Small Steps

Although things have been a bit hectic this past week, I did find time to take care of a few financial matters. Maybe I'm finally getting better at focusing.

- I opened a $1000 certificate of deposit at 8% interest, a special promotion from a local bank that just opened. It comes due Dec. 9, 2006.

- Put in to purchase 100 shares of Magyar, my first mutual-bank deposit to pay off with a stock offering.

- Purchased several holiday gifts online, saving gas and using UPromise where applicable for an extra savings.

- Assessed and determined that BofA's Keep the Change program isn't for me. The match comes only annually and there are so many restrictions and caveats to make it not worthwhile for me to change my spending habits and start using my debit card.

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Now some matters to move ahead on:
- Open kids account at the aforementioned local bank, with a free $25 contribution. (12/12: Done. Must wait six months before withdrawing the $25 bonus.)

- Sign up for electronic delivery of proxies. I had resisted this move numerous times prior, but it's time to reduce the mailings at the wasted paper. I still maintain that companies should offer incentives to do this, but I won't hold out for one any longer. (12/12: Continuing project, but initial steps taken.)

- Write to PSE&G and my local congressman to follow up on the utility's environmental record, as outlined in its bi-annual mailing. I wonder why the renewable energy sources come only to 4.03% of the total used and why the requirements aren't higher.