Site News

Carnival of Retirement – The Elephant Edition!

Posted by jefferson on Feb 4, 2013 in Site News | 9 comments

We are excited to host the 56th edition of the prestigious Carnival of Retirement this week! We dedicate this edition to the beautiful and wonderful elephant. We love to go see the elephants at our local zoo, our baby girl dressed up as an elephant last Halloween, and in general we love these sweet and powerful animals.

With that, we present to you the best Personal Finance articles from the past week:

Michael Kitces @ Nerd’s Eye View writes An Efficient Solution To Implement Intra-Family Mortgage Loan Strategies – In this difficult borrowing environment, some potential homebuyers have found the best way to finance a purchase is not from a major commercial bank, but from the “family bank” instead through an intra-family loan. And as long as IRS guidelines are followed, the transaction can be remarkably appealing for the borrower – and a way for retirees to earn a higher return while keeping the money in the family!

Robert @ The College Investor writes Why Aren’t You Investing in The Most Important Thing? – Is that really all there is to making money and being successful in life? Chipping away at a job that you “sorta” like (on good days) and saving up a small heap of heavily-taxed income on the side? I think a lot of us want more than that.

Pauline @ Reach Financial Independence writes 13 money resolutions for 2013: Max it out – This post is part of a 13 money resolutions for 2013 series, and talks about maxing out all the retirement and tax sheltered accounts this year.

Jeff Rose @ Good Financial Cents writes 5 Things You Need to Know About The Traditional IRA 2013 – If you are fortunate to work at a company that offers a match on your 401(k) deposits, don’t walk away from that free money. There, however, might be some instances where the traditional IRA has its place. Be aware of the rules and limits of the Traditional IRA Account.

Roger Wohlner @ The Chicago Financial Planner writes Life Insurance as a Retirement Savings Vehicle – A Good Idea? – If approached by someone trying to convince you to use life insurance as an investment vehicle for retirement or any other purpose be very leery and ask many questions. Make sure this is a good deal for you and not just for the rep trying to sell you the policy.

Michael @ Financial Ramblings writes HSA After Leaving Job – Wondering what to do with your HSA after you leave you job? Don’t panic. You have a number of good options.

Dividend Growth Investor @ Dividend Growth Investor writes The Dividend Kings List Keeps Expanding – The following companies have managed to reward their loyal shareholders with a dividend raise for over 50 years in a row each. This is particularly interesting, since this period covered several recessions, a few oil shocks and one embargo, a few wars, inflation and a lot of change in the global economy.

harry campbell @ Your Personal Finance Pro writes My New HSA Strategy – Rollovers and Trustee Transfers – Since my company was acquired by an even larger one last year, 2013 will be our first full year under the new administration. That means a whole lot of changes to our benefits and one of those will be to our HSA provider. Although the HDHP insurance portion will still be served by Aetna, our HSA provider will be switching from Fidelity to Chase. Chase is similar in respect to Fidelity but their investing options are more expensive and more limited. And since I don’t rely on my HSA for medi

Lance @ Money Life and More writes How We Set Up My Girlfriend’s Budget – Budgets… a lot of people can’t stand them! My girlfriend isn’t a huge fan of budgets either but she recognizes how budgets help you achieve your financial goals. More importantly, my girlfriend’s budget was made specifically to achieve her number one goal.

eemusings @ NZ Muse writes Can we all realistically expect to love our jobs? – Following your passion is a nice platitude, but statistically it just doesn’t work.

Jen @ Master the Art of Saving writes Why Didn’t I Get A PrePaid Cell Phone Sooner? – While I would love to have a shiny new iPhone and be able to get online no matter where I am, I’m not willing to spend that much money. Granted you can…

BARBARA FRIEDBERG @ Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance writes WHAT IS AN ETF AND HOW TO INVEST IN ETFs – ETF investing. Are ETFs better than mutual funds? Pro’s and con’s of ETF investing.

Sustainable PF @ Sustainable Personal Finance writes Why You Should Take Care of Your Finances First – One of the financial virtues that our society lauds is helping others.

A Blinkin @ Funancials writes Diversify Your Taxes, B!tch – Consider shifting some of your assets from a taxable account to one that is taxed later or never taxed. This way, you’ll be taxed on what you spend rather than what you earn. Checking accounts, savings accounts, stocks and bonds are examples of accounts that are taxed now. 401(k), IRAs, and annuities are examples of accounts that will be taxed later.

Amanda L Grossman @ Frugal Confessions writes Our 2012 Energy Consumption – Each year I take the time to review our energy consumption from the previous 12 months (electricity and natural gas costs).

Ted Jenkin @ Your Smart Money Moves writes Money Unhappiness? It’s All About Expectations – Every year that the birthday clock turns another year I ask myself one simple question, Am I getting any wiser? Many say that gaining wisdom in life is

Aloysa @ My Broken Coin writes Why Some Women Prefer Older Men (Money is Not The Reason) – Where are the reasons that some women prefer older men. It’s not just for the money.

Rohit @ The Money Mail writes How to select the best no fees Roth IRA accounts – Are you losing your return to fees you are getting charged in your Roth IRA account? It is in your interest to go for accounts that charge no fees. Some brokerage houses are now offering many free mutual fund options within Roth IRA but you will still have to pay for individual stock transaction. There are other criteria you should look at when selecting a Roth IRA account provider such as real time quotes and customer service. In this article you will find details on the types of fees the custo

Thomas @ Finance Inspired writes Moving Abroad to Escape Debt – When faced with high levels of debt some people feel like they have no other choice but to run. Let’s have a look to see whether moving abroad to escape debt is even an option anymore.

John @ WILD about Finance writes How to use your cash card safely online – It’s important to be conscious of the threats surrounding using your credit card online, read this for a great little knowledge nugget.

Simon @ Your Wealth Planners writes Eco-Houses popping up around the UK – With the recent shift to living a more ‘Green’ lifestyle, along with lowering your carbon footprint, a new craze looks set to sweep the UK in the form of eco-houses.

MMD @ IRA vs 401k Central writes What are the 401k Withdrawal Rules for Getting My Money Back? – Before putting too much money into your employers retirement plan, it helps to understand the 401k withdrawal rules and when you’ll see your money again.

Jason @ Work Save Live writes Tips to Save Money on your Cable Bill – If you are currently paying $50-$60 a month for 200+ channels you rarely watch did you know you have options? Here are 3 options that will not only save you money on your cable bill but can also actually improve your programming.

MMD @ My Money Design writes What is Financial Freedom – The Easy to Follow Explanation – In this post, we’re going to layout a definition to what is financial freedom and explain where we need to focus in order to achieve it.

Gary @ Gajizmo writes Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage – It’s the beginning of the year and you are planning your finances. Young or old, will you be deciding to pay off your home in the next few years? Does it make sense to do so? Here are the pros and cons of paying off your mortgage early.

Chris @ IRetireEarly writes Top 3 Advantages and Disadvantages of Mutual Funds – Mutual funds have been longstanding staples of the finance industry, but is mutual fund investing the right move for you and your financial goals? Check out the top 3 advantages and disadvantages of mutual funds.

Michelle @ Making Sense of Cents writes Roth IRA vs. 401(k) – A common question that I am asked is regarding the differences of Roth IRAs and 401(k)s. However, I don’t know everything about them and all of the differences. I mainly have a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan but I will go in depth on all three in order to give you a better idea.

Invest It Wisely @ Invest It Wisely writes How to Raise Happy, Healthy Children – There are many ways to shape our children into the happy, healthy children we desire. Here’s a few tips to aid you in getting there.

Ashley @ Money Talks Coaching writes Check Out the Median Income Over Time – I just came across this chart I made a few months ago. It’s the median income adjusted for inflation from 1984 to 2010. I think it’s very interesting.

Darwin @ Darwin’s Money writes Dollar Cost Averaging: Actual Results From the Past 10 Years – 10 Years of Results crunched for how you would have fared if you dollar cost averaged into the market versus a one-time investment. Interesting results!

Hank @ Money Q&A writes Tips To Save Money On A Mortgage – There are a few solutions to make a mortgage more affordable. If paying down the principal in advance is feasible, it is an effective method to save money on a mortgage.

TDB @ Tax Deduction Blog writes Look Twice: The Most Overlooked Tax Deductions – Most people know the common tax deductions, but if you look hard there are lot of easily overlooked tax deductions, here is a list of them.

Daisy @ Add Vodka writes The Many Inspections Needed When Buying an Older Home – We are happily settled settling into our new house; many boxes are unpacked, we’ve been able to conquer some of the work required to make it a comfortable living space, and I’ve just been able to start sleeping better in our… Read our discoveries!

PK @ Don’t Quit Your Day Job… writes Treasury Return Calculator – Retiring one day? You probably are at least familiar in passing with the 10 year treasury. I converted 8 cups of coffee and one sleepless night into the tool you can use today to figure out the return on the 10 Year Note for any arbitrary time period since 1871. Yes, I’m a bit crazy – I hope you enjoy it!

Mike @ Personal Finance Journey writes Eating Well but Saving More – You might not know it, but your bad habits can lead to costly meals. Here are some tips for saving money on food.

Joe @ Midlife Finance writes The Basics of Insuring Your Car – There are other actions you can take for the best auto coverage, including keeping weekly mileage low, your credit sweet, and regularly reviewing your policy. These tips will not only get you on the road to using your vehicle, but keep you going strong for years to come.

Joe @ Retire By 40 writes 7 Little Downsides Of Being An Entrepreneur – Being an entrepreneur has a lot of benefits, but there are many downsides too. From heath care to the lack for time for your family, it’s not all peaches and cream.

Josh Thompson @ Becoming Your Own Bank writes Infinite Banking Video – We have a new Infinite Banking sketch video that you will love!

Corey @ Steadfast Finances writes 5 Things a Recent College Graduate Should not Buy – Everyone wants new stuff, but it’s not always financially wise. Find out what things college graduates should NOT buy.

Jon the Saver @ Free Money Wisdom writes Easy Ways To Protect Your Money – Here are some practical and easy ways to safeguard your money and ensure that it stays protected.

Tushar @ Earn More and Save writes Analyzing Savings Account Interest: Worth It? – Should you bank on savings account interest as a tool for growing your money?

Daniel @ Sweating the Big Stuff writes How Much Do You Need To Save To Switch Insurance Companies? – When your car insurance is up for renewal, how do you decide whether to switch? Use this guide to find out.

Kyle @ The Penny Hoarder writes 7 Top Tips to Deal with Mortgage Troubles – Here are a few things you may wish to think about when contemplating your mortgage and what-if type questions: If your circumstances change and you find yourself doubting your ability to meet your mortgage repayments, you must contact your mortgage provider as soon as possible.

Bank Free Credit @ Bank Free Credit writes What’s the Difference Between a Credit Report and a Credit Score? – When I tried to get financing for a new car, I was asked for my credit score. When I answered in the negative, I was informed I needed to get my credit report before I could be considered for the loan. This led me to believe the credit score and report were one and the same thing.

Peter @ Bible Money Matters writes 2013 Traditional and Roth IRA Contribution Limits and Phase Outs – When you’re contributing to a Roth or Traditional IRA you’ll want to keep an eye on the limits and phaseouts. If your income is reaching phaseout thresholds, you may want to consider reducing your taxable income by contributing to an account like a 401k, or reducing your taxable income by making charitable contributions, etc so that you can continue to be eligible for the account type.

Jennifer Lynn @ Broke-Ass Mommy writes When quibbling over finances leads to a rift in friendship. – Sometime money discussions and escalate to bad feelings, read my experience and advice.

Evan @ My Journey to Millions writes The World Lost a Great Personal Finance Role Model – The Wife’s grandma was 92 years old and up to her last moments was sharp as a tack. I am only writing about her passing now because her funeral was a couple of days ago (Monday the 28th). She was a lot of fun to just sit and talk to since she loved to tell stories and I am not sure if it was because of my interests or hers but she loved to talk about personal finance issues.

Edgar @ Degrees and Debt writes Monitor Your Credit for FREE – Ways to monitor your credit for FREE!

ETZ25 @ Entertainment Timez writes AIG Alert – Are Others Starting to Notice This Stock Too? – Is AIG starting to get noticed for the value that I believe that it is? Is it kind of like a dolphin caught in fishing lines? To infinity and beyond!

Tushar @ Start Investing Money writes How to Use the ADX Stock Indicator – The ADX indicator can be a useful tool when it comes to gauging whether a particular trend is worth following in terms of investments. The indicator was created back in 1978, and the letters stand for the Average Directional Movement Index.

Passive Income Earner @ The Passive Income Earner writes Is Netflix the next Cable model? – Will Netflix pave the way for the Cable companies for content subscription?

JP @ My Family Finances writes Ways to Hoard Your Gold – While no storage method is perfect, there are many ways to hoard your gold. Just make sure you consider your own personal needs when making a decision.

MR @ Money Reasons writes My Secret Wealth Goal – Today I’m going to reveal on of my secret wealth goals. If I can conquer this goal, I should be financially independent and on my way to becoming wealth.

Tushar @ Finance TUBE writes Little Known Facts About Credit After Bankruptcy – Today we will be talking about the known Facts about Credit after Bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is a terrible thing and it leave a colossal blemish on your credit report for a minimum of seven years. In some cases there remains a black mark that remains up to a decade.

SFB @ Simple Finance Blog writes Which Insurance Policy is Best for You? – The question of “What type of insurance is best for you?” is an important dilemma that many adults face. How will you determine what is best for you?

Matt @ Living in Financial Excellence writes Putting Perspective on the Fiscal Cliff and the Idiots in Congress – A friend of mine sent me the following today. I’ve seen it before on Facebook and a few other places online but it’s worth sharing again. It breaks down this whole fiscal cliff nonsense into laymen’s terms so it’s easier to relate to.

Cash Flow Mantra @ Cash Flow Mantra writes Rental Refi Did Not Work – Now that the refinance won’t be going through, I will using that money to pay down a credit card balance in order to save over $2300 per year in interest. Once I get this card paid off which should be in the next few months, I will save almost $800 per month in cash flow which can be added back into the budget. So all is not lost with plan B.

Eddie @ Finance Fox writes 10 Priceless Gifts That We Can Give Ourselves in 2013! – The best things in life aren’t things, and the best things that are things in life are FREE! Here are 10 priceless gifts that we can give ourselves in 2013.

Crystal @ Budgeting in the Fun Stuff writes Started as Little Wants, Became Obsessions – I saw some little yard gnomes that I wanted, but pretty soon, I felt like I had to have them. Do your cravings turn into obsessions?

John S @ Frugal Rules writes How to Take the Emotion Out of Investing – The stock market is driven largely by emotion, some say upwards of 90%. If you have a solid investment plan though you can easily separate the emotions from the day to day activity of your investments.

Jon @ Novel Investor writes Intro To Stock Index Weighting Methods – Index based ETFs and index funds are a popular choice for investors these days. But do you know how that underlying index works? Is it built to be a good investment strategy?

William @ Quote Me A Price writes Can a Structured Settlement Transfer be Blocked by the Court? – Many people rightfully think that the decision of how to best use their resources, like money, is theirs to make. This is especially true of annuities and structured settlements, although that might not actually be true. Many states have laws in place dictating how structured settlements are dealt with, especially transfers or sales.

Luke @ Learn Bonds writes 4 Reasons the Junk Bond Rally Will Continue in 2013 – Many investors think that yields can’t go any lower and that interest rates will reverse in 2013. Here’s why they are wrong about the junk bond market.

Investor Junkie @ Investor Junkie writes 5 Tips for Rebalancing Your Retirement Portfolio – Every so often, it makes sense to take a look at your retirement portfolio, and make a few changes. Rebalancing your portfolio helps you keep your asset allocation on track, and can help you cull some of the irredeemable losers from the mix. As you prepare to rebalance your retirement portfolio, here are 5 things to keep in mind:

Anna @ BryanMaltier.com writes How To Save Money With Coupons – Couponing may still be one of the best ways to start paying closer attention to your budget by spending less and saving more. If you aren’t sure where to start on improving your personal finances, think about your consumption and find ways to cut back using coupons.

Jules @ Faithful With a Few writes What I Learned About Contentment from Watching House Hunters – It doesn’t matter whether we are thinking about our home, car, electronics, job, clothing, or even relationships; we need to be grateful and thankful for what we have.

Jules Wilson @ Fat Guy,Skinny Wallet writes Plumbing And The Family Tree: The Roots Run Deep – We often have resources close to home. There are probably people in your family, your church, job, or even friends that can help save you time and a lot of money.

Don @ MoneySmartGuides writes Create Wealth Through Property Investment – Read how to create wealth through property investments.

Marie at Family Money Values @ Family Money Values writes Avoiding the High Cost of Senior Divorces – Many things change as we mature, including our relationships. You and your spouse may have shared years together, raising family, building your nest egg, and sharing experiences – some good, some bad. You have probably learned each other’s habits and hot spots, but have you noticed that you are changing again as you approach your sixties and retirement?

Suba @ Broke Professionals writes Why Can’t Men Remember Things? – Male traits set the guys up to fail when it comes to remembering names and other crucial details. Why memory matters, and why improving it can help your career.

Wayne @ Young Family Finance writes Saving Money for a Puppy – Families buy puppies before understanding what dog ownership will cost them. Find out how much it costs to raise a dog and how to prepare.

Roger the Amateur Financier @ The Amateur Financier writes Money and Child Raising: Cloth vs. Disposable Diapers – A comparison of cloth and disposable diapers on issues of cost, environmental effect and convenience, with discussion of which diaper is better.

Miss T. @ Prairie Eco Thrifter writes Saving Money on Renovations – Like all home buyers (particularly property virgins), we have a vision and don’t want to sacrifice what we want. That being said, we don’t have an unlimited budget. So, (surprise, surprise), we have to sacrifice some of our “wants”.

Maria @ The Money Principle writes Dealing with debt: change your mental attitude – Mentality is often underplayed when dealing with debt. Here I discuss three mental shifts that will help you pay your debt off and fast.

krantcents @ KrantCents writes Rich Man, Poor Man – Rich man, poor man is not intended to leave out women! I am really trying to examine the difference between rich and poor and help you achieve what you say is a goal. Most 18-25 year old say getting rich and becoming famous are important goals for them.

Kanwal @ Simply Investing writes What is a Dividend Aristocrat? – A dividend aristocrat is a company that has paid dividends consecutively for 25 years or more. Standard and Poor’s (S&P) maintain a list of US dividend aristocrats. Dividends are key to investing successfully. Dividends are cash payments made to shareholders. Once a dividend is paid it can never be taken back.

CAPI @ Creating a Passive Income writes Passive Income for the Brave: Investing 101 – Investing can be really addicting, especially as you focus on developing passive income streams. Find out how you can control yourself.

Corey @ 20s Finances writes Choosing a Business Accountant – Whether you’re just starting out as a freelancer, have set up your own company or have owned a business for years, choosing the right accountant is extremely important. A good business accountant can make sure your company is set up correctly from day one, that you’re paying the right amount of tax and that you’re saving money wherever possible.

PPlan @ Provident Plan writes 4 Ways to Save Money in College – College is getting more expensive by the day. Saving money while in college is important in order to limit your student loans.

Will @ Card Guys Blog writes Fill the tank (or not), not your credit card – If you’ve ever looked at your credit card statement and wondered how it adds up so quickly, the answer might be in your gas station habits.

Little House @ Little House in the Valley writes 5 Home Improvement Tips to Save Up For – Below are 5 home improvements that will give you the most bang for the buck

Everything Finance @ Everything Finance Blog writes Financial Goal for the New Year: Boost Your Retirement Savings – If you aren’t maxing out your tax-advantaged retirement account, you have room to improve your saving efforts. While you might not be quite ready to completely max out your retirement savings, putting in a little more now can help you a great deal later, thanks to the power of compound interest.

Deacon @ Well Kept Wallet writes How to Work From Anywhere – Have you ever wanted to be able to travel and have the ability to work from any place in the world? Here are ten tips to help you make that happen.

Jason Hull @ Hull Financial Planning writes Do People Like to Retire? – This article examines research from 2004-2008 surveys regarding the attitudes of retirees about their experiences in retirement.

JC @ Passive-Income-Pursuit @ Passive Income Pursuit writes Dividend Update – January 2013 – First month of a new year and the dividends are coming in. It wasn’t a record setting month like December, but every bit helps towards reaching FI.

Marvin @ Brick By Brick Investing writes Buying Options Is A Fool’s Errand – A detailed description and explanation of why buying options is generally a losing investment.

Carmen @ MyBestCarInsurance101.com writes How To Get The Best Car Insurance Rates – Written by a former car insurance agent and broker, literally, a complete guide to buying car insurance, from details on factors that affect premiums, the different types of car insurance and when you should buy them, how to compare multiple policies, and discounts you need to apply for. This is a must-read for anyone reviewing their car insurance policy.

Philip @ PT Money Personal Finance writes 2013 Traditional and Roth IRA Income Limits Are Raised (Once Again) – Both IRAs are good ways to help build a solid retirement portfolio, but knowing the income limits is important because your ability to use them to your advantage could be affected by your income.

Girl Meets Debt @ Girl Meets Debt writes My Frugal Habits BEFORE I Started Blogging – The old me may have spent more money than I had, but even before I started blogging, I had a few frugal habits that I was already practicing daily. I know, it is suprising right?

Mr. MWD @ My Wealth Desire writes The World’s Best Personal Finance Magazines – Reading personal finance magazines could change your view about money and could help you improve your family finances. World’s best personal finance magazines provide a wide range of financial information and tricks to achieve your financial goal. If you want to improve your financial status and to have a financial freedom or stay updated on the latest opportunities, being surrounded by personal finance or investment reading materials like magazines is good for you.

March See Debt Run Updates

Canon Rebel T4i DSLR camera giveaway!

Carnival of Retirement – The Elephant Edition!

eBook with Michelle & Jefferson for only $4.99!

Michelle's Top Posts

Jefferson's Top Posts

As Seen On

Archives

Disclaimer

About Us

Site News

March See Debt Run Updates

Canon Rebel T4i DSLR camera giveaway!

Carnival of Retirement – The Elephant Edition!

eBook with Michelle & Jefferson for only $4.99!

Michelle's Top Posts

Jefferson's Top Posts

As Seen On

Archives

Recommended Blogs (Rotating List)

Disclaimer

About Us