Also, if applicable, I will give a brief description of the stage of the Tour de France that took place the same day as (or that has happened since the previous Stage of) the competition.

• How I Ripped People off With Store Credit Cards (Cards): In high school, I worked after school and on weekends as a cashier at a large retail chain. Despite my working less than half the hours of my full time counterparts, I consistently managed to reach the top of our weekly credit card signups contests. Knowing what I know now, I can look back and see how I ripped people off by talking them into a store credit card. 

• Should You Charge Your Boomerang Kids Rent? (Boomerang): It’s no longer a given that kids will move out on their own when college ends. In fact, there’s a term for this group – Boomerang Kids. Should you charge rent to these boomerang kids?

   

• Stop Crying That There Are No Jobs. Create One (Jobs): Be motivated by opportunity, not fear. Don’t dis-empower yourself by believing that someone else — someone smarter, richer, and probably better-looking — must create a job and bestow it upon you.

• Go It Alone (Alone):  Have you ever wanted to be your own boss? Did you dream of starting your own business when you were young? If you are not self-employed now, what is stopping you? Is it not the right time? The timing is never perfect, but at some point in your life, the opportunity to go it alone will surface. This post shares some stories around this topic.   

Also, if applicable, I will give a brief description of the stage of the Tour de France that took place the same day as (or that has happened since the previous Stage of) the competition.

• The Long Road to Budgeting Bliss (Budgeting): Even for a born saver who’s always been good with money, budgeting when things are tight is a painful process. Throw in low (student), variable (wages) income and a partner who likes to spend, and you get a cocktail of financial frazzlement. So, how did we get to financial nirvana (relatively?)? 

• 11 Things I Learned in 2011 (Things): 2011 was a crazy year, involving unemployment, landing a book contract, launching a new career, renovations, learning to adapt to new situations, and overcoming hardships. I share what I learned with all of that happening in this post.

   

• How Far Would You Go To Pick Up a Penny? (Penny): Most of us love free money, but how far would you go to pick some up? Would it matter who you were around, or how dirty the coins/dollars were? What if they were on the bathroom floor? These are all questions I pondered at a bachelor party recently… figured better that than some other things 😉 

• I Got A Crazy Deal: Samsung Galaxy Skyrocket (Deal): After debating for months on whether to get a Smartphone or not, I finally decided to get one. The only thing standing in my way was the upfront cost of the phone I wanted. I called AT&T after preparing myself with reasons why I should get a $150 Smartphone (cost after signing a 2 year contract) for free and waive the $36 upgrade/activation fee. My post explains my reasoning and how I pulled it off.

Also, if applicable, I will give a brief description of the stage of the Tour de France that took place the same day as (or that has happened since the previous Stage of) the competition.

• 15 Ways to Grow and Protect Your Net Worth  (Grow): We often talk about making more money, investing, saving, and reducing debt.  What it all comes down to, really, is increasing our net worth. This post takes a holistic look at increasing net worth, with 15 ways we can do so.

• An Under-Invested America:  Is Conservative The New Norm? (Conservative): Nobody has gotten rich earning less than 1% on their money.  Yet, more of it has been put into savings accounts than into stock and bond funds, since the crash of ’08.  What’s driving this ultra conservative view and is it the next big financial mistake?

   

• Extreme Couponing 101: How to Extreme Coupon and Save 84%+ on Groceries (Coupon): This is one of the most thorough step-by-step guides for extreme couponing, with real-life examples on how you can save money on groceries and everyday purchases.  Find out how the author saved 84% ($6,341.67) in three months on groceries without sacrificing quality or health.

• 7 Financial Advisors I Would Like to Punch in the Face  (Punch):  There are plenty of financial advisors in my industry that give financial planning a bad name (Madoff anyone?),  and unfortunately they’re everywhere. I’ve been in the business for almost 10 years, and I’ve had countless run-ins with these types of advisors and despite my laid back personality, I would like nothing more than to punch them in the face, seriously. Here are some financial advisor horror stories that other clients have shared with me, the lessons learned, and let’s just see if you would want to pull a Rocky Balboa on their face, too.

Also, if applicable, I will give a brief description of the stage of the Tour de France that took place the same day as (or that has happened since the previous Stage of) the competition.

• 5 Worst IRA Mistakes Made Everyday (Mistakes): Everyday in the US, thousands of people are making these basic IRA mistakes that are costing them huge amounts of money.  Find out what they are so that you can avoid them! 

• It’s Okay to Spend Your Money on Things You Really Want (Money): Now for a little positive financial advice. Freely spend your money on things you receive a lot of value from, but mercilessly slash expenses elsewhere. This post explores how to put this into practice.

   

• How To Get Hired Freelancing (Freelancing): A look back at how I got started freelancing and what I did to be successful.  I also highlight some mistakes I made and my takeaways from them.

• How to Be a Conservative Investor (Investor):  In a volatile stock market, people are always looking for ways to protect their money. Unfortunately, that often means getting too conservative and letting it sit in the bank earning little or no interest. Instead, I’ll show you how to be a true conservative investor and make real money, safely, in even a difficult economy.  

Also, if applicable, I will give a brief description of the stage of the Tour de France that took place the same day as (or that has happened since the previous Stage of) the competition.

• How to Retire Early (Retire): Here are the core principles and action items that can help you become financially successful, and retire sooner. I know, because I became financially independent and retired at age 50. I found that financial success is made up of one part family support, one part career choices, one part money management, and one part personal habits and attitudes. It’s not a quick or easy process, but there are definitely things you can do to accelerate your progress….”

• 101 Ways To Save Money in Everyday Life (Ways): 101 ways to save money in your daily life on almost anything. Plenty to choose from.If you feel cutting eating out cost is not possible, then you have other options to try out and see if that’s fitting to you. 

   

• The Dreaded Bill Splitting (Splitting): Here is some advice a lot of my friends could use because no one has the first clue how to do this strange adult orientated thing: splitting a bill! I only ate a salad and everyone else got the most expensive steak – what am I supposed to do? Fear not my friends, help is at hand. Within this post is the secret to the dreaded bill splitting.

• Why Cash Value Life Insurance Might be a Better Option Than Term (Insurance):  Everybody says that term life insurance is better than cash-value. But is “everybody” right? I don’t think so. Here’s why I think Dave Ramsey is wrong and cash value may be a better choice.

In Sunday’s stage (Stage 1), Fabian held on to the yellow jersey during a bunch finish on a flat stage in to Seraing, Belgium. Today’s stage (Stage 2), was also fast and flat, with the riders going from Vise to Tournai. It was a perfect day for the sprinters, and arguably the world’s fastest sprinter, Mark Cavendish, took out the win ahead of his rivals. One thing that I didn’t know this year was that Cavendish left Team HTC and is now racing for Team Sky (they may have merged, but I’m not sure).

Fabian Cancellara stayed safely in the main pack to keep hold of the yellow jersey for another day! 

Also, if applicable, I will give a brief description of the stage of the Tour de France that took place the same day as (or that has happened since the previous Stage of) the competition.

• I Miss Checkbooks (Checkbooks): This post proves that something as simple as a checkbook can clear up a HUGE misunderstanding. Now that people rarely use checkbooks, I’m sure life will be awkward for many people, but mostly for me.

• Fund Fees: Nest Egg Killer (Fees): Paying high fees for the privilege of investing in actively managed mutual funds is not worth the cost. The likely effect of those fees will be to slash your standard of living in retirement.

   

• Pay Off Mortgage Early or Invest– The Complete Guide (Mortgage): Should I pay off my mortgage early or invest? Forget the dangerous half-truths and over-simplified conventional wisdom about getting out of debt. Instead, learn the many dimensions to paying off your mortgage early in this complete guide so you can make a smart financial decision that perfectly fits your personal situation.

• When Joint Finances and Emotions Collide (Emotions):  Sharing money with another person is often a normal part of life for some, but it can be much more challenging than meets the eye for others. Does it matter who earns the money when deciding how it should be spent? 

In Sunday’s stage (Stage 1), Fabian held on to the yellow jersey during a bunch finish on a flat stage in to Seraing, Belgium. Today’s stage (Stage 2), is also fast and flat, with the riders going from Vise to Tournai. The stage is going on right now, so I’ll try to bring an update on the result when the 2nd Stage 1 post goes live later tonight.

One really cool fact/aspect about this year’s Tour de France is that George Hincapie will be riding his 17th Tour de France. If he finishes the race, he will set the record for most Tours finished! Quite impressive! I actually was lucky enough to get his autograph when I saw the 2008 Tour depart from Brest, France on the Brittany coast.