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Apache is functioning normally

June 4, 2023 by Brett Tams

The holidays are about six months away. Why wait until the last minute to shop? Answer: You shouldn’t. And you won’t have to if you have a decently stocked gift closet. Some people I know keep their eyes open starting on Dec. 26 and are finished by mid-summer.

It’s more than just the December holidays, though. A small selection of “evergreen” gifts (non-perishable, non-trendy) means you’re prepared for any birthday, anniversary or new baby that comes along.

Building your gift closet doesn’t have to cost much. I always trot out the example of the puzzle depicting the Sistine Chapel ceiling, the perfect gift for a jigsaw-loving relative. Still shrink-wrapped when I found it on half-price day at a thrift shop, it set me back a whopping 35 cents.

If you wait until the last minute, you’re likely to spend more. On the afternoon of the baby shower, you might be tempted to stop at the first store you see and grab the item that’s closest to the door. Compare that with, say, the 89-cent newborn outfit that I bought at a post-holiday clearance sale.

(It wasn’t junk, either, but made by Carter’s. And it was cute as hell. I made the girl-noise when I saw it.)

Incidentally, it doesn’t really have to be a closet. I keep my stash in a cedar chest that I bought for $15 at a garage sale. Not only are my gifts cheap, they’re guaranteed moth-free! Here are some ways to build an evergreen gift stash without breaking the bank.

Clearance tables. Both post-holiday and everyday “last chance” sales can yield amazing finds. In late December the department stores want to get rid of unsold hat-and-scarf sets, gloves, slippers and “executive” gifts (e.g., day minders or business card holders) — and all of these can be held until next year’s Christmas or this year’s Father’s Day. Classic toys (stuffed animals, puzzles, books) can be had for a song if you’re patient enough to wait until Target or Walgreens really wants to get rid of them. (I’ve seen discounts as deep as 90%.) Remember that clearance sales happen in a lot of places: hardware stores, craft shops, drugstores, souvenir stands, supermarkets, office-supply stores.

Tip: If you see a gift set (foodies, spa items) wrapped in a Christmas-y way, break it down and repackage the elements for a January birthday or for Valentine’s Day.

Deal sites. Dealnews, Eversave, My Bargain Buddy and other money-saving sites can be dangerous if you’re a compulsive buyer. Pick your spots, though, and you might see a lovely package of fancy teas that would be perfect for your sister, or a swell set of socket wrenches that would be perfect for your other sister. You’ll spend relatively little to get them, especially if you get site credits for having referred other members.

Social commerce sites. Whether you’re buying a gift item or a discounted gift certificate you can use to buy a gift yourself, Groupon et al. can really stretch your buying dollars. Recently I saw a $20 Old Navy gift certificate for only $10, which could translate into shorts, tank tops or other items (especially if you wait for clearance sales). You could also give the certificate itself, if it has a decently distant expiration date — a massage or a spa day would be a great gift for a babysitter, housecleaner or teacher. And a middle-school-aged niece or nephew might love to get $20 worth of buying power at Old Navy.

Thrift shops. It’s amazing what you can find in the secondhand store — and as noted above, some of it has never been opened. Extra frugal points if your finds are “tag color of the day” specials or found during half-off sales.

Note: GRS readers discussed at great length whether it’s okay to give thrift-store gifts. If this really makes you uncomfortable, don’t do it. But here’s my advice: Get over yourself. Nobody has to know where you bought the present unless you choose to tell them.

Yard sales. We’re heading into the prime garage-sale season. I’ve found beautiful books, stationery and card sets, candles, book-and-toy combos, journals and other items — all new or seemingly unused — that became birthday or Christmas gifts. None of them cost more than $1.

Tip: Toward the end of the day, go back to the yard sale — they might be ready to haggle.

Rummage sales. The ones held indoors are even better than garage sales, because you’re not sweating in 95-degree heat while you shop.

Social media giveaways/contests. Companies will do anything to get noticed — including hand out free clothes, books, sporting equipment, jewelry, TVs, computers or big bundles of cash. (Believe it or not, I once saw a contest whose prize was a year’s worth of health insurance.) To find such contests, try using Twitter hash-tag searches (“#giveaway” or “#freebie”) or checking a Facebook app called “Wildfire.” Or do it the easy way: Find yourself a good freebie blogger and watch for the giveaways you really want.

Tip: Free software such as Roboform will fill in contact info automatically, making your entries more efficient. Also: Google “second-chance drawing” — contest junkies, aka “sweepers,” know that the odds are much better than in the initial drawing.

Take online surveys. You have to be choosy, since some companies ask for a lot and give back relatively little. But some people make a decent little side income answering questions. Depending on the site, you can redeem points for physical prizes, gift cards or even cash. I’ve had a lot of luck with Clear Voice Surveys and Valued Opinions, through which I’ve obtained dozens of Amazon gift cards in the past few years. (These days I don’t keep them, though; I give them away on my website.)

Rewards programs. Got a credit card that gives points? Cash some in for gift cards you can use to shop or that you can give outright. Or join a rewards program like Swagbucks or MyPoints, which let you earn gift cards, prepaid debit cards and other items. I’m particularly fond of Swagbucks, myself; right now I’m squirreling away Amazon gift cards until Black Friday. I’ve also given Christmas gifts obtained through My Coke Rewards: magazine subscriptions, a NASCAR hat, a set of barbecue tools, T-shirts, movie tickets.

Tip: Ask family or friends to save My Coke Reward points for you. Check the recycle bins at work, or outside your apartment house, too.

Gift swaps. Got a gift you don’t want? So do a lot of people. Invite family and friends to bring over items, then trade to your hearts’ content. Try not to be sad, though, if someone brings a package of teas or socket-wrench set that look awfully familiar.

Source: getrichslowly.org

Apache is functioning normally

June 2, 2023 by Brett Tams

This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.

Last updated – May 1, 2023

Using store coupons and manufacturer coupons together is called stacking. It is a simple grocery savings strategy many couponers have used for years. Learn how to stack coupons and even where you can try this out the next time you shop.

A woman shows a digital coupon to a retail worker.

A woman uses a digital coupon. Image source: Getty Images.

Coupon Stacking. You may have heard this term before from other people who use coupons or even on other websites. But, do you really know what this means?

Coupon Stacking is using both a store coupon and
a manufacturer’s coupon on a single item

So now that you have the basic understanding of what a coupon stack is, how can you tell if your coupon is a store coupon or a manufacturer’s coupon? That can be tricky. Here are some tips which can help.

IDENTIFYING MANUFACTURER’S COUPONS

Most coupons you find will be manufacturer’s coupons. They are distributed by the manufacturers themselves and usually found in your Sunday newspaper or printed from sites like Coupons.com.

When you redeem your coupon at the store, that retailer is reimbursed the face value of the coupon PLUS a small handling fee. Here are some common manufacturer’s characteristics:

Says “Manufacturer’s Coupon” on the coupon (usually at the top).
Includes a redemption address in the fine print on the coupon. This is where the retailer will submit the coupon so that they can be reimbursed.
It may say things such as “Redeemable at” or “Available At” on them, but they are still manufacturer’s coupons and should be accepted anywhere. However, keep in mind that some stores will not accept any coupon with another store’s logo on it, even in this instance.

This coupon shows the manufacturer’s wording at the top. It is usually easily located
near the coupon expiration date or along the side of the coupon.

Mfgr Coupon Sample

This coupon shows the Walmart store logo and says, “Redeemable at Walmart”
on it, however, it is a manufacturer’s coupon and can be redeemed anywhere.

How to Redeem a Manufacturers Coupon

This coupon clearly lists the address where the retailer can
send the coupon in order to be reimbursed.

HOW TO TELL IF IT IS A STORE COUPON

Store or Retailer coupons are issued by the store themselves. They are basically a store sale, just issued in coupon format. These are completely funded by the store — no manufacturer reimbursement is listed on the coupon. These are very common at national retailers such as CVS, Walgreens, and Target.

These can be found in the weekly ad or even on racks directly inside of the store. You may also be able to print them from the store’s website (such as Target). Your store may also load them as a digital coupon directly onto your rewards card (Hen House does this automatically each week).

You might even be able to log into your store rewards account and select the coupons you want to use (such as the HyVee Fuel Rewards program). You can usually identify a store coupon by the following:

Includes the store’s logo.
Does not include any redemption information on the coupon (the store will not be reimbursed for the coupon, so this information is not needed).
Usually says “Store Coupon” — where the store is the store name — i.e. Target Coupon.

This is a Target store coupon as it clearly states “Target Coupon” at the top.

Coupon includes the store logo. It also does not include any address redemption details.

Also see: Treasure hunt of where to find the best coupons

HOW TO STACK COUPONS AT YOUR STORE

Now that you know how to identify the coupons, you are ready to try your hand at coupon stacking! While most computer systems are smart enough to correctly credit your purchase in the right order, that may not always be the case.

It is usually best to always hand over the store coupons before you hand over your manufacturer’s coupons. This usually creates less hassle and having to hear those annoying beeps.

Here is an example of how it may look:

Shampoo, $4.00
Use Store coupon to save $1.00
PLUS
Use the Manufacturer’s coupon to save $1.00
Final price: $2.00

So now that you know how you can stack coupons let’s share the stores where you can put your stacking skills to work!

NATIONAL CHAINS WHERE YOU CAN STACK COUPONS

CVS

At CVS, you can do what is called a Triple Stack. That means you can use a CVS store coupon + a manufacturer’s coupon + Extra Care Bucks (earned on prior transactions).

Dollar General

You can use both a Dollar General store coupon + a manufacturer’s coupon.

Kohl’s

You can use a value off coupon with a percentage off coupon. However, you can not combine multiple percentages off coupons. In addition, you can use Kohl’s cash with any other additional coupon (but Kohl’s cash comes off before any discount is calculated).

Michael’s

You can use multiple coupons as long as the barcodes are all different.

Rite Aid

You can stack use coupon stacking here as well. You can use a manufacturer’s coupon + a Rite Aid store coupon.

Target

Target allows a triple stack! You can combine a manufacturer’s coupon + a Target store coupon + a Target Circle offer.

Walgreen’s

Walgreen’s will allow you to stack one of their store coupons, called an Instant Value Coupon, with a manufacturer’s coupon. You can also combine Register Rewards (earned on prior purchases), but the total coupons cannot exceed the number of purchased products.

GROCERY STORES THAT ALLOW STACKING COUPONS

Hen House

You can use a digital coupon or store coupon + a manufacturer’s coupon.

HyVee

You can stack a HyVee store coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon

Price Chopper (Kansas City metro area)

You can use a store coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon.

Publix

When shopping here, you can stack your Publix store coupons with the manufacturer’s coupons.

Safeway

You can use a Safeway store coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon.

Whole Foods

They will allow you to use a store coupon + a manufacturer’s coupon.

Source: pennypinchinmom.com

Apache is functioning normally

May 31, 2023 by Brett Tams

If you’re looking for a free checking account, you have multiple options in both traditional and online banks. With more than 4,100 banks in the U.S., according to the FDIC, the choices can be downright overwhelming.

It can help if you get clear on what you want in a checking account, narrow down your options, and then read reviews like the one below to find the best free checking account to meet all your needs.

12 Best Free Checking Accounts

When you’re ready to open a new checking account, consider the no fee checking accounts on this list. We’ve evaluated the fees, minimum deposit requirements, annual percentage yield APY on those that earn interest, and more.

Most of the best checking accounts offer features like overdraft protection, mobile banking and the ability to get paid up to two days early with your direct deposit. But financial institutions that let you earn interest on your checking balance or deliver cash back also gained our favor.

1. Chime Checking

Chime boasts truly fee-free checking and a host of advantages for those seeking an online-only banking solution. The bank has no monthly service fees, no overdraft fees, no transaction fees, and no minimum daily balance fees. If you lose your debit card, you don’t even have to pay to replace it!

2. Bank of America Advantage Plus Banking®

Bank of America offers three Advantage checking accounts:

SafeBalance
Advantage Plus
Advantage Relationship

3. Quontic High Interest Checking

While it doesn’t compare to Wealthfront’s 4.55% APY for a Cash Account, Quontic offers what qualifies as a high interest checking account with a 1.10% APY.

4. Wealthfront Cash Account

Like Chime, Wealthfront is not a bank. But some would argue that, with no monthly maintenance fee, FDIC insurance of up to $5 million through partner banks, and a high 4.55% annual percentage yield APY on the Wealthfront Cash Account, it’s even better.

5. Capital One 360

A Capital One 360 checking account combines the security and convenience of one of the nation’s largest banks with no monthly maintenance fees and no minimum opening deposits.

6. Consumers Credit Union

The only credit union on our list of the best free checking accounts, this checking account is open to virtually all U.S. residents over the age of 18.

7. Ally Bank Interest Checking

Ally is not just a robust fin-tech; it is a nationally chartered bank with $196 billion in assets and 11 million customers. The bank offers an interest earning checking account with no monthly fee and no overdraft fees, high-yield savings, money market account and CDs. Plus, it provides investment services, loans, and credit cards.

8. Axos Bank Rewards Checking

Axos Bank offers three different checking accounts with no monthly maintenance fee.

9. SoFi Checking and Savings

Another excellent option in online banking, SoFi offers a wide range of financial services, including investments and loans. The bank provides a combination Checking and Savings account with a high yield APY of 4.20% for balances in your savings or Vault, and 1.20% APY on checking balances.

10. Varo Bank

Varo Bank has the distinction of being the first financial technology company to become a nationally chartered, online only bank. While most of the banks on our list of best free checking accounts have important features in common, Varo has a few perks that are harder to find in a free account.

11. Discover Cashback Debit

In the world of finance, Discover is best known for offering a straightforward cashback rewards credit card. Discover’s free online checking account also offers cash back rewards of 1% for up to $3,000 worth of debit card purchases monthly.

12. Chase Total Checking®

JPMorgan Chase & Co. is not just one of the “big four” banks in the U.S. It is the biggest bank in the U.S. and the world’s largest financial institution based on market cap. For that reason, many people choose Chase Bank for its convenience and 4,700 branches nationwide.

Methodology: How We Select the Best Free Checking Accounts

We evaluated multiple factors to find the best free checking accounts for consumers across the U.S. Whether you have large monthly direct deposits or have been “unbanked” until now, you’ll find the best free checking accounts for any need or any budget here.

ATM network or generous ATM-fee reimbursement program

You shouldn’t have to pay extra money to access your money. After all, that’s the opposite of a “free checking account,” isn’t it? You want to find a bank with a large, fee-free ATM network to conveniently withdraw cash or make deposits. If the bank reimburses out of network ATM fees, that’s a bonus.

Nationwide availability (Physical locations or mobile access)

If you’re looking for a traditional bank, you want to make sure it has branches near you. Otherwise, an online bank might be the best choice. For this list of free checking accounts, we eliminated credit unions that don’t serve customers nationwide or have strict membership requirements.

Credit unions are often a solid choice for banking, and often have low fees and high interest rates. For instance, Navy Federal Credit Union is a highly ranked financial institution backed by the National Credit Union Administration. But it’s only open to members of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. veterans, their families, and Department of Defense personnel.

We tailored this list around banks with national appeal, with means they serve customers nationwide, with no residency requirements or specific occupational requirements. The one outstanding credit union on the list, Consumers Credit Union, is open to virtually anyone in the U.S. over the age of 18.

No Monthly Maintenance Fee

When most people think of a free checking account, they think of one with no monthly maintenance fees. You’ll see a few banks with monthly maintenance fees on this list because the benefits outweigh the fees. But any monthly service fees are easy to waive by meeting direct deposit or minimum balance requirements.

Low Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements

Truly free checking accounts should be accessible to most consumers. That means having low or no minimum deposit or minimum balance requirements.

No or Low Foreign Transaction Fees

If you travel abroad or make international transactions, you don’t want to pay fees. This may not be important to everyone, but foreign transaction fees may be a point to consider.

No Account Closure Fee

This was a deal-breaker for us. If you choose to close your account, you should be allowed to do so with no account closure fee. All the banks on this list make it as easy to close your checking account as it is to open it.

No Overdraft Fees

Likewise, if you accidentally spend more money than you have in your account, you shouldn’t be punished. Sometimes we forget that an automatic payment cleared or sometimes, you just need a helping hand to make it to your next paycheck. We gave preference to account with no overdraft fees, overdraft protection, or generous overdraft forgiveness.

Benefits such as high APY, cash-back rewards, or other additional perks

From cash back debit cards to interest bearing checking accounts, generous perks can make it easy to choose one fee-free checking account over another. Other nice-to-have features include:

The ability to pay bills online
Early direct deposit
Mobile check deposit

These account features make it easy to manage your money. We evaluated all these aspects when compiling our list of the best free checking accounts.

Customer Service

Whether you opt for a neobank or a traditional bank with brick-and-mortar branches, you want fast and responsive customer service. We took branch hours or phone hours into consideration, as well as a responsive chat or email for those who prefer automated service without speaking directly to a person.

Other Products and Services

Many people want to use the bank that holds their primary checking account as a one-stop shop for all their financial needs. They don’t want to download another mobile app, remember another password, or keep their money in different places.

For this reason, we considered the availability of high yield savings or money market accounts, CDs and other financial services when choosing the top free checking accounts. Chase, Capital One, and a few others got bonus points from us for the ability to link a child’s account to teach money management at a young age.

How to Choose the Best Free Checking Account

Before you choose a free account, decide what features are most important to you. Do you want a bank with brick-and-mortar branches or are you comfortable banking online only? If you choose an online financial institution, find out if there is a way to deposit cash, since some only allow mobile deposits and ACH transfers from other accounts.

Most of the checking accounts on this list offer similar features, including an easy to use mobile app, no monthly fees, direct deposit capabilities, and overdraft protection. Some have no minimum deposit to open the account, which is convenient since you can set up the account and then fund it within a few days or when you receive your next paycheck.

If you’re looking for interest bearing checking accounts, you’ll find a few on this list. Others provide debit rewards, which isn’t a common feature in a free deposit account. These benefits can help put extra cash in your pocket to help you reach your financial goals.

Determine if you want a linked savings. If so, do you want the capability to transfer funds into multiple savings buckets to help with budgeting?

All the banks on this list are FDIC insured for up to $250,000 per account holder for each type of deposit account. CCU is insured for the same amount by the National Credit Union Administration. That means your money is safe, which is important in today’s climate of economic uncertainty.

Ultimately, your checking account becomes a hub for your financial life. Whether you’re opening your first account or thinking about switching banks to get free checking and more perks, this list provides a good place to start your search.

Free Checking Account FAQs

See what people are asking about the best free checking accounts.

What are monthly maintenance fees?

Monthly maintenance fees are service charges imposed by a bank simply for holding an account. The free checking accounts on this list have fee free checking or it is easy to waive the monthly maintenance fee by having monthly direct deposits or meeting minimum balance requirements.

Do free checking accounts have any fees?

When people think of fee-free checking, they often think of an account with no monthly maintenance fees. However, some free checking accounts may have a monthly fee that can be easily waived with a monthly direct deposit or by meeting minimum balance requirements within a statement cycle.

So-called free checking accounts may have over fees besides the monthly fee. Read the fine print closely to find truly free checking accounts.

What fees do I need to watch out for?

Some banks who advertise free checking accounts may forego a monthly maintenance fee, but charge overdraft fees, ATM fees, withdrawal fees (typically only for savings or money market accounts), fees for paper checks, fees for paper statements, foreign transaction fees, and wire transfer fees. If you lose your debit card, you might have to pay a fee to have it replaced, as well as covering mailing costs.

Can I open a free checking account without a deposit?

Some banks allow you to open a checking account with no minimum deposit required. Of course, if there are any perks, benefits, or sign-up bonuses, you’ll want to fund the account to earn interest or take advantage of special offers.

How do banks make money on free checking accounts?

Banks might make some money from monthly maintenance fees and other customer service charges. But the bulk of their revenue comes from the interest rate they earn on your money when they invest it in other securities, as well as interest collected on loans they make.

Banks don’t necessarily keep the money you deposit in your account. They hold cash withdraws to allow customers to withdraw their money. But they also invest the money and earn revenue on those funds.

They may also earn money on loan services, financial advisory services, investment services with fees, and other services they provide to customers.

These other revenue streams allow banks to offer free checking accounts without losing money.

What’s the difference between a checking and a savings account?

A checking account is where you keep cash for everyday spending. Typically, you can make debit card purchases and withdraw funds from an ATM easily, without fees. Most checking accounts don’t pay interest on your deposits, but some do.

A savings account, on the other hand, holds money you are saving either for a specific events – such as vacation or large purchase – or for an emergency. Financial experts recommend keeping as much as three to six months of living expenses in an easy-to-access savings account.

Savings accounts pay interest ranging from .01% annual percentage yield APY up to 4% or 5% APY. Be aware that some savings accounts charge fees for monthly withdrawals exceeding a limit of six per month.

Source: crediful.com

Apache is functioning normally

May 30, 2023 by Brett Tams

Six of the highest-selling prescription medications in the United States will be “off-patent” before the end of 2012. The costs associated with those currently pricey meds will drop faster than the Dow on a bad day.

Here’s one example: The generic form of Lipitor might cost as little as $10 per month, compared to the $150 it can cost now. Yowza!

It’s a very big deal even if you have health insurance. The average co-pay for a generic formula in the U.S. is $6, as opposed to $24 for non-generics with “preferred status” and $35 for non-preferred brand. That doesn’t help much if you use a medication not afforded rock-star status by your insurer — or, worse, if you can’t afford insurance.

As welcome as these new generic formulas will be, you needn’t wait around for prices to tumble. There’s more than one way to cut the cost of medications.

Start With the Cheap Stuff

Plenty of generics already exist. Doctors sometimes prescribe the designer drugs out of habit, but maybe 10 days’ worth of penicillin would vanquish that upper-respiratory infection just as well as a pricier antibiotic. Speak up, already: Explain that you’re on a tight budget and in the market for a just-as-good-but-cheaper formula.

Taking maintenance meds? You can pay as little as $4 for a month’s worth of pills at places like Target, Wal-Mart and Safeway. Visit store websites to find which drugs are available, then ask your doctor which ones will work for what ails you.

Note that while generics generally perform as well as the pricier pills, a few of them might not. If your doctor is adamant about your staying with the name-brand stuff, there might be a good reason. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt to seek a second opinion.

Walgreens has a “Prescription Savings Club” whose $35 annual fee gets you and your immediate family discounts on more than 8,000 different meds. Of those, more than 400 generics are available for $12 for a 90-day supply.

Once you’ve gotten a prescription established, either by bringing it in or having your doctor phone/fax it in, you can refill over the phone or online. The store might even offer free shipping. Ask.

And speaking of the Internet: Sites like Drugstore.com sell prescription medications, as do online pharmacies such as Caremark and Medco Health Solutions Inc.

Caution: The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy recently issued a public health alert about fake online pharmacies, noting that 96% did not comply with U.S. pharmacy laws. The organization recommends buying only from verified internet pharmacy practice sites.

Drugs that Are Free

You might not have to pay for meds at all. Once that strep throat is diagnosed, ask if the doc has any drug samples. Pharmaceutical reps drop off boxes of free meds along with those fabulous calendars, pens and tote bags. Your doctor might reserve these drugs for desperately broke patients — but maybe that’s you. It can’t hurt to ask.

Tip: Some drugs, such as prenatal vitamins and certain antibiotics, are free at Top Foods, Meijer and Publix supermarkets.

If you’re living on a very low income, you might qualify for free medications through patient assistance programs offered by most pharmaceutical companies. NeedyMeds and its ilk can help with the cost of drugs Groups such as NeedyMeds, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, the Chronic Disease Fund and HealthFinder.gov can tell you more.

Several drug companies also joined forces to create the Together Rx Access Program, designed for people under the age of 65 who have no prescription drug coverage. This free, income-based program makes it possible to save 25% to 40% on more than 300 medicines and medical products, and is accepted in most major pharmacies in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Using Less, Buying Big

If the subject is painkillers, you might not need the 20-count dose on the prescription. Ask if you can fill only a few tablets’ worth at a time. Use good judgment on this one, obviously, but I’ve filled pain prescriptions in the past and used only one or two tabs. Infuriating.

You can cut the price of certain meds in half quite literally, by splitting the pills. For example, if you have a 10-mg drug prescription request a 20-mg tablet (the cost is often about the same) and then use a pill splitter to halve the dose. The gadget can be had for as little as $3 on Amazon.com, which means it’ll probably pay for itself the first time you use it.

Caution: Do not cut pills with a paring knife. The dose has to be exact, not almost half. Spring for the pill-splitter now or for an ambulance co-pay later. Your choice.

Again, splitting works only on certain medications.

Or what about bulk discounts? No, you won’t be asking for 50 pounds of Percodan — you’ll be using the power of group buying by getting your meds at Costco or Sam’s Club. You don’t need to be a member to use the pharmacies in those warehouse clubs.

Make ’em Beg

Pharmacies now bid for your business the way travel agencies and insurance companies do. In his new book, Living Large in Lean Times: 250+ Ways to Buy Smarter, Spend Smarter and Save Money, frugal dude Clark Howard suggests a service called BidRx.com. You register and post the drug you need, and independent pharmacies will instantly throw bids at you.

The site is free but you need a referral code to register. The author has his own code, clark, but stresses that he receives zero compensation. BidRx simply set it up after Howard’s mention of the site caused a leap in business.

Brick-and-mortar pharmacies often lure us with gift cards cards for new or transferred prescriptions. Any time you see such offers, clip them out and put them in your wallet. When your spouse gets bronchitis or your daughter breaks her arm during hockey practice, head for the pharmacy with the best signing bonus.

Obviously it’s important to tell the new place about any other meds being taken. One would hope the pharmacist would ask, but maybe s/he won’t. I’ve dropped off ‘scripts and been asked only if I were allergic to any medications, not whether I was on another pill that would clash with the new meds. That’s why some people don’t think it’s safe to hop from pharmacy to pharmacy.

If this makes you uncomfortable, then don’t do it. But back when my health insurance didn’t include discounted drugs, I filled and transferred prescriptions whenever I could get a gift card. It was a nice budget-booster, whether I used the cards for groceries or gewgaws.

Here’s my favorite example. Before a minor health procedure I needed to get two tablets of a tranquilizer (pre-surgery) and an antibiotic (post-procedure). Both were generic and therefore super-cheap, and they earned me a $10 from Target and a $20 gift card from Walgreens. I used part of the Walgreens card for a special offer: Buy four 12-packs of Diet Pepsi for $10 and then get a $10 rebate.

At that time I happened to have coupons for two free 12-packs, which I’d received after calling Pepsi to complain about the tabs snapping off some cans of soda. Thus I wound up paying just $5 for the soft drinks but still getting the $10 rebate.

And in fact, I didn’t even pay the $5. I had the gift card, remember?

Please refer to me by my Latin name, illegitimus frugalis. And yes, I know that diet soda isn’t good for me. But I didn’t care — I was on Valium!

Source: getrichslowly.org

Apache is functioning normally

May 27, 2023 by Brett Tams

Would you like to open a checking account, but you’re worried that your bad credit and past banking history might get in the way? With these issues, it can be difficult to open a new bank account.

20 Best Bank Accounts for Bad Credit

Regardless of your banking history, there are numerous banks and credit unions that offer bad credit checking accounts, all with unique features and benefits.

1. Chime

Our Top Pick

No minimum opening deposit or monthly service fee
Over 60,000 fee-free1 ATMs
Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit²
No credit check or ChexSystems

2. U.S. Bank

$400 sign-up bonus
Monthly service fee can be waived
Over 40,000 fee-free ATMs
$25 minimum opening deposit

3. GO2bank

4.50% APY on savings up to $5,000
No minimum opening deposit
Build credit with no annual fees
Overdraft protection up to $200

4. Chase

$100 bonus after 10 purchases in 60 days
No credit check or ChexSystems
Over 16,000 fee-free ATMs
$4.95 monthly fee

5. mph.bank

Earn 4.70% APY on unlimited savings
No minimum balance to open
Get paid up to two days early
Free withdrawals at over 55,000 ATMs

6. Current

No credit check or ChexSystems
No minimum deposit or maintenance fees
Get paid up to two days faster
Overdraft up to $200 without any overdraft fees

7. Walmart MoneyCard

No monthly fee with direct deposits of $500 or more
Earn up to 3% cash back on purchases
Overdraft protection covering up to $200 with eligible direct deposits
2% APY on savings

8. Revolut

No monthly fee
Earn up to 4.25% APY on savings
Cash withdrawals at more than 55,000 ATMs
Commission-free stock trading

9. TD Ameritrade

No monthly fee
Unlimited fee refunds for U.S. ATMs
Free TD Bank debit card
Free checks and unlimited check-writing capabilities

10. Albert

No minimum balance
Cash advances up to $250
No maintenance fees
Free ATMs at over 55,000 locations

: 11. SoFi

With the SoFi Checking and Savings account, you won’t have to worry about being charged any overdraft fees, minimum balance fees, or monthly fees.

Plus, it offers free access to ATMs at over 55,000 locations within the Allpoint® Network. Similar to Chime and Current, you can get your paycheck up to two days sooner when you set up direct deposit.

You’ll also get a 1% APY on your checking and savings accounts and up to 15% cash back at local establishments with your SoFi debit card.

12. Navy Federal Credit Union

If you are an active-duty or retired member of the military, including the Armed Forces, National Guard, Coast Guard, or Department of Defense, you may be eligible for Navy Federal Credit Union membership.

NFCU doesn’t utilize ChexSystems or EWS. They also offer a free checking account alternative with no monthly service fees for those with qualifying direct deposits.

Additionally, NFCU offers its members convenient access to over 30,000 ATMs situated at both credit unions and retail locations across the United States and Canada through the CO-OP Network.

13. Aspiration

With the Aspiration Spend & Save account, you get an online checking account and savings account that has the potential to earn up to 5% APY.

Aspiration also offers unlimited cash withdrawals at over 55,000 ATMs. The minimum initial deposit is $10. Deposits are FDIC insured and you can get paid up to two days sooner.

The Aspiration debit card is made from recycled plastic. Deposits are 100% fossil fuel-free. And this online bank even gives you the option to plant a tree with every card swipe.

14. Southwest Financial Federal Credit Union

Southwest Financial presents a reliable banking option that prioritizes the financial wellbeing of its members. With no monthly service fees, it offers a cost-effective solution to managing your everyday finances.

Opening an account is easy and requires no minimum deposit. As a member of Southwest Financial Federal Credit Union, you enjoy the convenience of accessing your funds through a shared network of ATMs.

15. FSNB

FSNB (formerly Fort Sill National Bank) offers a hassle-free Basic Checking account to its customers, with a $5 minimum deposit requirement.

With the Basic Checking account, you need to maintain a minimum daily balance of $75. Otherwise, you’ll be charged a monthly fee of $5.50.

This account comes with a host of convenient features, including a Visa CheckCard that allows you to make purchases and withdraw cash at ATMs worldwide. Additionally, FSNB offers free online banking services, giving you access to your account from the comfort of your home or office.

16. Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo’s Clear Access Banking offers a practical, accessible checking account designed to suit various banking needs. While there is a $5 monthly service fee, this fee is waived for primary account owners aged 13 to 24.

With a minimal opening deposit of just $25, setting up Clear Access Banking is straightforward and affordable. As an account holder, you’ll have the convenience of accessing your funds through Wells Fargo’s extensive network of 13,000 ATMs and 5,300 branches across the country.

17. United Bank

United Bank has locations in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, DC. You can open a bank account with a $50 minimum initial deposit. You do not have to maintain a minimum balance and they don’t charge monthly fees.

You can also upgrade to rewards checking, where you earn cashback rewards on debit card purchases. You also get discounts on movies, theme parks, and prescriptions. The monthly service charge is $10, but you can have it waived if you reach 15 purchase transactions monthly or have a minimum of $500 in regular deposits.

18. Huntington National Bank

Huntington has locations in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Huntington Bank uses ChexSystems, but you can still qualify for a checking account as long as you don’t owe the bank any money. However, applicants with an EWS record may not qualify.

For Huntington’s basic account, there is no minimum opening deposit and no minimum balance requirement.

19. Varo

Varo is an online-only bank that offers a hassle-free banking experience with no monthly fees. As a Varo customer, you’ll gain access to early direct deposit payments, which means that your funds will typically be available on the same day they’re received.

Varo Bank knows that just because you need second chance banking doesn’t mean you want sub-standard service. The checking account comes with a free Visa debit card, access to over 55,000 Allpoint ATMs, and free paper check mailing.

20. Regions Bank

You’ll need a minimum opening deposit of $50 to open a Simple Checking Account at Regions Bank. This account doesn’t come with too many bells and whistles. However, it’s a suitable option for anyone with bad credit who wants a basic checking account.

Regions Bank will lower your monthly maintenance fee from $8 to $5 if you sign up for online statements. And you’ll have the option to open a savings account through Regions Bank as well.

What is a bank account for bad credit?

A bank account for bad credit is a type of account designed for people with negative banking records. These people are usually turned away from traditional banks and credit unions because of past instances of bounced checks, overdrawn accounts, or unpaid non-sufficient fund fees.

Fortunately, some financial institutions provide bad credit bank accounts that offer basic banking services such as a debit card, online banking access, and check writing privileges. Direct deposit is also available with some of these bank accounts, which makes it easy to access your income sources.

Bad credit checking accounts are typically easy to open, with minimal fees and most importantly, no credit checks or ChexSystems reports.

How do banks evaluate new account applications?

Opening a bank account can be a straightforward process, but it’s not uncommon for applicants to be turned down or offered limited options. That’s because financial institutions have criteria they use to determine who qualifies for a bank account and what type of account they can offer.

One of the most important factors that banks consider when you apply for a new account is your banking history. To assess this, most banks will check your ChexSystems report, which is a database of your past banking transactions. This report includes information such as any unpaid fees or overdrafts, closed accounts due to fraudulent activity, and other negative marks.

If you have a negative history in ChexSystems, such as unpaid fees or a history of overdrafts, it can be more challenging to open a bank account. In some cases, the bank may decline your application altogether or offer you a limited account that doesn’t allow you to write checks or use a debit card.

Another factor that banks make consider is your credit history. Some banks may pull your credit report from the three major credit bureaus Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, but most don’t.

Your credit report is typically accessed by credit card issuers and lenders to assess your creditworthiness when you apply for loans or credit cards. But for bank accounts, your ChexSystems record is generally more important.

What is ChexSystems?

ChexSystems is a consumer reporting agency that collects user data from banks and credit unions. One of the things this data is used for is to create consumer reports that financial institutions can use to screen customers.

When attempting to open a new bank account, most financial institutions will pull your ChexSystems report. This report will show your past banking history including overdrafts, bad checks, check fraud, negative balances, or excessive withdrawals.

If you’ve had any of these issues in the past five years, it will likely be on your ChexSystems record. Fortunately, there are several reputable banks that don’t use ChexSystems or check credit to qualify customers. There are also numerous banks that offer second chance checking accounts for people with bad credit.

Can you open a bank account with no credit check?

Opening a no-credit-check bank account is easier than ever, with plenty of reliable banking services to choose from. There are two types of bank accounts for bad credit: banks that don’t use ChexSystems and second chance checking accounts.

Banks that Don’t Use ChexSystems

Some banks simply do not use ChexSystems to evaluate new accounts. These banks offer no-credit-check bank accounts for people with bad credit or a negative banking history.

The good news is that these accounts come with the same features as regular bank accounts offered to everyone else. You can expect to have access to online banking, direct deposit, and a debit card.

Second Chance Checking Account

With a second chance bank account, financial institutions may conduct a credit check or refer to ChexSystems, but they’re willing to give you a second chance regardless of your banking history. Second chance bank accounts usually come with a monthly maintenance fee.

The best second chance checking accounts still have some of the same features as ChexSystems banks and credit unions, such as overdraft protection, online banking, and bill pay. Additionally, it should be possible to upgrade to a standard checking account after demonstrating responsible banking habits.

What to Look for in a Bad Credit Checking Account

If you’re struggling with poor credit history, you might be wondering how to find a checking account that meets your needs while also helping you rebuild your financial reputation. Fortunately, there are several banks that offer checking accounts for bad credit. Here are some key factors to consider:

No Credit Checks

The first thing to look for is a bank or credit union that doesn’t look at your credit report or ChexSystems record when opening a checking account.

Many institutions also offer “second chance” or “fresh start” checking accounts designed specifically for individuals with poor credit or past banking issues. These checking accounts provide an opportunity to rebuild your financial standing, and often offer the option to upgrade to a traditional checking account after a certain period of time.

Low or No Minimum Balance Requirement

When you’re trying to rebuild your credit, every dollar counts. Look for a checking account that doesn’t require you to maintain a specified balance. This way, you won’t be charged fees for falling below a certain balance threshold. This will help you keep more money in your pocket and avoid unnecessary expenses.

Reasonable Account Fees

It’s important to be aware of the fees associated with checking accounts, especially if you have bad credit. Be sure to compare the monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees, and any other charges associated with the account.

Many online banks offer checking accounts with no monthly fees or waive them if certain conditions are met, such as maintaining a minimum account balance or setting up direct deposit.

Online and Mobile Banking Features

In today’s digital age, having access to online and mobile banking is essential. Look for a checking account that offers a user-friendly mobile app and website, enabling you to manage your money on-the-go. These features should include the ability to check your balance, transfer money, pay bills, and deposit checks remotely.

Account Alerts and Notifications

Opt for a checking account that offers customizable account alerts and notifications. These can help you stay on top of your account activity, track your spending habits, and avoid a potential overdraft fee. You can typically set up alerts for low balance, large transactions, or unusual activity.

Overdraft Protection

Overdraft fees can be a significant burden, especially for people with bad credit. Look for a checking account that offers overdraft protection, which can help you avoid costly overdraft fees. Some banks may offer linked accounts, lines of credit, or small-dollar loans to cover overdrafts.

FDIC or NCUA insurance

Ensure that your checking account is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). This insurance protects your cash deposits up to $250,000 per account holder in case the bank or credit union fails.

Opportunities for Financial Education

Finally, look for a financial institution that offers resources and tools to help you improve your financial literacy. This might include budgeting tools, educational articles, or workshops. The more you understand about managing your money, the better your chances of rebuilding your credit and maintaining a healthy financial future.

Bottom Line

Having poor credit doesn’t mean you can’t get a bank account. But, it does mean that your selection will be somewhat limited. We also show you how to clear your name and remove yourself from ChexSystems so that you can get a bank account anywhere.

It may take some time to get your name removed. Meanwhile, some of the banks we’ve listed above are just as good, if not better, than any account on the market right now. So, it’s a good idea to start with one of those.

Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. Credit Builder card issued by Stride Bank, N.A.

1. Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply with Chime except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.

2. Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment ﬁle from the payer. Chime generally make these funds available on the day the payment ﬁle is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.

7. To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or beneﬁts payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, veriﬁcation or trial deposits from ﬁnancial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.

Source: crediful.com

Apache is functioning normally

May 26, 2023 by Brett Tams

In the past, you had to drive to your bank and work with a teller to manage your deposit accounts. These days, however, you have the option to complete virtually any banking need with any device that has internet access. You can pull out your smartphone and deposit a check. Or you may use your laptop to check your account balance.

That’s where banks called neobanks come in. It’s no surprise that neobanks are more popular than ever before. Let’s take a closer look at what they are and how they work so you can decide whether a neobank makes sense for your particular situation.

20 Best Neobanks

While traditional banks take up more market share than neobanks, you can still find a good amount of them if you do your research and shop around. The right neobank for you will depend on your unique lifestyle, needs, and preferences. To help you hone in on the ideal option, here’s our list of the top neobanks of 2023.

1. Chime

Founded in 2012, Chime is a financial technology company that offers banking services from The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank N.A. The Chime Checking Account is free of monthly maintenance fees and no minimum balance requirements.

Its perks include early direct deposit, automated savings features, access to over 60,000 or more fee-free ATMs, and free debit card replacement. In addition, you can take advantage of SpotMe and get up to $200 in fee-free overdrafts.

There’s also a Chime’s Savings Account, which offers a competitive interest rate with no cap on the amount of interest you can earn. Other services include Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card that doesn’t require a credit check, making it a suitable option if you have limited credit. Chime should be on your radar if you prefer a one-stop-shop for all of your banking needs.

You can read our full Chime review to learn more.

2. GO2bank

For more than a decade, Green Dot Corporation has specialized in alternative banking products. In 2013, GoBank made its debut as the first digital bank offering digital financial services. Then, in 2021, the company launched GO2bank, its second online bank.

GO2bank stands out from other neobanks which require you to sign up online because you can pick up their debit cards in person at Walmart and other popular retailers. GO2bank’s bank account tends to be a popular product in addition to its secured credit card that can help you build credit.

For a comprehensive overview, read our full GO2bank review.

3. Current

Since its inception in 2015, Current, which is not a bank, but a fintech company based in New York City, has partnered with Choice Financial Group and Metropolitan Commercial Bank to offer banking services. Its flagship products are a personal checking and debit card you can access via a mobile app on any iOS or Android device.

Even though Current’s product line is limited, the neobank prides itself on no shortage of perks and benefits. You can get your deposit up to two days early and earn cash back for debit card spending from more than 14,000 merchants. Additionally, Current doesn’t charge minimum balance fees or bank transfer fees and offers fee-free ATM withdrawals from ATMs in the Allpoint network.

If you would like to learn more, take a look at our Current review.

4. Revolut

Founded in 2015, Revolut is one of the largest European neobanks, serving more than 16 million customers. It has expanded its footprint to the U.S. market and has plans to become one of the most reputable neobanks in the world.

Revolut is unique in that it offers a wide array of financial services, such as bank accounts, debit cards, peer-to-peer payments, cryptocurrency, and currency exchange. It supports both individual consumers and businesses with more than 30 currencies. For a neobank with a diverse lineup of offerings, Revolut has you covered.

To learn more, read our full Revolut review.

5. Quontic Bank

Quontic Bank is a full-service, FDIC-insured online bank that was founded in 2002. It offers a range of banking products and services, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and business banking solutions.

They offer some of the best annual percentage yields (APYs) in the industry. Quontic accounts come equipped with no overdraft fees, no incoming wire transfer fees, no monthly service fees, and access to over 90,000 surcharge-free ATMs.

Quontic also has a savings accounts feature called “Roundup”, which makes saving money simple and easy. In addition, they have a responsive U.S. based customer service team available to assist with any questions or concerns.

Read our full Quontic review for more information.

6. Dave

When Dave began in 2017, its sole focus was paycheck advances. Over time, it evolved to offer a checking account with no minimum balance requirements. If you become a Dave customer, you can receive early access to your paycheck, without a credit check or interest charges.

Dave also offers handy built-in budgeting features and doesn’t charge overdraft fees or ATM fees, as long as you use an ATM from the MoneyPass network. Dave may make sense if you’d like the option for small cash advances to get you through a financial hiccup from time to time.

See also: Free Online Checking Accounts: No Opening Deposit Required

7. Albert

Albert began as a money management app in 2016, but is now a personalized banking service that has attracted over 6 million customers. This digital banking account offers cash back and a range of benefits.

These including no-interest cash advances of up to $250, integrated budgeting and savings tools, and annual savings bonuses of up to 0.10%. There are no minimum balance requirements or overdraft fees. However, there is a minimum monthly fee of $4. Keep in mind that you’ll need to have an external bank account to open an account with Albert.

8. Varo

Varo Bank began in 2015 as a fintech company that partnered with The Bancorp Bank. In 2020, it acquired its own national banking charter, making it different from other neobanks you might come across. Even though Varo operates as an actual bank, it focuses on online banking via its website and mobile app.

Its checking account is free of monthly fees and there’s no minimum balance requirement. Plus it comes with a debit card. In addition, Varo partners with more than 55,000 ATMs through the Allpoint ATM network.

We can’t forget its other perks, such as contactless payments, credit cards with reporting to the major credit bureaus, early direct deposits, and no foreign transaction fee or transfer fees. Varo might be worthwhile if you’re looking for a checking account with all the bells and whistles.

Read our Varo Bank review to learn more.

9. Aspiration

Aspiration was founded in 2013 under the motto “Do Well. Do Good.” It partners with financial institutions like Coastal Community Bank and Beneficial State Bank to offer cash accounts, savings accounts, and a few investment accounts.

Aspiration’s most popular product is the Aspiration Spend & Save Account, which is a hybrid of a checking account and savings account. There’s also the Zero credit card, which offers cash back and plants a tree every time you make a transaction. Aspiration can be a good fit if you’d like to get rewarded for your spending and like the idea of one account for your checking and savings goals.

Read our full review of Aspiration to learn more.

10. Bluevine

Bluevine made its debut in 2013 as a fintech company with a mission to improve banking for small and mid-sized business owners. Its flagship product is the Bluevine Business Checking. It’s completely free and comes with a competitive annual percentage yield and unlimited transactions. This is rarely seen in the world of business checking.

In addition to the business checking account, Bluevine offers financing products, such as lines of credit of up to $250,000. Bluevine should be on your radar if you’re a business owner in search of fast, convenient startup banking and financing.

11. SoFi

Social Finance or SoFi entered the market as a student loan refinance company. Recently, however, the fintech company received its own bank charter to offer digital banking services. You can use the SoFi Checking and Savings combo account to manage your spending and saving needs in one place.

Fortunately, SoFi doesn’t charge monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees, and ATM fees. Additional perks and extras include no-fee overdraft coverage, sub accounts for various savings goals, and additional products like credit cards, cryptocurrency trading, and retirement accounts, like an individual retirement account.

Read our full review of SoFi to learn more.

12. Acorns

Acorns has a reputation as an easy-to-use micro investing app. Since 2012, many people have downloaded it on their iOS or Android devices to invest their spare change. Over time, Acorns has expanded to offer a checking account.

You can open Acorns Checking for free and enjoy perks such as no monthly or overdraft fees, early direct deposit, mobile check deposit, and access to a network of 55,000 ATMs.

The checking account seamlessly integrates into the Acorns micro investing feature. Plus when you use your Acorns debit card, you can earn cash back at participating retailers and use it to invest, along with your spare change. If you’d like to get started with investing, Acorns is worth considering.

13. One

One is a neobank owned by Walmart. It offers a budget-friendly overdraft program with customized budgeting and savings options for its customers. One’s banking account allows users to organize their money into subaccounts called Pockets.

Pockets offer saving rates of 1% on up to $5,000 for any customer and 1% on up to $25,000 for customers with direct deposit. Additionally, One provides fee-free overdraft coverage of up to $200 for customers with direct deposits of at least $500 per month.

14. Cheese

Cheese is a digital banking platform that was launched in March 2021 and caters specifically to the immigrant and Asian American communities. It offers up to 10% cash back at 10,000 businesses, including Asian-owned businesses and restaurants.

Cheese’s customer support is available in English and Chinese, with more languages to be added in the future. One of the benefits of opening an account with Cheese is that accounts earn interest and do not have monthly fees or ATM fees when using the national MoneyPass ATM network.

15. Unifimoney

Unifimoney is a money management and investment app that helps you manage your banking, investing, and borrowing needs all in one place. It caters to account holders who earn at least $100,000 per year but have significant amounts of student debt. You can download Unifimoney to pay bills, deposit checks, and write checks.

It’s unique in that it also allows you to refinance student loan debt and can create a diverse investment portfolio with particular stocks, cryptocurrencies, precious metals, stocks, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

In addition, you can turn to Unifimoney for insurance products, like car insurance and health savings accounts (HSAs). If you’d like to get started with Unifimoney, open the Unifimoney high-yield checking account with as little as $100.

16. NorthOne

Headquartered in New York and founded in 2016, NorthOne offers digital business banking services. If you’re a startup, entrepreneur, or small business owner, NorthOne can be a good fit. It differs from other banks that serve businesses in that there are no transaction limits that require premium upgrades.

You can open a business bank account for a flat $10 monthly fee and won’t have to worry about additional fees for deposits, transfers, ACH payments, or app integrations. In addition, you’ll get to create as many “Envelopes” or sub accounts as you want so you can save for payroll, taxes, and other business needs.

17. Oxygen

San-Francisco based Oxygen focuses on two accounts: the free thinker account for individuals and the pioneer account for business users. Even though it doesn’t charge fees, like monthly fees, ACH fees, and overdraft fees, you will have to pay an annual fee that can go up to a few hundred dollars.

While most neobanks don’t allow for cash deposits, Oxygen does. As long as you have an Oxygen bank account, you can make deposits at GreenDot locations, which are usually located inside popular retailers, like Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS. If you don’t mind paying an annual fee and like the convenience of being able to deposit cash, Oxygen is worth exploring.

18. Bella

Bella is a fairly new player in the neobanking space. Its partner bank is nbkc bank, which allows it to provide banking services. With Bella’s checking account rewards program, you can receive a random percentage of cash back on randomly selected purchases.

The cash back amount may be anywhere from 5% to 200%. Like most neobanks, Bella doesn’t charge monthly fees, ATM fees, and overdraft fees. You can also opt for a no-fee savings account. Bella accounts are FDIC insured for up to $5,000,000.

19. Lili

Lilli services small business owners and believes that managing two accounts is a hassle. That’s why this neobank offers a single account you can use for both your business and personal transactions.

Come tax time, Lili will eliminate financial stress and let you automatically save a certain percentage of your income into a “tax bucket.” Plus, it produces quarterly and yearly reports instantly, reducing your tax prep costs. While the Lili Standard account is free, Lili Pro will run you a couple dollars per month.

If you upgrade to Lili Pro, you’ll get cashback rewards on all your debit purchases and 1% interest on your savings accounts. Lili could be a solid pick if you’re a freelancer or solopreneur hoping to simplify your finances.

20. Monzo

Monzo is a UK-based neobank that just opened up to the U.S. market in late 2022. All accounts are insured by the FDIC for up to $250,000. Plus fee-free withdrawals are available at more than 38,000 ATMs.

Furthermore, Monzo is similar to Aspiration as it strives to protect the planet. Additionally, this neobank offers budgeting tools that can help you meet various savings goals.

What is a neobank?

Often called challenger banks, neobanks have recently entered the financial services industry and challenged banking norms. Most neobanks are financial technology or fintech companies that offer the same banking services you may find at traditional banks, like Bank of America or PNC.

But they promote innovation and act like digital only banks or online banks as they don’t have any physical branches and operate via apps. Most of these apps are user-friendly and loaded with a variety of handy features, such as early deposit and savings tools to simplify the banking experience. They are specifically designed to give you greater control of how you manage and spend your money.

Also since neobanks don’t have any physical branches, their overhead costs and customer acquisition costs are low and enable them to offer more affordable banking products and services. Many neobanks let you choose from a number of free and paid premium subscription services.

Are neobanks safe?

Since neobanks are fairly new and different from many traditional banks, you might wonder whether they’re safe. Fortunately, most of them are very safe because they operate within a regulated market.

These financial institutions typically work with U.S. banks to offer FDIC-insured accounts, which protect your money from potential bank failures and the losses that come with them. To help determine if a neobank is safe, check out their ratings and reviews on reputable websites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Neobanks vs. Traditional Banks

To further explain neobanks and their modern spin on traditional banking, let’s take a closer look at how they differ from traditional banks.

Neobanks

Neobanks operate without physical branches. To take advantage of their offerings, you’ll likely need to download an app and provide some personal information.

While you can expect fewer banking and credit products than you’d find at traditional banks, you’ll reap the benefits of lower fees and extras that improve the overall banking experience.

Some neobanks have decided to expand their lineup of products and services to create more of a one-stop-shop you’d get from a traditional bank. Since most neobanks don’t earn money from lending, like incumbent banks, their business model depends on interchange fees or transaction fees, which usually come from debit cards. They might also charge for premium accounts and extra features.

Traditional Banks

Traditional banks often have brick-and-mortar locations across the country or in a specific geographic region or area. But many of them also have digital banking divisions in which you can perform banking services online.

Most banks focus on strong customer relationships and earning interest through loans as well as account fees from banking, lending, and investing. They typically target customers who appreciate customer engagement and a traditional in-person banking experience.

See also: Best Alternatives to Traditional Banks

Pros & Cons of Neobanks

Just like all types of financial institutions, neobanks have benefits and drawbacks you should consider, including:

Pros

Lower fees: Compared to traditional banks, neobanks offer lower fees. That’s because they don’t have the high overhead costs associated with the upkeep of physical branches.
Higher rates: Neobanks often pride themselves on higher interest rates on their checking and savings accounts. This can make it easier and faster for you to save money.
Convenience: Perhaps the greatest benefit of neobanks is the convenience they bring. You can perform a variety of banking tasks, like depositing checks or making payments from your smartphone device, round-the-clock.
Easy access: You can manage your banking 24/7 without ever having to leave your home and visit a local branch. All you have to do is download an app from the app store.
Simple setup: It’s usually fast and easy to open an account with neobanks. Many of them will approve you, regardless of your credit score or credit history.
Focused services: While most neobanks don’t offer all the services you might find at traditional banks, the few services they do provide focus on service quality and are typically loaded with perks and benefits. For example, you can get a no fee checking account with cash back rewards.

Cons

No bank charters: Neobanks don’t have bank charters. Instead, they often partner with traditional banks to insure their products. Before you move forward with a neobank, ensure they partner with a Federal Deposit Insurance Corp or FDIC-insured bank and offer their own FDIC insurance.
Customer service restrictions: Since neobanks operate on app instead of through physical branches, customer service can be a downside. You may have to turn to chatbots or social media for basic banking questions and support. If you notice fraud in your account, it may be more difficult to resolve the issue.
Fewer services: Traditional banks usually pride themselves on a long list of services, including loans, wealth management, and brokerage services. Neobanks, however, tend to limit their offerings to checking accounts and savings accounts.
Unproven track record: Neobanks are still in the startup phase as many made their debut within the last few years. This means that they may fail and force you to look elsewhere for your banking needs.
Require knowledge of technology: While most neobank apps are intuitive and designed for the average person to use with ease, they may still be inconvenient for some people. If you don’t consider yourself tech literate, a neobank might not make sense.

Bottom Line

There’s no denying that neobanks have revolutionized the banking industry and financial industry. If your primary goal is convenience and you prefer mobile or online banking, a neobank can be a great alternative to a traditional bank or legacy bank. Just make sure you explore all your options and read the fine print before you choose one.

Source: crediful.com

Apache is functioning normally

May 25, 2023 by Brett Tams

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Unless you opt for laser eye surgery, vision correction is part of your annual spending. According to contact lens manufacturer Acuvue, the yearly cost of contact lenses can range from $120 to $1,200, depending on your insurance and the type of contacts you need.

As with saving money on eyeglasses, if you want to save money on contacts, shopping for deals from the right retailers is crucial.

Thankfully, numerous retailers can help contact lens wearers save money. If you’re tired of overpaying for this necessary expense, you need to know where to buy affordable contact lenses.

Various in-store and online retailers offer affordable prices on a range of contact lens brands, especially if you buy in bulk.

Just remember: You must have a valid prescription to buy contact lenses if you live in the U.S., so have physical and electronic copies of your contact lens prescription ready.

1. GlassesUSA

Limited Time Offer: Save 25% off contact lenses plus free shipping with coupon code CONTACTS25.

Pros: 25% off first-time purchases; free shipping
Cons: Savings fall off after your first order
Verdict: Shop GlassesUSA to use the first-time discount, but explore other retailers for buying annual supplies

GlassesUSA offers affordable eyewear that starts at just $29. But it’s also an affordable way to order contacts online.

For starters, GlassesUSA often runs promo codes that grant 25% off all contacts. You can view its coupons and promotions page to find other ongoing deals as well.

Plus, GlassesUSA now sells its own private-label daily contact lenses called Vista plus. They may be inexpensive, but they’re not cheap. They’re made with hyaluronic acid to retain moisture and combat dryness, helping them stay comfortable all day. They also provide critical protection from harmful UV-A and UV-B rays, a must in both sunny and snowy climates. Vista plus lenses are FDA-approved and endorsed by health experts.

If the $1 free trial on the in-house brand isn’t enough to make you switch, you can also shop lenses from brands like:

Acuvue
Biofinity
Biomedics
Dailies
FreshLook
Miru
Proclear
SofLens

Lens categories include daily, weekly, and monthly disposables. Lens types include single-vision, multifocals, toric lenses for astigmatism, and color lenses.

The 25% discount helps cut costs for more expensive contacts. For example, GlassesUSA sells a 90-pack of Acuvue Oasys 1-Day for $97.17 per box. But with the discount, the price drops to $72.88 per box. At Walmart, these lenses cost over $75 per box unless you shop in bulk.

Shipping is free, and GlassesUSA works with over a dozen vision insurance providers.

If you can make use of the one-time 25% discount or other promo codes like a pair of free eyeglasses, GlassesUSA is one of the most affordable choices.

Shop Now

2. Warby Parker

Pros: Free shipping; 15% off your first contacts order; $50 credit when you buy an annual supply; wide vision insurance network
Cons: Not always the cheapest contacts option
Verdict: Warby Parker is a trusted name that offers an excellent selection of contacts at reasonable prices and has many vision insurance partners

Warby Parker isn’t just an online contact lens retailer — it has a growing network of retail locations Across North America as well. And while it’s not always the cheapest option, it stocks the most trusted contact brands available, so you can rest assured you’re getting the quality you expect from your contact lens provider:

Acuvue
DAILIES
Biofinity
Biotrue
Clariti
AirOptix

Warby Parker also has its own house brand of daily contact lenses, called Scout by Warby Parker. If you’re looking for truly exceptional value from a trusted name, look no further.

When you shop contact lenses at Warby Parker, you’ll get 15% off your first order. Make an annual purchase and you’ll get a separate $50 eyewear credit that’s good for discounts on frames, lenses, and other qualifying eyewear purchases on the Warby Parker site.

That’s not all. Warby Parker has some other selling points that many competitors can’t match:

Free shipping on eligible orders
No hidden fees
Renew your prescription at home for just $5 (limited-time offer)
Schedule an eye exam at any Warby Parker store
Walk-in appointments available at many Warby Parker stores
Innovative flat-pack design for Scout lenses — uses 80% less material and is much easier to carry in a bag or purse
Try Scout lenses for free — get a 6-day supply with no obligation (by request)
Partners with several major vision insurance providers, increasing the chances that your purchase is eligible for insurance coverage or reimbursement

Shop Now

3. DiscountContacts.com

Pros: Brand variety; 20% off on new orders and subscriptions; free online vision test
Cons: Doesn’t have the lowest possible prices
Verdict: Shop at Discount Contact Lenses if you want more brand variety or if you want to subscribe for 20% off reorders

As the name suggests, DiscountContacts.com sells contacts at a discount. The company says you can save up to 70% on contacts, and it also offers free shipping on orders over $99.

DiscountContacts.com also carries more brands than many other online options. You can find over 30 popular and niche brands, including:

Acuvue
Air Optix
Bausch + Lomb
Biofinity
Clariti
Dailies
Johnson & Johnson
MyDay
Polycon

Lens categories include conventional vial lenses and daily, weekly, and monthly disposables. Single-vision, multifocals, toric lenses for astigmatism, and colored lenses are available lens types.

DiscountContacts.com also sells rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses. These lenses are harder than soft contact lenses and allow more oxygen to pass through the lens material. RGP lenses last longer than soft lenses and provide sharper vision. However, it takes time for regular contact lens wearers to become comfortable with the lens type. RGP lenses start at $35 per lens, but they can last for years with proper care.

Overall, prices are competitive. For example, a 90-count box of Acuvue Oasys 1-Day costs $94.99 on DiscountContacts.com. However, there’s a 20% discount for new customers and reorders on subscriptions. Students and military members also qualify for a 20% discount on all orders. That reduces the price to $75.99. At Walmart, the same box is about $80 unless you order six or 12 months’ worth of lenses.

Unlike many online providers, DiscountContacts.com offers limited eye care via an online test and a remote eye doctor. The free online vision test is available to people between the ages of 18 and 55. You use your computer and smartphone to complete the vision test. Your computer displays letter charts like at the optometrist, and you complete vision test questions on your smartphone.

It takes one day for the optometrist to review the 15-minute test before you get a new contact lens prescription. If you feel your current contact lenses aren’t working, it’s a useful feature. However, it’s no substitute for in-person optometrist appointments since online tests can’t check eye health or for conditions like macular degeneration and glaucoma.

DiscountContacts.com is an out-of-network provider for most vision insurance plans, including Davis Vision, EyeMed, UnitedHealthcare, and VSP.

If you want to save even more money on contact lenses, you can also shop through Rakuten to earn cash-back rewards at DiscountContacts.com and other online retailers. It’s a simple way to get paid for shopping, and Rakuten pays your cash back quarterly through PayPal or check.

Shop Now

4. AC Lens

Pros: 20% off subscriptions and first-time purchases; free online vision test; free shipping
Cons: AC Lens becomes less affordable than bulk shopping options after your first order if you don’t subscribe
Verdict: AC Lens is a solid option if you subscribe for contact lens delivery, but it’s not the most affordable choice for one-time purchases

If you’re a fan of subscription services, AC Lens is one of your best options for buying contacts online. If you subscribe for lens delivery, you receive 20% off future deliveries. You also get free shipping on all orders.

If you don’t like subscriptions, you can still shop directly for contacts. Additionally, new customers usually get 20% off their first order.

There are numerous brands, including:

Acuvue
Biofinity
Clariti
Dailies
Extreme H20
Novawet
Proclear
SofLens

Lens categories include daily, weekly, and monthly disposables. AC Lens carries single-vision, bifocal and multifocal lenses, toric lenses to correct astigmatism, and color lenses. You can also find conventional vial and RGP contacts.

Like some online contact lens suppliers, AC Lens offers a free online vision test if you’re between 18 and 55. It’s a 15-minute test, and you receive your new contact lens prescription within one business day.

To take the test, you read letters from a distance using your computer’s screen and record your answers on a smartphone. Online eye exams don’t examine eye health or work well for powerful prescriptions. If you have a strong prescription, it’s better to go to an optometrist than use an online vision test.

Standard U.S. shipping is free and takes five to seven business days. You can get faster shipping for $9.99 and overnight shipping for $19.99. AC Lens is an out-of-network provider for most vision insurance plans, including:

Davis Vision
EyeMed
UnitedHealthcare
VSP

AC Lens is worth it if you subscribe for the 20% discount and use free shipping. But without discounts, it’s priced too high for smaller one-time orders.

Shop Now

5. ContactsDirect

Pros: Savings on annual supplies; multiple discounts and rebates; price matching; free shipping or pick up in store
Cons: $29.99 fee for online vision test
Verdict: ContactsDirect is one of the most affordable options for buying an annual supply of contacts, especially if you leverage discounts and cash-back options

If you want to buy an annual supply of contact lenses, ContactsDirect has some of the lowest prices on the market.

According to ContactsDirect, you can save up to $100 when you buy an annual According to ContactsDirect, you can save up to $125 when you buy an annual supply of lenses from certain brands. The website displays a product savings badge that shows how much you save purchasing a yearly supply, so it’s easy to spot deals.

ContactsDirect carries over a dozen brands, including:

Acuvue
Avaira
Biotrue
Biomedics
Dailies
Focus
MyDay
Optima
Ultra

Lens categories include daily disposables, two-week lenses, and monthly lenses. For lens types, ContactsDirect offers single-vision, bifocals and multifocals, toric lenses to correct astigmatism, and color lenses.

ContactsDirect doesn’t always have the best prices on bulk orders at first glance. For example, an annual supply of Dailies AquaComfort Plus 90-packs, which is eight boxes, drops the price per box from $65.99 to about $57 per box. But the same bulk shopping choice at Walmart brings the price per box to around $51.

Still, ContactsDirect separates itself from the competition with discounts and promo codes. For starters, it often runs a 15% off promo code. New customers can get 20% off when they sign up for the site’s newsletter. Additionally, ContactsDirect has a 15% discount for students, military service members, teachers, first responders, and U.S. government employees.

You can’t stack regular promo codes and unique student or employment discounts, but 20% off is nothing to scoff at. Better still, the site has a price match policy. If you find a better price at Walmart, Costco, Walgreens, 1-800 Contacts, or Coastal, call 1-844-5-LENSES and ContactsDirect will beat that price.

If that weren’t enough, ContactsDirect is a Rakuten partner, so you can earn cash-back rewards for your purchases.

Standard shipping is free, and you also have the option to pick up your order in person at a LensCrafters store. ContactsDirect accepts most major vision insurance plans. However, it is not an in-network provider for VSP.

ContactsDirect also offers a vision test to renew your prescription. You can take it with either a smartphone or a computer rather than needing to use both. But it costs $29.99, whereas some online sellers offer free vision tests.

It’s worth noting that online vision tests don’t check for eye health or conditions like glaucoma. Additionally, you need an existing prescription to take the test, so you can’t be a first-time contact lens wearer. If it’s been a year or two since you’ve taken a regular eye exam, go to an optometrist instead.

If you want to save money buying an annual supply of contact lenses, ContactsDirect is possibly the best online option. Just use promo codes, compare bulk prices between other retailers, and take advantage of price matching if necessary.

Shop Now

6. Lens.com

Pros: Brand variety; online vision test; excellent limited-time deals
Cons: No free shipping
Verdict: Shop at Lens.com if you’re willing to bargain-hunt for limited-time deals for massive savings

You don’t have to settle for cheap contact lenses and low-quality brands to find savings on Lens.com. Popular brands include Acuvue, Biofinity, Biomedics, Dailies, and SofLens. You can also find over a dozen other brands such as:

Boston
Clariti
Expressions
FreshLook
Optima
Vertex

For lens categories, options include daily, weekly, and monthly disposables. Single-vision, toric lenses for astigmatism, bifocals, RGP, silicone hydrogel, and color lens types are available. Lens.com also carries novelty lenses for changing the appearance of your eyes.

Lens.com runs limited-time deals that often beat the competition. For example, one recent deal featured a 90-pack of Dailies AquaComfort Plus for $53.44 per box, with a $135 rebate for buying four boxes. In comparison, Walmart was selling the same box for $65.86 per box, with a $120 discount for buying eight boxes. At Costco, the price was $81.98 per box, with a $50 mail-in rebate for buying eight boxes.

Plus, you can renew your prescription by taking a 10-minute online eye exam. You have to be 18 to 55 years old to take the exam, and it requires both a smartphone and a computer. The cost is $9.99.

The primary downside of Lens.com is that U.S. shipping costs a minimum of $9.95.

In terms of vision coverage, Lens.com is an out-of-network provider for most vision care providers, so if you have vision care insurance, reimbursement shouldn’t be an issue.

Because of the potential savings from deals, it’s always worth comparing Lens.com prices to wherever you typically shop, especially if you’re not in the market for bulk contact lenses.

Shop Now

7. Costco Optical

Pros: Discounts for buying in bulk; free shipping on most orders
Cons: Requires a Costco membership
Verdict: If you already shop at Costco, you can purchase an annual supply of contact lenses to save

If you’re a Costco member, you can already take advantage of numerous Costco shopping tricks to save money on groceries and household products.

But Costco Optical also has low prices on eyewear and contact lenses. Costco also carries over a dozen brands, including:

Acuvue
Air Optix
Biofinity
Biotrue
Dailies
MyDay
Proclear
PureVision

Costco carries single-vision, toric lenses for astigmatism, multifocals, and color lenses. Lens categories include daily disposable lenses, two-week lenses, and monthly lenses.

Costco also has its own Kirkland Signature pack of 90 lenses for $58.99. But in true Costco fashion, there are usually offers for buying multiple boxes at once or purchasing larger packs that help you save money. For example, buying four boxes of Kirkland Signature contact lenses saves $35, and buying eight boxes saves $95.

Non-Costco brands can also offer mail-in rebates. For example, one offer is to buy eight (90-count) boxes of Dailies Total 1 multifocals to receive a $70 mail-in rebate. Each box is $109.87, so it’s a significant upfront expense. But in exchange for bulk shopping, you save $70 with the rebate.

You still need a Costco membership to buy contact lenses. It’s worth noting that Costco shipping is free for most orders, including optical purchases. Additionally, Costco accepts most vision insurance plans.

You should factor in Costco’s $60 annual membership fee to what you save on contact lenses and anything else you would shop for. But if you shop at Costco regularly, you can likely offset the membership fee with your savings.

Plus, you can also shop with the Costco Anywhere Visa card to earn cash back for shopping at Costco and travel, dining, and everyday spending.

Shop Now

8. Walmart Contacts

Pros: Discounts for buying in bulk; free shipping
Cons: No discounts for using the subscription service
Verdict: Shop at Walmart if you want to buy at least six to 12 months’ worth of contacts and don’t have a Costco membership

Shopping at Walmart can help you save money on household items and everyday essentials.

Walmart Contacts is also a convenient way to save money when buying contacts. Aside from free shipping, Walmart carries popular contact lens brands like:

Acuvue
Air Optix
Clariti
Dailies
Eureka
FreshLook
SofLens
Ultra
Acuvue
Air Optix
Clariti
Dailies
Eureka
FreshLook
SofLens
Ultra

Walmart has daily, one- to two-week, and one- to three-month disposables. Lens types include single-vision, toric lenses for astigmatism, color and tinted, conventional (vial) lenses, and bifocal and multifocal lenses.

Prices can be slightly more expensive than Costco for larger orders. For example, Walmart’s 90-count box of Dailies Total 1 multifocals is $135 (or $127.50 apiece if you buy four boxes). Costco sells it for $109.87 per box with a $70 rebate for buying eight boxes that reduces the cost to $101.12 per box.

However, there are still numerous affordable options.Many packs of daily disposable lenses cost less than $1 per day. Two-week lens users can purchase Walmart’s own Equate brand for just $14 per box, or $0.33 per day.
Additionally, buying contact lenses for six- and 12-month periods often drops the price per box significantly. For example, a three-month supply of 1-Day Acuvue Moist lenses costs about $82 per box. But if you buy 12 months’ worth of boxes, the price drops to about $69 per box.

Plus, you can set up a no-hassle contact lens subscription to receive regular deliveries. Unfortunately, you don’t receive a discount for subscribing, but subscribing ensures you’re always stocked up.

As for vision insurance, Walmart Contacts is an out-of-network provider for:

Cole Managed Vision
Davis Vision
EyeMed
Spectera
VSP

Walmart has an impressive brand and inventory selection. If you want to buy in bulk or try the subscription service, Walmart is a worthy alternative to Costco.

Shop Now

9. ContactLensKing.com

Pros: Savings on bulk purchases; $10 referral bonus
Cons: No free shipping; doesn’t work with all insurers
Verdict: ContactLensKing.com is another affordable option for buying a year’s supply of contact lenses, especially if you don’t have a Costco membership

Another bulk-shopping option to save money on contact lenses is ContactLensKing.com.

ContactLensKing.com encourages you to buy your lenses in bulk. Almost every product on the website has an “as low as” price next to regular pricing that shows the potential discount you can score for buying a certain number of boxes.

ContactLensKing.com carries over a dozen brands, including:

Acuvue
Air Optix
Biomedics
Biofinity
Biotrue
Dailies
Proclear
PureVision

Lens categories are also standard, and you can buy daily, weekly, and monthly disposables. Other options include toric lenses to correct astigmatism, color, and bifocal and multifocal lenses.

If you’re only buying one or two boxes of contact lenses, it’s tough to score discounts on ContactLensKing.com. Additionally, shipping is at least $7.95 in the U.S. The focus on bulk shopping and lack of free shipping ultimately means Contact Lens King is best for buying at least six to 12 months’ worth of contact lenses.

ContactLensKing.com says vision insurance reimbursement varies depending on your provider and doesn’t include a list of insurance partners. So if you want to use vision insurance at ContactLensKing.com, call your provider first to see if your purchase is eligible for reimbursement.

On the bright side, ContactLensKing.com has a $10 referral program. Each time one of your referrals places their first order, you receive credit in your account. But it’s still best to use ContactLensKing.com for bulk shopping and other retailers for smaller orders.

Shop Now

10. 1-800 Contacts

Pros: 20% first-time order bonus; free shipping
Cons: A 5% subscription discount isn’t the best subscription deal
Verdict: 1-800 Contacts is worth it to leverage the 25% welcome discount for a first-time order, but it’s more hassle to get deals for the long term

For a limited time, new customers can receive a 25% discount at 1-800 Contacts (at other times, the discount is 20%). You can also subscribe for regular deliveries to save 5% off future orders. You can also subscribe for regular deliveries to save 5% off future orders.

For brands, 1-800 Contacts carries popular choices like:

Acuvue
Air Optix
Clariti
Dailies
FreshLook
Proclear
SofLens

Lens categories include vial lenses and daily, one- to two-week, and monthly disposables. You can find single-vision, bifocal and multifocal lenses, toric lenses for astigmatism, and color lenses.

The 25% discount helps 1-800 Contacts remain competitive for first-time orders. For example, a 30-pack of Dailies AquaComfort Plus costs about $20 with the discount. Discount Contact Lenses sells the same box for $23.99. If you spend more on a 90-pack, 1-800 Contacts’ price per box is under $75, whereas Discount Contact Lenses’ price per box is over $85.

If you need to renew your contact lens prescription, you can take an online vision test on your smartphone in 10 minutes. The site charges $20 for this service.

Online vision tests help you renew your prescription but don’t examine eye health. If it’s been a year or two since you went for an in-person eye exam, renew your prescription through an optometrist instead.

U.S. shipping is free, and 1-800 Contacts is an in-network provider for:

Davis Vision
Superior Vision
Spectera
Blue View Vision
Anthem BCBS

You can use it as an out-of-network provider with other vision insurance plans.

The site also has a best-price guarantee, promising to beat any publicly available deal from a U.S. competitor. However, you can’t combine this price match with insurance. Instead, the site compares your final price for both and gives you whichever one is lower. And to maximize your discount, the site also works with Rakuten.

The first-time discount makes 1-800 Contacts worth considering if you’re spending a lot of money on your first order. And the price matching makes it a decent value for recurring purchases, though it takes a little more work to use.

Shop Now

11. LensCrafters

Pros: Up to $200 in annual contact lens savings; AAA and AARP member benefits; free shipping
Cons: Not the cheapest option if you aren’t shopping for annual supplies
Verdict: If you’re an AAA or AARP member and want to buy a yearly supply of contact lenses, LensCrafters is for you

While LensCrafters specializes in eyewear and carries many premium brands, it’s also an effective way to save money on contact lenses. LensCrafters even says you can save up to $200 on your annual supply of contacts by shopping online or in-store.

The website displays how much you save for buying an annual supply of certain contact lens boxes. Most boxes grant $30 or $100 in savings for bulk purchases.

As for brands, LensCrafters carries options like:

Acuvue
Biotrue
Biofinity
Dailies
PureVision
SofLens
Ultra

LensCrafters also has its own contact lens brand, but these are not the most affordable option. For lens types, it carries single-vision, toric lenses to correct astigmatism, multifocals, and color lenses. Daily, biweekly, monthly, and semiannual lenses are available.

For annual savings, LensCrafters is worth looking into. For example, a yearly supply (eight boxes) of Biotrue ONEday for presbyopia (age-related far-sightedness) costs $657.92. At Costco, the cost is $511.84, but you need a membership to shop at Costco.

Furthermore, AARP and AAA members can receive 10% off eligible contacts at LensCrafters, and this discount stacks with manufacturer rebates. Which means if you’re an AARP or AAA member and can stack your savings with a rebate, LensCrafters is surprisingly affordable.

LensCrafters’ shipping is free. And LensCrafters has an extensive network of vision insurance partners and accepts most plans for payment, in store and online.

Shop Now

12. WebEyeCare

Pros: Save up to 70% on contact lenses, even without a subscription
Cons: Expensive vision test; shipping is only free on orders over $89
Verdict: Great alternative to in-person buying without the pressure to commit

WebEyeCare offers deeply discounted eyewear and contacts from recognizable brands and budget-friendly alternatives alike. Top-selling names include:

Acuvue
Dailies
Biofinity
Clariti
Air Optix
Precision1

WebEyeCare also carries specialty goods at surprisingly affordable prices. For example, you can save over 5% off list price on a six-pack of Air Optix Colors and an extra $20 off if you buy an annual supply.

With up to 70% off name-brand contacts, it’s hard to find fault with WebEyeCare’s value. The only downside is the shipping cost, which is only free on orders over $89. Also, WebEyeCare charges $34.99 for its vision test, a service some sites provide for free.

Final Word

Vision care is expensive. But when it comes to buying contact lenses, you rarely have to pay full price considering how much competition there is in the market.

Try shopping online with shopping browser extensions and daily discount websites to take your savings even further. Websites like Rakuten and Capital One Shopping help you earn cash back and find coupon codes and are free to use.

And if you can use websites that offer free shipping instead of paying extra every time you buy contact lenses online, that’s another simple way to save.

Additionally, take advantage of other ways to save money on vision care. For example, most contact lenses and lens solutions are eligible purchases under your health savings account and flexible spending account, which help you save money when filing your taxes.

As long as you spend time looking for deals and use the discounts and tools at your disposal, you can put a dent in your annual vision care expenses without sacrificing quality.

Tom is a freelance writer originally from Toronto, Canada. Tom’s passion for finance and discovering methods to make money originally sparked in college when he was trying to make ends meet on a tight budget. Outside of freelance writing, Tom also manages the blog This Online World – a personal finance website dedicated to helping young adults make and save more money.

Source: moneycrashers.com

Apache is functioning normally

May 25, 2023 by Brett Tams

The savings offers that appear on this site are from companies from which MoneyCrashers.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). MoneyCrashers.com does not include all savings companies or all savings offers available in the marketplace.

Years ago, finding a bank meant heading downtown and choosing from whichever options were available there. The Internet dramatically lessened the importance of physical branches and made it possible to bank from anywhere at any time.

Virtually all banks with physical locations have online portals, but a growing number now do the bulk of their business online. Some have ties to community banks and may have physical branches in select regions. Others exist only in the digital realm and have no physical branches.

What follows is a list of the best online banks on the market today.

Best Online Banks of May 2023

These are the best online banks on the market right now.

Each does at least one thing really well, whether it’s offering a potent lineup of budgeting and money management tools or delivering savings and CD rates well above the national average. Our top pick offers the most value for the greatest number of potential customers, in our opinion.

Unless otherwise noted, all the accounts on this list come with FDIC insurance up to $250,000 per account.

Best Overall: American Express® National Bank, Member FDIC

The American Express® High Yield Savings Account has a solid yield on all balances with $0 maintenance fees, a $0 minimum opening deposit, and a $0 minimum balance. The current savings yield is 3.90% Annual percentage Yield (APY) as of May 16, 2023.

Want to tie up your money for a while at a higher interest rate? Choose from seven CD options ranging from six months to five years.

CD yields are very good across the board: 3.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on the longest-term product (60 months or 5 years) and 4.25% on the 12-month CD. Early withdrawal penalties are:

90 days’ interest for terms under 12 months
270 days’ interest for terms between 12 and 48 months (four years)
365 days’ interest for terms between 48 and 60 months (five years)
540 days’ interest for terms of 60 months or longer

Additional features:

Extensive lineup of personal credit products, including premium credit cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express
Move money between up to three external bank accounts in short order
24/7 customer service

Apply Now

Best Credit Union: Alliant Credit Union

When is an online bank not an online bank? When it’s an online credit union.

There’s no better branchless option than Alliant Credit Union. As a credit union, Alliant exists for its members rather than stockholders so they will always put you first.

Alliant has a comprehensive lineup of checking and savings accounts, like:

High-Rate Savings, a high yield savings account for goal-oriented savers (currently 3.10% APY¹)
High-Rate Checking, a checking account with competitive interest rates
Certificates of Deposit, which help you earn more with set interest rates for a fixed period of time (currently yielding 5.00% APY)
Kids Savings, a custodial account that helps you teach sound money management concepts to kids 12 and younger
Teen Checking, a joint account for kids aged 13 to 17 — there when you’re ready to loosen the reins

Additional features:

Get access to over 80,000 in-network ATMs with Alliant
No monthly service fee with eStatements
Low minimum deposit and balance requirements
Bank anywhere, anytime with the Alliant mobile app

Insured by NCUA

(¹For important additional disclosures, please refer to the corresponding footnote at the Sign Up link directly above.)

Best for High Yields: CIT Bank

CIT Bank offers several different accounts with category-leading yields:

Savings Connect has one of the best yields of any bank account, online or off: 4.50% APY.
Platinum Savings has an outstanding yield when you maintain a balance of $5,000 or more (4.75% APY) and a so-so yield when you don’t (0.25% APY).
Savings Builder yields up to 1.00% APY for accountholders who can meet minimum balance or deposit requirements.
The CIT Bank Money Market account has a very good yield on all balances (currently 1.55% APY) with no monthly maintenance or service fees.
Multiple CIT Bank CDs offer above-average yields, led by the 11-month CIT No Penalty CD at 4.80%

Additional features:

No monthly service fee
No early withdrawal penalty for No Penalty CDs
No ATM fees in-network
CIT may reimburse up to $30 in outside ATM fees
Earn interest on eligible eChecking funds

Best for Investors: Wealthfront

Wealthfront is a next-generation banking service that’s ideal for day-to-day money management. Its Cash Account features high-interest checking, no account fees, and a host of value-added features — and you can open an account with just $1.

But Wealthfront made its name in the investment business, and there’s where it continues to shine. Key features include:

Build semi-customized, automatically rebalanced, globally diversified portfolios of low-cost index funds optimized with daily tax-loss harvesting
Just $500 minimum to invest
Pay an annualized management fee of 0.25% assets under management (AUM) on all balances
Choose from individual and joint taxable accounts, IRAs, and 529 college savings plan accounts
Portfolio line of credit that lets you tap up to 30% of your account value once you have $25,000 or more under management
Consolidated view of all your accounts through Wealthfront’s free DIY financial planning tool

Additional features of the Wealthfront Cash Account include:

4.55% APY (variable) on all balances
$1 minimum opening deposit
No account fees
No overdraft fees
FDIC insurance on balances up to $5 million
Get paid up to two days early with direct deposit
Put your money to work in the market within minutes when you use your Cash Account to invest in a Wealthfront Investment Account
Mobile check deposit
Free bill pay and peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers
Complimentary debit card and free in-network ATM access
For a limited time, get $30 bonus cash when you open a Wealthfront Cash Account and fund your new account with at least $500 in new money. Terms apply.

Money Crashers, LLC receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Advisers LLC (“Wealthfront Advisers”) for each new client that applies for a Wealthfront Automated Investing Account through our links. This creates an incentive that results in a material conflict of interest. Money Crashers, LLC is not a Wealthfront Advisers client, and this is a paid endorsement. More information is available via our links to Wealthfront Advisers.

Best for Customer Support: Albert

Albert is a powerful financial app that makes spending, saving, and investing easy. It’s among the growing crop of financial solutions that offer early payday with eligible direct deposit, and its automated savings and investing features put it well ahead of the pack.

But where Albert really shines is on the customer service front. The platform has a dedicated team of in-house financial experts — called Geniuses — to help you make sense of your money. That puts it heads and shoulders above its crop of fellow digital money management apps.

Additional features:

Albert Cash. This is the place to manage your day-to-day spending money with Albert. Earn up to 20% back on eligible debit card purchases and get paid up to two days early with qualifying direct deposit. Use the Albert Instant cash advance feature to get up to $250 from your next paycheck with no hidden fees.
Albert Savings. Albert’s Smart savings engine sizes up your cash flow and sets aside funds automatically so that you’re always moving toward your financial goals. Set specific goals within the app, such as building an emergency fund or saving for your next vacation. And get cash bonuses on your Albert Savings every year.
Albert Investing. Start investing with as little as $1 using Albert’s guided investment platform. Choose your own stocks or themes, or have Albert do it for you.

Best for Debit Card Rewards: GO2bank

GO2bank is a low-friction online bank with a mobile-friendly bank account (no monthly fee with eligible direct deposit) and impressive yields on savings (4.50% APY²on savings up to $5,000).

Eligible electronic gift card purchases in the app earn up to 7% cash back; Amazon eGift Card purchases in the app earn 3% cash back. Terms and conditions apply.

Additional features:

No minimum opening deposit or ongoing balance requirement
Avoid the $5 monthly fee with an eligible direct deposit
Get paid up to two days early with ASAP Direct Deposit^{TM 3}
Deposit cash at participating retail stores, subject to fees and deposit limits
Enjoy up to $200 in overdraft protection with opt-in and eligible direct deposit.*
Earn 4.50% APY paid quarterly on savings up to $5,000 — over 10 times the national average savings rate²

* $15 fee may apply to each purchase transaction not repaid within 24 hours of authorization of the first transaction that overdrafts your account. Overdrafts paid at GO2bank’s discretion.

¹Active GO2bank account required to receive an eGift Card. eGift Card merchants subject to change.

²GO2bank, Member FDIC. Interest paid quarterly on the average daily balance of savings during the quarter up to a $5,000 balance and if the account is in good standing. 4.50% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) as of April 2023. APY may change before or after you open an account. The average national savings account interest rate of 0.39% is determined by the FDIC as of 4/18/23. Visit https://www.fdic.gov/regulations/resources/rates/ to learn more. Fees on your primary deposit account may reduce earnings on your savings account.

³Direct deposit early availability depends on the timing of the payor’s payment instructions and fraud prevention restrictions may apply. As such, the availability or timing of early direct deposit may vary from pay period to pay period. The name and Social Security number on file with your employer or benefits provider must match your GO2bank account exactly or GO2bank will decline your deposit.

Best for No Account Fees Ever: Rewards Checking via Upgrade

Rewards Checking via Upgrade⁴ has a slew of user benefits, but its defining feature couldn’t be simpler: no account fees, ever.

That’s right. As a user, you pay no account fees — no annual fees, overdraft fees, transfer fees, or ATM fees charged by Rewards Checking by Upgrade¹.

There’s more, of course. Additional features of Rewards Checking via Upgrade include:

2% cash back on purchases at convenience stores, drugstores, restaurants, and bars, and on utility bills and certain monthly subscriptions²
Earn up to $500 cash back per year at the 2% rate
Earn 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases

Get up to five third-party ATM fee rebates each month¹
You may receive discounts on loans and cards through Upgrade³
FDIC Insured up to $250,000 through Cross River Bank, Member FDIC

1 There are no account fees, overdraft fees, annual fees, or transfer fees associated with Rewards Checking accounts. Rewards Checking charges no ATM fees, but third-party institutions may charge you a fee if you use their ATM/network or if you use your Upgrade VISA® Debit Card internationally. Upgrade will rebate any ATM fee charged by another institution for debit card withdrawals in the United States, up to five times per calendar month. To be eligible to receive third-party ATM fee rebates in any calendar month for eligible ATM withdrawals made during that month, customers must have (i) an open Rewards Checking account and (ii) either maintained an average daily balance in their account of at least $2,500 in the prior calendar month or made direct deposits into their account totaling at least $1,000 during the prior calendar month. As a courtesy to new customers, Upgrade will provide third-party ATM fee rebates for up to the first 2 calendar months after account opening regardless of account activity. Some limitations apply and terms and conditions may change. Please refer to the applicable Cross River Bank Deposit Account Agreement and Upgrade VISA® Debit Card Agreement and Disclosures for more information.

2 Rewards Checking customers accrue 2% cash back on common everyday expenses at convenience stores, drugstores, restaurants, and bars – including deliveries – and gas stations, as well as recurring payments on utilities and monthly subscriptions including phone, cable, TV and other streaming services, and 1% cash back on all other debit card charges. 2% cash back is limited to $500 in rewards per calendar year; after $500, customers accrue 1% cash back on all eligible debit card charges for the remainder of the year. Some limitations apply. Please refer to the applicable Upgrade VISA® Debit Card Agreement and Disclosures for more information.

3 The interest rate on a new loan or credit line through Upgrade may be up to 20% lower than would otherwise be applicable without this discount, as long as you have an active Rewards Checking Account. Additional terms may apply. Please refer to the applicable Truth-in-Lending Disclosure and Loan Agreement.

4 Upgrade is a financial technology company, not a bank. Rewards Checking services provided by Cross River Bank, Member FDIC. Upgrade VISA® Debit Cards issued by Cross River Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Personal Loans made by Upgrade’s bank partners. Personal Credit Lines are issued by Cross River Bank, a New Jersey State Chartered Commercial Bank, Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender. The Upgrade Card is issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.

Best for Automated Budgeting: Douugh

Douugh is a money management app that makes it easy to stay on top of your day-to-day financial obligations while saving for a rainy day — and happier days too.

A single mobile-friendly dashboard makes it all possible.

How? That’s down to Salary Sweeper, an AI-enabled feature that automatically allocates income to two protected “jars”:

Your Bill Jar, complete with a virtual card of its own
Your Savings Jar, which is actually a customizable array of single-purpose savings buckets

The rest is yours to spend as you please using a debit card accepted by millions of merchants worldwide. Best of all, you never have to give manual budgeting a second thought.

Additional features:

Enjoy a free checking account with a Mastercard debit card
Use Apple Pay, PayPal, and other payment apps to make purchases online and IRL
Lock and unlock your card and change your PIN within the app — without calling customer service or visiting a branch.

Best for Debt Refinancing: SoFi Checking and Savings

Need to refinance the student loans you’ve been carrying for years with no end in sight?

Open a SoFi Checking and Savings account, then head over to SoFi’s student loan refinancing portal to check out your options. SoFi is a category leader in the education loan refinancing business, with incredibly low rates, flexible terms, and an array of reasonable repayment options.

And since you’re also in the market for a new online bank, you’ll enjoy these great SoFi Checking and Savings perks and features:

No minimum opening deposit or balance requirement
Rate discounts on SoFi loans
Free peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers
Customized financial planning
Member-exclusive offers from SoFi partners
A referral program that pays up to $310 per successful referral
Up to 3.75% APY on eligible balances

Plus, for a limited time, sign up for SoFi Checking and Savings and earn a $250 opening bonus when you set up direct deposit of at least $1,000 into your account

Best for Teens and Young People: Copper Banking

Copper is a banking solution for teens age 13 and older — and their parents too.

It’s built around the Copper Card, a personalized debit card that leverages Apple Pay technology to facilitate seamless online and in-person transactions.

The Copper App allows parents to monitor spending and instantly send money in seconds. For teens, its Automatic Saving feature encourages saving — a lifelong financial habit — by automatically setting aside a portion of each paycheck or inflow.

Additional features:

Copper has a wealth of financial literacy content for parents and kids alike — it’s one of the best financial education tools around
Withdraw cash for free at over 55,000 ATMs
All Copper Accounts are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 through Evolve Bank & Trust

Best for Potential Returns on Savings & Spending: PrizePool

PrizePool is a truly unique financial app — the only FDIC-insured deposit account provider that offers users the chance to earn serious money based on your saving and spending habits.

PrizePool offers two ways to win:

Savings Balances: Get 1 ticket for PrizePool’s prize drawings for every $1 on deposit in your savings account, every day. So if you have $1,000 in your account, you get 1,000 tickets every day.
Debit Card Purchases: Earn 30 tickets for every $1 spent, plus get the chance to have your purchases reimbursed.

PrizePool holds a weekly drawing every Friday. There are almost 6,000 cash prizes every week, including a $10,000 grand prize drawing at least once every six weeks.

Additional features:

Earn 0.30% APY on eligible savings balances
Deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000
Refer new users to PrizePool and get 10% of their prize winnings forever

Best for Freelancers and Self-Employed People: Lili

Lili offers a totally free checking solution with a slew of value-added features designed to simplify your financial life.

Its core product is built with freelancers in mind, but it’s appropriate for a range of use cases, from solopreneurs to folks who supplement 9-to-5 income with side hustle revenue.

With powerful, automated tax savings and expense categorization tools, Lili eliminates the need to juggle separate bank accounts for business and personal needs — it’s just one deposit account for your entire financial life.

Additional features:

No minimum opening deposits or ongoing balance requirements and no account fees
Pay virtually anywhere with a Visa debit card that’s accepted worldwide

Lili’s Tax Bucket tool automatically sets aside funds earmarked for income tax payments
Utilize expense management and categorization tools that simplify business budgeting, cash flow management, and year-end accounting
Get real-time alerts for every transaction (and other account activities too)
Make mobile check deposits through the Lili mobile app
Make cash deposits at more than 90,000 retail locations across the U.S., including CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid
Get paid up to two days early with early direct deposit
Enjoy fee-free withdrawals at about 38,000 ATMs nationwide

For $9 per month, Lili Pro adds even more valuable features:

A premium Visa Business Debit Card that delivers cash-back rewards
BalanceUp, a fee-free overdraft solution that covers up to $200 in would-be overdrafts
Advanced expense tracking that helps business owners maximize their tax deductions
A savings account that pays interest

Best for Savers: Quontic Bank

Quontic Bank got its start as a New York City community bank that catered to thrifty types.

Today, Quontic’s branch-based banking options represent just a small fraction of its offerings. With a nationwide digital footprint, Quontic delivers category-leading checking and savings yields for consumers and small-business owners from all walks of life — all with no monthly service fees:

Cash Rewards Checking: Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on qualifying debit card transactions after meeting the $100 minimum opening deposit.
Bitcoin Rewards Checking: Earn 1.5% Bitcoin on qualifying debit card transactions. The minimum opening deposit is $500. This account may not be available in all states.
High Interest Checking: Make 10 or more qualifying debit card point-of-sale transactions of $10 or more per statement cycle to earn interest at competitive rates based on account balance. The minimum opening deposit is $100.
High Yield Savings: Earn interest at category-leading rates (currently 4.25%) after meeting the $100 minimum opening deposit.
Money Market: Earn solid yields (currently 4.75%) after meeting the $100 minimum.
CDs: Quontic CDs have terms ranging from six months to three years and competitive yields that generally increase in proportion to term. The minimum opening deposit is $500. Early withdrawal penalties may apply.

Additional features:

Tap to pay with the Quontic Pay Ring — the first wearable debit card
Choose from an array of home loans, including community development loans that go beyond your traditional credit profile
Take advantage of special loans for foreign nationals and recent immigrants

Best for Borrowers: Discover Bank

Discover Bank is a full-service online bank with a wide range of deposit accounts. It’s a great (almost) one-stop shop for your digital financial needs.

Discover Bank’s real differentiator is its comprehensive lineup of secured and unsecured credit products. That includes unsecured personal loans, which many online banks don’t bother with due to perceived risk.

You’ll find home loans, home equity products, student loans, credit cards, and personal lines of credit here too.

Discover Bank’s deposit account options include:

Cashback Debit: This checking account has no yield, but you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in qualifying debit card spending each month. There’s no monthly maintenance fee.
Online Savings Account: This account has a very strong yield on all balances — currently 3.90% APY. There’s no maintenance fee or minimum to open.
Money Market Account: With a minimum opening deposit and balance requirement of $2,500, this account has competitive yields on all balances. Its two balance tiers cleave at $100,000, but yields on higher balances barely exceed those on lower balances. Enjoy a free, optional debit card, and no maintenance fee. There’s also no minimum balance fee, despite the minimum balance requirement.
Traditional CDs: CD terms range from three months to 10 years. Yields range widely, peaking on longer-term CDs. You need $2,500 to open any CD.

Additional features:

Structure any money market or CD as a traditional, Roth, or SEP IRA
Or roll over your 401(k), 457 deferred compensation plan, annuity, or IRA from another institution
Enjoy a coast-to-coast network of 60,000 fee-free ATMs
Enjoy 24/7 support by phone, live chat, and email
Make mobile check deposits from anywhere
Enjoy free, instant P2P money transfers

Methodology: How We Select the Best Online Banks

We use several key factors to evaluate online banks and surface the very best ones for our readers. Each relates in some way to the overall user experience, and you’ll see many represented in our “Best For” categories above.

Available Account Types

The best online banks offer a range of different deposit account types: free checking, savings, CD, and money market accounts, among many others.

Truly comprehensive online banks go even further, with less-common account offerings like savings IRAs, jumbo CDs, and more. More accounts doesn’t necessarily mean a better banking experience, but it’s helpful if you’re looking for a one-stop financial shop.

Interest Rates

Online banks tend to have higher yields — interest rates paid to the account holder — as well as lower interest rates on certain types of loans, if offered.

You shouldn’t count on that though. It’s important to shop around and choose an online bank that consistently offers significantly better rates. Not all do.

Account Minimums

The best online banks have low or no minimum balances and low or no minimum opening deposit requirements on checking, savings, and money market accounts.

CDs generally do have minimum deposit requirements, even at the best online banks, but there’s lots of variation. Look for deposits at or below the $1,000 mark, if possible.

Monthly Maintenance Fees

Free is always better than not free, right?

Not necessarily. Some of the best online banks around charge modest monthly fees. In exchange, they offer a wealth of value-added features and services that can earn or save you money (and sometimes both at the same time).

That said, we do give preference to banks that don’t charge monthly fees at all. Because everyone could use a break.

Other Account Fees

The trusty monthly maintenance fee is just the most visible bank fee. Others include:

ATM fees (in-network and out-of-network)
Wire transfer fees
Excess transaction fees
Early withdrawal penalties
Minimum balance fees

Traditional banks are notorious for nickel-and-diming their customers. By contrast, most online banks do charge at least some fees, but they’re predictable and clearly disclosed on their websites and applications.

For example, many online bank CDs come with early withdrawal penalties. These can be equivalent to as little as one month’s interest on shorter-term CDs but may range up to 24 months of interest on very long-term CDs.

All else being equal, we prefer online banks that charge few if any fees — and hidden fees are a dealbreaker.

Investment and Tax-Advantaged Options

Many online banks stick to core banking services, like checking and savings. But a growing number of online banks offer a wider array of options for people who’d like to be able to do all their banking in the same place.

We’re particularly fond of online banks that offer tax-advantaged account options, such as savings IRAs and CD IRAs. We also like online banks that have in-house investment platforms — whether they’re self-directed brokerages like Ally Invest or low-cost robo-advisors like Wealthfront.

Credit Options

All online banks have at least one deposit account product. That’s what makes them online banks.

A smaller but growing number make loans or issue lines of credit — including credit cards — as well. Common online bank credit products include:

Mortgage loans, including purchase loans and refinance loans
Home equity products, including home equity loans and lines of credit
Auto loans
Student loans and student loan refinancing products
Personal loans
Credit cards and other types of credit lines

We don’t hold it against online banks that don’t make loans — it’s a big step for many a lean bank. But we do look out for banks that have taken the leap.

Budgeting and Money Management Features

Budgeting is hard to do right. That’s why we’re big fans of online banks with built-in budgeting and money management tools.

The more automated these tools are, the better. In fact, some make our list of the top budgeting apps on the market. Truly “set it and forget it” money management saves the typical consumer hundreds if not thousands of dollars per year.

Online Banking FAQs

Still have questions about online banks and managing money online? We have answers.

How Much Does Online Banking Cost?

Online bank rates, yields, and fees are subject to change at banks’ sole discretion. For up-to-date information about specific accounts and bank policies, check their websites or call customer service.

That said, online banks are generally more affordable than traditional banks. They’re less likely to charge monthly maintenance fees on checking and savings accounts, and many have fewer hidden fees too.

What’s the Interest Rate on an Online Bank Account?

That also depends on the individual bank. But many online accounts feature higher yields relative to those of traditional banks.

That’s because online banks have less overhead than traditional banks. They don’t need to pay to keep big, centrally located branches open or pay people to work at them. Their operations are more efficient, which allows them to pass the savings on to customers via higher rates and lower fees.

How Do You Enroll in Online Banking?

It depends on the bank and how its website or app is structured, but it’s usually straightforward. In fact, with an online-only bank, enrollment is usually automatic. You don’t have to complete a separate application or even click a button to activate your account.

However, you will need to create a unique username and password to get started. You may be asked to do this as part of the initial application process or once your account is approved. You’ll also need to link at least one external funding source to transfer money into your account.

Can You Get a Mortgage From an Online Bank?

Some online banks offer home loans (mortgages) and other credit products. These banks tend to be larger online banks with high name recognition, like Ally Bank and Capital One Bank. Look for a “Mortgages” or “Home Loans” tab on the homepage or in your account dashboard.

Be aware that some online banks outsource mortgage origination to other companies. In other words, if you apply for a mortgage through your bank, your loan officer might actually work for someone else. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it could mean a different level or style of service than you’re used to.

And don’t expect your online bank to offer better mortgage rates than other lenders. The mortgage loan business is highly competitive, and direct lenders with even lower overhead may be able to undercut online banks.

How to Choose the Best Online Bank — Or Several

The institutions on this list offer a great combination of FDIC-insured banking products, solid yields, open access, and helpful customer service.

Before choosing one, take a closer look at the features that set it apart from the competition: rewards checking, flexible withdrawal terms for CDs, particularly high account yields, a socially responsible corporate philosophy, and so on.

And remember that, unlike in the old days, your banking choices aren’t bound by geography or other restrictions. If you can’t settle on a single online bank, why not open accounts at multiple banks and compare your experiences?

Brian Martucci writes about credit cards, banking, insurance, travel, and more. When he’s not investigating time- and money-saving strategies for Money Crashers readers, you can find him exploring his favorite trails or sampling a new cuisine. Reach him on Twitter @Brian_Martucci.

Source: moneycrashers.com

Apache is functioning normally

May 18, 2023 by Brett Tams

The ease of handling your financial transactions from your smartphone is truly unparalleled. Today, we’ll dive into an essential aspect of this popular platform: the process of adding money to your Cash App card.

Where can I load my Cash App card?

To add money to your Cash App card balance, you can load it directly through your Cash App account. This method requires linking a bank account or debit card to your Cash App account. Once linked, you can transfer money from your bank account to your Cash App balance. This is the most straightforward way to load money onto your card.

Additionally, you can deposit cash or paper money deposits into your Cash App account at participating retailers. Retailers such as Walmart, Walgreens, and several others often allow you to deposit paper money to your Cash App card at their customer service desk.

Here’s a full list of retailers that support cash deposits for Cash App:

7-Eleven
Dollar General
Duane Reade
Family Dollar
GoMart
H-E-B
KwikTrip
Rite Aid
Sheetz
Speedway
Thorntons
Walgreens
Walmart at the Customer Service Desk and Money Centers

How to Load Your Cash App Card at Retail Locations

To load your Cash App at a participating store, you’ll need to follow a few steps:

On your smartphone, open the Cash App home screen.
Click on the Cash Card tab.
Click on ‘Add Cash’ and then enter the amount that you want to add onto your Cash Card.
You will then see a unique Cash App barcode that you need to present at the register of the participating retailer.
The cashier will then scan the barcode, initiating the cash deposit to your Cash App account.
You pay the cashier the equivalent amount of paper money that you wish to add to your Cash Card balance.
The cashier will then confirm the transaction and deposit money to your Cash Card.

Remember that some retailers may charge a small fee for paper money deposits to your Cash Card.

Where can I reload my Cash App card for free?

To load your Cash App card for free, you can transfer money from a linked bank account directly from the app. Additionally, if you have a friend or family member who also uses Cash App, they can send money directly to your Cash App balance. You can then use this balance to load your card for free.

Direct deposit is another option for free Cash App deposits. If you receive paychecks, tax returns, or government benefits, you can set up direct deposit to go straight into your Cash App balance, essentially loading your card for free.

To set up direct deposit:

Go to the Banking tab on the app.
Select Deposits & Transfers.
Select Copy Account Details.
Provide the account and routing number to your employer or government benefits provider.

Tips and Tricks for Efficiently Loading Your Cash App Card

To keep your Cash Card ready for transactions, consider setting up direct deposit. Also, linking your Cash App to a traditional bank account or debit card allows you to transfer funds quickly and easily.

If you prefer dealing with paper money, locate Cash App reload locations near you where you can deposit cash. Remember to always confirm if the store charges a fee for depositing cash, and plan your reloads to minimize these charges.

Potential Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

While adding cash to your Cash App account, there are a few potential issues to keep in mind:

Fees: While many transactions and services on Cash App are free, some may incur small fees, especially when depositing cash at participating retailers. Always confirm if there’s a fee before proceeding.
Scams: Always be cautious about whom you send money to or receive money from. Cash App transactions are instant and usually can’t be reversed.
Security: Keep your Cash App PIN private, and enable the security lock feature on your smartphone to protect your Cash App account.

Conclusion

Cash App offers a flexible, convenient way to manage your money without a traditional bank account. Whether you prefer to make a transfer from a linked bank account, receive direct deposits, or make a paper money deposit at participating stores, there are numerous ways to load funds onto your Cash App card. Always remember to use caution when making transactions to protect your financial information and avoid fees whenever possible.

With Cash App, you can enjoy benefits like free ATM withdrawals at participating ATMs, the ability to send and receive money instantly, and the convenience of managing your money directly from your smartphone. Cash App is available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

In case of any problems or if you need additional information, don’t hesitate to reach out to Cash App’s customer service for assistance. Happy transacting!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I load my Cash Card at any bank?

No, you cannot directly load your card at a bank. However, you can make transfers from your bank account to your Cash App balance if your bank account is linked to your Cash App account.

Can someone else make a Cash App deposit for me?

Yes, another person can load cash onto your card by sending it to your Cash App account. You can then move the received funds to your card.

Is there a limit to how much I can load onto my Cash Card?

Yes, Cash App has a limit on the amount of money that can be loaded onto your Cash Card. As of now, you can load up to $7,500 per week onto your Cash Card. For more information, visit the Cash App website or consult the app’s help section.

Source: crediful.com

Apache is functioning normally

May 16, 2023 by Brett Tams

Our rating

Minimum balance/deposit: $0
Monthly fee: $0
Rewards: None
Yield: None
Banking services provider: Evolve Bank & Trust, member FDIC

The world doesn’t need another online bank. Or does it?

Monzo isn’t technically a bank — it’s a personal finance app that offers banking services. But Monzo can do almost everything your current bank can, and in a mobile-friendly package to boot. With useful budgeting tools and above-and-beyond security features, it’s better than a traditional bank account in some ways too.

If you’re unhappy with your current bank or just want to see what else is out there, Monzo is worth a look. Just be sure to understand where it excels and where it falls short before you apply.

What Is Monzo?

Monzo is a financial technology app that can help you manage your spending money, savings, and household budget.

Monzo first launched in the United Kingdom, but it has a separate platform for customers in the United States now. The app includes comprehensive spending features that can replace a traditional checking account. It also has savings tools, though it doesn’t pay any interest.

Because it’s relatively new, Monzo is likely to add new features and capabilities in the coming months and years. Though subject to change, its public roadmap provides a preview of future initiatives.

What Sets Monzo Apart?

Monzo has some notable features that set it apart from most other personal finance apps:

Useful budgeting tools. Monzo automatically tracks and categorizes your purchases, giving you more insight into your spending patterns than a typical bank account.
Fee-free overdraft protection. Monzo offers overdraft protection at no cost to users. It does deserve the right to decline specific transactions, but you don’t pay a fee if it allows your account balance to go negative.
Robust security features. All personal finance apps with built-in bank accounts must have stringent security protocols, but Monzo goes above and beyond with instant transaction notifications, biometric authentication, and one-tap card locking and unlocking.
No account fees (third-party fees may apply). Monzo has no recurring account fees, no ATM fees, and no foreign transaction fees. Third-party fees may still apply, especially with international vendors, but you never pay a fee directly to Monzo.
Transparency around current initiatives and future plans. Monzo’s public roadmap offers a detailed view of the app’s in-progress initiatives and future plans. It runs on user feedback, so you can suggest and track improvements to the app.

Is Monzo Legit?

Yes, Monzo is legitimate. Though it’s relatively new to the United States and has little name recognition, it’s quite popular (over 7 million downloads) and is backed by an FDIC-insured U.S.-based bank (Evolve Bank & Trust). Monzo has a longer track record in the United Kingdom and appears to have built up goodwill among users there.

Key Features of Monzo

Monzo has the core spending, saving, money management, and budgeting capabilities you’d expect a modern financial app to have. Despite some important limitations, it’s a plausible replacement for a traditional brick-and-mortar or online bank.

Spending Account

Monzo is built around a spending account that operates exactly like a checking account. There’s no monthly maintenance fee or any other recurring fees, and you can make as many withdrawals or deposits as you’d like.

Mastercard Debit Card

Monzo comes with a Mastercard debit card that’s accepted at millions of locations worldwide. There’s no fee to use the card. You receive a physical card within a few business days of opening your account, but you can add a digital version to your digital wallet as soon as your account is open.

Savings Pots

This is Monzo’s savings feature. Pots are essentially savings subaccounts you can earmark for specific goals or simply use to separate your cash into more manageable buckets.

You can have up to 20 pots at one time. You can automate transfers into and out of any pot, making it easy to save a few dollars each toward multiple goals at a time.

Early Direct Deposit

If your employer or benefits payer qualifies, you can get paid up to two days early with Monzo. If you normally get your paycheck on Friday, you get it on Wednesday instead. You can also split your paycheck between your Monzo spending account, your savings pots, and one or more external accounts if you wish.

Budgeting Tools

Monzo automatically tracks and categorizes your purchases, giving you visibility into how and where you’re spending your money. If you use it as your primary spending and saving app, this visibility is comprehensive.

You can also use pots for envelope budgeting, with each pot assigned a spending category. And if you link external financial accounts, you can see how much is coming and going to those each month.

Joint Accounts

Monzo allows you to set up a shared joint account that’s separate from your personal account. Your joint account has its own debit card and a separate account number, so there’s no risk of commingling funds between your personal and joint accounts.

You can set up a joint account with anyone as long as they live in the United States and meet other basic qualifications, like being at least 18 years old. The most common joint account holder is a spouse or domestic partner, but you can also use a joint account to pool resources with a roommate or family member who doesn’t live with you.

Fee-Free ATM Network

Monzo has more than 40,000 fee-free ATMs. You pay no surcharges to withdraw cash at these ATMs, though the ATM owner may charge third-party fees outside Monzo’s control.

Fee-Free Overdraft Protection

Monzo reserves the right to decline transactions that would result in a negative balance. However, if it allows them to go through, Monzo charges no overdraft fees. You just have to make a deposit that’s at least equal to the negative amount, which you can wait for your next paycheck to do.

Digital Bill Pay

Monzo has a digital bill pay feature that lets you make electronic payments to external billers, such as utility companies and credit card issuers. Importantly, this feature can’t send paper checks, so you need to find another way to pay your rent if the property owner demands old-fashioned paper.

Public Roadmap

Monzo’s public roadmap is an unusually transparent window into Monzo’s current initiatives and future plans. Any user can suggest improvements or new features, which Monzo’s staff then has discretion to add to the roadmap.

Monzo makes no guarantees any particular feature makes it into the app on any particular timeline. But based on past activity in the roadmap, it makes a good-faith effort to integrate reasonable suggestions and has improved the app using user feedback.

Deposit Insurance

Balances in your Monzo account (including spending and pot balances) are FDIC-insured up to the current limit of $250,000. Monzo’s banking partner, Evolve Bank & Trust, is an FDIC member institution.

Advantages

Monzo has a lot of positives. It costs little if anything to use, offers separate joint and personal accounts within the same app, and goes above-and-beyond on account security.

No monthly or annual fees. Monzo charges no monthly or annual fees. In fact, it charges no recurring fees at all, so it costs nothing to use.
No overdraft fees. Monzo charges no overdraft fees when your account balance goes negative. It reserves the right to decline transactions that would result in a negative balance, but if it allows them, you don’t pay anything on top of the transaction value.
Get paid up to two days early. With Monzo, you can get your paycheck up to two days early (for example, Wednesday instead of Friday) with direct deposit if your employer qualifies. That’s a nice benefit if you live paycheck to paycheck or are waiting for a paycheck for a big purchase.
Separate joint and personal accounts within the same app. Monzo allows you to have two accounts within the same app interface: a personal account for your own expenses and a joint account for expenses shared with a spouse, domestic partner, roommate, or anyone else. That’s a convenient feature many traditional banks don’t offer.
Instant transaction notifications. Monzo instantly notifies you of transactions made on your account. That’s particularly useful if you share a joint account with someone else, though it’s also a nice security feature that could give you a heads up about compromised card info.
Big fee-free ATM network. Monzo has more than 40,000 fee-free ATMs in its network, which spans the continental United States. If you still use cash regularly, that’s a big advantage over online banks and finance apps that charge ATM fees.
Easy card lock and unlock capabilities. This is another notable Monzo security feature. If you can’t find your card or leave it at home when you travel, you can easily lock it until it’s back in your possession. Many banks and money management apps have this feature, but Monzo’s is particularly easy to use.
No additional foreign transaction fees. Monzo charges no foreign transaction fees of its own. Mastercard may charge currency exchange fees for purchases made overseas or with international vendors, but there’s no surcharge on top of that. Many other banks and credit card issuers do charge their own foreign transaction fees.

Disadvantages

Monzo is missing some important features, at least for now. The biggest gaps are interest on balances, ability to send checks, and the ability to deposit cash or checks into your account.

No interest on balances. Monzo pays no interest on spending or pots balances — at least, not yet. Monzo’s public roadmap shows interest on balances as a future initiative, but the timeline is unclear.
No rewards on debit card purchases. Monzo has no spending rewards program. That’s a downside in comparison to the growing number of finance apps that offer a return on spending.
No cash or check deposits. Monzo can’t accept cash or paper check deposits. Many competing apps allow cash deposits at retail locations like Walgreens and CVS, and a growing number have mobile check deposit features. Monzo could add this capability in the future, but there’s no timeline for that as of yet.
No check-based bill pay. You can’t send paper checks through Monzo. While not common overall anymore, it’s a big issue for renters who have to use checks.

How Monzo Stacks Up

Monzo shares the spotlight with dozens of other financial apps. Before you open an account, compare it against close competitors like Albert.

	Monzo	Albert
Monthly Fee	$0	$0, but some features cost extra
Rewards	None	Up to 20% cash back
Yield	None	Depends on balance, but very low
Early Payday	Yes	Yes
Paycheck Advance	No	Yes, up to $250
Overdraft Protection	Free	None

Final Word

Monzo is not a full-service online bank, but it has nearly everything you need to manage your finances and save for the future. It boasts a fee-free spending account, an optional joint account that’s ideal for shared expenses, and up to 20 subaccounts that can really up your budgeting game or help you save for the future.

But Monzo falls short in some important ways. It doesn’t pay interest on balances, has no rewards program, and can’t accept cash or paper check deposits. If those tradeoffs are acceptable, then it could be right for you. Otherwise, there are plenty of other mobile finance apps out there.

The Verdict

Our rating

Minimum balance/deposit: $0
Monthly fee: $0
Rewards: None
Yield: None
Banking services provider: Evolve Bank & Trust, member FDIC

Editorial Note:
The editorial content on this page is not provided by any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of the bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Source: moneycrashers.com

Coupon Stacking is using both a store coupon anda manufacturer’s coupon on a single item

IDENTIFYING MANUFACTURER’S COUPONS

This coupon shows the manufacturer’s wording at the top. It is usually easily locatednear the coupon expiration date or along the side of the coupon.

This coupon shows the Walmart store logo and says, “Redeemable at Walmart”on it, however, it is a manufacturer’s coupon and can be redeemed anywhere.

This coupon clearly lists the address where the retailer cansend the coupon in order to be reimbursed.

HOW TO TELL IF IT IS A STORE COUPON

This is a Target store coupon as it clearly states “Target Coupon” at the top.

Coupon includes the store logo. It also does not include any address redemption details.

HOW TO STACK COUPONS AT YOUR STORE

NATIONAL CHAINS WHERE YOU CAN STACK COUPONS

CVS

Dollar General

Kohl’s

Michael’s

Rite Aid

Target

Walgreen’s

GROCERY STORES THAT ALLOW STACKING COUPONS

Hen House

HyVee

Price Chopper (Kansas City metro area)

Publix

Safeway

Whole Foods

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1. Chime Checking

2. Bank of America Advantage Plus Banking®

3. Quontic High Interest Checking

4. Wealthfront Cash Account

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Methodology: How We Select the Best Free Checking Accounts

ATM network or generous ATM-fee reimbursement program

Nationwide availability (Physical locations or mobile access)

No Monthly Maintenance Fee

Low Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements

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Benefits such as high APY, cash-back rewards, or other additional perks

Customer Service

Other Products and Services

How to Choose the Best Free Checking Account

Free Checking Account FAQs

What are monthly maintenance fees?

Do free checking accounts have any fees?

What fees do I need to watch out for?

Can I open a free checking account without a deposit?

How do banks make money on free checking accounts?

What’s the difference between a checking and a savings account?

Start With the Cheap Stuff

Drugs that Are Free

Using Less, Buying Big

Make ’em Beg

20 Best Bank Accounts for Bad Credit

1. Chime

2. U.S. Bank

3. GO2bank

4. Chase

5. mph.bank

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7. Walmart MoneyCard

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11. SoFi

12. Navy Federal Credit Union

13. Aspiration

14. Southwest Financial Federal Credit Union

15. FSNB

16. Wells Fargo

17. United Bank

18. Huntington National Bank

19. Varo

Coupon Stacking is using both a store coupon and
a manufacturer’s coupon on a single item

This coupon shows the manufacturer’s wording at the top. It is usually easily located
near the coupon expiration date or along the side of the coupon.

This coupon shows the Walmart store logo and says, “Redeemable at Walmart”
on it, however, it is a manufacturer’s coupon and can be redeemed anywhere.

This coupon clearly lists the address where the retailer can
send the coupon in order to be reimbursed.