First, congratulation to Free Money Finance, one of our gold channels. Free Money Finance is recently recognized by BusinessWeek. PFBlog was mentioned in the same article too, but as an aggregator. (Actually, PFBlog Network is not an aggregator per se -- our bloggers are voluntarily contributing to the network to get more exposure of their writings, and some gold channels like Reasoned Investing and My First Million are only available at PFBlog. If you want to join us, take a look at our program summary and let me know why your writing will be a good addition to the network.)
Week 15 is so fruitful at PFBlog Network that we have a record-breaking 60 posts covering all corners of personal finance. Enjoy some of the best!
Bloggers' Personal Stories
• Monthly report time again! June of 2005 for Flexo and MM.
• Nickel called Blockbuster's recent promotion sleazy, and he has good reasons to say so.
• Can financial success buy you happiness? Share Flexo's observations.
• MM revised his goal: now $1 million in another 7 years (vs 11 before this week). Good discussion in the comment area on whether home equity should be calculated as one's net worth.
• MM reviews three years' financial record in five charts. And don't miss the great entertaining piece of How Not to Become a Millionaire (external link).
Personal Finance News and Resources
• You don't have to wait till year-end to donate. Read Jim's summary on IRS rules for deduction and take action.
• Why did the stock market actually gain after the London bombing? Flexo read a few articles and compiled the different spins.
• Microsoft Money 2006 is out months earlier than usual. It is a fine program, but only a minor improvement from the last version.
• Are you interested to be a realtor in this hot market? Some things to consider first.
• The "Best Advice I Can Give" series continues at Free Money Finance. Enjoy the wisdom from your peers.
• Flexo discussed the various aspects of the GM "Employee Discount for Everyone" deal.
• FMF took free samples and reviewed Hefty Store 'n Serve Plates and Bowls.
• 1stMill must really like Dodge and Cox fund. Find out his ten reasons.
• Now that the Supreme Court declared that everyone's property can be seized for better economic development, someone is trying the law on one of the justices.
Personal Finance Tips
• Nickel offers some guidance on when not to write a check. Good tips as we are embracing for more identity theft.
• By saying "getting rich slowly", FMF is essentially talking about keeping the long-term view.
• At the age of 50, our millionaire blogger took a serious look at the skyrocketing premium for medical insurance and shared his take on long-term care insurance. (Plus: How to get a quote of long-term care insurance on the web?)
• Some tips on being frugal from a single mother of three kids that survives on $31,000.
• How to nickle and dime to more grocery spend savings? Try Shopper's Price List from prospect.
• Which family with kids doesn't need Harry Potter? Share Arbee's research on good deals.