HUSTLE!: If you haven’t read it, Hustler Money Blog is a great resource for bank deals, and the new year is off to a fine start. HMB points out that KeyBank is now offering $150 for new checking accounts (limited to AK, CO, CT, ID, IN, KY, ME, MI, NY, OH, OR, UT, VT, and WA) and that BB&T is offering $100 as well (for those in FL, GA, AL, NC, SC, TN, TX, KY, IN, VA, WV, MD, and DC). If you can’t find your state listed above, check out HMB’s Best Bank Bonuses and Deals page and you’re sure to find something.

REAL ESTATE SHENANIGANS ARE ALIVE AND WELL: Over at PT Money, there’s a good summary of the current ways to buy yourself a house with little or no money down. In a nutshell:

1. VA loans: for military and surviving spouses
2. USDA loans: This loan category has perplexed us for many years. We’re not sure why the United States Department of Agriculture is in the business of guaranteeing mortgages, but whatever the merits of the program, you may as well take advantage of it if you’re in a position to do so. If you don’t live in a large metropolitan area, check here to see if you’re eligible.
3. Fannie Mae HomePath: for Fannie Mae-owned foreclosures. You can include the cost of repairs in the mortgage.
4. FHA loans: the timeless classic

As for whether or not it’s a good idea to buy without having a substantial downpayment: we’ll leave that to you. PT Money says, “Prices, however, have been driven to rock bottom levels from the mass amount of selling, so many investors believe we are past the bottom of the real estate market and moving upward.” Maybe, maybe not–we’re skeptical of this thesis as we believe that there are still a lot of foreclosures that have not worked their way through the system yet. Time will tell…

BEST CREDIT CARDS FOR FREE HOTEL STAYS: Hack My Trip has the details.

CAN MANKIND BREAK THE MILLION POINT BARRIER?: Frequent Miler wants to earn one million points… in one month.