Here we go with the first round of Free Money Finance March Madness (if you wonder what's going on in these posts, see my article announcing March Madness and/or click on my March Madness category link and scroll down to read all the posts involved in this subject.) I've listed each "game" (one post versus another) in segments along with the wording provided by the author when the post was submitted.
I've also listed a keyword(s) after each post title to make it easy to vote (as a made-up example, you can just comment: Game 1 - Saving; Game 2 - Investing, etc.) Be sure to comment which one you like the best out of each set of two -- you will help determine the winner! Criteria for the best article is somewhat subjective, but you can use these factors as a guide: 1) practicality of the post 2) how interesting/provocative/unique it is, 3) the "personal-ness" of it and 4) its impact on net worth.
Here are today's games:
GAME 1
- Extra Income Guide (Guide) - In this economy, a lot of people are looking for ways to improve their cash flow and make a little more money. This is a comprehensive guide that discusses the pluses and minuses of putting effort into earning extra income, as well as provide you with ideas and strategies to help you succeed.
VERSUS
- Looking Back on a Year Without Credit Cards (Year) - I think this post is great because it shows that it is possible to make the turnaround from a credit card addicted consumer to a frugal saver who pays with cash. I no longer use credit cards at all and I stopped wasting money on stuff I don't need.
GAME 2
- The Financial Benefits of Giving (Benefits) - While giving your money away might seem to be at odds with smart financial planning strategies, it most certainly is not. Charitable giving is a great way not only to make a difference in someone else's life, but to gain a new perspective on your own finances. Giving can liberate you from feeling the need to keep up with the Joneses, help you realize just how wealthy you are, and enable you to make smarter decisions with your money.
VERSUS
- How to Save Money Like a Madman (Madman) - I'm passionate about helping people save more of their money. This posts dials in to some of that passion and uses a bit of humor and psychology to really help make the same-ole savings concepts stick.
FMF, thank you for including my Extra Income Guide in the competition. I won't vote on Game 1, but for Game 2, I'd like to vote for "Madman".
Posted by: Pinyo | January 19, 2009 at 09:34 AM
Game 1: Guide
Game 2: Benefits
Posted by: Dan Adams | January 19, 2009 at 10:03 AM
Game 1: Guide
Game 2: Benefits
Posted by: ObliviousInvestor | January 19, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Game 1: Guide
Game 2: Madman
Good luck everyone!
Posted by: David | January 19, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Game 1: Guide
Game 2: Benefits
Posted by: KellyB | January 19, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Game 1; Guide
Game 2: Benefits
Great info, cool game idea -- thanks!
Posted by: Katherine | January 19, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Game 1 - Guide
Game 2 - Madman
Posted by: Jill | January 19, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Game 1: Guide
Game 2: Madman
Posted by: Lynnae | January 19, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Game 1: Guide
Game 2: Madman
Posted by: Matt SF | January 19, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Guide and Madman.
Posted by: Mrs. Micah | January 19, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Guide & Madman
Posted by: jim | January 19, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Game 1: Guide
Game 2: Madman
Posted by: DR | January 19, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Game 1 - Guide
Game 2 - Madman
Posted by: PT Money | January 19, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Year & Madman
Posted by: Jetgirl | January 19, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Game 1: Guide
Game 2: Benefits
Posted by: Tim | January 19, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Game 1: Guide
Game 2: Madman
Posted by: Aron | January 19, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Game 1 - Guide
Game 2 - Madman
Posted by: Patrick | January 19, 2009 at 12:53 PM
1: Guide
2: Benefits
Posted by: spivey | January 19, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Game 1: Guide
Game 2: Madman
Posted by: Green Panda | January 19, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Game 1: Guide
Game 2: Madman
Posted by: L Nats | January 19, 2009 at 01:16 PM
Game 1: Guide
Game 2: Madman
Posted by: Eric | January 19, 2009 at 02:35 PM
Game 1 - Guide
Game 2 - Benefits
This is fun
Posted by: Neal Frankle | January 19, 2009 at 02:49 PM
Benefits all the way. Amazing article. So helpful.
Posted by: Adam | January 19, 2009 at 03:17 PM
Game 1: Guide (a little long, but helpful)
Game 2: Madman (this one hit the spot)
Posted by: Tarah | January 19, 2009 at 03:23 PM
Game 1: Year
Game 2: Madman
Posted by: Jennifer | January 19, 2009 at 03:30 PM
Game 1 - year
Game 2 - benefits
Posted by: Family VII | January 19, 2009 at 03:53 PM
Game 1 - Guide - love the charts and graphics, interesting topic
Game 2 - Benefits - love the rationale of not trying to keep up with the Joneses, and also taking any guilt out of not donating to every cause that comes calling by creating a process of considering giving at the beginning of each year
Posted by: TJF | January 19, 2009 at 04:57 PM
Game 1: Year -- I wish I could put 'Benefits' (game 2) here, though
Game 2: Madman
Posted by: F | January 19, 2009 at 05:00 PM
Game 1: Guide
Game 2: Benefits
Posted by: Miss M | January 19, 2009 at 06:35 PM
Game 1: Guide
I will abstain from voting in the game that I am participating in. Thanks for putting this together.
Posted by: RDS @ Smart Financial Values | January 19, 2009 at 07:14 PM
Game 1 - Guide
Game 2 - Benefits
Posted by: SimplyForties | January 19, 2009 at 07:33 PM
Game 1: Guide
Game 2: Madman
Posted by: Peter | January 19, 2009 at 08:35 PM
Game 1- Year
Game 2 - Benefits
Posted by: Barb | January 19, 2009 at 08:49 PM
1: guide
2: benefits
Posted by: Kate | January 19, 2009 at 08:52 PM
game 2: benefits
Posted by: Andy | January 19, 2009 at 08:53 PM
Guide
Madman
Posted by: ABC | January 19, 2009 at 09:04 PM
1: Guide
2: Madman
Posted by: Rachel | January 19, 2009 at 09:05 PM
Game 1 - Guide
Game 2 - Madman
Posted by: Eric N. | January 19, 2009 at 09:11 PM
Game 1 - Year
Game 2 - Benefits
Posted by: Brett | January 19, 2009 at 09:23 PM
Game 1 - Year
Game 2 - Benefits
Posted by: Shay | January 19, 2009 at 09:24 PM
Game 1 Year
Game 2 Benefits
Posted by: doug | January 19, 2009 at 09:31 PM
Game 1: Guide
Game 2: Madman
Posted by: Alan | January 19, 2009 at 09:46 PM
I want to vote for Benefits all the way!!! GO BENES!
Posted by: Chris | January 19, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Game 1: Guide Game 2: Benefits
Posted by: Hildy | January 19, 2009 at 10:18 PM
G1: Year
G2: madman
Posted by: thomas | January 19, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Guide and Madman.
Posted by: Bob | January 20, 2009 at 08:59 AM
Guide
Madman
Posted by: Madison | January 20, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Game 1: Guide
Game 2: Madman
Posted by: Kyle | January 20, 2009 at 07:43 PM
Looks like I'm getting my butt kicked in game 1! That's okay though, I would probably vote for Moolanomy's article too.
Game 2: Benefits
Posted by: Eden | January 20, 2009 at 09:30 PM
These games are now over. The winners are:
Game 1: Guide
Game 2: Madman
Thanks to everyone for voting. Another set of games is coming out later this morning -- be sure to vote!
Posted by: FMF | January 21, 2009 at 07:33 AM