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SmartyPig®: May 2008 Archive

The following posts were made in May 2008. You may subscribe to the RSS feed for this archive if you would like to take your time reading through our posts.

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May 29, 2008 • Posted by Jon Gaskell

Show The World How You Save!

"Banking" and "innovation" are two words that are typically not paired up. For years, banks have been interested in the Web but have tended to use it only as an extension for their traditional products. Most banks' idea of Web 2.0 is letting you view your balance or statements online. And while it may be better than the old way, there is nothing groundbreaking about it. It may be faster, but it's not different. At SmartyPig we've actually changed the game, and our latest play is our most exciting one by far!

We have a new widget option for sharing your public goals with friends and family. We are leveraging the Clearspring widget technology from our friends there to allow you to easily integrate your SmartyPig goal widget into the leading social networks, start pages, desktops and blogs. Such as MySpace, Facebook, Google, Dashboard, Live, myYearbook, Netvibes, Hi5, Freewebs, Xanga, Friendster, Tagged, Blackplanet, Blogger, TypePad, Livejournal, Wordpress, Hoverspot, Multiply, Eons, Pageflakes, Webwag, Orkut, Vox, Piczo, and Perfspot.

Continue Reading...

Tags: online banking   •  social banking   •  social bank account   •  online savings account   •  social savings   •  widget

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May 22, 2008 • Posted by Jon Gaskell

"You're the iPod of Banks"

That statement from a customer last week was a new one. We've been called "The Google of banks." And "The Facebook of banks." Of course, we've also been called a few other things by people who didn't like us or get us or both. But the one thing pretty much everyone agrees on is that there is nothing like SmartyPig. "You're banking 2.0," a reporter recently told us. That's more like it. And we're getting even more 2.0 with every update... Including today's.

Continue Reading...

Tags: smartypig customer service   •  social banks   •  social banking   •  smartypig   •  banking 2.0

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May 14, 2008 • Posted by Jon Gaskell

An Economic Stimulus Plan for the Holidays

Oh, I know. The holidays? Who's thinking about the holidays... in May? The answer may not be you, but you should be. Here's why: The so-called holiday hangover. What's the holiday hangover? It's the sting that millions of Americans are still feeling, as they receive their credit card statements each month. And when do they spend the most? You guessed it: the holidays. And they spend even more when they charge their gifts instead of paying in cash, getting caught up in the holiday spirit.

It's a habit you want to definitely want to avoid. And with 116 million Economic Stimulus checks en route or already delivered, nipping the holiday hangover in the bud has never been easier.

Continue Reading...

Tags: holiday savings plan   •  savings account   •  economic stimulus check   •  tax rebate check

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May 9, 2008 • Posted by Jon Gaskell

$100 Gift Card Giveaway on Twitter

SmartyPig will be giving away 3 $100 gift cards on Twitter. Don't miss out on your chance to win and boost your savings for that summer getaway, new HDTV, fabulous wedding, or whatever you're saving for.

Details:

1. Follow us on Twitter.
2. We'll ask the $100 question on Thursday, May 15th.
3. First 3 people who reply with the correct answer will receive a $100 SmartyPig gift card.

Remember - if you don't already have a SmartyPig account, it's FREE to set one up. Winner must be in the US.

Good Luck!

Tags: smartypig twitter contests   •  smartypig gift card

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May 5, 2008 • Posted by Jon Gaskell

A Smarter Choice for Stimulus Checks

While the federal government is hoping some 116 million American families waste no time spending their rebates from the Economic Stimulus Package, SmartyPig is an alternative for consumers who wish to do their part to boost the economy while also getting more for their money... and reinforcing the benefits of good financial habits through disciplined savings.

For consumers, this means that a $1,200 rebate check put toward a SmartyPig savings goal for just 90 days would result in an additional $12 or so in interest (at our current APY). Add that to a 5% cash incentive boost from a top retailer (retailers and boosts vary), as well as three minimum monthly deposits of $25 (a user must have a goal he or she is actively saving for), and Mr. John Q. Taxpayer suddenly has more than $1,350 instead of $1,200 to help stimulate the economy.

Now, if Mr. or Mrs. Taxpayer has two children and wants to create a goal for next holiday season, his or her $1,800 rebate check put toward a SmartyPig savings goal for 7 months would result in an additional $43 or so in interest. Add that to a 5% cash incentive boost from a top retailer, as well as seven minimum monthly deposits of $25, and Mr. or Mrs. Taxpayer suddenly has $2,119 instead of $1,800 to help stimulate the economy and NO credit card debt come January.

SmartyPig was created to make saving money a fun and educational experience for individuals and families alike. If we have to save the economy, as well, so be it.

Tags: savings   •  budgeting   •  economic stimulus check   •  tax rebate check   •  savings account

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