Today I would like to take some time to say two of the most important words in the English language - “Thank You.” I am thankful for so many things in life, but sometimes I don’t take the time to say thanks often enough.

There are many things I am thankful for in my personal life, but I won’t bore anyone with those details. However, I will tell you a few things I am thankful for in my blogging life:

• Readers. October was my highest month in terms of traffic, and I also reached over 100 subscribers for the first time. Thank you very much! If you would like to subscribe to my blog, you can do so by clicking subscribe. I offer a full feed, so you can read updates from your feedreader. You can also subscribe to updates via e-mail if you prefer - your information will never be shared with anyone, and you will receive at most, 1 e-mail per day.
• A book prize. This past week I won a book, All About Dividend Investing, from the blog The Dividend Guy. I am looking forward to reading this because I think dividend investing can be a great way to earn money in the long run. Thanks Dividend Guy!
• And two more prizes. This month I also won a signed copy of An American Hedge Fund from the website Million Dollar Journey, and 180 mp3 downloads from the website Run To Win. Thanks Frugal Trader and Blaine!
• Referrals. Here are the Top 10 bloggers who sent the most traffic to my site this month (Thanks!):
  1. My Money Blog
  2. Money, Matter, and More Musings
  3. Free Money Finance
  4. No Credit Needed
  5. Grad Money Matters
  6. Moolanomy (thanks for the Stumble!)
  7. Blueprint for Financial Prosperity
  8. Mighty Bargain Hunter
  9. The Dough Roller
  10. Brip Blap

Here are my favorite posts from the personal finance world this week (in no particular order):

• Things You Should Know About Percentage Traps. This is a great article about how percentages can be misleading if they are not presented or interpreted correctly..
• Current Checking and Savings Account Rates. Consumerism Commentary updated this after the recent drop in the Federal Reserve rates. No one knows how long these rates are going to stay down, but most of use hope they will go back up so we can still earn better interest in our savings! If you are worried about the low rates, now may be a good time to build a CD ladder.
• Why Are Some People So Ignorant About Money? I don’t know, but here are some probable reasons. This is a great article about recognizing some of the fears and excuses associated with money.
• Dealing With Professional Burnout Without Quitting Your Job. This is a very good and timely article (at least for me). I have been feeling burnt out the last couple weeks. The good news is, I had a talk with my manager about my present assignments and about taking on a larger role in our current operations. I hope a new challenge can revitalize me.
• 8 Steps to a Six-Figure Career. This is a really good article about steering your career for a long term goal, not just hopping around for present satisfaction. If you are serious about your long term career prospects, red this article.
• Should Parents Try to Influence Their Children’s College Applications? My parents let me choose what I wanted to do in college. The only problem was, I didn’t know what I wanted to do! So I joined the USAF instead, saw the world, and let the military pay for my degree. I wouldn’t recommend this for everyone, but it was perfect for me.

This week’s Carnivals and Festivals:

• Carnival of Personal Finance: @ Millionaire Mommy Next Door. This was a great edition - with interactive voting and prizes! Great job hosting! (my article, Credit Cards and Guns was included).
• Festival of Frugality: @ Being Frugal. This is a great list of money saving tips. Great job hosting! (my article Frugal Moving Tips was included).
• Carnival of Money Stories: @ The Baglady. A Halloween theme featuring the good, the bad, and the ugly (or scary!) money stories from around the blogosphere. (my article, What is Your Magic Number? was included).
• Money Tips: @ KCLau’s Money Tips. Money tips from selected personal finance blogs.  (my article, Credit Cards and Guns was included).

Stay tuned for some giveaways!

• Some time this next week, I will give away a copy of the book The Engine of America, and later this month, I will be giving away an iPod! Details to follow!

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