Here we go with the first 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 9
- 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.
VERSUS
- 4 Ways to Flog the Inner Impulse Shopper (Flog) - Impulse shopping is the core problem for many people in debt. Everyone needs someone to flog the inner impulse shopper into submission. On your knees, debt!
GAME 10
- 14 Statements of Financial Losers (Losers) - At times a phrase says it all. There is no need for an in-depth financial analysis. Sometimes all it takes is one phrase and those around you know it - you are a financial loser. This post evaluates 14 frequently used phrases that automatically confirm an unfortunate reality - you are a financial loser.
VERSUS
- Overcome Impulse Buying (Impulse) -- Impulse buying taps into our emotions. To overcome it, you have to think logically about the purchase. This is a common challenge for many and this post provides some practical ideas to get impulse buying under control.
Psych (of course I have to vote for my own!)
Losers (this was a tough one, loved them both, and both authors write for my site!)
Posted by: Peter | January 27, 2010 at 12:06 PM
Flog(I didn't want to be the first to vote for myself)
Losers
Posted by: Jason@LiveRealnow | January 27, 2010 at 12:23 PM
I like psych for game 9 and of course I like impulse for game 10. :)
Posted by: Jason | January 27, 2010 at 12:27 PM
Psych
Losers
Posted by: neal | January 27, 2010 at 12:37 PM
Psych
Impulse
Posted by: Matt Jabs | January 27, 2010 at 12:37 PM
Psych
Losers
Posted by: Jeff Rose | January 27, 2010 at 12:56 PM
Flog
Losers
Posted by: plblark | January 27, 2010 at 01:08 PM
Flog ( I am addicted to Target and this could be helpful)
Losers
Posted by: Becca | January 27, 2010 at 04:22 PM
Psych
Posted by: Maria Anderson | January 27, 2010 at 04:40 PM
Losers
Posted by: Jeri | January 27, 2010 at 05:00 PM
Losers
Posted by: Kendra | January 27, 2010 at 05:56 PM
game 9 : psych
game 10 : losers
Posted by: Jim | January 27, 2010 at 06:35 PM
Flog
Impulse
Posted by: Holly | January 27, 2010 at 08:23 PM
Psych
Losers
Posted by: Paul | January 27, 2010 at 08:29 PM
Of course, psych
Posted by: Donna | January 27, 2010 at 08:56 PM
Psych
Losers
Posted by: FFB | January 27, 2010 at 10:30 PM
Losers
Posted by: Trevor | January 27, 2010 at 10:44 PM
Psych
Posted by: Mike | January 27, 2010 at 10:56 PM
OK Peter, you bought my vote! Psych!
Posted by: Financial Samurai | January 27, 2010 at 11:17 PM
Psych
Losers
Posted by: Tom @ Canadian Finance Blog | January 27, 2010 at 11:20 PM
Loser
Posted by: Teri | January 27, 2010 at 11:39 PM
Pysch
Losers
Posted by: Philip | January 28, 2010 at 12:35 AM
Flog
Losers
Posted by: Megan | January 28, 2010 at 08:49 AM
Pysch
Losers
Posted by: Patrick | January 28, 2010 at 09:16 AM
Psych
Impulse
Posted by: ctreit | January 28, 2010 at 09:34 AM
Psych
Losers
Posted by: Jason | January 28, 2010 at 09:41 AM
My faves are:
Psych
Impulse
Posted by: lemons | January 28, 2010 at 10:13 AM
Psych
Losers
Posted by: Brad | January 28, 2010 at 10:37 AM
Game 9 - Flog (what a great sense of humor!)
Game 10 - Impulse
Posted by: Crystal | January 28, 2010 at 01:17 PM
Game 9 - Flog (Good Advice, and very funny)
Game 10 - Losers (Nice list, with plenty of good advice)
Posted by: Roger | January 28, 2010 at 09:04 PM
These games are now over. The winners are:
Game 9: Psych
Game 10: Losers
Thanks to everyone for voting. Another set of games is out today -- be sure to vote!
Posted by: FMF | January 29, 2010 at 09:27 AM
Losers
Posted by: James | January 29, 2010 at 07:35 PM
Game 9 - Flog
Game 10 - Losers
Posted by: LotharBot | January 30, 2010 at 12:38 AM