Welcome to the 83rd edition of the Lifestyle Carnival! Submit your blog article to the next edition using our carnival submission form at Blogger Carnivals.
HEALTH
Holly @ Club Thrifty writes Avoiding Obamacare: Screw You Guys, I’m Outta Here - Avoiding Obamacare has become my goal over the past few months and I think I found a way to do just that. Read about it here.
Jon Haver @ Pay My Student Loans writes When Do College Graduates Need Life Insurance - When it comes to life insurance, there are two different types of policies available. A term life policy is one that is put into place for a specific amount of time. Although the premiums are typically lower than those of a whole life policy, there is no cash-out advantage; it is only payable upon the death of the policy holder.
Zach Snyder @ Tumblr writes Pre-Polyphasing #2 - The steps I will take before entering polyphasic sleep.
ENTERTAINMENT
Daisy @ Suburban Finance writes Cheap Things to Do on New Years Eve - New Year’s Eve is notoriously expensive, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are some fun things to do at home to ring in the new year, too.
Christine @ CO123 writes Dominos Coupons For The Holidays - It’s the holiday season and with family visiting, engagement parties, holiday parties, and office get-togethers, we all need coupon codes to help us save money. Check out coupons from everyday favorites like Dominos or even fruit bouquets from Edible Arrangements.
Daisy @ Suburban Finance writes Cheap Things to Do on New Years Eve - Looking for an inexpensive new year celebration? We have listed some cheap things to do on new year’s eve (NYE on the cheap).
Natalie @ Debt and the Girl writes Finding Out What Makes You Thankful This Holiday Season - This time of the year always makes me reflect on certain things in my life and how fortunate I am for what I have. It also makes me reflect on certain things that I can do to make things better for myself and those that I care about.
WEALTH AND RETIREMENT
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.
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 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 Frugal Habits that you can Copy from the Rich - We put together a number of frugal habits that the upper class have taken to using. Use them yourself and you will build financial independence and long-lasting wealth.
Hadley @ Epic Finances writes Do Exchange-Traded Funds have an Advantage over Index Mutual Funds? - One of the questions that we frequently get is whether or not there is an advantage for long-term investors to use exchange traded funds instead of index mutual funds. It’s an excellent question, to be sure.
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.
Lily @ Paying Debt Down writes Money Saving Holiday Shopping Tips 2013 - Did you go so far over budget on your holiday spending last year that you didn not pay off your bills until the Fourth of July? If yes, then this post is definitely for you.
Bob @ Dwindling Debt writes How Much Do You Actually Need for Retirement? - It might seem rather difficult to determine exactly how much money you need for retirement, as there are so many variables that come into play.
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 Not All Mortgages are Created Equal: Three Reasons Why - 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.
Justin @ Edward Antrobus writes 10 Reasons To Consider Small Business Exporting - Exporting used to be seen as something that only the bigger companies really did. These days the process is more accessible than ever before, even to small businesses.
Aaron @ Aaron Hung writes How to Get a Credit Card for Your Startup - Some argue that the best way to avoid debt is to pay it down right away. This is not always the case. If you dream of running your own business someday, you have likely weighed the option of using a credit card against using capital for financial needs.
Monica @ Monica On Money writes It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas! - I personally have decided to skip Black Friday shopping this year, mostly because in the past I have spent a lot of money on Black Friday for random things on sale that I did not need. It is tempting to buy something just because its on sale.
Andy Prescott @ Art of Being Cheap writes Why credit cards are the best way to pay - The fact of the matter is that credit cards are the best way to pay for all of your purchases. They are the most convenient way to pay, they are the cheapest way to pay, and they are the safest way to pay.
Alexa @ Single Moms Income writes My Work at Home Truths - It has officially been one month since I quit my job to work on my online businesses. Over this past month I have had some revelations.
Sustainable PF @ Sustainable Personal Finance writes How Mobile Banking Can Help You and the Environment - Thanks to technology, it is possible to stay on top of your banking anytime you want. Not only is this helpful for you, but it can also be helpful for the environment.
Alexa @ Defeat Our Debt writes How to Use a Zero Sum Budget - If you want to improve your financial health you need to budget. Here is how you can use a zero sum budget to improve your personal finances.
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.
John @ Frugal Rules writes How to Travel for Free - Traveling the world, and doing so in first class style, can be quite expensive. What many overlook is the opportunity to get someone else to pay for that travel for you. Learn how I’ve enjoyed over $100,000 in free travel with no money out of my pocket.
Harry Campbell @ The Four Hour Work Day writes How Efficient Are You at Work? - For those of you who don’t know, I recently had the pleasure of testing out the four hour work day. Although my experiment only lasted a few months, it gave me great insight into what it would be like if I was working for myself full time. And by full time, of course I really mean only four hours a day
KK @ Student Debt Survivor writes Dear Santa, I Hope You Got a Raise This Year! - Brand new BMWs, $10 million dollar bras, and $200 tea sets? Santa better have a big Christmas budget!
Mrs. Accountability @ Out of Debt Again writes Why Should You Stop Payment on a Check? - Checks are being used less by ordinary people, but the check business is alive and thriving in businesses.
Tushar @ Earn More and Save writes How to Find Good Deals on Last Minute Christmas Gifts - Christmas is quickly approaching. If you’re like me you’ve done a little bit of shopping but still have quite a ways to go. I, for one, am not the type to battle the crowds on Black Friday to find a few deals.
Crystal @ Married (with Debt) writes My 2014 Financial Plan - Rather than prepare a list of financial goals, I’ve chosen to instead craft a solid financial plan ahead of 2014, with a goal of sticking with it for 2014.
Maria @ The Money Principle writes Is saving really a virtue? - Saving builds savings; you are still working for your money. Start investing and make you money work for you.
Don @ Money Reasons writes My 401k Contribution Mistake This Past Year - This year, my 401k Contribution is causing me a lot of financial discomfort.. Read the causes and my attempt to deal with it.
Mike @ Personal Finance Journey writes Christmas time and your credit card spend - Do you understand completely your credit card and its features this Christmas before you begin spending? Are you using the right card for you the right way?
SBB @ Simple Budget Blog writes The Physical Manifestations of Keeping a Budget - How maintaining a budget can keep you healthier for years to come.
Tushar Mathur @ Everything Finance writes The Four Gift Rule - The four gift rule is the perfect way to cut down on materialism this Christmas all while still giving your kids exactly what they want.
Hank @ Money Q&A writes The Three Best Online Shopping Tips And Tricks I Have Heard All Year - Scott Elling from CouponPal.com has several incredible online shopping tips and tricks for saving a ton of money this holiday season with coupons and other shopping life hacks.
Don @ MoneySmartGuides writes Beginners Guide to Power of Attorney - The idea of power of attorney can be a complicated one. It is important that you understand the logistics of how power of attorney works before you are in the situation of being one.
Tushar @ Finance TUBE writes 5 Secrets of Successful Savers - Are you a saver or a spender? There are several things you can do if you make saving more natural or spender. There are also strategies you can use that will help your children become savers and set them up on a path to wealth.
Jacob @ AllPersonalFinance writes Five Great Tips For Cutting The Cost of Owning a Business - Every business has a certain amount of overhead that cannot be avoided. These expenses make it possible to produce products or deliver a service. Many other costs, however, can often be lowered. Lowering ownership costs can increase margins and revenue over time. There are five great tips for cutting the cost of owning a business.
Michelle @ The Shop My Closet Project writes Black Friday Pay Off Challenge-Did I Succeed?? - I decided about a month ago to pay off a credit card on Black Friday. I’m not anti-Black Friday.
Luke @ Learn Bonds writes What Recent Bond Market Volatility Means For Investors - Here’s what you need to know.
Ryan @ Cash Money Life writes Bitcoin: Investment or Speculation? - Bitcoins are an entirely digital currency that is growing quickly. People want to know if they are a good investment, or if we are nearing a Bitcoin bubble.
Kyle @ The Penny Hoarder writes 4 Ways to Save Money on Your Small Business Expenses - If you have a small business, it is almost just as important to minimize expenses, as it is to generate more revenue. If you don’t watch your expenses, you could easily find yourself running a deficit and struggling to maintain your business. Here are some simple tips to save money on your small business expenses.
SavingMentor @ How To Save Money writes Insurance: Can You Get A Better Rate? - Insurance, more than any other product or service I pay for, makes me nervous …
Debt Guru @ Debt Free Blog writes College Finance: Tips for Starting a College Fund - Everyone knows how expensive college is. However, by utilizing a few of the tools listed below you too can begin saving for college.
Lindy @ Minting Nickels writes Credit Card Myths: Are They Really What They Seem? - The typical wallet might have at least one credit card inside it.
Tushar @ Start Investing Money writes What Has Happened With Twitter’s Shares Since the Launch Date? - When Facebook launched their IPO it went through more than its share of teething troubles. Twitter took heed of those mistakes and was decidedly more cautious when it came to launching its own IPO.
Ted Jenkin @ Your Smart Money Moves writes Why Does Generation X Have Lifestyle Envy? - It’s official. For years and years everyone has labeled my generation (Generation X) the slacker generation.
Brent @ PersonalFinance-Tips writes Make More Money: Real Estate Tricks to Flipping Houses - Flipping real estate for a profit is not nearly as easy as some of the TV shows might suggest, but there are many professional house flippers who can attest to the profitability of this income opportunity. By following a few helpful tips, flipping houses can become a profitable and exciting income source for you.
Cat Alford @ Budget Blonde writes How to Avoid Big Purchases and Deal with Emergencies - If you want to know how to avoid big purchases and be better prepared to deal with financial emergencies, look no further than this post!
JP @ My Family Finances writes Shopping Online or In the Store: See Which One Is More Cost Effective - You will find that eCommerce allows you to maintain the highest profitability based on lower costs and increased sales.
Wayne @ Young Family Finance writes Easy & Best Way to Do Your Christmas Shopping - It’s almost Thanksgiving, and while that means a lot of things, it means, perhaps most importantly, that Christmas shopping is in full swing. Regardless of whether you are planning to hit the shops on Black Friday or not, you need a plan to do it the right way.
Roger the Amateur Financier @ The Amateur Financier writes Keep Your Cyber Monday (and Other Holiday Shopping) Inexpensive - A list of advice on how to keep your online shopping relatively inexpensive, looking at rebate sites, free shipping, coupon codes, and comparison sites for shopping.
IMB @ Investing Money writes Investing in Drone Technology - Ten years ago, the US had 50 drones in service. Drone technology is spreading quickly from the military to the private sector.
Tony @ We Only Do This Once writes Debt to Income Ratio Calculator - If you are trying to get a loan or a line of credit you may want to check your Debt to Income Ratio with an online debt to income ratio calculator.
Bargain Babe @ BargainBabe.com writes My Christmas Shopping Secret to Save Extra 10% Off Everywhere - My Christmas Shopping Secret to Save Extra 10% off Everywhere – discounted gift cards!
CAPI @ Creating a Passive Income writes Single Day Jobs: Making Money Quick - Your demand for extra cash need not be dire to be worthwhile. There are a number of legitimate ways to make money quick – read here for a few ideas.
Suba @ Broke Professionals writes How Much Should De-Stressing Your Life Cost? - We all have stressors. Some of them are the little nagging ones, like getting to daycare on time to pick up the kids and avoid extra charges.
Nicole @ How to Avoid a Cashtastrophe writes Paying for Your House to be Cleaned - Paying to have somebody come in to clean your house can be expensive. This post outlines a few reasons why it’s unnecessary to do so.
Stu @ Poor Student writes Why You Should Graduate ASAP - Graduating from school as soon as possible can do a lot for your finances. It benefits a lot of people to be able to do so.
Irfan @ Everything About Investment writes Warren Buffett: How to teach your children about money - Warren Buffett is one of the most famous billionaires in the world. He also loves sharing his advice with kids as part of his Secret Millionaires Club. Here, he answers five questions, including what he thinks the biggest mistake is that parents make when teaching their kids about money and how he learned about money.
Dee @ Color Me Frugal writes Top 6 Reasons to Look Your Bank Statements Over Carefully - Bank errors and other mishaps happen more often than we would like! Find out what you need to be looking for to keep your money safe.
Daisy @ When Life Give You Lemons writes How To Break Bad Financial Habits and Live Your Ideal Life - If you have bad habits, financial or otherwise, here is a step-by-step plan to help you overcome them so that you too can be happier and look forward to the life you have ahead of you.
Adam @ Money Bulldog writes How Long Could You Live Without Your Salary? - The importance of having a backup plan when you suddenly lose your job.
Adam @ Money Rebound writes Finding the Balance Between Saving Money and Living Life to the Full - Working through the challenges of enjoying life on a budget while finding that perfect middle ground.
Adam @ The Cheapest Cars To Insure writes What Does Fully Comprehensive Insurance Cover? - How you can make sure that you’re buying enough with the right insurance for your car.
Brock Kernin @ Clever Dude writes One Simple Question That Could Change Your Life - Before you buy anything, ask yourself this one question….it could change everything!
Christopher @ This That and The MBA writes How To Start Preparing For Retirement In Your Twenties - Choose an ISA where you are still building financial resources for the future, but maintain flexibility in terms of accessing money just in case you find yourself in need of it, for example, when you invest in property.
Gary @ Gajizmo writes Highest Paying Jobs in California - With new economic data showing an accelerating economy and improving labor market, young adults and professionals should be wondering about the best paying careers in America. Here is an in-depth list of jobs as well as their corresponding salaries, and job and education requirements. With the New Year around the corner, wouldn’t obtaining a new high paying job be a great resolution?
Dollar @ Easy Extra Dollar writes 15 Ways To Make Money Online As A Good Writer - This is mostly for beginners because there are less competition, it is owned by Google. One major requirement here is Google account since it permits you to monetize their knoll when linked to Adsense Account.
Ben Luthi @ The Wealth Gospel writes Rules of Thumb to Ignore - Rules of thumb can be helpful when you’re just starting to learn how to deal with your finances. But for some people, they can be holding you back from reaching your potential.
Lazy Man @ Lazy Man and Money writes Lazy Man’s “Guide” to Black Friday - So my “guide” to Black Friday is simple this… skip it. Is it really worth camping out for hours in the cold for a chance at saving $50 or $100? For me it isn’t.
Pauline @ Reach Financial Independence writes Why I Will Not Leave an Inheritance - This is a guest post from Snarkfinance. Talking about the concept of inheritance is similar to running a marathon and then having to walk home.
Pauline @ Make Money Your Way writes How are Currencies Traded? - Today Troy continues the investing for beginners series, he explains how exactly are currencies traded?
Justin @ Root of Good @ Root of Good writes Three Months of Early Retirement - In this tell-all exposé, Justin reveals the secret life of a 33 year old early retiree. Buying baby diapers in bulk, repairing appliances, tracking spending. It’s all in here folks!
Matt Becker @ Mom and Dad Money writes What to Look For in a Disability Insurance Policy - There are a lot of variables to consider when looking at disability insurance, and with all of the different terms it can quickly get confusing. Today I’d like to explain some of the most common and important characteristics of a disability insurance policy so that you can make a more informed decision when evaluating your options.
Little House @ Little House in the Valley writes My Furry Budget Buster - For now, my furry budget buster is using up his 6th or 7th life while I work my fingers off trying to make extra income to pay for his daunting vet bills.
Paige @ Modest Money writes Considering Using Your 401k to Pay Your Bills? - As tempting and easy as it might be to take a loan against, or even cash out that pile of 401k heaven, think carefully through your decision. Here’s a rundown of what happens when you take a loan against your own 401k, or cash it out early…plus a few alternatives that might work better until you can get a little extra income flowing again.
Chris @ MyTermLife123 writes What Is Term Life Insurance? - You’ve heard about life insurance, but what about the different types of policies? Do you know what differentiates between term versus whole life insurance, and the pros and cons of each type of coverage? While shopping this holiday season, think about your life insurance needs as well.
Jim @ Critical Financial writes Not All Billionaires Are Money Grubbing Tyrants - We all can agree Warren Buffett is one of, if not the most successful investor of all time. That accolade may continue for many generations to come,
Mel @ brokeGIRLrich writes Why Debt Sucks - A story of young love. Not. How Pete and I met, fought and co-existed for two and a half years before I kicked him to the curb.
Grayson @ Debt Roundup writes Dear Verizon, This Is Our Final Goodbye! - After 14 years of being a loyal Verizon customer, I have decided to move on. After mutiple price increases, I realized there were many other options that would cost me much less. I left Verizon for a no-contract plan and brought my wife with me.
Jacob @ Cash Cow Couple writes Low Cost Cell Phone Plans - We’ve been researching the cheapest cell phone plans available. Come check them out and save a boatload of money on your monthly bill!
Gabe @ CPA Tax Guy writes Accountant Tips for Taxes - If you’re looking to find ways to save money on taxes before the upcoming IRS filing, come read and learn.
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.
HOBBIES
Buck @ Buck Inspire writes Club MomMe Family Fall Fest 2013 Entrepreneurship for Moms Recap - Like I mentioned in my Club MomMe Family Fall Fest 2013 Recap, the Entrepreneurship for Moms speaker panel was one hour filled of informational and inspirational stories. The interesting thing was you could not get a more diverse mix of styles and personalities.
Lauren @ L Bee and the Money Tree writes Holiday Gift Ideas for Pets (Giveaway!) - Do you give your pet a gift every holiday? It may sound weird to some, but for as long as I can remember, my family has been gifting our dog a present. Usually just one or two that stays wrapped underneath the tree. My mom is really good at remembering to always gift the family.
Crystal @ Budgeting in the Fun Stuff writes Growing a Blog – Sorry, It Takes Time - A bunch of you have emailed me over the last 2-3 months asking how to grow your site as fast as humanly possible.
Sarah @ BloggerPreneurship writes How to Think of Blog Article Ideas - It is very difficult to think of blog article ideas. As a blogger and entrepreneur, you rely on your blogs and websites for at least a portion of your income. Whether or not blogging is directly related to your income or it drives customers to your actual business, having fresh new content is incredibly important. This is no surprise, but what may be surprising to you is how difficult it is to find topics to write about on a consistent basis.
FI Pilgrim @ FI Journey writes Avoid Overspending When Throwing A Pity Party - Do you have a tendency to spend money when you are having a pity party? Trying to make up for lost time, or make yourself feel better?
Chris @ Big Day Coming writes How to Save Money at Home Depot - For those of us who like to do a lot of DIY projects, or have homes that need some remodeling, we spend an awful lot of time at Home Depot and Lowe’s buying tools and supplies. So it can pay to know how to save money at Home Depot. Here’s an exhaustive list of ways to save you cash on your Home Depot purchases.
Miss T. @ Prairie Eco Thrifter writes Organize Your Home - Here are some of the ways to get and stay organized that I have come up with over the years. Most of them are just common sense, but sometimes I think we all need a reminder on staying organized!
GOOD EATS
Adam @ Travel Ideaz writes Baños: Stretching Toffee and Soaking in Hot Water - The hot, steaming secrets hidden in the middle of nowhere in Ecuador.
Minimalist @ Minimalist Finance writes Batch Cooking to Save On Your Grocery Bill - Batch Cooking to Save On Your Grocery Bill has been published on Minimalist FinanceThere are many ways to cut back your grocery budget, such as shopping at discount stores, using coupons, and even shopping at stores like Costco to buy in bulk.
Caroline @ On Better Terms writes Pulled Chicken Sandwiches in the Slow Cooker - Feed yourself for days (and for cheap!) with this beer-infused slow cooker recipe!
Photo courtesy of rgallant_photography
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