I am taking Mrs. Budgetsaresexy's last name. (holler)

Awww Yeah! I will now be going as "J. Money", instead of "J. Savings" (You didn't know that was her last name?) I figure I owe it to her since she'll be taking my last name in the real world ;)

Actually, the REAL reason i'm changing it is because it just sounds a helluva lot cooler. I one time "found" this license plate back in college that said C. Money, and it always stuck with me. Plus, it doesn't matter all that much right? I'm already anonymous! haha... And funny enough, it was actually a fellow blogger who had called me J. Money on a post by accident! So thank you, good sir.

I pretty much go as just "J" anyways, but thought i should give you the heads up. And don't worry, my email (j at budgets are sexy dot com) will remain the same and all. Okay, that is it. Carry on.

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My contact form *may* be acting wonky...not sure

I've been getting a few blank emails through my Contact form, so if i haven't responded to anyone - I'M SO SORRY! Try me again via email: J(at)budgetsaresexy(dot)com .

Not sure if this is a problem or not, but wanted to holler just in case...i've been getting some messages perfectly, so who knows ;)

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Wanna celebrity guest post on my blog?

Then you've come to the right place! According to that countdown over there, yours truly is about to get hitched, and will soon be off honeymooning. And since i'm a slacker and haven't checked to see if we'll have internet access (or if the Mrs. will even allow such a thing) i figured it's a great time to showcase some other talent out there ;)

So if you're a blogger (or not), and you'd like to write a guest post, here are the deets:

• Deadline: send by 3pm on Sunday - June 1st
• Contact: J (at) budgetsaresexy (dot) com
• Format: html file, word file, email, whatever floats your boat.
• Guidelines: i really don't have any, as long as it's personal finance-ish related and you dig it. as you can tell, i'm not all that strict ;)
• **I will, however, need to edit/format them to look nice and purrty on the site.

That's about it! Holler if you're interested, and don't holler if you're not (unless you wanna say hi). And in the meantime ... Get Sexcited!

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J's Graphic "Design Shop" is now open :)

Aww yeahhhhh - My virtual shop is now ready for some happy customers!
If you know of anyone looking for some extra help sprucing up their logos, blogs, websites, or anything else out there - shoot 'em on by! You might even get a nice little present from me ;)

Gotta make some sort of money on my bloggy blog, right? I mean, this IS a blog about money management and all. haha... and don't get me wrong, the $2.70 I've earned so far is def. something for sharing my passion w/ the world - but it sure ain't sexy!

So, until the big boys start rolling in and purchasing my online real estate, it is time to get creative (no pun intended) and help my fellow bloggers/companies out with some nifty graphic design. Plus, putting my old college degree to use sure would make momma proud ;)

Now onto the juicy stuff - my rates. I'm still in the process of working it all out, and most will be on a case by case basis, but here's a list of what you could expect:

• For my "advertise here" icons - FREE (click here for an assortment)
• For smaller projects - $15.00 per graphic (perhaps to supplement or promote articles? example)
• For average projects - $25.00 per graphic
• For larger projects - $50.00 per graphic
• For custom logos - $100.00 per logo - a STEAL...for now ;)
• For monthly "design help" - $100/mo. I'd basically be your right hand man for any design-related needs that would come up throughout the month (within reason, of course).
• My design skills for your _____ ? That's right, i'm a bartering man too.

I'll update this as time goes on, but at least it gives you an idea right? I'm pretty flexible when it comes down to all this stuff - especially if you catch me on a good day! haha...You can contact me below, or shoot me an email at J (at) budgetsaresexy.com.

So that's it folks. Keep me in your pocket for whenever a need might arise. And remember, the early blogger gets the worm! (i don't know what i said that...it really doesn't make sense.)

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Here are some FREE icons if anyone wants to use them :)

I'm starting to create some images I find useful, and thought I'd pass them along if anyone else wants to use them as well :) I'll probably end up adding some more down the road too, so be sure to check back every now and then. Now time to post about my newly found "design shop" - woohoo!

"Your Ad Here" <img src="http://www.budgetsaresexy.com/images/advertising/your_ad_here_165x125.gif" alt="Advertise Here" style="border:none;" />

"Your Ad Here" <img src="http://www.budgetsaresexy.com/images/advertising/your_ad_here_165x300.gif" alt="Advertise Here" style="border:none;" />

"This Space For Rent" <img src="http://www.budgetsaresexy.com/images/advertising/this_space_for_rent_165x300.gif" alt="This Space for Rent" style="border:none;" />

Also, if you'd like any of these at a certain size, just holler and i'll see what i can do.

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having problems with blogger :(

If you don't see any posts, or any of the comments you've added on the main page (they're still being tracked), it's because blogger is being all kinds of wonky lately.

I haven't been able to post ANYTHING (except comments) for the past 24 hours! arghhh... if you're reading this NOW though, it means it's currently fixed ;) Just wanted you guys to know in case you thought i was a slackin'....i have posts just sitting there, waiting to be uploaded!

(i'm currently looking into Wordpress...might be worth the change on this issue alone)

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Money Mag - BEST personal finance blogs!

I almost forgot to share the most blog-related news from them this month! Jeepers. It was a review of the "BEST Personal Finance Blogs" out there. Do you think I made it?

1) Most Sensible: AllFinancialMatters.com - A great site, run by JLP!. Also might be worth subscribing over there considering he's an actual financial planner :) Someone who enjoys doing something w/ their college major I'd imagine. haha.. Money Mag picked this site as he "avoids the hype" and is a pretty conservative investor, sticking mainly to index funds.
2) Most inspiring: GetRichSlowly.com - I've been to the site a number of times, but what i DIDN'T know was that creator (J.D.) came back from $35k in debt! CONGRATS my man, that's quite an accomplishment. The blurb also mentioned that he used to be a cardboard-box saleman! i love it.
3) Most Voyeuristic: MyMoneyBlog.com - Truer words couldn't have been said! The IT guy behind it, Jonathan, spills all is finances out for the world to see - i absolutely love it. His blog was actually the first one i ever bookmarked, and one I continue to read to this day. It even turns out he's on a similar "million dollar mission" like myself - striving to be a millionaire by 45. He's a smart man, that guy!

4) Most entertaining: BudgetsAreSexy.com - Awww yeahhhh! Created, and directed by yours truly - the remarkable double agent J. Money, who's trying to reach millionaire status by 44 (take that). haha... i keed, i keed! I was not in the issue. But one day i shall....you bet your bottom dollar.

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Disclosure - Budgetsaresexy.com

(This policy is valid from 23 April 2008)

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact J. Money.

While I would love to one day be a banker, CPA, or anything of that sort, I AM NOT. Please seek a professional for any "real" advice. I will, however, be spouting out my own ideas and personal financials in detail for all to enjoy...if you're into that sort of thing :)

I am also not an English major, nor a grammar king. If you enjoy finding mistakes, feel free to shoot me an email with your catches, or simply make fun of me to all your friends (it's all good). I do want to apologize, though, in advance to all others.

It's also important to note that this blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorships, paid insertions, or other forms of compensation.

The compensation received will never influence the content, topics or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. Those advertisements will be identified as paid advertisements.

The owner(s) of this blog is not compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owners. If we claim or appear to be experts on a certain topic or product or service area, we will only endorse products or services that we believe, based on our expertise, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.


To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org

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J. Money on Personal Finance, Life, and Sillyness

Let's see here, what can I tell you about myself. Well, I'm 6'1, hyperactive, and i constantly have a devilish grin on my face (this tends to get me in trouble).

I'm recently married, in my late 20's, and i work over in DC for a start up managing customer service.

While I *thought* i was The Man when it came to money, it really wasn't until we purchased our first home that I realized i needed to get my finances in order.

Soooooooo, I tracked my expenses for 3 months, made a budget, read some books (The Millionaire Next Door, & The Automatic Millionaire being my favs), and it's been smooth sailing ever since! Throughout the whole process i accidently came across the PF blogosphere and have been hooked from day one ;)

I can tell you for a fact that i sure as H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks don't know everything out there, but i sure continue to learn. I'd say I've been on the right path since Jan of '08, and now ready to work towards my goal of becoming a millioinaire! (I even have a to-do list!).

Will this blog sound kooky at times? Sure thing. Will you wonder why I use the words "Super" and "Sexy" alot? You bet. Ultimately though, my goal is to spread some good ideas around town and spark some motivation. You'll find my thoughts on a whole bunch of stuff: emergency funds, credit cards, 401k, saving ideas, budgets (obvi.), and anything else having to do w/ those beautiful greenbacks.

Have a question, comment, concern, rant, or just wanna send a quick hi? Shoot an email over: j (at) budgetsaresexy (dot) com, or fill out my nifty contact form. Either way i'll holla back as soon as I can.

And if you already know about all this good stuff, I hope you're at least entertained ;)
God Bless,

ps: You can find the usual disclosure policy here, as well as my promise to not spell everything correctly, or use proper grammar. Oh, and no, that is not my car.

----
Thirsting for more? Check out these:
- Interview: Me on Me
- 7 Random things about J.
- 5 Random things about J. - in pictures

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Interview: Me on Me

I sat down with Mr. J. Money, and he was kind enough to share a few words with us this morning. This is what he had to say:

Me: Are budgets actually sexy?
Me: But of course! Not only are they the foundation of wealth management, but they make you feel incredibly confident. And every knows that confidence = sexy!

Me: Who is J. Money?
Me: That is I. You can guess what the J. stands for, but I usually answer to all of them; Jay, James, Jack, Jemima ... everything except Joe Mama. Actually, I take that back. I probably would answer to that.

Me: Okaaaay... And why start now?
Me: I believe now is as good a time as any. "Starting" is def. the hardest part of any endeavor, and I always try to start today. This is especially important as I have A.D.H.D. (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), and I will be sure to forget if i don't ever start.

Me: Are you saying you're new at this stuff?
Me: Touché good sir! Yes, I suppose I am in the general scheme of things. While I've always been keen on the idea of savings and money themselves, only recently have I started owning up and putting my goals into place. Think of me as a "born-again saver" circa August '07.

Me: Do you look up to any Personal Finance'ers out there?
Me: Oh hell yeah. I'd have to first give a shout out to Jonathan over at MyMoneyBlog.com. That guy is totally impressive, not to mention crazy open and honest. Secondly, I'd have to say Mr. Trent Ham over at TheSimpleDollar.com. It was because of his money merge account posting that got me into the whole PF thing to begin with. (That post has over 1,000 comments already! Keep doing your thing Trent)

Me: Lastly, what do you hope to bring to this arena?
Me: While I bring a handful of positive nouns to the table, the 3 that stick in my mind are: Creativity, Entertainment, and an all together Fresh Insight.

Thanks J., we're looking forward to the adventure!

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