My wife went to visit family this weekend, leaving me all alone for the first time in a long time. Normally, I enjoy a little time to myself, but I ended up working late Friday, some Saturday, and I feel under the weather today. Hopefully I won’t get her sick when she returns tonight.

First Step Challenge: Mrs. Micah started a first step challenge in which she challenged herself, readers and fellow bloggers alike to make one small step this week toward improving their finances. Be sure to check it out and the first step challenge follow-up where she talks more about doing simple things to improve your finances.

Celebrations in the blogosphere: Flexo celebrates 5 Years of Consumerism Commentary, an amazing age for any blog. I’m not certain, but I think CC is one of the longest tenured personal finance blogs on the internet. Here’s hoping for 5 more years! Fellow M-Newtwork member, Pinyo, celebrates Moolanomy’s First Birthday. Congrats on your first year, Pinyo. Hopefully this is just the first of many to come!

Articles from my reader:

• David shares a list of The Top 10 Highest Wage Earning Towns In America. As you might expect, many of these are centered in areas where the cost of living is high.
• The Dough Roller has tips on how to How to Turn Gift Cards into Cash.
• Lynnae has a guest post on her site this week - Your Financial Life on One Page (FLOP). Everyone should do this.
• Mrs. Micah asks, What Happens if Your Bank Fails?.
• Pinyo has a list of great free trials, freebies, and special offers.
• Brip Blap shares dancing. It’s not personal finance, but it might just make you feel good.
• Ron is Back from Vacation In Yellowstone and Mt Rushmore 2008. Check out the amazing photos of Yellowstone!
• The Green Panda recently resigned from a hostile work environment and while job searching compiled The Best Job Hunt Post: Top 40 Links From The Web. I hope you find something soon!
• FMF recieved a giant SumoSac and is giving it away. Go enter and good luck!
• Lazy Man shares how to get Free Credit Scores from Credit Karma.
• Lazy Man is also selling his P2P soul: Prosper Borrowers: Buy My Endorsement For A Better Loan Rate. not sure what I think about this, but it is definitely interesting.
• Rich Credit Debt Loan writes about Learning How to Make a Budget.
• Flexo writes that you shouldn’t compare your net worth with others. I agree. Net Worth Competition: Don’t Compare Yourself With Others.
• Single Guy writes about the deals offered by his credit card company. Chase Really Wants Me To Use My Credit Card. Chase sent me a few offers this week; I’ll be sure to share them.
• Jim writes about Suze Orman’s Will & Trust Kit Review. I have a copy of this I need to fill out.
• Do you participate in the Thrifts Savings Plan? If so, you should read this article: What Should You Do with your TSP When You Leave the Service?.
• Are you in the military? If so, Discover is giving Double Cashback Bonus for purchases on all military installations through September.

This week’s Carnivals:

• Money Smart Life hosts the Carnival of Careers:  How to Get a Better Job Or Make Your Job Better - Carnival of Careers #6. My article, Which Shift to You Prefer to Work?, was included.
• The Festival of Frugality 134 was hosted at On Financial Success with Aaron Stroud. My article, How Much Should You Tip? Divide by Six, was included.
• The Money Hackers Carnival #20, Chicago style was hosted at This Writer’s Wallet. My article, What’s in Your Wallet?, was included.
• The Finance Fiesta #7: Mamma Mia Edition was hosted at Living Almost Large. My article, Blockbuster Total Access - Free 30 day Trial, was included.

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