Free Money Finance

FMF March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 29-32

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money Madness category link http://www.freemoneyfinance.com/march_madness/index.html 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 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 15

• Creative ways to help a charity without spending any money (Creative) - "I can't afford to give to charity". How many of us have used this statement? I am willing to bet quite a few of us. But we don't need money to help, and I am not talking about the usual ways to give - volunteering, giving blood, donating used goods. We can do better than that. This post talks about 16 creative ways to help a charity without spending money, with minimal effort and absolutely no changes to your current lifestyle.

VERSUS

• Is a House Cleaning Service Worth It? (Cleaning) - Is hiring a house cleaning service worth the cost? Some would say it's an extravagant expense. But in some ways, it could help you make money. See our experience in hiring a cleaning service and whether it's a service for you.

GAME 16

• Account Hierarchy Paradox - Should Paying Off Debt, Saving for Retirement, Having an Emergency Fund, or Securing Health Insurance Be Your Highest Priority? (Paradox) - Deciding how to prioritize new money as it comes in is especially important, as well as significantly difficult. This decision process becomes even more cumbersome when a person has large amounts of consumer debt, which is becoming more and more prevalent in today's society. This post takes a look at the prioritization decision process and tries to obtain an answer to how one should prioritize 1) paying off debt, 2) saving for retirement, 3) health insurance, and 4) accumulating an emergency fund.

VERSUS

• Are Safe Withdrawal Rates Really Safe? (Safe) - An epic 8000 word expose that puts the multi-year controversy behind safe withdrawal rates to rest once and for all. This subject is arguably the most important topic in retirement planning, and the analysis in this post earned top rankings in Google and praise from pension managers and top researchers alike (see comments!). Discover what ugly truths lurk behind the infamous “4% Rule” and how it might effect your financial security...

FMF March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 25-28

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 13

• 21 Ways To Make Extra Money From Home (Ways) - Here are 21 ways to earn extra money. Some are easy, some are difficult. Find the jobs that match your lifestyle and go make some extra cash!

VERSUS

• Do a financial self appraisal (Self) - I just submitted my self-appraisal at work. Even though it is one among the least favorite parts of my job, I can see how a self-appraisal helps me set some aside to think about what I excelled at over the previous 12 months and what improvements need to be made over next year. It makes me improve constantly and do a better job year after year. I am improving myself for the company’s benefit (mostly). But how many of us do a self-appraisal for our own good. Isn’t it our aim in life to be better than where we were last year? Financially, spiritually and physically?

GAME 14

• Should you Buy or Rent? Calculator + Inforgraphics (Rent) - A complete analysis of whether buying or renting is a better deal for your specific market.

VERSUS

• The New American Family: Flexibility and Unconventional Lifestyles to Make Ends Meet (Unconventional) - Today's economy has changed the face of domestic living and who stays to watch the kids. More American families are living unconventional lifestyles to make ends meet. See how our choices affect our life and finances.

FMF March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 21-24

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 11

• I Am Quitting!!! (Quitting) - This was the happiest post that I have ever written!!!  Last July I took the leap into self employment after hitting my target income goals months earlier than expected.  I also needed to recapture my sanity after nearly a year of 100 plus hour work weeks due to balancing a day job and my growing online endeavors.  I can't vouch for my sanity's recovery yet, but this leap of faith has ended up being the best financial decision of my entire life.  Thank you to all of my supporters that helped me get here!

VERSUS

• 10 Ways to Get Ahead at Work (Ahead) - Whether you're looking for a promotion or to get a better job, there will be at least one or two tips you can use in this post to get ahead at work.  Light on theory, the post references practical strategies for interviewing, training, requesting a pay raise, valuing your benefits, quitting your job gracefully, and more.

GAME 12

• 12 Wedding Ideas to Fit Your Budget (Wedding) - Believe it or not you can have a gorgeous wedding without a 5 or 6 figure price tag. It just takes a little creativity and determination. These are 12 ideas to get you started!

VERSUS

• Retirement Portfolios for Those Drawing an Income (Drawing) - The usual viewpoint of investment advice is that of someone twenty or thirty years away from retirement who wants to accumulate a capital for retirement. Here I instead focus on somebody who is retired and wants an income.

FMF March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 17-20

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 9

• Permanent Frugality is Good for the 99% (Occupy Wall Street in Your Everyday Life) (99%) - Occupy Wall Street got a lot of negative attention from the PF community that has worked very hard to get where they are financially. Putting those personal opinions aside, Occupy Wall Street was about waking up as an American people and my post shows the regular person that they can question their role as "consumer". Whether you didn't like some the of the people out there on the streets, OWS was about waking up and questioning conventional, spoon-fed wisdom. Hey! Isn't that what personal finance is all about?

VERSUS

• Living Well on Less Than $10,000 a Year: Habits of Skilled Visa Workers (Skilled) - This is an unusual tale of living under $10,000 a year. The high skilled visa workers while staying in US live extreme frugal life to save money for future, a future they'll live in their home countries. The article talks about this community and their practices, to motivate you towards saving.

GAME 10

• Creating Wealth – Avoid these 3 Mistakes (Mistakes) - Making money is hard enough. But it is also critical to avoid making the blunders that can result in you losing it all. Here are the 3 big mistakes I've seen that people fall victim to and what you must do to safeguard your hard-earned success.

VERSUS

• 30 Financial Moves Before 30 (Moves) - The following are 30 financial moves that all 20-somethings should consider. They are key financial milestone you need to do before you hit 30.

FMF March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 13-16

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 7

• High-Dividend Stocks (High) - This post reminds and illustrates to readers that investing in "safe," high-dividend stocks entails a lot more risk than the low-interest instruments (e.g., CDs, T-bonds) against which these high-yield stocks increasingly are compared. To make the point vividly, I critique a specific sales pitch and review the performance of AT&T stock during the summer of 2008. The overall point of the post is that investors need always to consider critically Wall Street's recommendations, understanding that, first and foremost, these are money manager marketing tactics, aimed at promoting Wall Street's prosperity.

VERSUS

• Top 5 Things Newlywed Homebuyers Need to Know (Newlywed) - One of the first things newlyweds look to do with their money is purchase a home. Before jumping into such a huge commitment without knowing what to do, we came up with the top 5 things newlywed homebuyers need to know.

GAME 8

• 5 ways to slowly but surely become a millionaire (Surely) - The post offers five simple ways that anyone can use to become a millionaire in as little as 13 years and mostly on auto-pilot.  The goal is a slow and steady rise to the millionaire club - no finance degree necessary.

VERSUS

• Extreme Couponing Reality Check (Check) - Most of the articles written about the downside of Extreme Couponing aren't written by Extreme Couponers. My post is about all the stuff that gets left out when thinking about extreme couponing from my personal experience as an Extreme Couponer. I share the top 9 associated costs with extreme couponing---they're not all financial costs. Saving money is great, but what price are you willing to pay?

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 9-12

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 5

• Gigs For Goals (Gigs) - Remember as a kid when your mother told you that if you wanted something, to go out and get a job? What if you did that for all your "wants" now as an adult?

VERSUS

• Top 10 Money Saving Holiday Travel Tips (Travel) - The holidays, November-January, are the most frequently traveled months of the year. This post gave readers practical and actionable insight on how to save money during this high-peak time of the year, when funds are often budgeted.

GAME 6

• Reality vs. Good Intentions (Intentions) - It pays to examine what you’re really doing vs. what you intend to do or what you believe will happen. After all, what's more likely: That life will go perfectly, or that you'll experience some speed bumps along the way?

VERSUS

• How I Saved Over $300 On My Cable And Internet Bills (Bills) - Two telephone calls, $300 in savings on cable and internet services. See how it's done by reading this post.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 5-8

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 3

• How Much Do The Top Income Earners Make? (Top) - It's important to understand where your income level stands among your peers since wealth and income are relative.  You may think you're poor, but all it takes is making $33,000+ to be in the top 50% of income earners.  In this post, you'll learn about the inequity in America and how we can all pitch in to help make our country great.  You'll also learn how to save millions over time, no matter what your income level is through a realistic savings guide.  Join the 880+ comment discussion!

VERSUS

• 24 Quick Actions You Can Do Today That Can Change Your Financial Life Forever (Change) - This post gives step-by-step instructions on completing 24 specific actions (and the estimated time they'll take). Each of this action has the potential to radically change your financial life. We've provided 24 of them... can't you at least do ONE today?

GAME 4

• What To Do If You've Been Passed Over For Promotion And Didn't Get A Raise (Passed) - It's a dog eat dog world out there and sooner or later, you will face disappointment in the work environment.  You might want to throw coffee in your manager's face and send out a "screw you all" blast e-mail, but don't.  As a manager for the past 10 years, I provide some recommendations of what you should do if you've been passed over and short-changed.  You are your greatest asset for building wealth.  Don't let a road bump derail your path to financial fortitude!

VERSUS

• Seven Businesses You Can Start for $100 or Less (Businesses) - One of the obstacles to starting a small business is the misguided notion that you need a lot of money to do so. But there are plenty of businesses you can start for little to no money — in some cases just for the cost of getting a business license. Here are seven businesses you can start for $100 or less.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 1-4

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 1

• Personal Finance Lessons From the Trading Pit (Pit) - There are lessons everyone can learn about personal finance from traders. Here are the few things I learned in the trading pit that have had the biggest influence on how I think about and manage my money. 

VERSUS

• Secrets on NCAA Championship Game tickets (Tickets) - Tickets to see the March Madness Championship basketball game are super cheap when compared to other major sport championship games. Buy Final Four and March Madness championship game tickets from fans from the losing teams and save lots of money.

GAME 2

• Student Loans Are Good For You (Loans) - There is a lot of worry about the growing amount of student loan debt.   I fear student loans are getting a bad reputation.   Student loans, used in moderation of course, should instead be viewed as a great helping hand to get you into a good paying career sooner rather than later.

VERSUS

• Self Employment: One Year Later (Employment) - Discover what it's like to leave the safe confines of the corporate world to become a full-time personal finance blogger and deal with things like individual health insurance, income fluctuations, and supporting a stay-at-home wife and two kids. In this post I share the sometimes scary details of my first year of self-employment.

FMF March Money Madness Brackets Set

At the end of this post is an Excel spreadsheet that contains the brackets for the 2012 version of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (if you're wondering what I'm talking about, click here.) A few things to note about the competition:

• The games will begin on Monday, February 6 and new ones will be posted every other day through the initial round. Each set of games will be up at least a day and a half, but after that, I'll probably cut them off and name a winner. Some may go longer (especially those posted on Fridays), but not much longer than three days. I will send you an email shortly after your post goes up to remind you that you're in a game.


• The winner will be named in a comment left at the bottom of each post. I'll note that this set of games has now concluded and tell which posts won. If you need an example of what this looks like, look at my comment near the end of this post.


• The some of the included posts earned automatic bids since I judged them to be the best from 2011's Best of Money Carnival winners. That is why some blogs will have more than one post included -- these entries do NOT count against the one blog/one post limit (this is one major benefit of winning a weekly Best of Money Carnival competition.)


• If your post is in the competition, you are allowed to vote for yourself. Others will do it, you might as well too. But you can only vote once per game, just like everyone else.


• If your post is in the competition, you're allowed to ask your readers to vote for you. Again, others will do it, you might as well too. If you feel it's too promotional to ask people to vote for your post, you can simply point them to the competition and ask them to vote for the best post. ;-)

That's it for now. Good luck to all!

Download FMF 2012 March Money Madness

Attention Financial Bloggers: Free Promotion for Your Top Posts in the FMF March Money Madness Tournament

Yes, it's that time of year again -- Free Money Finance March Money Madness is upon us!

For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, it's our annual "tournament" of the best personal finance articles of the past year. They face each other in an NCAA-style bracket system, FMF readers vote for the winner, and at the end of it all, the best post is left standing. And like last year, it's all for several good causes. Here are some details from last year:

• My announcement post


• An example of a "round"


• Wrap Up

This year I'm getting a late start on it because I've been on vacation for the past two weeks (more to come on the trip). So we may go beyond the end of the actual March Madness basketball tournament this year, but if so, it won't be by much.

64 posts in total will be allowed in the 2011 competition. Each one will be assigned randomly in a bracket set of "games" similar to the one used for the Men's NCAA basketball tournament. (If you want to see what one looks like, go here to download last year's bracket.) Here are more details:

How to Enter

If you're a blogger and have money-related posts you want to include you can email the following to me:

1. The name of the post you're submitting (must be from the calendar year 2011)

2. The URL of the post you're submitting

3. Two to five sentences on what makes this post so great (I'll be using this wording in the competition, though I reserve the right to edit it, so really "sell" your posts).

NOTE: IF ANY OF THESE ARE MISSING, YOUR ENTRY WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. AND I WILL NOT GET BACK TO YOU TO REMIND YOU THAT YOU SUBMITTED INCORRECTLY.

Entries are on a first-come, first-served basis and all 64 spots usually fill up in a few days. So if you wait, it's possible you're not going to get a spot.

Submission Details

You can submit one post per site. If you have more than one blog, you can submit posts for each blog, though your second blog's submissions won't be considered until all the first-time submissions have been considered from other blogs.

In the past, there were 64 slots open at the start. This year, there are only 54. As noted earlier in the year, the ten best winning posts for the year (as judged by me) from the Best of Money Carnival will receive automatic bids. These entries will NOT count as a blog's official entry and if a blogger wants to submit an additional post for March Money Madness he can without penalty and with the same consideration (first come, first served) that other entrants receive. I'll be naming these winners as part of the seeding process.

FYI, if you have a Best of Money Carnival winning post and don't know if it will make my 10 and yet you might want to submit it anyway, I suggest you simply send me the top four posts you'd like to have included in March Money Madness (in the order you'd like them to be considered.) This way, if one of your posts gets an auto Best of Money Carnival bid, I'll just move on to the next one on your list for consideration. Some blogs have more than one Best of Money Carnival winner, hence you should submit four posts if you want to be safe and get as many considered as possible.

How Posts Compete

The posts will "play" each other with the winner advancing and the loser being bumped. They'll "play" in this manner:

1. I'll post the competing posts, listing who's playing who

2. Readers can leave comments on which they like better

3. The post with the most votes wins -- I'll break any ties

4. The winner will advance in the bracket to "play" again. Ultimately, there will be only one post left -- the "champion" for this season.

FYI, I reserve the right to disqualify any posts if I feel there's cheating of any kind going on (or really, for any reason -- it is my site after all). It's ok to promote your posts via Facebook, your website, etc., but no multiple voting and the like. I'll detail these rules to you in a separate email once your post is accepted.

Criteria for great articles are as follows:

1. Practicality of the post

2. How interesting/provocative/unique it is

3. The "personal-ness" of it

4. Its impact on net worth.

What the Winners Receive

I eliminated the charity component from past efforts because 1) no one seemed to care about it and 2) I ended up on random lists of all sorts of charities that are now sending tons of mail to my home. So this year all participants will receive is tons of traffic, links to their posts, and bragging rights for the winner.

Why Readers Should Care

As readers, you get the chance to read some great pieces and help decide who wins this year's championship. It should be great fun and full of the best personal finance posts of the past year.

Good stuff all the way around!

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, The 2011 Winners

Well, we had another successful year of Free Money Finance March Money Madness. Here's a wrap-up of the winners and where the winnings go:

CHAMPION

• Dirty Car Dealership Tactics won $500 donated to Charity Water. 

RUNNER-UP

• How I Make Money Blogging won $300 donated to PugHearts.

SEMI-FINALISTS

• Debt Reduction Strategy Guide won $100 donated to Charity Water.
• This 1 Question Will Change Your Spending Habits won $100 donated to Modest Needs.

Congrats to the winners! And thanks to all the participants and the voters who made this competition another great success! See you next year! ;-)

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Championship

Here we go with the championship round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 is today's game (and the last one for this year):

• How I Make Money Blogging (Blogging) - I enjoy blogging more than anything else I’ve ever done as a hobby or job in my life.  My online community is one of the first things I look forward to in the morning and blogging is the last thing I do almost every night.  This post covers how I've made nearly $6000 between February and December 2010 doing what I love.  Check out how I turned a hobby into a sixth of my actual income in less than a year!

VERSUS

• Dirty Car Dealership Tactics (Tactics) - Ever wondered how car salesman try to scam you? Whether it's high-pressure sales pitches or additional fees, there are many tactics you should lookout for when shopping for a car. Here are a few ways Alan and his wife caught one dealership trying to rip them off.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Final Four

Here we go with the Final Four round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 1

• This 1 Question Will Change Your Spending Habits (Habits) - What makes this post great: A powerful question can have a profound effect on us. Asking the right question can lead to a whole new life. This question can help you change your life forever.

VERSUS

• How I Make Money Blogging (Blogging) - I enjoy blogging more than anything else I’ve ever done as a hobby or job in my life.  My online community is one of the first things I look forward to in the morning and blogging is the last thing I do almost every night.  This post covers how I've made nearly $6000 between February and December 2010 doing what I love.  Check out how I turned a hobby into a sixth of my actual income in less than a year!

GAME 2

• Dirty Car Dealership Tactics (Tactics) - Ever wondered how car salesman try to scam you? Whether it's high-pressure sales pitches or additional fees, there are many tactics you should lookout for when shopping for a car. Here are a few ways Alan and his wife caught one dealership trying to rip them off.

VERSUS

• Debt Reduction Strategy Guide (Guide) - I decided to share how we were able to eliminate my credit card debt and pay off our car loan early. I also rallied other personal finance bloggers to share their secrets to success. It's a practical guide for everyone motivated to meet their goals.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Elite 8, Posts 5-8

Here we go with the Elite 8 round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 3

• Dirty Car Dealership Tactics (Tactics) - Ever wondered how car salesman try to scam you? Whether it's high-pressure sales pitches or additional fees, there are many tactics you should lookout for when shopping for a car. Here are a few ways Alan and his wife caught one dealership trying to rip them off.

VERSUS

• 10 Things That Broke People Do (That Keep Them Broke) (Broke) - We’ve all got friends in our lives that are nice people, but they always seem to be broke. They don’t have a dime to their name, and if you ask them why, they don’t have a clue. Here is why they're broke.

GAME 4

• Debt Reduction Strategy Guide (Guide) - I decided to share how we were able to eliminate my credit card debt and pay off our car loan early. I also rallied other personal finance bloggers to share their secrets to success. It's a practical guide for everyone motivated to meet their goals.

VERSUS

• Proverbs Guide to Finance (Proverbs) - It's been said that you can get a master’s degree in finance by reading Proverbs a few times. That's pretty much true. Aside from the degree, your financial life will also go pretty well if you follow these 7 basic principles found in Proverbs.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Elite 8, Posts 1-4

Here we go with the Elite 8 round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 1

• Getting Dirty to Destroy Your Debt – One Toilet at a Time! (Toilet) - I don’t know of anyone who likes to clean their own bathroom, let alone bathrooms for other people! But we sucked it up! We got dirty week after week and did what we had to do to pay down our credit card debt (or rather, MY credit card debt).

VERSUS

• This 1 Question Will Change Your Spending Habits (Habits) - What makes this post great: A powerful question can have a profound effect on us. Asking the right question can lead to a whole new life. This question can help you change your life forever.

GAME 2

• How I Make Money Blogging (Blogging) - I enjoy blogging more than anything else I’ve ever done as a hobby or job in my life.  My online community is one of the first things I look forward to in the morning and blogging is the last thing I do almost every night.  This post covers how I've made nearly $6000 between February and December 2010 doing what I love.  Check out how I turned a hobby into a sixth of my actual income in less than a year!

VERSUS

• How to Start Investing | A Step By Step Guide for Newbie Investors (Newbie) - Many people find the investing world a complicated and frustrating puzzle.  This post tackles this broad topic by breaking it down into easy to understand steps that will help someone how is new to investing.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Sweet 16, Posts 13-16

Here we go with the Sweet 16 round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 7

• What is a good FICO credit score range? (Range) - The reason this is a really great post is because it de-mystifies the credit score issue. Most people worry about their credit score without really understanding how it's used. This post spells out exactly what the score means. This is useful because if you know what your credit score range is and what it means, creditors can't use your credit score against you unfairly. It levels the playing field.

VERSUS

• Debt Reduction Strategy Guide (Guide) - I decided to share how we were able to eliminate my credit card debt and pay off our car loan early. I also rallied other personal finance bloggers to share their secrets to success. It's a practical guide for everyone motivated to meet their goals.

GAME 8

• Proverbs Guide to Finance (Proverbs) - It's been said that you can get a master’s degree in finance by reading Proverbs a few times. That's pretty much true. Aside from the degree, your financial life will also go pretty well if you follow these 7 basic principles found in Proverbs.

VERSUS

• Seven Habits of Financially Healthy Couples (Couples) - 10 years into our marriage, these 7 habits have done more than keep us from killing each other - they've actually helped make the topic of money in our marriage pretty simple and painless.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Sweet 16, Posts 9-12

Here we go with the Sweet 16 round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 5

• From $18,403 to $124,514 In A Single Year! (Year) - In the span of 12 months, we increased our blogging income from $18K to 124K. Find out how we did it and what we are looking for next steps.

VERSUS

• Dirty Car Dealership Tactics (Tactics) - Ever wondered how car salesman try to scam you? Whether it's high-pressure sales pitches or additional fees, there are many tactics you should lookout for when shopping for a car. Here are a few ways Alan and his wife caught one dealership trying to rip them off.

GAME 6

• 10 Things That Broke People Do (That Keep Them Broke) (Broke) - We’ve all got friends in our lives that are nice people, but they always seem to be broke. They don’t have a dime to their name, and if you ask them why, they don’t have a clue. Here is why they're broke.

VERSUS

• 24 Home-Based Business Ideas (Ideas) - If you are like many, the thought of starting a home-based business has probably crossed your mind at some point. With the economy being what it is, layoffs all around us, and an increasing desire for many to escape the rat race and work from home many are trying to start a home-based business. These are 24 ideas for doing just that.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Sweet 16, Posts 5-8

Here we go with the Sweet 16 round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 3

• Vanguard vs. Fidelity - Which Funds Are Better? (Better) - This post was written back in August of 2010, and was inspired after a telephone call with a Fidelity representative while trying to rollover my 401k from Fidelity to Vanguard. In this post, I discuss, in detail four points of comparison between the “big two” mutual fund companies – 1. Expense ratios, 2) Trading fees/commissions, 3) minimum balances, initial quantities, and ETF availability, and 4) ease of navigating the provider’s website.

VERSUS

• How I Make Money Blogging (Blogging) - I enjoy blogging more than anything else I’ve ever done as a hobby or job in my life.  My online community is one of the first things I look forward to in the morning and blogging is the last thing I do almost every night.  This post covers how I've made nearly $6000 between February and December 2010 doing what I love.  Check out how I turned a hobby into a sixth of my actual income in less than a year!

GAME 4

• How to Start Investing | A Step By Step Guide for Newbie Investors (Newbie) - Many people find the investing world a complicated and frustrating puzzle.  This post tackles this broad topic by breaking it down into easy to understand steps that will help someone how is new to investing.

VERSUS

• Enjoy March Madness 2011 College Basketball on a Dime (Dime) - This post describes how to enjoy some of the best seats to a March Madness game for practically nothing. Often we work hard to save our money to enjoy great seats at sporting events. By having some patience and humility, you can enjoy the great seats without wasting your hard earned money. Find out how I watched THE classic 2010 March Madness game between Kansas St. and Xavier from the 7th row for less than a Dime.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Sweet 16, Posts 1-4

Here we go with the Sweet 16 round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 1

• Getting Dirty to Destroy Your Debt – One Toilet at a Time! (Toilet) - I don’t know of anyone who likes to clean their own bathroom, let alone bathrooms for other people! But we sucked it up! We got dirty week after week and did what we had to do to pay down our credit card debt (or rather, MY credit card debt).

VERSUS

• The Save 10% for Retirement Rule Is Stupid (Stupid) - The “save 10% for retirement” rule is absolutely stupid. And so is “save 15% for retirement” (sorry, Dave Ramsey) or “save 20% for retirement” and any other “save #% for retirement” rule you’ll come across. Now I don’t doubt that the people giving this advice meant no harm. They probably just want to get you to start saving for retirement, and offering a simple % of your income solution is a quick, easy answer for a difficult question. But they’re all absurd, useless rules for one simple reason: they completely ignore your situation.

GAME 2

• This 1 Question Will Change Your Spending Habits (Habits) - What makes this post great: A powerful question can have a profound effect on us. Asking the right question can lead to a whole new life. This question can help you change your life forever.

VERSUS

• Why You Should Donate More Money to Charity (Charity) - There are so many reasons people do not give to charity. We'd rather keep the money to ourselves, it requires action, and it won't have any effect are just a few. This year, we should be donating more than ever, and here are 8 compelling reasons why.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 2, Posts 29-32

Here we go with the second round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 15

• 60 Reasons Why Personal Finance is So Damn Hard (Hard) - Family, friends, and even bloggers make it seem like personal finance is a breeze. It's all a front. Managing your money is hard work, and until you admit most of the reasons why it is, you're fooling yourself! Here is a list of 60 that immediately come to mind.

VERSUS

• Proverbs Guide to Finance (Proverbs) - It's been said that you can get a master’s degree in finance by reading Proverbs a few times. That's pretty much true. Aside from the degree, your financial life will also go pretty well if you follow these 7 basic principles found in Proverbs.

GAME 16

• Seven Habits of Financially Healthy Couples (Couples) - 10 years into our marriage, these 7 habits have done more than keep us from killing each other - they've actually helped make the topic of money in our marriage pretty simple and painless.

VERSUS

• Change Your Mindset and Save a Fortune: 200,000 Miles is the New 100,000 Miles (Miles) - Many car owners erroneously believe that their vehicles are worn out at 100,000 miles. While this was true a generation ago, today's vehicles are often much healthier at  200,000 miles than yesterday's vehicles were at 100,000 miles.  By changing your mindset and driving your car to the 200,000 mile plateau, you could save over $300,000 in a lifetime; twice that much if both partners in a marriage do so.  This post explains how.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 2, Posts 25-28

Here we go with the second round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 13

• Making Money Online: Is It All That It's Cracked Up to Be? (Cracked) - So what’s it really like to try to make money online? Here are experiences with making money using the internet -- both failures and successes.

VERSUS

• What is a good FICO credit score range? (Range) - The reason this is a really great post is because it de-mystifies the credit score issue. Most people worry about their credit score without really understanding how it's used. This post spells out exactly what the score means. This is useful because if you know what your credit score range is and what it means, creditors can't use your credit score against you unfairly. It levels the playing field.

GAME 14

• Debt Reduction Strategy Guide (Guide) - I decided to share how we were able to eliminate my credit card debt and pay off our car loan early. I also rallied other personal finance bloggers to share their secrets to success. It's a practical guide for everyone motivated to meet their goals.

VERSUS

• How To Make Six Figures At Almost Any Age (Age) - Earning more than $100,000 a year is achievable by most people, at practically any working age.  There is more money out there than you can imagine.  You just have to want to earn more and this article will show you how.  Don't settle for financial mediocrity if you don't have to! 

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 2, Posts 21-24

Here we go with the second round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 11

• Education and Wealth: You Don’t Need a College Degree, But You Need an Education (Education) - Many people believe you need a college degree to succeed in life. But you don't. You need an education - and there is a distinct difference between what you know and what you can put into practice and what a piece of paper says you know.

VERSUS

• 10 Things That Broke People Do (That Keep Them Broke) (Broke) - We’ve all got friends in our lives that are nice people, but they always seem to be broke. They don’t have a dime to their name, and if you ask them why, they don’t have a clue. Here is why they're broke.

GAME 12

• 24 Home-Based Business Ideas (Ideas) - If you are like many, the thought of starting a home-based business has probably crossed your mind at some point. With the economy being what it is, layoffs all around us, and an increasing desire for many to escape the rat race and work from home many are trying to start a home-based business. These are 24 ideas for doing just that.

VERSUS

• 8 Reasons Why I Quit My Dream Job to Be a Stay At Home Mom (Dream) - In these difficult economic times, there is so much talk about the unemployment rate and everyone struggling to get jobs.  But what about the people who DO have jobs?  Should they stick with their job no matter what?  Is it crazy to think that someone would quit their dream job during these trying times?  This post takes a really unique perspective on the topic, and discusses why everyone should at least consider leaving their jobs.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 2, Posts 17-20

Here we go with the second round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 9

• From $18,403 to $124,514 In A Single Year! (Year) - In the span of 12 months, we increased our blogging income from $18K to 124K. Find out how we did it and what we are looking for next steps.

VERSUS

• Back to School Sales Aren't Just for Kids (School) - Don't ignore those school sales just because you don't have kids.  Here are four reasons you need to pay attention!

GAME 10

• I Got Fired (Fired) - What do you say when that happens to you?  When you’re drafting a post one minute titled  “Designing Your Own Lifestyle”, and then seconds later it becomes a reality?  Is that fate?  Luck?  I don’t know… but I’ve got to say I haven’t felt this alive in quite a while.

VERSUS

• Dirty Car Dealership Tactics (Tactics) - Ever wondered how car salesman try to scam you? Whether it's high-pressure sales pitches or additional fees, there are many tactics you should lookout for when shopping for a car. Here are a few ways Alan and his wife caught one dealership trying to rip them off.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 2, Posts 13-16

Here we go with the second round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 7

• How to Start Investing | A Step By Step Guide for Newbie Investors (Newbie) - Many people find the investing world a complicated and frustrating puzzle.  This post tackles this broad topic by breaking it down into easy to understand steps that will help someone how is new to investing.

VERSUS

• Doing What You Love, or Loving What You Do? (Love) - So many people think the key to financial success is pursuing a career in something they love.  However, for many people, especially those who are already established in their careers, it may not be realistic to find employment that pays well enough in a field they love.  So what is the alternative?  Do your best to love what you are already doing. 

GAME 8

• Enjoy March Madness 2011 College Basketball on a Dime (Dime) - This post describes how to enjoy some of the best seats to a March Madness game for practically nothing. Often we work hard to save our money to enjoy great seats at sporting events. By having some patience and humility, you can enjoy the great seats without wasting your hard earned money. Find out how I watched THE classic 2010 March Madness game between Kansas St. and Xavier from the 7th row for less than a Dime.

VERSUS

• Want to Buy a Home?  Do Your Prep Work to Ace Mortgage Approval (Approval) - When trying to buy a house, many consumers share their financial information with lenders to determine their eligibility for a home loan.  They know that a few factors are put together like pieces of a puzzle, but they may not realize they have the ability to control those puzzle pieces before applying in order to gain approval for a mortgage that fits their needs and pocketbook.  This article helps consumers be prepared and knowledgeable by illustrating how income, assets, credit and debt can paint a portrait of fiscal responsibility and pave the way to homeownership.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 2, Posts 9-12

Here we go with the second round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 5

• Vanguard vs. Fidelity - Which Funds Are Better? (Better) - This post was written back in August of 2010, and was inspired after a telephone call with a Fidelity representative while trying to rollover my 401k from Fidelity to Vanguard. In this post, I discuss, in detail four points of comparison between the “big two” mutual fund companies – 1. Expense ratios, 2) Trading fees/commissions, 3) minimum balances, initial quantities, and ETF availability, and 4) ease of navigating the provider’s website.

VERSUS

• Saving is Great, but Don't Forget to Make Money Too! (Forget) - Managing expenses and cash outflow is an important part of a sound approach to personal finance. That said, we also need to EARN money in order to have any to save. By actively managing both career (cash inflow) and spending cash outflow), we can successfully increase our savings, and work toward financial freedom.

GAME 6

• Black Swan Investing – Making a Fortune off Rare Events (Swan) - Black Swan Investing is the notion of profiting handsomely from the unexpected.  Rare events can yield huge payoffs.  See what Black Swan Investing is all about and whether it's worth dedicating a small portion of your portfolio to speculating for spectacular gains.

VERSUS

• How I Make Money Blogging (Blogging) - I enjoy blogging more than anything else I’ve ever done as a hobby or job in my life.  My online community is one of the first things I look forward to in the morning and blogging is the last thing I do almost every night.  This post covers how I've made nearly $6000 between February and December 2010 doing what I love.  Check out how I turned a hobby into a sixth of my actual income in less than a year!

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 2, Posts 5-8

Here we go with the second round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 3

• We're Debt Free! (Free) - We just sent off our final payoff to Wachovia Dealer Services on our VW Sportwagen. In just over 11 months we have managed to pay off $63,535.65 of credit cards, credit lines and two vehicle loans. Yes we still owe on the house but don’t rain on my parade. Since this is such a special day I’ve asked FiscalWife to help document our story sharing her insights on our journey to financial freedom because I certainly couldn’t be writing this post without her incredible help and support through this process.

VERSUS

• This 1 Question Will Change Your Spending Habits (Habits) - What makes this post great: A powerful question can have a profound effect on us. Asking the right question can lead to a whole new life. This question can help you change your life forever.

GAME 4

• Case Study: My Experience Meeting with a Fee-Only CFP (Meeting) - I'm always telling people on my blog that they should meet with a fee-only planner to help balance their retirement planning decisions. I decided to take a bit of my own medicine and go through the process myself. I documented how the planning and meetings went, as well as, the major learning takeaways from the experience.

VERSUS

• Why You Should Donate More Money to Charity (Charity) - There are so many reasons people do not give to charity. We'd rather keep the money to ourselves, it requires action, and it won't have any effect are just a few. This year, we should be donating more than ever, and here are 8 compelling reasons why.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 2, Posts 1-4

Here we go with the second round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 1

• 7 Things I Learned Watching Honeymooners Re-runs (Re-runs) - The Honeymooners is my all-time favorite tv show.  I’ve seen each episode dozens of times and yet I still laugh out loud when I watch it.  The misadventures of the Kramdens and the Nortons is classic television at its best. But if you look past all the jokes and gags there are some valuable lessons to be learned…

VERSUS

• Getting Dirty to Destroy Your Debt – One Toilet at a Time! (Toilet) - I don’t know of anyone who likes to clean their own bathroom, let alone bathrooms for other people! But we sucked it up! We got dirty week after week and did what we had to do to pay down our credit card debt (or rather, MY credit card debt).

GAME 2

• How to Make Money as an Online Writer (Writer) - The goal of this article is to introduce how I make money writing so that you can implement a similar plan and start earning a side income by writing online.

VERSUS

• The Save 10% for Retirement Rule Is Stupid (Stupid) - The “save 10% for retirement” rule is absolutely stupid. And so is “save 15% for retirement” (sorry, Dave Ramsey) or “save 20% for retirement” and any other “save #% for retirement” rule you’ll come across. Now I don’t doubt that the people giving this advice meant no harm. They probably just want to get you to start saving for retirement, and offering a simple % of your income solution is a quick, easy answer for a difficult question. But they’re all absurd, useless rules for one simple reason: they completely ignore your situation.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 61-64

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 31

• Can Money Really Not Buy Happiness? (Happiness) - I look at the old saying, attempt to determine how much truth there is to it, and explain how money is really related to happiness.  I cite everything from clinical research to quotations, and come up with an explanation of money and happiness that is both logical and entertaining.  It's easily one of my most out there posts, as well as one of my well cited, and most fun, for this year.

VERSUS

• Seven Habits of Financially Healthy Couples (Couples) - 10 years into our marriage, these 7 habits have done more than keep us from killing each other - they've actually helped make the topic of money in our marriage pretty simple and painless.

GAME 32

• Change Your Mindset and Save a Fortune: 200,000 Miles is the New 100,000 Miles (Miles) - Many car owners erroneously believe that their vehicles are worn out at 100,000 miles. While this was true a generation ago, today's vehicles are often much healthier at  200,000 miles than yesterday's vehicles were at 100,000 miles.  By changing your mindset and driving your car to the 200,000 mile plateau, you could save over $300,000 in a lifetime; twice that much if both partners in a marriage do so.  This post explains how.

VERSUS

• Investment Psychology: Top 5 Ways Investors Go Broke (Broke) - This article gives us a chance to reflect on how we approach investing.  We often wonder why we don't make money in the stock market, but there may be underlying reasons for this that are rooted in our behavior.  Find out if you've got the mindset to succeed as an investor -- or are you doomed to keep losing out?

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 57-60

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 29

• What is Lifestyle Design & Why is it So Damn Popular? (Popular) - I scoured the web for "lifestyle design" blogs to find why this topic has become so popular. The comments from other bloggers in the post are just as insightful as the reader comments at the bottom of the post.

VERSUS

• 60 Reasons Why Personal Finance is So Damn Hard (Hard) - Family, friends, and even bloggers make it seem like personal finance is a breeze. It's all a front. Managing your money is hard work, and until you admit most of the reasons why it is, you're fooling yourself! Here is a list of 60 that immediately come to mind.

GAME 30

• 20 Financial Milestones You Want to Reach in Your 20's (Milestones) - The journey from your first paycheck to the time you reach thirty, is the most important time of your life for building wealth. Wouldn’t it be great if there were defined milestones, to make sure you’re on the right path? The purpose of this article was to provide exactly that - a financial path for young adults to follow.

VERSUS

• Proverbs Guide to Finance (Proverbs) - It's been said that you can get a master’s degree in finance by reading Proverbs a few times. That's pretty much true. Aside from the degree, your financial life will also go pretty well if you follow these 7 basic principles found in Proverbs.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 53-56

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 27

• Debt Reduction Strategy Guide (Guide) - I decided to share how we were able to eliminate my credit card debt and pay off our car loan early. I also rallied other personal finance bloggers to share their secrets to success. It's a practical guide for everyone motivated to meet their goals.

VERSUS

• The Cure For Greed (Greed) - I’m sharing a personal story about an economic epiphany I had years ago that genuinely changed my life and the way I view and deal with money.  Although the title may appear pretentious—as though I have the market cornered on understanding the emotion involved in virtually every personal and institutional economic collapse—I feel qualified to render this “THE” cure for greed because it is something with which I battle personally.  Our net worth can’t help but be improved when we are able to see and name greed in all of its forms; but more importantly, we’ll view our net worth entirely differently.

GAME 28

• How To Make Six Figures At Almost Any Age (Age) - Earning more than $100,000 a year is achievable by most people, at practically any working age.  There is more money out there than you can imagine.  You just have to want to earn more and this article will show you how.  Don't settle for financial mediocrity if you don't have to!

VERSUS

• Visualizing How the Things You Own, End Up Owning You (Owning) - Think your material possessions don’t own you? Think again. To identify just how much your future income (and your life) you’ve leveraged away, use my “how your stuff ends up owning you” calendar visualization exercise. You’ll never think of debt, consumption and financing the same way ever again!

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 49-52

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 25

• Making Money Online: Is It All That It's Cracked Up to Be? (Cracked) - So what’s it really like to try to make money online? Here are experiences with making money using the internet -- both failures and successes.

VERSUS

• How to Find Your Absolutely, Positively REAL and TRUE FICO Credit Score. Seriously. (True) - When I attempted to find my real FICO credit score, I quickly learned how much I did NOT know.   Follow me through my Indiana Jones-esque journey as I maneuver my way to find the long lost truth.

GAME 26

• What is a good FICO credit score range? (Range) - The reason this is a really great post is because it de-mystifies the credit score issue. Most people worry about their credit score without really understanding how it's used. This post spells out exactly what the score means. This is useful because if you know what your credit score range is and what it means, creditors can't use your credit score against you unfairly. It levels the playing field.

VERSUS

• When Financial "Protection" May Cause Harm (Protection) - This post seeks to educate readers about a service offered by banks and credit unions that sounds good but may not be so good.  The service is overdraft protection, which, for a fee, enables people to overspend their checking accounts.  Historically, this service has been a huge source of revenue for banks and credit unions.  New regulations requiring financial institutions to ask customers whether they want this service were expected to significantly dry up this revenue stream, but that hasn't happened.  In this post, I present some theories as to why so many people have opted in and ask readers to explain their decisions.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 45-48

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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

• 11 Reasons to Ditch Your Television (Ditch) - On average, American now have more televisions in the houses than people living inside them! Not only that, but we watch 4 hours and 35 minutes a day of the small screen. Here are 11 reasons why ditching the television all together will improve your financial, family, (and sex) life.

VERSUS

• 24 Home-Based Business Ideas (Ideas) - If you are like many, the thought of starting a home-based business has probably crossed your mind at some point. With the economy being what it is, layoffs all around us, and an increasing desire for many to escape the rat race and work from home many are trying to start a home-based business. These are 24 ideas for doing just that.

GAME 24

• 8 Reasons Why I Quit My Dream Job to Be a Stay At Home Mom (Dream) - In these difficult economic times, there is so much talk about the unemployment rate and everyone struggling to get jobs.  But what about the people who DO have jobs?  Should they stick with their job no matter what?  Is it crazy to think that someone would quit their dream job during these trying times?  This post takes a really unique perspective on the topic, and discusses why everyone should at least consider leaving their jobs.

VERSUS

• Financial Lessons of a cheese pedlar (Cheese) - For saving and investing, will-power is great for getting started but to be certain to save consistently, you have to take the will-power out of the equation and make it non-negotiable. This post put me on the map as a financial blogger as I detailed how Subway sandwich artists up-sell cheese in their subs and then I compared this to how you can employ similar techniques to 'upsell' yourself into saving more money for your future.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 41-44

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 21

• Education and Wealth: You Don’t Need a College Degree, But You Need an Education (Education) - Many people believe you need a college degree to succeed in life. But you don't. You need an education - and there is a distinct difference between what you know and what you can put into practice and what a piece of paper says you know.

VERSUS

• 10 Lessons from the Downsized TV Show (TV) - After watching the new Downsized TV show premiere, there were a lot of good money lessons that we can all learn from. As you'll notice in the comments, the discussion heats up as the series continues. It will be interesting to see what is in store for the family in the new year.

GAME 22

• The Choices We Make Have Consequences. Change Your Life One Decision At A Time (Choices) - The decisions that we make every day have consequences.  By taking responsibility for our actions we can choose to accept our part in the decision making process,  and in the end make for a better outcome. Otherwise, we may be doomed to play the victim.

VERSUS

• 10 Things That Broke People Do (That Keep Them Broke) (Broke) - We’ve all got friends in our lives that are nice people, but they always seem to be broke. They don’t have a dime to their name, and if you ask them why, they don’t have a clue. Here is why they're broke.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 37-40

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 19

• Retirement Planning Case Study; William and Amy Mid 40s Crisis (Crisis) - This post is a real life (and free) case study that I think can help steer people in the right direction for their retirement planning. It might not revolutionize the blogosphere world but will surely help real people in their real interests.

VERSUS

• I Got Fired (Fired) - What do you say when that happens to you?  When you’re drafting a post one minute titled  “Designing Your Own Lifestyle”, and then seconds later it becomes a reality?  Is that fate?  Luck?  I don’t know… but I’ve got to say I haven’t felt this alive in quite a while.

GAME 20

• Dirty Car Dealership Tactics (Tactics) - Ever wondered how car salesman try to scam you? Whether it's high-pressure sales pitches or additional fees, there are many tactics you should lookout for when shopping for a car. Here are a few ways Alan and his wife caught one dealership trying to rip them off.

VERSUS

• Gifts You Shouldn't Give Your Kids (EVER) (Ever) - A Christmas themed post, I'll admit, but I am sick and tired of the lists of great gifts to give for the holidays, but no one tells the new parents out there what might not be a good present for your children, so I offer this as a simple list of the worst gifts I can think up. For those who read the list and think it is a fictional list, pretty much all of these gifts have been given by people I know, or have heard of, and they were most Epic Failures.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 33-36

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 17

• Retiring In Luxury Overseas For Cheap - Bargain or Bogus? (Bogus) - It seems that several times a year there will be some sort of article in the mass press about retirees living cheaply in a tropical paradise overseas.   You have to wonder though, if it was that great then why doesn't everyone want to live there?

VERSUS

• From $18,403 to $124,514 In A Single Year! (Year) - In the span of 12 months, we increased our blogging income from $18K to 124K. Find out how we did it and what we are looking for next steps.

GAME 18

• Back to School Sales Aren't Just for Kids (School) - Don't ignore those school sales just because you don't have kids.  Here are four reasons you need to pay attention!

VERSUS

• 7 Money Saving Gift Ideas (Gift) - We feel great about saving ourselves money. What's even better? Saving others money (especially when a common alternative is giving them something they don't want or need). This post highlights 7 money saving gifts to give your loved ones. They are truly gifts that keep on giving.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 29-32

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 15

• Enjoy March Madness 2011 College Basketball on a Dime (Dime) - This post describes how to enjoy some of the best seats to a March Madness game for practically nothing. Often we work hard to save our money to enjoy great seats at sporting events. By having some patience and humility, you can enjoy the great seats without wasting your hard earned money. Find out how I watched THE classic 2010 March Madness game between Kansas St. and Xavier from the 7th row for less than a Dime.

VERSUS

• Why watching House Hunters is bad for my finances (Watching) - I just turned on the TV and HGTV was on.  And House Hunters was on.  They were in Texas (I live in NJ, right next to NYC).  By the way, why the heck I do not live in Texas?!?!  Have you seen those houses?!?!?  OMG!!!  It would probably be cheaper to buy normal houses for all of our family in Texas than one near our families for us....

GAME 16

• Make Money Buying and Reselling Things You Know About! (Reselling) - I am submitting this post because it is a stepping stone ANYONE for any economic background can take to impact their net worth in powerful ways!  I grew up extremely poor and I have helped many people employ these techniques to get a head start in their financial lives!!!

VERSUS

• Want to Buy a Home?  Do Your Prep Work to Ace Mortgage Approval (Approval) - When trying to buy a house, many consumers share their financial information with lenders to determine their eligibility for a home loan.  They know that a few factors are put together like pieces of a puzzle, but they may not realize they have the ability to control those puzzle pieces before applying in order to gain approval for a mortgage that fits their needs and pocketbook.  This article helps consumers be prepared and knowledgeable by illustrating how income, assets, credit and debt can paint a portrait of fiscal responsibility and pave the way to homeownership. 

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 25-28

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 13

• How to Start Investing | A Step By Step Guide for Newbie Investors (Newbie) - Many people find the investing world a complicated and frustrating puzzle.  This post tackles this broad topic by breaking it down into easy to understand steps that will help someone how is new to investing.

VERSUS

• Occam's Razor, Simplicity, and Personal Finance (Razor) - This post got a good reaction, because it demonstrates that personal finance and becoming wealthy isn't about the number of savings accounts or credit cards you have, which may actually be a distraction, but simply making the gap between what you spend vs. earn. The bigger the gap and the longer you do it, the better your chances are of becoming wealthy. Sometimes the simplest solution is the best, akin to Occam's Razor.

GAME 14

• Weighing Financial Risk vs. Security in Making Decisions (Weighing) - Have you ever wanted to do something, but then decided it was too financially risky?  Like make a big change in an area of your life, pursue a dream you've always had, do the work you love, or start a business?  Ironically, sometimes the option we think is the least risky may be the most.

VERSUS

• Doing What You Love, or Loving What You Do? (Love) - So many people think the key to financial success is pursuing a career in something they love.  However, for many people, especially those who are already established in their careers, it may not be realistic to find employment that pays well enough in a field they love.  So what is the alternative?  Do your best to love what you are already doing. 

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 21-24

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 11

• Children: The Anti-retirement Plan (Plan) - This post is great because it is true! If we didn't have kids, I sure that we would be more excited about putting money away in a Roth, which gives us benefits, than in a 529. Man is naturally selfish.

VERSUS

• Black Swan Investing – Making a Fortune off Rare Events (Swan) - Black Swan Investing is the notion of profiting handsomely from the unexpected.  Rare events can yield huge payoffs.  See what Black Swan Investing is all about and whether it's worth dedicating a small portion of your portfolio to speculating for spectacular gains.

GAME 12

• Should You Have A Larger Emergency Fund Given the Current Economy?  3 Questions to Ask Yourself (Ask) - Emergency funds are not one size fit all and the size of your Emergency Fund is not a static number.  It is important to look at your own situation from time to time and make sure your current emergency fund still fits your life style.  With the unemployment rate at 9.8%, here are some questions to help you think about whether you should increase the size of your emergency fund.  Ask yourself these questions on a regular basis and you'll feel more financially secure.

VERSUS

• How I Make Money Blogging (Blogging) - I enjoy blogging more than anything else I’ve ever done as a hobby or job in my life.  My online community is one of the first things I look forward to in the morning and blogging is the last thing I do almost every night.  This post covers how I've made nearly $6000 between February and December 2010 doing what I love.  Check out how I turned a hobby into a sixth of my actual income in less than a year!

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 17-20

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 9

• Vanguard vs. Fidelity - Which Funds Are Better? (Better) - This post was written back in August of 2010, and was inspired after a telephone call with a Fidelity representative while trying to rollover my 401k from Fidelity to Vanguard. In this post, I discuss, in detail four points of comparison between the “big two” mutual fund companies – 1. Expense ratios, 2) Trading fees/commissions, 3) minimum balances, initial quantities, and ETF availability, and 4) ease of navigating the provider’s website.

VERSUS

• Decoding the Robo-Signing Foreclosure Freeze Mess (Mess) - Millions of people were affected by the foreclosure freeze enacted by some of the largest banks in the U.S. but many people did not understand why foreclosures were frozen and how it could affect them. This gives a 360 view of the entire situation.


GAME 10

• Saving is Great, but Don't Forget to Make Money Too! (Forget) - Managing expenses and cash outflow is an important part of a sound approach to personal finance. That said, we also need to EARN money in order to have any to save. By actively managing both career (cash inflow) and spending cash outflow), we can successfully increase our savings, and work toward financial freedom.

VERSUS

• Wake Up from the American Dream (Dream) - The American Dream is not all it's cracked up to be.  Find out why you should question the goals society imposes on you with this Nightmare of Consumerism and why this is especially important for Christians.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 13-16

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 7

• Case Study: My Experience Meeting with a Fee-Only CFP (Meeting) - I'm always telling people on my blog that they should meet with a fee-only planner to help balance their retirement planning decisions. I decided to take a bit of my own medicine and go through the process myself. I documented how the planning and meetings went, as well as, the major learning takeaways from the experience.

VERSUS

• 233 Ways to Make Money (233) - Times are tough and a lot of us could use some extra money to make ends meet, to pay a mortgage down a little faster or to put it into savings.  That's exactly why I wrote 233 Ways to Make Money, what I believe is the world's longest list of legitimate ways to make money.  I spent months filtering out the spammy "opportunities" and only included what I thought would be viable for people (very few of the ways require a great deal of training and almost none require you to pay anything ahead of time).  It took months, but it was well worth it; a lot of people have written to say how the list has been very helpful in getting back on their financial feet.  

GAME 8

• I’m Sick Of Hearing It’s For The Kids (Kids) - People love to give you reasons why they need to give their kids everything.  But in the end, all they are really doing is spoiling their kids.  Parents - Stop it!

VERSUS

• Why You Should Donate More Money to Charity (Charity) - There are so many reasons people do not give to charity. We'd rather keep the money to ourselves, it requires action, and it won't have any effect are just a few. This year, we should be donating more than ever, and here are 8 compelling reasos why.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 9-12

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 5

• We're Debt Free! (Free) - We just sent off our final payoff to Wachovia Dealer Services on our VW Sportwagen. In just over 11 months we have managed to pay off $63,535.65 of credit cards, credit lines and two vehicle loans. Yes we still owe on the house but don’t rain on my parade. Since this is such a special day I’ve asked FiscalWife to help document our story sharing her insights on our journey to financial freedom because I certainly couldn’t be writing this post without her incredible help and support through this process.

VERSUS

• 277 Ways to Save Money (277) - When money is tight, it’s time to save.  Just about everyone can benefit from saving a bit, including many businesses.  Continuing with our personal development series, I present the world’s longest list of ways to save money.

GAME 6

• 10 Ways to (re)Use Shopping Bags (Bags) - Everybody gets shopping bags from stores.  Almost everybody.  Well, not hippies, but everyone else.   Instead of adding them to the landfills, reuse them to save yourself some money and spare yourself needless aggravation.

VERSUS

• This 1 Question Will Change Your Spending Habits (Habits) - What makes this post great: A powerful question can have a profound effect on us. Asking the right question can lead to a whole new life. This question can help you change your life forever.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 5-8

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 3

• How to Make Money as an Online Writer (Writer) - The goal of this article is to introduce how I make money writing so that you can implement a similar plan and start earning a side income by writing online.

VERSUS

• Walmart vs. Super Market vs. Commissary (Walmart) - Does Wal-Mart really have "everyday low prices?" Is the Commissary "worth the trip?"  Where did I put my keys?  Read on and find out.

GAME 4

• Make Money Blogging | A Guide for Beginners on How to Make Money Online (Beginners) - My dream and my goal is to earn a full salary from my online business. In this post, I’ll introduce you to the things I’ve done to make money blogging. This post is about a guy who started with zero knowledge and a strong work ethic. But, I’ve build what I believe is a solid personal finance blog that is producing a reasonable income each month.  My goal is to keep growing this blog and online business to a point that I can support my family. This is my dream.

VERSUS

• The Save 10% for Retirement Rule Is Stupid (Stupid) - The “save 10% for retirement” rule is absolutely stupid. And so is “save 15% for retirement” (sorry, Dave Ramsey) or “save 20% for retirement” and any other “save #% for retirement” rule you’ll come across. Now I don’t doubt that the people giving this advice meant no harm. They probably just want to get you to start saving for retirement, and offering a simple % of your income solution is a quick, easy answer for a difficult question. But they’re all absurd, useless rules for one simple reason: they completely ignore your situation.

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Round 1, Posts 1-4

Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action click on my March Money 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 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 1

• 10 Steps to Financial Success in 2010 (Success) - Ah, the new year. The perfect time to get your life back on track. If one of your goals is to take control of your finances, this crash course in financial basics can help guide the way. Here are ten simple but effective steps you can take to build a better financial future.

VERSUS

• 7 Things I Learned Watching Honeymooners Re-runs (Re-runs) - The Honeymooners is my all-time favorite tv show.  I’ve seen each episode dozens of times and yet I still laugh out loud when I watch it.  The misadventures of the Kramdens and the Nortons is classic television at its best. But if you look past all the jokes and gags there are some valuable lessons to be learned…

GAME 2

• Don’t Become A Slave To The Rat Race (Race) - I have learned a valuable lesson. I learned that big shiny assets and large salaries do not equal freedom. On the contrary, they can make us slaves to our jobs and place us on a path that we must stay on for years unless we make a conscious choice to downsize and drastically change our lifestyle. Isn’t it better not to get on that path in the first place?

VERSUS

• Getting Dirty to Destroy Your Debt – One Toilet at a Time! (Toilet) - I don’t know of anyone who likes to clean their own bathroom, let alone bathrooms for other people! But we sucked it up! We got dirty week after week and did what we had to do to pay down our credit card debt (or rather, MY credit card debt).

FMF March Money Madness Brackets Set

At the end of this post is an Excel spreadsheet that contains the brackets for the 2011 version of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (if you're wondering what I'm talking about, click here.) A few things to note about the competition:

The games will begin on Monday, January 17 and new ones will be posted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday through the initial round. Each set of games will be up at least a day and a half, but after that, I'll probably cut them off and name a winner. Some may go longer (especially those posted on Fridays), but not much longer than three days.

The winner will be named in a comment left at the bottom of each post. I'll note that this set of games has now concluded and tell which posts won. If you need an example of what this looks like, look at my comment near the end of this post.

The some of the included posts earned automatic bids since I judged them to be the best 10 from 2010's Best of Money Carnival winners. That is why some blogs will have more than one post included -- these 10 do NOT count against the one blog/one post limit (this is one major benefit of winning a weekly Best of Money Carnival competition.)

If your post is in the competition, you are allowed to vote for yourself. Others will do it, you might as well too. But you can only vote once per game, just like everyone else.

If your post is in the competition, you're allowed to ask your readers to vote for you. Again, others will do it, you might as well too. If you feel it's too promotional to ask people to vote for your post, you can simply point them to the competition and ask them to vote for the best post. ;-)

That's it for now. Good luck to all!

Download March Money Madness 2011

Money Bloggers: Get Your Posts in Now

I have 10 slots left in my March Money Madness tournament. If you are a money blogger and want to be part of this year's event, you need to sign up NOW!!!!

Details on the event can be found here.

Reminder to Bloggers: Submit Your Posts Soon

Just a reminder to money bloggers to submit your entry to my March Money Madness tournament as soon as possible. Half the spots are now taken and they are going fast.

Details on the tournament can be found here.

Attention Financial Bloggers: Free Promotion for Your Top Posts and $500 Given to the Charity of Your Choice

Yes, it's that time of year again -- Free Money Finance March Money Madness is upon us!

For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, it's our annual "tournament" of the best personal finance articles of the past year. They face each other in an NCAA-style bracket system, FMF readers vote for the winner, and at the end of it all, the best post is left standing. And like last year, it's all for several good causes. Here are some details from last year:

• My announcement post  
• An example of a "round"  
• Wrap Up  

This year I'm getting a head start on it. In the past, we've had so many posts in the early rounds that it's been hard for readers to keep up. So this year I'll be starting the tournament early (still ending near the end of March) and letting everyone have plenty of time to read all the posts.

64 posts in total will be allowed in the 2010 competition. Each one will be assigned randomly in a bracket set of "games" similar to the one used for the Men's NCAA basketball tournament. (If you want to see what one looks like, go here to download last year's bracket.) Here are more details:

How to Enter

If you're a blogger and have money-related posts you want to include you can email the following to me:

1. The name of the post you're submitting (must be from the calendar year 2010)

2. The URL of the post you're submitting

3. Two to five sentences on what makes this post so great (I'll be using this wording in the competition, though I reserve the right to edit it, so really "sell" your posts).

4. The charity you're playing for (see below.)

NOTE: IF ANY OF THESE (INCLUDING THE CHARITY) ARE MISSING, YOUR ENTRY WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. AND I WILL NOT GET BACK TO YOU TO REMIND YOU THAT YOU SUBMITTED INCORRECTLY.

Entries are on a first-come, first-served basis and all spots usually fill up in a few days. So if you wait, it's possible you're not going to get a spot.

Submission Details

You can submit one post per site. If you have more than one blog, you can submit posts for each blog, though your second blog's submissions won't be considered until all the first-time submissions have been considered from other blogs.

In the past, there were 64 slots open at the start. This year, there are only 54. As noted earlier in the year, the ten best winning posts for the year (as judged by me) from the Best of Money Carnival will receive automatic bids. These entries will NOT count as a blog's official entry and if a blogger wants to submit an additional post for March Money Madness he can without penalty and with the same consideration (first come, first served) that other entrants receive. I'll be naming these winners as part of the seeding process.

FYI, if you have a Best of Money Carnival winning post and don't know if it will make my 10 and yet you might want to submit it anyway, I suggest you simply send me the top four posts you'd like to have included in March Money Madness (in the order you'd like them to be considered.) This way, if one of your posts gets an auto Best of Money Carnival bid, I'll just move on to the next one on your list for consideration. Some blogs have more than one Best of Money Carnival winner, hence you should submit four posts if you want to be safe and get as many considered as possible.

How Posts Compete

The posts will "play" each other with the winner advancing and the loser being bumped. They'll "play" in this manner:

1. I'll post the competing posts, listing who's playing who

2. Readers can leave comments on which they like better

3. The post with the most votes wins -- I'll break any ties

4. The winner will advance in the bracket to "play" again. Ultimately, there will be only one post left -- the "champion" for this season.

Criteria for great articles are as follows:

1. Practicality of the post

2. How interesting/provocative/unique it is

3. The "personal-ness" of it

4. Its impact on net worth.

What the Winners Receive

Like last year, I'll make contributions to the charities of the top four winners' choices as follows:

• First Place donation -- $500
• Second Place donation -- $300
• Third Place donation -- $100
• Fourth Place donation -- $100

The charity has to be a registered charity to receive a tax deduction under U.S. law. In other words, I won't be giving $500 to a "charity" you and your brother came up with on the spur of the moment. In addition I reserve the right to ask you to select an alternative charity in case I don't feel it's appropriate for me to give to the cause you've listed. This hasn't been a problem in past years and I don't expect it to be this year, but I'm putting this stipulation in up front just in case I need a bit of flexibility.

Why Readers Should Care

As readers, you get the chance to read some great pieces and help decide who wins this year's championship. It should be great fun and full of the best personal finance posts of the past year. Good stuff all the way around!

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, The Winners

Well, I had another successful year of Free Money Finance March Money Madness. Here's a wrap-up of the winners and where the winnings go:

CHAMPION

Our champion was Identify & Overcome Money Anxiety & Stress in Relationships. "Stress" blazed through the brackets like there was no tomorrow. I'm especially excited that this post made it into the competition because it was named one of 2009's top winners in the Best of Money Carnival. See, being part of the carnival has its privileges. :-) As a  result of this win, $500 will be donated to Habitat for Humanity.

RUNNER-UP

Debt Free in One Year: A True Story finished second and had little problems in the tournament until the final round. It was a great post (very inspirational) and its success earned $300 for ¡Vámonos! 
Community Ministries.

SEMI-FINALISTS

Both Managing Your Money Is An Exercise In Both Mathematics And Psychology and Truth, The Highest Thing that Man May Keep put up hard-fought battles but lost in the semi-finals. That said, they both raised $100 for their charities -- Second Harvest Heartland and All Saints Episcopal Church, Phoenix, Arizona.

Congrats to the winners! And thanks to all the participants and the voters who made this competition another great success! See you next year! ;-)

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Championship

Here we go with the Championship (final) round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (if you wonder what's going on in these posts, see my article announcing March Money Madness and/or click on my March Money Madness category link and scroll down to read all the posts involved in this subject.)

I've listed the "game" (one post versus another) along with the wording provided by the author when the post was submitted. I've also listed a keyword after each post title to make it easy to vote (as a made-up example, you can just comment: Savings). 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 the finalists:

• Identify & Overcome Money Anxiety & Stress in Relationships (Stress) - There is a new “diagnoses” of sorts that has come onto the scene and is growing fast since the recent housing crash.  The acronym is all too fitting… M.A.D. or Money Anxiety Disorder is basically a fancy way of saying that people are more stressed out than ever about all the debt they have gotten themselves into. I touch on how this “disorder” has effected our lives, how we stumbled upon it by accident, and the plan we have to overcome it.

VERSUS

• Debt Free in One Year: A True Story (True) - Upon getting married in January, 2009, my son Jeremy and his wife Erin set a goal of becoming debt free in one year.  With $21,500 of debt and a very average income, this was clearly a lofty goal.  This post chronicles that one year journey, including many of the trials and frustrations they encountered.  On December 8, 2009, eleven months after setting their goal, they paid off their last debt.  I am a very proud Dad. 

Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Final Four

Here we go with the Final Four round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (if you wonder what's going on in these posts, see my article announcing March Money Madness and/or click on my March Money 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 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 1

• Identify & Overcome Money Anxiety & Stress in Relationships (Stress) - There is a new “diagnoses” of sorts that has come onto the scene and is growing fast since the recent housing crash.  The acronym is all too fitting… M.A.D. or Money Anxiety Disorder is basically a fancy way of saying that people are more stressed out than ever about all the debt they have gotten themselves into. I touch on how this “disorder” has effected our lives, how we stumbled upon it by accident, and the plan we have to overcome it.

VERSUS

• Managing Your Money Is An Exercise In Both Mathematics And Psychology (Psych) - Managing your money has both an emotional and psychological component to it.  To be successful you have to make sure that you don't become solely an analytical money manager, or an emotional one.  Finding a balance between listening to your emotions and making rational decisions is key.

GAME 2

• Debt Free in One Year: A True Story (True) - Upon getting married in January, 2009, my son Jeremy and his wife Erin set a goal of becoming debt free in one year.  With $21,500 of debt and a very average income, this was clearly a lofty goal.  This post chronicles that one year journey, including many of the trials and frustrations they encountered.  On December 8, 2009, eleven months after setting their goal, they paid off their last debt.  I am a very proud Dad. 

VERSUS

• Truth, The Highest Thing that Man May Keep (Truth) - Do you share facts about yourself with any and all comers? Most people blurt out the truth when asked point-blank for personal information that's no one's business. Private details need not -- and should not -- be shared with strangers. Funny about Money argues that in some circumstances it's acceptable to lie to merchandisers to keep private information private.