Weekly Update 5

Kyle and I each had something great happen at work this week – he got a paper accepted and I took a major leap forward in my project!

We’ve come to the end of our two-week carpooling trial and overall driving together has definitely enhanced our marriage.  I’ll write a post soon on our final decision and expected financial implications.

The BIG EVENT this week is of course our university’s men’s basketball team’s end-of-season rivalry game.  I attended the game and Kyle watched it on TV with some friends.  We suffered a crushing defeat – it sucks to lose, especially at home!  I was present for all of our home losses this season.  This one actually hurt the least because it was against the best team, and it wasn’t a deciding end-of-game situation.

Posts I Liked

Modest Money’s post on the health and financial benefits of drinking tap water hit home for me because I drink only water these days.  I love that he identified reduction of sugar consumption as the main health benefit!

Karl at Cult of Money listed many suggestions for how to productively use your commute time on public transportation.  While my commute doesn’t lend itself to these types of activities, I devote my downtime between meetings or chunks of work to them.

Evan from My Journey to Millions explained at Budgeting in the Fun Stuff his concept of investing any new savings or income gain to increase financial accomplishment rather than frittering it away.  Applying this concept the way Evan or Crystal does would definitely keep lifestyle inflation in check!

David at Money Under 30 wrote a great primer on negotiation and explained how impactful especially salary negotiation can be.  Since we know I’m deficient in that area this was a very helpful guide.

Sicorra at Tackling Our Debt reminded us that Christmas is less than a year away!  She made some wonderful suggestions for preparing for the giving season early so it’s not too overwhelming this year.

Ninja at Punch Debt in the Face finally revealed his face because his new website venture reached 1000 subscribers!

My blogger-buddy Jason at Work Save Live was featured in Budgeting in the Fun Stuff‘s new reader profile series!  I enjoyed the fresh insights into his financial life, and he has already accomplished a lot for a 20-something!

David at Money Under 30 (and the commenters) answer a reader question about whether or not to enroll in a PhD program.  In general I’m pro-PhDs, but there are some life circumstances where going back to school may really not be worth it – decide for yourself!

Corey at Passive Income To Retire shares his February passive income report.  I usually don’t inclue posts like this, but his swift progress in blog monetization is just so impressive!  He went from $0 in September 2011 to grossing over $5k in February!

Mentions

Average Joe at The Free Financial Advisor featured Private School Angst as his blog post of the week!  I’m glad he liked it even though it’s not a conventional PF post.

SB at Financial Product Reviews listed Private School Angst in his weekly roundup.

Young Professional Finances added Why Do We Make Rules If We’re Just Going To Break Them? to her link love list this week.  She picked out some other gems so definitely check out the post.

Dave at Gen Y Finances included Do You Ever Just Give In and Spend? in his weekly roundup.

Sicorra at Tackling Our Debt bound Do You Ever Just Give In and Spend? in her circle of friends.

Leigh at Leigh’s Financial Journey included Frugal Tips That Go Too Far in her February roundup.

Financial Money Online listed Why Do We Make Rules If We’re Just Going To Break Them? in his weekly roundup.

Earn Save Live added Private School Angst to her weekend reading: the school edition.

Thank you everyone!!

Carnivals

How Often Do You Update Your Budget? was featured in the Carnival of Personal Finance #350.

Living a Step Behind was featured in the Christian Carnival.

Private School Angst was featured in the Carnival of Financial Camaraderie #23.

Top Comment

Lauren commented on Private School Angst, relaying that in reference to her private college education “some of the value of my experience was that my parents didn’t pay for me to attend.”  Read her full comment to see how her parents encouraged her to prepare to pay for her own education through savings, scholarships, work, and loans.  Her comment really encouraged me in how to raise my own children!

Most Frequent Commenters

1. Daisy @ When Life Gives You Lemons
2. Jason @ Work Save Live
3. Kari @ Small Budget Big Dreams
4. Dave @ Gen Y Finances
5. Sicorra @ Tackling Our Debt
6. Karl @ Cult of Money

Top Referring Sites

1. Yakezie
2. Well Heeled Blog
3. Work Save Live
4. Cult of Money
5. Tackling Our Debt