Free money tally—my March snowflake report

March was a great month for my snowflake gathering!

Here’s the rundown

• $125 –opened a Chase savings account using a code from a targeted mailer
• $58.76 –Amazon sales
• $25 –gift card promotion for test driving a Kia
• $20 –bonus gift card rebate for buying McAfee software

Total $228.76

My best month yet (thanks mostly to more free money from Chase Bank).

Here’s a refresher if you’re not familiar with what “snowflakes” are and why I’m tracking them.

Tracking my snowflake money

Love getting money in my mailbox!--though only a little bit is a snowflake, the rest is reimbursement

The term "snowflake money" has different meanings to different folks, but, at its simplest, is just extra money.
This year I've decided to keep track of my snowflakes, with a goal of earning $800-$1,000. I think this is a great way to save up money for travel/future expenses OR pay off debt (as is commonly associated with snowflakes).

Here's what I consider "snowflakes" and what I'm doing to earn them:

• Rebate overages--I previously mentioned I buy free after rebate items at Staples to help meet minimum spends and how you can often combine with a coupon to make the deal a "moneymaker" or MM. Here's the post explaining Staples rebates and here's a post with an example of a moneymaker. So, I only consider the MM amount or overage part of my snowflake. The rest goes to paying off the credit card bill when due.
• Bank deals--last year I signed up for a couple new bank accounts to get cash bonuses (ie Chase's checking promo). I plan to do at least two this year as well. Only drawback is that the bonus is reported as interest--thus I'll get a 1099.
• Amazon selling--recently I dipped my feet into the Amazon Seller world and have listed and sold a few items. I'm selling those free after rebate items (see above) and other things around the house I don't need. This has the added benefit of helping me declutter as well. The drawbacks are packing/shipping fees and that Amazon takes a chunk of your profit.
• Free money promos--last year I made a few bucks from signing up for some prepaid cards (Visa Buxx, Amex Serve, Amex Prepaid), and I won a gift card. I'm hoping I'll find similar deals this year.

What I don't consider snowflakes, but others might

• Credit card sign ups for miles/points bonuses--since I don't take the cash back option, I can't exactly convert these bonuses to money to deposit in my bank account. Besides, the point of those bonuses is to travel for cheap!
• Cash/gift cards from friends/family--I like to spend cash/gift cards to splurge on things I wouldn't normally buy for myself.
• Statement credits--Such as Amex Twitter/Facebook/Foursquare promos and Small Business Saturday, again not really cold hard cash that I can deposit in the bank.

Now that you know how I define snowflakes, here's how I did in January
Amazon sales $22.33
Duracell rebate gift card $25 (bought $100 worth of free batteries from Staples)
Staples MM $5.99
Total $53.32
YTD: $53.32

Additional states available for BOA checking bonus

Yesterday, I posted about the $100 bonus for new Bank of America checking customers in AR, CA, DC, DE, FL, IA, IL, KS, MD, ME, MI, MO, NH, NM, NV, PA, RI, TX and VA.

Well, as it turns out, there are additional offers for other states.

CT, NJ and NY residents are eligible to receive up to $200.

1. Open a new personal checking account by October 1, 2012.
2. Use offer code CHLHMP when opening your account online. Or print and present the bonus page
   when opening your account at a banking center.
3. Set up and receive a qualifying Direct Deposit with your new account within 90 days from account opening.

Get an additional $100 when you increase the total combined balance across your choice of eligible checking, savings and/or CD accounts with Bank of America and eligible investment accounts with Merrill Edge by at least $25,000 within 90 days of new account opening.***

 

There is a $75 bonus for customers in AL, AK, CO, HI, LA, MN, MS, MT, NE, ND, OH, SD, UT, VT, WV, WI and WY. It appears accounts from these states can only be opened online.

1. Open a new personal checking account by October 1, 2012.
2. Use offer code CHLHMP75 when opening your account online.
3. Set up and receive a qualifying Direct Deposit with your new account within 90 days from account opening.

 And if you live in ID, IN, KY, NC, OK, OR, SC, TN or WA, the bonus is also $75, but the account can be opened online or in a branch.

1. Open a new personal checking account by October 1, 2012.
2. Use offer code CHLHMP75 when opening your account online. Or print and present the bonus page when opening your account at a banking center.
3. Set up and receive a qualifying Direct Deposit with your new account within 90 days from account opening.

 There do not appear to be any offers for AZ, GA or MA.

And be sure to see yesterday's post about how to avoid checking account fees and why a BOA ATM or debit card might be a good idea for international travel. 

New Bank of America Checking Offer--$100 bonus

Bank of America is currently offering a $100 bonus to new checking customers.
Update 8/2: See new post about additional states available for bonus offers.

The details:

Open a new personal checking account by October 1, 2012.

Use offer code CHMBRD when opening your account online. Or print and present the bonus page when opening your account at a banking center.

Set up and receive a qualifying Direct Deposit with your new account within 90 days from account opening.

The offer is available only in AR, CA, DC, DE, FL, IA, IL, KS, MD, ME, MI, MO, NH, NM, NV, PA, RI, TX, VA.

Completely free checking accounts have fallen by the wayside, but it looks like monthly fees can be avoided by not making teller transactions or keeping a minimum balance.

I'm on the fence about whether to sign up for this deal. I closed a BOA checking account about five years ago, so I'd likely be considered a new customer. But changing my direct deposit is a pain. Oh, I already have too many checking accounts I'm not using.

But my main incentive would actually not be the $100. It's the lack of fees for using a BOA ATM or debit card internationally that's the draw. While I plan to use my no foreign transaction fee Visa card as much as possible, not everywhere accepts credit cards and many places in Europe only accept "chip and PIN" cards.

Here's what I found on their website about international travel.

Use your debit card or ATM card within the Global ATM Alliance in the countries shown with no ATM operator fees or Non-Bank of America International ATM Fee. International Transaction Fees of 1% for converting your currency may apply. Some members may have locations in countries other than the country listed in the coverage area. Only ATMs in the country listed are considered part of the Alliance.

• BNP Paribas (France)
• BNL Banca Nazionale Del Lavoro (Italy)
• Barclays (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands)
• Deutsche Bank (Germany)
• Scotiabank (Canada and the Caribbean, Caribbean countries include: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Netherlands Antilles (St Maarten), St Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, US Virgin Islands)
• Westpac (Australia and New Zealand)

In addition, Bank of America has arranged for you to use your debit or ATM cards in China at China Construction Bank ATMs (China Construction Bank ATMs in Hong Kong are not included) and in Mexico at Banco Santander with no ATM Operator Fees or Non-Bank of America International ATM fees. An International Transaction fee for converting your currency may apply.

Freebie Roundup

I love signing up for free samples. Checking the mailbox is more fun when you’re always anticipating what freebie will show up this week. This week, I've included some bank bonuses, in-store freebies and free airline miles along with some free samples.

In-store freebies

Free Slurpee

7-Eleven is celebrating its birthday on 7-Eleven Day, Wednesday, July 11, participating stores in the U.S. and Canada will give away free 7.11-oz. Slurpee drinks between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., local time.

Chick-fil-A Cow Appreciation Day

On Friday, July 13, Chick-fil-A will award a free meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner) to any customer who comes to one of their 1,600+ restaurants fully dressed as a cow. Those in partial costumes will receive a free entrée.

I did this last year (printed off the cow starter kit from the website and paper clipped the pieces to my clothes on my lunch hour) and the cashier gave me a free meal!

CVS coupons

“Like” CVS on Facebook to choose one of four in-store coupons from CVS/pharmacy in celebration of its one million Facebook fans. You'll need your Extra Care card number to enter at the link. Coupon will be emailed to you.
You’ll choose one coupon from the following options

• $3 off a purchase of $15 or more health items
• $3 off a purchase of $15 or more beauty items
• FREE 5×7 photo
• Save $2 on candy or beverages (my pick!)

 HOT bank bonuses

ING Direct is giving away lots of money!

Available bonuses include $152 Electric Orange Bonus, $76 Sharebuilder bonus, $17.76 Kids Savings account bonus, $276 Rollover 401K bonus, $76 Refer a friend bonus and $27.76 Teen Money account bonus. All bonuses are for new accounts only. Offer expires TODAY, Tuesday, July 3 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

*I’ve had an ING account for years and never had any problems or fees. Highly recommend them.

  

Local bank bonuses

Hustler Money Blog has a great list of local banks across the U.S. that are currently offering a sign-on bonus.

I recently opened a new personal checking account at Bank of Texas and received $100. The terms requires that you either activate direct deposit ($150 minimum) or make 10 debit card transactions ($10 minimum per transaction). Be sure to read and understand the terms and conditions of any new account before opening.

Free Miles

Free American Airlines miles

Visit and “Like” AAdvantage’s Facebook page for 100 free American Airlines miles. No it’s not much, but it will reset your miles expiration date, which is 18 months from most recent activity. Perfect if you’re in danger of some miles expiring.

 Free samples (by mail)

Target Sample Spot has the following new freebies this week (they often go fast!)

• Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine shampoo and conditioner
• Starbucks K-Cup Packs