Comments Top 10 Free Money Finance Posts of 2011

Last year I listed what I thought were my best posts of 2010 (here are the ones from 2008 and 2009 if you are interested.) I'm continuing that tradition now with what I feel were my top 10 posts of 2011 (listed in? countdown order) out of the almost 900 posts here last year. If you want a summary of what I consider the "best" at FMF last year, here it is:

#10 - Personal Finance Insights from HGTV - You can learn personal finance principles in many places, but there aren't many that are more fun than by watching HGTV. ;-)

#9 - Is $250,000 Really Not Enough to Live On? - I like this one because it's controversial and generated a lot of discussion.

#8 - Soccer Referee Earnings Review and Update - I love the whole "turn your hobby into an income" line of thinking and this post demonstrates that I've been able to practice what I preach in this area.

#7 - Your Insurance May Cover More than You Think It Does - I like this one because it shares a simple, unique but effective tip that can save you a good amount of money. Similar ideas include Why You May Want to Spread Out 401k Contributions and Always Ask for a Raincheck.?

#6 - Valuing Time in Home Repairs - More and more I find myself adding in the cost of time into financial calculations. For instance, is it "cheaper" to buy an item at a store I'm at for $30 or to drive 15 minutes to get it for $25. I used to drive the extra miles. Now it depends. If I'm going that way anyway any time soon, I'll wait. But if I'm not and really want the item, I'll get it for $30 now. Time IS money, after all.

#5 - My New Credit Card Strategy - I spent a lot of time talking about credit cards this year as I moved from a single-card to multi-card strategy (forced primarily by the closing of the Schwab/FIA Services 2% cash back card.) I'm happy with the balance I've struck between maximizing rewards but not making the system too complicated to follow.

#4 - Don't Pre-Buy at Best Buy Unless You Want to Risk ID Theft - Best Buy makes the list as my most-hated company this year, followed closely by Comcast and Sears.

#3 - FMF $5k Red Kettle Challenge - I'm very proud of how the FMF family gave so sacrificially at the end of last year so that those less fortunate could eat, have shelter, and be warm.

#2 - Saving More Beats a Higher Yield - A key point of investing that I think most people are oblivious to (or at least don't give as much weight to as return rate.)

#1 - How to Maximize Your Lifetime Earnings - If you read and apply nothing else from all of last year, please at least read and apply what's in this piece. If you do, your financial life will be dramatically changed for the better.

Enjoy!!

Source: http://www.freemoneyfinance.com/2012/01/top-10-free-money-finance-posts-of-2011.html

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