Best Personal Finance Writing – Week 9

I try to answer every comment at Married (with Debt), because I truly do appreciate it when others weigh in on the topics of the day. I’m glad that you have taken time out of your day to share something with me.

But lately I’ve been pretty busy during the daytime with my day job, so I’m not able to always reply immediately. But no matter how busy I am, I will always read and reply to each comment, because engaging readers is why I spend so many hours each week doing my best to give you something better than regurgitated common sense advice.   

On Monday I officially reached the one month milestone on my experiment in not eating any grain, following a diet of only meat, beans and vegetables. I feel better than I have in 10 years, and don’t really have a desire to eat refined carbohydrates again. I will continue this at least until my doctor checkup in 11 days.

I feel like I did when I quit smoking 8 years ago. Sure it tasted and felt good, but once you realize that it is poisoning you it’s hard to continue playing along.

I’ve enjoyed working on the 10 Rules series, and am encouraged by the feedback I have received. Stay tuned for a new rule each week.

Next week we tackle a controversial topic: paying off your debts, smallest to largest.

 

This week’s Best Of list is dedicated to starting great discussions.

• The always inimitable Len Penzo has an amusing anecdote about his kids’ favorite word: NO, and the power of saying no when it comes to your finances.
• Sandy at Yes I Am Cheap asks if you would steal food to feed your family if you absolutely could not make ends meet. This is the shortest post to make my Best Of list, but it stirred up some interesting discussion, which is the mark of a great post.
• Sam at Financial Samurai stirs up a debate over whether employers should use or be allowed to use credit reports for hiring decisions. As usual, the comments are as good as the post.
• I’ve been comparing my Chase Freedom card lately to see if anything looks better, and the Chase Sapphire card caught my eye. Free Money Finance has a handy breakdown of the best offers out there so you don’t have to wade through the fluff.
• Alex at Faith and Finance asks are credit cards sinful? I think they can be used in a bad way, but that does not make everyone who uses them a sinner. Now is using a card for rewards only being greedy?

(in no particular order)

 

This week my writing appeared in quite a few Carnivals. Muchas gracias to the fine sites below who hosted.

• Carnival of Money Pros at Money Pros
• Yakezie Carnival at Not Made of Money
• Carnival of Financial Camaraderie at My University Money
• Totally Money at Afford Anything
• Canadian Finance Carnival at Canadian Finance Blog
• Carnival of Wealth at Control Your Cash
• Carnival of Financial Planning at Skilled Investor
• Carnival of Retirement at Money Reasons
• Financial Carnival for Young Adults at 20′s Finances

 

Previous “Best Of” Roundups:

Week 8

Week 7

Week 6