Start 2014 with a bang with $25 from ING Direct!

It's now January 2014, and I relect back on what was an exciting 2013. My life has changed beyond all recognition, and I've started planning for the future with greater vigor and intensity. This includes a greater focus on financial planning (including a desire to actually start a pension plan!)

I'm still investing in the ING Streetwise mutual funds. While they haven't been stellar performers, I've still made money. They're rock-solid performers, backed by a company that has (from my experience) great customer service.

You can start 2014 on a positive note with a free $25 from ING Direct Canada

Just use the referral code 40014077S1 when you open any ING Direct Canada account with a minimum starting balance of $100.

This key works!

You will get $25, and I will get $25. You'll also be given your own referral key - just give it out to friends and family; when they open an ING account, both parties will get $25 each!

The referrals will soon start rolling in. Start January 2014 on a high, and trust that it continues through the rest of the year!

Need $25 in October 2013?

As Autumn 2013 embraces us with its cool breeze and Christmas starts beckoning, our thoughts often turn to matters financial. I've already started budgeting for the expenses of Christmas. I could certainly do with an extra $25 in my pocket, and so could most other people.

And here's an easy to get $25, simply by opening a bank account. ING Direct Canada will give you $25 if you open up any account with an initial deposit of $100. You can read about this promotion at http://www.ingdirect.ca/referafriend/

 You just need to enter this referral code (also known as an Orange Key) when you complete the online application: 40014077S1

Both you and I will get $25, no questions asked

The money train doesn't stop there. You'll also get your own Orange Key so you can refer your own friends. The money soon adds up - with 50 referrals you stand to earn $2000

Sizzling ING Orange Key!

It's high Summer, and it's getting hotter and hotter. Celebrate the gorgeous weather with a referral bonus from ING Direct Canada.

Here's a sizzling ING Orange Key!

Simply enter the referral code 40014077S1 when you apply for any new account from your favorite Canadian bank - ING Direct.You'll cool down with a sizzling $25 bonus (and I get $25 as well because you used my referral code).

If that doesn't get you hot under the collar, then you're bound to blow a fuse when I tell you that you'll also get your own Orange Key, so you can get your own referrals.

I have many readers who have used my Orange Key to apply for accounts, and get their own Orange Keys! They now are rolling in referral bonuses.

ING Direct Bonus Still Going Strong

Even after several years, the ING bonus scheme is still rolling ahead like a steam train!

When you open any account (with an initial deposit by cheque of $100), you get a bonus of $25. However, you only get this bonus if you enter an Orange Key code during the online sign-up.

These Orange Keys are available all over the web. However, 40014077S1 is a working Orange Key - please use it during the sign-up (both you and I get $25).

The money train doesn't end there. ING Canada will give you your very own Orange Key to love and treasure. If anyone else applies for an account using your Orange Key, both you and the applicant get $25 each.

This is how your referral bonuses build up.

Refer 10 friends - get $25*10 + $50 bonus = $300
Refer 20 friends - get $25*10 + $100 bonus = $350
Refer 30 friends - get $25*10 + $150 bonus = $400
Refer 40 friends - get $25*10 + $200 bonus = $450
Refer 50 friends - get $25*10 + $250 bonus = $500
TOTAL = $2000

Many people have made the full $2000 in bonuses (well, $2025 if you include your initial $25 for simply signing up).

The sooner you open and account, the sooner you can reel in those bonuses.

Please consider using Orange Key 40014077S1 when you open your account.

Get $2000 in Referral Bonuses with ING Direct

You now get $25 when you open any ING Direct Canada bank account (with an initial deposit of $100 or more), and use 40014077S1 as your Orange Key referral code.

When you open your account, you'll also get your own Orange Key. Give this to your friends and family, and you each get $25 when then open an account!

You can get up to $2000 in referral bonuses (actually, $2025 when you include the $25 you get for opening your own account).

This is a great deal, and something you should consider carefully.

$50 ING Orange Key

Just a quick reminder that if you open any ING Direct account before December 31st 2012 with the Orange Key promo 40014077S1, you get $50.

From January 1st 2012 and going forward, the bonus reverts to the standard $25.

You get this bonus when you open any of these accounts:

• THRiVE chequing
• Investment Savings Account (this currently pays 1.35%, so it's a nice earner)
• RSP Investment Savings Account (again paying 1.35%)
• TFSA (currently paying 1.4%)
• Any business accounts
• Any Streetwise Mutual Fund (which I currently invest in)

I've banked with ING Canada for some time now. Their telephone CSRs are always polite, helpful and cheery.

So go to http://www.ingdirect.ca/referafriend/ to open your account, and enter the Orange Key 40014077S1 when required!

Streetwise Mutual Funds 2012 - Yearly Review

It's about time for my yearly review of ING Direct's Streetwise mutual funds. So after the stock market turbulence of 2007 to 2009, the last three years has seen fairly steady gains. The ING Streetwise funds suffered in 2008 with large falls, but their recent performance is a source of hope.

Here's the most recent 2012 performance figures for the Streetwise Balanced Income, Balanced Portfolio and Balanced Growth Portfolio (taken direct from ING Direct Canda's website).

All funds have seen healthy gains over the year to date, with the Balanced Growth Portfolio clocking in at just over 12%.

Of course, the Streetwise funds were launched during the market turbulence of 2008, so the growth since launch has been rather anemic, to say the least. However, since I dollar-cost average into the Balanced Growth fund every month since launch, I managed to buy some initial units at a cheap price, so I'm looking at a larger gain.

Here are one-year performance benchmarks for the Streetwise Funds.

The Sharpe Ratio for the Streetwise Balanced Income fund over the last year is a healthy 2.33 (respectable in anyone's eyes). The Sharpe Ratios for the other two funds are lower at just over one (still not bad). However, the modestly good Sharpe Ratios masks rather poor mean annual returns for all three funds.

The alpha for all three funds are negative, indicating that they have under-performed their benchmark. The beta for the three funds are around 0.9 - 1. This indicates that their volatility matches that of their benchmark, or is slightly lower.

I'm not overly impressed by the performance figures. But I'm a buy-and-hold kind of guy. I'll maintain my monthly investment plan inside a TFSA in the Streetwise Balanced Growth fund.

ING Direct Canada still have a referral reward system. If you use the Orange Key 40014077S1 when you open any account (with an initial $100 deposit by cheque), you'll get a $25 bonus (or $50 before the end of 2012).

You'll also get your own Orange Key so you can get your own referrals! Magic!