My wife and I put up our Christmas tree this weekend. Last year we did it directly after Thanksgiving, but we waited an extra week this year because my family was in town for Thanksgiving and we spent our time visiting or running around town doing other things. The tree is looking good, and with the cold weather and snow on the ground, it is beginning to feel more like Christmas!
This Week’s recommended articles
Crash Taxes – get in an accident; pay for emergency response services. This is a recent article at MSN Money, and if you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it. It seems that some municipalities are charging accident victims to pay for the public aid they receive from firefighters, policemen, etc.
Financial Confessions. Ever do anything you aren’t quite proud of? Financial Confessions is a website that allows users to anonymously confess their financial sins. Give it a shot, you can also hug or slap any of the confessors for a little anonymous interaction. I was alternating between laughing and shaking my head in wonderment.
Why you’ll be richer without kids. Richer in terms of cash on hand, but perhaps less rich in life. And since this was written by someone who truly loves his children, I think he feels the same way. 
How Little Changes Can Add Up To Thousands Of Saved Dollars. The little changes mentioned in this article can save you thousands of dollars each year.
What You Need to Know Before Going Into Debt. Always have an exit plan when you are taking on debt.
Why Don’t We Buy Stocks When They Are On Sale? I increased my 401k contributions after the stock market went down. Stocks seem to be on sale right now, and I also know you only get one shot at contributing to your retirement funds.
Answering Letters to Santa – a unique way to give. Pinyo wrote an interesting article this week about answering letters to Santa. You can go to the post office and answer children’s letter to Santa, making their holiday wish come true. This is a very unique way to brighten the day of someone you don’t know and may never see again. Very cool.
This week’s Carnivals:
- Carnival of Debt Reduction #168: Hosting a Dinner Party was hosted at Green Panda Treehouse.
- The Carnival of Personal Finance, Cyber Monday 2008 Edition was hosted at Mighty Bargain Hunter.
- 154th Festival of Frugality was hosted at Living Almost Large.
- 87th edition of carnival of money stories! was hosted at Financial Wellness Project.
- Carnival of Financial Goals For December 4th – The Holiday Edition was hosted at Own the Dollar.
- Rich Life Carnival #22 was hosted at Rich Life Carnival.
- Financial Advice from Personal Finance Blogs – December 6 2008 was hosted at The Skilled Investor.
- Carnival of Travelers: Holiday Travel Edition was hosted at Fly Away Cafe.
