Another weekend’s come and gone. Realigning my shift back to blogging after the whirlwind of personal events. Have a few more upcoming, but looking to get out some new articles here in the near future.
Here’s the highlights from the weekend for your reading pleasure:
Frugal Zeitgeist took a budget Egypt vacation. Often seen as a luxury, the predominant cost of international travel is getting from Point A to Point B. Forest gave a nice breakdown (with photos) of how to see more for less.
Saving Money Today puts together a strategy for saving money on movies. A movie addict myself, I’ve often wondered what the cost-benefit would be of owning a home theater versus going out regularly.
Money Help for Christians addresses an important topic: password security. As more and more of our personal, professional, and financial lives transfer to online databases – maintaining impenetrable security is absolutely critical. Most interesting was the section on Mint and online, compiling accounts.
Money Beagle reminds readers of the most important technique when negotiating deals – walking away. Considered a strategic display of control, it reminds both seller and buyer who ultimately has the power. Of the articles I’ve read on the topic, MB lists a clear and realistic approach to the technique.
PTMoney gave us a glimmer of inspiration in his post: I Quit My Day Job. Working on different side projects, PT discusses the opportunity he sees with full-time blogging. If you’re reading and thinking, “this could be me in a few weeks”, you may want to reconsider. Like any other profession, becoming great (or self-sufficient) requires many long, dedicated hours of hard work!
Rainy-Day Saver posts on something I’ll support no matter the cost – investing in your health. She got a really great deal, but had to swindle her friend’s credit card. To keep on track, I suggest calculating your “per visit rate”. Another way to justify the costs while motivating yourself to go more often.
Deliver Away Debt discusses an interesting rental program in his area. As noted in the article, the premise is about a company which rents out your current home in order for you to purchase a new one. Didn’t read through the details of the program itself, but smells a little fishy from DAD’s write-up.
Money Reasons asks: Is the Stock Market a Fool’s Game? If you’ve been following the recent developments with Goldman Sachs and the accusations of withheld information, it makes you wonder how rigged the system actually is.
Enemy of Debt tells everyone what they probably don’t want to hear: Becoming Debt Free is 99% Intensity and 1% Basic Math. While I’m not sure on his calculations ;) I can agree with the overall sentiment. Referring to the term “gazelle intensity”, EOD gives the reader two options – get out or get eaten by debt.
I appreciate the mention! And you must’ve read my mind — I was just thinking about the per-visit cost of the gym this afternoon. Breaking it down will definitely encourage me to go more often.
.-= RainyDaySaver´s last blog ..Weekend Link Love =-.
@ RainyDaySaver:
As long as you go 20x a month – it’ll only cost you $1/day. That’s some good preventive medicine!
LOL! I can clarify those calculations if you like. haha! Quite simply, basic math only consists of spending less than you earn. Everything else that it takes to become debt free comes completely from the intensity a person has about actually doing it. The level of intensity determines behaviors, habits, and attitude about the task at hand.
Someone who is uber-intense (or “gazelle intense”) will be less likely to have a $300 spending spree than someone who is less intense. Because the decision to pay off debt feeds that intensity.
Thanks for including my article! :D
.-= Brad Chaffee´s last blog ..Cleaning Up After a Mess (Apology and Forgiveness) =-.
@ Brad:
I’m all about the intensity >:O
*Disclosure: listening to My Mirror No Longer Reflects by Poison the Well as I respond to comments
And to add, the intensity feeds itself too! The more you pay down, the more you WANT to pay down.
Thanks for the mention! I really appreciate it.
.-= Mike – Saving Money Today´s last blog ..35 Free MP3 Downloads No Strings Attached =-.
@ Mike:
Sure thing.
Another great site that is part of the Yakezie challenge. Thanks for including my link in your post.
@ Craig:
Thanks & Welcome!
Thanks very much for the link back….. Egypt can be done really well on a budget… I did most of Luxor for less than $150. Some friends just did it last week without asking me for advice and they spent $800!!!! That’s what happens when you don’t ask and you take the laid out Tourist route.
.-= Forest´s last blog ..Redbox DVD Rental May Freebie =-.
@ Forest:
Thanks for the comparison – that’s great info…
Thanks for including me here. Have a great week.
.-= PT´s last blog ..Question of the Week: Where Are You Going for Summer Vacation? =-.
@ PT:
Looking forward to seeing what happens.
Thanks for the link and the great recommendation for my article. Very much appreciated!
.-= Money Beagle´s last blog ..Bankers Still Don’t Get It =-.
@ MB:
Of course!