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Welcome everyone to the Mother's Day, 2013 edition of the Carnival of MoneyPros!
To celebrate Mother's Day, in this edition, I've sprinkled in between the posts a few images of me and my Mom together in various locations throughout the world dating back to 2007.
I hope you enjoy the pictures, the posts, and can come back to visit My Personal Finance Journey on my non-carnival days as well. If this is your first time stopping by the site, you might take a look at the "About" or "First-Time Visitor" pages so we can get more acquainted! Thanks! - Jacob
Alexis @ FITnancials writes I Want a Credit Card – But I Have No Credit - I want a credit card. Yes, I just said that! I’ve been on the hunt for one, and I’ve even applied for some, but I’ve gotten denied. I have no credit (I’m 19, my car loan isn’t in my name, and I have no other credit cards), so it is hard for me to find a card to get approved for.
Michelle @ Making Sense of Cents writes $7,859 in April Extra Income and Goals - April was another awesome month. I wasn’t able to crack the $8,000 level of extra income just yet (this is after expenses), and I was actually $3 lower than last month’s amount. Still great to me though
Emily @ Evolving Personal Finance writes Money Management Systems Visualized - Visual representations of four basic money management systems couples use.
Michael @ Financial Ramblings writes Effect of the Internet Sales Tax - It's looking more and more like the Internet sales tax is going to happen. I'm talking here of course about Congress giving states more power to collect sales taxes that people should already be paying. But what effect will that have on small businesses?
Tori @ Money Life and More writes Saving Money On Weddings: If It Sounds Too Good To Be True… - I was so proud of myself for saving lots of money and getting a fabulous wedding dress! About 3 weeks after placing my order my dress arrived at my future mother in law’s house! Deep in my gut I could tell something was not quite right when she called and told me it had arrived, but in a small box…..
Mom and I at Macchu Picchu in 2007!
Mike @ The Financial Blogger writes Since When is Paying off Your Debts is a Good Thing? - Have you ever borrowed money to accelerate your asset building?
Green Panda @ Green Panda Treehouse writes Jobs to Watch Out For So That You Don’t Get Scammed - There are certain jobs that you need to watch out for when you’re in your 20s.
Martin @ Studenomics writes How Do You Survive Financially in a Large City Without Losing Your Pants? - How does one survive?
Pete @ Intelligent Speculator writes Facebook (FB), Still A Good Buy At These Levels? - What are your thoughts on Facebook?
Steven @ MyDividendStocks writes Use Fast Cash Methods for 'Needs' Not 'Wants' - A good way to consider good financial health is to have enough money to meet our basic needs and live a comfortable life. However, as humans, we have material desires and we want that extra dough to fulfil those wants. Be it the next fancy gadget or a fast sports car. We all have a list of things we want.
Daniel @ Sweating the Big Stuff writes How Much Do You Need To Save To Retire 1 Day Early? - Do you want to retire earlier? Find out how much you need to save today to be on the golf course one day earlier.
Amanda L Grossman @ Frugal Confessions writes How to Extend Your Cell Phone or Smart phone's Package Almost for Free - Unlimited data, texting, and talking are a pipe dream for some, especially the unlimited data.
Corey @ 20s Finances writes Tax Deductions for Having a Baby - Your life changes dramatically when you have a baby. Your taxes change too.
Mom and I at my graduation in 2008!
Arnel Ariate @ Money Soldiers writes What Makes You Shy Away from Stock Trading? - Here are some of the reasons that compel people to avoid stock trading. Though the stock market now spells good prospects for the companies as well as for the investors, yet most people prefer to stay away from it.
SFB @ Simple Finance Blog writes How Much House Can You Afford - Most of the problems happening these days in the real estate market are mainly because of the homeowners outstretching their budgets to own the houses they really couldn’t afford but desired.
Ted Jenkin @ Your Smart Money Moves writes The Drug Of Buying 'Stuff' - The weather is warm and in the United States we are about to start enjoying some of the national pastimes of our country.
CAPI @ Creating a Passive Income writes For Rent: Do's and Don'ts of Renting Out Your Space - So you've decided to rent out your space! This can be a great income source if you do it right. Here are some do and don't tips of renting out your space.
Tony @ We Only Do This Once writes The 80/20 Rule and Procrastination - The 80/20 Rule has been one of the most helpful concepts for my time and life management. Also called the Pareto Principle after the Italian economist, Pareto recognized that people in his society were divided into two group. The vital few were the top 20 percent in terms of money and influence, and the trivial many, the bottom 80 percent.
Kevin @ 20smoney.com writes The Marshmallow Experiment and your Finances - While many people who possess large amounts of money are very smart, others are not necessarily but where able to be at the right place at the right time.
Mike @ Personal Finance Journey writes Free of Charge - Saving on Credit Cards - Credit card news and how it can save or cost you money.
Wayne @ Young Family Finance writes Computers for kids: The Pros & Cons - Children see computers all around them. As soon as they start school they will use a computer in the classroom, and many toddlers are used to using tablets from their early days.
Kanwal @ Simply Investing writes Want To Invest Successfully In Only 15 Minutes a Month? - Here’s how you can invest successfully and spend only about 15 minutes a month on your investments: Keep it simple Ignore the media noise on TV, Internet, Radio, and Magazines Reduce the fees you are currently paying (knowingly and unknowingly) on your mutual funds Keep it simple Invest in quality dividend-paying companies when they are undervalued.
Mom and I in Virginia in 2010!
Sam @ Simplefinancialfreedom writes Cost Saving Ways to Reward Employees - In a down economy, many companies are going through financial hardship, freezes, and eliminating bonuses.
Ryan @ Cash Money Life writes PayPal vs. Dwolla: Which is Right for You? - PayPal has been around a long time, but Dwolla has really low transaction rates – which should you choose? Here's a comparison of the two!
Don @ MoneySmartGuides writes How to Fund the Purchase of a Car - Despite being such an expensive investment of our money, cars have become a crucial part of our everyday lives.
Brock Kernin @ Clever Dude writes Is Overspending Worth It To Help My Son Fit In? - I could have bought cheaper b-ball cleats, but I didn't...Would you spend more to help you son/daughter fit in?
Crystal @ Married (with Debt) writes Who's Your Real "Head of Household"? - My husband's name appears under "head of household" on our tax forms. But his actual role doesn't exactly fit this title.
Crystal @ Budgeting in the Fun Stuff writes Become a Product Tester for Free Swag - If you are not interested in medical studies. then below are some legitimate, non-compromising, product testing opportunities for you.
Tushar @ Finance TUBE writes Want To Save More Money? Look At Your Waste - Hi! Today I will be talking about if Want To Save More Money? Look At Your Waste. How many pounds do you think the average American waste in food each week? Well according to ABC news the US waste in food each week is 14 pounds.
BARBARA FRIEDBERG @ Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance writes DO YOU NEED A FINANCIAL ADVISER? - Should I hire a financial adviser? Learn the basics of hiring a financial planner.
Robert @ The College Investor writes Better Know a Young Millionaire – Ali Maadelat - Ali Maadelat was nominated as one of the 2012 Marketers of the Year by the American Business Awards, and Forbes Magazine recently named him as one of the Top Ten Consultants who Stop the B.S.
Robert @ Entrepreneurship Life writes Retirement Planning for Self-Employed Entrepreneurs - While there are many amazing benefits of working for yourself, there is one big pitfall compared to people who work for large companies: retirement plans. Small business owners don’t have 401(k) plan matching, but you do have some options to put away money in a tax advantage account.
Robert @ Beat the 9to5 writes Are You a Pessimist, Optimist, or Realist? - I’ve been exposed to all three lately, and I’m a believer that your mindset directly determines the emotional outcome of any situation.
MR @ Money Reasons writes Everything Goes Trash Night - Bizarro Christmas Year 3 - Once a year, we have a trash night in my community where everything can be put out. Oddly, I've come to enjoy this day, and so far each year the stuff I toss out is better and better. I enjoy giving stuff to people who are opportunistic and clever!
Jay @ The First Million is the Hardest writes How to Invest Without A Lot of Money - Proving that it doesn't "take money to make money" and showing how you can get started investing with as little as $100
Mom and I in Chile in 2011!
Kyle @ The Penny Hoarder writes Put Your Pet to Work for You - If you find that your beloved Fido or Fluffy has a natural knack for acting, you might want to consider putting them to work for you. While it can take some time and and does require a lot of effort on your part, it is possible to make your pet the next star if you try.
MMD @ My Money Design writes The Pension vs 401k – The 401k Did Not Kill Retirement - You can compare a pension vs 401k all you want, but the 401k didn't kill retirement. There are still lots of great options for saving for retirement.
Lauren @ L Bee and the Money Tree writes I Wasted Too Much Time on Boys - I am blinded by the fact that for most of my college career I spent WAY too much time on boys. Time I could have spent becoming better friends with the people I now wish I kept in touch with, or at least time I could have used to do school work, perform in more plays, or keep better track of my finances.
Cash Flow Mantra @ Cash Flow Mantra writes You Get What You Pay For - Quality is often reflected in price. How many times have you tried to save money buying a cheaper item and had it break right away? You often end up spending more money replacing something multiple times where a more expensive initial purchase could have saved money in the long run
Penny Thots @ Penny Thots writes 4 Reasons Why You Should Quit Your Job - Just because the economy is tough, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be looking for greener pastures if your current job is intolerable. Here are four reasons why you should begin looking for a new job sooner rather than later.
harry campbell @ Your PF Pro writes 5 Ways to Save Money at Amusement Parks: Sea World San Diego - For some reason, the April showers haven’t quite hit San Diego like they normally do and the weather has been fantastic lately. Warm days and a nice breeze are why I love living in Socal and this past weekend I decided it would be a good time to take my sister(age 5) to Sea World. Even though it wasn’t too crowded, there was still a ton of people there and I couldn’t help but think about how much money everyone was spending.
JP @ My Family Finances writes Alternative Ways to Invest Your Family's Assets - If you find yourself looking for an alternative investment market or other opportunities to spread your risks, one of the options below might be a good fit for you.
Jason @ Live Real Now writes I Accidentally Bought a Bus - We jumped into buying a bus with no real plan, but there are a few ways we could make our money back. I’m expecting a healthy profit on a pretty short timeline.
Evan @ My Journey to Millions writes How Much Do We Really Know about the Businesses We "Know"? - You could buy stock in these 10 parent companies and basically own every consumer good in existence! Even crazier is to find out that your favorite “pure” product is owned by a ridiculously huge conglomerate.
Ray @ Squirrelers writes Waterfront Living is Not Always Worth the Risks - Many people aspire to living on the shores of water. However, like many things, there are risks that come along with the potential benefits - as this post discusses!
TTMK @ Tie the Money Knot writes Making Small Talk Valuable - Sometimes just being friendly and making small talk can open up some opportunities to make some money!
IMB @ Investing Money writes Companies With No Debt: Are They a Good Investment? - Today we look at a group of companies that have no debt and large cash balances. They look good at first glance, but there can be some downsides. Read here.
Roger the Amateur Financier @ The Amateur Financier writes 15 More Organic Homemade Cleaning Products - I noticed as I was going through the feedback from my Earth Day post last week that (a) people like being able to save the planet, read more for an interesting story!
Michelle @ The Shop My Closet Project writes Yearly reviews are like getting a colonic. They suck. - It's that time of year again when employees are brought into their direct supervisor's office and given their yearly review. If they're lucky, they would have been receiving feedback throughout the year and the review will be a series of good bad, good bad scenarios.
Tushar @ Start Investing Money writes 3 Things You Absolutely Must Do if an Investment Fails - However good you are at picking investments, you will have one that fails every now and then. It is impossible to go through life picking all the right investments and never tripping up.
Jon Haver @ Pay My Student Loans writes Recent Graduates Pay Off Student Loans - With the cost of a college education reaching record highs, it is no wonder that college graduates are burdened by huge amounts of debt. In addition to the high cost of living for most students, there is also the additional expenses associated with student loans. Ready For Zero has created a tool that will help recent graduates pay off their student loans in a timely manner and avoid the penalties that can occur as the result of non-payment.
Kevin @ Passiveincometoretire writes Could Someone Have a Life Insurance Policy On Me Without My Knowledge? - It is highly unlikely, but yes it is possible. Almost all circumstances, however, would prove fraudulent and today's insurance companies are quite savvy when it comes to debunking such activity.
Little House @ Little House in the Valley writes Compounding Calculations for the Lackadaisical Retirement Planner - This past year I’ve been focused on paying off debt. But, soon I’ll be able to hone-in on retirement savings. Using a simple compound return calculator (because the big retirement calculators scare me!), I’ve calculated some simple savings figures that are much more palatable for scared folks like myself.
Debt Guru @ Debt Free Blog writes Stuck in a Rut? How to Get Out of Unemployment - Stuck in the unemployment rut? We feel for you. That's why we've provided some good, helpful tips on how to get out of unemployment. Read here to find out!
Everything Finance @ Everything Finance Blog writes Home Ownership: Would You Move to a Lower Cost of Living Area? - Sure, location is everything, but we’re considering not just changing location within the suburbs of Chicago, but changing location by getting out of the city and the high cost of living. A three hour drive in any direction would put us in an area with much more affordable housing, where we could buy our dream home for less than $200,000 and pay property taxes of less than $5,000 every year. Is it worth it?
David Leonhardt @ The Happy Guy writes Laundry costs and how to save money - Put clothes to the smell test. If they smell like sweat, put them in the laundry. If they don’t smell like sweat, they are still good to wear. If a person is in the habit of tossing their PJs in the wash each morning, they could save close to $100 per year just by wearing them 3 nights. $100 per person. A family of five could save $500 a year.
Lazy Man @ Lazy Man and Money writes Committing to a Credit Card? Don't Underestimate Annual Fees - OK, so are no annual fee credit cards always better to carry? Well, yes and no... It used to be that cards that required an annual fee offered more rewards, cash back and points than the competition that didn't require these fees; American Express used to be the go-to example. Over the last several years however, the gap in quality between the two categories of cards has become less and less obvious.
Hank @ Money Q&A writes How To Use Prepaid Debit Cards To Budget For Big Purchases - Sometimes a trick can save you money on purchases. One of my favorite techniques is using prepaid debit cards to budget for big purchases!
Peter @ Bible Money Matters writes 5 Signs You Are Financially Ready to Retire - If you retire before your finances are in order, there is a good chance that you will outlive your money. Before you quit your job, make sure that you are truly ready to retire:
krantcents @ KrantCents writes Extreme Retirement Is Fool's Gold! - The usual definition for extreme includes words like serious, hazardous, dangerous, highest degree, exceptional, severe, physical or mental risk or hardship. I realize that retirement as a goal may be worthwhile enough to take risks, but extreme may be too far.
Mom and I in Isla Mujeres, Mexico in 2013!
LaTisha @ Young Finances writes How to Save Like The Terminator - Saving money doesn't have to hurt your wallet. The key to saving money and saving lots of it, is to make your savings automatic.
Miss T. @ Prairie Eco Thrifter writes Why You Should Be Skeptical of Financial "Rules of Thumb" - Rules of thumb are often used to make various financial decisions. While they can be helpful when it comes finding a starting point, rules of thumb should be approached with a degree of skepticism.
Investor Junkie @ Investor Junkie writes Jemstep Review - Portfolio Manager Tool for Retail Investors - Jemstep is a web based service to help the do-it-yourself investor plan for retirement. With the recent move by many to dump their financial advisor, Jemstep targets a well needed niche. But the question is: Can Jemstep’s automated guidance replace a financial advisor?
SBB @ Simple Budget Blog writes The Good and Bad Sides of Coupons - Looking to save money? Maybe you're big with coupons. We have some good news and bad news about coupons. Read here to learn about this common money saver.
Suba @ Broke Professionals writes Sold! How We Got An Offer On Our House In Less Than 2 Weeks - Our house spent six months on the market in 2012; here's how we managed to sell it in 2013 in less than two weeks!
Nick @ A Young Pro writes The Biggest Financial Mistakes I've Made in My Career (So Far) - I've made a few mistakes in my career that have already cost me a lot of money. Read on to learn how you can avoid making them too.
Maria @ The Money Principle writes Shopping for Satisfaction - This week Alex discusses shopping for food. When one is unemployed they should shop smart not hard but could young people today do it?
DPF @ Digital Personal Finance writes Finding a Way to Get Things for Free - Being frugal can be rewarding, not only in terms of saving money, but also with the satisfaction of finding ways to get things for a bargain. Or, even better, for free!
Paul @ The Frugal Toad writes Why Pay for Cable When You Can Use Free and Cheap Streaming Video? - With cable bills averaging over $50 and Internet-TV combo packages costing over $100 you may be asking yourself is it time to ditch the cable. Before you make that decision you will need to make sure you have the right equipment and that your favorite programs are available. If you are a news junkie or a sports fan the options are limited however, if you want a good selection of TV Shows and movies you’ll want to look at these options.
Mr. Frenzy @ Frenzied Finances writes 10 Ways to Work Toward Financial Independence - Achieving financial independence relieves stress that people suffer in their lives. Looking to become financially independent? Here are 10 how-to tips.
TRL @ The Retired Landlord writes Who receives your property when you die? - When you die, your property is often one of the biggest pieces of estate that gets passed on. Of course, if you’re a landlord, you likely own more than one property; such as your own residence and those you let out.
Jester @ The Ultimate Juggle writes Organization is key to balancing family life with a career - It’s tough juggling family life with a career and sometimes the pressure of it all can make you feel unappreciated, even desperate. The frantic commute back and forward to work each day seems to take forever and the boss demands more and more of your time.
Grayson @ Debt RoundUp writes When I Would Rather Spend Than Save - Every since I started paying off my credit cards 4 years ago, I have leaned on the side of saving my money. I had wasted it away on credit card payments and I wanted to build my net worth. Each and every night, I would ask myself the simple question of “should I spend or should I save?”
CF @ The Outlier Model writes Got ovaries?? Work Less!! - A look at job expectations and why women shouldn't be treated differently in the work force.
Mel @ Mel's Money writes Save Cash And The Environment- Energy Saving Tips - Simple but effective ways to save some cash on energy bills.
Mark @ Modest Money writes Why the Rich Stay Rich, and the Poor Stay Poor - Why do so few people have real wealth? Certainly, there must be some fundamental differences between the rich and the poor that can account for the differing levels of success.
Sean @ One Smart Dollar writes Financial Rules Stay-At-Home Spouses Need to Know - If you are a stay-at-home parent you will want to make sure you are following a few basic rules.
John S @ Frugal Rules writes Online Brokerages I Use: OptionsHouse Review - There are many online brokerages to use as you look to invest in the stock market. The good ones are there to meet your needs and help make sure you’re doing what you can to be investing for things like retirement.
Mr.CBB @ Canadian Budget Binder writes Financially Savvy Teen Budgets Her Money Using The Cash Envelope System - At just 17 years old Eva is well on her way to becoming financially independent because she is investing in building her knowledge up about personal financial literacy. Teens today really do need a kick-start like Eva has gotten from her parents from a young age. Now she budgets her money using the envelope system. Enjoy this inspiring story as it brings upon you strength, a desire and a passion to see the children of tomorrow succeed.
Jon @ Novel Investor writes Anatomy Of Market Interest Rates - Interest rates play a big role in your finances. The factors used to set market interest rates affect what you earn on investments and pay on loans.
SB @ One Cent at a Time writes Helping you to Prevent Credit Card Fraud and Scams - Credit card scam is a pretty broad ranging term which encompasses theft as well as fraud which are committed through the use of a credit or any other payment mechanism. This article talks about few scam methods and how to prevent them before you become a victim
Abbie @ Finance Junkie writes Saving On Your Weekly Shopping Budget - Obvious ways to save money that we all tend to ignore when shopping!
Glen @ Monster Piggy Bank writes Do You Trust Your Partner With Money? - A post about trusting your partner with money and making financial decisions.
Thomas @ Finance Inspired writes The Benefits of Having a SIPP - I feel we already pay enough taxes these days, so here's a way to cut out some unnecessary payments that can easily be avoided.
Will Van Hartog @ The Color of the Money writes Is there a Return on Investment in Call Centres? - Call Centres in some form have been in operation for decades, but how the consumer reacts to Call Centres is what really matters to decide if there is a return on investment in your call centre operation
Glen Craig @ Free From Broke writes Multi-Generational Living – Is a Next Generation Home for You? - Multi-generational living is becoming more popular these days as families look for ways to deal with the economy.
Glen @ Credit Card Smarts writes Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express Review – Extra Cash Back and More - The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express offers up some nice cash back categories, just make sure your rewards make up for the annual fee.
Philip @ PT Money writes The Gerber Grow Up Plan: Sound Investment or Scheme for Suckers? - There are a few good reasons to have life insurance for your child. Read to decide if the Gerber Grow Up Plan is right for your family.
JC @ Passive-Income-Pursuit writes Stock Valuation Method - Dividend Discount Model - Continuing on with my series on stock valuation methods, I take a closer look at the Gordon Growth Model and Dividend Discount Model. Being a dividend growth investor, this is one of my favorite valuation techniques from a pure dividend value standpoint. There's even free calculators you can use to run your own analyses.
Bob @ Christian Personal Finance writes Where is America Borrowing From? - The total United States government debt – also known as the national debt – currently stands at about $16.8 trillion, but don’t lock into that number – it’s growing by roughly another $100 billion each month. Where is the United States borrowing all this money from?
Michael Kitces @ Nerd's Eye View writes Coverdell Education Savings Accounts Vs 529 Plans For College Savings - With the recent fiscal cliff legislation making Coverdell Education Savings Accounts permanent, more and more people must choose between them and 529 plans to determine which type of tax-preferenced college savings account makes sense, and plan their savings accordingly!
John @ All Things Finance writes Investing for Beginners | Newbie Mistakes to Watch Out For - Newbie investors are likely to make some mistakes when starting out. Here are five of the most common ones.
Marie at Family Money Values @ Family Money Values writes What is Leadership? - WHAT KINDS OF LEADERS DOES YOUR FAMILY NEED?
Mom and I in Wilmington, North Carolina in 2013!
Irfan Ahamed @ Everything About Investment writes 5 Apps That Help You Manage Your Money - Most people are not accountants, financial advisers or qualified money managers. The normal person is not always equipped with the knowledge needed to maintain their personal finances. And with the economy in flux, responsible money management has never been more important. Luckily, there are several financial apps available to help you manage your money.
Todd @ Fearlessmen.com @ Fearless Men writes How Much To Spend On An Engagement Ring - There’s too many opinions on how much to spend on an engagement ring.I’ve heard that a gentleman should spend 2-4 months salary on an engagement ring.How true is that?
Marvin @ Brick By Brick Investing writes Waging War - Stock Direction - Sun Tzu's Art of War principles on waging war compared to stock market trends in order to capitalize on bullish or bearish trends.