Welcome to the May 30, 2008 edition of Kids & Money. As you'll note from this past post, you'll know that I extended this carnival from May 23 to May 30. Now, due to the way I've structured this, I will be calling this the "May 30" post even though I just published it today (June 6). As you know, I published links and commentary on the 7 best posts that were submitted to this edition in their own posts.
Next week's carnival should be back on track for June 20.
Entrepreneur
Heather Allen presents The DebtFree Playbook Blog posted at The DebtFree Playbook Blog, saying, "The children's guide to getting the marketing mix right for their entrepreneurial project."
Heather always brings us insightful ways to teach kids about money, business, and entrepreneurship.
Investing
Barb A. Ryan presents 10 - Independent Investment Counselors and Financial Advisors posted at Pasadena Financial Planner.
Independent investment counselors and financial advisers are always best to get objective advice. Remember that you're paying an adviser one way of the other: Either through fees for selling you investment vehicles or through a consulting fee. You most likely will get better performance from the adviser who isn't tied to a family of funds.
Walter W. Fouse presents Vanguard Index Mutual Funds Versus Vanguard Managed Funds posted at Best No Load Funds.
Vanguard has long been known as the low-cost leader in the mutual fund industry. While most mutual funds cannot beat the S&P 500 year in and year out, some manage funds do more often than not. If you do your homework, you can consistently find funds that beat the market. However, if you want to 'set it and forget it' go with index funds.
Larry Russell presents The Top 25 Low Cost Best US Money Market Funds posted at THE SKILLED INVESTOR Blog.
Money market funds have fallen out of favor recently with the drop in short-term interest rates. Actually, they've been out of favor for quite some time because short-term rates have been at or near historic lows for what seems like a decade now. I hope this isn't signaling a Japan-like economy for years to come.
College
Michael presents College Life: Is it Better to Live On-Campus or Off-Campus? posted at Michael Emilio, saying, "It's often a hard choice for college kids - stay in dorms or live off campus either alone or with parents."
It all depends on why you're there. College means different things to different people. It also depends on your personality.
Mark Montgomery presents How Good are Advanced Placement (AP) Courses? Are They Worth Taking? posted at Great College Advice, saying, "Helping your kids choose the right high school courses is both important and difficult. How do you know if a course is any good? This post provides tips and questions to ask to ensure that any course--but especially AP courses--are as good as advertised."
AP courses weren't nearly so sought-after when I was applying to colleges. Now, if you don't take them, you don't get the GPA needed to get into the most popular schools. This is a good starting point.
David Cassell presents Masters Or Doctorate - Which One? posted at selectcoursesblog.com.
I wish I had asked myself that question 20 years ago...
Credit
Mag Herrera presents What I like about Credit Cards posted at Life. Money. Development., saying, "A balanced review of credit cards' nature and usage."
Too often in the Personal Finance blogs and sites I keep up with, credit cards are lambasted and debt is to be avoided at all costs. However, I agree with Mag on this one: Credit cards are tools that allow you to buy things now and pay for them later. If you get a low-interest card, by all means use it, but use it sparingly. Don't get yourself into debt that you cannot get out of.
Raymond presents Build Your Own Capital One Lab Credit Card posted at Money Blue Book.
What an innovative product! Personalization is the future of "plastic" and Cap One is at the forefront. This program allows you to customize some of the rewards, too. Pretty cool.
Jeremy Zongker presents How to Stop Debt Collector Harrassment posted at Destroy Debt.
Hey, lots of us have been here. There are laws to protect you. One great way to keep these guys off your back in the first place is to pay your bills. Another way is to use a Grand Central telephone number.
Raymond presents How To Make Money From Balance Transfer Credit Cards posted at Money Blue Book.
This is one of the most thoughtful balance-transfer posts I have ever seen. It's worth a read.
Jeremy Zongker presents What NOT to do when a bill collector calls (by a former bill collector) posted at Thoughts from a Former Bill Collector.
Again, some of us have been down this road. I hope you never have to, but if you do, take this advice to heart.
Raymond presents Debt Reduction With Low Interest Balance Transfers posted at Money Blue Book.
Another great article!
Miscellaneous
James DeLelys presents WORDSBlog » MONEY ONLINE posted at Author James DeLelys.
Hey, we're all looking to make a little extra. Affiliate programs are great ways to do that.
Brice Hogan presents Micropayments Make Cents posted at Financialzip.com.
This is a proven strategy for whittling away your debt.
Dollar Frugal presents Volunteerism posted at Dollar Frugal.
Teaching our kids about charity will undoubtedly make them more caring individuals.
Tracee Sioux presents Empowering Girls: So Sioux Me: Empowering Girls: Tooth Fairy Inflation posted at So Sioux Me, saying, "Even the tooth fairy is facing inflation."
No kidding!
Raymond presents Work From Home With Paid Online Surveys posted at Money Blue Book.
Dollar Frugal presents Save Water - 3 Minute Showers posted at Dollar Frugal.
Dollar Frugal presents Snacks at Lunch? posted at Dollar Frugal.
Schools found out they could be profit centers at the expense of their customers. Sad.
Michael Snyder presents 10 Powerful Secrets For How To Build A Great Marriage posted at Shattered Paradigm.
Conclusion
That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of Kids & Money using our carnival submission form.
Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.
