WYTI Links: 11/21/2007

Here's a mid-week set of links to go around...have a great holiday week!

10 Easy Ways to Save Money Without Much Effort (via Consumerism Commentary) Thanks to Adam for submitting this link last week...

What If You Make Maximum Retirement Contributions For 20, 30, 40 Years? (Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, 401k, 403b) (via No Credit Needed)

Organization 101: A Visual Guide to How I Manage the Information in My Life (via The Simple Dollar) Trent uses a system very closely akin to David Allen's "Getting Things Done" philosophy. Here he spells it out...and includes pictures.

Would Jesus Have an Emergency Fund? (via ChristianPF) This addresses an interesting thought we probably have all considered about the balance of saving for the future and using our blessings for God's good.

MP3 Players for Nine Year Olds? Whatever Happened to Simple, Inexpensive Fun? (via Money, Matter, and More Musings) In the holiday shopping spirit...

WYTI Links: 11.09.07 -- High School Playoffs Tonight!

My Alma Mater--Walker High School in Jasper, Alabama--hosts a state playoff game tonight for the first time since I was a Senior (2001). One of our fine young men at Midway is a starter on defense. It'll be chilly out at the stadium, but it should be a fun night of football. Hope your area's teams do well also!

Friday links:

• Behold the Miracle of Compound Interest (via Erin Burt, Kiplinger.com) Start young...start now...
  

• Trimming the Fat: Forty Ways to Reduce Your Monthly Required Spending (via The Simple Dollar) From back in June...some helpful suggestions here...

• 1 Year Ago Today -- 10 Things We've Done to Regain Financial Control (via Gather Little by Little)

• Lessons from the California Wildfires (via Kimberly Lankford, Kiplinger.com)

WYTI Links: 10.19.2007 (Almost) The "Third Saturday in October" Edition

The "Third Saturday in October" is always a big day in the south...'Bama vs. Tennessee. Too bad it's been relegated to the 11:30 am slot on LFS. Here's Friday's links...

• Why Money Doesn't Buy Happiness (via Newsweek)

• How to Best Handle Old Credit Card Accounts (via Consumerism Commentary) Having "old" credit card accounts can be a good problem to have...here's some advice on what to do with them.

• 10 Ways to Build the Habit of Saving Money (via Get Rich Slowly) It's subtle, but I love how the title says "Build the Habit of Saving Money." Becoming a responsible steward is a process. Hopefully, children are reared in this direction from an early age. If not, adults need to have the patience to change bad habits into healthy ones over time.

• Thirteen Ways to Reduce the Effect of "Bad Luck" in Your Financial Life (via The Simple Dollar)

• Two for one: 5 Ways Paperless Personal Finance Saves You Money & Risks of Paperless Finance (both via Blueprint for Financial Prosperity)

Have a great weekend...

Quotables: Your Money or Your Life -- Prologue

I am currently reading Joe Dominguez & Vicki Robin's Your Money or Your Life: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence and reading Trent's (The Simple Dollar) extensive reviews.

As I finish each chapter, I will post some of the quotes I find interesting and helpful. Think of it as letting the authors reviewing the book themselves.

Today, we flip through the Prologue:

• What [most money] books have in common is that they assume that your financial life functions separately from the rest of your life. This book is about putting it all back together. It is about integration, a "whole systems" approach to life (xviii).

• Even though we "won" the Industrial Revolution, the spoils of war are looking more and more spoiled...the old road map for money has us trapped in the very vehicle that was supposed to liberate us from toil (xx).

• FI (financially independent) thinking is about cartography--making your own map, one that accurately depicts the terrain of your life as it actually is today (xxv).

• FI (financially independent) thinking will lead naturally to Financial Intelligence, Financial Integrity and Financial Independence (xxv).

The authors make the point that much of our financial shortcomings today have resulted from using the "old road map"--born from the Industrial Revolution--in a time where a much different map is needed. I think it's a strong and plausible argument.

I also appreciate how their approach is designed for individuality. Too many people (especially the most famous ones) in personal finance try to give virtually the same advice no matter the situation.

WYTI Links 10.03.2007

Some links for your Wednesday:

• The Simple Dollar Book Club: Your Money or Your Life (via The Simple Dollar) I'm two chapters away from finishing my current reading material (Visioneering by Andy Stanley). When I finish (hopefully today), I plan to start Your Money or Your Life and read Trent's detailed reviews. He's previously published a review of the entire book.
• Top 50 Christian Business & Finance Blogs (via Bootstrapper)

From ChristianPF.com (who might have commented on one of Wes's recent posts):

• What is an IRA account? I know we've mentioned IRA's before, but this is another helpful summary about them. If you're a preacher or paid minister, opening an IRA of some sort is a very helpful thing...chances are, you have no other retirement, like a 401k. Some congregations will even match (either 100% or 50%) your donations to an IRA...thereby giving you free money.
• How to Budget with ING Direct This highlights the usefulness of online accounts--specifically the ING Direct savings account, which allows for easy multiple accounts.

WYTI Links: 09.28.2007

Just another dial-up week :) [But we're still extremely thankful for the internet we do have]

• Do Student Loans Affect a Mortgage Application? (via Kiplinger Personal Finance)

• Top High-Yield Savings Accounts: Interest Rates & Some Thoughts (via Money, Matter, and More Musings)

• 6 Places Where Precision Matters (via Dumb Little Man)

• Simple Tips to Organizing Your Vital Information - Are You Prepared? (via My Estate Planning Career Blog)

• Is the Value Menu Really a Value? Comparing the Homemade Double Cheeseburger to The McDonald's $1 Version (via The Simple Dollar) This is a classic post. The post itself is intriguing. I think Trent conducted his "experiment" pretty fairly and thoroughly...and in my opinion, the health factor trumps price anyway. It's also amazing to read the comments and see how many people almost seem "offended" that even the cheapest thing on a fast food menu isn't that great of a financial deal. I guess we're still not ready to accept that something we've been told is a good deal is not really as good as it is presented. BTW, advertising is the only difference between Mickey D's and Trent's experiment. Equipment is a moot point (because homes already have cooking equipment and McDonald's billions served have more than paid for their burger presser). My guess is that they're still making dough off that $1 Double Cheeseburger (and an even greater % on those fries and drink). James, you have anything to add from behind the scenes we might not be aware of?

Have a great weekend...

WYTI Links: 09.12.2007

Here are Wednesday's links:

• I Will Never Be Wealthy If I Am Not Already Rich (via Family Finance Blog)

• When a Saver and a Spender Say "I Do" (via Get Rich Slowly) Good read to consider if you're doing some pre-marital counseling anytime soon...
  

• Balancing Living for Today and Saving for Tomorrow (via I've Paid For This Twice Already)

• An Interesting Voluntary Simplicity Exercise That Can Really Improve Your Financial Situation (via The Simple Dollar)

• A Wealth of Smarts Does Not Guarantee Actual Wealth (via David Biello of Scientific American)
  

WYTI Links: 09.07.2007

Here are three more links for a Friday.

• The One Hour Project (via The Simple Dollar) I mentioned one of these specific areas on Wednesday. Here is the first post of the month-long series. Trent will be linking all additional One Hour posts to this one as well. It has already started out as a very helpful series.

• 10 Awesome Free Websites Tools Services That I Use Every Week (via No Credit Needed) I use 3 of these regularly (Flickr, OpenOffice, and Gimp). I recommend all three if they seem to meet some of your needs.
  

• Stop Going Crazy for Birthday Parties for Kids (via Money, Matter, and More Musings) This just made me laugh. Just a warning though, there is at least one word that is not appropriate for a Christian audience.

I'll post the results of our August goals sometime soon. Because of some good fortune, we were able to purchase a brand new mattress on Wednesday (We've been sleeping on our futon since July). If you are anywhere near Jasper, I would recommend Tubbs' Salvage on 9th Avenue. We were able to buy a brand-new Queen PillowTop (on both sides) mattress and box springs for $230. Additionally, the owners are members of the Crossroads church here in Jasper.

Have a great weekend!

WYTI Links: 09.05.2007

Three links for you today...

• The One Hour Project: Clean Out Your Media Collection (via The Simple Dollar)

• Creating a Basic Budget and Organizing Your Financial Documents (via No Credit Needed)

• Can I Use My Emergency Fund For That? (via We're In Debt)
  

WYTI Links: 08.30.2007 (PtP Edition)

I've been at the BJCC in Birmingham all week for Polishing the Pulpit. If you've never attended, you need to seriously look into it for 2008. It should be the last week of August, and they are thinking it will likely be in Sevierville, TN. If you are able to get away for a week or two devoted to a lectureship of some sort, this should be toward the top of your list.

Here are some links to suffice for the week...consider it an "emotional" edition:

• The Emotional Impact of Debt (via One Million and Beyond)

• Personal Finance Isn't Rocket Science, It's Personal Motivation (via SavingAdvice.com)

• Money Mistakes to Avoid: Procrastination (via Money $mart Life) This is huge for me...I'm a big procastina

• It's Okay to Spend Money (via Five Cent Nickel)

• The Weight of Stolen Money (via Money, Matter, and More Musings)

• Considering the Cost of Things I Took For Granted (via I've Paid For This Twice Already...)

• Getting Over the "Taboo" of Generics and Store Brand Names (via The Simple Dollar)
  

WYTI Links: 08.22.07

Wednesday's Links...a practical edition: (I had these ready to go on Tuesday night, but silly dial-up kept timing out when I tried to post them this morning. Sorry...blame Bellsouth...or the new AT&T.)

• Are Personal Finance Magazines Worth the Cost? (via Get Rich Slowly)

• The Simple Dollar Guide to Shaving (via The Simple Dollar) Every man's gotta do it...here's Trent's plan for doing it cheap(er).
  

• Tackling Breakfast: Healthy, Inexpensive, And Easy Meals to Get Me Started In the Morning (via The Simple Dollar)
  

• 100 Things You Can Make Yourself (via $imply Thrifty) ...with links and instructions!
  

• 10 Ways to Cut Your Restaurant Bill Big Time (via Money $mart Life) Eating out is our biggest weakness, so these suggestions are helpful.
  

• Five Things Parents Can Do to Avoid Lead Poisoning (via Consumer Reports) Despite the ambiguity of the title, it's about avoiding lead poisoning in children not in parents ;).
  

WYTI Links: 08.15.07

I'm feeling very "foundational" this week for some reason...so here are some current links that reinforce sound--and basic--financial principles:

• The 11 Principles (via Money Crashers) One sentence summaries of MC's basics.
  

• 24 Signs That You Could Be in Financial Trouble (via Generation X Finance) Foundational Principle: You have to honestly evaluate yourself and your financial standing.

• A Maxed Out Roth IRA = $11 A Day (via My Money Blog) Foundational Principle: A little done a lot is more than a lot done a little.

• The Top 3 Mental Blocks to Personal Finance [And How to Get Past Them] (via Get Rich Slowly) Foundational Principle: There is an emotional aspect to finances that must be addressed.
  

• Getting Rid of Debt Without Worrying About the Latte Factor (via Money, Matter, and More Musings) Foundational Principle: There is more than one way to do things and still be financially healthy.
  

• How to Balance Your Checkbook in the Era of the Debit Card (via The Simple Dollar) Foundational Principle: You have to know what's coming in and what's going out.
  

WYTI Links: 07.10.07

My computer caught a nasty spyware/malware bug a couple of weeks ago, so it's been fun getting rid of that, and next week, I'll be down at ICYC for Clark Sims' week, so the updates may not be regular next week either...

Have fun with the links:

• One Thing You Can Do Today That Will Put You In Better Financial Shape Tomorrow...genius idea (via The Simple Dollar)
• True Cost of a New Car (via Money Musings)
• How I Escaped Living From Paycheck to Paycheck (via Get Rich Slowly)
• 12 Mistakes to Avoid With Your Retirement Savings Plan (via Generation X Finance)
• 10 Misconceptions About Retirement Security (via Generation X Finance)
  

WYTI Links: 06.25.2007

I'm glad to be back from a week in Ohio--although I'm not sure a youth trip could have possibly went better than this one did (I was gonna post from the hotel, but the wireless network was down. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though.).

Here are some Monday links:

• How to Start a Roth IRA (and Where to Do It) Planning for retirement personally is an absolute must for a preacher. This might be the best summary of the Roth IRA option (one of several options). Personally, I anticipate opening a Roth IRA in the next several months. (via Get Rich Slowly)
  
• What to Discuss Before You Get Married Might be helpful in your "Marriage Counseling" file. (via Dual Incomes No Kids)
• Ten Things to Do When You Move Into a New Home This is self-driven; Lord willing, we should be in the preacher's house by the end of the week. (via The Simple Dollar)
• Mom and Dad, Your Financial Decisions Matter Financial stewardship is certainly one of those areas parents are expected to train their children. (via Wisebread)
• And in honor of the release of the iPhone next week...Apple's New iPhone (via The Onion)
  

WYTI Links: 06.14.2007

An Easy Way to Make Debt Disappear More Quickly...(via The Simple Dollar) Notice how the math adds up over time. Very helpful tip for reducing debt.

102 Personal Finance Tips Your Professor Never Taught You (via Ask the Advisor)

How to Avoid Being Audited When You Are Self-Employed (via Ask the Advisor) Helpful suggestions since most preachers and paid-ministers are considered self-employed for tax purposes.

WYTI Links: 06.13.07

Massive Personal Finance Resource List (via The Frugal Law Student) One word; two syllables: Jackpot.

10 Tips for Dealing with Car Salesmen (via Generation X Finance)

Confessions of a Former Circuit City Worker (via Consumerist)

Money Savvy Pig: The Piggy Bank for the 21st Century (via Money Savvy Generation) This looks quite cool...check out reviews at The Simple Dollar and Get Rich Slowly. Pig available in five colors; also available as a cow or football. Hmmm...do you have to be a kid to have a piggy bank?

The Simple Dollar: Financial Talk for the Rest of Us

My most regular and most enjoyable financial blog visits occur at The Simple Dollar. The blog is very well done and maintained from a usability and aesthetic standpoint. Trent's personal perspective makes it effective as well.

He mentions sound financial principles that we've all heard before, but he does so in a very practical manner. It's one of two Personal Finance blogs to which I subscribe. Go check it out.

The Simple Dollar: Financial Talk for the Rest of Us