Money Pros Carnival – Early Feb Stock Market Dip Edition

Welcome to yet another money pros carnival!

If you’d like to host a money pros carnival session, please sign up at the Blogger Carnivals website and on this particular Money Pros Carnival page.

I always enjoy the selection in these carnival submissions and I hope you do too!  Hopefully the stock market will recover by the time you read them all… 🙂

Enjoy…

Tushar Mathur @ Everything Finance writes How to save money on pet costs – A month after getting married, my husband and I inherited our pup from a family friend. Essentially, he’s always been a member of our family.

Jacob @ AllPersonalFinance writes The Truth About Car Finance – The truth about car finance If you are looking to buy a new car, there will be a whole host of finance options available for you. The dealers themselves will nearly always offer you a finance deal as it is a great profit maker for them, but the choice can leave a consumer very confused. …r

Kyle @ The Penny Hoarder writes 5 Credit Card Promotions That Made Me $1,425 – One of the best ways for a Penny Hoarder to make some serious extra cash is to take advantage of credit card sign up bonuses. Of course, to get the most benefit, you should have excellent credit, and you should routinely pay off your credit card in full each month so you’re not paying interest.

Don @ MoneySmartGuides writes Intelligent Ways to Save Money for Your Upcoming Summer Vacation – Do you have big summer vacation plans coming up? For example, let’s say that a bunch of your old buddies from college have finally decided to get together for an outdoor adventure of mountain biking, white water rafting, and trail […]

SavingMentor @ How To Save Money writes HowToSaveMoney.ca Is Hiring Writers! – I want to bring you, my readers, the absolute best and most complete information on saving money that can be found anywhere in Canada.

SBB @ Simple Budget Blog writes Taking Inventory of Your Financial Life – It’s important to keep track of your own belongings in cases of theft or damage. Here’s what you can do in order to create an inventory of your household.

Moneycone @ Money Cone writes Is it possible to earn 3% on your savings account without jumping through hoops? – If you are a big fan of big banks, you will no doubt love the interest they pay on your savings account (0.01%)! But then, let’s also be fair.

Jester @ The Ultimate Juggle writes Does Technology Equal Productivity? – One of my new friends and I like to talk about new business ideas. The first time that we hung out, we ended up having a three hour conversation about some of our best ideas and how we would like to create them over the next couple of years.

Tushar @ Start Investing Money writes What Type of Investment Option is Best for You? – This Post was Originally published at What Type of Investment Option is Best for You? on Start Investing MoneyIf there is one thing you can rely on in the ever changing world of investments, it is that there are lots of different investments to choose from. You’ve got stocks, shares, IPOs, mutual funds, real estate investments and many others besides.

 

Roger the Amateur Financier @ The Amateur Financier writes 8 Considerations When Starting to Invest – A short guide to some of the things you need to consider when you are first starting to invest and trying to choose the best investments for your needs.

Brent @ PersonalFinance-Tips writes 5 unique ways to save money – When you’re trying to get your personal finances in order, it really helps to look into money saving tips.   Most people know about the basic tips such as to put a little money in savings each time you get paid and use money saving vouchers when you can.

Minimalist @ Minimalist Finance writes 3 Ways to Ensure You’ll Never Forget to Pay a Bill Again – 3 Ways to Ensure You’ll Never Forget to Pay a Bill Again has been published on Minimalist FinanceWe’ve all done it. Every once in awhile, a bill slips our mind and we forget to pay it. The bill goes unpaid until you get a gentle reminder from the servicing company, or until you notice a late fee on your next bill.

Mike @ Personal Finance Journey writes Tips to Successfully Claim Auto Insurance after Accidents – Road accidents may not be on your agenda for the day but it is something that is not impossible to happen. They can occur suddenly and especially when you least expect it. Having your own auto insurance will prove priceless when this predicament happens to you.

CAPI @ Creating a Passive Income writes What It Meant To Be The Average Financial American in 2013 – In 2013, many Americans needed to watch their finances. Read here for a year’s review of finance to start off your 2014.

Debt Guru @ Debt Free Blog writes What To Avoid When You’re Buying Your First Home – Looking for your first home? It can be a difficult process, but we’re here to make it easier. Read for tips on what to avoid when buying a first home!

Luke @ Learn Bonds writes Risk Tolerance – What Every Investor Should Know – Risk tolerance is one of the most important and fundamental parts of investing. Here’s what ever investor should know about this important concept.

Ted Jenkin @ Your Smart Money Moves writes 10 Ways To Save Money On Home Improvements – For almost a decade in the 1990’s, we were entertained by the standup comedy turned TV show starting Tim Allen called Home Improvement.

Corey @ 20s Finances writes How to Get Your CAREER Off the Ground – Growing up a child I learned how to get a successful job: graduate high school, go to college, and then pick and choose the best company making you an offer. It was simple. Or so I thought. The unfortunate truth is that it is very hard to get a job when you are young. Even with a good college education, it’s hard to get your career off the ground.

Cat Alford @ Budget Blonde writes How To Budget College Students Funds – The following is a guest post from my friend Jason, who loves sharing tips and tricks on how to budget college students funds.

Crystal @ Budgeting in the Fun Stuff writes Writing a Will – A cold front swept through Houston when Mr. BFS and I left for our cruise.

Minimalist @ Minimalist Finance writes 3 Ways to Save on Home Cleaning Products – 3 Ways to Save on Home Cleaning Products has been published on Minimalist FinanceCleaning products are part of almost every household budget, and they can be quite expensive. Between glass cleaner, disinfectant, laundry soap and other supplies needed for cleaning your home, cleaning products can take up a good chunk of the home maintenance fund.

Tony @ We Only Do This Once writes Training for a 5k Run – A Beginner’s Guide – Here are some simple tips when you are training for a 5k run.

Crystal @ Married (with Debt) writes Thanks to These Blog Carnivals – December 2013 to Current – Hi again! Every week, we submit our favorite posts to a variety of blog carnivals. When we are selected, it is common courtesy (and an expectation) that we link back to those that included us.

Dominique Brown @ YourFinancesSimplified writes What Are Social Security Benefits? – Social security benefits come in several shapes and sizes. You may be eligible for certain benefits and not realize it.

SFB @ Simple Finance Blog writes How to Save Money on your Wedding – Wedding day is a big day in anyone’s life and a lot of planning goes into making it a dream occasion.

PPlan @ Provident Plan writes The Graduated Tithe – A Good Alternative to Tithing? –        I’ve written a good bit of material designed to free people from the idea that the tithe is something they must do

Maria @ The Money Principle writes What being debt free means to me? – Being debt free is mostly felt in little things; in a bunch of flowers, music and deep, restful sleep.

Wayne @ Young Family Finance writes Things for Gen Y to do in Retirement – Technology will not only change how we live and work as young adults, but also our future. While I am sure that technology will continue to evolve, it has already changed my understanding of retirement. Retirement no longer means playing golf, watching TV, and preparing to die. Instead, there are new activities for retirees to do while in retirement.T

Lauren @ L Bee and the Money Tree writes Kitchen Upgrades to Keep Tenants Renting – L Bee Says: I am the Zillow blogger of the week! I used Zillow a good bit back when I was hunting for my first home, and I am excited to be featured. Below is a post by Diana Fishlock for those of you who, like me, have rental property income. Cheers! A good tenant is […]The post Kitchen Upgrades to Keep Tenants Renting appeared first on L Bee and the Moneytree.

Tushar @ Earn More and Save writes How To Select A Forex Broker – The post How To Select A Forex Broker appeared first on Earn More And Save.If you are just starting out in Forex trading, it can be a confusing experience.

Bargain Babe @ BargainBabe.com writes Am I a Money Hoarder? – Am I a money hoarder? My friends say yes because I refuse to let my savings dip below $1,000. But they often have just $100 before payday.

Lindy @ Minting Nickels writes Should You Be Getting Depressed about the State of the UK Economy? – Let’s face it; it’s been a crazy couple of years, as far as the UK economy is concerned.

IMB @ Investing Money writes How To Grow Your Wealth In 2014 – People across the country have made a resolution to take control of their finances in 2014. This is a great goal to have, but understanding how to make this goal a reality can be difficult. Buying a property with a home loan in the new year could offer substantial financial benefits to a property owner.

Eva Baker @ TeensGotCents writes $1,000 Challenge – Entertainment and Groceries – My mom continues on her quest to save $500 a month by participating in the $1,000 Challenge. Now she’s cut our grocery budget and I’m feeling kinda hungry!

Emily @ Evolving Personal Finance writes Our Best (Pain-Free) Money-Saving Moves – We have made five painless life changes in recent years that have each resulted in hundreds or thousands of dollars of saving per year.

Andrew @ 101 Centavos writes Try Some British Food. Tastes Just Like Chicken! – Here’s what not to say to your hired car driver in jolly old England: “You know, nobody ever says: hey, let’s go out for British food! I’ve been here over a dozen times, and never really had decent British food.” Such was the words blurted out by one American colleague from the backseat peanut gallery during last week’s trip. Discussing dinner options shouldn’t be a cultural minefield, but there it was.

May @ Messy Money writes Scrapping Household Metal for Extra Money – As a frugal experiment we began saving up our household metal and e-waste and taking it to the local scrap yard for cash. We are not getting rich off this scheme, but it helps fund the occasional indulgence. It brought an extra couple of hundred bucks into our house last year.

Chad @ The Stock Market and I writes Playing Defense – With the stock market suddenly losing it upside bias, there are a few ways to protect yourself if you want to be invested for the long term.

saverspender @ Save. Spend. Splurge. writes Ever wonder how your city or country compares to the rest of the world for cost of living? – Ever wonder how your city or country compares to the rest of the world for cost of living?

Mark Fitzpatrick @ Mortgages By Mark – Mortgage and Real Estate Blog writes Mortgage Shoppers, What You Think You Know About Annual Percentage Rate (APR) Could Cost You – APR is a deeply flawed tool for comparing mortgage offers. It can occasionally be a starting point when comparing offers, but it shouldn’t be treated as the final word on which loan offer is the best deal, or it could steer you into paying more than you need to for a mortgage.

Daniel @ Make Money Make Cents writes Keeping these 3 Secrets from your Financial Advisor isn’t Advisable – There is an old saying that goes something like this: There are lies, there are damn lies and then there is what you tell your financial advisor.

Oscar @ Money is the Root writes Why should you join a Credit Union? – Did you know that Credit Unions usually have lower fees and tend to pay higher rates than your average bank? Nearly 1 million Americans are now using credit unions instead of traditional banks.

Jay @ Daily Fuel Economy Tip writes What’s the story behind low-rolling-resistance tires? – Car manufacturers, especially those who create hybrid cars, pay careful attention to fuel efficiency and look at everything possible to increase it. In the last few years however they have also devoted quite a bit of time to something that most people had not even thought of, tires.

Danielle @ Saving Without a Budget writes Seven Tips to Extend your Car’s Lifespan – Purchasing a new or used car is a hefty investment, and it is natural to want to make the most of your money. If you have purchased a car for the long haul, you will want to ensure that your car lasts as long as possible.

Matt @ Budget Snob writes The Good news about your Credit Score – Whether it is the interest you pay on your mortgage, your ability to get a car loan or being able to get a credit card with an excellent APR, your credit score, and making sure that it is a good one, is vital.

Jack @ Money Saving Ethics writes What is the best way to return a gift that was purchased online? – International shipping company FedEx recently released a survey that showed that nearly a third of all Americans are going to be going back and returning at least one gift this year that they purchased or received from an online retailer

Amy @ Money Mishaps writes Tips for Avoiding New (and old) Banking Fees – A recent report suggest that consumers who tend to skip over the fine print when they join a bank are usually the same consumers who get a big surprise when they find out the fees attached to the paperwork they signed when they did so.

Lenny @ Best Money Saving Blog writes Prepare yourself for Small Business Success in 2014 – as a small business owner, preparing yourself for success is something that should never stop. The thing is, there’s really not much of a difference between the end of one year and the beginning of the next.

Hadley @ Epic Finances writes The Advantages and Disadvantages of Ride Sharing – Car sharing services have taken off exponentially the world over in the past few years, with options ranging from ZipCar to RelayRides. These operate in slightly different ways. Some, like Uber or Lyft, work by allowing motorists to drive other passengers around the city for an informal taxi ride.

Andrea @ So Over This writes A New Year Brings New Beginnings – It is officially 2014, and with that comes a sobering hangover from the holiday binge spending! Sure we read the how-to tips on saving money during the holidays, but do we actually follow them?

Lily @ Paying Debt Down writes Top 2014 Money-Saving Tips – With 2013 coming to a close many people are looking towards 2014 and finally becoming financially independent. The fact is however that while 34% of us set financial goals, only 8% of us actually reach them, at least according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology that was done by the University of Scranton.

Bob @ Dwindling Debt writes Social Security and Part-time Income. What you should know – These days more Americans than ever before are going to be working past the traditional age of retirement. A recent Wells Fargo study of 1000 middle-class Americans showed that nearly 34% of them believe that they’re going to have to work until they reach the tender age of 80 years old.

Katie @ IRA Basics writes The Secret of Saving for Your First Deposit – Are you ready to become a homeowner and do not fancy a no-deposit home loan? Then the biggest obstacle standing in your way is the first deposit or down payment.

Sam @ The New Business Blog writes 5 Steps to Maximize Conversions on your Landing Page – If you use a Landing Page to attract and then send people to your website, and you are not satisfied with the results that you are getting, it is possible that the headline, body copy or your call to action are not as persuasive as they should be.

Marissa @ Finance Triggers writes Five Simple Steps to Succeed as a Landlord in 2014 – Welcome to the world of being a landlord! This is a job that comes with many perks but also carries many responsibilities. These five simple steps will help to guide you along the way to being a good landlord.

Marissa @ Thirty Six Months writes The 7 Best Towns for Your Family to Relocate to – If your town does not feel very family friendly, it might be time to think about relocating. Many cities and towns throughout the U.S. offer community activities that your family will enjoy together.

Justin @ Edward Antrobus writes Google’s New Cross-Media Project Aims to Dominate Your Waking Hours – Recently, Google’s Niantic Labs teamed up with giant publishing house Harper Collins in a bid to create a new, and better, augmented reality game that’s location-based.

Aaron @ Aaron Hung writes The Best Ways to Increase your Credit Score – The simple fact is that even small improvements to your credit score can mean big savings, as low credit scores result in much higher costs for things like credit card debt, home loans and so forth.

Monica @ Monica On Money writes Ask the Readers: How Much $$ Do You Spend Eating Out? – Do you know how much money you’re spending on eating out? Write Down Your Guess and Save it.

Holly @ Club Thrifty writes Six Start-Up Ideas in Health and Fitness – If you are considering starting your own business in the fields of health and fitness, read this post for six start-up ideas.

Larry @ KrantCents writes Success Is Easy! – Success is easy! All you have to do is follow some easy steps. I can think back to school the first time I had a bad grade. All I had to do was listen in class, do my classwork, homework and study a little.

Natalie @ Debt and the Girl writes My Favorite (Cheap) Party Foods – Oh, delicious food! Why are you so tempting to eat? There are just too many crazy good party foods on the market today. Some are more expensive than others. I am a big lover of all things tasty in the food world but saving money is great too.

Alexa @ Single Moms Income writes Using Rental Properties for Retirement – When thinking about retirement options, is it always the same boring stock options? You know that it is important to diversify your portfolio, so why not add some good ole rental properties to the mix!

Alexa @ Defeat Our Debt writes How Does Non Profit Credit Counseling Work? – Do you think credit counseling would help with your debt pay off plan. If so, you are probably wondering how non profit credit counseling works.

Graham @ Moneystepper writes Fuel efficiency – how to improve your fuel efficiency – You may think that fuel efficiency is an after-thought when buying a car. However, from a financial perspective, the annual ROI between similar cars could be up to 59% when buying a more expensive car with better fuel efficiency.

Jason @ The Money Makers writes PRISM: Did the NSA kill privacy? – Revelations have been continuing to emerge regarding widespread surveillance tactics being internationally deployed by the United States government.

Sustainable PF @ Sustainable Personal Finance writes 3 Times it Makes Sense to Pay Someone Else to Do Something For You – Just because you can do something does not mean that you should. Here are 3 times it makes sense to pay someone else to do something for you:

David @ Financial Nerd writes The Three Pillars of the Economy: Inflation, GDP and Unemployment – The three pillars of the economy, inflation, unemployment, and GDP are connected to each other and maintain fine balance in a healthy economy.

Charles @ Getting A Rich Life writes 2013 Net Worth Review-A Look At My Investments – 2013 was an incredible year for all investments as the market lifted all asset classes. A closer look at all of my 2013 investment and their performance.

Adam @ Money Rebound writes Who Earns the World’s Biggest Salary? – Just where do the biggest earners of the world get their money from.

Jon Haver @ Pay My Student Loans writes Income-Based Student Loan Repayment Plan – You must demonstrate partial financial hardship to qualify for this plan, meaning that the payments you would make under the standard plan must be higher than what you would owe using the income-based plan.

Little House @ Little House in the Valley writes Are My Quarterly Goals Working? Yes! – This year, instead of coming up with annual goals that I wouldn’t meet as the year progressed, I decided to select a few goals for each quarter. So far, I’m meeting all four goals quite easily.

Irfan @ Being Investor writes Frugal Spending: What to Include in Your To-Buy List – People always find it challenging to make the most out of the money that they earn. Oftentimes, they end up with very little money, if none at all, left after all their spending sprees. The most basic financial rule is never to spend more than you can afford.

Miss T. @ Prairie Eco Thrifter writes Collectible Financial Paper – Save those annual reports and dusty old stock certificates, they may be worth money!

Christopher @ This That and The MBA writes 5 Financial Mistakes You Should Never Make Twice. – Everyone makes mistakes at times. The key is to never repeat them. If you’re looking into ways to create a brighter financial future for yourself and your family, read on. Here are 5 financial mistakes you should never make twice.

Harry Campbell @ Your PF Pro writes “My Latest Credit Card: The Amex Starwood Preferred Guest Card(SPG) “ – Since I’ve got a European honeymoon coming up this summer, I’ve been in full force research mode – comparing prices and figuring out how to redeem all my credit card points for free travel. We only have a limited amount of time to honeymoon during July and that happens to coincide with the busiest time of the year(and the hottest) for European travel. It can be a lot harder to redeem points during peak travel season but it is doable as long as you start planning early.

Jeremy @ Modest Money writes Best Peer To Peer Lending Sites Review – If you’re considering investing in p2p lending, you need to check out this review of the best peer to peer lending sites. Find out the best for you.

Harry Campbell @ The Four Hour Work Day writes Would You Sacrifice Your Family Life to Make More Money? – Even though I have a pretty large online footprint(I’m currently writing for 6 sites and managing 2) I also go to a regular job during the day. A lot of people like to complain about their job or bitch about their boss, but I actually like my day job. That’s one of the reasons why I haven’t taken the leap yet to working online full time. That and the money of course; I’m pretty honest when it comes to why I’m working in the engineering field.

Erastus @ Prairie Eco-Thrifter writes What Type of Investor Are You? – Being a bullish or a bearish doesn’t really mean you know the type of investor you are. You should also know more about your lifestyle, the time you have, and the risk you’re willing to take.

Erastus @ Sweating The Big Stuff writes Start Investing, No Pity Party, No Excuses – Start Investing and stop making excuses. You have money to invest it’s only that you keep on procrastinating and if you don’t start investing today, you will loose mo

Michael @ Save-Invest-Grow writes How Do You Define Success – The post talks about defining success in today’s busy world. It looks at the concept of “early retirement” and how to set ambitious goals, while still having a balanced life.

Jacob @ Cash Cow Couple writes Vitacost Review – This details the easiest way to buy health foods and supplies at bargain prices.

Jerry @ AutoFoundry writes Is Investing in Tesla Motors a Good Idea? – There’s a lot of hype surrounding Tesla Motors stock, and some analysts predict it could increase to $200 a share from its IPO price of $35. But is it too late to get in on the action?

Mark Ross @ Money Saving Dude writes A Quick Way To Save Money With The Help Of A Water Bottle – Stop consuming bottled water and get your own water bottle instead. Know the reasons why getting your own water bottle could be the best thing you can do for your wallet and our planet.

Raquel @ Practical Cents writes Emergency Fund:Why Every Homeowner Needs One – Why you need an emergency fund especially if you are a homeowner and how to save for one.

Steve @ 2012 To 2014 Taxes writes Organized Finances Ensure Business Success – It is important for any business to keep its finances in order. Numerous websites stress this, such as the Scott Reiman crunchbase profile.

Dave @ The New York Budget writes The 8 Beers of Personal Finance – A fun look at different beers and how they can represent different aspects of your financial life!

Pauline @ Make Money Your Way writes New side hustle: How I made $1,500 renting my house to travelers – Is renting your house or a room to tourists something you would consider? Today I will share my new side hustle on how I made money by renting my house to travelers.

Pauline @ Reach Financial Independence writes Taking a shortcut to early retirement – As you may know by now, I quit my last corporate job when I was 29.When I started working toward early retirement, better said when I graduated college, as it was always a plan of mine to make an early exit, I thought I would retire around age 40.

Pauline @ Savvy Scot writes New year financial boot camp: Earn more money – Today we will talk about how to earn more money. I’ve listed some good ideas that can make a little more money each month.

Mr.CBB @ canadian budget binder writes How we cash in on unused clutter in the winter – Don’t underestimate the value of an item because what you may consider junk another may consider a treasure.

Marvin @ Brick By Brick Investing writes 11 Monthly Dividend Stocks That Let You Sleep Well At Night – A detailed list of 11 stocks that pay dividends on a monthly basis. These stocks are a low risk and tax free alternative for an investor’s portfolio.

That’s all folks!

Carnival of Money Pros – Post Black Friday Edition

We made it!  We got past the black friday rush and tear period!

Actually, we didn’t even try to go out, and mostly we haven’t done so in the past.  In fact, I only recall going out twice ever, and one of those times was when I was in early for work and was able to leave at 5:00am.  I drove past a sporting good that stated 80% off, so I figured “why not”?…

CarnivalSwing

That was about 10 years ago, and I still have and wear those shoes today (jogging shoes, in case you were curious).

It kind of nice to see that they are spreading out the sales period to more than a few days.  I’m still kind of in the dark how they make money discounting so deeply, especially when a good portion of the customers leave not entirely satisfied since a good portion of the “heavily discounted” items go to the first few lucky shoppers, but it must work somehow…

This is of course the Money Pro’s carnival, and if you would like to submit or host a carnival, please sign up at the “Blogger Carnivals” website.

Now on with the braindumps…!

Maria @ The Money Principle writes Frugality or folly: stop wasting food! – We all waste too much food and it is time to stop. As a bonus you’ll learn how to make spaghetti carbonara and meringue.

SavingMentor @ How To Save Money writes More Free Money: $100 Gift Card And Up To 5% Cash Back On Gas & Groceries – Last year about this time I wrote about a very lucrative deal where people could get a $100 gift to one of four popular Canadian stores or restaurants simply by signing up for one of the best no fee cash back credit cards available to Canadians. It was very popular amongst my readers and a lot of people took advantage of it including myself and my wife.

Minimalist @ Minimalist Finance writes Ways to Find Money to Save – Over and over again, we hear about people that use the excuse that they can’t save money for the future because they don’t have enough money in the now. Many people struggle to put money away when they are already living hand to mouth.

Tushar @ Finance TUBE writes Time to Manage Your Largest Asset – For most people the largest assets are there home and the contents inside of it. But many people don’t spend enough time managing their home, not understanding their financial implications of not managing it.

Hank @ Money Q&A writes How You Can Save A Ton Of Money With Coupons This Holiday Season – You don’t have to go to extreme measures to make coupons, coupon codes, and deals help you and your family save money with coupons. Here are some great tips to save a ton!

Mike @ Personal Finance Journey writes 5 Costly Mistakes Contractors Make When Starting a Home Remodel Project – 5 simple but easy to follow ways to avoid making mistakes and costing yourself money during a home renovation.

Dominique Brown @ YourFinancesSimplified writes I Don’t Borrow-Why Should I Worry About My Credit Score? – People who don’t worry about their credit report and credit score are being short-sighted.

Tushar @ Earn More and Save writes 3 Reasons Why Bargain Shopping is Bad for Your Wallet – The economy is still shaky for the most part and everyone wants to be a bargain shopper nowadays. The problem? Bargain shopping can often be bad for your wallet. Here’s why.

Luke @ Learn Bonds writes Two Moderately-Aggressive Asset Allocations For Income-Focused Investors – A look at 2 moderate risk asset allocation models for those who want to have a higher yield while being able to withstand risk in maturities.

Ted Jenkin @ Your Smart Money Moves writes Do You Have 6.2% Extra In Your Paycheck? – It’s pretty amazing to me how many people truly still don’t understand our payroll tax system.

SFB @ Simple Finance Blog writes How to Set Yourself Up To Be a Financial Success When Starting the First Job—— – Whenever anyone starts out at their first job, it is a process of learning few significant lessons in order to succeed in the real world.

JP @ My Family Finances writes Why Paying Down Debt Is Better Than Investing In The Stock Market – Overall, while investing in the stock market may seem like a good idea, the fact remains that doing so would only put you at a greater risk of losing more money.

Kyle @ The Penny Hoarder writes Long-term vs. Short-term Small Business Loans – Learn about the key differences between short-term loans and long-term loans. No matter what kind of business you have, this information will help you determine which small business loans can best benefit your bottom line.

Daisy @ Suburban Finance writes Want to Learn About Personal Finance? Play Monopoly – According to dictionary.com, the term -monopoly- is defined as “exclusive control of a commodity or service in a particular market or a control that makes possible the manipulation of prices.” I highly doubt I knew what that meant when I was younger, but read what I learned.

Michelle @ The Shop My Closet Project writes Life in the Red-A tale of being in debt – I have spent my entire adult life living life in “The Red”. When I say in “The Red”. I mean in debt. When you talk living paycheck to paycheck I get it. I get juggling bills and money around to see what I have in the bank and in my pocket so that I can pay things off.

Brent @ PersonalFinance-Tips writes 6 Tricks To Help You Get Out Of Debt Quickly – Debt is something that the majority of people today have to deal with, which is unfortunate. With this being said, if you do have debt, there are simple things you can do to increase the rate at which you are able to pay it off. Below are six tricks to help you reach a debt free lifestyle as quickly as possible.

IMB @ Investing Money writes Increasing the ROI on Your Investments – This holiday season, everyone wants a little extra cash to spend on those you love. If you are an investor, you might be looking for the money from your investments. If you can squeeze a little higher return from your investments, you might be able to spend a little more in Holiday shopping.

Eva Baker @ TeensGotCents writes Paparazzi Business Update – I started a new business in September and spent my entire emergency fund in the process. This is my first paparazzi business update!

Lindy @ Minting Nickels writes Top Mistakes to Avoid in Online Forex Trading – There are plenty of places that tell you what you should do when you’re trading Forex online, but not as many telling you what you shouldn’t.

Crystal @ Married (with Debt) writes I Bought a New TV – I just bought myself a new TV. There wasn’t anything wrong with my old TV. I just wanted a new one. Before you start typing, let me explain.

Corey @ Steadfast Finances writes Reasons to Get Life Insurance – I was talking to a friend of mine the other day who is almost 3o and his wife is pregnant. When I asked him what type of life insurance he had, he looked puzzled. “Surely you have life insurance at your age, with a child on the way?” I asked him. I was shocked to find out that he did not think he needed life insurance because he was ONLY 30.

Bargain Babe @ BargainBabe.com writes 9 More Ways to Stay Warm Without Turning the Heat On – 9 More Ways to Stay Warm Without Turning the Heat On

PPlan @ Provident Plan writes Is Income Protection Necessary? – My wife and I have finally gotten to a point where we are earning a decent amount more than our expenses.

Crystal @ Budgeting in the Fun Stuff writes 10 Tips to Save Money – Here’s an oldie but goodie from early 2011! Here are my top 10 tips to save money: 1. Save Automatically. Setting up automatic contributions is the best way, in my opinion, to save money…

Ryan @ Cash Money Life writes Take the Stress Out of Christmas Shopping – Christmas shopping can be an expensive and stressful event! Use these tips to make your shopping list, set a budget, and the reduce stress of the season!

Don @ MoneySmartGuides writes 5 Tips for Identity Theft Victims – Identity theft has made so many victims that you should no longer wonder if your identity will be compromised, but when.

Wayne @ Young Family Finance writes Internet Tips: How to Make Extra Money Online – Looking for some extra for your wallet or savings? Here are some of the legitimate ways to make extra money via the Internet.

Mr. Frenzy @ Frenzied Finances writes Common Personal Finance Mistakes and How to Avoid Them – There are widespread personal finance mistakes made by many Americans that can easily be avoided. What mistakes are you making? Read here to find out!

CAPI @ Creating a Passive Income writes Getting a Kickstart: How to Use Donation Sites – Most people are either unaware of or are reluctant to use donation sites. For some, this may seem like virtual panhandling, but the exact opposite is true.

Mrs. Accountability @ Out of Debt Again writes Shopping Cart Abandonment: Three Ways to Drop the Rate – Have you ever logged onto a store’s website and browsed around, maybe clicked on a couple of items to add them to your cart, then left the page without buying a single item?

Debt Guru @ Debt Free Blog writes Hand Me Downs: Why They Win the Battle of New VS Used – Need clothes for your child? Consider the money savers that are hand me downs, or even used clothing from other sources, instead of buying new.

Tushar Mathur @ Everything Finance writes How To Save A Few Bucks When You Go Out To Eat – If you want to go out to eat but you’re on a tight budget, here’s how to save a few bucks when you go!

Lauren @ L Bee and the Money Tree writes The No-Spend Clothing Challenge Wrap Up – Was the no-spend clothing challenge a success? I cheated, but ultimately it was a success and I reduced my clothing spend by 73 percent.

Roger the Amateur Financier @ The Amateur Financier writes Save Money While Job Hunting: A Few Simple Tips – A contribution discussing some ways to keep your cost of going to interviews and job hunting to a minimum while you are getting a number…

SBB @ Simple Budget Blog writes Ready, Set, Shop! Tips on Getting Through the Holiday Shopping Season – The things to watch out for as you begin your annual holiday shopping experience.

Cindy @ MidLife Finance writes Getting the Most from Black Friday – Inside and Out – It’s coming — the holiday shopping period that drives us crazy each year, but also gives up great bargains. BlackFriday is on its way!

Tushar @ Start Investing Money writes Should You Blow Your Savings on Christmas? – This has to be one of the most tempting times of the year. It’s like a diet you stay on for 95% of the duration, only to fall at the final hurdle and let yourself down during those last few days that could have made a real difference.

Jacob @ AllPersonalFinance writes Commodities: Tips and Tricks to Expert Investing – Many investors, young and old, look to the commodities market when seeking double-digit returns. In this market, one can make serious returns even when the overall stock markets are down. However, when trading commodities, one should follow a few basic rules should they want to achieve success. Here are four tips for a commodities investor.

Cat Alford @ Budget Blonde writes Wow, It’s Really Hard To Save Money Here! – Now that I’ve been back in the U.S. I’ve been spending money left and right. It’s really hard to save money here! There are so many unexpected expenses!

Ben Luthi @ The Wealth Gospel writes What I Learned About Financial Independence as a Mormon Missionary – My experience as a missionary in Germany was unforgettable. Beyond meeting all the crazies and getting to serve others, I learned a lot about financial independence

Sam @ Grad Money Matters writes Should You Advertise Your Company On Groupon? – The other day I received an email from a potential client asking if her company should use Groupon to advertise her business. It can be a hard decision. I’ve seen Groupon work very well for some companies, and then for others I have heard a few horror stories where Groupon did not help their company at all, and actually cost their company money.

Michelle @ Diversified Finances writes Tips To Land That Online Job – Something that I am e-mailed a good amount about is how a person can land an online job. I have had a decent amount of online jobs, and I’m always out there looking for new ones. I feel like a professional in applying for online jobs!

Alexis @ FITnancials writes How To Have Less Debt From College – This topic really interests me, How to save debt from college. College is very expensive. I don’t think there are many people out there who think that college is expensive.

Mark @ Debt, Dividends, & Diversions writes Debt Reduction Options Examined using a Free Excel Spreadsheet – A detailed look at 3 popular debt reduction methods using a free excel calculator and real life examples.

Brock Kernin @ Clever Dude writes Budgeting for the Holidays Late, Again – Every year I plan to save up for the holidays early, but as usual, I’m Budgeting for the Holidays Late.

Daisy @ Suburban Finance writes Want to Learn About Personal Finance? Play Monopoly – In my opinion, Monopoly is the ONE game that sheds light on several aspects of personal finance. It makes you think about money. How to manage your money. How to build wealth. Risk tolerance. Knowing when to take a risk. Buying, owning and investing in real estate. It is a game that can be used as a tool to teach kids and adults about how important it is to manage your money and grow your wealth.

Richard Adams @ Frugality Magazine writes How To Get The Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes Possible – If your car insurance quotes are making you wince – especially as a new driver – then here’s how to save a lot of money without compromising on your cover or “massaging the truth” about your circumstances.

Daniel @ Make Money Make Cents writes It’s Time To Stop Trying to Keep Up With The Joneses – Keeping up with the Joneses is the phenomenon of using your neighbors as a standard for which to compare your own life and material goods.

Oscar @ Money is the Root writes Harmless? Hardly. These things can Negatively affect your Credit Score. – Most consumers are so busy looking out for the big mistakes that can cause credit problems that they completely overlook small but equally damaging problems that can pop up every day.

Jay @ Daily Fuel Economy Tip writes Five Ways for Parents to Save on Tutoring – You may be starting to notice your child’s strengths and weaknesses in school, as far as grades go. There is a solution: tutoring.

Danielle @ Saving Without a Budget writes The Top Survey Sites for Making a Little Extra Cash – Many people ask us about survey sites that we recommend and which ones they are. The fact is however that survey sites are not really a particularly good way to make money.

Matt @ Budget Snob writes How your Upbringing Affects your Money Habits Part 2 – Something that most people do not realize is that how they were raised as children can actually have a big impact on how they make decisions as adults, especially with money.

Jack @ Money Saving Ethics writes http://www.moneysavingethics.com/old-fashioned-money-saving-tips-that-still-work/ – These days everyone is looking for newfangled ways to save money and, in the rush to do it, some people overlook old-fashioned tips and tricks that have been around for ages.

Amy @ Money Mishaps writes Online and Mobile Retail make Black Friday practically obsolete – Ladies and gentlemen, here is a certifiable fact; marking down prices for Christmas is an American tradition. Here is another fact that is a bit newer; today, those markdowns and bargains come right to you at home so there is no need to actually go to the store to get them.

Lenny @ Best Money Saving Blog writes Avoid these Common Mistakes or you will Always be Broke – Part 2 – While being broke may just be the fault of your circumstance because you are out of work, underemployed or just went through bankruptcy, the fact is that most people are broke all the time because they make a lot of financial mistakes.

Hadley @ Epic Finances writes Thinking about purchasing Aflac Stock? Now may be a very good time – Aflac is, right now, an excellent buy due to its recent post earnings pullback and, in our opinion, could easily be chosen over other insurance rivals like The Hartford and Berkshire Hathaway.

Andrea @ So Over This writes More Money, More Gifts: Effective Ways to Save on Holiday Shopping – There are so many people looking to save money during the holidays while also getting the gifts that they want for their family and friends. Fortunately, there are several effective ways that this goal can be accomplished.

Bobby Kania @ Making Money Fast and Slow writes How to Get Free Cars for Life – Want to get free cars for life? It’s as simple as not upgrading every three years and instead investing the difference.

Lily @ Paying Debt Down writes Can you improve your credit in 15 Minutes a day? Yes you can – More and more people are realizing that maintaining a high credit score and understanding their credit is vital to their financial well-being as well as their life in general.

Bob @ Dwindling Debt writes Here are 4 Fees that you actually Should Pay – There are a handful of fees that it actually pays you to pay (no pun intended) and our little blog today will let you know what they are and why you should do it. Enjoy.

Katie @ IRA Basics writes The Secret of Saving for Your First Deposit – Are you ready to become a homeowner and do not fancy a no-deposit home loan? Then the biggest obstacle standing in your way is the first deposit or down payment.

Sam @ The New Business Blog writes Over 70% of Employees Missing Out on Pretax Dollars for Medical Expenses – In 2013 fewer Americans than ever put pretax dollars a way to cover future medical expenses but changes in 2014 will make these flexible spending accounts bit more attractive. These new changes will actually give taxpayers a bit of extra time to use their money.

Marissa @ Finance Triggers writes How to spot a good mortgage broker from a bad one – How can you decide if a mortgage broker is a good one or a bad one? The best way is to learn the answers to these questions.

Buck @ Buck Inspire writes Tis The Enrollment Season To Be Jolly – It is time to enroll for your employee benefits! Some basics are pretty straightforward and really depends on personal preference like HMO versus PPO.

Monica @ Monica On Money writes How To Graduate College Debt Free – It might be hard to believe, but it is entirely possible to graduate from college debt-free. Think about how amazing it would be to start your new career without worrying about paying off student loans.

Holly @ Club Thrifty writes 5 Ridiculous Gifts I’m Not Getting My Kids – As the mother of two toddler daughters, I am horrified by some of the toys I have seen in stores. Read this post for 5 ridiculous gifts I will not be buying.

Alexa @ Single Moms Income writes 5 Practical Christmas Gifts for Kids – If you want to save money and buy Christmas gifts kids will love, you need practical gifts. Here is a list of five practical Christmas gifts for kids.

Graham @ Moneystepper writes Peer-to-peer lending – Funding Circle experiment – Peer-to-peer lending – Funding Circle experiment

Jason @ The Money Makers writes Olivia Wilde is Having a Baby: What are the first-month expenses? – Olivia Wilde recently announced her pregnancy with fiance Jason Sudeikis as she is due with her first child in the coming year. Although the couple have declined to reveal their due date, they likely are expecting to set aside a budget for their baby, even with their high incomes.

Sustainable PF @ Sustainable Personal Finance writes The Importance of Saving Early – When my husband and I first married, we were poor and in debt. It was a difficult place to be, and, even as we made inroads and improved our finances, we still felt pinched.

Karen @ MakintheBacon writes The Dark Side of Shopping For Deals – Is shopping on Black Friday really worth?The things that people will do just to get a deal.

Alice Sibley @ Earning My Two Cents writes How to Handle Medical Bills (Without Freaking Out) – Don’t panic! It’s just a medical bill. You can work out a way to pay it.

Taylor @ The Motive Blog writes Should You Pay Off Your Car Early? – Paying off your car early seems like a good idea, but you have to watch out for these pre-payment penalties that could quickly erase any benefits.

FI Pilgrim @ FI Journey writes Is Patience Still A Virtue? – There are a lot of things in life that money cannot buy. But in my experience there are also a lot of things that debt can take away. I council patience!

FI Pilgrim @ FI Journey writes Is Patience Still A Virtue? – There are a lot of things in life that money cannot buy. But in my experience there are also a lot of things that debt can take away. I council patience!

Justin @ Edward Antrobus writes Dump your Mutual Fund if they do these 4 things. – The simple fact about investing in mutual funds is that it does take a bit of work, time and energy to do it right.

Andy Prescott @ Art of Being Cheap writes Review of the Moto X and Republic Wireless smartphone plan – A review of the Moto X from Republic Wireless. This phone comes with the cheapest plan in the phone industry, but how does it work? I tested it out and the results are amazing.

GenY @ Gen Y Finances writes Does Everyone Need an Emergency Fund? – You’ve probably heard more times than you can count that you should have savings put away for a rainy day. You may have also heard the old phrase that one size does not fit all.

Adam @ Money Bulldog writes 5 Signs You Chose the Wrong Career – Do you find yourself getting bored at work way too often? Maybe it’s time to switch career paths.

Justin @ Root of Good @ Root of Good writes Investment Management Using Asset Allocation Targets – Many investors have an asset allocation for their portfolios. Find out how to rebalance your portfolio using asset allocation targets and free software.

Adam @ Money Rebound writes Who Are the Richest Fictional Characters of All Time? – Fictional characters that made you wish you had their riches when you were younger.

Miss T. @ Prairie Eco Thrifter writes How to Shop and Save Money When Expecting a Baby – Few people can afford to just go out and buy all the paraphernalia required for a baby. So let’s look at some ways to shop and save money when expecting a baby.

Little House @ Little House in the Valley writes Save Money: Fix Those Leaks – A while back, we rented a little house that was long over-due for repairs. Not only did the landlord inherit the place, he made sure he never spent a dime on fixing it either. We were a bit naive and figured we could handle small maintenance tasks and repairs. Little did we know that “small” repairs could turn into “bigger” repairs and cost a fortune.

Lazy Man @ Lazy Man and Money writes Best Cell Phone/Plan Savings Today – So what’s the best cell phone/plan value today? It’s going to be different for different people who use cell phones in different ways, but I believe I found something that gives you almost all the functionality at a fraction of the price.

Matt @ Living in Financial Excellence writes Do You Have Enough Money to Retire? – If you don’t want to end up greeting strangers at the door of Wal-Mart (and I know I don’t!), then you might want to sit down and figure out how much money you’ll really need when you retire.

Mel @ brokeGIRLrich writes Five Dolla’ Make You Holla’Day Series: Teachers & Hostesses – A post about how to keep the holidays thrifty – focusing on gifts for teachers & hostesses

Christopher @ This That and The MBA writes Six Reasons Why Construction Contractors Absolutely Need Contractor’s Insurance – If you own a construction company and do not have contractors insurance, you are putting your entire company at risk if something happens in the foreseeable future. Having contractor’s insurance can be a wonderful way to protect your company and its assets.

Dollar @ Easy Extra Dollar writes How To Manage Your Money – Managing your money helps you figure out where your money is going and whether or not you are living beyond your means, ensuring you avoid debt and are able to save money for emergencies and achievement of your future goals.

Grayson @ Debt Roundup writes The Black Friday Spending Spree – As a fan of infographics, I was able to find one about Black Friday and how much money is actually spent during that day and the weekend following. You might be surprised how much people spend and the trend seems to be increasing.

Jon Haver @ Pay My Student Loans writes 7 Questions to Ask Before Refinancing Your Student Loans – Student loan debt is usually a major portion of the graduate’s financial obligations and refinancing can be a smart money saving option. Unfortunately, many financial institutions are no longer offering student loan refinancing, meaning the student will have to do some research to find a lender.

John @ Frugal Rules writes Tradeking Review: An Online Brokerage Worth Considering – Investing in the stock market is vital to building wealth and with the variety of options available of where to invest it can be confusing. Choosing a good brokerage that has good offering and low fees can be a great way to help grow your retirement portfolio and get your investing on the right foot.

Matt Becker @ Mom and Dad Money writes Disability Insurance: Why Almost Everyone Needs It – Disability insurance is one of the hallmarks of a secure financial plan. And it’s something that almost everyone needs. If you rely on your income, disability insurance is a must.

Claire Murdough @ ReadyForZero Blog writes What To Do With Your Financial Documents – The new year is fast approaching! Get a head start on organizing your finances in the new year with these tips on how to organize and store your financial documents.

Pauline @ Reach Financial Independence writes My 7 Steps to Financial Freedom – A Proven System for Building Your Wealth – Today Anton Ivanov of Dreams Cash True gives us an overview of his wealth building system, the 7 steps to financial freedom describe in his eBook.

Mr.CBB @ canadian budget binder writes Comparing the comparison sites in Canada – If you love a good deal then you know you can compare prices using comparison sites online.

GenY @ Gen Y Finances writes Sharing Your Finances – Personal finance for some of us is a challenging task. Imagine adding another person to share these finances with. With as complicated as money can be it is no surprise that it is the root of many problems in relationships.

Jon @ Making Money Fast and Slow @ Making Money Fast and Slow writes How I Made $12,000 and Paid off my Student Debt by Investing – Here’s my story about how I paid off $12,000 worth of student loan debt by trading options.

Harry Campbell @ The Four Hour Work Day writes Have You Ever Had a Really Great Manager? – On most nights when I get home from work, I have a pretty consistent routine. I’ll work online for a couple hours while I have a little snack and then it’s off to prepare dinner, or grab a quick bite to eat. Once in a while, my fiancee will even cook dinner for me! But after that, I sit down in front of the TV and put on one of my favorite shows: The Office. It’s kind of sad but that show is one of the only ones I can watch over and over without it ever getting old.

Well, there you have it!  Hope you enjoyed this week’s edition!