Free Money Finance

Free Taco Bueno

In case you have a Taco Bueno in your area, I just found this free deal they are running:

Free Taco Bueno

We're headed there this weekend.

Enjoy!

Win an Entertainment Book!

Here's a chance to win a great Entertainment coupon savings book and save a boatload of money! (The last book I had saved us about $150 over the course of a year -- I know because I tracked it, I'm obsessive that way.) :)

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a few days, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Win a Box of Books (#28)!

Here's a chance for you to win a (small) box of personal finance books. The books included are the following:

• Second-Act Careers: 50+ Ways to Profit from Your Passions During Semi-Retirement
• Cut the Crap, Get a Job! a New Job Search Process for a New Era
• Give Yourself a Raise
• The Sound Mind Investing Handbook - A Step-By-Step Guide To Managing Your Money From A Biblical Perspective 5th Ed

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Win a Box of Books (#27)!

Here's a chance for you to win a (small) box of personal finance books. The books included are the following:

• Smart Is the New Rich: If You Can't Afford It, Put It Down
• The Warren Buffetts Next Door: The World's Greatest Investors You've Never Heard Of and What You Can Learn From Them
• The New Job Security, Revised: The 5 Best Strategies for Taking Control of Your Career
• The Sound Mind Investing Handbook - A Step-By-Step Guide To Managing Your Money From A Biblical Perspective 5th Ed

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Win a Box of Books (#26)!

Here's a chance for you to win a (small) box of personal finance books. The books included are the following:

• The Little Book of Bull's Eye Investing: Finding Value, Generating Absolute Returns, and Controlling Risk in Turbulent Markets (Little Books. Big Profits)
• Wealth Watchers: A Simple Program to Help You Spend Less and Save More
• The Sound Mind Investing Handbook - A Step-By-Step Guide To Managing Your Money From A Biblical Perspective 5th Ed
• More Money, Please: The Financial Secrets You Never Learned in School

Here's how it will work:

    1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

    2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

    3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Win a Box of Books (#25)!

Welcome FMF newsletter readers! Here's a chance for you to win a box of personal finance books (the books included are here). FYI, last time I offered these books, the winner only had a Canadian address to ship to. Since shipping was $50 or so, I chose not to send them (and he was very gracious). Anyway, these are now back up for grabs!

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Win a Box of Books (#25)!

Welcome FMF newsletter readers (and those reading this post)! Here's a chance for you to win a box of personal finance books (the books included are here).

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Two Free Book Offers

Would you like to have two books absolutely free? Well have I got a deal for you...

The first is Get Noticed & Get Hired: Action Steps, Strategies and Resources to Become Empowered & Employed [Kindle Edition] which for this week is absolutley free (it will go back to being a for sale item next week.) A summary of the book from Amazon:

Going through a period of unemployment can be one of life's most stressful situations. In many cases it seems to trigger a domino effect of pressures and strains ranging from emotional to financial to relational. Television and news reports are filled with stories about people who have sent out hundreds of resumes without getting a single interview. Many who have made it to the interview stage are shocked not to be selected even though they had the right experience and skill sets necessary for the position.

In Get Noticed & Get Hired, veteran corporate executive Steve Matter delivers an entire workbook for directing you from job loss to becoming empowered and employed.

This book is filled with action steps, resources and strategies to help you focus and prepare for your journey back into the workplace.

To get your free book, click the link above and order away!

The second book is "The Secret of Generosity". A summary of the book from Amazon:

Have you ever felt like your pocket has a hole in it? Big expectations followed only by even bigger disappointments? If so, you are not alone. Knowing that His people felt this way, the Lord spoke into our emptiness. In the only direction we aren't looking, He pointed the way towards redemption and restoration. Generosity has a secret, a deep, liberating, and life-altering secret. Discovering it will bring life to our souls and hope to our hearts.

Here are the details on how to get it:

For the month of December, anyone who emails the author ([email protected]) and puts "Free Ebook Giveaway" and the name of the site they saw the deal on, will get the ebook (PDF) emailed to them for FREE. Details can be found here.

Enjoy!

Win a Free Book!

Today I'm giving away a free copy of How Much Money Do I Need to Retire? (60 Minute Financial Solutions), a GREAT book about how to account for all the variables that make retirement planning a success.

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Free Quicken Rental Property Manager Giveaway

The people at Quicken have given me a copy of Quicken Rental Property Manager to give away to FMF readers.

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Free Quicken Home and Business Giveaway

If you've read Free Money Finance for more than five minutes, you know that I love, love, love Quicken. I have used it for 15 years or so to track every single penny I've earned, spent, invested and so on. It's been the perfect tool to keep me on track as I've worked to grow my net worth and I highly recommend the product.

The people at Quicken recently sent me a free copy of Quicken Premier for my personal use (thanks!) as well as a copy of Quicken Home and Business to give away to FMF readers.

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Win a Box of Books (#24)!

Welcome FMF newsletter readers! Here's a chance for you to win a box of personal finance books (the books included are here).

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Win a Box of Books (#22)!

Welcome FMF newsletter readers! Here's a chance for you to win a box of personal finance books (the books included are here).

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Box of Books #25

The box of books giveaways through my giveaway newsletter have been very popular, so below I'm detailing another set of them that will be up for grabs this month (if you want a chance to win, be sure to sign up for my newsletter here.) For now, here are the books I've received from publishers and a bit about them (from Amazon):

• 7 Money Rules for Life®: How to Take Control of Your Financial Future - Americans young and old are flunking their finances. A shocking 77 percent live paycheck to paycheck with no savings. And 43 percent of Americans have less than $10,000 saved for retirement, while 49 percent could cover less than one month's expenses if they lost their income. In the face of this bleak financial picture, bestselling author and finance expert Mary Hunt offers 7 Money Rules for Life®. This no-nonsense and encouraging book gives readers the keys to get their money under control and get prepared financially for the rest of their lives. In her warm and engaging style, Hunt takes everything that she's learned over the past twenty years and boils it all down. Presented in a conversational style and readable in a weekend, this book offers applications for each of the seven rules as well as practical advice for how to recover from past financial mistakes. These simple, unchanging, basic rules work in every financial situation, for every income level, and for every stage of life.


• Your MBA Game Plan, Third Edition: Proven Strategies for Getting Into the Top Business Schools - Your MBA Game Plan provides a fresh perspective and really helps readers focus on what matters in the MBA admissions process. Applicants will finish this book much better prepared to represent themselves and their career aspirations to top business schools.


• The Psychology of Wealth: Understand Your Relationship with Money and Achieve Prosperity - People who enjoy a healthy relationship with money share common habits and traits. So, how do they think, and what do they do differently? Are these behaviors hardwired in an individual’s psyche, or can they be learned? In this provocative book, psychotherapist Dr. Charles Richards provides unexpected and encouraging answers to these questions. Based on his research and expert interviews, Dr. Richards shows how each of us can develop a thriving relationship with money and create a rich and rewarding life.


• Your Best Just Got Better: Work Smarter, Think Bigger, Make More - In Your Best Just Got Better, productivity expert Jason Womack teaches readers that working longer hours doesn't make up for a flawed approach to productivity and performance. Workers need to clarify their habits, build mindset-based strategies, and be proactive. Womack's signature "workplace performance" techniques offer specific strategies to consistently and incrementally improve performance.


• Resume 101: A Student and Recent-Grad Guide to Crafting Resumes and Cover Letters that Land Jobs - For two decades, communication professor Quentin Schultze has been teaching résumé-writing to college students and recent graduates, helping them identify their strengths and transferable skills from their unique life experiences--from extracurriculars to part-time jobs to internships to volunteering. With Résumé 101, you’ll discover the secrets to composing strong, impressive resumes and cover letters.


• The Sound Mind Investing Handbook - A Step-By-Step Guide To Managing Your Money From A Biblical Perspective 5th Ed - Investment adviser Austin Pryor has carefully created the "next step" guide that helps you put Godly principles of finance into motion. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced investor, you'll benefit from stepping across this bridge between "theory" and "action". Each user-friendly lesson is written in everday English and filled with helpful visual aids.


• How to Become Filthy, Stinking Rich Through Network Marketing: Without Alienating Friends and Family - This is a book about reality—an unpleasant reality that no one seems to want to address. A large number of the population was hit with substantial loss of income and savings during the recent economic meltdown. Many feel that they have no way to build back their savings in order to retire comfortably and securely. Many now believe that there just isn't enough time left to turn it around. How to Become Filthy, Stinking Rich Through Network Marketing is for those who refuse to accept this nonsense.

FYI, some of these could have my handwritten notes in them and/or are old books of mine, so if you eventually win the set, don't expect completely new books.

Box of Books #24

The box of books giveaways through my giveaway newsletter have been very popular, so below I'm detailing another set of them that will be up for grabs this month (if you want a chance to win, be sure to sign up for my newsletter here.) For now, here are the books I've received from publishers and a bit about them (from Amazon):

• Millionaire Teacher: The Nine Rules of Wealth You Should Have Learned in School - The incredible story of how a schoolteacher built a million-dollar portfolio, and how you can too Most people wouldn't expect a schoolteacher to amass a million-dollar investment account. But Andrew Hallam did so, long before the typical retirement age. And now, with Millionaire Teacher, he wants to show you how to follow in his footsteps. With lively humor and the simple clarity you'd expect from a gifted educator, Hallam demonstrates how average people can build wealth in the stock market by shunning the investment products peddled by most financial advisors and avoiding the get-rich-quicker products concocted by an ever widening, self-serving industry.


• Risk Less and Prosper: Your Guide to Safer Investing - Written in an accessible style, this practical guide skillfully explains why personal investing is all about you—your goals, your values and your career path. It shows how to understand investment risk and choose the particular blend of risk and safety that is right for you. And it lays out several simple yet powerful ways for small investors to cast a reliable safety net to achieve their financial goals and truly prosper. Coauthors Bodie and Taqqu challenge the myth that all investments require risk, then highlight some important risks that families often disregard when deciding where to put their money. Later, they connect the dots between investment and investor, showing us all how to grasp our own investment risk profiles and how we may use these insights to make more fitting investment choices.


• Economic Warfare: Secrets of Wealth Creation in the Age of Welfare Politics - For investors, business people, and entrepreneurs that need to navigate the troubled geopolitical waters of the post-crisis world, Abdelnour offers several solutions, including looking at the world anew and understanding that the federal government's primary objective is to promote the creation of an environment conducive to the creation of wealth not job creation, not bailouts, not subsidies, not expansion of the federal bureaucracy, and not providing lifetime support to those who choose not to take advantage of the innumerable opportunities that exist in this nation for them to create a better, more productive life for themselves.


• When Life Strikes: Weathering Financial Storms - There are certain life events that are as stressful as they are unavoidable. All of these events may not happen to every individual, but nonetheless they each cause emotional heartache and financial headache, and Cal Brown has seen them all. Thanks to his years of experience as a financial planner, coupled with various tumultuous events in his own life, Cal is able to give general guidance and specific financial tips to help ease the stress of these inevitabilities. When Life Strikes is an excellent resource for coping with unexpected tragedies, learning how to prepare for them, and looking ahead for the sake of your spouse, children, and personal future.


• Dollars and Doctrine - Dollars and Doctrine is a complete, articulate, and challenging analysis of what the Bible teaches regarding all things financial. It is organized as a handbook for truth-seeking Christians to discover the Lord's message for their wallet. This work touches on giving, saving, debt, investing, poverty, prosperity, work, motivation, retirement, and much more! Finally, a book that offers "one stop shopping" for a Biblical approach to personal finance.


• The Sound Mind Investing Handbook - A Step-By-Step Guide To Managing Your Money From A Biblical Perspective 5th Ed - Investment adviser Austin Pryor has carefully created the "next step" guide that helps you put Godly principles of finance into motion. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced investor, you'll benefit from stepping across this bridge between "theory" and "action". Each user-friendly lesson is written in everday English and filled with helpful visual aids.


• Stay Healthy, Live Longer, Spend Wisely: Making Intelligent Choices in America's Healthcare System - Written by a practicing family physician employed by one of the nation's top healthcare organizations, Stay Healthy, Live Longer, Spend Wisely provides critical information readers need to make intelligent medical and financial decisions to not only increase their chances for good health but also to get the most value out of their healthcare dollars. It is the only book that simultaneously tackles both the medical and financial perspective of staying healthy. This easy-to-understand handbook provides the valuable insider tips on how to select a high-quality health insurance plan, how to make every doctor's visit productive, whether body scans, dietary supplements, or concierge physicians are worth the money, what and who are the various primary care and specialist physicians a person may encounter, the truth about generic and branded medications, and which tests, procedures, and actions must be done to stay well both physically and financially.

FYI, some of these could have my handwritten notes in them and/or are old books of mine, so if you eventually win the set, don't expect completely new books.

Box of Books #23

The box of books giveaways through my giveaway newsletter have been very popular, so below I'm detailing another set of them that will be up for grabs this month (if you want a chance to win, be sure to sign up for my newsletter here.) For now, here are the books I've received from publishers and a bit about them (from Amazon):

• How Smart People Sabotage Their Job Search: 10 Mistakes Executives Make and How to Fix Them! - Job search today is more challenging than ever. This book provides a dose of reality about how a person's attitude, image, communication style, and behavior towards others, whether they are employed or unemployed, can hinder and even hurt their overall job search efforts. Readers of this book are professional or executive level people, who are typically preparing for a job search, a career change or a promotion. The reading audience will find this book refreshing and humorous, yet written in a no-nonsense and supportive style. Information is presented in a practical, direct and straight forward manner, offering common sense wisdom.


• Dollars & Uncommon Sense: Basic Training for Your Money - Most people use common sense when they make decisions about their money. Most people also live paycheck to paycheck, have sleepless nights worrying about debt, and are not saving enough. In DOLLARS AND UNCOMMON SENSE former US Army Sergeant and Certified Financial Planner, Steve Repak outlines a strategy to change your misguided common sense ideas about savings and learn to think like a true builder of wealth. Repak serves as your drill sergeant for your fiscal transformation in this ground breaking new book to show you why-and how-to use uncommon sense to get back on track.


• Aftershock: Protect Yourself and Profit in the Next Global Financial Meltdown - Based on the authors' unmatched track record of precise predictions in the two landmark books America's Bubble Economy and Aftershock, this Second Edition of Aftershock updates the original book by more than 35 percent with fresh analysis of the latest economic developments, plus offers new in-depth advice for how readers can prepare now for protection and profits in the next global money meltdown.


• The Sound Mind Investing Handbook - A Step-By-Step Guide To Managing Your Money From A Biblical Perspective 5th Ed - Investment adviser Austin Pryor has carefully created the "next step" guide that helps you put Godly principles of finance into motion. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced investor, you'll benefit from stepping across this bridge between "theory" and "action". Each user-friendly lesson is written in everday English and filled with helpful visual aids.


• Building Your Financial Fortress in 52 Days: The Lessons of Nehemiah - This 7-week plan will rock and roll the finances of every reader and will challenge them to take hold of the life that is true living. Through Nehemiah s example you will find lasting financial peace, and learn how to: Rebuild your finances and attitudes. Give your finances to God. Understand God s Word about making and saving money. Resist all opposition to building your financial fortress. Realize your divine responsibility to share. Build strong and secure financial walls. Put the finishing touches on your financial fortress.


• Finding Dollars for Family Fun: Creating Happy Memories on a Budget - In these recessionary times, expenses for family vacations and entertainment are often the first to be cut from overextended budgets. Yet these activities are essential for a family's sense of unity and well-being. Weising presents economical ideas for vacations and family holidays as well as for saving on clothing, travel, transportation, shelter, and more.


• Absolutely Amazing Ways to Save Money on Everything - This easy-to-use guide offers biblically sound financial principles and ideas that families can implement to cut expenses and get their money's worth every time. From saving 30 to 50 percent on clothing to arranging unique, low-cost vacations, Paris shows readers hundreds of ways they can make their money work harder and last longer, while freeing them to tithe as much as they like.

FYI, some of these could have my handwritten notes in them and/or are old books of mine, so if you eventually win the set, don't expect completely new books.

A New Safe (And Giveaway for FMF Readers!)

Remember when I posted about the safe I received from SentrySafe (by the way, I like it and am putting it to good use)? Well, they emailed me recently and wanted to know if I'd look at another one of their safes. I said "sure" and they sent me a new safe a week or so later.

I received the SentrySafe HD4100 a waterproof fire-safe with the following features:

• ETL Verified 1/2-hour fire protection for CDs, DVDs, USB drives and memory sticks up to 1550°F
• Key lock for privacy
• UL Classified 1/2-hour proven fire protection
• Waterproof Seal-ETL Verified
• In-lid holder for CDs and DVDs

Overall, a very nice safe. It's a top-opening safe that you can pile stuff into. I have had one of these for years and like it. Combined with the front-opening safe they sent me the last time, I can hold all the stuff I need to (passports, birth certificates, etc.) in two different ways.

The safe is very heavy/sturdy too for its size. I guess that's due to it being waterproof and fire resistant. Seems like it could take a hit from a torpedo and still be standing. ;-)

Now here's the good news for you in all of this. They offered to give away one of these safes to an FMF reader. In addition, they'll send you a $25 Walmart gift card so you can fill the safe with needed supplies -- files, holders, and so on. Pretty cool, huh? Here's how the giveaway will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Win a Copy of TurboTax Premier Online 2011

The fine people at TurboTax have given me four codes to give away for their TurboTax Premier Online 2011 product. The codes are redeemable at TurboTax.com and good for one free federal + state preparation and e-file with TurboTax Premier Online 2011.

If you'd like to win one of these, here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. At the end of this week, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winners, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prizes.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

FMF Mar Newsletter

Welcome to the Mar 2012 issue of the Free Money Finance e-newsletter!!!!!!

I have three newsletter exclusive giveaways this month. Below there are links to each of the giveaways (made known only to readers of this newsletter). Click on the link(s) of the giveaway(s) you want to enter and follow the directions there. Prizes include:

1. Box of Books #21

2. Box of Books #22

3. Box of Books #23 

Good luck!

Win a Box of Books (#22)!

Welcome FMF newsletter readers! Here's a chance for you to win a box of personal finance books (the books included are here).

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Win a Box of Books (#21)!

Welcome FMF newsletter readers! Here's a chance for you to win a box of personal finance books
(the books included are here).

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Box of Books #22

The box of books giveaways through my giveaway newsletter have been very popular, so below I'm detailing another set of them that will be up for grabs this month (if you want a chance to win, be sure to sign up for my newsletter here.) For now, here are the books I've received from publishers and a bit about them (from Amazon):

• What Color Is Your Parachute? 2012: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers - This year’s edition of What Color Is Your Parachute? has been vastly rewritten, because job-hunting has increasingly become a survival skill. Career expert Richard N. Bolles describes the five strategies most needed to survive, and explains how to incorporate social media tools such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter into your job-search.


• Joy Compass: How To Make Your Retirement The Treasure Of Your Life - Why are some people joyful, vibrant, fulfilled at 50-plus? Is it because they have money? Or are they just lucky? Neither. Julia Valentine condenses thousands of interviews into an astonishing two-hour read on the real secrets of being joyful and fulfilled at any age.


• The Eternity Portfolio (Generous Giving) - All too often, Christians give out of guilt or legalism instead of joy and purpose. Even those who have a biblical perspective on giving rarely have a strategic plan for carrying out their beliefs. In The Eternity Portfolio, respected CPA and financial advisor Alan Gotthardt combines biblical teaching with modern investment-portfolio theory and offers fresh, practical how-tos for strategic, satisfying giving.


• Congratulations You Aced the Interview The must read Interview Guide to land the job of your dreams, College Edition - Practical career guide to help you map your true career track for the future, work through the questions to help you discover what your direction is and what you need to do to bridge any gaps that may be there blocking your way. Get the scoop... the inside secrets shared with only a select few college students until now. Why take the long route? You can take the fast lane by using this invaluable advice from a top HR Director... the person who is making the hiring decision! ...Myths are busted. Easy, clear-to-follow, advice is given and you are led along 5 roads to avoid barricades and get you to the fast lane towards your destination. You will create your own road map as questions are asked along the way to pave a path that is right for you. Know where you are, where you are going and how to get there!


• The Sound Mind Investing Handbook - A Step-By-Step Guide To Managing Your Money From A Biblical Perspective 5th Ed - Investment adviser Austin Pryor has carefully created the "next step" guide that helps you put Godly principles of finance into motion. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced investor, you'll benefit from stepping across this bridge between "theory" and "action". Each user-friendly lesson is written in everday English and filled with helpful visual aids.


• Living Smart, Spending Less: Creative Ways to Stretch Your Income...and Have Fun Doing It - The indulgence of the '80s has left people with a mindset that has a difficult time adjusting to the frugal '90s. The practical tips in this timely guide will help readers discover what they can do without, how they can take charge of certain areas in their lives, and how they can channel resources to enhance their overall lifestyles.


• Moms Saving Money - Old book with two reviews -- both five stars!

FYI, a few of these have my handwritten notes in them and/or are old books of mine, so if you eventually win the set, don't expect completely new books.

Box of Books #21

The box of books giveaways through my giveaway newsletter have been very popular, so below I'm detailing another set of them that will be up for grabs this month (if you want a chance to win, be sure to sign up for my newsletter here.) For now, here are the books I've received from publishers and a bit about them (from Amazon):

• The Arrogance Cycle - What is the arrogance cycle? We’ve just lived through it. As market bubbles build, our confidence level rises (dis)proportionately. Everyone wants in on the action. We want to believe Wall Street, and once we do, the inevitable happens. Like Dr. Frankenstein breathing life into inanimate flesh, investment professionals sought ever more novel ways to create wealth. The only problem was that it was all artificial. In this book, Michael Farr examines the forces at work on individuals and markets and explains in clear, concise, layman’s terms how we got to where we are.


• The Vigilant Investor - Making sound investments is tough enough without having to worry about unscrupulous financial advisers and outright frauds. But recently strengthened laws aren't enough to stop the "professionals" intent on profiting from - or just plain stealing - your money. As an Enforcement Branch Chief at the Securities and Exchange Commission, Pat Huddleston witnessed countless people lose their life savings to reckless stockbrokers and fraudulent schemes. Now an SEC-recommended Receiver and CEO of a securities and investment fraud investigation agency, Huddleston has intimate knowledge of how scam artists and bad brokers operate. In The Vigilant Investor, he explains WHY we fall for investment scams, HOW con artists play on our emotions, and WHAT we can do to protect ourselves from predators.


• The Sound Mind Investing Handbook - A Step-By-Step Guide To Managing Your Money From A Biblical Perspective 5th Ed - Investment adviser Austin Pryor has carefully created the "next step" guide that helps you put Godly principles of finance into motion. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced investor, you'll benefit from stepping across this bridge between "theory" and "action". Each user-friendly lesson is written in everday English and filled with helpful visual aids.


• Quiet Strength - Tony Dungy's words and example have intrigued millions of people, particularly following his victory in Super Bowl XLI, the first for an African American coach. How is it possible for a coach—especially a football coach—to win the respect of his players and lead them to the Super Bowl without the screaming histrionics, the profanities, and the demand that the sport come before anything else? How is it possible for anyone to be successful without compromising faith and family? In this inspiring and reflective memoir, now updated with a new chapter, Coach Dungy tells the story of a life lived for God and family—and challenges us all to redefine our ideas of what it means to succeed.


• Living Beyond the Possible - Profiles the lives of men and women who have dared to trust God, sometimes with their last dime, and as a result, experienced the miraculous provison of God for their personal needs.


• Priceless - What would you call a book that offered proven tips to dumping debt, managing money, and was actually fun to read? We call it Priceless - and it's the brand new book by New York Times best-selling author, with over 1,000,000 books in print, and nationally syndicated radio host, Dave Ramsey.


• Financial Parenting - With chapters on stewardship, giving, borrowing and lending, saving and budgeting, this resource includes lots of activities and interactive questions with each chapter. Perfect for children ages 5 and up.

FYI, a few of these have my handwritten notes in them, so if you eventually win the set, don't expect completely new books.

FMF Feb Newsletter

Welcome to the Feb 2012 issue of the Free Money Finance e-newsletter!!!!!!

I have two newsletter exclusive giveaways this month. Below there are links to each of the giveaways (made known only to readers of this newsletter). Click on the link(s) of the giveaway(s) you want to enter and follow the directions there. Prizes include:

1. Box of Books

2. Another Box of Books 

Good luck!

Win a Box of Books!

Welcome FMF newsletter readers! Here's a chance for you to win a box of personal finance books (the books included are here).

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Win a Box of Books!

Welcome FMF newsletter readers! Here's a chance for you to win a box of personal finance books (the books included are here).

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Win a Copy of You Need a Budget!

Here's a chance for you to win a copy of You Need a Budget budgeting software!

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Box of Books #20

The box of books giveaways through my giveaway newsletter have been very popular, so below I'm detailing another set of them that will be up for grabs this month (if you want a chance to win, be sure to sign up for my newsletter here.) For now, here are the books I've received from publishers and a bit about them (from Amazon):

• The Sound Mind Investing Handbook - A Step-By-Step Guide To Managing Your Money From A Biblical Perspective 5th Ed - Investment adviser Austin Pryor has carefully created the "next step" guide that helps you put Godly principles of finance into motion. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced investor, you'll benefit from stepping across this bridge between "theory" and "action". Each user-friendly lesson is written in everday English and filled with helpful visual aids.


• What Would Ben Stein Do: Applying the Wisdom of a Modern-Day Prophet to Tackle the Challenges of Work and Life - Delivered with the dry, honest wit that millions of people have come to know and love, Ben Stein’s next work What Would Ben Stein Do? will provide advice on any question imaginable – from the man who has all the answers.


• What Color Is Your Parachute? Guide to Job-Hunting Online, Sixth Edition: Blogging, Career Sites, Gateways, Getting Interviews, Job Boards, Job Search ... Resumes, Research Sites, Social Networking - Shows you how to quickly find the data that will be most helpful to you, how to identify and research the places where you will most enjoy working, how to leverage the power of social networking sites, and how to use your Internet time most effectively, avoiding the common pitfalls and setting you up for success.


• The Questions and Answers on Life Insurance Workbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Simple Answers for Your Complex Questions - Need help facing the constant barrage of information from competing life insurance companies? With twenty years of experience in the life insurance business, Tony Steuer delivers a practical, one-of-a-kind resource for choosing the best life insurance policy for you or your family, whether you currently have a policy or not. Step-by-step, he leads you through the process of making key life insurance decisions.


• Congratulations You're Hired! The must read Career Guide to land the job of your dreams, College Edition - This book provides useful, practical, and easy to apply advice from a Human Resources Director.


• A Simple Book of Financial Wisdom: Teach Yourself (and Your Kids) How to Live Wealthy with Little Money - This easy-to-understand book gives specific steps you can take right now to become more financially secure.


• 21 Days to a Thrifty Lifestyle - In 21 days you can turn your spending habits in a brand new direction—one that can have a profound, positive impact on your personal finances.

FYI, a few of these have my handwritten notes in them, so if you eventually win the set, don't expect completely new books.

Box of Books #19

The box of books giveaways through my giveaway newsletter have been very popular, so below I'm detailing another set of them that will be up for grabs this month (if you want a chance to win, be sure to sign up for my newsletter here.) For now, here are the books I've received from publishers and a bit about them (from Amazon):

• The Sound Mind Investing Handbook - A Step-By-Step Guide To Managing Your Money From A Biblical Perspective 5th Ed - Investment adviser Austin Pryor has carefully created the "next step" guide that helps you put Godly principles of finance into motion. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced investor, you'll benefit from stepping across this bridge between "theory" and "action". Each user-friendly lesson is written in everday English and filled with helpful visual aids.


• Turn Setbacks into Greenbacks: 7 Secrets for Going Up in Down Times - Willie Jolley is ready to help you take your first steps on the road to success, empowering you to make the positive changes in your life that will not only change the way you work, but the way you think. A master of positive motivation, organization, and inspiration, Jolley has the tools you can use to triumph in tough times, to see your setbacks as new opportunities, and to invest confidence in your ideas.


• The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing - The Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing is a slightly irreverent, straightforward guide to investing for everyone. The book offers sound, practical advice, no matter what your age or net worth. Bottomline, become a Boglehead and prosper! Originally just the chat-line ruminations of Boglehead founder Taylor Larimore, and Morningstar forum leading cohorts Mel Lindauer and Michael LeBoeuf, their trusted advice has been brewed and distilled into an easy-to-use, need-to-know, no frills guide to building up your own financial well-being – so you can worry less and profit more from the investments you make. Invest like a Boglehead, and let their grassroots investment wisdom guide you down the path of long-term wealth creation and happiness, without all the worries and fuss of stock pickers and day traders. If you face a financial crisis or problem, or simply want to know what is prudent to do with the money you save, the Bogleheads will have the answers you need to help you gain your financial footing and keep it.


• The Intelligent Portfolio: Practical Wisdom on Personal Investing from Financial Engines - The Intelligent Portfolio draws upon the extensive insights of Financial Engines—a leading provider of investment advisory and management services founded by Nobel Prize-winning economist William F. Sharpe—to reveal the time-tested institutional investing techniques that you can use to help improve your investment performance. Throughout these pages, Financial Engines’ CIO, Christopher Jones, uses state-of-the-art simulation and optimization methods to demonstrate the often-surprising results of applying modern financial economics to personal investment decisions.


• 50 Prosperity Classics: Attract It, Create It, Manage It, Share It (50 Classics) - Looking to discover the secrets to wealth and plenty? Find them now with 50 Prosperity Classics! Tom Butler-Bowdon's 50 Prosperity Classics: Attract It, Create It, Manage It, Share It- Wisdom from the Most Valuable Books on Wealth Creation and Abundance is the first book to highlight landmark titles in the ever-growing field of wealth creation. Tom Butler-Bowdon brings together fundamental works on entrepreneurship, personal finance, investing, economics, and philanthropy, providing guidance and support in the quest to develop a millionaire mindset, become a wealth creator, make wise investment decisions and give a little back.


• Got Gold? Get Gold!: The Everything Gold Book. - Got Gold? Get Gold! The Get Gold guide book is your compass for protecting the wealth you have and surviving the unfolding Depression. This book is meant to be an introduction to, and overview of, all of the fundamental relevant facets pertaining to investing in gold and the gold and silver markets. Areas covered include its historic use as money, its current bull cycle, its supply and demand characteristics, and its wealth preservation and accumulation potential. It is written in a step-by-step manner, each subsequent section building upon the last. It is intended for the novice or layman as a resource to guide the seeker in locating the best sites, authors, and resources in continuing his research.


• 52 Ways to Stretch a Buck - Consumer review: "This book is got a few gems on saving money that I haven't heard like The Family Energy Plan, and some good ideas to have everyone in the house work at saving money. Most is however basic and a good place to start on the furgal lifestyle but not to continue on that path since you probably were doing most of these if not all already. Very good and easy to understand for the beginner. "

FYI, a few of these have my handwritten notes in them, so if you eventually win the set, don't expect completely new books.

Box of Books #18

The box of books giveaways through my giveaway newsletter have been very popular, so below I'm detailing another set of them that will be up for grabs this month (if you want a chance to win, be sure to sign up for my newsletter here.) For now, here are the books I've received from publishers and a bit about them (from Amazon):

• The 11 Laws of Likability: Relationship Networking . . . Because People Do Business with People They Like - We all know that networking is important, and that forming relationships with others is a vital part of success. But sometimes it seems like networking removes all emotions from the equation and focuses only on immediate goals...whereas the kind of relationships that have true staying power, give us joy, and support us in the long run are founded on simply liking each other. This book, featuring activities, self-assessment quizzes, and real-life anecdotes from professional and social settings, shows readers how to identify what's likable in themselves and create honest, authentic interactions that become "wins" for all parties involved. This book presents a new paradigm that shows how even the most networking-averse can network...and like it.


• The Sound Mind Investing Handbook - A Step-By-Step Guide To Managing Your Money From A Biblical Perspective 5th Ed - Investment adviser Austin Pryor has carefully created the "next step" guide that helps you put Godly principles of finance into motion. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced investor, you'll benefit from stepping across this bridge between "theory" and "action". Each user-friendly lesson is written in everday English and filled with helpful visual aids.


• Joy Compass: How To Make Your Retirement The Treasure Of Your Life - Why are some people joyful, vibrant, fulfilled at 50-plus? Is it because they have money? Or are they just lucky? Neither. Julia Valentine condenses thousands of interviews into an astonishing two-hour read on the real secrets of being joyful and fulfilled at any age. Backed by extensive research, Valentine’s findings: • Stop your fear of aging in its tracks; • Help add joyful years to your life by instantly transforming your beliefs about aging; • Inspire you to use creativity to achieve better health; • Give you a solid strategy to develop better solutions to your everyday problems; • Show you how to discover new activities and enjoy your freedom to do what you want; • Provide the key to discovering your true needs; • Reveal the secret to having lots of energy with minimal effort. Take seven easy steps to astonishing quality of life in retirement!


• The Millionaire Fastlane: Crack the Code to Wealth and Live Rich for a Lifetime. - The mainstream financial gurus have sold you blindly down the river to a great financial gamble: You've been hoodwinked to believe that wealth can be created by recklessly trusting in the uncontrollable and unpredictable markets: the housing market, the stock market, and the job market. This impotent financial gamble dubiously promises wealth in a wheelchair -- sacrifice your adult life for a financial plan that reaps dividends in the twilight of life. Accept the Slowlane as your blueprint for wealth and your financial future will blow carelessly asunder on a sailboat of HOPE: HOPE you can find a job and keep it, HOPE the stock market doesn't tank, HOPE the economy rebounds, HOPE, HOPE, and HOPE. Do you really want HOPE to be the centerpiece for your family's financial plan?


• Your Stronger Financial Future: The Eight Essential Strategies for Making Profitable Investments - In Your Stronger Financial Future, Egan busts the most powerful myths that are affecting your retirement plans and provides simple but highly effective strategies you can use to start turning your portfolio around today.


• It's Your Biz: The Complete Guide to Becoming Your Own Boss - Millions of employees parked in cubicles dream about starting their own businesses. And in today's economy, countless unemployed professionals are becoming entrepreneurs out of necessity. They may have good skills and ideas, but do they really understand what it takes to build a profitable venture? As owner and co-founder of the award-winning It'sYourBiz.com, Susan Solovic has years of experience in the small business trenches. In It's Your Biz she shows prospective entrepreneurs how to sidestep the pitfalls that doom more than half of all new businesses while dramatically improving their odds of success. The book strips away the usual dreamy calls to "pursue your passion," supplying the kind of candid, real-world advice readers truly need. It's Your Biz is packed with the practical, honest, expert guidance that budding entrepreneurs need before they set out on their own.


• A Parent's Guide to Wills & Trusts: For Grandparents, Too (2nd edition) - In an easy-to-read and easy-to-understand question-and-answer format, A Parent's Guide to Wills & Trusts spells out concisely and compassionately what all parents and grandparents need to know about wills, trusts and estate planning.

FYI, a few of these have my handwritten notes in them, so if you eventually win the set, don't expect completely new books.

FMF Nov Newsletter

Welcome to the Nov 2011 issue of the Free Money Finance e-newsletter!!!!!!

Giveaways

I have two newsletter exclusive giveaways this month. Below there are links to each of the giveaways (made known only to readers of this newsletter). Click on the link(s) of the giveaway(s) you want to enter and follow the directions there. Prizes include:

1. Box of Books

2. $50 SmartyPig gift card 

Good luck!

Win a Box of Books!

Welcome FMF newsletter readers! Here's a chance for you to win a box of personal finance books (the books included are here).

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Win $50 from SmartyPig!

Welcome FMF newsletter readers! Here's a chance for you to win a $50 gift card from SmartyPig -- given either as a credit to a current account you have with them or as credit to a new account that you'll set up.

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Box of Books #17

The box of books giveaways through my giveaway newsletter have been very popular, so below I'm detailing another set of them that will be up for grabs this month (if you want a chance to win, be sure to sign up for my newsletter here.) For now, here are the books I've received from publishers and a bit about them (from Amazon):

• The Wealth Cure: Putting Money in Its Place - Hill Harper is uniquely poised to guide readers through tough times and offers bestselling advice for reaping the rewards of a truly happy life. With The Wealth Cure, he does more than that: He presents a revolutionary new definition of wealth, motivating readers to not only build financial security but to also achieve wealth in every aspect of their lives.


• Clark Howard's Living Large in Lean Times: 250+ Ways to Buy Smarter, Spend Smarter, and Save Money - Living Large in Lean Times is Clark's ultimate guide to saving money, covering everything from cell phones to student loans, coupon websites to mortgages, investing to electric bills, and beyond. In his candid and friendly next-door-neighbor manner, Clark shares the small, manageable steps everyone can follow to build a path towards independence and wealth. Chock-full of more than 250 invaluable tips.


• The Root of Riches - "The more money you acquire, the richer you become." This ancient belief is presumed to be as true as if it were a guaranteed and proven law of life on par with the law of gravity. Thousands of books have offered steps, formulas, makeovers, investment guides, motivational stories and philosophies to set the non-rich on the sure road to riches. But is there more to becoming rich than the accumulation of money? The Root of Riches is bursting with insight and practical examples. This first book by Chuck Bentley, CEO of Crown Financial Ministries, will change how you think about money and transform how you live.


• Paid To Speak: Best Practices For Building A Successful Speaking Business - Covering every aspect of launching, building, and maintaining a successful speaking career, Paid to Speak is a must-read for professional speakers--whether keynote speaker, motivator, coach, trainer, facilitator, or consultant--as well as those aspiring to a speaking career.


• Taming the Beast: Wall Street's Imperfect Answers to Making Money - Which is the best strategy for protecting your investments? Value investing? Indexing? Hedging? Growth investing? Asset allocation? It all depends upon the market because, although Wall Street has tried time and time again to devise a single system to tame the beast, the only thing that's constant about the market is that it's always changing and no one system will work perfectly to protect your assets each and every time. Taming the Beast: Wall Street's Imperfect Answers to Making Money presents the various strategies, and shows you how the best strategy is to be both flexible and nimble.


• A Tip a Day with Ellie Kay: 12 Months' Worth of Money-Saving Ideas - Save money every day! With a tip a day from America's Family Financial Expert and reg;, readers reap practical money-saving tips that can be implemented right now! This purse-sized guide shows families how to save money on everything from groceries to vacations, life insurance to investments, and clothing to housing. Ellie understands the need to save - she is the mom of seven and has lived to tell about it! Easy-to-follow tips are divided into "need" areas. A coupon in the back of the book gets the reader jump-started.


• 21 Days to Financial Freedom - a 21 day plan to free the reader from financial worries and build the habits of buying wisely, saving smartly, and avoiding debt continually.

FYI, a few of these have my handwritten notes in them, so if you eventually win the set, don't expect completely new books.

FMF Oct Newsletter

Welcome to the Oct 2011 issue of the Free Money Finance e-newsletter!!!!!!

I have two newsletter exclusive giveaways this month. Below there are links to each of the giveaways (made
known only to readers of this newsletter). Click on the link(s) of the giveaway(s) you want to enter and follow the directions there. Prizes include:

1. Box of Books

2. $50 SmartyPig gift card 

Good luck!

Win a Box of Books!

Welcome FMF newsletter readers! Here's a chance for you to win a box of personal finance books (the books included are here).

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Win $50 from SmartyPig!

Welcome FMF newsletter readers! Here's a chance for you to win a $50 gift card from SmartyPig -- given either as a credit to a current account you have with them or as credit to a new account that you'll set up.

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Box of Books #16

The box of books giveaways through my giveaway newsletter have been very popular, so below I'm detailing another set of them that will be up for grabs this month (if you want a chance to win, be sure to sign up for my newsletter here.) For now, here are the books I've received from publishers and a bit about them (from Amazon):

• The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: The Only Way to Guarantee Your Fair Share of Stock Market Returns (Little Books. Big Profits) - Investing is all about common sense. Owning a diversified portfolio of stocks and holding it for the long term is a winner’s game. Trying to beat the stock market is theoretically a zero-sum game (for every winner, there must be a loser), but after the substantial costs of investing are deducted, it becomes a loser’s game. Common sense tells us—and history confirms—that the simplest and most efficient investment strategy is to buy and hold all of the nation’s publicly held businesses at very low cost. The classic index fund that owns this market portfolio is the only investment that guarantees you with your fair share of stock market returns. To learn how to make index investing work for you, there’s no better mentor than legendary mutual fund industry veteran John C. Bogle. Over the course of his long career, Bogle—founder of the Vanguard Group and creator of the world’s first index mutual fund—has relied primarily on index investing to help Vanguard’s clients build substantial wealth. Now, with The Little Book of Common Sense Investing, he wants to help you do the same.


• Smart and Simple Financial Strategies for Busy People - Are you too busy to pay much attention to your money? Do you worry that maybe you haven't been doing the right things? This book is for you, from Jane Bryant Quinn, the most trusted voice in personal finance today. Here she strips away the extras, choosing the best financial ideas and products available today. They're all you need to create a successful and long-lasting financial plan. It's money management the No Worry way. To start with, she tells you to forget all the complicated stuff the financial industry sells. You don't need it, it costs too much, and some of it is downright bad. The best ideas (a super-short list!) are simple, low in cost, and easy to use. They're also sophisticated and smart. The strategies shown here are followed by some of the most successful planners and money managers around today, yet they're something everyone can understand. They'll give you what you need from your money -- regular savings, financial security, long-term investment growth, personal control, and best of all, peace of mind.


• The Wizard of Lies: Bernie Madoff and the Death of Trust - The inside story of Bernie Madoff and his $65 billion Ponzi scheme, with surprising and shocking new details from Madoff himself.


• The Root of Riches - "The more money you acquire, the richer you become." This ancient belief is presumed to be as true as if it were a guaranteed and proven law of life on par with the law of gravity. Thousands of books have offered steps, formulas, makeovers, investment guides, motivational stories and philosophies to set the non-rich on the sure road to riches. But is there more to becoming rich than the accumulation of money? The Root of Riches is bursting with insight and practical examples. This first book by Chuck Bentley, CEO of Crown Financial Ministries, will change how you think about money and transform how you live.


• The Globe-Trotting Golfer's Guide to Retirement - Presented in clear, entertaining prose, this practical guide begins with a compelling case for retiring early and planning well. D'Antoni goes way beyond financial advice and steers his readers away from common errors (several of which he made himself). In a tone reminiscent of a conversation with a close friend, D'Antoni gives well-organized tips on everything from maintaining health and marital harmony during this major life transition to preventing invasions of houseguests who overstay their welcome. The second half of the book offers equally helpful tips for enjoying two activities D'Antoni considers reason enough in themselves to retire: golf and travel. But the book is organized so well that non-golfing stay-at-homes will find plenty in it for them. Readers needn't be on the brink of retirement. Anyone over 40 would benefit from this savvy volume. In fact, it would make an excellent present for a recent graduate embarked on his or her first "real" job.


• Dollar Pinching: A Consumer's Guide to Smart Spending (Money - America's Financial Advisor) - Shows how average Americans can save large sums of money on their most expensive purchases, from decreasing their mortgage, medical, and insurance costs to buying designer clothes at discount rates to lowering their credit card fees.


• Be Your Own House Contractor: Save 25% without Lifting a Hammer - This book should be required reading for anyone who is thinking about building or renovating a house. The savings involved can make the difference between just dreaming about that dream house and actually building it. The primary message behind Be Your Own House Contractor is “You can do it!” According to construction expert and author Carl Heldmann, anyone can oversee the building of a house and save up to 25 percent by acting as the main contractor. This popular book has sold over 268,000 copies since it was first published in 1982.

FYI, a few of these have my handwritten notes in them, so if you eventually win the set, don't expect completely new books.

Free Breakfast from Chick-fil-a

Just saw this and wanted to pass it along -- it's hard to beat free food!!!!

Chick-fil-A Offers Free Breakfast for Five Days

FMF Sept Newsletter

Welcome to the Sept 2011 issue of the Free Money Finance e-newsletter!!!!!!

I have three newsletter exclusive giveaways this month. Below there are links to each of the giveaways (made known only to readers of this newsletter). Click on the link(s) of the giveaway(s) you want to enter and follow the directions there. Prizes include:

1. Box of Books

2. Another Box of Books

3. $50 SmartyPig gift card 

Good luck!

Win Another a Box of Books!

Welcome FMF newsletter readers! Here's a chance for you to win a box of personal finance books (the books included are here).

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Win a Box of Books!

Welcome FMF newsletter readers! Here's a chance for you to win a box of personal finance books (the books included are here).

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Win $50 from SmartyPig!

Welcome FMF newsletter readers! Here's a chance for you to win a $50 gift card from SmartyPig -- given either as a credit to a current account you have with them or as credit to a new account that you'll set up.

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Box of Books #15

The box of books giveaways through my giveaway newsletter have been very popular, so below I'm detailing another set of them that will be up for grabs this month (if you want a chance to win, be sure to sign up for my newsletter here.) For now, here are the books I've received from publishers and a bit about them (from Amazon):

• The Warren Buffetts Next Door: The World's Greatest Investors You've Never Heard Of and What You Can Learn From Them - The Warren Buffetts Next Door profiles previously unknown investors, with legendary performance records, who are proving every day that you don't need to work for a hedge fund or have an Ivy League diploma to consistently beat the best performing Wall Street professionals. These amazing individuals come from all walks of life, from a globe drifting college dropout and a retired disc jockey to a computer room geek and a truck driver. Their methods vary from technical trading and global macro-economic analysis to deep value investing. The glue that holds them together is their passion for investing and their ability to efficiently harness the Internet for critical investment ideas, research, and trading skills.


• Locavesting: The Revolution in Local Investing and How to Profit From It - In the wake of the financial crisis, investors are faced with a stark choice: entrust their hard-earned dollars to the Wall Street casino, or settle for anemic interest rates on savings, bonds, and CDs. Meanwhile, small businesses are being starved for the credit and capital they need to grow. There's got to be a better way. In Locavesting: The Revolution in Local Investing and How to Profit from It, Amy Cortese takes us inside the local investing movement, where solutions to some of the nation's most pressing problems are taking shape. The idea is that, by investing in local businesses, rather than faceless conglomerates, investors can earn profits while building healthy, self-reliant communities.


• Personal Investing: The Missing Manual (Missing Manuals) - Did your investments take a hit in the recession? You're not alone. Between 2007 and mid-year 2009, the average 401K lost 31% of its value. Ouch. It's time to take control of your investments with Personal Investing: The Missing Manual. Financial experts agree that with the right guidance, consumers can make investments better than many professionals. This lively and easy-to-understand guide gives you the confidence, tools, and insight you need to evaluate financial products and make smart investments that target success over the long term. You'll learn how to set long-term goals for critical, high-cost events such as retirement, your children's education, and future health care needs. Then you'll learn what types of investments will best help you achieve those goals. In step-by-step fashion, this book shows you how to research mutual funds, stocks, bonds, and other financial products to create a portfolio of diversified investments.


• Health Care on Less Than You Think: The New York Times Guide to Getting Affordable Coverage (tt) - Health costs are soaring, strangling job decisions, bankrupting families, and unsettling retirement plans. Workers with insurance at their jobs face constant cuts in coverage for an ever-steeper price tag, while forty-six million Americans lack insurance and have to fend for themselves. Medicare and prescription drug coverage are under strain. And with so much money at stake, it’s no surprise that the financial industry is rooting for the new Health Savings Accounts: a boon for their profits, but a mixed bag for families. Brock investigates the best options available, offering the first one-stop guide to maximizing health coverage while minimizing expense—with potential savings of hundreds or thousands of dollars each year. Worksheets and a handy resource list give readers the tools to customize their plan to their ages and needs.


• The Benevolent Dictator: Empower Your Employees, Build Your Business, and Outwit the Competition - The Benevolent Dictator gives you no-nonsense how-to advice and examples that have worked. This non-traditional, gung-ho guide is not afraid to lay out the leadership methods that can effectively get a new business off the ground, and through the requisite fast-track growth phases that produce tangible success measured by your bottom line and your wallet. Learn critical specifics on how to move from idea development to build-out, through steps for continuous improvement, and on to the big cash out. Features proven tools, strategies, and tactics that will help you bottle entrepreneurial lightning over and over again. As the cofounder of office retail giant OfficeMax, the author turned a $3 million investment into a $1.5 billion sale in his 16 years as CEO.


• Internet Riches: The Simple Money-making Secrets of Online Millionaires - Getting rich on the Internet is no longer about IPOs and venture capital. These days, it's easier and cheaper than ever to start an Internet business. In this strategy-packed guide, Scott Fox reveals the powerful but simple methods he and thousands of others have used to make big money online. Exclusive interviews with "mom and pop" entrepreneurs prove how easy it is to get started and build a business that will make millions. Filled with practical pointers and inspiring interviews, it's the most accessible, uplifting book ever on starting and enjoying a super-lucrative online business.


• Money Cometh - Powerful teaching on God's purpose for money in the believer's life! Believer's everywhere are catching the revelation that God wants to bring money to the Body of Christ. God is a God of increase and especially in these last days, His desire is to have plenty of money to win the lost and take care of His children. Dr. Thompson presents the Scriptures in new light, revealing God's purpose and plan for abundance in the Church today.

FYI, a few of these have my handwritten notes in them, so if you eventually win the set, don't expect completely new books.

FMF Aug Newsletter

Welcome to the August 2011 issue of the Free Money Finance e-newsletter!!!!!!

Newsletter Giveaways

I have three newsletter exclusive giveaways this month. Below there are links to each of the giveaways (made known only to readers of this newsletter). Click on the link(s) of the giveaway(s) you want to enter and follow the directions there. Prizes include:

1. Box of Books

2. Mvelopes Premier membership

3. $50 SmartyPig gift card 

Good luck!

Win an Mvelopes Membership!

Welcome FMF newsletter readers! Here's a chance for you to win a free Mvelopes membership.

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Win a Box of Books!

Welcome FMF newsletter readers! Here's a chance for you to win a box of personal finance books (the books included are here).

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Win $50 from SmartyPig!

Welcome FMF newsletter readers! Here's a chance for you to win a $50 gift card from SmartyPig -- given either as a credit to a current account you have with them or as credit to a new account that you'll set up.

Here's how it will work:

1. All you need to do to enter is to leave any comment on this post. Be sure to leave your email address (no one else will be able to see it) when you leave the comment.

2. In a week or so, I'll select the winner at random and announce the winner on this post.

3. I will email the winner, get their contact information, and arrange for them to receive their prize.

As always, the standard rules apply.

Good luck! Post a comment below for your chance to win!

Free Credit Alerts from Credit Karma for First 200 FMF Readers

Here's an offer for you simply for being an FMF reader -- FREE credit alerts (a new service from Credit Karma)!

Here's how the credit alerts work:

1. Credit Karma monitors your credit report for free on a daily basis.

2. A change occurs in your credit file (say, a new credit inquiry, a new address, or a fraud alert, for example).

3. Credit Karma catches wind of the new activity and lets you know by sending you a Credit Alert in your email inbox.

In other words, all you have to do is check your email to keep up-to-date on your credit activity, and it’s always free for you!
 
The Credit Alerts are only available on a limited basis at this point (at least that's my understanding), but if you want one, you can get it here. This link will be good for the first 200 people who want the service.

Disclaimer: I do not use this service and can not endorse it one way or the other (I've never tried it so I can't say if it's good or bad.) The company simply offered me free accounts and I thought some of you might like this service, so I'm making it available. As with anything, use your own judgment whether or not this will work for you. And if you do try it, please come back and comment here telling the rest of us what you think of it.

Box of Books #14

The box of books giveaways through my giveaway newsletter have been very popular, so below I'm detailing another set of them that will be up for grabs this month (if you want a chance to win, be sure to sign up for my newsletter here.) For now, here are the books I've received from publishers and a bit about them (from Amazon):

• The Frugal Millionaires - 70 millionaires anonymously share their ideas about money to help each other and you. (Retail: $21.95) - Imagine yourself in a room with seventy people from all walks of life, each of whom is immensely successful at managing their money. Then imagine that you had the time and audacity to walk up to each of them, confidently introduce yourself, and ask how they became rich. That's Jeff Lehman's book, The Frugal Millionaires, in a nutshell. The advice contained within the text is well worth the price of the book, especially if you're considering paying a financial adviser to tell you what you should be doing to improve your financial acumen.


• Living Rich by Spending Smart: How to Get More of What You Really Want - As The Millionaire Next Door revealed, building wealth isn’t just about working harder or what you choose to invest in: it’s about spending smarter. Now, award-winning Tribune Company personal finance columnist Gregory Karp shows how to do just that. This book isn’t about depriving yourself. Instead, Gregory Karp shows how to build real, long-lasting wealth by plugging the money leaks you’re barely aware of and making sure you spend with a purpose. Karp’s surprisingly painless techniques will help you eliminate wasteful spending in every area of your financial life. You’ll discover how to focus spending on what you really care about...spend less on gifts without becoming a cheapskate...slash your phone bill...pay less for food and still eat what you want...eliminate spending leaks in insurance, education, even entertainment. From the clothes you wear to the cars you drive, this book will help you build a life that’s truly rich because it’s truly financially secure.


• The Smartest Investment Book You'll Ever Read: The Simple, Stress-Free Way to Reach Your Investment Goals - Daniel Solin cuts through financial propaganda to show readers exactly how assets should be invested, using trusted, brand name fund managers like Fidelity and Vanguard. Solin's easy-to-follow plan allows investors to create and monitor their portfolios in 90 minutes or less a year, explaining how to assess risk and how to allocate assets to maximize returns and minimize volatility. Readers will also learn how to avoid the biggest mistakes investors make, from buying into media hype to giving their hard earned cash to hyperactive brokers and investment advisors.


• The Problem With Money? It's Not About the Money!: Mastering the Unexamined Beliefs that Drive Our Financial Lives - Jane's unique approach, refined over years of working with clients one-on-one and in group classes, is clearly presented in The Problem with Money? It's Not About the Money! It begins with identifying money beliefs in seven key areas and exploring how they influence behavior in seven facets of our lives. Then it provides tools and techniques for gaining power over these beliefs so a change of financial behavior naturally emerges. Bringing the process full circle, it provides methods for identifying small, doable action steps that produce the profoundly positive benefits of being financially conscious.


• The Essential Phone Interview Handbook - Today more than ever, job candidates make initial contact with prospective employers 
via the telephone. Phone interviews are often the most unexpected facet of job interviewing, yet they are fast becoming the standard for employers when narrowing the pool of applicants and determining who will be invited for in-person interviews. The Essential Phone Interview Handbook covers: How to prepare, what to say, and when to say it, how to establish your professional presence over the phone, and how to get to the next step.


• The Net Worth Workout: A Powerful Program for a Lifetime of Financial Fitness - Are your bills bloated, your savings scrawny, and your investments sluggish and lazy? This book introduces a proven program that will get your finances into shape. Inspired by the author's successful seminar program, The Net Worth Workout uses a subject that people relate to easily -- health and fitness -- to make the nervewracking topic of personal finance more accessible. The author compares: Spending with Calorie Intake: Junk spending decreases wealth, while nutritious spending boosts it. Saving with Muscle Strength: Just as weightlifting builds muscle, smart saving builds financial strength. Earning with Metabolism: Earning more (by taking advantage of the options you already have) helps maximize the other components of your financial health. Investing with Cardiac Fitness: Investing increases the long-term effectiveness of the other components and ensures lasting financial health The Net Worth Workout shows you how to follow a manageable, consistent regimen that will help ensure a healthier financial future -- all while hardly breaking a sweat!


• 80 Proven Ways to Become a Millionaire, All you need is two or three! - This is a powerful text that outlines Paul's proven methods of becoming a winner in a rough and tumble economy, not a get-rich-quick manual.

FYI, a few of these have my handwritten notes in them, so if you eventually win the set, don't expect completely new books.