Carnival of Personal Finance #144- St. Patrick’s Day Edition

Hello and Top O’ the Mornin’ to yeh!  Welcome to the 144th Carnival of Personal Finance on this lovely St. Patrick’s Day!  Since we’re celebrating the patron saint of Ireland today, I thought it would be fun to take a look at some Irish Quotes and Proverbs.

There were a ton of great entries to the carnival this week, so it’s a long one.  Pull up a comfortable chair, grab a cup of coffee (or a spot, if you like…..just don’t get fluthered), and enjoy the reading.

Three best to have in plenty – sunshine, wisdom and generosity.
Irish Triad

Editor’s Picks

Can you learn anything about personal finance from Star Wars?  You fans will be pleased to know that The Investor thinks so with Who’s Your Star Wars Money Hero? at Monevator.com.

Bob McDonald shares the best money tip he’s ever given, and it’s so simple anyone can do it!  Check it out at The Platinum Years Network.

Madison gives you the 5 Fundamentals of Financial Success at My Dollar Plan.  Do you do what it takes to succeed?

Paidtwice wonders how renting could ever be a good deal, since somebody owns the rental property.  How can it be a good deal for both the renter and the owner?

Mr. Debtbeater outlines the disadvantages of living paycheck to paycheck at Debt Beater.  If you’ve ever lived paycheck to paycheck, this list is familiar.  Fortunately Mr. Debtbeater is going to make a plan to move away from the edge.

He who has water and peat on his own farm has the world his own way.
Old Irish proverb.

Finances

Mrs. Micah lets you know why she prefers gift cards for experiences, rather than gift cards for stuff.

Money Ning tells you how to get rich quick….sort of… at Money Ning.

Dorian Wales explains net present value at The Personal Financier.

Find out why you need life insurance at Everything Finance.

J2R says our newest bubble is caused by impatience and greed at Journey 2 Retirement.

Nickel shares some characteristics of Middle Class Millionaires at Five Cent Nickel.

The borrowed horse has hard hoofs.
Irish Saying

Debt and Budgeting

Want to pay down your debt, but don’t know where to begin?  Patrick shares a good strategy at Cash Money Life.

Could Broke Grad Student have avoided student loan debt?  He does the analysis and lets you know.

Once you’ve paid off your debt, how are you going to celebrate?  If you need ideas, head to Not the Jet Set.

Ryan is pondering the steps he’s going to take to pay down some of his debt at Debt Reduction Formula.

Kevin from No Debt Plan shares the most important budgeting advice he knows: keep a one month buffer.

Find out how you can expect your budget to change when your second child arrives at Cheap as Chips.

Need more wiggle room in your budget?  Joe D. gives you 10 ideas to free up some money at The Ledge.

Enough and no waste is as good as a feast.
Irish Saying

Frugality

Have rising food prices got you down?  Visit A Penny Closer to find out how to battle the increasing grocery bill.

Chief Family Officer has some more tips for keeping food costs down.

Andy shares his thoughts on tipping at Finance Viewpoint.

If you love books (or even DVDs), but are looking to save money, Elizabeth shows you some library hacks to help you out at Working for Rachel.

Learn how to plant a pretty flower garden without spending too much money at American Consumer News.

Is having a frugal wedding possible?  Bryce from Save and Conquer tells you all about how he kept his wedding costs down.

The high cost of gas is on everyone’s mind lately.  Ryan from Uncommon Cents shares some tips to keep auto fuel costs down.

How to eat healthy on a budget is a question often asked in frugal circles.  Squawkfox shares her picks for the top 10 frugalicious foods.  Don’t know what frugalicious is?  You’ll have to read to find out!

Char at Debt Non Sequitor says when you’re not happy with your financial situation, seek out alternatives.  You never know the bargains you may find!

Rick suggests practicing gift card arbitrage as a way to stretch your money at Increase Revenue, Decrease Cost.

Dance as if no one’s watching, sing as if no one’s listening, and live everyday as if it were your last.
Irish Saying

The Economy

Heidi shares her thoughts on the future of the banking industry at Banker Girl.

Rocko also believes banks are headed for hard times at The Mathematical Think-Tank.

Steve at Quest for a Million tells you why inflation is about to get a whole lot worse.

T. Struck has lived through one recession and is preparing for another.  He tells you what he’s doing at Daily Money Tips.

You’ll never plough a field by turning it over in your mind.
Irish Saying

>Money Management

Four Pillars gives you his opinion on the Dave Ramsey method of money management at Quest for Four Pillars.

Do you have financial OCD?  Read this list of symptoms at Finance Gets Personal to find out!

Suze Orman says you can be your own financial planner.  Find out if she’s right at Moolanomy.

Head to Watch My Moneymaker to find out why it’s important to learn principles for managing your money.

Who is better at managing money?  Professional athletes or average joes? Steward tells you at My Family’s Money.

Lazy Man has a new take on a Barenaked Ladies tune at Lazy Man and Money.

Learn how to avoid the cost of procrastination at Value for Your Life.

Jennifer at Finding Financial Peace is trying to forget the Joneses, and she’s learned a few lessons from them over the years, too.

22 year old Shanti tells you how she plans to retire at age 35 at Antishay Ventenne.  If you read what she has to say, you’ll see why I believe she can do it!

Do not take the thatch from your own roof to buy slates for another man’s house.
Irish Proverb

Real Estate

Single Guy Money tells you what steps he’s taking to keep his good tenant.  I can’t wait to hear how it turns out.

Most people think buying a home is better than renting, but Kacie tells you why she’s a content renter at Sense to Save.  For now I’m a content renter, too.

Tempted to buy a bargain home?  Dobromir from Dividend Growth Investor cautions you to make sure a bargain is really a bargain before spending your money.

Can we still count on real estate as a good investment? Visit Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck to find out.

Cindy S. says the large numbers of foreclosures and short sales affect everyone, whether you know it or not, at My Aching Debts.

A little fire that warms is better than a big fire that burns.
Irish Saying

Investing

Fire Finance tells you what it takes to be a successful long term investor.

Find out what a bias for action is and how to control it at Dividends4Life.

The Financial Blogger explains the importance of asset allocation.

Peter shows you the ins and outs of dollar cost averaging at Plan Your Escape.

Rio tells you everything you need to know about starting a Roth IRA at Get Financially Fit.

Kristen shares how her first meeting with a stock broker left a lasting impression at The Financial Engineer.

The Dividend Guy shows you a way to screen for good stocks.

With 10 years to go until retirement, Grace tells you what she’s doing to prepare at GRACEful Retirement.

NCN shows you a nice chart outlining his investment goals at No Credit Needed.

Ryan explains why a volatile stock market isn’t all bad at Millionaire Money Habits.

One Snarky Chica With Issues explains the difference between a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA.

If you give the loan of your britches, don’t cut off the buttons.
Irish Saying

Credit

Problems with your credit report?  Find out how to fix the errors at Prime Time Money.

Don’t confuse credit reports with credit scores.  JS from Smart Money Daily clears up the confusion between the two and tells you if there is any such thing as a free credit score.

Deborah from Pennies to Nickels reminds you that bad credit can follow you around for a long time.  Fortunately it sounds like she’s turning things around.

Can places of business require a minimum purchase for credit card transactions? Head to CreditAddict.com to find out.

Ben Dinsmore compares a credit protection service to taking steps to protect your own credit at Trees Full of Money.

Don’t make little of your dish for it may be an ignorant fellow who judges it.
Irish Saying

Career

Ana at DebtFREE-Revolution wants your input on a dilemma.  She’s wondering whether it’s better to take out a student loan in pursuit of a high paying career or pay cash for college and get a degree for a lower paying career.

Future Millionaire wants to know if talking about salaries is still taboo.  Weigh in with your opinion at Saving Savy by a Future Millionaire.

Father Sez shows you how he intends to recruit and keep workers for his start-up farming business.  After reading this, I wouldn’t mind working for him!

Planning to leave your job soon?  SVB just left her job, and she has some tips on the best way to do it at The Digerati Life.

Visit Savvy Frugality to find out what to do if you lost your job.  We employed almost all of these tips when my husband lost his job last year.

There is no tax on talk
Irish Saying

Taxes

Need ideas on how to spend your tax refund?  Debt Freedom Fighter has some ideas for you at Discover Debt Freedom.  And none of them include frivolous spending.

Need even more ideas?  Dan at Everyday Finance has some additional ideas for spending your economic stimulus check.

RC at Think Your Way to Wealth has still more ideas on how to spend that check!

Once you’ve decided where you’re going to spend your refund or rebate, The Mighty Bargain Hunter says it’s a good idea to write it down!

Visit The Happy Rock to find out why hiring a CPA to do your taxes might be worth it.

May the enemies of Ireland never eat bread nor drink whisky, but be tormented with itching without benefit of scratching.
Irish toast.

Other

Raymond from Money Blue Book has a thing or two to say about late night infomercials that want to make you part with your money.

When evaluating your financial situation, it’s important to have the proper perspective, according to Rocket Finance.

Have you seen those offers for free laptops?  Clever Dude evaluates the offers and tells you if they’re worth it at Clever Dude Finances & Life.

Shana says there’s no such thing as easy money at Smart Easy Money.

Emily Starbuck Gerson tells you how to avoid a spring break nightmare at Taking Charge.

Free Money Finance shares how times are a’changin’ (or not) when it comes to money and marriage.

Megan ponders the value of intangibles at A Dollar A Day.  There are some things that are just more important than the budget.

Need to register for a wedding or baby shower soon?  Penny Nickel shows you how you can register for non-traditional gifts at Money and Values.

Amanda at Me vs. Debt is glad she could rely on workers compensation after a recent work-related injury.

F.F. answers a reader question about giving (or loaning) gifts at Feminist Finance, and she’s spot on with her advice!

Thanks for participating in this week’s Carnival of Personal Finance!  Don’t forget to submit your articles for next week’s carnival, which will be hosted at Million Dollar Journey.  I’ll leave you with one last Irish Blessing as you go on your way.

May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!

Irish quotes and proverbs found at Irish Culture and Customs.

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Tagged as: 144, Budgeting, Carnival of Personal Finance, Credit, Debt, Investing