Yakezie Carnival Round-Up, Part 2

The Yakezie.com

A few weeks ago, I practically missed my carnival date and didn’t have a chance to catch up on all of the Yakezie member’s posts. So, today I’m making up for the ones I missed. For some lazy Sunday afternoon reading, here  is a copious supply of reading material:

• Financial Samurai with What the Tax Cut Extension Means to You. Thanks to Sam, I’m able to decipher and digest all this tax lingo smoothly.
• Budgeting in the Fun Stuff with Fit in a Fun Friday – Zip Lining. This activity is something I’d definitely want to do. I’ve heard it’s popular in Central and South America, but didn’t know there were places in the U.S. where I could zip across a forest.
• Consumerism Commentary with When Doing the Right Thing Hurts Your Credit. Flexo makes a good point that if you paid off your cards in full, like a responsible credit card holder should, it may hurt your credit score if the company reports your balance as the amount you spent, not the total amount that they’ve extended to you.
• Frugal Zeitgeist with Holiday Organizing Tricks. Basically, don’t be lazy and get others to help pitch in!
• Free from Broke with PerkStreet Free Online Checking. A comprehensive review of this online bank.
• KNS Financial with NJ City Collects Over $1 Million in 3 Months from Red Light Cameras. Let me just say that the Phoenix area did something similar to this a few years ago and now every time I drive there, I’m constantly “flashed”. I just hate those cameras! Of course, part of the trickery is that the speed limit changes every few feet from 75 to 55 to 60 and I’m never sure what the speed limit is!
• Buy Like Buffett with Why Index Investing Will Not Work for the Next Decade. Predicting a slower period of growth on the horizon, Mark makes a few good points about the drawbacks of Index Funds.
• Early Retirement Extreme with How to get Wealthy on Minimum Wage. The definition of “wealthy” differs from “rich” in this article making it possible for just about everyone if you’re determined.
• Canadian Finance Blog with 4 Reasons Your Resolutions Fail and How to Overcome Them. This is such a timely topic with the New Year right around the corner. Find out why most of us struggle to meet our resolutions.
• Bucksome Boomer with Time to Make FSA Elections. I honestly haven’t taken advantage of my employer’s FSA, but perhaps I should.
• Punch Debt in the Face with Lovin’ 2010. Ninja has made excellent progress this year on his savings and debt goals. I’ll be using this as inspiration for my 2011 financial goals.
• Not Made of Money with Last Minute Gift Ideas – A Few Simple Tips. Good ideas for those of us scrambling to wrap up our shopping!
• My Journey to Millions with Why Did I Create a 529? Why Did I Choose New York’s Program? I don’t have kids yet, but for those that do and want to start saving for their college, this article is informational.
• Invest it Wisely with Importance of Financial Literacy Education. I couldn’t agree more, now I just have to find time to check out this book.
• Sweating the Big Stuff with Should We Use Gift Cards on Everyday Items? My answer is YES.
• Saving Money Today with What To Do When You Hate Your Job. I’d say, well then QUIT. But maybe I’m just over-reacting.
• Len Penzo with his weekly Black Coffee roundup. Always an amusing read.

Whew! I still didn’t get around to mentioning every Yakezie member’s blog, so I’m guessing I’ll have to follow up with a Part 3 sooner or later.