Yakezie Carnival – Summer Vacation Edition

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Yakezie Carnival – the Summer Vacation Edition!

It’s the middle of summer, and I’m putting this carnival together on a warm afternoon. I’m splitting time between working inside and outside today, as I just can’t stay inside in the air conditioning all day.  Here in the Chicago area, we got battered by winter this year (as we do some years) so there’s a lot of incentive to get out enjoy the weather while it’s so nice during the summer!

The summer just gets me thinking about vacations. It’s probably a result of school summer break all those years, and the reality that my family took most of our vacations in the summer months. Anyway, while as of now we’re not going anywhere special this summer, my mind is working on where I’d go given the choice.

Personally, having been to 47 of the 50 states here in the U.S., I’d like to visit the 3 that I haven’t been to: Alaska, Hawaii, Maine. It’s partially a matter of getting that goal of all 50 done, but also that I find those 3 to be intriguing places to visit. Alaska for the rugged mountains and wildlife, Hawaii for the beaches and weather, and Maine for the coastline and Acadia National Park.

In Canada, I’ve visited or driven through all provinces from British Columbia eastward to Quebec, but haven’t visited the Maritimes (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI) or Newfoundland.  Someday, that will have to happen as well.  There’s just so little time these days – and I’m much more cost conscious - so I’ll have to get to it eventually.

Anyway, these are the places that I’d like to visit in the future.

What about you? Where would you like to take a vacation, given the chance?

While you ponder your answer, there are plenty of great articles to read this week:

Money Reasons: Excellent Credit Score – Having an high or excellent credit score has certain advantages that would be taken advantage of! This article describes those benefits.

One Cent At A Time: Save Money By Watching You Tube – Do you know YouTube is probably a largest source of money saving information on this planet? YouTube videos alone can save $100 – $500 per month depending on your spending habbit.

Financial Success for Young Adults: How to Benchmark Portfolio Performance – How will you know how your portfolio is doing if you don’t compare it to anything?

The College Investor: The Trouble with Target Date Funds – Target date funds can be a great way to save for retirement, but they have some problems you should be aware of before you invest.

Money Cone: Focus On Recurring Expenses To Improve Savings – To improve your savings, start by focusing on your recurring expenses. Here are some expenses that I managed to eliminate and saved a bundle in the process…

No Debt MBA: My latest money-saving technique is… laziness - Being lazy usually costs you money, but recently I’ve found being lazy has helped me save in several ways!

Compounding Returns: 15 Year Millionaire Plan: Year 11 – In year 11 of the 15 Year Millionaire Plan, we are focusing on starting a business.

Not Made of Money: Reasons To Move: Considering More Than Your Rent Or Mortgage – When most people consider the idea of moving to another area, they will mainly focus on the amount that they will pay in rent or mortgage. While this is extremely important, there are other valid reasons to move that can help you come to a sound decision.

Financially Consumed: 4 Thrifty Ways To Hire A Lawyer – We live in a society of laws, but we don’t have equal access to legal advice. Here are four (4) thrifty ways you can gain access to a lawyer, without depleting your resources.

My Multiple Incomes: The Customer’s Tips on How Sales Reps Can Sell Stuff – Here is a real list on how sales reps can sell stuff to customers!

My Journey to Millions: Halfway Through 2011 Reviewing My Goals and Objectives – I was recently reminded of my 2011 Goals and Objectives and how I should check in on them. Here is how I have been doing in 4 key areas of my life.

Spruce Up Your Finances: 7 Quick Facts About the Roth IRA Contribution – Discussed the various information you’ll need to know when making a contribution to your Roth IRA

Thirty Six Months: Vacationing on a Budget – There a few different ways for family bonding, vacationing and saving money.

Invest It Wisely: Savings=Freedom – Being out of debt is good, but the only way we really improve our lot in life is by saving and investing for the future! This is true both individually, and of us as a whole. The Dodges have it rough, but they are doing great compared to people a hundred years ago. They are able to indirectly benefit from the accumulated savings and investment of other people which has led to all of the things in society which we enjoy today.

Stock Market Basics: Best personal finance apps – These are some of the best iPhone apps to take care of your personal finance and budgeting needs. Some are really handy to save money with some good comparisons like GasBuddy or ShopSmart.

Mom’s Plans: Ways to Find Free Gifts – A Lesson I Learned from My Son – Recently when my son was allowed to get a prize at the dentist, he chose to pick something for someone else instead of himself. It was a great strategy for gift giving on a limited budget.

Prairie Eco Thrifter: Tips for Surviving Unemployment – Unemployment isn’t the end of the world – it’s just a detour. Although finances may become tight as you seek new employment, surviving unemployment can actually be a rewarding and enjoyable experience which may lead to new and better opportunities. Simply continue to take care of yourself so that your are mentally prepared when those opportunities present themselves.

Control Your Cash: Poor People Largely Choose to be that Way – Christian Lopez gave something worth $100,000 to a guy who’s made $200 million in his career…

Live Real Now: Money Problems: Day 10 – Debt Insurance – Debt insurance is a bad idea, if you can possibly avoid it. A combination of life insurance, disability insurance, and an emergency fund provide better protection with more flexibility.

Bucksome Boomer: Refinish Your Finances – Four steps to refinishing your finances; just like that old piece of furniture.

Living in Financial Excellence: Higher Education Doesn’t Mean Higher Income – Here’s what that lack of planning means:When someone graduates from college with $30k or more in debt and then tries to get a job as a social worker,the numbers aren’t going to add up. You can’t make things work when your annual income is less than your total debt load. It just doesn’t work…

Money Is The Root: Variable vs. Fixed Costs – Consumers focus too much on the low variables costs, and often forget about the nagging long term fixed cost aspect of their finances.

Investor Junkie: Just Starting Up: Loan or Investment – When starting your own business for the first time, one of the very first decisions that you’ll have to make is how you’re going to get access to the initial burst of capital necessary to start and grow a company…

Outlaw Finance: The Difference Between Stocks and Bonds – Clears the air about some investment basics: how to define stocks and bonds, what are their benefits, and what are their drawbacks.

PT Money Personal Finance: 10 Reasons to Get Off Your Butt and Start a Roth IRA – There are so many reasons to start one of these bad boys and get going with your retirement savings. Here are 10 of them.

Deliver Away Debt: What It Takes to Clean Up Your Credit – Building good credit after making some bad decisions is not something that can be done quickly, but here are steps you’ll need to take to get your credit report healthy again.

krantcents: 15 Coolest Jobs on the Planet – 15 Coolest Jobs on the planet

The Ultimate Juggle: My Lesson From Switching Outlets – Oh the life lessons you learn… even when cleaning!

Glen Craig: HUD Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program (EHLP): Home Loans for Those Facing Foreclosure – If you are facing foreclosure there may be help for you but you have to act quickly. See how.

Our Journey To Zero: Spending Roles – This article explores the different roles my wife and I have in the spending process. I wouldn’t want to be the manager that has to deal with my wife after dinner experience gone bad.

The Amateur Financier: Mixed Bad Monday – Foreclosures, Bankruptcies, and Defaults, Oh My! – A guide to taking care of some of the more difficult money issues that can confront you. From when declaring bankruptcy is a reasonable option to how much of an emergency you should try to build up, hopefully it helps answer some of the pressing issues readers may have.

Thanks for visiting, I hope you enjoyed this week’s carnival!

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