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 3
- The 10 Commandments for Frugal Living (Frugal) - While frugality doesn’t quite rise to the level of recognized religion, there are some laws to live by if you hope to lead a frugal life. These ten “commandments” will lead you away from the temptation to spend more money, and deliver you from the evils of debt.
VERSUS
- Debt Free in One Year: A True Story (True) - Upon getting married in January, 2009, my son Jeremy and his wife Erin set a goal of becoming debt free in one year. With $21,500 of debt and a very average income, this was clearly a lofty goal. This post chronicles that one year journey, including many of the trials and frustrations they encountered. On December 8, 2009, eleven months after setting their goal, they paid off their last debt. I am a very proud Dad.
GAME 4
- 6 Mistakes of New Earners and How to Fix Them (Earners) - Jill highlights the mistakes she made as well as ways to fix them after starting out on her own a couple years ago. It's a must read for anyone who has just graduated or needs a little refresher.
VERSUS
- Truth, The Highest Thing that Man May Keep (Truth) - Do you share facts about yourself with any and all comers? Most people blurt out the truth when asked point-blank for personal information that's no one's business. Private details need not -- and should not -- be shared with strangers. Funny about Money argues that in some circumstances it's acceptable to lie to merchandisers to keep private information private.
3-frugal
4-truth
Posted by: Linda | March 26, 2010 at 10:13 AM
Game 3 - Frugal
Game 4 - Earners
Posted by: Budgeting in the Fun Stuff | March 26, 2010 at 10:54 AM
Game 3 - Frugal
Game 4 - Earners
Posted by: Jill | March 26, 2010 at 11:16 AM
Game 3: Frugal
Game 4: Earners
Posted by: Molly | March 26, 2010 at 11:20 AM
Frugal
Earners
Posted by: Matt Jabs | March 26, 2010 at 11:24 AM
Frugal
Earners
Posted by: Peter | March 26, 2010 at 11:30 AM
Frugal
Earners
Posted by: Emma | March 26, 2010 at 11:34 AM
Frugal
Earners
Posted by: Madison | March 26, 2010 at 11:38 AM
Frugal
Earners
Posted by: Scott | March 26, 2010 at 11:40 AM
True
Earners
Posted by: Joe Plemon | March 26, 2010 at 11:44 AM
Truth
Earners
Posted by: Funny about Money | March 26, 2010 at 11:48 AM
True
Earners
Posted by: Kathleen | March 26, 2010 at 11:54 AM
True
Posted by: Josh Plemon | March 26, 2010 at 12:02 PM
Frugal
Truth
Posted by: John | March 26, 2010 at 12:07 PM
Truth.
Posted by: Lisa | March 26, 2010 at 12:10 PM
True
Posted by: Lisa | March 26, 2010 at 12:11 PM
True
Posted by: Tami | March 26, 2010 at 12:12 PM
Truth
Posted by: Jake | March 26, 2010 at 12:12 PM
True
Earners
Posted by: JR | March 26, 2010 at 12:13 PM
True
Posted by: John | March 26, 2010 at 12:13 PM
True
Posted by: Mackenzie | March 26, 2010 at 12:14 PM
True
Posted by: Clair | March 26, 2010 at 12:15 PM
Frugal
Earners
Posted by: Norma | March 26, 2010 at 12:17 PM
frugal
truth
Posted by: stace | March 26, 2010 at 12:20 PM
game 3 true
Posted by: RC | March 26, 2010 at 12:23 PM
Truth
Posted by: Kathy | March 26, 2010 at 12:33 PM
True
Posted by: jonathan plemon | March 26, 2010 at 12:33 PM
Frugal
Earners
Posted by: Bryan | March 26, 2010 at 12:35 PM
Frugal
Earners
Posted by: Louis | March 26, 2010 at 12:42 PM
Frugal
Posted by: Jeannie | March 26, 2010 at 12:44 PM
True
Earners
Posted by: Chuck | March 26, 2010 at 12:55 PM
True
Posted by: Andrew Webb | March 26, 2010 at 01:07 PM
True
Posted by: Jenny McGhee | March 26, 2010 at 01:19 PM
True
Posted by: Cathy Haley | March 26, 2010 at 01:19 PM
True
Posted by: Larry | March 26, 2010 at 01:20 PM
True
Posted by: Nancy Webb | March 26, 2010 at 01:27 PM
True
Posted by: Stewart Webb | March 26, 2010 at 01:28 PM
Truth and Frugal
Posted by: leanna | March 26, 2010 at 01:30 PM
Game 3: Frugal
Game 4: Earners
Posted by: Amber | March 26, 2010 at 02:04 PM
true
Posted by: john bigler | March 26, 2010 at 02:07 PM
Frugal
Earners
Posted by: Greg | March 26, 2010 at 02:30 PM
Game 3 Frugal
Posted by: Teresa | March 26, 2010 at 02:32 PM
Game 3 True
Posted by: Kenny | March 26, 2010 at 02:34 PM
truth, true
Posted by: darryl | March 26, 2010 at 02:44 PM
True
Posted by: M.L. Crabtree | March 26, 2010 at 02:46 PM
Frugal
Earners
Posted by: Lauren | March 26, 2010 at 02:51 PM
True
Posted by: sara jo scott | March 26, 2010 at 03:21 PM
Game 3: Frugal
Game 4: Truth
Posted by: Veronica | March 26, 2010 at 03:54 PM
Truth
Posted by: Van A | March 26, 2010 at 05:51 PM
Truth
Posted by: jr | March 26, 2010 at 06:58 PM