So far, the book has been interesting. Despite its technical nature, its conclusions and lessons are pretty straightforward, almost to the degree of what some would call common sense. The author, Benjamin Graham, passed away in 1976, so this book is his most recent edition with updated commentary from Jason Zwieg after each chapter.

The overall lesson seems rather straightforward: Regard investing as investing and you’ll be okay. Everything seems to support that. Be disciplined so that speculation doesn’t do you in, and avoid being drawn into the speculative world of day trading through watching tickers constantly. Remember to regard these as actual investments in a company and not to let the abstractions of ticker symbols and stock prices hide that.

I only just finished the third chapter, so it’ll be interesting what other lessons can be gained.

I’ve completed my income tax return for 2009. This return was more complicated than in the past since a portion of my work has been in a self-employed situation. For that reason, I opted to have a professional tax preparer review it before submitting it. The experience does help me understand better how to manage financial information in the case of the business we’re looking to create. There’s basically two types of business arrangements: informal and formal. The informal arrangements are sole proprietorship and general partnership. The taxation of both arrangements is part of your typical income tax return. On the other hand, formal arrangements like corporations get taxed separately in addition to being taxed on your income from the corporation.

To go into more specifics, I started my checking account at Chase. I started with a regular Chase Checking account. However, as I gained the funds to do so, I openned a Chase Savings account. As my cash in those accounts accumulated, I upgraded them to the Chase Better Banking Checking and  Chase Money Market Savings accounts respectively. Briefly, I had a Chase Certificate of Deposit as well. Outside of Chase, I have an E*TRADE Complete Savings account that has a little money in it that I openned to get a promotional offer. More usefully, I have an ING Direct Electric Orange Checking account and an Orange Savings Account. The nice thing about the ING Direct accounts is that they give some of the highest interest rates and don’t have as many stupid fees.

In the credit card world, I started out with an Amazon.com Credit card. It was nice, but I really don’t do much purchasing on Amazon.com for the rewards to be very beneficial. When I openned my Chase banking accounts, I got a Chase Freedom Credit Card. It is nice because I can use it for both points rewards and cashback rewards. Additionally, because I have a Chase checking account associated with it, I get increased rewards. This is my primary credit card. I also have a few other cards openned for one reason or another, but my Chase Freedom card is the only one I regularly use. I just have all the accounts to automatically pay off in full.

Moving along, one of several unique account I have is a TreasuryDirect account. This allows me to purchase and redeem treasury securities as well as US Savings Bonds. I just have a few securities here as well as some treasury bills that just get repurchased. I also have an account through MicroPlace. MicroPlace enables me to effectively loan small amounts of money to individuals in developing countries for a small return. I also have a small amount with Kiva, but Kiva has not taken the steps to be approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, so they do not provide returns.

As a perk of my credit card, many of my purchases have their warranties effectively doubled through the Visa Warranty Manager Service. This is without any cost from me. There is also accidental death insurance when I travel via public transportation paid for by the credit card. Beyond this, I also was able to receive a small accidental death policy through The Hartford via the credit card with nothing paid by me. I also have a Gerber Grow Up Plan that is now in my ownernship. Mom started it for both my sister and I when we were younger. Last year, I also got a term life policy from Genworth Financial.

The last things are the most recent. I have an individual account as well as a Roth IRA with ShareBuilder. Through these, I’ve purchased stock in Microsoft, Walmart, Chase, ING Direct, and a few mutual funds and other companies. These have done surprisingly well so far.

One of the first ways was through online surveys. Several companies are in the business of paying small amounts of money to answer surveys. The amounts depend on whether you qualify for the survey. The actual incentive varies between a small check, points toward prizes, and entries into sweepstakes toward larger prizes.

Besides surveys, there are companies that offer incentives for people to try various offers. In my case, I was able to spend about $200 toward completing ten trial offers. Not only did I benefit from the trials such as free movies through Netflix, I received $1000 in the end.

When I held an internship at Microsoft, one of Redmond, Washington’s incentives not to drive alone was to self-report how you went to work each day for two months. As long as they were not driving alone, you received a $50 gift card. Additionally, there was another incentive where I was able to get a free t-shirt along with free bus passes.

When I openned my bank account with Chase bank, I was able to get $125 for openning the account. Similarly, I was able to get $25 for openning an ING Direct Electric Orange checking account. I can get further money from them for referring others to open accounts, but I have yet to do so. Through my Chase Freedom credit card, I was offered $2000 in accidental death insurance with the option to pay to purchase more. I declined purchasing the extra coverage but took the free coverage.

I have yet to get a payout from them, but I have earned some credit with Upromise on top of any cashback I otherwise get through my credit card. I also have some credit with Bing Cashback, but I have yet to reach a threshold to get a payout.

Additional opportunies to get things for free include signing up for the mailing lists or e-clubs online for your favorite restaurants. Many of the offer a free appetizer just for signing up.