Welcome to the February 22, 2010 edition of Carnival of Money Stories 2.  Thank you for all of your great writing!

After the severe winter most of you have experienced, it is nice to realize that baseball season will soon be upon us.  Major leaguers are already in spring training, and, as a baseball nut, I am starting to get the fever.   If you don’t know or care who Bob Gibson is, I understand.  But the baseball aficionados among us might just appreciate some of the details of Gibson’s historic 1968 season.

Gibson’s numbers make the case for one of the greatest seasons ever produced by a starting pitcher. His 1.12 ERA for the St. Louis Cardinals ranks as the lowest figure in a season not played in the Deadball era. At a time when complete games were dwindling, Gibson completed 28 of his 34 starts, 13 of them for shutouts.

OK.  Here we go with your Carnival of Money Stories:

Editor’s Picks

Jason @ Redeeming Riches presents How You Can Control Your Money: The Lesson of the $100 Bill posted at Redeeming Riches.  This guest post, written by Brent Ropelato fromPersonalFinanceManagementSoftware.com,  is indeed a story from about 30 years ago.  ”What”, you may ask, “could have happened 30 years ago that is still memorable today?”  This lesson of the $100 bill is not only memorable, it is useful.

DR presents Are Discount Health Plans a Scam? posted at The Dough Roller.  DR tells us to make sure you know what you are buying, and with some discount health plans, it is hard to tell.

Debt Hawk presents It’s Not About Me – It’s About God – The Purpose Driven Life Day 1 posted at The Debt Hawk saying “Do you often ask yourself what you want out of life? What are your life goals? What career you want to pursue? I know I ask myself these questions all the time. Well, the first day of The Purpose Driven Life turns these questions on their head.”

Jeff Rose presents Warning Signs You Need to Fire Your Financial Advisor posted at Jeff Rose.   Does your Financial Advisor explain clearly how he is paid?  Does he put it in writing?  This may be a warning sign.  Jeff gives several other tips of exactly what you should expect from your advisor and why you might need to fire him.

Kristia presents When Snowpocalypse Causes Water Damage, Are You Prepared? posted at Family Balance Sheet saying, “Mother Nature can be so cruel, but Thank Goodness for Emergency Funds”.  Kristia is a great story teller…she hooked me with her title and opening line.

“It was just so hard to beat him,” recalled Cubs slugger and fellow Hall of Famer Billy Williams. “One year, Roberto Clemente hit a line drive that hit him right in the shin. He pitched another five, six innings to finish the game, then it turned out he had a broken leg.

Credit

jim presents How to Dispute a Credit Card Charge posted at Blueprint for Financial Prosperity.

Julie Sherrier presents The credit card fraud detection conundrum posted at Taking Charge.

FIRE Finance presents Annual Fee Introduced for Citi Cash Returns Credit Card posted at FIRE Finance, saying “As the credit market tightens due to new regulations, we feel more banks might follow Citibank’s act of adding annual fees to erstwhile free cards. More so for “deadbeat” customers like us who pay off their balance every month”.

MDP presents New Credit Card Laws to Protect Consumers Begin posted at My Dollar Plan.

From June 2 through July 30, 1968, Gibson put on the greatest two-month display of pitching in baseball history. In a stretch of 99 innings, he gave up just TWO RUNS. One scored on a wild pitch and the other on a bloop double which was fair by inches. Those were the only things standing between Gibby and ten straight shutouts.

Housing

Peak Personal Finance presents 3 Things to Ask Yourself When You Refinance posted at Peak Personal Finance, saying “Remember these tips if you are thinking of refinancing”.

Super Saver presents Why We Chose a 30 Year Mortgage posted at My Wealth Builder.

With a 1.12 ERA, one wonders how Gibson managed to lose 9 games that year.  Five of those losses were 1-0 scores, one of which was a no-hitter by Gaylord Perry.

Investing

Craig Ford presents 5 Steps To Retirement Planning For Young Adults posted at Money Help For Christians saying, “This post gives some practical suggestions to young adults on how to plan for a distant retirement. Enjoy!”

The Financial Blogger presents Getting Ready for Another Purchase! posted at The Financial Blogger, saying,  ”I should compare buying websites to buying a property. Some do it because they fell in love with the prospect, we try to buy the best valued property at the right price. You need to look at everything under the roof and aviod getting impressed by some fancy decorations!”

Intelligent Speculator presents Closing 2 trades and a look back on the two remaining live ones posted at Intelligent Speculator saying “It is now time to close 2 trades, one that went badly and the other which went better than I could have hoped. I will start with the good one!”.

Jim presents  Introduction to Budgeting Personal Finance posted at Budgeting Personal Finance.

Austin Morgan presents How to Avoid My 3 Novice Investment Mistakes posted at Foreigner’s Finances, saying “What I learned from my first investing experience including 3 mistakes I made and how you can avoid them in your investing life.

The Investor presents Financial advisers: Swindlers and leeches posted at Monevator, saying “A friend of mine asked me to check over the financial advice he’d received from a professional. To say I was shocked by the plan he’d been advised is an understatement”.

Gibson was never knocked out of the box during the season, completing 28 of 34 starts and being pinch-hit for late in the other six, as he averaged 8.96 innings per start.

Other

Peak Personal Finance presents Don’t Forget These Home Office Tax Deductions posted at Peak Personal Finance, saying “Be sure to take as many of these as you can!”

MatthewPaulson presents How to Comparison Shop and Save posted at Fine Tuned Finances.

PT presents Fun, Frugal, Family and Friends Outings posted at PT Money.

FMF presents FMF Reader Asks for a Discount and Saves $1,200 a Year! posted at Free Money Finance saying, “A story from a readr about how she saved money simply by asking for a discount.”

Billeater presents Foreclosure: Should you walk away from your home? posted at Billeater.

The Smarter Wallet presents Don’t Get Ripped Off! Watch Out For These Consumer Dangers posted at The Smarter Wallet saying “Watch out for scams! I share my stories on dealing with scams.”

Bucksome presents Close Encounters of the Pothole Kind posted at Buck$omeboomer’s Financial Path to Retirement, saying “The importance of sinking and emergency funds are brought home in what started out as a routine trip to the grocery store.”

Gibson’s 1968 season was so successful that his performance is widely cited in Major League Baseball’s decision to lower the pitcher’s mound by five inches in 1969 from 15 inches to 10 inches. The change had only a slight effect on him; he went 20-13 that year, with a 2.18 ERA, 4 shutouts and 28 complete games.

Shopping

BWL presents Updating Your Wardrobe On A Budget posted at Christian Personal Finance saying “These are some tips and tricks for updating your budget when you don’t have much cash to spend!”

Mrs. Accountability presents Happy Valentine’s Day posted at Out of Debt Again, saying “My hubby may or may not have been kicked out of a jewelry store for being a cheapskate. You decide”.

Silicon Valley Blogger presents Bed, Bath and Beyond Coupons Never Expire! posted at The Digerati Life, saying, “Here’s my personal experience with dealing with Bed Bath and Beyond coupons.”

Nicole presents New Laptop: Paid for in Cash, Of Course posted at Rainy-Day Saver saying, “Article is about my experience in buying a laptop, and debating whether a warranty is a necessary purchase when buying electronics. Thanks for your consideration!”

photo credit: khrawlings

Welcome to the August 12, 2009 edition of Money Hacks Carnival. Since this might be your first time visiting this blog, I thought I would make the the theme fitting to the blog’s message: By the “book”. The Holy book that is. There were tons of great entries this week, so be sure to check them out.

Editor’s Picks

Wojciech Kulicki presents Should I Buy a New Car? posted at Fiscal Fizzle.  If you are contemplating this same decision, head on over to this blog to help with your dilemma.

Jeff Rose presents Changing Careers? How To Become a Certified Financial Planner posted at Good Financial Cents, saying, “Interested in a career as a Certified Financial Planner? Here’s what you to need to know with commentary from other CFP’s and their experiences.”

Silicon Valley Blogger presents How To Improve Your Credit Score: A 6 Step Plan posted at The Digerati Life. We all could use a little improvement on our credit score.

Matt Jabs presents Grocery Hacks – How To Save Money on Groceries posted at Debt Free Adventure!, saying, “This is the story of how we reduced our grocery budget from $400/month down to less than $250/month! The other night we sat down — together — and compiled this list of 20 ways we have successfully reduced our grocery bill over the last 7 months.

PT presents Clean Finances, Clean Mind posted at Prime Time Money.

Career

Alvina Lopez presents 100 Best Personal Finance Blogs for Recent College Grads – Online Degree Programs.org: Top Online Degrees posted at Online Degree Programs.org.

FMF presents Your Job, Your Investments, and Total Diversification posted at Free Money Finance, saying, “Diversifying your job.”

jim presents What To Do When You’re On Furlough posted at Blueprint for Financial Prosperity.

The Happy Rock presents Daycare Dilemma – One Year Later posted at The Happy Rock, saying, “By DD @ The Happy Rock”

photo credit: Missional Volunteer

Debt & Credit

Raj Patel presents Consumer Bankruptcy Peak… Debt and Employment Related posted at DebtGoal.

Ray presents Citi Card Private Pass Rewards posted at Money Blue Book.

The Dough Roller presents AccountNow Prepaid Visa and MasterCard posted at The Dough Roller, saying, “Review of the AccountNow prepaid credit card.”

BrandonLaughridge presents Credit Scores: How Important Are They? posted at Mortgage Loan Place Blog, saying, “Learn how to improve your credit score and why it matters.”

Credit Shout presents All About Credit Card Minimum Payments posted at CreditShout.

Economy

Wenchypoo presents Cash-for-Clunkers Amounts ot Money Laundering posted at Wisdom From Wenchypoo’s Mental Wastebasket.

Madison presents Cash for Clunkers posted at My Dollar Plan.

Peter presents Cash For Clunkers Gets A $2 Billion Cash Infusion And Rises From The Dead.. For Now posted at Bible Money Matters, saying, “The Cash For Clunkers program has risen from the dead to kill old cars once again!”

Banker Saver presents TARP Bailout Funds: How Have Banks Used Taxpayers’ Money? posted at Banker Saver.

Kyle presents Bank Failures by the Numbers posted at Suburban Dollar» Suburban Dollar: Personal Finance Blog from a Suburbanite’s Perspective, saying, “A look at the bank failures over the last two years.”

photo credit: David Masters

Frugality & Saving Money

Chris Holdheide presents 10 Finances You Should Change Immediatly When You Get Laid Off posted at stumbleforward.com, saying, “Do you have a plan in place in case you would get laid off.”

Joanne presents Organizing From The Inside Out posted at Simply Saving.

KCLau presents I achieved financial freedom at 38 posted at KCLau’s Money Tips, saying, “This post is contributed by WaiYin, a reader whom I admire very much because she achieved financial freedom at age 38! Here, she shares how she did it.”

Aryn presents Save Money on Your Wedding: DIY Wedding Invitations posted at Sound Money Matters, saying, “The more you can DIY, the more you’ll save on your wedding.”

Ben Dinsmore presents Disadvantages of the Cash for Clunkers Program posted at Trees Full of Money, saying, “My fear is the Cash for Clunkers program is causing thousands of families around the country to purchase a vehicle they have no business buying no matter how large the incentive is.”

My Cool Mommy presents Got $200.00? Take an end of summer trip! posted at MyCoolMommy.

Mr Credit Card presents Walgreens Online Savings ? Get 5% Off posted at Ask Mr Credit Card.

Miss Bankrupt presents Analysis of Kindergarten School Supplies posted at Miss Bankrupt.

Patrick @ Money Saving Deals presents Chase Bank $150 Coupon Code for New Chase Checking Account posted at Cash Money Life Deals, saying, “Get a $150 sign up bonus with Chase Bank Checking Account.”

d. ninja presents Bill Splitting 101 posted at Punch Debt In The Face, saying, “Dont be caught at lunch with a douche bag!”

Income

Joe Plemon presents Is a College Degree Necessary For Success? posted at Personal Finance By The Book, saying, “Besides, being billionaires, what do Richard Branson, Bill Gates and Michael Dell have in common? None graduated from college. What attributes helped them succeed and can help you succeed?”

ChristianPF presents How to make money writing for Hubpages posted at Money in the Bible | Christian Personal Finance Blog, saying, “These are the steps I have taken to begin generating a little passive income with Hubpages…”

photo credit: MattLake

Investing

TIE presents Willingness, Ability, and Need posted at The Incidental Economist, saying, “We’ve all heard the mantra: “invest according to your willingness, ability, and need.” What do these terms really mean. I explain in the most recent installment of my 8-post series on investment planning.”

Barry presents Does It Make Sense To Use Home Equity To Invest? posted at Associate Money.

Roger presents Reading Online Stock Data posted at The Amateur Financier.

Dividends4Life presents Has The Insurance Industry Finally Turned The Corner? posted at Dividends Value, saying, “Not many companies fortunes are as closely tied to the stock market as those in the insurance industry. When the market is climbing, insurers will often soar beyond the market, and will fall harder when the market declines. With the market upturn is now a good time to consider insurance companies?”

Mike Piper presents Low-Cost, Socially Responsible Mutual Funds posted at The Oblivious Investor, saying, “An attempt to construct a low-cost, diversified portfolio using “socially responsible” mutual funds.”

Investing School presents What is Net Working Capital? posted at Investing School, saying, “Net working capital is one of the most important asset to have.”

Manshu presents Green ETF List posted at OneMint.

Darwin presents How do Stock Options Work? Trade Calls and Puts – Part 1 posted at Darwin’s Finance, saying, “Everything you need to know about how stock options work – from generating income to pure speculation, with examples and resources included.”

Dividend Growth Investor presents TradeKing $50 Promotion posted at Dividend Growth Investor, saying, “TradeKing, which is one of the leading online discount brokers in the US is offering a $50 sign-up bonus for new customer accounts. If you receive a referral code, simply open an account by August 31, fund the account with $1000 and make a trade. Both accounts would get $50 deposits.”

The Smarter Wallet presents Trend Analysis For The US Dollar Index and Crude Oil Market posted at The Smarter Wallet, saying, “Great carnival!”

Tom Drake presents How Long Will It Take To Double My Money? The Rule Of 72 posted at The Canadian Finance Blog, saying, “The Rule of 72 is a simple calculation to determine how long it will take to double your money at a specific interest rate.”

Jae Jun presents Stock Analysis and valuation of a Cheap Stock posted at Old School Value, saying, “Discussions on the business of a company called Mastech and why it is so cheap along with the intrinsic value estimate. A potential safe 300% stock.”

Investing Toolkit presents Why Should I Start Investing? posted at Investing Toolkit, saying, “Thank you!”

Stock Trading Brokers presents Investing Basics – Work With an Online Broker For The Right Reasons posted at Stock Trading Brokers, saying, “Remember to know why you are using an online broker.”

Other

Matthew Paulson presents Build Up a Reserve Fund Before Anything Else posted at American Banking News.

Patrick @ Cash Money Life presents Is Your Car Eligible for the Cash For Clunkers Program? posted at Cash Money Life, saying, “There is a lot of confusion regarding which vehicles are eligible for the $3,500 to $4,500 voucher for the Cash for Clunkers program.”

Jason presents When Investing, Stick to What You Know posted at Automatic Finances.

RC presents When is it OK to Hide Money-or Keep a Money Secret- from Your Husband or Wife? posted at Think Your Way to Wealth.

MoneyNing presents 401k, Traditional IRA and Roth IRA Savings Not The Same posted at Money Ning, saying, “When you plan for retirement, do you really look into the tax situation and how it will affect your account balances?”

J. Savings presents Product Research Web 2.0 – Using Social Media to Become a Smart Buyer posted at Budgets are Sexy., saying, “Being thrifty is not only about counting pennies – it is more about developing a smart spending strategy!”

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of money hacks carnival using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.