Hustler Network presents….

November 6, 2007 · Filed Under About Me · 4 Comments 

Today is my One Year Blogversary! It has been one crazy ride. I could never have imagine that people would be reading my site like this. With one year in the pocket, Why slow down now! I’ve been working over time with creating the Hustler Network!

What is the Hustler Network?

Hustler Money Blog - The original with countless deals and money making opportunities. You will always find the personal side of personal finance. I will continue to write everyday with all the best info to save you hundreds of dollars.

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Hustlerama - You will find all the best bank deals and offers. The latest bonus is just a click away. I will update you with news and update with the best bank rates, cds, and bonuses.

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My Credit Cards Blog - Everything you need to know about credit cards in one place. I will continue to offer the latest trick on apporama, credit card bonuses, rates, and deals. Easy site navigation to shop for the best credit cards. Your up to date on the best cash back credit cards.

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My Deals Blog - You will find the hottest deals on the web daily…bar none! Hot deals from computers, televisions, ipods, etc.. with the latest coupons to save you money. Don’t miss out because I will update this site 3 to 5 times daily.

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I want to thank all the daily readers. If you visit this site often, feel free to introduce yourself. Holla at ya boi!

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How to plan your children’s financial future

May 15, 2007 · Filed Under About Me, Noteworthy, Street Smarts · 11 Comments 

I don’t have a wife, much less kids. But if I were to have kids, I would definitely set them on the rat race quicker..possibly for them to retire by their early 40s.

Here’s my how-to-guide:

  1. As soon as they get their Social Security #, get them all kind of referral bonuses through banks such as ING, Sharebuilder, Virtual bank, etc etc
  2. Open them an account at affinity bank 10% APY up to $500. That’s like making $50 a year.
  3. Any money through gifts, set them up a savings account with at least 5% APY.
  4. Start a wealth trust fund for them by buying ETF’s or Index fund. Do not let them know til 18! Tell them to recycle this method once they have their own kids. This is how the wealthy stay wealthy.
  5. Add your kids as an authorized user to your credit cards and home mortgage loan so they would build up their credit score. **do not let them know til they turn 18*..must you guess, they will have one hell of an apporama!
  6. When they get to 5 years old, set them up a 529 plan in their grandparents’ names. Why? Because if you do it in your name, it will count against you for Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
  7. Screw private school, my kids are going to public school for sure even if I am a millionaire.
  8. By the time they are 9 years old, set them up as an employee with a salary in your home for doing chores. By doing so, you can set a Roth IRA for them. All of their money should go to the maximum of a Roth IRA. Can you imagine having a 15 year head start on a Roth IRA?
  9. Never ever spoil your kids with money, but teach them how to earn money and the hard work along with it.
  10. Screw the likes of myspace, xanga, and facebook…If they want to have a social website, tell force them to start a finance blog in order to make money through blogging.
  11. By 12, teach them entrepreneurship such as setting lemonade stand and garage sale. There are many freebies they can get through the internet. Teach them the value of standing in line for 12 hours to make $5000 profit for Playstation 12! Learn to ebay.
  12. Emphasize that money is not what you can show, but what is in your bank account. Buying stupid things like the latest cloth or high tech item is a waste of money.
  13. At the age of 15, get them a weekend job while in school and full time in the summer. Teach them 401K, Roth, tax, etc …all the goodies that come with a J-O-B!
  14. Just like the real world, you start at minimum wage…but learn to jump ship as soon as a higher paying job comes up. All money should go toward investments.
  15. Emphasize that learn to be cheap while you ain’t got no money..then move on to being frugal when you do have money.
  16. Make their ass study hard for school and SAT, and get them to apply to as much financial aid and scholarship as possible.
  17. By the time they are 18 for college, get them to go to a local university. Buy them a house in your name with 20% down/15 year mortgage, then tell them to find roommates and charge for rent. Charge enough rent whereas the money will cover the mortgage, tax, and insurance. Then transfer the title to their names once they graduated.
  18. Teach them app-o-rama!
  19. When they are in college, money should be borrowed to the max through Stafford loans even if they don’t need it. Why? use they 0% interest loans to invest in 5% savings account.
  20. Make Gear them toward financial reward careers such as Dentist(150K to start), MD(200K to start), or Pharmacist(100K to start).

That’s all I can think of…of course your kids must have fun too…especially when they have half a Mil before 30…haha!

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My Shopping Methods: Hustler Style

April 28, 2007 · Filed Under About Me · 1 Comment 

If you have been a longtime reader of this site, you know how I shop. It’s usually consist a combination the followings: The item is already on sale, add that with a coupon, then find another coupon to stack on top of that, go through ebates shopping portal to get cash back, then see if I can call in to pricematch, throw a rebate along with it, pay with a cashback credit card or gift cards I bought for 20% off, then see if I can add some freebies along with it.

You might find this not worth your time; unless you call this a hobby. I find getting the most out of my dollar to be a challenge. Here is the latest hustle:

  1. Buy a Staples $50 off 200 coupon and 2x$3 ink coupons on eBay
  2. Drive to your local Staples, and use their Kiosk to search for this Acer Al 1926W 19″ LCD
  3. Add the sale item for $150, then add Digital image SKU# 656213 (FAR) and fillers, then use the $50 coupon, then add ink coupons
  4. Pay at the cashier with this 12% coupon
  5. Pay items using gift cards for 20% off at mybuysmart.com or dealpass.com
  6. If not, use a cash back credit card along with your Staples Member Rewards card.
  7. Fill out all rebates.

That, my friend, is how you turn a $230 item into $50. Yes, I know most people won’t go through with this, and it is a big YMMV. Don’t forget, this is HustlerMoneyBlog!

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What is Hustlerama?

April 22, 2007 · Filed Under About Me · 5 Comments 

Over the last 6 months, I’ve read many blogs, threads, and articles on Apporama, Bank deals, and Credit cards. I feel there are more information I can share on the specifics and in-depth conversation of the big threes ABC. Instead of clogging those information on Hustlermoneyblog, I humbly introduce you to Hustlerama.

What is Hustlerama?

Definition:

A collective information of Apporama, Bank deals, and Credit card bonuses.

Here, you will find the hottest bank deals or credit card bonuses. All the latest techniques and info on Apporama to keep up with the credit card companies. A plethora of reviews on banks and credit cards to help you maximize your money. Currently, I brought all the bank deals and credit card bonuses over to Hustlerama. You can expect to see the followings soon:

Apporama:

  1. A revision of the my Apporama Series 1 through 5
  2. More in depth discussion of the terminology from App-O-Rama
  3. Ways to keep your credit score high
  4. Methods to increase your credit limit from different issuers
  5. Latest info on fees and the effects of Apporama

Bank deals:

  1. Reviews of all the banks and their terminology
  2. Finding you the best rate with Checking or Savings accounts
  3. The latest bonus from banks around the country: Online, local, and national banks
  4. CDs, Treasury bills, and Money Market Accounts are also for discussion
  5. Affiliates, investments bonuses, and many more

Credit Cards:

  1. The hottest and latest bonus
  2. The best cash back credit cards available
  3. Reviews on all credit cards
  4. FAQ for all credit cards
  5. Credit card affiliates bonuses, playing the retention game, and updates on the latest promotion.

Those are just on top of my head right now. Hopefully, with your contribution, there will be more useful information on the subject matter. Feel free to subscribe to Hustlerama through the RSS Feeder or by email.

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My mortgage with Countrywide

April 17, 2007 · Filed Under About Me · 1 Comment 

I bought my house back in the summer of 2004. At the time, I was pretty naive concerning all aspects of finance. Even though I knew the decision of buying a house is a good investment in the long run, I made several mistakes as a first time home buyer.

My top mistakes as a first-timer homebuyer:

  • Not looking for the best rate
  • Not knowing my credit score or history
  • Went with 100% financing on a 30 years loan
  • Got a house that is not proportional to my income
  • Long term effects of having a house

In hindsight, there were things I wish I could have done differently. Looking for better rate should be the top priority. There were many different rates online that were much better. At the time, the mortgage rate was the lowest in history. I got 6.125% fixed rate for a 30 years loan with Countrywide. There were also a few dents on my credit history that needed to be fixed before making a major purchase. By doing so in advance, I could have had a much better rate with my loan. Being 24 years old at the time, I didn’t know the effect of financing 100% of my loan. My thinking was all about “I need to buy a house now, and I’m sicken tired of living in an apartment” in a state of mind. There were adverse affects such as paying for a PMI, paying property tax in advance, and a 30 years term.

Luckily, with the help of my parents. I refinanced my house later the following year. I put 20% down, hence I no longer pay the PMI. Instead of a 30 years term, I went with 15 years with paying the taxes at the end of the year. The monthly payment came down to $983 a month (*not including property taxes) from $1485 earlier (*with property taxes included). The rate came down to 5.125%. If you add in the current property tax, it would have been the same monthly payment.

Even with the better terms, I was living paycheck to paycheck due to the burden of owning a home. I don’t know if I would change my mind on purchasing a home thinking back. Having a house with a secured job, I feel complacent. Maybe if it weren’t for this house, I might have gone to Law school.

However, there are the intangible benefits of owning a home such a sense of ownership, taking care of one’s house, and the spacious space it provided. One thing I know for sure, it would have been much better with two incomes instead ;)

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My website: Make Money Online through blogging with 14 steps to follow

April 1, 2007 · Filed Under About Me, Noteworthy · 8 Comments 

Lets keep this real..the main reason I got into blogging is to make money. It has been 5 months and I am still going strong with everyday update and so on. Is it time consuming? Yes. Am I making decent money from blogging? The answer is yes but more importantly, I enjoy writing about ways to make quick money every day. As you can see, there are a lot of ads on my blog…and yes it is a bitch, but hey, a brother gotta hustle.

The question is, how do you start a blog? Believe me, I know absolutely nothing about it when I first join the craze. But if you have the time and patience, it would be a nice little income on the side. Here are my steps into starting a blog:

  1. Buy a domain and find a host through dreamhost.com, use my promo code to get $50 off: HUSTLERDH50OFF
  2. Using dreamhost, you will get a domain, go through their in-click installer for wordpress program, and follow their step-by-step instructions.
  3. Once you activate your blog, pick a pre-install theme in presentation toolbox or find one here.
  4. Pick a topic you feel passionate about to write. I would imagine personal finance since you are here, but then again, there are many and many personal finance blogs out there.
  5. Go find wordpress plugins to make your blog more exciting.
  6. Learn Search Engine Optimization SEO which will get your blog more popular on searches through Google, then turn your permanlinks on that include your post name in your option toolbox. Also, register your site at webmaster tools.
  7. Start writing some good posts and visit other popular finance blogs to comments. You might consider being a comment whore to get more traffic to your blog.
  8. Now start thinking about monetizing: Check out my sidebar make money list to the right with Google adsense, Text-link-ads, Chitika, Linkshare, Linkworth, Amazon affiliates, Kontera, NCSreporting, and many more.
  9. Sign up for an account at feedburner.com to start your rss feed.
  10. Be a member at mylot.com and Slashmysearch.com to join their forum, then use your website as your signature at each post to get more people to visit your site. Also, Mylot and SlashMySearch are sites that will pay you money by participating in forum, hence make money while creating more traffic to your site.
  11. Continue to write and update daily on your blog, find popular topics to write about, and participate in carnivals and festivals on your subject matter.
  12. Consider blog for money by using ReviewMe, payperpost, and blogvertise.
  13. Ask other bloggers to add your link to their blogroll, and that you will return the favor.
  14. Visit problogger.net and Johnchow.com often for tips on making money online.

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My Retirement Plan

March 12, 2007 · Filed Under About Me · 2 Comments 

All these deals/hustles that I do everyday is just a side thing. My game plan is to let my money grow… as in compound interest and passive income. This post is not to pat myself in the back, or fishing for compliment… I hope to share my retirement plan to get you think where you are in your life. Where do all my money go you wonder? Here is the lowdown.

I have a pension plan through my job, and money is taken out on each paycheck. If I’m with them for the next 25 years, my monthly retirement check will be around 80% of the highest paycheck. Not too shabby.

Some may be happy with my situation, but I am not satisfy. That is why I opened a Roth retirement plan with Vanguard. I’ve just started last year, and so far, I have maxed out this year too. My goal is to max out my Roth each year as long as I’m qualify. Why is a Roth is important?

  • Money grows tax free. Whatever you earn is what you will withdraw when you reach 59 and a half.

I highly recommend to go with Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund (VTIVX). Knowing that it’s an IRA fund, I just sit back and ride the wave. No need to look at my fund everyday, no tax consequences, and no paperwork to worry about. Life is sweet.

Any extra money I have, I intend to look into passive income investments such as real estate, carwash, commercial rental properties, stocks, and/or opening a franchise. Of course I don’t have that kind of money right now, but hey I’m only 26 so hopefully with time, money will accumulate with hard work and determination.

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My Savings Accounts: Wamu & Presidential

February 19, 2007 · Filed Under About Me, Bank deals & offers · Comment 

I wrote about my Checking accounts awhile back with the Pros and Cons of Everbank and Presidential. As promise, here is my two favorite savings accounts for everyday usage: WaMu and Presidential

WaMu is my Brick and Mortar’s bank account. It is the only local one for me whereas I can get 5% APY. You must join online in order to get the rate, and it comes with free checking. I get the convenience of depositing my money in a high interest account with local ATM access.

The Pros:

  1. Totally free with only $1 to open.
  2. Free outgoing wire transfers.
  3. Local, 5% interest, and free basic checks for life.
  4. Free bill pay and 3 cents back on each debit purchases.

Cons:

  1. It costs money for incoming wire transfers.

But now they got free online fund transfers by linking to your external accounts. Also, if you didn’t know this. You always use their free billpay to send money to anyone, including yourself. For example, I set up to pay myself by using billpay to send money to my Presidential account. Simply set up an account with Presidential’s address and your account number. voila!

For Presidential, it is my savings account whereas I can earn 5.25% up to 35K. It is convenience for me since I use them for my 4.5% checking with them. Money can be transferred easily between their checking and savings.

Presidential

Pros:

  1. 5.25% Savings but with only up to 35K.
  2. Super convenience if you having checking with them.

Cons:

  1. 5K minimum to open, and 5K minimum balance in order to be no-fees.

If you prefer to have a different higher interest account with no minimum, no fees type of savings account, I recommend Igobanking.com because you get 5.30 % APY savings account with no fees, no minimum.

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Free Samsung A640 phone + $50 credit with Sprint 2 year renewal for $50 family plan on five lines

January 9, 2007 · Filed Under About Me, Freebies, Hot Deals · Comment 

If you been reading this website, you probably know that Bank of America doesn’t like me very much. Well, then you don’t know what I’ve been doing to Sprint.

Before we go into details, here is my family plan with Sprint PCS (I have a separate SERO plan): about $50 a month with taxes on five lines for 900 minutes with free 7pm and weekends, free text messages, free Vision, and five new phones every 2 years. I got all the freebies because whenever they change something on your plan, you can cancel without paying Early Termination Fees. They didn’t want me to cancel, and offered me all the freebies add-ons.
**mom and sister do not need many minutes, so they only call to other sprint phones (free minutes), after 7pm and on weekends (both free).
The plan is originally for $90 for two lines, but we added three more lines for my two sisters and mom for $10 each. With taxes, probably around $130 each month.

You probably wondering.. WTF? How did you get it down to $50 a month?

Well, my brother got the corporate discount for 25% off. Then I called and bitch to get another 5% off for loyalty discount. All five of us do drop calls every month to get another $50 off each month. The bill is around $50 each month, I kid you not.

Every 18 months, each person on my family plan qualify for $150 credit toward a new phone (of course i know that before I call them). Here how the conversation went about two weeks ago:

Me dialing *2

CSR: Sprint PCS, how can I help you?

Me: I would like to transfer directly to Retention because I want to cancel the phone line.

CSR: Not a problem, one moment.

New CSR: Hello sir, I understand you want to cancel. Is there something we can do for you?

Me: Well, my contract ends in about two months, and T-Mobile is offering me a Brand new Razr phone for free with a 1 year contract. I’ve been a loyal customer for a years now, but unless you can do something, I want to cancel my plan soon.

CSR: Well, actually you have to sign up with T-Mobile for two years..blah blah blah..there service is no good..blah blah…

Me: Well, can I get a free Razr phone if I renew with you guys?

CSR: Let me check, sorry sir, you do qualify for $150 credit if you sign a new 2 year contract..but with the Razr being $280, you would need to pay the extra $130.

Me: What about the Samsung A640?

CSR: yes, that one is free. I will also include free delivery.

Me: And no activation fees?

CSR: Just because you are an excellent customer, I will do that for you too.

Me: I’m not sure…kinda want the Razr..my service is up in two months..I think I’ll just go with…

CSR: How about this, we can give you another $90 discount toward the Razr.

Me: Actually, I don’t mind the Samsung A640. But I would like to get 6pm for free or a $50 credit toward the next bill.

CSR: sorry I can’t do that.

Me: Okay…I guess I will wait another two months to join T-Mobile..good bb……

CSR: (sudden interruption) well sir, tell you what, I give you the $50 credit on the next bill too.

Me: with the free phone, no activation fees, free delivery?

CSR: yes.

Me: Sign me on.

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Hello viewers and fellow bloggers

January 1, 2007 · Filed Under About Me, Noteworthy · Comment 

For those that are new to reading this blog, Welcome to Hustler$$$Blog. Feel free to subscribe or bookmark this page because I promise, there are many more ways I can show you how to make quick money. Whether it is credit cards, bank deals, coupons, etc….You will be the first to know. I will hold nothing back as long as it is legit.

If you have a website and would like to trade links, I would be more than happy to add your link, given that you do the same.

Feel free to email me if you have any idea or new promotions for quick and easy money. Here are some future ideas I’m working on:

  1. App-o-Rama is playing the 0% apr credit cards game on an advanced level (I will write an extensive review and step-by-step into this process)
  2. Crazy money making profit by buying hot tickets to sporting events, concerts, etc and sell it on Ebay.
  3. More on buying properties info on my second website www.landlordhustlers.com (I will be spending more time on this)
  4. As always, continue with the quick cash through bonuses, deals, offers, etc. and many many more.

Again, thank you for your continue support and encouragement. You can also support hustlermoneyblog.com through telling friends and family about the website, trading links, donation, giving valuable feedbacks, and money making tips.
Peace out,

Hustler

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