We're now down to the Sweet 16 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
- Do you appreciate what you have? (Appreciate) - Read about what how a simple volunteer event for my son one evening turned out to to have an impact on our whole family. His one hour volunteer effort gave us a completely different perspective on what we have and how fortunate we are. Do you appreciate the things you have? Don't ever forgot, some people have little to nothing.
GAME 2
- 100 Money Saving Tips for the Holiday Gifting Bonanza Post (Bonanza) - Don't let the title fool you, these money saving tips are applicable at any time of the year, they just seemed especially useful so that you could save money to buy your friends and family more gifts! They are categorized by what aspect of your life they apply to (from eating & drinking to your home) and come with pretty pictures to boot! You are guaranteed to find at least one or two (or twenty) tips that you didn't know before or you will get your money back!
VERSUS
- Discussing Retirement with Parents: Is a Comfortable Retirement No Longer an Option? (Option) - This post has been among my more popular articles because it hits a subject area we're all thinking about, that causes anxiety just by seeing the title, but yet, we neglect to really confront the issue. Writing this was probably one of the most difficult post I've done to date since I've looked up to the gentleman in this post all of my life. It's a post that everyone can related to on a personal level in terms of concern for their parents quality of life as they age. It also suggests a few ways to approach the issue with your parents, as well as illuminates segments of parent-child relationships that we might not want to visit because it's a taboo subject. Best part is that I've had younger adults, as well as those reaching retirement age leave comments, but also contact me directly.
Guide
Bonanza
Posted by: jim | March 16, 2009 at 08:15 AM
Appreciate
Bonanza
Posted by: Glblguy | March 16, 2009 at 08:26 AM
Guide
Bonanza
Posted by: Eric | March 16, 2009 at 08:30 AM
Appreciate
Bonanza
Posted by: nickel | March 16, 2009 at 08:37 AM
Appreciate
Bonanza
Posted by: Jenn | March 16, 2009 at 08:43 AM
Guide
Bonanza
Posted by: Pinyo | March 16, 2009 at 09:00 AM
Appreciate
Bonanza
Posted by: The Happy Rock | March 16, 2009 at 09:16 AM
Appreciate
Bonanza
Posted by: Bible Money Matters | March 16, 2009 at 09:26 AM
Guide
Bonanza
But if you flipped the order, we could have a Bonanza Guide. Anyone want to tackle that topic for an article? Guaranteed to get traffic!
Posted by: Patrick | March 16, 2009 at 09:32 AM
Appreciate
Bonanza
Posted by: Nicki at Domestic Cents | March 16, 2009 at 09:33 AM
Guide
Bonanza
Posted by: Aron | March 16, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Guide
Bonanza
Posted by: CanadianFinance | March 16, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Appreciate
Bonanza
Posted by: Emily | March 16, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Talk about a buttkickin'... you better win this thing Wangarific!
Guide
Option (trying to avoid the sweep)
Posted by: Matt SF | March 16, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Appreciate
Bonanza
Posted by: Jessica6903 | March 16, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Appreciate
Bonanza
Posted by: LC | March 16, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Appreciate
Bonanza
Posted by: Chen Ma | March 16, 2009 at 02:01 PM
Game 1: Appreciate
Posted by: Santosh | March 16, 2009 at 02:28 PM
Game 1: Appreciate
Posted by: Jeremy Eastburn | March 16, 2009 at 02:33 PM
Game 1: Appreciate
Posted by: Scott | March 16, 2009 at 03:15 PM
Guide
Bonanza
Posted by: tom | March 16, 2009 at 04:04 PM
Game 1 Appreciate
Great article-very well thought out and presented.
Posted by: E. Deane | March 16, 2009 at 04:49 PM
Game 1: Appreciate
Posted by: Carrie | March 16, 2009 at 04:50 PM
1. Appreciate
2. Bonanza
Posted by: PT Money | March 16, 2009 at 04:59 PM
Game 1: Appreciate
Posted by: Glenn | March 16, 2009 at 05:11 PM
Game 2: Bonanza
Posted by: Glenn | March 16, 2009 at 05:12 PM
Guide
Bonanza
Posted by: doctor S | March 16, 2009 at 05:35 PM
Guide
Bonanza
Posted by: FFB | March 16, 2009 at 05:41 PM
guide
option
Posted by: thomas | March 16, 2009 at 05:56 PM
Game 1- Appreciate
Posted by: Amy | March 16, 2009 at 05:59 PM
game 1 appreciate
Posted by: Bill McCollam | March 16, 2009 at 07:46 PM
Guide
Bonanza
Posted by: Four Pillars | March 16, 2009 at 07:48 PM
Guide
Bonanza
Posted by: The Financial Blogger | March 16, 2009 at 08:29 PM
Game 1: Guide
Game 2: Bonanza
Posted by: Green Panda | March 16, 2009 at 08:55 PM
Game 1 Appreciate
Game 2 Bonanza
Posted by: Shawna | March 16, 2009 at 09:43 PM
Game 1: Guide
Game 2: Option
Posted by: Kyle | March 16, 2009 at 10:03 PM
appreciate
Bonanza
Posted by: Tony | March 16, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Option (because, although it's a little long... it's very important)
Appreciate
Posted by: J in FL | March 17, 2009 at 12:47 AM
Game 1- Appreciate
Game 2- Option
Posted by: Lee | March 17, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Game 1 - Appreciate
Posted by: FrugalRookie | March 17, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Game 1: Appreciate
Posted by: Mary Walker | March 17, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Game 1: Appreciate
Game 2: Bonanza
Posted by: Christie | March 17, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Game 1:Appreciate
Posted by: mary ellen thurman | March 17, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Game 1: Appreciate
Posted by: Lisa | March 17, 2009 at 01:46 PM
appreciate
bonanza
Posted by: aj | March 17, 2009 at 02:18 PM
Game 1: Appreciate
Game 2: Bonanza
Posted by: mattias | March 17, 2009 at 02:36 PM
Guide
Bonanza
Posted by: Lynnae | March 17, 2009 at 10:44 PM
These games are now over. The winners are:
Game 1: Appreciate
Game 2: Bonanza
Thanks to everyone for voting. Another set of games is out this morning -- be sure to vote!
Posted by: FMF | March 18, 2009 at 08:37 AM
Game 1: Appreciate
Game 2: Bonanza
Posted by: Gina | March 18, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Game 1: Appreciate
Game 2: Bonanza
Posted by: CoolHappyGuy | March 18, 2009 at 12:17 PM