Fabulous Financials

As I combed through the PF blogosphere this week, I found myself starring articles from the same blogs more than once. Coincidence maybe, but I think it just goes to show that we have quite a few resourceful people in the PF blogosphere. Here’s what caught my eye:

J.D. answers a reader’s question, should I prepare my own taxes or go to an accountant? I found myself wondering the same thing lately. With the move and half residency in two states, new job, employer relo package, sign on bonus, borderline Roth eligibility with potential over payments, rental property although I resided in the house for half the year, business income/expenses, two W-2s and bunch of 1099s - ugh, it’s all too much!! I love personal finance, but taxes are not my forte.

J.D. also shared ten money saving vacation and travel tips. This article was very timely because I just started researching for our trip to Paris. There’s so much information and it’s all a bit intimidating. I’m actually having second thoughts about a single destination to Paris and may hop on an international cruise ship or something. Vacations are supposed to be relaxing but planning stresses me out.

Johnathan explains (with an illustration) why it’s better to save more (i.e. reduce expenses) than to earn more. He has a very compelling argument too. Of course I think one should do both, but if I had to choose, I’d say earn more. I can only save so much before reaching the bare minimum but my earning potential is unlimited.

Johnathan also shows us how to invest in real estate through REITs. I think this is a smart way to leverage risk while still owning a piece of the American pie. However, I must admit that I own several shares of an REIT (IYR to be exact) and its declining value makes me squirm. The bright side though, I can dump an REIT much faster than I can dump an actual property on the verge of foreclosure.

At Free Money Finance, there was an interesting discussion about government welfare versus personal charity. Who’s responsibility is it to help the needy? Good question. Most people will probably reveal their political affiliation based on the way they answer.

FMF also shares 11 great ways to earn more money. Another timely article since my 2008 goals require that I save half my income. The other half is just enough to cover required living expenses, so Single Ma will be on the grind this year and creating multiple streams of income.

And finally, I ran across this interesting article titled, Yours, Mines, and Ours. My commentary won’t do it any justice, so I’ll just quote pretty Mir, “I don’t care if you work or you stay home; I don’t care if your spouse is a jerk or up for canonization; if you are married, you still need to have at least one bank account and one credit card in your name only.” And let the church say amen!!! LOL

That’s all folx. I’m going to unpack some more (blog) boxes.

I love to blog, but I love to read blogs even more. Throughout the week, I save bloggers’ articles that I think are well written, thought provoking, and/or helpful. These are what I call my Fab Picks of the Blogosphere.

Hopefully, SMFF readers will enjoy them too!

Money Tips

If you’re just beginning your journey to fabulous financials, Trent shares 8 tactics to use when you’re just starting to turn things around.

J.D. compares smart personal finance to building a house and explains how the architecture of personal finance begins with choosing the right materials.

Steve tell us why he thinks conventional wisdom to spend less than you earn is the wrong way to think. After the reading the article, I agree.

Investing

For novice investors, like myself, The Dividend Guy shares his thoughts on how he would invest if he were just starting out.

Boston Gal highlights a Wall Street Journal article that helps you with the simple math to see if you have an age-appropriate nest egg. Excellent timing because a task on my to do list is “determine exactly what is needed to retire by age 55.”


Family Finances

Nichole believes money savvy mamas must have money savvy kids and I certainly agree. She also found a neat kids wealth money kit to help your little ones learn financial responsibility.

Nina asks what would you do: paying children for good grades? There’s a thin line but even adults are motivated with pay for performance incentives.

Rachel surprised me when she said “I thought I needed a husband, but…” then I found myself nodding in agreement at her observations.

Career Tips

As I continue my transition from worker-bee to management, I find it hard to let of go of tasks I’m used to completing myself - particularly ones I think I can do better and/or faster. But Penelope reminds me to save what matters by delegating what doesn’t. I’m learning, I’m learning.

Brian shares his best tip for writing a winning resume and I’ve used it throughout my career. It’s a very simple tip, but one many people rarely use to their advantage.

If you’re on the market for a new job, TheJobBored recommends that you organize your job search into three distinct categories and focus on one at a time. Good stuff, I’ll have to remember that in the future.

I will try to highlight my Fab Picks every Saturday. If you don’t think this feature is useful, let me know and I’ll modify it. Have a fabulous weekend!

2008 Goals: SMART Style! @ Mapgirl’s Fiscal Challenge

Goal Checkup for 2007 and New Goals for 2008 @ One Big Mortar Board

Financial Update/Short Term Goals for 2008 @ Stretchin My Dollas

Resolving 2008 @ Boston Gal’s Open Wallet

My Goals for 2008 @ Dimples Divine Domain

FY 2008 @ Sistah Ant

2008 Goals @ Moneymonk

2008 Goals… @ Windy City Blues

Continuing With the Great American Tradition of Self Improvement @ Well Heeled

Out 2008 Financial Goals @ Blogging Away Debt

No New Clothes: A Bold Resolution @ The World of Wealth

Financial Goals for 2008 @ English Major’s Money

Our Financial Goals and Resolutions @ The Digerati Life

Flexo’s Financial Goals and Resolutions for 2008 @ Consumerism Commentary

15 Resolutions and Goals for 2008 @ No Credit Needed

Share With Us: What Are Your Goals for 2008? @ All Financial Matters

My Three Goals for 2008 and How I’ll Approach Them @ Get Rich Slowly

My New Year’s Money Resolutions @ Free Money Finance

Thanks for 2007 and Goals for 2008 @ Mighty Bargain Hunter

Setting Financial Goals for 2008 @ FiveCentNickel

My 2008 Goals @ Lazy Man and Money

A Look Ahead: Goals for the New Year @ Being Frugal

Review, Revise, and Revitalize 2007 Goals for 2008 @ Moolanomy

New Year’s Goals @ Tight Fisted Miser

2008 Financial Goals - The Complete List @ Single Guy Money

2008 Blog Goals for Cash Money Life @ Cash Money Life

My Least Audacious Goals for 2008 @ Father sez…

10 Financial Goals for 2008 @ Smart Easy Money

Aspirations for 2008 @ Need to be Debt Free

Ok, peer pressure… @ Assets and Liabilities

10 Goals for 2008 @ Gather Little By Little

2008 Financial Goals @ Exjackly

RateLadder 2008 Goals @ Rate Ladder

2008 Financial Goals @ Personal Finance Moron

Financial Resolutions for 2008, Part I and Part II @ Queercents

Goals for 2008 @ Frank the Financially Savvy Atheist

Making Financial New Year’s Resolutions @ Alpha Consumer

…and moi: Single Ma’s Goals for 2008

Other New Year’s Sightings

Carnival of Debt Reduction - Eleven resolutions for 2008.

Carnival of Personal Finance - Last of 2007 Edition.

Obama won the Iowa Democratic caucus. Whew, 2008 is going to be an interesting year!

Crazy day on the C.S.S. and I’m still officially working. Although my team missed the Dec 10th deadline, we’ve been humping all week to close this deal by tomorrow. I’m 98% confident that we can do it. Woo-Hoo! If we’re successful, it will make a lot, I mean A LOT, of people VERY happy. Then we can all depart for our holiday vacations guilt free. Yea buddy!

After tomorrow, these jokers won’t see me anymore until Jan 7th. Yea, that’s THREE WEEKS!! F*** what ya heard, baby!! HA HA HA

But until then, here’s some reading I’ve bookmarked for myself. Thought you’d like to see what caught my attention throughout the blogosphere. You can usually tell what’s on my mind based on the type of articles I link to. Enjoy!

37 Habits of UNsuccessful managers.

7 ways to be a better delegator.

Office gift giving strategies

Carnival of Personal Finance - Edition 130.

How I select my investments and why they’re performing so well.

10 keys to investing successfully on your own.

Index Funds vs. Exchange Traded Funds (ETF)

If I can’t blog tomorrow, I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

I’ve had a whirlwind of a week. It started with a bang and ended with a bust. Aaah, the life of Single Ma. *sigh* So I went out with a few friends last night to drink my troubles away. Had a glass of Merlot that tasted like a paper bag and some dude spilled an Apple Martini on my suede boots while handing it to me. No you can’t have my number so you can pay to get them cleaned. Is that a new pickup strategy? If so, it’s whack! Interesting characters I tell ya. At the end of the night, I returned home feeling the same as when I left…just tipsy and dirty. LOL

But today is a new day. I was awake early enough to watch the sun rise and highlight the color on the autumn leaves. Beautiful! I ate a light breakfast and now I’m relaxing in my warm & cozy bed, BabyGirl is gone until tomorrow, and I have the whole day just for ME. Woo-Hoo! Needless to say, my next choice of activity was to blog hop. LOL! I know…my life is full of excitement. [/sarcasm] But check out what I found:

Letter to a God Child
This is a great idea to pass on financial wisdom to a young adult.

How would I invest if I was a beginner with a smaller investment portfolio?
On a quest to increase my investment knowledge and experience, I spend quite a bit of time reading the Millionaire Mommy Next Door. Her lifestyle is the epitome of balance and financial freedom.

Should you help people who won’t help themselves?
I ask myself this question often. I want to help my family, I want to help my friends, and I write on this blog to help my readers. However, some people just want a quick fix without putting in the work or recognizing their responsibility in the problem. At what point do you say, “I’m done, you’re on your own!”

Investment Gift Idea For Children
Pending interim grades that are conveniently mailed home 6 days before Christmas (lol), BabyGirl may get one or two things at the top of her Christmas list. However, my primary focus is preparing her for a financially fabulous future. She may not care about these things now, but she’ll love me for it later.

The Art of Quitting
I saved this one in the queue when I was at a crossroad this month. Another helpful career oriented blog I ran across during that time was TheJobBored.

When I reflect on all that I have to be thankful for, I realize my troubles are just minor speed bumps to slow my happy azz down. And guess what else? Today is December 1st!! It’s the month of my born day! Yaaaaaayy!!