Carnival of Personal Finance – Blogthority.com Relaunch Edition! Make More Money Blogging

Welcome to Money Smarts! If you're new here, please read the "About" page to find out more about this site. If you would like to receive updates by email then sign up here or you can subscribe to the RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Welcome to Blogthority.com relaunch edition of the Carnival of Personal Finance. Blogthority.com is a blog dedicated to helping you earn more money from your blog without spending any extra time on it. It will also cover various blog maintenance, technical and design issues from time to time.
The site was started by Pinyo from Moolanomy.com and I took it over last year and just relaunched it last week. Please feel free to check it out and subscribe. Please read the introduction post for more information about the direction of the blog.

One of the key factors when talking about personal finance is income. In my opinion, more income is better. Cutting costs is certainly a valid way to improve your finances but it is limited. Once you pick the “low hanging fruit” then it becomes harder and harder to save the next dollar.
Making more income is also limited because you only have so many hours in a day. However if you can earn more money then it is possible to save more money and pay off debts without cutting your standard of living.
For those of you who are bloggers and want to make a bit more money from your blog then subscribe to Blogthority.com. My goal is to write about strategies to increase your blog income without you having to spend more time on your blog.

Now, on with the carnival!

Editor’s picks These are the best of the best!

• Mike Piper from The Oblivious Investor presents Backtesting Investment Strategies, and says, “Is the fact that an investment strategy worked in the past sufficient evidence that it will work in the future?”
• Len from Len Penzo dot Com tells us about 8 Stupid Fees Consumers Hate to Pay (But Often Do Anyway).
• Ron from The Wisdom Journal has5 Ways to Disaster Proof Your Finances. A very good list to follow.
• Broke by Choice from If I Were a Wealthy Girl gives us some envelope alternatives..She says that envelopes are too bulky so she has her own interesting system set up.
• RJ Weiss from Gen Y Wealth presents All About Asset Allocation, and says, “Learn the basics of asset allocation and you can become a successful investor. Any expert will tell you that developing your asset allocation strategy, is the most important step to successful investing.”
• PT from PT Money found 20 Tips for a More Affordable Auto Insurance Policy , and says, “A comprehensive look at auto insurance and saving money on your policy.”
• Squawkfox shows how to get your budget balanced with these Free Budget Worksheets and Household Net Worth Spreadsheet.
• Matt Jabs from Debt Free Adventure talks about Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), and says, “Exchange Traded Funds are basically index funds that trade like individual stocks. They’re quite the rage in the investment industry right now. What are they and are they right for you?”

One of the keys to increasing your blog income is knowing where the income comes from. A hint – it comes from your search engine visitors.

• Jeff Rose from Good Financial Cents presents Long Term Care Insurance Quotes: How Much Do You Need?, and says, “You have a greater chance of needing long term care than Shaquille O’neal has of making a free throw. How scary is that?”
• Michael Pruser from The Dough Roller presents Avoid Tax Refund Anticipation Loans!
• Dustin from Engaged Marriage presents Our Debt-Free Marriage: How We Paid Off $54,500 in the Name of Freedom. He’s debt free and lovin’ it.
• Jason from Live Real, Now presents Fall From Grace.
• Marie from Moneymonk presents Always Think Long Term.
• The Smarter Wallet presents How to borrow money when credit is tight.
• Junior Boomer from Consumer Boomer presents What Are Your Options With Your 401k if You Lose Your Job?, and says, “If you’re laid off, what happens to your retirement money? Well, you have three basic choices with your 401(k). One gives you more freedom and control than the other two.”
• Arjun Rudra from Investing Thesis presents What You Need To Know About The Commodity Research Bureau Index (CRB).
• Ryan Guina from Cash Money Life presents How to Get Out of Debt, and says, “tips on how to get out of debt – from recognizing and admitting the situation to implementing a plan to eliminate debt once and for all!”
• Kevin from No Debt Plan presents How to Judge the Health of a Bank With Bank Safety Ratings, and says, “Interested in a rewards checking account? It may be a ploy by a hurting bank to get your deposits. “
• Dividend Growth Investor from Dividend Growth Investor presents The right time to sell dividend stocks , and says, “The rapid increase in prices since March 2009 lows has many dividend investors wondering whether they should lock in some or all of their gains today. Investors who were able to purchase stocks in 2008 and 2009 might be sitting at gains, which seem equal to the dividend payments they could expect from a stock for several years to come.”
• Jb from Adventures in Debt tells us how he saved $6 today. Shocking.
• Jeremy from Generation X Finance presents Save Money and Take a Staycation Instead of a Vacation This Year.
• Hedy from Penny for my Thoughts presents Life Lessons Learned at my first jobs.
• Austin from Foreigner’s Finances presents Savings? Check. But, Now What?, and says, “Many people have their savings under control. This post dives into the next steps in your money life. “
• Wealth Pilgrim from Wealth Pilgrim presents Best Car Extended Warranty For Free, and says, “You can have the best car extended warranty for free if you have a little patience, stay calm and do some digging. Here’s how I did.”
• Elle from Couple Money presents Color Code & Categorize Expenses in Your Spreadsheets, and says, “One of my wife’s challenges as “manager of the household budget and head of the household purchasing committee” is to work out which purchases were justified and which should be cut down on (or argued over, whatever).”
• Jim from Bargaineering presents How Long Should I Keep Financial Documents?.

There are plenty of ways to make more money by blogging – Here are four different approaches you can try.

• LeanLifeCoach from Eliminate the Muda! presents Ten Motivational Tips To Achieve Your Personal Finance Objectives, and says, “Ending the rate race requires sound investing strategies. Here are some tips to keep you motivated. “
• Craig/FFB from Free From Broke presents Exchange Traded Funds – Pros and Cons, and says, “What exchange traded funds are and how they compare to mutual funds.”
• MT from Millionaire Teacher presents How to suck the fun out of $10k. Some prudent but not very fun ways to blow through $10,000.”
• Peter from Bible Money Matters presents Own Your Finances. Your Choice To Struggle, Not Save, Or Live Without A Plan, and says, “You need to take responsibility for and own your finances.”
• Ryan from Military Finance Network presents How to File a Tax Extension, and says, “Tips on how to easily and effectively file a tax extension.”
• Kaye from Mrs Nespy’s Frugal World presents 8 Ways to Prepare for the Worst , and says, “Everyone should actually have a will–especially if you have a positive net worth and/or children. You really shouldn’t leave your loved ones to “deal with it” after your passing. Make sure these items are taken care of so that you estate is handled with dignity.”
• 2 Cents from Balance Junkie presents Book Review: Juggling Dynamite, and says, “This book is a great read for beginning or experienced investors and it provides some sage advice on basic personal finance as well. It’s written by Canadian money manager Danielle Park.”"
• Helen from Science and Money presents The Problem with Tax-Deductible Contributions to 529 Plans, and says, “Be aware that the tax deduction offered by some states for 529 contributions ends up in the pockets of the financial companies and not in yours.”

Sometimes selling your blog or business is how you make the most money – what is your exit strategy?

• MD from Studenomics presents Investing Tips For Young People– What You Should Consider .
• J. Money from Budgets Are Sexy presents Are You Hustlin’ For A Better Lifestyle?, and says, “Hustlin’ on the side gives you options! (and benjamins)”
• Paul Williams from Provident Planning presents Investing Basics: What Is a Stock?, and says, “Learn the basics of what a stock is and the two main types of stock available.”
• Clint from Accumulating Money presents Taking an IRA Distribution
• Kyle from Amateur Asset Allocator presents Online Resources For Your Credit Report Questions, and says, “Where to get your credit report questions answered for free online.”
• Craig Ford from Money Help For Christians presents How to Help Teens’ Deal With Spending and Consumerism, and says, “Teens are pressured to participate in consumerism. What can parents do to help guide their kids through this time? This post addresses this question.”
• Kristia from Family Balance Sheet presents If Your Are Spending ONE Cent on Bath and Beauty Products, You Are Spending TOO Much..
• Paul @ FiscalGeek presents An Insiders View of the Mortgage Industry – Podcast, and says, “Continuation of the FiscalGeek Podcast this time focusing on the Mortgage industry some insider tips from a mortgage broker.”
• Ricky from Qwoter presents No Fee Roth IRA, and says, “If you are investing into an IRA, you must take advantage of a no fee Roth IRA.”
• Dividend Growth Investor from Dividend Growth Investor presents The right time to sell dividend stocks , and says, “The rapid increase in prices since March 2009 lows has many dividend investors wondering whether they should lock in some or all of their gains today. Investors who were able to purchase stocks in 2008 and 2009 might be sitting at gains, which seem equal to the dividend payments they could expect from a stock for several years to come.”
• Paul @ FiscalGeek from FiscalGeek presents Why Tax Deferral May Be a Sucker’s Bet, and says, “A lively discussion regarding the merits of deferring taxes until retirement or paying them upfront.”
• FT from Million Dollar Journey presents How Annuities Work, and says, “The high level explanation of how annuities work.”
• Jaime from Eventual Millionaire presents Who Else Wants to Be Debt Free?
• Joe from Personal Finance by the Book presents A Letter From My Uncle Sam, and says, “This is a wry look at personal financial advice from my Uncle Sam.”

Promotion (or advertising) is good or any business. For blogs – writing a great guest post is king.

• D4L from Dividends Value presents Increasing Dividend Yield Part IV: Bonds, and says, “This is the fourth installment in a multi-part series that looks at various options used by income investors to boost their yield while waiting for dividend growth to lift their portfolio’s overall yield-on-cost. Last week we looked at Preferred Stock. This week we are looking at Bonds.”
• Bob from Christian Personal Finance presents 7 Tips to Involve Your Spouse in the Finances, and says, “Keeping your spouse involved in the management of finances can be a tough thing to do. In most situations, there is a nerd (as Dave Ramsey often puts it) in the family who likes doing the numbers stuff. But, this is a dangerous approach to family finances…”
• Tom @ Canadian Finance Blog from Canadian Finance Blog presents What is Financial Literacy? Part 3, and says, “As a collective whole, we don’t save money because there are too many opportunities to spend it.”
• FMF from Free Money Finance presents Plan on Budgeting Surprises, and says, “Many budgets are doomed to failure because of the challenge of planning for unplanned spending. Here are some of the items you either did not put in your budget or they shouldn’t be in your spending. “The Wise Squirrel from Squirrelers presents The New Rich – Frugal is Cool.
• Silicon Valley Blogger from The Digerati Life presents Online Bill Pay Account From FNBO Direct: Review, and says, “This is a review of the FNBO Direct Online Bill Pay Account.”
• Mr. Credit Card from Ask Mr. Credit Card presents Jobs and Credit Ratings.
• Jason from One Money Design presents Should You Lease or Buy a Car: Which Saves More Money?, and says, “Should you lease or buy a car? In order to make a decision, you need to understand the pros and cons of each option and consider which one saves the most money.”

Time is money – Learn how to grow your blog efficiently.

• AlexG from Magic Formula Pro presents Could Investors Use A Little Magic? Magic Formula vs. Mutual Funds, and says, “Morningstar.com had a fantastic article that examines how the magic formula stacks up against Morningstar’s top-performing actively managed mutual funds. “
• Frugal Dad from Frugal Dad presents March Madness Reminds There Are No Cinderellas .
• Brad from Investing First Steps presents How Can I Reduce My Taxable Income?.
• Tim Chen from NerdWallet Credit Card Watch presents Rental Cars: Should You Pay for Extra Insurance?.
• Getting together with friends is what it’s all about right? Learn how to get together with some blogger friends and get everyone’s boat rising by starting a blog network.
• Adam from Magical Penny presents How to Build Your Best Current Account.
• David from Credit Card Offers IQ presents Debit versus Credit Cards: Which is Right for You, and says, “Debit versus Credit Cards: Which is Right for You”
• Rob from Energy Saving Gadgets presents Belkin BG108000-04 Conserve Energy Saving Surge Strip Review, and says, “Belkin BG108000-04 Conserve Energy Saving Surge Strip Review”.
• Sun from The Sun’s Financial Diary presents Making a Limited Budget Work Today and Tomorrow.
• Curt from PennyJobs.com presents 10 Job Opportunities for Men in the New Economy: Part 3: Repairman.
• Jim from Wanderlust Journey presents American Express & Southwest Airlines Membership Rewards Parting Ways June 30th.
• Darwin from Darwin’s Finance presents What’s Wrong with This Health Care Reform Bill, and says, “With this “historic” health care bill passed, it’s important to cut through the contrived numbers and gimmicks and understand exactly what’s in the bill and why it is so problematic.”
• Amanda from My Dollar Plan presents American Opportunity Tax Credit Expands Tuition Tax Credit
• ElizabethG (Modern Gal) from Modern Gal presents An Exit Plan.
• Lakita from Personal Finance Journey presents Interview with Peter Anderson, founder of Bible Money Matters, and says, “An interview with Peter Anderson, the voice behind the successful site Bible Money Matters. We discuss purpose, passion, business, and money making tips.”
• Bret from Hope to Prosper presents Customers Sue Banks for Compliance, and says, “I have noticed a new trend in the conflict between banks and consumers. Customers are suing their banks for a variety of reasons and these lawsuits are starting to become problematic for banks.”

Welcome to Money Smarts! If you're new here, please read the "About" page to find out more about this site. If you would like to receive updates by email then sign up here or you can subscribe to the RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!