Carnival of Money Stories #72: Back To School Edition

As summer draws to a close, students everywhere are getting ready to head back to school. Since I finally finished my master’s degree, I won’t be heading back to school this August. However, that doesn’t mean I can’t help kick in a new school year by sharing the 72nd edition of the Carnival of Money Stories.

Teacher’s Pets

Photo by Sister72

While teachers and professors will never admit it, everybody has their favorites. I’m neither a teacher, nor a professor, so here are my favorite articles submitted to this week’s carnival.

• What does afford really mean? at So Cal Savvy. An interesting look into how the word “afford” can mean different things to different people.
• Student Travel: The Start of A Great Love Affair at Personal Finance Analyst. A great list of things you should know about before traveling abroad as a student.
• Keeping A Time Budget Log at Blueprint for Financial Prosperity. Time = money. Jim shares how he plans to keep a log of how he spends his time.
• Paying $1.00 to use a public bathroom is good. Paying 25¢ is bad. at Budgets are Sexy. Finally, someone is talking about the issue we’ve all been thinking about, “Would you pay to pee?”

Personal Progress Reports

Photo by victoriabernal

One of the best parts of going back to school is getting to catch up with everybody. Check out the following articles to learn about the progress these bloggers have made towards accomplishing their financial goals.

• Our Financial Goals: Savings and Debt Reduction at Prime Time Money.
• One month checkup – July’s Expenses at The Happy Rock.
• Progress Update – July 2008 at Dividends4Life.
• July 2008: Progress Update at Green Panda Treehouse.
• You’re Terminated, F*%#^@! at Poorer Than You.

Money Management Stories

One topic you probably won’t hear much about in school is money management. Fortunately, there’s a thing called the Internet, and you’re looking at it. The following articles cover a variety of different approaches to managing your money.

• How I Budget Part 1 at The Organizing Blog
• Three Principles Of Personal Finance at How I Save Money.net.
• Wallet: Found (and the Beauty of Simple Finance) at Smart Easy Money.
• 7 Ways To Handle Unexpected Expenses and Financial Emergencies at The Digerati Life.
• Improve Savings by Planning for Failure? at Mind Your Decisions.
• My 9 Biggest Money Mistakes at artofthecoupon.com.

Career and Business Stories

If you’re still in high school or college, finding a job or starting a business may be one of the last things on your mind, but it’s never too early to start. Check out these great articles to get a head start on knowing what to expect when you finally do enter the real world.

• Share Your Bad Boss Story at Free Money Finance.
• Get It In Writing at Cash Money Life.
• Entrepreneurs: Is Extreme Frugality A Waste of Time? at erica.biz.
• Ways Not Having a Job Impacts Our Personal Finances at Lazy Man and Money.

Food and Frugality Stories

Photo by bookgrl

We need food to survive, and we need money for food. Peruse the following articles for some great tips on both of these topics.

• $4 ice cream cone – frugal or not? at LivingAlmostLarge.
• How Not to Save Money on Groceries: A Story at Sound Money Matters.
• Save Money Without Feeling Deprived at Cathy Stucker.
• Frugal living doesn’t mean cheap at KCLau’s Money Tips.

Shopping Stories

Back to school sales pop up everywhere around this time of the year. Here are some articles with even more money saving advice while you’re out shopping.

• Hello, I have a convert here at Learning the ropes.
• Now Shopping Rite-Aid at Stop the Ride!
• Amazon’s Friday Sale gives me new appreciation for The Drugstore Game at Chief Family Officer.
• Stress-Free Back-to-School Shopping, teenage angst included at My Daily Dollars.

Credit and Debt Stories

Photo by britany.g

The average college student graduates with credit card debt, student loan debt, or a combination of both. Start reading these articles before you graduate and you may be able to eliminate your debt faster than you expect.

• Three Quick Steps To Get Out of Debt! at FIRE Finance.
• The Reluctant Spouse at not the jet set.
• A Little Adds Up Quick … at Iowahippiechicks Talking …
• Over 40 Million Credit Card Numbers Stolen – Ringleaders Exposed! at Ask Mr Credit Card’s Blog.
• Dave Ramsey Shifted My Financial Paradigm at Trees Full of Money.

Investing Stories

Investing is a topic that doesn’t cross the minds of most college students, but it should because time is on your side when it comes to investing. Here’s a chance for college students to do some extracurricular learning.

• Dividend Reinvestment Programs and Direct Stock Purchase – Not So Easy For Canadians at Investing Five Daily.
• Keep Non-Deductible Traditional IRAs Separate at Roth IRA Explained.

Other Stories

Photo by One Hour Photo

Throughout school, I always found the topics that didn’t really fit into the curriculum to be some of the most interesting material. If you felt that way too, then this category is perfect for you.

• How to Schedule Time and Obligations at Almost Frugal.
• Ten Money Questions for Vicki Wagner at Queercents.
• How Do You Know When You Are About to See a Bailout? at PennyJobs.com.
• Digging Up The Water Pipes at Our House at My Dollar Plan.
• Finally Some Relief for Struggling Home Owners at Greener Pastures.
• The $50,000 Escape at Are You Going To Be This Way The Rest of The Time I Know You?

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