I added a new feature to my blog this weekend, the BT Active Discussions Plugin. If you click on the Discuss link in the navigation bar at the top of my blog, it will direct you to the 30 most recent comments that were made on this site. This makes it easier to track recent conversations, some of which can be a lot of fun. I hope you will stop by and use it, I always love a good debate!

The plugin was developed by Pinyo, who runs Moolanomy, Money Hackers Network, PF Buzz, Blogthority, and is a member of the M-Network. To be honest, I don’t know how he finds the time to do it all, and do it so well!

Here are some notable articles from my reader:

• How To Frugally Decorate Your House On A Very Tight Budget.
• Financial Education Could Be a Bad Idea. This is a very thought provoking article. Obviously, “no financial education” isn’t the right answer. But the question is, how much should be given, whose responsibility is it, and will it really do any good?
• Financial Risks And Personal Finance Risk Management, Part 2. This article (along with part 1), is a great place to start when making a financial plan. I recommend printing both of them out and using them as a primer when do your annual finances.
• Financial Health - Initial Check Up. This is another great reference to use with the above article.
• Warren Buffett’s Views on the State of America and Future of the World. The Big Winner has an interesting article on the current economy.
• How to Handle Debt Collectors. Very, very carefully!
• credit card 101: how they make money, and waste yours. This is an interesting article about the credit card industry. The short answer is fees and interests rates, but there are quite a few of each.
• Congratulations to Lazy Man, who celebrated his site’s 500,000th visitor this week.
• 4 Reasons Why Index Investing May Not Be for You. This is a Devil’s Advocate post. Actually, I think index fund are a great way to invest.
• A Debate with Donald Trump. Donald says not to hire people smarter than you. Good idea, or not?
• 10 College Money Myths. There are quite a few college money posts running around right now. Share them with any friends and family who are in college. This is the nest time to get strong financial foundation!
• Babies Are Expensive! Total Cost of Having A Baby. My wife and I have been discussing having a baby and reading this article made me pause. Not because of the money involved, but because I realize how much work it will be! But that’s OK. I can’t think of anything more worthwhile.
• Paying Your Mortgage With Your Credit Card: Worst Idea Ever?. It seems like a good thing if you could use a cash back credit card. Until you look at how many fees are involved! One time transaction fees, a percentage of the mortgage payment… Not a good idea.
• Fake it Till You Make It: Thrift on the Sly. I’ve been doing this for years.

This week’s carnivals:

• Carnival of Personal Finance #167 - Highlights from the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
• Carnival of Debt Reduction.
• Money Hacks Carnival #27 — the Financial Dilemmas edition.
• Finance Fiesta #13 - Triskaidekaphobia Edition!.

Have a great Labor Day Weekend everyone! (and be safe!)

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