Free Money Finance March Madness, Sweet Sixteen, Posts 9-16

We're continuing with the Sweet Sixteen of Free Money Finance March Madness (if you wonder what's going on in these posts, see my article announcing March Madness and/or click on my March Madness category link and scroll down to read all the posts involved in this subject.) I've listed each "game" (one post versus another) in segments along with the wording provided by the author when the post was submitted. Be sure to comment which one you like the best out of each set of two as commenters have the chance to win a free book. Here we go:

GAME 5

• The Science (Fiction) of Coupons - This is my most controversial article ever. Coupons might look like a great deal, but they're really not worth the trouble for most people. I received a lot of heat from coupon fans, but I stand by my philosophy that coupons are a waste of time.

VERSUS

• Teaching Kids the Value of a Dollar - I like this one because it's a perfect example of how easy it is to use everyday occurrences to teach kids about money. And guess what? It works!

GAME 6

• Don't Let Real Estate Clean You Out - This article was well received, especially in the real estate blogging community.  It took in a lot of comments and turned out to be one of my most popular posts.  I think this is both a funny as well as an informative post -- and a warm tribute to my dry cleaning guy.

VERSUS

• Dave Ramsey is Bad at Math - This is probably the most controversial post I've ever written. Love it or hate it, it has certainly gotten people fired up over repaying their debts. Nearly two years and well over 100 comments later and it's still going strong.

GAME 7

• The True Cost of Owning a Home - Not a true devil's advocate post, but certainly a biased look at home ownership and many of the costs that are ignored when someone says that buying a home is no brainer decision.

VERSUS

• Ten Ways Anyone Can Go to College With Zero Student Loans - I was inspired to write this one after seeing so many of my friends burdened with student loans even into their 30s. This is one of my best articles because people who follow its advice could stand to save themselves tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loan payments and interest.

GAME 8

• Ask for a Pay Raise Discussion Instead of Demanding a Raise - Many times people go into their boss asking for a raise only to be denied because they did not approach the situation correctly.  Doing one’s homework not from how much I should be paid, rather “how can I be of more use to my company?” will have a better chance of getting a raise than demanding a raise.  Learn more about how to ask for a raise and what to avoid, in order to have a better chance of getting a yes rather than a kick in the ass.

VERSUS

• Does your credit score matter? - Your credit score can affect your ability to rent a flat, the rate you get on a car loan, and can cost or save your hundreds of thousands of dollars. This post lists ways to boost your credit score, uncovers the breakdown of the score and identifies the interested parties in your credit score.

Comments

[Jo]

5) Value of a Dollar
6) Dave Ramsey is Bad at Math
7) True Cost of a Home
8) Credit Score

[Nick]

5. The Science (Fiction) of Coupons
6. Don't Let Real Estate Clean You Out
7. Ten Ways Anyone Can Go to College With Zero Student Loans
8. Ask for a Pay Raise Discussion Instead of Demanding a Raise

[My Financial Journey]

5. Draw
6. Dave Ramsey is Bad at Math
7. True Cost of Owning a Home
8. Ask for a Pay Raise

[LivingAlmostLarge]

5. Science Fiction of Coupons
6. Dave Ramsey is bad at math
7. True cost of owning a home
8. Does credit score matter?

[FMR]

5) Value of a Dollar
6) Dave Ramsey is Bad at Math
7) True Cost of a Home
8) Credit Score

[Golbguru]

5. Coupons
6. Don't let real estate
7. Student loans
8. Credit score

[Pete]

5) Value of a dollar
6) Ramsey is bad at math
7) True cost of owning a home
8) Ask for a pay raise

[shaw]

5. Science Fiction of Coupons
6. Dave Ramsey is bad at math
7. True cost of owning a home
8. Does credit score matter?

[Super Saver]

5. Value of Dollar
6. Real Estate
7. Zero Student Loans
8. Raise

[fivecentnickel.com]

Teaching Kids the Value of a Dollar
Dave Ramsey is Bad at Math
True Cost of Owning a Home
Does your credit score matter?

[mom]

Teaching Kids the Value of a Dollar
Dave Ramsey is Bad at Math
True Cost of Owning a Home
Ask for a Pay Raise Discussion Instead of Demanding a Raise

[Mark]

5. Value of a Dollar
6. Dave Ramsey
7. True cost
8. Credit score

[RT]

5. value of dollar
6. dave ramsey
7. Truse cost
8 Does your credit score matter

[funky]

5. Value of Dollar
6. Real Estate
7. Zero Student Loans
8. Does your Credit Score Matter

[FMF]

This competition is now closed to voting.