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  Ally 2% High Interest Savings Account

  Pegah says: High interest savings means more money in the bank (okay let's be honest, more money for shopping!).

  High interest savings accounts aren't paying very high interest these days with ING Direct at 1.05% and ICICI Canada at 1.2%, for example. Ally is looking to sign up some new customers and a do a bit better with their 2% high interest savings account. Never heard of Ally? You're not the only one, they're a 'new' brand, from ResMor Trust Co., who in turn is owned by GMAC,. You can read more about Ally's background in this Globe and Mail article.
  
  The account itself is very similar to what you get at a lot of other online banks. There's no mimimum balance, no fees, daily compound interest, and CDIC insurance. Unfortunately, at this time they do not serve residents of Quebec. If you're interested, check out the website, but also have a look at this discussion in the forums with over 250 posts.

  Posted: 10/19/09
  
  Source: hughjarce via the RedFlagDeals.com Personal Finance Forum

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  ING 2010 TFSA Kick Start Account 2.1% Interest Until December 31, 2009

  Last year the Canadian government introduced the Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA for short) to give Canadians a way to have their savings grow tax-free. The program is pretty simple - you get $5,000 a year in contribution room using after tax dollars, those dollars can be invested in a vehicle of your choice, and any growth that you received in those investments are tax free. That's the 10 second version but for more information you can read the TFSA background information article we have from Bennett Gold Chartered Accountants here and a follow up on how to use it as a tax haven.
  
  Now that almost a whole year has gone by since the introduction of the program, ING Direct has brought back their TFSA Kick Start promotion. If you deposit money into their 2010 TFSA Kick Start Account anytime before December 31st, they're going to double the interest that you've earned and deposit it as a bonus on January 1st, 2010. With the low Bank of Canada interest rates, the interest rate on savings accounts in general are pretty low as well with ING Direct offering a rate of 1.05%, which would be doubled to effectively be 2.1% during this promotion. That's not a very high rate of return, but there's also very little risk.
  
  

  Posted: 10/12/09
  Expires: 01/01/10
  
  Source: cache via the RedFlagDeals.com Hot Deals Forum

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  Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Virus, Spyware, Malware Protection

  Microsoft is throwing it's hat into the ring of free anitvirus packages and spyware detectors with Microsoft Security Essentials. It's a new, and free security package that includes virus, spyware, and malware protection all in one for Windows PC users. The early reviews are quite positive with Ars Technica being very impressed with the lightweight and unobtrusive installation:
  
  "It should be noted that MSE is very small; the installer sizes range from just over 4MB to under 9MB. The installation is also very quick and the program's folder takes up only about 13MB. MSE sports a single tray icon (hidden by default in Windows 7) that indicates it is running. The software doesn't add any browser toolbars, desktop gadgets, or additional bloatware during installation."
  
  Free and lightweight? Sounds like it's worth a try.

  Posted: 10/03/09
  
  Source: jz1n via the RedFlagDeals.com Freebies Forum

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  Dell.ca: Vostro 1320 Laptop w/Core 2 Duo T6670 (2.2GHz), 3GB RAM, 160GB HD, Vista Basic $549

  Dell.ca has put up an appealing laptop offer -- an Intel Core 2 Duo T6670 equipped Vostro 1320 13.3" notebook for $549. Here's what you get:

  • Windows Vista Home Basic
  • Intel Core 2 Duo T6670 (2.20GHz,2MB L2 Cache,800MHz FSB) (manually selected)
  • 13.3 inch WXGA Anti-Glare Display
  • 3GB DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz, 2 DIMM
  • 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
  • Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
  • 8X DVD+/-RW with double-layer DVD+/-R write capability
  • Dell Wireless 1397 802.11b/g Mini Card
  • 4-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

  There have definitely been some good laptop offers recently, but this one isn't bad at all (especially since lots of the aforementioned deals have expired). It weighs in at just over 4lbs with a 4-cell battery. Upgrades to consider include Vista Premium for $30, a 6-cell battery for $60, and Bluetooth for $30.
  
  Shipping is free, and since it's part of the Vostro line, it also comes with a 30-day no hassle return policy. That means if you decide not to keep it, there are no restocking or return shipping fees to contend with.

  Posted: 08/28/09

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  Sync Your Files Across Computers, Online w/Free 2GB DropBox

  Updated July 5: DesiMonk in the comments has a Microsoft alternative you can try at Sync.Live.com which has a Mac and Windows client. The limitation for that one isn't space but rather 20 folders with up to 20,000 files in each folder.

  Originally posted July 4: If you find that you're emailing yourself files back and forth for between your work and home computer or if you want to be able to access certain files anywhere you have an Internet connection, DropBox could be the solution for you. Essentially it's a small piece of software that you install on your Windows, Mac, or Linux computer where you can drop files and have them synced between all your computers. It practice it basically is another folder that is accessible wherever you are, on any computer, or even just through the GetDropBox.com site. Best of all, 2GB of storage is absolutely free. If you need more storage, a 50GB pro account is $9.99 US a month.
  
  Because of the way it syncs and also stores your files on the web, you can use it as a remote back up service as well. If you're looking for a back up service specifically though, check out Mozy.com which we've mentioned in the past. They also offer 2GB of storage, but the back up software automatically backs up folders and files in the background without you having to manually drop the files in.

  Posted: 07/05/09