Best of Money Carnival #117

This week, Pastor Personal Finance (now known as Money Wise Pastor) is hosting the Best of Money Carnival, which features the 10 best money blog posts of the week.

Over 70 articles were submitted this week by bloggers from around the world, so I had to work hard to narrow them down to 10.

Thanks to everyone who submitted an article, and thanks to Free Money Finance, for giving me the opportunity to host this week!

Best of Money Blog Articles for August 22

10. Investor Junkie shares his family’s three-pronged game plan with the current low interest rate environment in Low Fixed Interest Rates Game Plan.

9.  “Everyone needs to get away sometime,” says Jill at My Dollar Plan. She offers great tips on how to get away on a budget in Tips for Taking a Practical Vacation.

8.  In Winning With Money Part 2: Get Proactive with Your Money, Matt from Financial Excellence explains why you need to have a long-term approach to your money decisions.  Start thinking beyond your current money situation, and start making money decisions based on your future goals and dreams.

7.  FMF shares a simple but effective tip that can save you a good amount of money in Always Ask for a Raincheck at Free Money Finance.

6.  Every homeowner is excited about their first purchase, but there are a lot of hidden fees and costs associated with home ownership. Dough Roller presents 6 Unexpected Expenses New Homebuyers Should Know.

5.  The Family Wallet explains why it’s absolutely essential to track your expenses when you’re trying to get a handle on your budget in  The Importance of Keeping Records of Your Money posted at The Family Wallet.

4.  “It’s no secret that certain marketing tricks exist to help separate you from more of your money,” according to Tracy Miller, who shares 20 Hidden Marketing Techniques That Make Consumers Spend More posted at Insurance Quotes Blog (2013 update: this post is no longer available online).

3.  Jon the Saver says there are a surprising number of popular employers who provide benefits to part-time employees. In 13 Part-time Jobs with Benefits, posted at Free Money Wisdom, he shares 13 employers and a sample of the benefits each provides for part-timers.  If you’re in the U.S., there’s an excellent chance that several are located where you live!

2. Ironically, many children raised in wealth demonstrate the same tendencies as those who are raised in extreme poverty: depression, despair, attempted suicide, drug and alcohol use, and shoplifting. Why?  Because the parents, who are way too busy making money, substitute extravagant purchases for something money can’t buy: meaningful time with their children. Bob presents How to raise non-materialistic children posted at Christian Personal Finance.

1. Most Americans pay the list price for items they purchase and don’t like to haggle with the seller for a better price. Miss T. says we’re missing out on a great way to save money and explains how to Learn to Negotiate Better Prices at Prairie Eco-Thrifter.

Next week’s Best of Money Carnival is hosted by Control Your Cash.