Weekend Ramblings – September 22

Sean @ One Smart Dollar writes Investing in Growth Funds – A well diversified portfolio will consist of many different types of assets including growth funds. Here is a basic guide to what growth funds really are.

Sicorra @ Tackling Our Debt writes 9 Ways to Deal with Financial Stress – Do you feel good about the current state of your personal finances or are you one of the many people that are quite concerned about their financial situation?

Shilpan @ Street Smart Finance writes Building Wealth With Smart Financial Decisions – The street smart philosophy about building wealth is simple at its core — building wealth with smart financial decisions! Most people don’t build wealth not because they are not smart; they don’t build wealth — for most part — because they are gullible and easily buy into the notion that wealth is either inherited or strikes the doors of lucky few.

Jeremy @ Modest Money writes Guilt Induced Frugality – If someone is frugal though, do they constantly maintain that mindset? Some people might be disciplined enough to keep it up, but I think most people still occasionally splurge.

harry campbell @ Your Personal Finance Pro writes Why Rebalance Your Retirement Accounts – A crucial part to a successful investment portfolio requires that you occasionally rebalance your portfolio. Due to the volatility of the market, the asset allocation you select might change from time to time. If you select 80% stocks and 20% bonds as your AA, swings in the market can cause these numbers to veer off in different directions. Re-balancing your portfolio allows you to maintain your risk tolerance by selling or buying certain asset classes.

SB @ One Cent at a Time writes How to buy gold for investment – When you invest in gold, what are your options buying gold? Article lists various safe and reliable ways of buying gold for investment so that you are not scammed.

SB @ Finance Product Reviews writes mVelops budgeting software review – Mvelops is a great and free software for managing your personal finance, this review covers both good and bad points about Mvelops. Read more to find out if Mvelops app/software is for you

Lazy Man @ Lazy Man and Money writes Who Owns Your Music Collection? – A few days ago a false rumor was spread that Bruce Willis was considering suing Apple over the digital rights of his iTunes collection after he dies. The rumor had it that he wanted to give the collection to his kids. Some people pointed out that Willis could just give his iTunes username and password to his kids or even print a bunch of DVDs. From a practical standpoint there are a few solutions. However, there are questions on whether that is entirely legal. As someone with about $2000 in musi

Deacon @ Well Kept Wallet writes How to use the Cash Envelope System – The cash envelope system is a great way to get a hold of your finances. It gives you control over your money and allows you to tell your money where to go. Many people have paid off thousands of dollars in debt using this system. This is how it works.

Kanwal @ Simply Investing writes Your Friend Just Gave You a Hot Stock Tip. What do you do? – A friend, colleague or relative just gave you a hot stock tip. What should you do? Should you run out and go buy this stock? No! The simple answer is, “Thanks, I’ll look into it”.   Buying a stock, bond, mutual fund, or any other investment without doing your own research is not investing it is speculating.

Tushar @ Start Investing Money writes What are Fidelity Mutual Funds? – Don’t have any Fidelity Mutual Funds? Read my thoughts as to why you might want to check them out!

SFB @ Simple Finance Blog writes Money Lessons Learned On Vacation – I thought I’d budgeted for our family’s trip to Disney World; obviously, I thought wrong. Here are my top 4 money lessons learned on vacation.

James Petzke @ This Is Common Cents writes Early Retirement: Is It Possible? – Early retirement can be achieved by anyone if they’re willing to make some lifestyle changes.

Aaron @ Aaron Hung.com writes Three Techniques to Boost Your Blogging Power – You have probably seen at least several professional bloggers and the fantastic pages they generate. They are capable to induce a tiny dose of envy, in particular when your website doesn’t look like anything when it is held up close to theirs.

Eddie @ Finance Fox writes The Secret to Success in Life is Investing in Yourself – We all work hard for that bonus, salary increase, debt elimination, and even to save more and invest money, but how many of us invest in ourselves?

Jennifer Lynn @ Broke-Ass Mommy writes The Importance of Saving: Don’t Hack Down Your Money Tree – Even a little saved today make a big difference in creating a Money Tree. Start today, read this article to find out why!

Amanda L Grossman @ Frugal Confessions writes Waste Not Want Not: Leftover Orange, Lemon, and Lime Peels – I studied abroad in London for a semester in college.

Corey @ 20s Finances writes ETFs vs. Individual Stocks – Individual stocks and ETFs offer different benefits and disadvantages. Find out which one is right for you before investing.

L Bee @ L Bee and the Money Tree writes Five Most Common Money Nightmares – In the latest issue of Self magazine they have a piece entitled “Money Nightmares” based on a poll they conducted with their readers. In fact, these money nightmares “regularly” keep up to 69% of the women polled up at night. See the five most common “Money Nightmares” detailed in the article below.

Daniel @ Sweating the Big Stuff writes Why Doesn’t Homeowners Insurance Cover Floods? – There are a lot of reasons why people can’t buy a home. In addition to the usual reasons, we can now add the high cost of homeowners insurance.

Lance @ Money Life & More writes iPhone 5: How Cell Phone Companies Can Afford to Give You a $450 Discount – During the Apple presentation they annouced their prices of the phone, and in fine print told you that in order to get this price you must sign a new 2 year contract. This isn’t breaking news to anyone who has bought a smartphone in the last few years. However, to those who only buy phones when you upgrade your contract it may be a bit of an eye opener.

PPlan @ Provident Plan writes Lending Money to Family and Friends – Many individuals have been stuck in this situation: your friend complains that they have no money, and then they either directly or indirectly ask you if you

Jen @ Master the Art of Saving writes Don’t Be Fooled By “No Spend Days” – Are you fooling yourself into thinking that your no spend days are actually improving your finances? You might be. All over the internet, people are……….

Corey @ Steadfast Finances writes How to Have Fun For Cheap – Enjoying your free time does not have to break the bank. Find out how to have fun for cheap!

Jon the Saver @ Free Money Wisdom writes What is a Title Loan? – Title loans are confusing for the average American. But sometimes, they can be used in a great way to protect your assets.

SBB @ Simple Budget Blog writes Simple Retirement Plan – Does the complexity of retirement planning or investing keep you from actually doing it? Find out how to simplify the process and get started today.

Debt Guru @ Debt Free Blog writes Debt is Cyclical – Find out how debt is cyclical and what you can do to get out of it.

Roger the Amateur Financier @ The Amateur Financier writes World Domination 101 – Basic Skills to Control the Planet – A guide to some of the skills you’ll need to build in order to be ready to take of the world and render yourself the king (or queen).

TDB @ Tax Deduction Blog writes Are Health Care Home Improvements Tax Deductible? – As the year draws to a close, it may be a good idea for you to take stock of your potential federal tax liability. Let’s face it, there isn’t much you can do in the way of damage control after the year ends. A quick review now will tell you if you need to implement…

Luke @ Learn Bonds writes Should Your Core Bond Fund Own Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (CMBS)? – A recent interview on the basics of Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (CMBS) with the manager of the Artio Total Return fund Don Quigley.

Jester @ The Ultimate Juggle writes Are car parks really businesses? – As part of an initiative to promote retail, some parking fees are being waived in the West End this weekend. The beginning of the Olympics saw a drop in footfall in central London areas which retailers believe may be due to repeated warnings about traffic congestion and overextended transport hubs.

Jason @ Work Save Live writes Have You Been Scammed With Payment Protection Insurance? – Understanding Payment Protection Insurance Payment protection insurance, also known as PPI, is a special type of insurance product that is designed to cover payments to lenders in the event the borrower can’t pay.

Sustainable PF @ Sustainable Personal Finance writes 5 Financial Planning Mistakes to Avoid – While there are far more than 5 Financial Planning Mistakes you can make here are a few that are easily avoidable.

IMB @ Investing Money writes Do You Need the Money You’re Investing? – Your need for the money that you are investing will influence how you invest the money.

Daisy @ Add Vodka writes Is It Ethical to Buy at Flea Markets? – A few weeks ago, I was watching some late-night TV and a show about shoplifting in the US was on.

Dr. Dean @ The Millionaire Nurse Blog writes Need Help Finding Thousands in Missing Money? – There are billions of dollars of missing money owed to you and me. It’s true. Mary Pitman’s Little Book of Missing Money will help you find yours.

Passive Income Earner @ The Passive Income Earner writes Family Finance: Understanding Your Car Insurance – The importance of understanding your car insurance costs and what it provides you.

JP @ My Family Finances writes How to Save Money Without Giving Up Your Social Life – You can find a good balance and use some smart budgeting and money saving tips to have an awesome social life without going broke.

Kyle @ The Penny Hoarder writes Making Money Is Also About Cost Cutting and Not Losing It – The “Great Recession” may go down in history as a curse on current generations, but the opportunities to get ahead of the game are still ever present, if only a little more challenging and difficult to monetize.

Ted Jenkin @ Your Smart Money Moves writes The Best Ways to Save for College – When it comes to saving for college, there is a ton of information out there.

Rod @ ROD Blog writes PerkStreet Financial checking account review – PerkStreet Financial Review : Is it a good alternative to the local big banks? Today there is no shortage to the amount of checking accounts out there to choose from and many of them don’t have any distinguishing features to set them apart from the competition. Once you eliminate the accounts that carry a fee,…

krantcents @ KrantCents writes Are Temp Jobs the New Career Track? – Over 40% more people hold temp jobs now than in 2009! I recently read an article called Careers Are Dead which says the labor market has changed to temporary or contract work.

John @ Married (with Debt) writes Be Wary of Corporate Personal Finance Advice – I think it goes without saying that we should always be mindful of who is paying the money to get their message in our ears or eyeballs, and online personal finance is no exception.

Crystal @ Budgeting in the Fun Stuff writes How I Helped my Mother Stop Working Overtime with 15 minutes of Planning – I feel relieved. It might not have been the most dramatic of breakthroughs, or even the most sophisticated applications of all the financial planning strategies

CAPI @ Creating a Passive Income writes Passive Income: The Secret of Making Money While you Sleep – Passive income is often the way to create income while you sleep. Find out several ways you can do it.

Shawanda @ You Have More Than You Think writes The 3 Most Diabolical Online Scams and How to Avoid Them – Classified ads are the preffered stomping ground of online con artists.

Maria @ The Money Principle writes Children and money: are we teaching our future the wrong thing(s)? – We teach our children mainly how to save. But the relationship between children and money is better developed by teaching them how to spend.

Aloysa @ My Broken Coin writes What I Wish I Knew About Life and Finances In My 20s – If we could turn back time, I wish I could go back to when I was 20 and do it again! Read my thoughts!

PITR @ Passive Income To Retire writes Understanding Mutual Fund Classes – Find out everything you need to know about Mutual Fund Classes!

Wayne @ Young Family Finance writes How to Teach Children About Money – Find out how you can teach you kids about money. While it will vary by family, there are a few basics that every parents must do.

Don @ MoneySmartGuides writes Banking Industry is a Joke – I don’t think many people know just how much the banking industry takes advantage of people. I wrote previously about Bank Transfer Day a few months ago.

Mrs PoP @ Planting Our Pennies writes How We Bought A $50K Duplex – Remember when the housing bubble burst in the US a few years ago? The PoPs had a view from the front row to it and used the opportunity to get their hands on a $50K duplex. It wasn’t easy to do, but it’s an investment in time and money we won’t soon forget or regret.

YFS @ Your Finances Simplified writes How to Save For A Child’s Higher Education – According to an article posted in CNBC.com, the cost for an academic year from 2010-2011 is approximately $56,500 including tuition plus room and board.

A Blinkin @ Funancials writes Buying a Car Won’t Help You Reach Your Dreams – I was flipping through the pages of Money Magazine when an advertisement caught my eye. The ad was promoting the All-New 31 MPG Highway 2013 Honda CRV. To soccer moms all over the world, this car is hella cool.It’s also hella expensive.My problem isn’t with the car itself, but instead with the Money Magazine advertisement.

Invest It Wisely @ Invest It Wisely writes Freelancing Revenue Report: Out of the Trenches and Climbing Up the Mountain – Status Report I’m now in the eighth month of entrepreneurship – my, how time flies by! Much has happened since I took the plunge, read about my discoveries along the way.

TRL @ The Retired Landlord writes Real Estate Vacancy – How to Shorten the Time between Tenants – Find out how you can shorten real estate vacancies and minimize the additional cost for you, the landlord.

Suba @ Broke Professionals writes The Psychology of Saving – The Psychology of Saving is a post from: Broke Professionals if you enjoy it, please visit us and subscribe to the Feed. Saving is hard, especially when you don’t have much discretionary income. Saving over years and years is harder still. People do get saver’s fatigue.

Tushar @ Finance TUBE writes The Energy Sucking Monster: Air Conditioning – Today we will talk about The Energy Sucking Monster: Air Conditioning. I don’t know if you realize this but 22 Billion dollars is spending every year on air conditioning. That is 70% of our electric bill just on air conditioning. And I know that we are being experiencing record of temperature this summer.

Ashley @ Money Talks Coaching writes A Tiny Piece of Plastic Cost Me $125 – My van broke. Terrible thing! Car repairs can be scary things, but if you own a car then you WILL have car repairs. It just comes with the territory.

Miss T. @ Prairie Eco Thrifter writes Cutting Costs and Buying Used Clothes – You can defray some of your clothing costs by shopping for deals at used clothing stores or thrift stores. Even if you do not have any growing children, buying clothing at thrift stores is a great way to cut costs.

My Own Advisor @ My Own Advisor writes How I Save Money on Auto Insurance – With auto insurance, you hope to avoid making a claim but if you need to, there is comfort in knowing you’ll get the best possible coverage for premiums paid. Here are ways I save money on auto insurance. I hope these tips help you as well.

Sean @ One Smart Dollar writes Gangnam Style in America – Spending beyond our means is a huge problem all throughout the world and is the reason why so many people get themselves into debt. The popular YouTube video Gangnam Style shows how this is a problem in a South Korean neighborhood.

MMD @ My Money Design writes Practicing Entrepreneurship the Fraidy-Cat Way – Using Your Job – I’m a giant fraidy-cat when it comes to the subject of entrepreneurship. It’s not that I don’t believe in taking risks – I just question if the risk is worth taking.