Here we go with the first round 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. I've also listed a keyword(s) after each post title to make it easy to vote (as a made-up example, you can just comment: Game 1 - Saving; Game 2 - Investing, etc.) Be sure to comment which one you like the best out of each set of two -- you will help determine the winner! Criteria for the best article is somewhat subjective, but you can use these factors as a guide: 1) practicality of the post 2) how interesting/provocative/unique it is, 3) the "personal-ness" of it and 4) its impact on net worth.
Here are today's games:
GAME 23
- If I Were A Rich Girl (Girl) - This post is about the positive legacy of poverty: the drive, the cojones, the ambition. I've made it, I make plenty of money, heck I'm a blogger that doesn't even take ads. I believe it was in large part because I watched my mother put back things every time we went to the grocery store. I credit that childhood poverty to my success.
VERSUS
- Why you can't trust real estate agents when buying a house (Trust) - I really liked this post because it was a lot of fun to write and I know it probably helped a few people rethink their relationship with their real estate agent.
GAME 24
- The Importance of Savings Goals (Goals) - Having specific goals when it comes to saving can really help you manage your money in an smart way. Having such goals has helped my husband and I settle money disagreements and it helps me to be okay when it comes time to spend a large chunk of money.
VERSUS
- Lower My Bills Cable Bill Edition (Lower) - If you ask 10 people what their cable bill is, you'll probably get 10 different answers and costs that range from dollars a day to obscene. These tips and tricks for handling your cable company and customer service in general will make sure that you don't bleed your wallet dry trying to watch Seinfeld reruns.
Game one was really tough...going in terms of practical advice:
1- Trust
2- Goals
Posted by: Mrs. Micah | February 13, 2009 at 06:58 AM
Trust
Lower
Posted by: tom | February 13, 2009 at 09:27 AM
Game 23: Trust
Game 24: Goals
Posted by: Aron | February 13, 2009 at 09:41 AM
Real Estate
Cable
Posted by: Susan | February 13, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Can I vote for both in game 23 and neither in game 24??
Posted by: Carrie | February 13, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Thanks for the contest! I will not vote on game 24 since I'm the contestant, but:
game23: Girl
Posted by: thomas | February 13, 2009 at 11:29 AM
Game 24
LOWER
Posted by: Ev | February 13, 2009 at 11:30 AM
1- trust
2- lower
Posted by: David | February 13, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Trust and Lower.
Posted by: Bob | February 13, 2009 at 12:08 PM
trust
goals
Posted by: Neal Frankle | February 13, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Trust
Lower
Posted by: Alan | February 13, 2009 at 12:20 PM
1- trust
2- lower
Posted by: Robert | February 13, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Trust
Goals
Posted by: Pete | February 13, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Trust
Lower
Posted by: Matt SF | February 13, 2009 at 01:30 PM
23. Trust
24. Lower
Posted by: Joe Hakooz | February 13, 2009 at 01:39 PM
Game 23: Trust
Game 24: Lower
Posted by: christy | February 13, 2009 at 02:02 PM
Trust
Goals
Posted by: Emily@remodelingthislife | February 13, 2009 at 04:33 PM
Game 23: Trust
Game 24: Goals
Posted by: Alison | February 13, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Trust!
Goals!
Posted by: Emma | February 13, 2009 at 08:37 PM
Trust
Goals
Posted by: Million Dollar Journey | February 13, 2009 at 08:58 PM
24. Lower
Posted by: Nanny A | February 14, 2009 at 12:19 AM
Trust
Goals
Posted by: Patrick | February 14, 2009 at 09:54 AM
Girl
Neither
Posted by: Tarah | February 14, 2009 at 11:28 AM
1- Trust
2- Goals
Posted by: Jordan | February 15, 2009 at 12:50 AM
girl
lower
Posted by: ash | February 15, 2009 at 01:47 PM
Trust
Goals
Posted by: Jeffrey | February 16, 2009 at 07:11 AM
These games are now over. The winners are:
Game 23: Trust
Game 24: Lower
Thanks to everyone for voting. Another set of games is out this morning -- be sure to vote!
Posted by: FMF | February 16, 2009 at 07:54 AM