Free Money Finance March Money Madness, Sweet 16, Posts 9-12

Here we go with the Sweet 16 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 5

• 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

• 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.

GAME 6

• 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.

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.

Comments

[Ryan]

Frugal
Interest

[Joe Plemon]

Frugal
True

[Budgeting in the Fun Stuff]

Game 5 - Frugal
Game 6 - Interest

[Chuck]

Frugal
True

[john bigler]

True

[Jan]

True
Game 6

[Todd]

True

[Jason]

Game 6 - Interest

[tami]

True

[alice]

true

[Andrew]

True

[Janet]

true

[RC]

true

[Ben]

Frugal
Interest

[Jenny McGhee]

True

[Sun]

Frugal

[Josh Plemon]

true

[Steve]

Frugal
Interest

[John]

Frugal
Interest

[Larry Swope]

true

[sara jo scott]

True

[Carl Miller]

True

[Matt Jabs]

Frugal
Interest

[Anita Puntney]

True

[Scott Borchardt]

True

[Robyn Puntney]

True

[Teresa Bell]

True

[John Bell]

true

[Margaret Pullman]

True

[Amy Pulver]

true

[S. R. Gustave]

true

[Norma]

Frugal
True

[Stuart Anderson]

Frugal
True

[Stewart Webb]

True

[Nancy Webb]

True

[FMF]

These games are now over. The winners are:

Game 5: Frugal
Game 6: True

Thanks to everyone for voting. Another set of games is out today -- be sure to vote!

[Kay Mowery]

True

[Nicolle]

True