Here we go with the Elite Eight 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 1
- Identify & Overcome Money Anxiety & Stress in Relationships (Stress) - There is a new “diagnoses” of sorts that has come onto the scene and is growing fast since the recent housing crash. The acronym is all too fitting… M.A.D. or Money Anxiety Disorder is basically a fancy way of saying that people are more stressed out than ever about all the debt they have gotten themselves into. I touch on how this “disorder” has effected our lives, how we stumbled upon it by accident, and the plan we have to overcome it.
VERSUS
- How to make money with a blog (Blog) - Since beginning my blogging journey a couple years ago, I had aspirations of becoming a full-time blogger. After reaching the full-time status I created this 6000-word article explaining everything I had done to get my blog to the point where I could make a living from it. This article provides talks about the blogging basics, ad networks I use, SEO for blogs, how long it really takes to make money, getting traffic, increasing Adsense earnings, tips and tools, and a lot more. Enjoy!
GAME 2
- 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
- The $100 Scratch Off Lottery Project (Lottery) - I LOVE lottery tickets, but I know financially it may not be the smartest thing to buy. So one day I decided to play a game that was ridiculously stupid, but also fun, exciting, and rewarding all mixed into one! I would buy 100 scratch off lottery tickets and report back my findings - the good, the bad, and the ugly - with the winnings going straight to charity. And as it turned out, I learned a lot more than just a few mathematical odds.
Stress
Lottery
MAN this is getting harder!
Posted by: J. Money | March 24, 2010 at 10:17 AM
Stress
Psych
Posted by: Peter | March 24, 2010 at 10:18 AM
Blog
Psych
Posted by: Derek Clark - Christian Common Cents | March 24, 2010 at 10:21 AM
Stress
Lottery
Posted by: Dustin | Engaged Marriage | March 24, 2010 at 10:30 AM
Stress
Lottery
I getting too damn hard picking. Maybe we should start using coins haha
Posted by: Jeff | March 24, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Stress
Psych
Posted by: Aaron @ Clarifinancial | March 24, 2010 at 10:36 AM
Stress
Psych (Sorry JMoney! FWIW, I still love you and still think you're sexy.) ;)
Posted by: Matt Jabs | March 24, 2010 at 10:46 AM
Stress
Psych
Posted by: Miranda | March 24, 2010 at 10:50 AM
Stress
Lottery
Posted by: Craig | March 24, 2010 at 10:52 AM
Stress
Lottery
Posted by: Josh Smith | March 24, 2010 at 11:06 AM
blog
lottery
Posted by: MD | March 24, 2010 at 11:06 AM
stress
lottery
Posted by: Erica Douglass | March 24, 2010 at 11:07 AM
Stress
Psych
Posted by: Hank | March 24, 2010 at 11:08 AM
Stress
Psych
Posted by: Craig | March 24, 2010 at 11:20 AM
blog
psych
Posted by: Bob | March 24, 2010 at 11:37 AM
Stress
Lottery
Posted by: Doc S | March 24, 2010 at 11:51 AM
stress
lottery
Posted by: Jim | March 24, 2010 at 11:56 AM
Blog
Lottery
Posted by: Matt SF | March 24, 2010 at 11:57 AM
Blog
Lottery
Posted by: brian | March 24, 2010 at 12:49 PM
Stress
Psych
Posted by: Carlos | March 24, 2010 at 12:58 PM
Stress
Psych
Posted by: Wojciech Kulicki | March 24, 2010 at 01:15 PM
blog
psych
Posted by: JoeTaxpayer | March 24, 2010 at 01:37 PM
Game 1 - Stress
Game 2 - Lottery
Posted by: Budgeting in the Fun Stuff | March 24, 2010 at 01:41 PM
stress
psych
(how bout them Northern Iowa boys?)
Posted by: Christopher | March 24, 2010 at 01:44 PM
Stress
Psych
Posted by: Kevin@OutOfYourRut | March 24, 2010 at 01:47 PM
Stress
Psych
Posted by: Ryan | March 24, 2010 at 02:01 PM
Stress
Lottery
Posted by: Annie | March 24, 2010 at 02:39 PM
Stress
Psych
Posted by: Jeff Rose | March 24, 2010 at 03:02 PM
Game 1 - blog
Game 2 - psych
Posted by: Matt | March 24, 2010 at 04:19 PM
Stress
Lottery
Posted by: Carmen | March 24, 2010 at 04:41 PM
Stress
Psych
Posted by: Mike | March 24, 2010 at 08:00 PM
Stress
Psych
Posted by: Jason@Frugal Dad | March 24, 2010 at 09:55 PM
Stress
Psych
Posted by: Evan | March 24, 2010 at 11:01 PM
Blog
Lottery
Posted by: Funny about Money | March 25, 2010 at 11:25 PM
These games are now over. The winners are:
Game 1: Stress
Game 2: Psych
Thanks to everyone for voting. Another set of games is out today -- be sure to vote!
Posted by: FMF | March 26, 2010 at 09:33 AM
Blog
Lottery
Posted by: erin | March 26, 2010 at 11:00 AM