Happy 2012 from The Debt Darling!

I thought today would be a great day to reflect back on the top blog posts for The Debt Darling. Also, I thought it would be fun to insert some really cute pictures at the same time. Enjoy!

Here's a great post to revisit, especially post holiday shopping when you receive your credit card bill for January.
Creditors That Offer Financial Hardship Programs: Reduce Your Interest Rates Today



Aren't these cupcakes adorable? I wish I could eat one now!

Second place as most viewed on The Debt Darling is this guest post written by Anya Bennett about debt settlement:
Debt Settlement Help: A Savior from Financial Disaster

The third place post for The Debt Darling is How to Make $100 Fast and Easy. Although the Sharebuilder $50 bonus has already expired, I believe you can still take advantage of the ING Direct deal. Be sure to read all the details before signing up on their site.

The Office. Need I say more?

Here's a great post on optimizing your budget for the New Year.

Although, I would probably never use a chain saw, the aspect of anything made with Hello Kitty is really cute to me.

Here's another post on what it takes to be financially free.

May you be blessed and prosper greatly in 2012!

The Debt Darling

$75 Free Money from Sharebuilder

Yay! Today my $75 bonus was deposited into my Sharebuilder account. I had already withdrew my $100 deposit that I initially made to qualify. The key is, to ensure that you keep the $100 in the account until you receive an email from Sharebuilder stating you have qualified for the bonus.

As of today, I have netted $143.55 from Sharebuilder bonuses (that's subtracting trade fees for two accounts that I used codes on and was required to trade stocks). If you have not made $100 yet with the ING promotion/Sharebuilder post I wrote or $75 from the latter posts, then be sure to do it today. They both expire 12/31/11. Keep in mind that if you do not already have an ING account, it will probably be difficult to meet the deposit qualification by 12/31/11. Most deposits from other banks will take 2-3 business days. So, best to stay tuned for other future promotions in that case.

Make 50 Dollars

© Alexandr Labetskiy | Dreamstime.com

Whoops, I meant to say $75. Does that sound even better? I wanted to let you know that I found another code for opening a Sharebuilder account. This code is ONLY good until December 31, 2011. In addition, all you have to do is deposit $100. You are not required to buy stocks or trade at all. Once you deposit $100 into the account, you will receive a $75 bonus from Sharebuilder.

Here are the steps:

1. Go to Sharebuilder.com and click on “Open an Account” at the top.

2. Be sure to enter this promo code in the “promotion code” box: EXTRA75

3. You must select Individual, Joint, or Custodial Account for the type of account.

4. Deposit $100 into the account.

5. Wait for the $75 bonus to deposit into your account.

Typically, the bonuses are deposited within a week, but the details below say to allow 4-6 weeks. Enjoy your free money!

Here are the details from the Sharebuilder site:

** You must open a new ShareBuilder account and deposit $100 or more to be eligible for this promotion. Initial deposit must be completed by 12/31/11. ING DIRECT Investing will deposit a $75 bonus approximately 4-6 weeks after your first $100 deposit. The $75 bonus offer is available for Individual, Joint and Custodial accounts only. Offer not valid for IRAs or ESAs. The $75 bonus is not available for withdrawal for 120 days after it is awarded to your account. This offer is not valid with any other offers and is non-transferrable. Limit one ShareBuilder account bonus per unique customer or custodial beneficiary. We reserve the right to terminate this offer at any time and to refuse or recover any promotion award if we determine that it was obtained under wrongful or fraudulent circumstances, that inaccurate or incomplete information was provided in opening the account, or that any terms of our Account Agreement have been violated. Offer expires 12/31/11.

Weekly Money Check Up 12/19

Weekly Money Check Up for MyPrettyPennies.com

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on coffee. Starbucks was on sale. So, I purchased two bags instead of my normal one. 2. Today I am thankful for my quiet time with God. :) He is the best listener and expects nothing in return.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was make a cup of coffee at home and watch my favorite YouTube channel - CTFxC.

4. I will consider this week a success if I can find 30 minutes to hoop each day.

5. One of my holiday traditions is to wrap all my presents on Christmas Eve while I watch "A Christmas Story."

Holiday Shopping: The Debt Darling’s Top 5 Picks for Online Shopping Deals

© Yevhen Basov | Dreamstime.com

I love a good sale, especially when I am shopping in my pajamas. So, last year, I ventured out into the cold to do my Christmas shopping in actual stores. I thought perhaps my Christmas spirit had been stifled by doing all my shopping online and avoiding the scurrying crowds and the cold. You know what? I was wrong. If anything, walking through crowds of people in the cold is not conducive to getting bargains. You spend all of your energy just trying to get places. Therefore, this year, I decided to return to my rule of 90% of my Christmas shopping done online. Here are my top 5 picks for finding holiday bargains.

1. RetailMeNot.com – This is my all time favorite coupon code web site. Any store that I shop at is usually listed on this site. The codes are usually accurate, and they have a system that tells you the success rate of each code being used. If you are shopping at a specific store, be sure to open up another browser, go to Google.com, and search for online coupon codes for that specific store. Typically, this site will come up at the top. I have shopped several places where I have been able to use more than one code. Favorite stores online that accept multiple coupons are Victoria’s Secret and Kohl’s.

2. FatWallet.com – Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you will always find me here. On any given day, this site is posting up to the minute deals on electronics, clothing, and pretty much anything that is an awesome deal. Go to the site and click on the link that says, “Today’s Best Deals.” You will not be disappointed.

3. SouthernSavers.com – I use SouthernSavers.com primarily for grocery shopping at Harris Teeter and Walgreens. However, I always check the site daily for deals on other things because they occasionally post deals for freebies and really deep discounts on some of my favorite clothing stores.

4. Woot.com – This is a daily deal site. I will check it occasionally when I remember to check it. Every once in a while, I come across a really great daily deal that I can’t pass up. My favorite item so far was a bendable camera tripod that I got for $2.00. I use it when making my hooping videos. Oh, you didn’t know I was a hooper? Check out my other blog here (shameless plug).

5. Google.com – I know I know. This is obvious right? I love Google. Google can answer the hard questions about life like “how do I turn the shower on at my sister’s house?” Or “how to make a drink that taste like Starbucks Crème Brulee Latte?” These are the important questions. However, occasionally, if I am shopping for something specific, I will ask Google to find me a deal. Recently, my electric toothbrush died. I needed a new one. I googled “great deal on electric toothbrush.” I found one at Walgreens, on sale for $39.99 (normally $79). I went to RetailMeNot.com and got two coupon codes, which landed me free shipping and $10 off. Then, I also used the “mail in rebate form” on the Walgreen’s site to get $20 back on my purchase. My $79 toothbrush costs me $9.99. And, this is why I love Google. LOL

What’s your favorite online spot for holiday shopping? I would love to know in the comments below!

How to Make $100 Fast and Easy

© Lane Erickson | Dreamstime.com

Here are two bank/investment bonuses that can land you $100 in cash. I have opened accounts with both companies and can testify that it’s very easy. Enjoy!

ING DIRECT - $50 Bonus (FREE CASH)

Instructions:

1. Click one of the links below or request a link from me at thedebtdarling@gmail.com.
2. Open your Electric Orange and make a total of 3 Card purchases or Person2Person Payments (or any combo of the two) within 45 days of account opening
3. Receive $50 free! (Deposited to your account on day 50)

· FREE ATMs at 35,000 locations

· No monthly fees or minimums

· Send cash to anyone instantly with Person2Person Payments

· Bank from anywhere with the ING DIRECT mobile app

The Debt Darling receives $10 per sign up (and you can also send referrals to your friends when you open your checking account and receive $10 per sign up).

$50 Bank Bonus Link

$50 Bank Bonus Link

$50 Bank Bonus Link

$50 Bank Bonus Link

If you click on the links above, and they do not work, it means someone else has already used it.
Email me at thedebtdarling@gmail.com and put ING LINK in the subject to receive a $50 Bonus Link from me.

Other Details:

Bonuses are only paid for accounts that are opened and a total of 3 Card purchases or Person2Person Payments (or any combo of the two) are made within 45 days of account opening.

The $50 bonus is available only for new accounts with a new Customer as primary owner.

Only one bonus will be provided per household.

Your $50 bonus will automatically be deposited into your account on day 50.

Valid through 01/14/2012

SHAREBUILDER - $50 Bonus (FREE CASH)

I don’t get any kick back for this and actually found it by accident through my ING Checking account. However, ShareBuilder makes it pretty easy to make $50.

Instructions:

1. Click this link.

2. Click on “Start Now.”

3. Choose the Individual, Joint, or Custodial Account (You will NOT get a bonus for the IRA or other accounts). So, be sure to choose Individual, Joint, Or Custodial.

4. Deposit $50 into the account

Other Details:

Your $50 Bonus will be deposited within 4-6 weeks.

You don’t have to trade or buy stocks.

You can not withdraw your bonus for 90 days.

This promotion expires 12/31/11.

Limit one ShareBuilder account bonus per unique customer or custodial beneficiary.

Free Shipping Day 12-16-11

Get ready to do all your Internet shopping and save on shipping! This Friday, December 16th, is 'Free Shipping Day.' Many large retailers, as well as smaller ones, have banded together on this day to offer free shipping to all of their online customers. Click here to get a full list of the retailers offering free shipping this Friday.