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Archive for January, 2007

3 No Spend Days in a Row!

January 16th, 2007 at 03:47 am

Well, thanks to the freezing rain, snow, and ice we've had over the last few days, I've had 3 No Spend days in a row!

But, I have to say it was probably due to the weather more than anything else. Since I work from home, I was able to stay inside for the worst of the bad weather, and that meant no spending.

DH is out of town for the rest of the week, and I've got plans with the girls at least 2 of those days. So... probably won't have any more No Spend days this week, but I'm content with the 3 I've had already.

Jump-Start Your Retirement Planning Days

January 12th, 2007 at 08:11 pm

Twice a year Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) team up to provide consumers with free financial advice during Jump-Start Your Retirement Planning Days.

Jump-Start Your Retirement Planning Days is a chance for consumers to get free financial advice by telephone from some of the nation's top financial advisors. 

Consumers can call from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Janaury 16th and Friday, January 26th. 

Financial advisors will be standing by to answer people's most pressing retirement questions.

The toll-free number for the Kiplinger's Jump-Start Your Retirement Planning Days is 888-919-2345. 

More information can be found at Kiplinger.com or at NAPFA's website.

Two very creative finance blog carnivals

January 9th, 2007 at 03:18 pm

I don't know if you guys read blog carnivals, but I've seen 2 this week that are very creative and interesting to read.

They are:

Text is The Carnival of Personal Finance: Financial Superheroes Edition and Link is http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/01/08/carnival-of-personal-finance-financial-superheroes-edition/
The Carnival of Personal Finance: Financial Superheroes Edit... by Get Rich Slowly, and

Text is The Ten Commandments of Frugality (Festival of Frugality #56) and Link is http://www.harvestsb.org/savvysteward/2007/01/festival-of-frugaltiy-56-the-ten-commandments-of-frugality/
The Ten Commandments of Frugality (Festival of Frugality #56)

I wish I was that creative! Alas, I'm just a numbers person...

My newspaper saved me $25!

January 7th, 2007 at 07:30 pm

My dh frequently complains that the Sunday newspaper is a waste of money (probably because he just reads the sports and comic sections and throws the rest away!).

Our Sunday paper usually has a sticker on it that say's there are $35 in money-saving coupons inside (or whatever the amount is). I'm not much of a coupon cutter, but today's paper had a brown paper bag (grocery size bag) from Office Max inside, which allowed shoppers to save 15% off all items you could fit into the bag.

I was planning on stocking up for tax season today anyway, so I grabbed that bag and off to Office Max I went. Since I was stocking up on higher priced items like toner and ink cartridges, I saved over $25 on my total by using the shopping bag!

So is the Sunday paper a waste of money? No way! I saved enough to buy the Sunday paper for the next two years, so my dh can continue reading the funnies and sports section every Sunday without worrying about wasting money.

I think I'll add the savings to our vacation fund...

1st No Spend Day

January 5th, 2007 at 10:33 pm

Well, it looks like I'm going to finally have my first No Spend Day.

I mentioned in my previous post that the grocery store is usually what keeps me from having a no spend day.

I made it through today without going to the grocery store, but I'll definitely have to go tomorrow, cuz the Chiefs made the playoffs and we plan on grilling up some good chow for the game (even though I don't think anyone expects us to beat the Colts)!

Anyway... I'm excited about my first No Spend Day and am looking forward to many, many more No Spend Days in the future!

I Want a No Spend Day!

January 4th, 2007 at 10:51 pm

So far in 2007 I have not had a No Spend Day.

My biggest obstacle is that we go to the grocery store almost every day. As hard as I try (grocery lists, menu planning, etc.) I always seem to need something.

So... I'm on a mission to have my first No Spend Day (tomorrow - already went to the grocery store today). Wish me luck!

Win Free Financial Advice!

January 2nd, 2007 at 04:55 pm

Text is Money Smart Life and Link is http://www.moneysmartlife.com/
Money Smart Life is running a blog contest starting today. It's
Text is The Small Idea, Big Change Challenge and Link is http://www.moneysmartlife.com/2007/01/02/win-free-financial-advice-the-small-idea-big-change-challenge/
The Small Idea, Big Change Challenge.

Here's the post on his blog...

"The blogosphere is full of financial wisdom and inspiration. Often, the smallest idea or article is all we need to help us make a much needed change in our finances. I challenge you to share what blogger inspired your financial success in 2006!

Enter the Small Idea, Big Change Challenge and let everyone know what idea led to a big financial change in your life! The winner of the challenge will receive a 1 hour consultation with a certified financial planner.

Kristine McKinley is a CFP and CPA from
Text is Beacon Financial Advisors and Link is http://www.beacon-advisor.com
Beacon Financial Advisors whom some of you may recognize from her
Text is blog and Link is http://beaconfinancialtips.typepad.com/blog/
blog contributions to various finance carnivals.

The winner of the challenge will get a mini-version of her
Text is Right Start Financial Checkup and Link is http://beacon-advisor.com/OurServices.asp
Right Start Financial Checkup. The prize is one hour of phone consultation with Kristine on your investment or tax issues.

So how do you win? Here are the rules:

1) Write about any small idea from a personal finance blogger in 2006 that inspired you to a big financial change.

It doesn’t have to be a small idea but usually that’s all it takes. If you have a blog of your own, post your entry there. If not, send me the information via my Contact page and I’ll post it on this blog.

The submission should contain two things:

* A link to original post from the blogger that inspired you.
* A link back to this post.

2) Voting
The winner will be chosen for the people by the people! As the submissions link back to this post, you’ll see them at the bottom of the page. Get out and vote for your favorite success stories by leaving a comment on their post. You can vote for more than one.

3) Winner
Whichever submission has the most comments by the end of the day January 15th wins! At the end of the contest, I’ll write a summary post linking back to all of the submissions and announce the winner.

Kristine will contact the winner to schedule the meeting and determine the personal finance questions to be covered in the consultation.

Contest Updates
I’ll be giving updates on the contest over the next two weeks so subscribe to my feed to stay in the loop.
Good luck!"

For more information and updates, check
Text is Money Smart Life's blog and Link is http://www.moneysmartlife.com/
Money Smart Life's blog often!

It's FAFSA time!

January 2nd, 2007 at 04:21 pm

You can start completing and sending in your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon as Jan 1.

Although the deadline for the FAFSA form isn't until July 2, 2007, you'll want to get yours in early. This is one case where the early bird really does get the worm.

Even if you don't think you will qualify for financial aid, you should complete this form. Many schools require the FAFSA for merit and other non-financial need based awards.

Text is Click here and Link is http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
Click here to get your FAFSA form or to complete it online.