Hello everyone! I spent some time pulling weeds this weekend, so that officially marks the start of spring in my book. I know the warm weather has been around for a lot of other people for the last month or so, but I live up north and it takes a little longer for Spring to come around. But that is fine with me because we get to enjoy the seasons changing so much more than when I lived in Texas and there were only two temperature settings - hot and hotter!

Personal Finance blog milestones. Free Money Finance (3) and Get Rich Slowly (2) and Prime Time Money (1) celebrated blog birthdays this month. Congratulations to both FMF, JD, and PT for reaching these milestones! I look forward to reading more from all of your blogs.

Here are my favorite articles from this week:

Personal Finance:

• Do You Back Up Your Financial Data? I don’t do it like this, though perhaps I should…
• Single Guy talks about handling his finances in a slow economy.
• Plonkee discusses the the debt snowball,which is a tried and true method for reducing debt.
• Lynnae is starting a new series detailing a book she is reading (Not) Keeping Up With Our Parents. This looks interesting.
• Do Not Get An Economic Stimulus Refund Anticipation Loan! Seriously. Fist off, they are illegal, but that won’t stop places from offering them to you. Second, the money is yours, and it’s guaranteed. Just take it when it comes. And if you want to know, here is a list of when you will get your Economic Stimulus Rebate Check.
• David reminds us to have a home inventory in case of an emergency.
• Do you succumb to financial peer pressure? How about for something as little as $5?.
• The Dough Roller reminds us to double check our flood insurance policy. Definitely an important thing to do!
• Mrs. Micah’s off to stimulate the economy - they need a new computer something fierce!

Fun Money:

• Jim lists his roundup of Devil’s Advocate posts. I’ve always enjoyed reading these - now they are all in one place.
• What’s fun about taxes? These fun facts about taxes.
• I’m a little bit late on this one, but here is a good way to ruin an IRS employee’s weekend. Just remember this for next year!

Life, Money, and More:

• Pinyo reminds us why many people blog in the first place - to help others: Touching Peoples’ Lives.
• Frugal Dad shares with us the Language of the Perpetual Poor. This is one of my favorite articles this week. I have empathy for those who truly strive for success, but go without. But I don’t feel that way for people not willing to try to improve, accept responsibility, or are only willing to blame others for their place in life.
• JD asks his readers: What If Somebody You Know Steals Your Identity? This is a tough one, and thankfully one I haven’t had to answer. And I hope I never do. Be sure to read the comments, as they are great.
• Everything you do has a consequence, and you can’t unscramble the egg. Great article by Steve, of Brip Blap fame.

This week’s carnivals:

• I participated in the 148th Edition of the Carnival of Personal Finance. My article, Spend $10. It’s Worth It!, was selected as a top pick!

Thanks for stopping by everyone!

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