What does it cost?
We’re all trying to save money wherever possible. To assist with this, here are a few examples of what you can buy for:
- About $30–Enjoy great mobile phone service with no contracts from Consumer Cellular. Get 500 monthly minutes and a free Motorola phone for $30 plus applicable taxes. Change your plan without any hassles. Additional plans with more or less monthly minutes also are available. A new phone, Doro PhoneEasy®, is available in a limited offering for $40. This user-friendly model has enlarged buttons for easier dialing and texting and a high-contrast display. Visit www.consumercellular.com/AAA for details.
- About $60–Start the new year off with a healthy, relaxing mineral thermal bath in Hot Springs, Ark. Historical Buckstaff Bath House has served its clients since 1912. Select the traditional bathing package for $55 and enjoy the mineral thermal whirlpool bath, a Loofa mitt rub and Swedish massage. No reservations are needed, and hours during the off-season (January and February) are 7–11:45 a.m. and 1:30–3 p.m. Monday through Friday; 7–11:45 a.m. on Saturdays. The bath house is closed Saturday afternoons and on Sundays. It’s located at 509 Central Ave., along historical bath house row. Call (501) 623-2308 or visit www.buckstaffbaths.com.
- About $100–Your Valentine will eat up this bouquet. Purchase a sweetheart rose arrangement through Cookies by Design. The arrangement of 12 rose-shaped cookies plus a heart cookie can be delivered to your sweetie while you save a sweet 15 percent. Smaller edible gifts also are available. To place your order, visit www.AAA.com/shopnow or call (800) 433-4784.
- About $130–Check in at the AAA four Diamond Royal Sonesta hotel, 300 Bourbon St., for Mardi Gras fun in New Orleans. A check of room availability in February on Nov. 1 showed the AAA rate of $128.93, but several French Quarter hotels already were sold out.
Get the answers to FAQs on CDs
Certificates of Deposit (CDs), once the dependable-but-dull component of most investors’ portfolios, now are a hot topic of conversation between financial planners and their clients.
CDs became a safe harbor during the recent market turmoil by virtue of the reliability that once made them staid. As investors stampeded into treasuries for protection–and drove down yields on even 30-year Treasury notes (or bonds), others discovered they could suddenly earn higher returns on CDs. Buy a CD now and you’ll lock in a great rate with the confidence of knowing your investment is protected.
HOW CDs WORK
Low-risk investments bought through a bank or thrift institution, CDs are great for money you do not intend to use for a specified length of time–six, nine or 12 months–perhaps longer. Investors receive a fixed return, and the deposit is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
Unlike stocks or mutual funds, a brokerage account is not needed to purchase a CD. However, substantial penalties are levied for taking out assets before the CD’s maturity date.
What you should know
Familiarize yourself with all rules that govern a CD; terms can vary substantially from bank to bank. It is essential you read the fine print to understand the terms.
For more information about AAA’s Deposit Program, visit www.AAA.com /Deposits or call (888) 728-3151. |
