[mjrube94]

For anyone who has an account with Bank of America, they have a new twist on saving your change: If you sign up for their program, anytime you use your debit card to make a purchase, they'll round up to the next higher dollar and transfer the difference into your BOA savings account. For the first 3 months, they'll match 100% of whatever they transfer, then after that they'll match 5%, up to an annual limit of $250 (not bad).

So if you buy a soda for $1.25, they'll deduct $2 from your checking account ($1.25 for the soda, and $.75 which they will transfer to savings. During the first three months, they'll put in an additional $.75).

It's free, and I'm thinking of signing up on Tuesday (you need to actually go to a branch), but I haven't yet figured out how to maximize my benefit. I almost never use my debit card, as I get back 1% or 2% from my credit cards. So for every potential transaction, I'd have to figure out if I get more from the BOA match or from the credit card. Also, I think I really need to concentrate my effort during the first 3 months when I'd get the 100% match, because it will take a while for 5% of $.75 to add up!