Free iPod Touch

I used to have an iPod Touch.  I loved it.  My fiancee found it while skiing, it's screen was cracked but it still worked fine.  I loved it hard for about two months.  Then I left it somewhere.  (I know where I left it, but it was gone when I went back.)  Sad, however when I think about it, that wondrous thing was meant to be my in the first place.  SIGH.  Admission:  I have 3 iPods currently.  I have a old classic model, a shuffle, and a wonderful nano that was a 30th birthday present the only year it was made it a video camera.

It should be clear I don't NEED a new iPod.  I WANT a new iPod.  I purchased a few apps for my other iPod, one of which I miss so much.  No, not angry birds, it's the Nike Training Club app.  Sigh.  So anyway, after 4 months without it, I have decided I just can't live without an iPod touch.

Off to the store.  Hmm.  $199.  Even with Target throwing in $20 of iTune cards, that's quite pricy.  I thought it would have to go on the Wedding Registry and hope that someone understood the need.

Then the best thing happened.  I saw a sign at First Bank saying "Free iPod Touch" in the window.   Being a  person who has left the house once in a while, I knew that "free" means there is a catch that isn't worth the hassle.   I  decided to check out the website one rainy day.  Hmmm.   Not too bad.  You have to open a checking account, which you can do the paperwork online.  Then you have to either choose to pay 3 bills with their online bill pay or have one direct deposit for $300.  Not really if you use a bank account regularly.  If you don't pay 3 bills each month they charge you $5 a month.  You get the gift card for the IPOD (or tom tom or kindle) within 90 days of opening the account.  If you close the account within 6 months of opening it you may get charge for the cost of your free item.  Sounds good to me!  I'll keep you posted on how it works out.


Douchbaggery:  Free Ipod Touch.  (Or TomTom or Kindle)

How Much Work:  Open a bank account.  This is not a hard process, and the fact you can do it online is amazing!

Trouble Spots:  Using online application you can transfer money from another bank account.  The minimum is $100 while an in person deposit is $25. 

Fine Print:  Must enroll in online banking.  Must pay 3 bills  to 3 separate accounts using online bill pay or have a single direct deposit for $300 within 60 days of account opening. If you do not use the bill pay feature they will charge you $5 a month.  If you close the account within 6 months you may be charged for your free iPod. 

My thoughts:  I'm off to do it.  I currently have a bank account and 2 Credit Union accounts.  First bank is only in Colorado, Arizona and Riverside County CA.  The First Bank checking does not offer interest rates on their checking accounts.  I think the easiest think to do would be to have the $300 deposited, however it's not the most practical as I already have parts of my paycheck going to 3 places.  I'm going to do the bill pay.  Cheers to free!