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 13
- 14 Ways to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill (Cell) - Working for cell phone service providers over the last eight years has enabled me to gain unique and uncommon insights on how to save money on your cell phone bill. Within this article I tell you the best time of year to sign up with a cell phone provider, how to get your cell phone provider to lower your bill, educate you on unadvertised price plans, and more!
VERSUS
- The Pursuit of Financial "Happyness" (Pursuit) - It doesn't matter if you're a financial ninja: personal finance just isn't about the money. If you don't know why you're trying to amass money in the first place, then every dollar you save is just another dollar you waste.
GAME 14
- Back to basics: Start doing the little money-saving things again (Basics) - Feeling the pinch? This recession is going to be a long one, so it's time to exchange a little time for a lot of money.
VERSUS
- How Portfolio Turnover Affects Mutual Fund Return (Turnover) - Portfolio turnover is one of those oft-ignored facts buried deep within a prospectus. That's unfortunate though, given the significant (downward) effect that turnover has on return. With many funds averaging nearly 100% turnover per year, you have lots of room to improve your results just by doing a little research.
Game 13: Pursuit
Probably not fair for me to vote on game 14.
Thanks for hosting the contest btw. :)
Posted by: ObliviousInvestor | February 02, 2009 at 08:01 AM
Cell
Basics
Posted by: tom | February 02, 2009 at 08:49 AM
Game 13: Pursuit
Game 14: Basics
Posted by: Eric | February 02, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Pursuit
Basics
Posted by: Rachel | February 02, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Pursuit
Basics
Posted by: paidtwice | February 02, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Game 13: Pursuit
Game 14: Basics
Posted by: Ann | February 02, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Game 13: Pursuit
Game 14: Turnover
Posted by: Sarah | February 02, 2009 at 12:52 PM
13 Pursuit
14 Turnover
Posted by: Neal Frankle | February 02, 2009 at 01:21 PM
Cell
Turnover
Posted by: Tarah | February 02, 2009 at 01:32 PM
pursuit
basics
Posted by: thomas | February 02, 2009 at 01:32 PM
Game 13: Pursuit
Game 14: Basics
Posted by: Matt SF | February 02, 2009 at 02:57 PM
Game 13: Pursuit
Game 14: Basics
Posted by: Aron | February 02, 2009 at 05:03 PM
Cell and Basics.
Posted by: Bob | February 02, 2009 at 05:04 PM
Pursuit
Turnover
Posted by: Paul | February 02, 2009 at 09:54 PM
Game 13: Pursuit
Game 14: Turnover
Posted by: ABCs of Investing | February 02, 2009 at 11:51 PM
pursuit
basics
Posted by: Peter | February 03, 2009 at 11:36 AM
These games are now over. The winners are:
Game 13: Pursuit
Game 14: Basics
Thanks to everyone for voting. Another set of games is out now -- be sure to vote!
Posted by: FMF | February 04, 2009 at 08:08 AM