ING Direct $25 Referral Bonus

I've written before about my experiences with ING Direct. I actually attribute much of the credit for my financial turn-around to ING, since it was their no-fee, high-interest savings account that gave me "somewhere else" to put my money. This is what got me started with partitioning my money in order to develop an emergency cushion and shrink my debts. In 2007, I wrote a series of three posts on the subject:

• Canadian High-Interest Savings - A New Hope - I opened savings accounts with four Canadian institutions, and compared the experiences


• The Canadian High-Interest Savings Strike Back - I compared the web interface and money transfer experience at the four institutions


• Return Of The Canadian High-Interest Savings - I compared the other features of savings accounts at each institution, including bill payment, online banking and ABM/branch availability

The end result of this analysis was that, in terms of features and user experience, ING was a winner. Its interest rates are currently middle-of-the-pack, but they are a pleasure to do business with, and offer a full suite of savings products (including RRSP and TFSA options, as well as GIC and mutual fund accounts). Transferring funds is simple and fast, with a one-day turnaround in either direction. I can't say enough good things about ING, and they will always hold a special place for me as the first tool in my financial toolbox.

If you're looking for a no-fee savings account to add to your portfolio, I have a referral code that you can use to get started with a $25 sign-up bonus. Here's what you have to do:

1. Fill out the online application for a new account.


2. In the "Orange Key" field on the application form, enter my referral code: 17093935S1


3. Send ING a cheque, made out to yourself, for at least $100. This accomplishes two things:
   
   • It creates a link between ING and your chequing account, so that you can move funds back and forth between institutions
   
   
   • It qualifies you for the $25 bonus, since you need to make an initial deposit of at least $100 to qualify

Note that existing ING customers can not use the Orange Key to get the $25 bonus; this offer is only available to new clients.

The great thing about savings accounts is that there's no downside to opening them up and trying them out. Getting started with a $25 bonus just sweetens the deal, since ING is a great bank to deal with.

Disclosure: Since I'm providing the Orange Key, I will also receive a bonus for every new customer who signs up with an initial deposit of $100 or more.

Pre-order Windows 7 for "cheap"

I've been reading a fair bit about the next version of Microsoft Windows, and it sounds like it's the same sort of "step up" from Vista that XP was from 98 or ME. New functionality, improved performance and a very open and transparent beta-testing process have really piqued my interest in the new OS. The press for Windows 7 has been pretty overwhelmingly positive, and there's currently a promotion to pre-order the upgrade version for a discounted price.

In Canada, that comes to a discounted price of $65 for the Home Premium edition, and $125 for Professional. That's basically 50% off the regular selling price of the software, and the promotion runs until July 11, or while quantities last.

I've foregone Vista entirely, and currently dual-boot a Windows XP/Ubuntu system, and $65 to upgrade from XP seems like a good deal, especially considering Microsoft isn't known for cutting its prices.

Here in Canada, you can pre-order Windows 7 through Amazon, Staples, Future Shop or Best Buy. I've placed my order for Home Premium, and I'm looking forward to installing it when it comes out in October.

You can read more details on the offer, as well as some background on Windows 7 over at Gizmodo.