Here's a fresh ING Orange Key, hot off the presses: 40014077S1
From now until the 31st December 2012, any savvy savers who open any ING Direct Canada account with this code (with an initial deposit of $100) will be rewarded with a $50 bonus.
The bonus falls to $25 in January 2013, so you'd better open your account now.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Musings on the Streetwise Mutual Funds
Well, I haven't updated this blog in a long time, so I thought it was time I made an effort. Many, many people have submitted their ING Orange Keys so they can get referrals; I encourage all new ING Savers to do the same.
The ING Orange Key program is still going strong, with many new savers earning their two thousand dollars in referral fees.
I've previously given my thumbs up to the Streetwise mutual funds. I think, now, I have to adjust my previous enthusiasm. The Streetwise funds have really not performed well since their inception. Consider this performance chart for the Streetwise Mutual Funds, complete to December 2011
Since launch, the Balanced Income fund has gained around seven percent in value. The Balanced and Balanced Growth funds, however, have lost value
Of course, we've had a great deal of financial turmoil in the world's stock markets so I'm sure ING aren't totally to blame.
I've invested in the Balanced fund. I would have got a better return had I invested in the TFSA Savings Account instead. These are, of course, still eligible for the ING Orange Key referral scheme.
Remember to post your Orange Key in the comments!
The ING Orange Key program is still going strong, with many new savers earning their two thousand dollars in referral fees.
I've previously given my thumbs up to the Streetwise mutual funds. I think, now, I have to adjust my previous enthusiasm. The Streetwise funds have really not performed well since their inception. Consider this performance chart for the Streetwise Mutual Funds, complete to December 2011
Since launch, the Balanced Income fund has gained around seven percent in value. The Balanced and Balanced Growth funds, however, have lost value
Of course, we've had a great deal of financial turmoil in the world's stock markets so I'm sure ING aren't totally to blame.
I've invested in the Balanced fund. I would have got a better return had I invested in the TFSA Savings Account instead. These are, of course, still eligible for the ING Orange Key referral scheme.
Remember to post your Orange Key in the comments!
Monday, May 16, 2011
ING Direct Canada Orange Key 2011
Here's some brand Orange Keys:
33866519S1
33866519S1
32981155S1
32754139S1
17465528S1
35638912S1
15846511S1
35812506S1
35853623S1
35821095S1
35669143S1
33866519S1
32981155S1
32754139S1
17465528S1
35638912S1
15846511S1
35812506S1
35853623S1
35821095S1
35669143S1
As ever, post your Orange Keys in a comment, and I'll feature them in the next blog post.
By the way, check out ING Direct's new Cafe in Toronto. I wanna go!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
ING Direct Streetwise Mutual Fund Holdings
These are the top 10 holdings of the Streetwise Mutual funds.
Top Ten Holdings of the Streetwise Income Fund
Top Ten Holdings of the Streetwise Balanced Fund
Top Ten Holdings of the Streetwise Growth Fund
The Growth fund has a strong Banking and Natural Resources theme, while the Balanced Fund revolves around Banking and Government Bonds. The Income fund, not surprisingly, focuses on Government bonds.
I wouldn't necessarily recommened the Income fund, unless you're concentrating on capital protection. The Balanced and Growth funds show greater growth potential.
Remember to post your Orange Key in a comment, and I'll feature it in a blog post!
Top Ten Holdings of the Streetwise Income Fund
| Government of Canada 2.50% | 2.10% | ||
| Government of Canada 1.50% | 1.90% | ||
| Government of Canada 3.75% | 1.80% | ||
| Government of Canada 5.75% | 1.70% | ||
| Government of Canada 2.00% | 1.40% | ||
| Government of Canada 3.25% | 1.30% | ||
| Canada Housing Trust 4.60% | 1.30% | ||
| Government of Canada 5.75% | 1.20% | ||
| Government of Canada 3.00% | 1.10% | ||
| Canada Housing Trust 4.55% | 1.10% | ||
| TOTAL 14.9% | |||
Top Ten Holdings of the Streetwise Balanced Fund
| Government of Canada 3.75% | 1.90% | ||
| iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund 1.9% | 1.90% | ||
| Canada Housing Trust 4.60% | 1.50% | ||
| Royal Bank of Canada | 1.40% | ||
| Government of Canada 3.50% | 1.30% | ||
| The Toronto-Dominion Bank | 1.20% | ||
| Government of Canada 1.50% | 1.20% | ||
| iShares S&P 500 Index Fund | 1.10% | ||
| Suncor Energy, Inc. | 1.10% | ||
| The Bank of Nova Scotia | 1.10% | ||
| TOTAL 13.7% | |||
Top Ten Holdings of the Streetwise Growth Fund
| Royal Bank of Canada | 1.70% | ||
| iShares S&P 500 Index Fund | 1.60% | ||
| The Toronto-Dominion Bank | 1.50% | ||
| Suncor Energy, Inc. | 1.30% | ||
| The Bank of Nova Scotia | 1.30% | ||
| Barrick Gold Corporation | 1.20% | ||
| Government of Canada 3.75% | 1.20% | ||
| Canadian Natural Resources Limited | 1.10% | ||
| Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. | 1.00% | ||
| Canada Housing Trust 4.60% | 0.90% | ||
| TOTAL 12.8% | |||
The Growth fund has a strong Banking and Natural Resources theme, while the Balanced Fund revolves around Banking and Government Bonds. The Income fund, not surprisingly, focuses on Government bonds.
I wouldn't necessarily recommened the Income fund, unless you're concentrating on capital protection. The Balanced and Growth funds show greater growth potential.
Remember to post your Orange Key in a comment, and I'll feature it in a blog post!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Streetwise Fund Performance
Here's the latest performance chart for ING Direct Streetwise mutual funds.
Since the low point in Febuary 2009 (in tandem with almost all stock market indices), all three Streetwise funds have demonstrated steady growth. From August 2009 to August 2010 the funds meandered, but that's been followed by a sustained period of better growth. Let's hope it continues!
I buy into the Streetwise Balanced fund every single month in my TFSA - it's far less stressful than putting your whole $5000 TFSA balance in at once.
By the way, you're welcome to post your ING Direct Orange Key in comment, and I'll feature it in a blog post.
Since the low point in Febuary 2009 (in tandem with almost all stock market indices), all three Streetwise funds have demonstrated steady growth. From August 2009 to August 2010 the funds meandered, but that's been followed by a sustained period of better growth. Let's hope it continues!
I buy into the Streetwise Balanced fund every single month in my TFSA - it's far less stressful than putting your whole $5000 TFSA balance in at once.
By the way, you're welcome to post your ING Direct Orange Key in comment, and I'll feature it in a blog post.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
ING Direct Orange Key 2011
These are the twelve latest new ING Direct Orange Keys submitted by the readers of this blog.
Open any ING account with an initial deposit of $100, and specify any of these working Orange Keys during the online application. You (and the owner of the Orange Key) will get $25 each. It doesn't get much more difficult than this.
You'll also get your own Orange Key so you can make your own referrals, and get $25 each time, up to a maximum of $2000. Here's the referral scheme
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 plus your original $25 bonus = $2025
Once you've got your own Orange Key, visit this site and post it in a comment. I'll then feature it in a new blog post! I made my $2025 in seven months. How long will it take you? Get started!
17453092S1
34880608S1
22420388S1
34600281S1
14221340S1
14460703S1
35537435S1
35665122S1
33808427S1
35736756S1
35746720S1
35561445S1
Open any ING account with an initial deposit of $100, and specify any of these working Orange Keys during the online application. You (and the owner of the Orange Key) will get $25 each. It doesn't get much more difficult than this.
You'll also get your own Orange Key so you can make your own referrals, and get $25 each time, up to a maximum of $2000. Here's the referral scheme
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 plus your original $25 bonus = $2025
Once you've got your own Orange Key, visit this site and post it in a comment. I'll then feature it in a new blog post! I made my $2025 in seven months. How long will it take you? Get started!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
ING THRiVE Chequing vs BMO
I've been an ING Direct saver since early 2010, having made a cool $2000 with the their Orange Key referral program. I also invest monthly into a TFSA (the streetwise mutual fund, to be exact). Earlier this year, ING Direct opened what they call THRiVE Chequing.
Given that I've had a BMO Chequing account for over two years, switching to THRiVE wouldn't be something I do without due diligence. ING Direct list their primary selling points for their new chequing account on their website. I decided to dig a little deeper and discover how BMO compares before making my decision.
No-fee daily chequing
I pay for the BMO Plus plan a a cost of $8.50 a month. This fee is waived if I don't let the balance dip below $2000.
THRiVE, however, is free – you don't pay a monthly fee. But there are fees associated with other services.
For example, replacement debit cards with THRiVE are $15 but you get one free a year. BMO provide free replacement cards no matter how many you lose (I wasn't charged either time when I lost my debit card twice in one year).
ING charge $10 for Canadian drafts, but BMO charge $6.50 (in any currency).
A book of twenty cheques will cost THRiVE customers $10 (but the first twenty are free). This could add up considerably if you write a lot of cheques. BMO, however, don't charge at all for cheques.
Given that I've had a BMO Chequing account for over two years, switching to THRiVE wouldn't be something I do without due diligence. ING Direct list their primary selling points for their new chequing account on their website. I decided to dig a little deeper and discover how BMO compares before making my decision.
No-fee daily chequing
I pay for the BMO Plus plan a a cost of $8.50 a month. This fee is waived if I don't let the balance dip below $2000.
THRiVE, however, is free – you don't pay a monthly fee. But there are fees associated with other services.
For example, replacement debit cards with THRiVE are $15 but you get one free a year. BMO provide free replacement cards no matter how many you lose (I wasn't charged either time when I lost my debit card twice in one year).
ING charge $10 for Canadian drafts, but BMO charge $6.50 (in any currency).
A book of twenty cheques will cost THRiVE customers $10 (but the first twenty are free). This could add up considerably if you write a lot of cheques. BMO, however, don't charge at all for cheques.
In summary, given that I'm careless with debit cards, BMO are the winners. Maintaining my chequing balance above $2000 to avoid the $8.50 fee isn't a problem.
Pays Interest
THRiVE pays 0.25% on balances below $50000. Perhaps it's just me, but I don't think people who could afford to keep $50000 in their chequing account would be swayed by the paltry interest rate on offer. Most people would be better served by keeping amounts this large in high interest savings accounts. ING's high interest savings account currently pays 1.5%
BMO pay no interest on their chequing accounts, but you can connect chequing accounts to the Smart Saver account paying 1.35% and switch money in and out online (you're allowed unlimited deposits, but only one free withdrawal from the Smart Saver account each month)
Given the small difference in rates on the high interest savings accounts, we're tied on this point
Free email alerting
THRiVE customers get email alerts for specific account transactions (like payments, balances etc). That's a pretty neat service – BMO do not offer anything similar.
Free ABM Access
ABM access is pretty important if you're an online bank, and THRiVE customers can use the THE EXCHANGE® Network to withdraw cash. I searched http://www.the-exchange.ca for ABMs in my home town of Waterloo and found eight. BMO just edge them out with ten.
Free Whoops! Protection
ING offer free overdraft protection up to $250 (but you have to pay this back in 30 days, otherwise you'll be charged $2.50 a month). This is amusingly called the Whoops! service.
BMO offer overdraft protection of up to $2500 (upon application) but charge you interest on the total.
I'm pretty savvy with money and I've never been in the red, so this isn't a factor for me.
Mobile Banking
If you're a proud owner of an iPad, iPhone or Blackberry, you can bank while mobile with the THRiVE account. BMO are technological Luddites and don't offer this service.
Summary
ING primarily advertise THRiVE as a no-fee chequing account. Since I effectively don't get charged for my BMO chequing account (as long as maintain a balance of $2000), this isn't a factor. So ING's offering has to stand on its other merits.
I currently hold a BMO credit card, and their online services allow me to see my balances across all my accounts. This unified website is a very big plus for me. ING Direct don't (yet) offer a credit card, so I'd have to constantly switch between two websites to keep track of my day-to-day finances.
THRiVE's other benefits, however, aren't enough for me to shift my banking to ING. I still value the presence of a physical BMO branch barely a mile from me more than I do THRiVE's other selling points like free overdrafts and email alerts.
In short, I'll keep my chequing account with BMO until ING decide to raise their game.
ING Direct Canada Orange Key Promotion
If you open any ING account with an initial deposit of $100, and specify any of these working Orange Keys during the online application, you (and the owner of the Orange Key) will get $25 each.
17066306S1
30684987S1
17465528S1
19328535S1
You'll also get your own Orange Key so you can make your own referrals, and get $25 each time, up to a maximum of $2000. Here's a rundown of the referral scheme
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
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
Once you have your own Orange Key, visit this site and post it in a comment. I'll then feature it in a new blog post!
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