The Best of Everything in 2007

Kiplinger’s just came out with their best list of 2007. In it they cover a wide range of services and products they have ranked. Here are a few that stood out to me…

Best Checking account -ING Direct

No surprise to me. If you have been a reader for any length of time, you will probably know how I budget with ING and how I am a strong supporter of their products. Kiplinger’s mentions the 3.5% rate that ING pays on their checking, the free bill pay service they offer, the no minimum balance, the no fees, and how ING will send e-checks for you free of charge. They have a great thing going - if decide to open an account they will pay you $25 if you contact me first, so I can send you an invitation.

Best All-Around Retirement Account - Roth IRA

I understand why they think this. The ROTH IRA has become the default retirement account for most people. After contributing enough to get the full match from your 401k or 403b, this is generally the next step to building your retirement savings. The ROTH is not ALWAYS a better choice than a traditional IRA, but for most people it is the best choice.

Best Online Broker for Fund Investors - Muriel Siebert

I had honestly never heard of Muriel Siebert before reading this issue, but it looks like the do offer a valuable service. According to Kiplinger’s they “carry a selection of nearly 3000 no-load funds and more than 1800 of them are available without a transaction fee.” They also mention that Muriel’s website offers countless ways to compare and contrast funds.

Best Websites to Meet Various Personal Finance Needs…

• AnnualCreditReport.com - They allow you to get a free credit report from the three major credit bureaus at once.
• myFICO.com - This site will get your credit score (which is not included in your credit report) for $15.95.
• Wesabe.com - A free budgeting service that helps you track your spending with a social flair to it.
• InsWeb.com - They can get you several insurance quotes in one sitting.
• RetailMeNot.com - This is an online coupon site that is actually organized and easy to use
• LastMinute.com - They provide an easy way to get last-minute travel deals.

• ING Direct vs. Virtual Bank
• How to budget with ING direct
• Why credit unions are better than banks
• Open a high yielding savings account
• 10 Reasons why I love ING Direct
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