Blogging Away Debt

A PF Blogger is Asking for Help, Debt Reduction Getting Recognition and Cheap Ways to Exercise

Today is Friday, but is sure doesn’t feel like it. My son is home from school today and I’m off work so my internal schedule is majorly confused. Today will be a day of getting our home ready for winter. Now that our mini-heat wave is over, daily temps are in the 30s. It’s time to caulk and put plastic on some windows and try to seal nook and crannies where the cold is getting in our house. It’s also time to finally put away the yard items because before we know it we’ll have three feet of snow in our backyard.

Here are a few articles that caught my eye this week.

First up is Stephanie at Poorer than You. She entered a scholarship competition for bloggers and was selected as a finalist (and she’s the only personal finance blogger in the group). The final winner of the $10,000 scholarship is being determined by popular vote and here’s where Stephanie could use your help. She’s asking others to check out the finalists and cast a vote. You can read about the finalists here and can vote here. If you vote for Stephanie, her full name is Stephanie Collins and her name is near the end of the list. You do not need to register to vote and the actual voting takes less than two seconds.

Peete caught CNBC’s program, a Millionaire Inside, and was able to tape it and then outline what was in the program. It’s a very nice recap of the show.

Lastly, the Digerati Life gives ideas for cheap ways to exercise. I love the second pic in her post. It cracks me up.

Friend Visit…Friend Bring Neat Toy

by Tricia

My guess is that from the beginning of time, mankind has had a fascination for new things that provide pleasure or provide something useful. Nowadays, that fascination can lead to some big spending of money and that’s partly why we are so deep in debt in the first place. My solution? Try to shield myself as much as possible from new gadgets and doohickeys so the fascination isn’t a problem.

Such is the case with the iPod. I’ve heard of it and saw it on the internet and TV. However, that doesn’t stir the fascination. I’m more of a hands-on, see it in person type. Believe it or not, before my friend’s visit last week, I have never held one in my hands.

He sat his iPod down on the end table and I was very tempted to pick it up. I leaned in for a closer look. My friend saw me and immediately said, “Wanna take a look?” Darn me. I said, “Yes.” It didn’t take long for the drool to start.

As I listened to Amy Lee sing “Lithium,” I could hear her take her first breath to begin singing the song. That’s even there? That’s amazing. I never heard that before when listing to the song through my computer monitor speakers. Then I found his stash of Enya songs. Before I knew it I was closing my eyes and listening to the soothing music.

I wanted one right then and there.

The next day? I searched around to see how much iPods are running. Wait…what was I doing?!? I shouldn’t be looking for a deal on an iPod. It’s something I clearly do not need. Sure, it was nice listening to music and being able to discern the individual instruments. But it is clearly a luxury in our case.

I still thought about that iPod for a few more days. I’m happy to report that a week later, I am no longer thinking about it. The urge has passed, and I didn’t buy one. Had this happened a few years ago and I had some available credit, I probably would have bought one.

To think of it, I’ve been doing quite well with my LCD TV obsession as well. It’s weird. I almost think it feels more gratifying to resist the impulse urges to buy something. I feel like I am accomplishing something by not buying it.