Weekly Update 27

We had a very busy week!  I started a time inventory last Sunday so I’ve been unusually productive because of keeping those records, particularly at work.  It seems I spend a lot of time.  I had a good meeting with my advisor this week – he’s been out of town most of the summer so we haven’t communicated much – as well as a great meeting with some of our collaborators and I’m feeling very encouraged.

vat of chili

On Monday night I met with my first clients through my church’s financial ministry.  I didn’t run the meeting as well as I would have liked – it felt rather disorganized – but I said a few things that they seemed to latch onto so I hope those insights will help them.  On Thursday evening Kyle and I cooked and served dinner at a local homeless shelter/food pantry.  It was pretty wild to see this enormous vat of chili come together – the person manning it stirred it with what basically looked like an oar!  Between those activities, small group, and Kyle’s IM basketball and volleyball games, we were busy every night this week and sometimes double-booked, so we have been taking the weekend easy!

Posts I Liked

G.E. Miller from 20 Something Finance wrote a wonderful monologue on the development and demise of lifestyle inflation – you don’t want to let yourself get to the end of this play!

Miss T. from Prairie Eco Thrifter wrote a great overview of the simple financial choices you can make to grow wealth.

Corey from 20’s Finances listed the many excuses people give for why they can’t save money, but emphasized that even saving small amounts can be impactful.

Nathan from Real Sustainable Habits argued at Sustainable Life Blog why working out at home instead of having a gym membership saves both time and money.  It’s a very detailed post so definitely check it out if you’re interested in workout options.

Lance from Money Life and More summarized at Young Cheap Living all the things that college graduates shouldn’t change about their lifestyles once they’re pulling in paychecks.

Rich from Christian Personal Finance shared the reasons why he talks about money as a pastor and several shocking statistics about how little American Christians give.  The median annual giving for an American Christian is $200 and only 4% tithe!  This puts the discussion we had earlier in the week in a larger context.

Michelle from Making Sense of Cents finally has her MBA!!  Congratulations, Michelle!

Mentions

Edward Antrobus included Found Money Creates Wants in the places he’s been.

Funny About Money listed Found Money Creates Wants in his Blue Danube Dance.

Sweating the Big Stuff featured When to Start Saving for a Mid-Term Goal in his best of the rest.

Modest Money named Giving Should Exceed Saving? as one of his favorite blog posts.

Work Save Live listed Giving Should Exceed Saving? in his great weekend reading.

Carnivals

Why We’re Not Getting the Chase Sapphire Card Even Though It’s a Great Deal was featured in the Festival of Frugality.

If I Were My Financial Advisor, What Would I Tell Me? was featured in the Carnival Of Financial Planning #248.

When to Start Saving for a Mid-Term Goal was featured in the Carnival Of Financial Planning #248.

Giveaways

Jeremy from Modest Money is hosting a cash and ebook giveaway to celebrate his 6-month blogging anniversary!

Top Comment

This week’s top comment one because it gave me a huge chuckle as well as an idea for a new post!  Kathleen from Frugal Portland asked if we are “going to be in the family way soon?”  See July 2012 Month in Review: Money to see how the misunderstanding arose.

Most Frequent Commenters

1. Emily too
2. Holly @ Club Thrifty
3. Kathleen @ Frugal Portland
4. Bog of Debt
5. Well Heeled Blog
6. Michelle @ Making Sense of Cents
7. Leigh @ Leigh’s Financial Journey

Top Blogs Referring to EPF

1. Punch Debt in the Face
2. Modest Money
3. I Heart Budgets
4. Leigh’s Financial Journey