Sorry for skipping out on this update last week!  I was busier than I expected to be during our weekend trip to CA last week, even though I was waking up a couple hours before the rest of the household.  To make up for it, this week’s post is for the last two weeks.

You guys can help me out by checking out a website we launched this weekend.  My project on internships and other experiences has advanced and my group now has a website up with testimonials from PhD students who have had career-advancing experiences (the testimonials are in a Prezi – it’s pretty cool if you’ve never seen this type of presentation).  Would you please 1) visit the site, 2) leave honest feedback, and 3) submit a testimonial of your own if you’re a (former) PhD student to [email protected]?  THANKS SO MUCH!

Kyle has been working crazy hard on his dissertation in the past two weeks (he’s trying to set a date next week) so I’ve been on my own a lot.  I’ve been working late as well, attending our weeknight activities by myself, and spending time at home.  I am thankful that Kyle has kept our twice-weekly Bible study appointment so I know I’ll at least see him during that time!

Posts I Liked

Paula from Afford Anything explains why calculating your savings rate is meaningless and what you should track instead.

Matt from Mom and Dad Money encourages us to create our ideal lives.

Michelle from Making Sense of Cents details a day in her self-employed life.

Erin from Broke Millennial explains how roommates can wreck your finances.

Well Heeled Blog is relieved that she was recently fired from being a bridesmaid in her friend’s wedding.

Mentions

Jessica from Mo’ Money Mo’ Houses included Internships and Other ‘Experiences’ in her blog love.

Mintly used as a jumping-off point for her post on the same subject regarding her children.

Carnivals

What Would You Do If Money Were No Object? was featured in the Financial Carnival for Young Adults.

Why I Love Joint Finances was featured in the Carnival of Money #18 and the Carnival of MoneyPros.

My Inappropriate Reaction to Being Asked, “Do You Coupon?” was featured in the Carnival of Financial Independence 51st Edition and the Financial Carnival for Young Adults.

Internships and Other ‘Experiences’ was featured in the Carnival of Financial Planning.

Would You Fly with Spirit Airlines? was featured in the Carnival of Financial Independence 52nd Edition.

A One-Car Snow Day Adventure was featured in the Carnival of Money #19.

Top Comment

S.B. from Save Invest Give pointed out an addition danger of side hustle income: “May I suggest another danger to side hustle income? Sometimes the preoccupation with income ends up destroying the very thing you set out to do. People usually get started with these things because they are enjoyable (e.g. writing, photography) or fulfill some purpose in their lives (e.g. helping others, changing yourself). Then when people realize there is money to be made, they sometimes view everything from that angle. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with monetizing hobbies, it does seem sad to me when people change everything to maximize the dollars.”

Most Frequent Commenters 

1. Done by Forty
2. Alicia @ Financial Diffraction
3. NZ Muse
4. Mintly Blog
5. SarahN @ Live to List

Top Blogs Referring to EPF

1. Get Rich Slowly
2. Done by Forty
3. The Simple Dollar
4. Grumpy Rumblings of the (Formerly!) Untenured
5. Mom and Dad Money