MyRatePlan Blog

Fed Raises Interest Rates, Prime Rate to Follow

by Logan Abbott on Tuesday, December 13, 2005

For the 13th consecutive meeting, the Federal Reserve today raised the Fed Funds rate 1/4%. This will translate into an increase in the prime rate to 7.25%, almost double the 4% rate when these increases started.

Appears in: credit card

Gathering around the Phone to Watch TV??

by Logan Abbott on Tuesday, December 13, 2005

It seems almost daily that deals are being announced for TV content on iPod or on cell phones. Saw a press release today for Amp'd Mobile (a soon-to-launch new wireless reseller targeting young people). They are going to offer clips from CBS shows like CSI: NY and The King of Queens.

Appears in: Cell Phone

A Cell Phone Option for Younger Children

by Logan Abbott on Friday, November 18, 2005

The Firefly cell phone is now available from Cingular. This is a simplified phone designed for children under 12. The Firefly has just a few buttons, including Mom and Dad call keys, and a 911 assistance button. It also offers a 20-number phone book. All the preceding are parent-programmed.

Appears in: deals

T-Mobile Cuts Prices

by Logan Abbott on Tuesday, November 01, 2005

This year has seen a number of 'stealth' price increases by the largest wireless carriers. The stealth part comes in because the way the carriers have done this is by reducing the number of plan options. For example, Cingular & Verizon have nothing between 450 and 900 minutes.

Appears in: t-mobile

Woohoo --- $2.50 Music Downloads for your Phone

by Logan Abbott on Monday, October 31, 2005

Okay, I'm not the sharpest axe in the toolshed so maybe I'm missing something, but I'm a bit skeptical of this new music download service being announced by Sprint-Nextel today. This is conceptually a good idea --- why carry two devices (a phone and an MP3 player), when one can do both. However, as with the recently launched iTunes Phone, it is poorly executed.

Appears in: Cell Phones

Dwelling on Insurance

by Logan Abbott on Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Got my annual homeowners bill from State Farm the other day, with the annual 15-20% rate hike. My bill has doubled over the past 7 years, even though I've never made a claim. I guess they can afford to be "Like a Good Neighbor" if all you ever do is send them money...

Appears in: Insurance

Fight Back Against $3.00 Gas

by Logan Abbott on Sunday, October 16, 2005

Here's a good credit card offer that will help cut your gas bill and with holiday purchases. It's the Chase PerfectCard. Benefits include a 6% rebate on all gas purchases at any gas station during the first 90 days, and 3% thereafter. Additionally, you'll pay 0% interest on purchases or balance transfer for a year. There is also no annual fee.

==UPDATE -- 10/31/05==

Appears in: credit cards

Lots of Ways to Call Far Away

by Logan Abbott on Sunday, October 16, 2005

We've created a new page that summarizes the various ways to call long distance. These include: Traditional 1+ service, Bundled plans, Wireless, VoIP and Calling Card. The pros and cons of each are listed, as are links to pages on MyRatePlan where you can get additional information.

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Shopping for Insurance is Miserable

by Logan Abbott on Thursday, October 13, 2005

Insurance is one of those things that's good to have, bad to collect on (especially life insurance if you are the insured), and not particularly enjoyable to shop for. The Internet has made this process a bit less painful by enabling people to comparison shop across providers by filling out one single form.

Appears in: Insurance

How to Get a Completely Free Credit Report

by Logan Abbott on Tuesday, August 23, 2005

As a result of a Federal law passed in late 2003, you are entitled to a completely free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting services (Equifax, TransUnion, Experian) once per year. (Eligibility has been rolling out in regions across the country; with the last group of states eligible on 9/1/05).

Appears in: credit score

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