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 21
- Financial Confession - I Don't Budget (Confession) - Budgeting is for weenies! Not really, but every family has a different budgeting style. Some people prefer a formal budget while for others, like us, a more "organic" approach works best.
VERSUS
- Best Ways To Invest Small Amounts of Money (Small) - This article has a fairly simple premise. The message I'd like to impart here is that investing is something that anyone can do even if you don't have much to start with. Even a small amount of money can be put to good use, and utilized in such a way as to yield you some rewards over time. I offer a few suggestions on how to invest even with modest amounts.
GAME 22
- The Three Most Influential Lessons From My Childhood (Influential) - Parents are left with the daunting task of instilling sense in their children. Whether it was common sense or book smarts or financial “cents,” my parents instilled these concepts into me with three core lessons. 1) Want is not need. 2) TINSTAFL, There Is No Such Thing As a Free Lunch. 3) The best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago, the second best time is now.
VERSUS
- Do You Really Know How Much Interest You Are Paying? (Interest) - If someone were to ask you how much interest you pay each month, could you give them an honest answer? Chances are, you don't know how much of your debt payments go straight to the bank, and how little actually pays down your principal. Do this quick exercise, and be prepared to be amazed at the amount of interest you are paying! The result will change the way you think about debt.
Confession
Interest
Posted by: Patrick | February 10, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Confession
Interest
Posted by: PT Money | February 10, 2010 at 10:13 AM
Confession
Interest
Posted by: Jeff Rose | February 10, 2010 at 10:25 AM
Confession, Interest
Posted by: Pinyo | February 10, 2010 at 10:26 AM
Confession
Interest
Posted by: No Debt Plan | February 10, 2010 at 10:37 AM
Confession
interest
Posted by: Mike | February 10, 2010 at 10:45 AM
confession
interest
Posted by: Peter | February 10, 2010 at 10:56 AM
small
interest
Posted by: Holly | February 10, 2010 at 11:04 AM
Small
Interest
Posted by: Jason | February 10, 2010 at 11:12 AM
Small
Influencial
Posted by: Christy | February 10, 2010 at 11:35 AM
Game 21 - Confession
Game 22 - Influential
Posted by: Crystal | February 10, 2010 at 11:43 AM
Confession
Influential Lessons
Posted by: thriftygal | February 10, 2010 at 01:28 PM
Small
Influential
Posted by: NoTax | February 10, 2010 at 01:31 PM
game 21 : small
game 22 : influential
Posted by: jim | February 10, 2010 at 01:32 PM
Confession
Influential
Posted by: John | February 10, 2010 at 02:34 PM
Confession
Interest
Posted by: FFB | February 10, 2010 at 06:54 PM
Confession
Interest
Posted by: kyle | February 10, 2010 at 09:06 PM
Convession
Interest
Posted by: DR | February 11, 2010 at 06:34 AM
Small
Influential
Posted by: Megan | February 11, 2010 at 11:31 AM
Confession
Interest
Posted by: R | February 11, 2010 at 12:44 PM
Confession
Interest
Posted by: Matt Jabs | February 12, 2010 at 01:45 AM
Game 21 - Confession
Game 22 - Influential
Posted by: MLR | February 12, 2010 at 02:00 AM
Influential
Posted by: David Ghostwriter | February 12, 2010 at 07:08 AM
Small
Influential
Posted by: Jeff | February 12, 2010 at 08:19 AM
Confession
influential
Posted by: Darwins Finance | February 12, 2010 at 09:35 AM
21- confession
22- influence
Posted by: Jesse | February 12, 2010 at 11:31 AM
These games are now over. The winners are:
Game 21: Confession
Game 22: Interest
Thanks to everyone for voting. Another set of games is out today -- be sure to vote!
Posted by: FMF | February 12, 2010 at 11:44 AM
influential
Posted by: Len Penzo | February 12, 2010 at 01:14 PM
Small
Influential
Posted by: MoneyEnergy | February 12, 2010 at 02:38 PM
Game 21 - Small
Posted by: Eric | February 13, 2010 at 10:07 PM
small
influential
Posted by: catherine turley | February 14, 2010 at 01:34 PM