I'm just about finished with Christmas shopping.

For 10 friends (almost all of whom went out of state for college), I made gift bags full of things representing inside jokes. The supplies cost $23.

For my father I bought 42nd Street on DVD. We both love musicals and saw 42nd Street when it came to town: $17.

My mom wanted a picture of my brother and I, so we got her that and a necklace and earring set: $15.

A baseball cap with my school logo on it for my aunt: $16.

A bowl of potpourii for my Grandma: $12.

A gift card to the game store for my brother (loves video games): $15.

Christmas cards (32) and 2 rolls of wrapping paper: $10.

So far I've spent $108. I have one last person to shop for and I want to buy a Christmas tree. The grocery store a couple blocks away is selling small ones (a couple feet tall, max) for $16. I expect to spend no more than $40 for the tree and the last gift.

I'm pleased with everything I've bought so far. I think I've done well in spending as little as possible while still getting good gifts. Christmas shopping is fun!

On another note, I switched my savings account another type of savings account at my bank and now I'm getting 4% interest rate. Much better!

Today is September 29th, 2007.

I logged onto the Wellsfargo account to check my IRA balance and I noticed that paid me interest already for the month of September. Only they said it wasn't paid today, but tomorrow.

When I saw that interest had been paid on September 30th, I freaked out. I thought that I had slept through an entire Saturday and not only did I miss work, I also missed the chance to get some homework done! Then I checked my cell phone and saw that it was in fact the 29th, not the 30th...

This is the first time I've noticed Wellsfargo paying interest early-or any bank for that matter. Is this a common practice?

For awhile I've been contemplating opening an online savings account. I was leery of it for awhile- maybe it was my small fear of technology taking over the world.

But I doubled check the APR that my bank is offering and while it's higher than what many banks offer, it's still lower than what online banks offer.

So I applied for a Money Market Savings Account with GMAC. I'm opening the account with $500, the minimum required to avoid fees. After the account is opened, I will transfer the rest of what's in my savings to the online bank and close my regular savings.

On another note, I realized that it's been awhile since I've added my tips and whatnot into my Challenge money. I'll be leaving on Wednesday for D.C. for a week and decided to use my Challenge money for my trip. After rolling all the coins and counting up the loose bills, I came up $297. My goal was to bring $350, so I'll withdraw the remainding $53 from my checking. Any money left over from the trip I'll decide what to do with later.

I've been thinking of buying a CD with ING. I'm pretty sure I'll pick the 48 month term with a 5% APY (APR?).

Has any of you bought a CD with ING? Good? Bad? How about ING in general?

Almost three weeks ago I put in my 2 weeks notice at my previous job (which was in retail). My last day was last Saturday (6/2) and I was promised my last paycheck would be ready today (6/8).

But it wasn't. My ex-boss said she had completely forgotten to send it in. She told me to come back in a week.

I was counting on that paycheck. It would only be about $200, but every little bit helps.

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know the laws regarding the time frame in which you are supposed to receive your last paycheck?

On another note, I have my Roth IRA with Wellsfargo and my savings and checking with a local state bank. I've always been more than happy with my local state bank. The interest rates are good, they've always been helpful and friendly, and there's no ridiculous fees (once I overdrew on my checking account. They called me that day to tell me and said they wouldn't charge any overdraft fees if I deposited money by the end of the next business day). The only reason my Roth IRA is at Wellsfargo is because my state bank offers only traditional and Sep IRAs.

BUT the university I'm attending has an agreement with Wellsfargo. If you have a checking account with Wellsfargo and use their debit card at the university (for games, cafeteria, books, etc.) you receive 5% back, regardless of what you bought.

My question is this: should I transfer banks completely? Or just my checking? Can I open a checking account with Wellsfargo for my purchases at my university and close it once I graduate?

Starting a new checking account at Wellsfargo would be helpful in keeping track of my education expenses. But is it good to open a new account and close it a few years later? Would it make a difference if I closed the account because I moved out of state (or even out of the country)?

Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated!

I watch my account statements very carefully and I must admit I'm borderline obsessive when it comes to balancing my books. (Not always a bad thing, mind you.)

I checked my savings statement today and noticed that I earned almost $12 in interest this month.

I'm now motivated to add even more into my savings just to see how much more interest I can earn. It's like a little game to add money in and watch the interest grow. When I saw how much interest was added, I was very happy. I wanted to add more and more and more to see that interest grow and grow and grow. It's addicting.

I've always known that compounded interest is a powerful force, but it takes seeing your own money grow to make you realize it.