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 17
- How To Manage Money While Deployed (Deployed) - While deployed overseas I saw plenty of soldiers blow through everything they earned. Here's how I was able to wisely manage my money and come back home safe and sound and in great shape financially. For any soldier being deployed, this is a must read.
VERSUS
- Long Term Care… Have You Thought About It? Maybe You Should! (Care) - Many people are sticking their heads in the sand and ignoring the results of studies done by AARP and others. Such actions can have a devastating effect on families, from an emotional and financial standpoint. Most people spend more time planning a vacation then they do their financial future. Planning is the key, and the earlier you start planning the higher your chances of successfully reaching and exceeding your goals.
GAME 18
- Should Parents Have a Financial Double Standard For Sons and Daughters? (Parents) - This article explores the intricate relationship between finance and family value. Craig Ford, the author of the article, explore his own family situation to highlight some of the basic divides that create financial double standard for sons and daughters. The article may not have the answer for you, but it's thought provoking and encourages you to think about this particular situation.
VERSUS
- What We Learn From Tragedy (Tragedy) - This post is perhaps the most personal I have written. Anytime I feel complacent in my career or personal life, I read this post and reflect fondly of my friend, his relentless energy, and tireless passion for everything he did. While an honest reflection of a horrible event, David's tragedy can be used to educate readers on practical personal finance principles, such as the need for estate planning (wills, trusts), or life insurance.
Deployed
Parents
Posted by: Tom @ Canadian Finance Blog | February 05, 2010 at 10:22 AM
Deployed
Tragedy
Posted by: Jason @ MyMoneyMinute | February 05, 2010 at 10:40 AM
Deployed
Parents
Posted by: Jeff Rose | February 05, 2010 at 10:43 AM
Deployed
Parents
Posted by: Peter | February 05, 2010 at 10:47 AM
Deployed
Parents
Posted by: Jeremy | February 05, 2010 at 10:48 AM
Deployed
Parents
Posted by: Pinyo | February 05, 2010 at 10:53 AM
deployed
tragedy
Posted by: neal | February 05, 2010 at 11:16 AM
Care
Posted by: Jay | February 05, 2010 at 11:30 AM
care
parents
Posted by: Alicia | February 05, 2010 at 11:33 AM
deployed
parents
Posted by: MD | February 05, 2010 at 11:39 AM
Game 17 - Deployed
Game 18 - Parents
Posted by: Crystal | February 05, 2010 at 11:51 AM
Care
Posted by: Bill | February 05, 2010 at 11:58 AM
Deployed
Parents
Posted by: Aaron @ Clarifinancial | February 05, 2010 at 12:03 PM
deployed
parents
Posted by: Holly | February 05, 2010 at 12:15 PM
Game 17- care
Posted by: jennifer | February 05, 2010 at 12:16 PM
Game 17- Care
Posted by: andrew | February 05, 2010 at 12:17 PM
Game 18- Tragedy
Posted by: andrew | February 05, 2010 at 12:18 PM
Game 18- Tragedy
Posted by: jennifer | February 05, 2010 at 12:19 PM
Game 17- Care
Game 18- Tragedy
Posted by: kelly | February 05, 2010 at 12:20 PM
Long Term Care
Posted by: Lisa Martinez | February 05, 2010 at 12:47 PM
game 17 - deployed
game 18 - tragedy
Posted by: jim | February 05, 2010 at 12:55 PM
Deployed
Parents
Posted by: FFB | February 05, 2010 at 01:25 PM
Game 17 - Care
Posted by: Mindy | February 05, 2010 at 01:26 PM
Deployed
Parents
Posted by: Matt Jabs | February 05, 2010 at 01:29 PM
Game 17 - Care
Posted by: Tony | February 05, 2010 at 01:33 PM
I liked the Long-Term Care post
Posted by: david royer | February 05, 2010 at 01:48 PM
Deployed
Parents
Posted by: ctreit | February 05, 2010 at 01:50 PM
Care.
Tragedy (sung to the Abba tune).
Posted by: guinness416 | February 05, 2010 at 02:43 PM
Game 17 - I like Long Term Care the best.
Posted by: Steve Morris | February 05, 2010 at 02:49 PM
Deployed
Parents
Posted by: DR | February 05, 2010 at 04:34 PM
Long Term Care
Parents
Posted by: CAKEwebservices | February 05, 2010 at 06:15 PM
Game 18 - Parents
Posted by: Eric | February 05, 2010 at 08:29 PM
Care
Tragedy
Posted by: LeanLifeCoach | February 05, 2010 at 11:05 PM
Deployed and Parents!
Posted by: No Debt Plan | February 05, 2010 at 11:28 PM
Care
Tragedy
Posted by: Megan | February 06, 2010 at 09:41 AM
Long term care
Posted by: J Pack | February 06, 2010 at 10:29 AM
Long term care
Posted by: Angie | February 06, 2010 at 10:30 AM
Game 17 - I vote for Long Term Care as the most relevant article for today.
Posted by: Tony Hamilton | February 06, 2010 at 10:34 AM
Care and Parents
Posted by: Sinisa | February 06, 2010 at 10:35 AM
Long Term Care
Posted by: Yangsong | February 06, 2010 at 10:40 AM
long term care
Posted by: Susan Andrews | February 06, 2010 at 10:41 AM
long term care
Posted by: neil | February 06, 2010 at 11:00 AM
Deployed
Parents
Posted by: Patrick | February 06, 2010 at 11:01 AM
Long term care
Posted by: Pete Gloodt | February 06, 2010 at 11:27 AM
The Long Term article is great!
Posted by: Betty Rosenquist | February 06, 2010 at 12:43 PM
I like the Long Term article best!!
Posted by: Morgan | February 06, 2010 at 01:25 PM
Long Term article!
Posted by: Brock Peiffer | February 06, 2010 at 04:32 PM
Long Term Care
Posted by: Sarah | February 07, 2010 at 02:23 AM
Long term care
Posted by: Celeste | February 07, 2010 at 09:13 AM
Deployed
Parents
Posted by: Ben | February 08, 2010 at 02:39 AM