Here we go with the fourth round of Free Money Finance March Money Madness (to follow all the action 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
- First Steps to Investing in the Stock Market (Steps) - The post is extremely helpful as it helps boil down the essentials to start investing in the stock market. Many are held back, or limit themselves, from investing in the stock market largely out of fear or lack of knowledge. My post helps lower the barrier to entry and educate readers as to how to get started investing in the stock market.
VERSUS
- My Money Design for How to Achieve Financial Freedom – November 2012 Update (Achieve) - This post gives the readers something they can really sink their teeth into - a physical blue-print of an early retirement plan (complete with estimations). A lot of books or blogs will make vague generalizations telling you to save for retirement, but very few (if any) ever really address how to structure your assets if you want to retire before age 59-1/2. Not only does the plan outlined in this post accomplish this, but it also asks the readers to re-think their investments in terms of when they can have access to them. A lot of work went into this post and I hope it will inspire the readers to some up with their own unique money designs.
GAME 4
- Pay Off Mortgage Early or Invest? – The Complete Guide (Guide) - You will inevitably confront this important question on your path to financial security, and the intuitive response is to get out of debt. But there are times when intuition and finance disagree. In this complete guide, I explain the many dimensions and surprising contradictions to paying off your mortgage early so you can make the right financial decision for your situation.
VERSUS
- How a career change improved my life (Change) - It's not easy to change jobs in a recession but sometimes you need to recognize when there?s an opportunity to improve your situation. I feel fortunate to say I?m better off now than I was three or four years ago because I changed careers. Here's why.
Steps
Change
Posted by: John S @ Frugal Rules | April 17, 2013 at 02:05 PM
Steps
Change
Posted by: Nicole | April 17, 2013 at 02:14 PM
Game 3: Steps
Game 4: Change
Posted by: Taylor @ Repaid.org | April 17, 2013 at 02:25 PM
game 3 : achieve
game 4 : guide
Posted by: jim | April 17, 2013 at 02:35 PM
steps
Posted by: harry @ PF Pro | April 17, 2013 at 02:39 PM
steps
guide
Posted by: Jeremy | April 17, 2013 at 02:40 PM
Game 3: Steps
Game 4: Change
Posted by: Andrew @ Listen Money Matters | April 17, 2013 at 02:45 PM
Steps
Change
Posted by: Grayson @ Debt Roundup | April 17, 2013 at 02:51 PM
game 3 : steps
game 4 : guide
Posted by: Martin | April 17, 2013 at 03:21 PM
Achieve
Guide
Posted by: Luis | April 17, 2013 at 03:33 PM
Such a tough round to choose!
Achieve
Guide
Posted by: Lance @ Money Life and More | April 17, 2013 at 05:03 PM
Achieve
Guide
Posted by: Todd Tresidder | April 17, 2013 at 05:59 PM
Steps
Change
Posted by: Echo | April 17, 2013 at 06:03 PM
Steps
Change
Posted by: Miranda | April 17, 2013 at 06:05 PM
steps
change
Posted by: Forest | April 17, 2013 at 06:05 PM
very tough...
steps
change
Posted by: Mr.CBB | April 17, 2013 at 06:27 PM
Achieve
Change
Posted by: Steve |MyWifeQuitHerJob | April 17, 2013 at 07:44 PM
steps
change
Posted by: Glen Craig | April 17, 2013 at 09:26 PM
steps
change
Posted by: Justin | April 17, 2013 at 09:28 PM
Achieve
Change
Posted by: Integrator | April 17, 2013 at 09:50 PM
Achieve
Posted by: Michelle | April 17, 2013 at 09:51 PM
Steps!
Posted by: Jen | April 17, 2013 at 10:18 PM
Achieve
Posted by: mike singh | April 17, 2013 at 10:53 PM
Achieve
Change
Posted by: Alexa | April 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM
Achieve
Posted by: Jackie | April 18, 2013 at 04:46 AM
Achieve
Guide
Posted by: Jeffrey | April 18, 2013 at 07:16 AM
achieve
Posted by: Bugga | April 18, 2013 at 11:44 AM
achieve
Posted by: Gary | April 18, 2013 at 11:44 AM
Steps
Guide
Posted by: Aaron | April 18, 2013 at 12:06 PM
Achieve
Guide
Posted by: Crystal | April 18, 2013 at 01:03 PM
Achieve
Posted by: Gladys | April 18, 2013 at 01:10 PM
Steps
Guide
Posted by: Jacob @ My Personal Finance Journey | April 18, 2013 at 02:15 PM
Steps
Guide
Posted by: Christopher @ This that and the MBA | April 18, 2013 at 02:17 PM
Steps!
Posted by: Jim | April 18, 2013 at 02:41 PM
achieve
guide
Posted by: Stefani | April 18, 2013 at 04:26 PM
Game 3 : Steps
Game 4: Change
Posted by: Laurie @thefrugalfarmer | April 18, 2013 at 05:48 PM
Guide.
Posted by: Joshua | April 18, 2013 at 05:48 PM
Steps
Change
Posted by: Brick By Brick Investing | Marvin | April 19, 2013 at 01:52 AM
Steps
Guide
Posted by: Jason McCain | April 19, 2013 at 01:53 AM
These games are now over. The winners are:
Game 3: Steps
Game 4: Change
Thanks to everyone for voting. Another set of games is out today -- be sure to vote!
Posted by: FMF | April 19, 2013 at 08:09 AM
Acheive
Guide
Posted by: shirld | April 20, 2013 at 12:03 PM
guide
Posted by: sabrina | April 20, 2013 at 12:12 PM
Achieve
Guide
Posted by: Allen S. | April 23, 2013 at 03:52 PM