Welcome to the 45th Carnival of Money Stories!
To be more precise this is the Carnival of Money Stories 2, which is actually the sequel to the original Carnival of Money Stories that was started by Abraham Lincoln way back during the American Civil War – or about the same time Flexo started up Consumerism Commentary.
I received lots of great articles this week for the carnival and I enjoyed reading every single one of them!
It’s funny though. It turns out a lot of them were missing one teeny weeny little thing that prevented them from being included.
“Oh really? What was that, Len?”
Well… a story. Yep.
Sorry to be a hard ass folks, but the rules are the rules. The good news is I stretched those rules as far as I could to ensure maximum participation. Then again, some articles were so far out there with respect to the carnival guidelines that I don’t think even the late Johnny Cochran would have tried to defend them.
If the article’s got no tale, then it’s the Carnival you fail. Heh.
For example, I just couldn’t find the story in that post highlighting great Cajun wedding ideas.
For the record I also struggled to find a narrative in the article asking me if I can really be successful working from home. Answer: Not if it means counting on this blog as a source of income. Dang you to heck, John Chow!
Anyway, on to the Carnival!
Hey, It’s A Carnival AND a Contest!
Since this is the Carnival of Money Stories, I thought I would present five stories about me. Four of them are true, but one is false.
Yep. If you can guess which one of my five stories is completely fabricated, you will be eligible to win a copy of the terrific and very sexy financial tome Get Financially Naked: How to Talk Money with Your Honey. (Update: The contest is officially over. The answer – and the winner – can be found here!)
All you have to do is put your answer down in the comments section. On Friday, March 19th, I will pick one winner at random (via random.org) from among those who guess correctly. If nobody guesses correctly, then I’ll pick from all the losers.
Oh, and your odds of winning should be pretty good since not many people get excited when the grand prize is “just a book.” Most people equate winning a book to getting a lousy t-shirt from their friend who just came back from a month-long European vacation.
(As for those of you hoping for a chance to win an iPad, iPod, or an iPhone – I’m sorry. You’ll need to visit a financial blog that is actually well-respected and, as a result, has managed to attract some significant corporate muscle. Either that or just ask billionaire personal finance blogger Miranda Marquit if she’ll give you one for free.)
Story #1: When I was twelve my family applied to be contestants on the Family Feud game show. We got accepted to try out and we auditioned at the television studio in a videotaped mock game against another family. During the game my cousin cheated. We weren’t invited back.
Editor’s Picks
Jeff Rose presents How to Save Money When Moving Your House posted at Good Financial Cents
If you’re like most people, you find a friend who owns a pickup truck and offer him beer and pizza in exchange for his labor and wheels. Jeff ain’t like most people though.
Sun presents Planning a Cheap Night Out posted at Earn More Invest Wisely at The Sun’s Financial Diary
Cheer up, Yolander! The fact that you and the hubby spent $70 over a 4-hour period during a night out with friends sounds reasonable to me. I don’t think the Honeybee and I would ever be able to keep it under a hundy.
Evan presents Experiences with Auto Refinancing – HELP ME! posted at My Journey to Millions
Stories like this make me glad that I have two very reliable and paid-for cars in the garage.
PT presents Installing Hardwood Flooring Yourself to Save Money posted at PT Money
I may be an engineer, but whenever a miter saw or any other carpentry tool more complicated than a hammer is required for a project I usually defer to the professionals. PT’s story has given me the courage to do things myself next time.
Bucksome presents Making Impressions at the Grocery Store posted at Buck$omeboomer’s Financial Path to Retirement
No, this isn’t about how to pick up your next date while hovering over the cucumbers in the produce section. But it is a great how-to article on ways to maximize your savings!
Story #2: I have been held at gunpoint. Twice. Both during the commission of robberies. The assailants from the first robbery also happened to be murderers. They were apprehended by my dad, who was a police officer, and got long prison terms. Years later it happened again. This time the gunmen fired shots but no one was hurt. They were never apprehended.
Super Saver presents Our Daughter Negotiates a Raise posted at My Wealth Builder
oilandgarlic presents Did I Really Save Money? posted at Oilandgarlic’s Blog
Money Infant presents Watch Out For Auto Bill Payments posted at Money Infant
Mr. Credit Card presents You Win Some You Lose Some posted at Ask Mr Credit Card’s Blog
Kyle C. presents Kids and Money – It is Never too Early to Start posted at Suburban Dollar
FMF presents The Pain of Ordering Online posted at Free Money Finance
BWL presents Secretary Dies And Leaves $7 Million posted at Christian Personal Finance.
Story #3: As Dodger season ticket holders, my family had tickets to Games 1 and 2 of the 1988 World Series against the Oakland A’s. My dad asked me to pick which game I wanted to go to because he was going to sell the tickets for the other game. I picked Game 2. Bad decision on my part. The crippled Kirk Gibson hit his historic walk-off home run in Game 1.
Silicon Valley Blogger presents Disneyland and Universal Studios, Here We Come! posted at The Digerati Life
Darwin presents 401K Loan Rules – Taxes, Interest, Pros and Cons posted at Darwin’s Finance
Madeleine Begun Kane presents Ode To “Rabbit Ears” posted at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog.
Nicole presents Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction? No, Thanks posted at Rainy-Day Saver
Lynnae presents Frugal Home Buying Tips posted at Being Frugal.net
2 Cents presents Taxes: DIY or Hire a Pro? posted at Balance Junkie
Story #4: Thanks to a family connection I was able to score an uncredited bit part as an extra in the movie Million Dollar Baby. I played a Las Vegas fight fan. I got several hundred bucks for the day. The best part though was that I got to have lunch with Clint Eastwood the day my scene was shot.
J. Money presents Would You Pay For Extra Sleep? posted at Budgets are Sexy
BIFS presents How We Chose to Budget in the Fun Stuff posted at Budgeting in the Fun Stuff
Joe Plemon presents Reverse Mortgages Part Three: What are the Disadvantages? posted at Personal Finance By The Book
The Smarter Wallet presents Versatile Food Shopping: Save Money on a Good Diet posted at The Smarter Wallet
Consumer Boomer presents Should You Invest With Lending Club or Is It Too Risky? posted at Consumer Boomer
Story #5: It’s been 38 years since I last had the hiccups.
Ryan presents Want to Work for Free? Start a Business posted at Cash Money Life
Tom presents A Quick QuickTax Online Review posted at Canadian Finance Blog
Miss Bankrupt presents How to Make Money on Twitter posted at Miss Bankrupt
LeanLifeCoach presents Aldi – My New Favorite Store « Eliminate The Muda! posted at Eliminate The Muda!
jim presents American Express Purchase Protection Perk posted at Bargaineering
Abigail Perry presents What Would You Go Into Debt For? posted at I Pick Up Pennies
David presents How Much to Spend on a Car? posted at Money Ning
Well, that does it for this 45th edition of the Carnival of Money Stories! I hope you enjoyed it. And for a chance to win, be sure to leave a comment with your guess for which one of my five stories is a big fat lie.
I’m outta here!
Photo credits: Pistol by GC Fairch via Flickr; Clint Eastwood by Yann de la Marne via Flickr; Hiccups by A.D.Miller via Flickr; Kirk Gibson by Rusty Kennedy, AP
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Well regardless of which one is really fake you have certainly had a much more exciting life than I have. My vote is for #5 being fake. Thanks for hosting and including my tale.
.-= Kyle C.´s last blog ..How Much do you Take for Granted? =-.
Thanks for including my article. I love that old Family Feud shot. You gotta love the suit Richard’s got on! They don’t make ‘em like that anymore- thankfully!
.-= 2 Cents @ Balance Junkie´s last blog ..Financial Literacy Update #1 =-.
#1 How does somebody cheat at Family Feud? Do they have poll results written on the back of their hand or something?
Thanks for hosting, including my post, keeping us all on our toes and making me laugh. Several times.
I choose #3. First, I would be impressed if your family could afford season tickets on a cop’s salary (assuming #2 is true). Second, I can’t imagine selling World Series tickets.
Haha…oh man, my wife gets hiccups allll the time! What’s your secret, sir?
Now you’re making unfounded promises on my behalf?
Anyway, great list! I have Financially Naked, and really enjoyed it.
.-= Miranda´s last blog ..Friday Fun Video: Bachelor Party E*Trade (Stop Loss) =-.
That was fun! I’ll take a wild guess and say number 4.
Ooops..I think my post barely fits into the story criteria. Thanks for including it anyway!
.-= oilandgarlic´s last blog ..10 Tips To Simple Living While Working Full-Time =-.
I think No. 3 for the same reason Joe gave. Hey Miranda! Can I have an iPod?
I’m gonna guess #1 as well because I can’t think of how you would cheat a Family Feud unless maybe you know someone that gives you the survey questions beforehand.
Mostly though I wanted to say thanks for including me in this edition of the Carnival of the Money Stories 2. Hopefully I can do better meeting the story criteir in the future.
.-= Steve´s last blog ..13 Reasons NOT To Have A Budget =-.
Definitely number 5, I say. If my family got on family feud, someone would cheat (would have . . .I guess it’s over)
.-= Simple in France´s last blog ..Clutter: some reasons you may not want to fight it! =-.
@Kyle: I don’t know about that one, Kyle. Thanks for your article!
@2Cents: Ha ha! I was going to comment on Richard’s suit, but I didn’t want to detract from the story! I can’t believe powder blue three-piece suits were ever the height of sartorial splendor.
@Miranda: I loved Get Financially Naked too. Great book for newbies and couples just getting started. (How come you weren’t on Forbes list of the world’s richest people?)
@Oilandgarlic: No worries.
@Steve: You’re very welcome. And like I told “oilandgarlic,” no worries. (I’m sorta gettin’ a complex now…)
@Simple: Neither confirming nor denying #1 at this point, I’d be curious to know how you think one of your family members would cheat!
Great carnival, Len! I’ve heard good things about Get Financially Naked, but haven’t read it yet. Thanks for hosting!
.-= Ryan´s last blog ..0% APR Balance Transfer Card for 15 Months =-.
Thanks for a great and entertaining carnival. I’m going with #3, what are the odds?
.-= LeanLifeCoach´s last blog ..The Best Customer Service I Ever Received… =-.
Thanks for the laugh! Loved the Johnny Cochran line. And thanks for including me in the carnival!
As far as which story is fake…that’s a tough one. I’m going to say #4.
.-= Lynnae´s last blog ..Carnival of Personal Finance – Tour of Ireland Edition =-.
Hm, I just can’t imagine not having the hiccups in so long (or for that matter, noticing that I haven’t had the hiccups in that long) so I’ll go with #5 as being the fake.
.-= Jackie´s last blog ..What’s Behind the Fear of Success? =-.
I’m going with #3.
I’m going to go with Family Feud. Thanks for including my post and hosting!
No. 3 seems to show a true story. Carnival of money stories? This is fun and it will help new financial bloggers like me. True stories are really nice to read, it m
.-= Victorino´s last blog ..How to save money on your date? =-.
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