Black Coffee: My Favorite Blogs, Money News and Opinions #2

Blogs I’ve Been Following This Week

What a week!  With my clandestine trip to Argentina out of the way, it’s time for me to catch you all up on  four of my favorite blogs that I’ve been following this week.  If you’ve got a few minutes, please check them out!

DebtFreeAdventure – Matt had an eclectic mix of goodies this week including status regarding the on-going personal finance bloggers weight loss challenge, hosting the Carnival of Top PF Posts, and a really good post on overcoming anxiety and the importance of teamwork in relationships with respect to personal finances.  Speaking of teammates, my teammate and household CFO, the Honeybee, asked why I wasn’t involved in the weight loss challenge.  I told her between bites of Cheetos (the puffed kind) that, quite frankly, at 438 pounds I didn’t feel I needed to lose any.  Truth be told, I was a bit insulted at her suggestion.  After all, at almost 5 feet tall, it’s not as if I don’t have the frame to carry it. 

Not Made of Money – This week one of my favorite husband and wife teams (even better than John and Kate!) had a couple of nice summer-related posts.  I especially enjoyed the one regarding frugal and cheap activities for the kids.  I’d like to mention their article on five great potato recipes too, but that would only give the Honeybee a bit more ammunition regarding my reluctance to lose a few pounds.  So just forget I ever mentioned that one. 

PlonkeeMoney – This week I thought I would check out a personal finance blog or two from our cousins across the pond.   I enjoyed reading Plonkee’s self-assessment on whether she did the right thing by using her two-year blog earnings to buy an oboe instead of a new bathroom.   Three observations here:  1.  Plonkee used the term “bathroom” in her article, but I thought they called it a “loo” or “WC” in England — what gives?; 2. I absolutely love the name “Plonkee” and if the Honeybee and I ever have another daughter, I’ll give you one guess as to what I am going to christen her; and, 3. I can only hope that after two years of blogging I’ll have enough money to buy a didgeridoo, let alone an oboe. 

Money Blue Book – Although I have given concrete statistical examples to my readers regarding why they should never get caught paying the “stupid tax” (aka playing the lottery), I quickly jumped to Raymond’s site when I saw he had a piece on how to actually win the lotto.  Boy, was I excited!  It turns out that for those who insist on playing the lottery despite the odds, Raymond’s article is a public service on the best way to play — and he made some very good points.  Still, I was a bit disappointed to find out there was no sure-fire way to win.   Oh well.  I guess I’ll just have to continue to rely on blogging if I ever hope to get that didgeridoo.   

Credits and Debits

Debit: Michael Jackson’s untimely death coupled with the news of his incredulous financial situation, should serve as a reminder to everyone that high incomes never guarantee financial freedom.  Although on second thought, for some reason he still managed to live the high life despite his woeful money troubles.  The financial hammer was quickly coming down on him though, which is the main reason why Jackson had agreed to play 50 concert dates in London this year.

Debit: United States Senate Finance Committee chair Max Baucus (Montana-D) is proposing that union health benefits be exempt from any taxes on employer provided health benefits that would be used to pay for the folly that is universal health care.  Isn’t it interesting that the folks who are among the biggest proponents of socialist policies like universal health care are the same ones who don’t want to pay for it?   Here’s some advice for those of you who belong to the something-for-nothing crowd:  Despite what our current President thinks, you are living in a fantasy land if you continue to believe the United States of America can afford to have 25% of its citizens subsidizing life for the other 75%.  The reality is that, in the end, we’re all going to pay dearly via massive inflation.

Credit: According to Warren Buffet, the only reason the United States is not suffering from an economic depression right now is because of (wait for it)… Ben Bernanke.   Yep.  Helicopter Ben.  I don’t necessarily agree with that assessment, but I am not about to butt heads with the Oracle of Omaha – so this one falls squarely in the credit column. 

Update:  My Shameless RSS Experiment  — Week 3

I’m now three weeks into My Shameless RSS Experiment.  I saw my subscriber numbers rise another 10%, which ain’t bad, I guess.  But I still haven’t reached my 100 subscriber goal yet.   Hopefully, if you like what you’re reading you’ll take a moment to subscribe.  I’d really appreciate it! 

And to my socialist and union member friends: I’ll understand if you decide to not take the plunge – although I’d really love to have you on board to give your opinions too!  

Carnival News

This past week I had posts featured at the following carnivals:

- The 31st EVER Carnival of Internships, Careers and Employment

- One Mint – Economy & Your Finances

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