Steadfast Finances

Welcome to the 40th Money Hacks Carnival and my first ever hosting of a blogging carnival.

It’s a privilege to host this event and have the option of cherry picking the best articles.

Choosing just 5 top picks was not an easy task considering the line up of authors, the multitude of money related topics this poor economy has given us, and of course, me being such a newbie to personal finance blogging.

Editor’s Picks

Passive Family Income shares a story that would probably make most of us uncomfortable if it happened in real life.  However, his story literally hit so “close to home” that he decided to share his article Helping our Homeless.  Hats off to you my friend.  We could use more like you in this world.

Jim from Blueprint for Financial Prosperity gives a whopping 100 Money Saving Tips for the Holiday Gifting Bonanza. I’ve printed a copy of this article to harass my annoying, know-it-all neighbor who is convinced he has implemented every penny pincher action or upgrade ever devised.  We shall see!

Andy from Saving To Invest has a lively debate about the US Automakers Bailout - A Bridge to Bankruptcy or a Road to Salvation? I’ve written on the subject repeatedly, and he presents a pro and against argument that is definitely a good read, but also has excellent comments from his readers.

SVB at The Digerati Life offers up an excellent tip that pays a 10% dividend (i.e. profit, cashback) when appropriately using your Discover Credit Card Rewards, Sign Up Bonuses and Holiday Promotions.  Good tip here for those Discover Card holders for those like myself.

The Writer’s Coin has a great collection of posts entitled Being a Better Employee.  Excellent idea now that we’re entering a global recession by making yourself so valuable to your employer that the very idea of terminating your employment is a horrific idea.

Career

Fred at Online Savings Blog brings an interesting debate with It’s Time to Fix the Fair Labor Standards Act.  Teachers are among the most underpaid members of the workforce, so it’s an interesting argument.

Penny Jobs has a few insights on Staying Employed and Avoiding a Layoff.

Debt & Credit

The Money Blog shows us a few more ways to Save Money By Reducing Household Expenses.

Andrea from Free Debt Consolidation shows us How To Get A Good Deal On Low Interest Debt Consolidation Loans? Good information for those who find themselves in extreme debt and struggling to meet minimum monthly payments.

Debt Prison displays two semi-horrific stories his readers asking Should you cosign for a friend or family member?  Tough breaks for both, and once you read this one, you might reconsider if someone asks you the same question.

Fast Signature Loan discusses Personal Loans via Social Lending sites using Lending Club.

Peter from Bible Money Matters answers one of his reader’s questions asking Is It A Good Idea To Get A 401k Loan To Pay Off Debt? Good tips here for anyone who might be tempted to do so.

Money Blue Book offers up a long list of options in a tough credit market with Credit Cards For People With Bad Or No Credit.

Gary at Stopping You brings up some valid perspectives from those who find themselves coming up short with I Want Their Money! It Is Just Not Fair!

Jenna from Ask Mr. Credit Card finds a monster deal with Delta’s Bombshell Bonus Deal.  If you’re a rewards card junkie (like me) always on the hunt for airline miles, this is an article you will want to checkout.

Stop Buying Crap has an informative post for anyone confused on Is It a FICO or FICA Credit Score?  Good post for beginners looking to get a handle on personal finance basics.

Five Cent Nickel alerts us to a Discover Business Card $100 Signup Bonus.

Credit Addict alerts us to $10 Prepaid Visa Card for Staying at Hampton Inn.

Real Estate Dispatch | BiggerPockets.com gives some excellent advice When The Bill Collector Calls and falsely accuses you of owing a debts you don’t owe.  As well as advice on dealing with unscrupulous collection agents.

Debt Aim has a few suggestions to Erase Debt and Live With Less Stress.

Economy

Michael from The Political and Financial Markets Commentator takes a small amount of risk (justifiably so) and asks Would You Believe We Are In Recession?

Billy from Beat The Stock Market shares his thoughts and opinions on General Motors And Ford Motor Company and their current attempts at receiving additional funding from the taxpayers to remain in business and stave off bankruptcy.

Don at Student Loan Guru draws a few parallels between the current state of the financial crisis, but also how the Poor Economy Affecting Student Loan Program.

SimplyForties makes an excellent argument regarding the trickle down effects of the Big Three automakers going bankrupt, and/or laying off thousands of autoworkers with Another Bailout? Something to consider.

Tough Money Love has some tough words for Congress members in Sub-Prime Memories are Short on Capitol Hill.

Think Your Way To Wealth asked about the economy and Gas Under $2.00 a Gallon- Good or Bad?

Frugality & Saving Money

Jeremy at Destroy Debt put together 76 Ways to Save Money While Saving the Environment.  Probably one of my favorite topics because Green Living and Frugal Living are essentially the same thing when you consider the resulting endpoint.

Sam from Fix My Personal Finances give us a few ideas on How to Boost Your Savings?

Trees Full of Money gives those energy conscious DIY’ers out there a few ideas with Home Energy Audits: A Do It Yourself Guide.

MoneyNing discusses his new Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending Account.

Nicki from Domestic Cents sends us an excellent reminder that Investing in Christmas isn’t always about Black Friday and commercialism, but more about spending quality time with those important to you.

Free Money Finance has a few good tips on The Best Way to Save Money On Eating Out (Plus Four Other Money-Saving Tips).  Good stuff if you’re a big eater (like me) or have a few kids who love the buffet line.

The Greenest Dollar presents several excellent ideas on How To Save Money On Laundry Day?

Funny About Money shows off a clever culinary tip with Get better hamburger, cheaper.  Most folks would not take extra time to do this, but it does have it’s benefits on the tasty side.

ChristianPF offers 12 cool Christmas gift ideas for anyone looking to give an out of the ordinary gift.

Green Panda Living shares her interior design and money saving tips with Reusing & Reducing Saved Us Money on Living Room Redesign.

Philaahzophy shares a few gas saving tips with Gas Prices Not Dropping Fast Enough? How About Free?

Sound Money Matters discusses an old idea that we aren’t reminded about very often with The Frugality of Shoe Repair.

Debt Free Destiny brings up a few important points by asking Is Your Cash Flowing on a Daily Basis?

Uncommon Cents asks his readers What are Your Favorite Internet Sites for Discounts?

Raising 4 Boys lends a good tip to saving on Cheap LEGO: Where and How.  I had tons of these as a kid, and it’s too bad I can’t cash in now.

Julie from Cool Mom Guide shows the power of coupons with MY Retail Therapy.  By my calculations, this super saver got a 78% discount on her grocery bill.  Truly nice work!

Sun’s Financial Diary shares their opinion that IGoChecking Has The Best Interest Checking Account Rate.

Insurance Toolbox gives some good insights into reviewing our auto insurance premiums once a year and How to Save on Your Car Insurance Policy once you begin the process.

Income

KCLau’s Money Tips talks about Buying term insurance and investing the difference.

Search For Blogging discusses How to Survive From Financial Crisis by Make Money Blogging.

Good Financial Cents offers some excellent advice to an expecting family with 5 Steps To See If You Can Afford To Be a Stay At Home Mom.

The Shark Investor gives several suggestions regarding How To Earn More Around The Holidays.

Insurance

FWP at the Financial Wellness Project asks Have You Reviewed Your Auto Insurance Lately? (or, Minimizing Costs While Maximizing Protection).  Some sage advice here that many of us tend to overlook when we’re optimizing our outgoing cash flow.

Will at Money Galaxy discusses FDIC Insurance with Got FDIC-Insured Money In the Bank? Take It To The Max!

Investing

Dividends for Life discusses his latest findings by showing us a new Stock Screen For Improving Dividends.  Dividends are usually a good hideout during down years so his findings are definitely worth a read if you’re searching for new investing ideas.

Investing School covers a basic tenant of the stock market by explaining the Price to Earnings Ratio (P/E).  A valuable tip for those value investors looking for a bargain!

The Real Estate Investing Journey discusses the benefits of Your Real Estate Investing Team.  For those considering to get into real estate as more of a business, particularly a hands-off approach to owning investment properties, this is a good place to start.

The Intelligent Speculator offers up some advice on Nortel Networks (NT)….opportunity or going to $0?

Dollar Frugal reminds us that our Retirement Account Limits for 2009 have been increased slighlty from 2008.

Ripe Trade discusses thoughts on the Best asset allocation.

Taxes

John from Financial Fellow asks How To Avoid a Big Tax Refund?, and shows you a few steps to accomplish this on your own instead of paying an accountant to do it.

PTMoney alerts us about a Stimulus Check May Be Coming to Those That Initially Didn’t Qualify.

Other

J Money from Budgets Are Sexy delivers a news story I wish I found myself entitled Genius! Man Raffles off Millon-Dollar House for $50 a Pop!  Certainly one of the better ideas I’ve seen for selling a home in a down market.

Where You Are Now shares 10 Ways To Earn Extra Cash This Holiday Season.  Not a novel concept, but many of the ideas listed here are fairly original, and certainly worth a read if you’re looking for additional ways to supplement your holiday spending money.

The Smarter Wallet shares a few shopping ideas with Our Best Gift Ideas for the Holiday Season for all demographics.  I might have to checkout the Amazon Kindle for a few bookworms I know.

My Dollar Plan details her Black Friday Shopping Resources.

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Photo by PJLewis

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