I'm happy to welcome another gold channel to the PFBlog Network: Common Cents. The blogger, CC, believes we can rely on common sense to make personal finance decisions. On the personal side, he is about to get married in three months, so you can expect him to reveal all the finances when people tie the knot.

By adding Common Cents, we have 15 gold channels in the network now. We didn't add many channels recently -- now PFBlog Network is in a phase to bring more quality to our readers. This week's production is a good testament to our focus on quality. Enjoy the selected posts!

Bloggers' Pesonal Stories

• Nickel is setting up a system to educate his kids about money.
• CC starts to look at the finance picture of the upcoming wedding.
• CC shared his diamond purchase experience.
• Dr. D's learned a lesson: always read and understand what you sign.
• CC at Common Cents explored healthcare insurance options with his bride-to-be.
• MM had a love-hate week with TiVo (Part 1, Part 2).
• Dr. D. is in the market for two cars.
• Sadi confessed that she buys on impulse.

Personal Finance News and Resources

• Do you know you can get a private education loan by pledging your future income?
• BA's Mad Money series is back: see the brain dump for the May 27 episode. This one is particularly a good read even if you don't like Jim Cramer.
• Nickel's review on new Driver's Edge card terms.
• Are you fairly compensated? Find it out online.
• Why existing home sales and new home sales are both important economic indicators?
• Flexo reports on most and least affordable cities.
• Judgment on Chase's touchless Blink card: Jim has serious security concerns; MM thinks it is not really a time saver.
• Use-it-or-lose-it rule is less strict for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).

Personal Finance Tips

• Too many gift bills? Some tips on how to get creative without being cheap.
• Jim summarizes Rules 6 - 10 and Rules 11 - 15 of Jim Cramer’s 25 Rules of Investing.
• Course 201 for family CFOs: leave all the paper trails for your loved ones.
• How to make sense of inflation and price waves?
• Buyers beware: home appraisal can be inflated.