.com has added Avatars (no, not the movie).  These are characters that you can customize, similar to Mii characters on the Wii console.  A lot of fun, and really adds some cool customization to the gaming community. Here is my character:

Can’t wait to see what they add next!

Tags: No Comments.

In anticipation of the new Wii Fit Plus (Pre-order now!!), I’ve revamped my article on how to keep your Wii Fit Balance Board clean… Enjoy!

After using the Wii Fit for a while – it gets DIRTY! Here are a few tips to help keep your balance board clean:

1) Pick up a silicone sleeve for your balance board online. Not only will it help keep your balance board clean, it will cushion your feet and help keep you comfortable while standing on the board. You can pick a sleeve up here.

2) Wear socks – Wearing socks will not only help cushion your feet, they will help keep your board clean. Obviously you will want to wear clean socks. I picked up a pair of Injinji Toe Socks. They’re nice because you can spread your toes out and that helps with your balance (plus they look cool!)

3) If you’ve already gotten your board dirty, I’ve found that Mr. Clean Magic Erasers work really well at cleaning the dirt and gunk off the board.

Let me know what you think about these suggestions and if you have any more ideas!

Tags: 2 Comments

My buddy Damien continues to improve on his site, eCribbage.com and the awesome app he wrote that you can play cribbage with people from around the world.

He has added a new menu system – navigating the game is now a lot more intuitive and easy.

He has also added the ability to play against a computer opponent called “HAL” which is great. If I want to get in a game but I can’t find anyone to play against, I can always play HAL.

I already bought a PRO membership which adds the ability to track your ranking, play in weekly tournaments, and win trophies, ribbons, etc. The additional stats that PRO gives me is a huge plus.

I can’t wait to see the continuing improvements to come for eCribbage.com… Go check it out!

Tags: No Comments.

Well, I finally got an iPhone. Work is paying for the plan, so figured I might as well, right? Anyway, I am posting this blog entry from the wordpress app. Let’s see how it works!

Tags: No Comments.

Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve posted… must. get. better. about. updating. blog…

So I have a new road bike now, woohoo! Living closer to work (about 5.5 miles), so I’m planning on starting to ride into work a few days a week soon (rode in once a couple weeks ago and it wasn’t too bad!)

The bike is a pretty cool Scattante aluminum frame with carbon fiber fork that I got from Performance Bike… My friend Cliff sold me his old bike that I was able to harvest all the components off of (Shimano 105 Ultegra stuff mostly) and UCSD Bike Shop threw it all together for me for about $100! Not too shabby!

Here’s a crappy cell phone pic – I’ll get a better picture up here soon:

Tags: No Comments.

One of my favorite blogs to visit (almost daily) is lifehacker.com.
They feature all sorts of great tips to help you get things done smarter and more “efficiently.”  I often learn about nifty software tools that I’ve never heard of that speed up my computer work, ideas to be more productive at work and in my personal life.

I would also highly recommend the book “Upgrade Your Life” by Gina Trapani, the founding editor of lifehacker.com. Gina kindly autographed a copy of the book I purchased… The book is full of great tips and expands on the ideas you see daily on the website.  Very handy for quick reference on all sorts of topics such as keeping your inbox clean, securely save website passwords, automatically backup your files, and more.  A lot of the tips are tech-oriented, but there are other “low-tech” ideas as well. Check it out!

Tags: No Comments.

Went to Witch Creek Winery Tasting Room in Carlsbad (right on Carlsbad Blvd/101) last weekend for E’s birthday – what a great deal! For $5 you get to taste 10(!) different wines and you get to keep the cool glass with the black cat on it. I’m all about supporting local businesses when I can, and they will continue to earn my business as long as they offer good wine and tastings for $5!

We bought a bottle of white wine – Le Chat Blanc… Very good!

Go check it out, you won’t be disappointed!

Witch Creek Winery

Oh, and they also have a location in Julian on Main St. if you happen to be in the area.

Tags: No Comments.

I will be reviewing products that I have purchased as well as writing whatever is on my mind at the time. Perhaps posting links to great deals I’ve found on the web, personal finance tips, and other goodies that I come across in my web site perusals. I will keep the blog name the same for now, I like being wiifittest, even if I don’t use the wii fit anymore! haha.

Tags: No Comments.

Woohoo, so a while back I sent in a request to Will Draw Anything for $2 and the artist (D.J. Coffman) just got to my request… Check it out! Heheh:

Tags: 1 Comment