Get $75 from Bank Of America

Open a checking account (either online or via a local branch) using offer code AOU260508 with Bank of America before July 31, 2008, you can receive $75. Click here for more details.

Notice that it says this offer does not apply to existing BoA customers or student account. If you are a current BoA customer, I strongly encourage you to visit your local branch and talk to the personal bankers. Most of the case, they can still find a way to get this $75 for you. Believe me, you just need to ask. If you just move to a different state, then this problem will be solved easily. You can just cancel your account opened in your old state, and open a new one in your new state. And your personal banker will be more than happy to do so.

Save Time & Save Money On Textbooks

Recently I've decided to study GRE and Mathematical Finance. I've got a list of good books on these subjects, but they would cost a fortune if I buy them. So here is what I did:

1. Check with the local library. I was agog to discover that my local library carries all the GRE related books on my list. There are two good reasons of using borrowed books to study the GRE: (a) these books are valuable only temporarily and will be worthless after I took the test; (b) a return date will help stop me from procrastinating.
2. Use ILLIAD. ILLIAD is a system that allows you to borrow books from all participating libraries nation wide. Since lots of university libraries are participating, it is a good way to borrow textbooks. The only disadvantage is that the book loan length is usually 3 weeks, and sometimes the whole borrowing process can take a month before the book is delivered to your hand. But hey, it is free textbook. I used this service to borrow some of the mathematical finance books on my list, and of course, 3 weeks is not enough for me to go through the book thoroughly, but it will tell me whether it is worth to buy it. Once I decide it worths the money to buy, I then go to the following website.
3. http://bigwords.com/ What this website does is to compare all the offering prices of the book you are interested in listed on all the online book stores and give you the best one. Moreover, if you are buying a bundle of books, then it can compare all the prices of them at the same time and give you the store combination that will cost you the least. Then you can purchase them individually through each particular store. This saves huge time and big money. I've got two books via this website.
4. Free Downloads: http://read.freeduan.com/ This website provides tons of links for free download for technical books such as math, engineering, programming, etc and popular magazines. Registration is free (you only need to provide an email) and required to see the download link. I strongly suggest to check this site before you buy any books.
   

Online Coupons and Cash Back

Where can you find bargains? Even better, where can you get cash back on top of the bargains?
Fatwallet is such a place.

I discovered it while I was searching laptop deals online. What I found? Lenovo is having an online sale with 10-25% off. Now, here is where the kick comes in: if you are a registered member of fatwallet, then you can get 8% cash back on top of the discount. Sweet, right? By the way, it is free to become a member of fatwallet, and all you need to do is to give them your email and choose a user name. Moreover, it has tones of cash back opportunities with different merchants. To see how it works, please check out their website for details.

The goodies doesn't stop here. Fatwallet also keeps a forum running where people discuss useful information ranging from investing to money savings. For example, I was happy to find one of the thread mentioned that a regional bank called Provident Bank still offers 4.5% yield online saving account, which is pretty remarkable comparing what most of the banks offer, especially after today's three quarter percent rate cut.

What's your favorite bargain site?

The Bargainist

I've subscribed to the Bargainist's feed for a while, and indeed received lots of bargains based on their info, especially those free samples. Everyday, they publish deals, coupons and freebies offered by thousands of retailers and shops, ranging from electronics to cosmetics and from branded clothes to furnitures. My favorites from them today are:

• Dell Computers $250 off
• Cannon SD1000 camera $160
• $10 off selected honey ham