Citibank offer.

Running total: 70.00

Left to go: 9930.00

A somewhat interesting offer from Citibank.

I happen to have a Citibank credit, and as I was logging on to the main menu screen, I saw that Citibank is offering 50 dollars to whoever opens a checking and money market account with them for the next month or so.

This seemed like a good offer, so I went ahead and did it. The money market account was yielding 5%. Good enough, I thought, to stick 25 dollars in every month or so.

And I still think it is a good deal, even after opening the account, but I must warn you, there are certain restrictions--I suppose as with anything. You don't technically get the money for 3 months. During those three months, your account has to be in good standing.

So what does it mean to have an account in good standing? Good question. Either you have to have direct deposit to your checking account, you have to have a combined balance of 1,500 dollars in both accounts, or you have to--and to me this is the best deal--pay two bills electronically using your checking account.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to use the last option. It seems pretty simple enough. Transfer 50 bucks in--50 bucks that otherwise would have gone to pay bills--and pay bills. After 3 months, once I get the money in hand, I plan to close the account so I don't have to worry about it anymore.