Still better than a mattress

Despite our best efforts to keep our money working for us, the Fed this week decided that they need to cut our savings rates to make sure that the financial system doesn't shut down.  Thank goodness we haven't yet moved into caves and started using seashells for money.  The best rates are at WaMu:

• 3.55% WaMu Online Savings account
  (requires free checking)



• 3.45% Etrade Complete Savings account



• 3.40% (brokerage) Fidelity Select Money Market



• 3.25% Citibank Ultimate Money account (requires checking)



• 3.08% (brokerage) Schwab Value advantage



• 3.05% HSBC Direct



• 3.00% ING Direct



• 2.75% Emigrant Direct



• and of course 4.05% Countrywide Savingslink (requires a Valium and a healthy tolerance for risk)

Also consider U.S. savings bonds as mentioned in this post, currently paying 4.28%.