Weekend Reading: July 13, 2008

News and Highlights

• Brip Blap – I’d like to congratulate Steve at Brip Blap. His blog just reach the 1 year anniversary milestone — a fantastic accomplishment.
• eFinPLAN — I will announce the winner of 1-year eFinPLAN financial planning software subscription giveaway on July 15th. To enter, please subscribe to my blog via RSS feed or email subscription, get the secret code, and email it to me. By the way, I am working with Kent to bring free trail to everyone.
• Bloopers — You may have noticed a few articles published during my vacation. They were published by accident and I will republish them shortly (once I finish them). Oops.

Top Articles From Personal Finance Buzz

This week great articles and personal finance finds from Personal Finance Buzz include:

1. 10 Commitments You Should Make for Your Own Financial Success at The Wisdom Journal — If you want to improve your finance, make these commitments. This is an excellent list of 10 things you can do today to move toward financial success.
2. Indian Beggar Saves 200 Pounds of Coins, Opens Bank Account at Get Rich Slowly — Inspiring story? Yes. But it would have been much better if she deposited the money as she earned them so that it can earn interest.
3. Make it Do! at Mrs. Micah — “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!” This is the forgotten art for Americans.
4. The Correct Way to Pay Off Personal Debt: The Debt Avalanche at Consumerism Commentary — This is similar to my post 7 Steps Debt Reduction Illustrated. I just didn’t come up with the nifty name — Debt Avalanche, nor did I address the psychological impact of following Dave Ramsey’s Debt Snowball method. Good job Flexo.
5. Debt Avalanche? Correct? at Beating Broke — A counter point to Flexo’s Debt Avalanche article.
6. 10 Important Tasks for Your Mid Year Checkup at My Dollar Plan — A good list of things you can do today to get your finances in shape.
7. The Psychology of Money: The Power of Suggestion Can Cost You at Greener Pastures — A good look at the psychology of money. Does the $50 prescription works better than the $5 generic?
8. Ignoring the Joneses at Gather Little By Little — Between the Jones and mass media, it’s not a surprise that so many Americans are in financial trouble.
9. New Goal: I want to buy a house with cash! (or, I hate debt!) at This Writer’s Wallet — I can understand the theory of debt is bad, but buying a house with cash is a bit extreme in my humble opinion.
10. 7 Financial Steps for the Expectant Parents at Trees Full Of Money — Although it’s impossible to be fully prepared for the little one, this is a great place to start.