ONLINE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS...

If you haven't looked into susing an online savings account yet, it's worth checking out. Many offer rates way above what you would get at your local brick and mortar bank. Besides that, it's easy to get access to you money when you need it.

We currently use ING Direct for our savings (3.1% APY) and checking accounts (2.0% APY). If anyone would like a "referral" to get $25 in either type of account (as long as you start your account with $250), just post your email address and I'll send one your way. I get $10 out of you starting one, so it's to my benefit as well of course. You'll get a Debit MasterCard to use with the checking account and have access to free ATMs in the Allpoint network. There really aren't any fees that we've found with either account.