Allurez Jewelry Review

How familiar are you with the idea of online jewelry shopping? Comparison shopping and bargain price blowouts are only some of the perks associated with shopping online for jewelry. Let's not forget that when you buy online, you never have to deal with pushy salesmen. You can even design your own fine jewelry items from the comfort of your own home. But there are a few things that you must consider before shopping online for things like diamond jewelry.

The most important thing to consider is the reputation of the company. A company that has created a good name for itself will usually have people who have good things to say about it. This is why it's important to check out online forums and see what people are saying about the online jewelry stores at which you want to shop. In regards to this, I was always surprised to find that Allurez Jewelers had such great reviews. Whenever I search through Allurez jewelry reviews that I find online, people always report that the customer service was friendly and the entire process of buying a fine jewelry item is smooth. Allurez even has reps that will help you place an order online.

But here are some more reasons why buying jewelry online can be a very rewarding experience. Allurez has a jewelry education section. This is very important. I find that I need to be as informed as I can about anything that I purchase. This is especially true when it comes to buying diamond jewelry or precious metal items. Any reputable online jeweler must offer a jewelry education section. In one way, it suggests that you are getting quality items, since you are already informed about the item you want to purchase.



Some sites offer free shipping, easy returns, and secure online shopping. This is something that Allurez offers as well. Free shipping is altogether convenient, but the easy returns and secure online shopping are a must. This is because you need to be able to return an item if you order the wrong size. I've done this a few times, hassle free. Also, secure online shopping ensures that your credit card number and other personal information are safely processed.

There's one more thing I like about Allurez jewelers. They offer conflict-free diamonds. This is important to me. I don't want to wear a diamond around my finger knowing that it was obtained by harming someone.

Overall, Allurez is a great place to shop online. Their website is easy to navigate. Plus, their diamonds are of exceptional quality and come at unbelievable prices. So with a wide selection of items to choose from, high customer satisfaction and BBB accreditation, don’t wait another moment. Go to Allurez.com today.

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Disclaimer:
This is a sponsored post. The sponsor, Allurez, is solely responsible for its content.

Money Market Rates 4/12

Here are the latest money market interest rates of the banks that I've been tracking on my blog. Note that these rates are sorted by APY, and represent institutions that I have accounts at, or have otherwise mentioned in my blog:

0.84% Ally Bank Online Savings
0.80% Discover Bank Online Savings
0.80% ING Direct Orange Savings
0.80% HSBC Advance Online Savings
0.75% American Express High Yield Savings
0.70% Urban Partnership Bank Online Savings
0.65% FNBO Direct Online Savings
0.35% Western FCU Money Market
0.15% Chase Plus Savings
0.10% Citibank Savings Plus
0.10% Travis CU Flexible Money Market
0.06% Patelco CU Money Market Account
0.05% E*TRADE Complete Savings

In some cases, MMA interest rates are tiered. If this is the case, I usually report the interest rate at the $10,000 tier in these updates.

Rates are believed to be accurate as of 4/10/12. I did not include banks that had special, or introductory rates in the list because they are not ongoing interest rates. I am also not including non-liquid accounts such as CD's in the list. I have included a few credit unions in the list so that readers have a comparison point with banks.

A one-time favorite, Ally Bank Online Savings, has regained its position at the top of the list. This is mainly because banks like Discover Bank and American Express have lowered their interest rates, while Ally has remained the same since my last update. Rounding out the bottom of this list are two credit unions, Travis CU, and Patelco CU. I've questioned the motives of those who have encouraged others to transfer their money from banks to credit unions during Bank Transfer Day. The credit unions on my list are on par with Citibank, which is really the bottom of the heap, as far as banks are concerned. But at least Citibank will offer you up to a $400 bonus for opening a Citi Checking account.

It seems that interest rates are still continuing to trend downward. While the majority of these interest rates have stayed the same since last month, none of them has increased. I think that it is a good time for people to consider moving their money around if they are not happy with their current banking institution. But, based on this analysis, I won't be transferring my funds to a credit union.

So, that is the latest list of money market rates. Please let me know if you know of any higher interest rates.

DC

The Benefits and Disadvantages of Credit Unions vs. Big Banks

As the economy continues to struggle during these harsh times, big name banks have been losing credibility and customers. More and more people are leaving large corporate banks for the appeal of a more personal experience and more individualized handling of their finances. Big name banks have been under the spotlight off and on for many years now with charges of unscrupulous business ethics. Choosing the right bank for your financial needs is extremely important in today's society. Before putting your money and trust into any old banking system, you should carefully examine and research your choices so that you can make the most appropriate selection for your lifestyle. With credit unions steadily on the rise among the general public, it is important to know both the pros and the cons of these banking organizations.

The Pros of Credit Unions
1. Member Owned: This is one of the major ploys that smaller credit unions have. Every member that has an account with a credit union is a partial owner of the organization. This means that you are better able to have some say in the business proceedings of a credit union. As a member of the credit union, you get to vote on who you want to serve on the Board of Directors for the union. This means that you have some control of over the way in which your bank runs.

2. Nonprofit: Big name banks are businesses. They are run on the principle of making a profit. In this way, there are times that "big banks" may consider their need to make a profit before they consider their customers best interests. Credit unions are nonprofit organizations that are community oriented. Because they are not in search of making a profit, credit unions can often offer services at lower costs.

3. Better Interest Rates and Loans: For the most part, credit unions are able to offer higher interest rates on savings accounts, lower interest rates on loans and mortgages, and better loan services overall. These better rates are available to members because the credit union is nonprofit. The profits that the bank does make are applied back to the member through better interest rates and loan services.

Cons of Credit Unions
1. Accessibility: The biggest drawback to using a credit union over a small bank can be accessibility. In general, there are fewer branches, ATMs, and online options for credit union users compared to corporate banks. This is not always the case where many smaller credit unions offer ATM access at numerous non-affiliated credit union ATMs. Because credit unions are community owned and operated, they are not as easily accessed nationwide. Also, due to their smaller size, 24 hour service is not often available and the online accessibility of these credit unions can be of lower quality that with big banks.

2. Less Horsepower: Another drawback to small credit unions has to do with needing the "horsepower" of the big name banks for your portfolio. So, if you have a high-powered portfolio that may require some of the ploy that big banks have in the financial world, you should keep that in mind. Small credit unions are great choices for the average person looking to open a checking and savings account, make a few money market investments, and take out a simple loan or two. However, if you have a portfolio that requires a high-yield savings and money market account, the big name corporate banks may be your best option.

About the Guest Author:
This is a guest post by Nadia Jones who blogs at accredited online colleges about education, college, student, teacher, money saving, movie related topics. You can reach her at nadia.jones5 @ gmail.com. The opinion expressed is that of the guest author. If you are interested in writing a guest post, please contact PF Stock at the Email address listed in the sidebar.

Money Market Rates 2/12

Here are the latest money market interest rates of the banks that I've been tracking on my blog. Note that these rates are sorted by APY, and represent institutions that I have accounts at, or have otherwise mentioned in my blog:

0.90% Discover Bank Online Savings
0.90% American Express High Yield Savings
0.85% Urban Partnership Bank Online Savings
0.84% Ally Bank Online Savings
0.80% ING Direct Orange Savings
0.80% HSBC Advance Online Savings
0.70% FNBO Direct Online Savings
0.35% Western FCU Money Market
0.15% E*TRADE Complete Savings
0.15% Chase Plus Savings
0.10% Citibank Savings Plus
0.10% Travis CU Flexible Money Market
0.06% Patelco CU Money Market Account

In some cases, MMA interest rates are tiered. If this is the case, I usually report the interest rate at the $10,000 tier in these updates.

Rates are believed to be accurate as of 2/10/12. I did not include banks that had special, or introductory rates in the list because they are not ongoing interest rates. I am also not including non-liquid accounts such as CD's in the list. I have included a few credit unions in the list so that readers have a comparison point with banks.

Discover Bank and American Express are currently tied for the highest interest rate of 0.90% among the banks that I'm tracking. A one-time favorite, Ally Bank Online Savings has dropped a few positions in my list. Rounding out the bottom of this list are two credit unions, Travis CU, and Patelco CU. I question the motives of those who have encouraged others to transfer their money from banks to credit unions during Bank Transfer Day last month. The credit unions on my list are on par with Citibank, which is really the bottom of the heap, as far as banks are concerned.

It seems that interest rates are still continuing to trend downward. The majority of these interest rates have stayed the same since last month, but none of them has increased. I think that it is a good time for people to consider moving their money around if they are not happy with their current banking institution. But, based on this analysis, I won't be transferring my funds to a credit union.

So, that is the latest list of money market rates. Please let me know if you know of any higher interest rates.

DC

Money Market Rates 1/12

Here are the latest money market interest rates of the banks that I've been tracking on my blog. Note that these rates are sorted by APY, and represent institutions that I have accounts at, or have otherwise mentioned in my blog:

0.90% Discover Bank Online Savings
0.90% American Express High Yield Savings
0.85% Urban Partnership Bank Online Savings
0.84% Ally Bank Online Savings
0.80% ING Direct Orange Savings
0.80% HSBC Advance Online Savings
0.70% FNBO Direct Online Savings
0.40% Western FCU Money Market
0.15% E*TRADE Complete Savings
0.15% Chase Plus Savings
0.10% Citibank Savings Plus
0.10% Travis CU Flexible Money Market
0.06% Patelco CU Money Market Account

In some cases, MMA interest rates are tiered. If this is the case, I usually report the interest rate at the $10,000 tier in these updates.

Rates are believed to be accurate as of 1/16/12. I did not include banks that had special, or introductory rates in the list because they are not ongoing interest rates. I am also not including non-liquid accounts such as CD's in the list. I have included a few credit unions in the list so that readers have a comparison point with banks.

Discover Bank and American Express are currently tied for the highest interest rate of 0.90% among the banks that I'm tracking. A one-time favorite, Ally Bank Online Savings has dropped a few positions in my list. Rounding out the bottom of this list are two credit unions, Travis CU, and Patelco CU. I question the motives of those who have encouraged others to transfer their money from banks to credit unions during Bank Transfer Day last month. The credit unions on my list are on par with Citibank, which is really the bottom of the heap, as far as banks are concerned.

It seems that the general interest rate trend is down. I was especially disappointed that the interest rates for Citibank and Chase were so low. Since I still have significant funds in these institutions, I think that it is time for me to consider moving some money around to other institutions, but I won't be transferring the funds to a credit union.

So, that is the latest list of money market rates. Please let me know if you know of any higher interest rates.

PF Stock writes on many different financial topics and for many publications and specializes in personal finance, especially bank loans.

Money Market Rates 12/11

Here are the latest money market interest rates of the banks that I've been tracking on my blog. Note that these rates are sorted by APY, and represent institutions that I have accounts at, or have otherwise mentioned in my blog:

1.00% Discover Bank Online Savings
0.90% American Express High Yield Savings
0.90% Urban Partnership Bank Online Savings
0.89% Ally Bank Online Savings
0.85% ING Direct Orange Savings
0.80% HSBC Advance Online Savings
0.70% FNBO Direct Online Savings
0.40% Western FCU Money Market
0.15% E*TRADE Complete Savings
0.15% Chase Plus Savings
0.10% Citibank Savings Plus
0.10% Travis CU Flexible Money Market
0.06% Patelco CU Money Market Account

In some cases, MMA interest rates are tiered. If this is the case, I usually report the interest rate at the $10,000 tier in these updates.

Rates are believed to be accurate as of 12/8/11. I did not include banks that had special, or introductory rates in the list because they are not ongoing interest rates. I am also not including non-liquid accounts such as CD's in the list. This month, I am adding two additional credit unions to the list so that readers have a comparison point to banks.

Discover Bank currently has the highest interest rate of 1.00% among the banks that I'm tracking. A one-time favorite, Ally Bank Online Savings has dropped a few positions in my list. Rounding out the bottom of this list are two credit unions, Travis CU, and Patelco CU. I question the motives of those who have encouraged others to transfer their money from banks to credit unions during Bank Transfer Day last month.

The credit unions on my list are on par with Citibank, which is really the bottom of the heap, as far as banks are concerned. However, Citibank does have a special promotion going on where you can get either $200 or $400 for opening a new Citi Checking Account. Of course, there are a few catches to this offer. First of all, you are required to set up direct deposit, and need to make electronic bill payments for at least two months. The Citibank account offers a $200 bonus, and the Citigold account offers a $400 bonus. While not a requirement to receive the bonus, you need to keep $6,000 ($15,000 after December 9, 2011) in the Citibank account to avoid a $20 monthly fee. And $50,000 is required to avoid a $30 monthly fee for the Citigold account. In spite of these potential fees, this bonus offer might be worthwhile for some depositors.

It seems that the general interest rate trend is down. I was especially disappointed that the interest rates for Citibank and Chase were so low. Since I still have significant funds in these institutions, I think that it is time for me to consider moving some money around to other institutions, but I won't be transferring the funds to a credit union.

So, that is the latest list of money market rates. Please let me know if you know of any higher interest rates.

DC

TurboTax Offers Free Tax Advice

I just received a note from the PR folks at Intuit (TurboTax) letting me know that they are offering free tax advice to their customers. I guess it is time to start thinking about 2011 taxes. I have been using computer tax software to prepare my taxes since 1996, and I plan to do so again this year. Once again, the two main contenders are TurboTax and H&R Block. I have not yet decided which of these software products I will use.

Anyway, the point of this post is that TurboTax is offering this free tax advice service to registered TurboTax users from 12/1/2011 to 4/1/2012. Of course, the first question that comes to my mind is what constitutes a "registered TurboTax user"? On the TurboTax website, you can register and start your tax return for free. You are not charged until you decide to use their product for filing. In fact, TurboTax offers 1040EZ and simple tax return preparation for free. So, I would guess that anybody could be entitled to this free tax advice.

This is a departure from the service that they offered last year which allowed you to submit a tax question through their website: www.freetaxquestion.com. (Note that this website appears now to be disabled.) Any questions about the free tax advice offer should be directed to TurboTax Support.

The main thing that I like about their new offer is that it is valid until the beginning of April, when most people will need the advice. Previously, TurboTax limited their free advice service until the end of January. Few people are organized enough to know what tax question you want to ask before then. After January 2011, the price of their free advice increased to $39.95.

Getting back to tax preparation software, I have used both TurboTax and H&R Block to prepare my taxes. Without going into a lot of detail, the end result of using both programs was 100% identical. So, my recommendation is if you have used TurboTax in the past and were happy with the end result, you should probably stick with that choice. On the other hand, if you used H&R Block At Home (or other tax software) and found that to be satisfactory, you probably won't gain much in switching to TurboTax. I have found that TurboTax usually ends up costing a little bit more than the equivalent competitive tax software.

Note to Commenters: If you represent a company such as Intuit, H&R Block, Microsoft, etc., please leave your contact information or send me an Email (my Email address is listed in the sidebar) to let me know that you left a comment. If I cannot determine that your comment is authentic, it will be deleted.

DC