A whole mess of random goodness for ya today ;)

There's a lot on my brain this morning, but i can't seem to formulate paragraphs very well at the moment...so hopefully you don't mind the random listing of all my thoughts (I haven't had my beautiful coffee yet).

From my brain, to yours - here's what we got:

My man Baily, over at Thoughts from the Change Race, mentioned he has a few $5 Best Buy certificates he might be willing to part with! Not sure if you need to convince him or not, but if you're interested go ahead and leave him a comment on his latest blog posting. Tell him J from BAS sent you, and that he better treat you right ;)

It's another WOOT OFF baby! Not familiar? It's when Woot.com offers up a new product (usually electronic) at a REALLY cheap price until it sells out, and it then throws up another! It basically goes on for a good 24 hours, so if there's anything in particular you're looking for - like a stereo, memory card, watch, etc - keep hitting refresh throughout the day and more often than not you'll get lucky. Check out my Woot Post for more info.

Sometimes it's cool to track all the financial spam you get in the mail. And by "cool", i mean kinda "dorky", which really means "kinda cool". haha...Anyways, i've been keeping a list of this junk mail for a month or two, and some of it is actually pretty damn GOOD stuff. Here's everything i kept track of/remembered to keep track of, plus links to the companies:

• Chase Visa Platinum card (#1) - 0% on all purchases and xfers until August 1st, 2009. No annual fee, and no xfer fee! 6.99% thereafter.
• Chase Visa Platinum card (#2) - 0% on all purchases and xfers until September 1st, 2009. No annual fee, and no xfer fee! 7.49% thereafter. haha... it went up! Mrs. Budgetsaresexy actually gets these allllllllllll the time. Like once every 2 weeks!
• Chase Pre-Approved Home Equity Loan - Zero closing costs, and offers up to PRIME - %0.76 APR when you pay off $50k from another HELOC.
• Commerce Bank Pre-Approved Home Equity Loan - 4.24% + $100 bonus!!! No closing costs, nor annual fee. Sexy time for sure! (the
• PETCO P.A.L.S. Coupon - 10% off our entire purchase. geared towards my fishy fish too, they are sneaky little marketers ;)

I was featured as an "editor's pick" again during this week's carnival season! I think that's my second or third time for me in a month - i'm on fire baby, someone put me out! Here are all those I participated in:

• Money Hacks Carnival #17 - "Music of the 80's" edition - hosted by Mrs. Nespy's Frugal World *My editor's pick one.
• Festival of Frugality #130 - "The Eight Little Pigs" edition - hosted by OutofDebtAgain.com
• Carnival of Debt Reduction: "Advice from Dad" edition - hosted by BluntMoney.com (and not that kind of "blunt" money!)
• Carnival of 20-Something Finances - "The June 2, 2008" edition - hosted by Dollar Frugal (kinda old...forgot to post earlier!)

I thought i had something else to share, but i guess it slipped my mind...I think it had something to do w/ oranges? Oh well, probably best to get my coffee now ;)

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Carnival round up & link lovin' from last week.

Here are some carnivals i participated in before slipping out of the country last week. Some are pretty damn creative too! Check it, check it out ya'all:

• Money Hacks Carnival #15 (French Open Edition) - Hosted by Broke Grad Student, who graciously put my post at the very top as a favorite! Can anyone say "Sexy Time!"? That site may just be my new favorite ;)
• Festival of Frugality #128 (No Debt Plan Edition) - Hosted by No Debt Plan. Ca-ching! At the very top again...am i getting better at writing, or is someone paying you all off? haha.. BIG THANKS!
• Carnival of Personal Finance #155 (Time with Family) - Hosted by Moolanomy. Didn't make it close to the top, but 2 out of 3 sure ain't bad. I'll take it all the way baby!

Also, MUCH LOVE to all those guest posters while I was away!

• Breaking Even with "The magic of life: 14 things I (almost) never have to buy"
  
• Clever Dude with "Save money, save gas, save your car's engine while idling"
  
• Fantastic Sarcastic with "The value of patience in today's crazy society"
• My Money Adventure with "Drawing the line between work and personal time"

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This week in Carnival-Land and Link Lovin'

I really don't like calling them "carnivals", but i guess it's just the term that is used around town. Oh well, it's not doing any harm i suppose ;) Here are this week's carnivals that I participated in, with the first one awarding me with my very first "editor's pick"! Weeeee.

1. Carnival of Personal Finance #154 - hosted by Canadian Dream: Free at 45
2. Festival of Frugality #127 - hosted by Funny About Money
3. Carnival of Debt Reduction #141 (Enemies of the Doctor Edition) - hosted by Consumerism Commentary
4. Money Hacks Carnival #14 (Weird Golf Facts Edition) - hosted by PT Money

And here are my recent top 5 referrers!

• Dink's Finance
• Frugal Babe
• Chicky Finance
• Clever Dude
• Give Me Back My Five Bucks

I got mad love and respect for all of you. Keep the blogging alive!

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Boy, this blog is getting around town ;)

Awww yeah, just how i like it! It's always so thrilling seeing my name linked around the blogosphere - you know, get's me all warm and fuzzy inside. haha... THANKS everyone, and keep up the sexy work!

Budgetsaresexy.com in the news:

• Festival of Frugality 124 - The Alphabet Edition - Frugal for Life
• My mind on my money and my money on my mind - Fantastic Sarcastic
• Ethics and money making - Jaylin from You are Not Your Wallet
• Doing Your Own Taxes - MapGirl

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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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The hunt is over, i found my George Washington!

Have you ever gotten one of these before? I've had a few over the years, but was always too lazy to look them. That changed today though.

And i have to tell you, it's a pretty damn good way to blow through some time :)

While the site itself was kinda all over the place, the actual content was killer! I say this for two reasons:

1) You get to see where YOUR bill came from! It takes a few seconds to enter in all the info on it (denomination, serial #, and series), but once you're done you get to see where it's been! and if you're REALLY lucky, there will be a whole bunch of comments on it.
2) You get to see where others have been. Not as exciting as #1 since that one is your own baby, but still - a great way to kill some time.

Here's what pulled up for my dollar at www.wheresgeorge.com:

• This bill has travelled 369 Miles in 1 Yr, 30 Days, 23 Hrs, 38 Mins at an average of 0.93 Miles per day! (click here to see the map)
• It is now 369 Miles from its starting location.
• Note from the one other person who had it (or at least went online to track it): "I got it from Michael at St Anne's Credit Union, N Dartmouth Fair condition."
• Note i put on it :) "got it from Fuddruckers when i broke a $20. it's in so-so condition. George looks hot as always though."

Cool, right? Next time you find one of these bad boys in your pockets, log on and see where yours have been. And who knows, maybe you'll find mine! (actually, i take that back...that won't be possible unless you get your hands on my current art project. awww yeahhh)

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Beer + Chicken + PF Meeting = TASTY!

I got to meet some of the high rollers in Blogville last night! Mapgirl over at Mapgirl's Fiscal Challenge was kind enough to invite me out to their latest Happy Hour :) MUCHO thankness MG! I have to say that i was pretty nervous meeting everyone face to face, since many of us are anonymous, but as soon as i walked in everyone was SUPER friendly. Plus, it was a breath of fresh air to talk about things in "real life" with people!

There were 9 of us total, ranging from newer bloggers (like myself), on up to veteran PF'ers like Mapgirl and Clever Dude. Seriously, it was so fun! We drank some beer, had some food, and just talked about whatever...even personal finance if you can believe that. haha...

I hadn't been to all of their blogs before, but you know i'll be perusing them going forward - gotta give love to my DC bloggers! Here are the blogs that represented last night, check 'em out:

• MapGirl's Fiscal Challenge - mad thanks for hooking me up with everyone, and sharing some good pf stories!
  
• Clever Dude - it was a true pleasure meeting you good sir. big thanks for all the tips and words of wisdom, you are both a gentleman and a scholar.
  
• Mrs. Micah - the infamous Mrs. Micah! haha...it was nice to put a face with the super-duper commenter :) looking forward to reading your blog more.
  
• You Are Not Your Wallet - a la Fight Club! i shall now re-watch to catch that part of it :) i'm glad you're living up life! you're awesome.
  
• The Weight of Money - it was great meeting you! another blog to start checking out :)
  
• Debt Hater - i want to start calling you FABULOUS, is that okay? haha...congrats on almost wiping out your credit card debt!
  
• DINK's Finance - thanks for bringing up advertising stuff and being so friendly! and i love the word "dink", now i gotta start reading your posts.
  
• One Big Mortar Board - first off, i'm glad your wallet was found and all is right in the world now :) it was a pleasure meeting you and looking forward to future run ins!

Wow, i used wayyyyyyyy too many exclamation pts and smiley faces! Dang, just did it again :) F.

At any rate, I highly recommend reaching out to local bloggers where you live and hookin' up. You get mad pointers and takes on the latest trends and all Plus, what better way of making new friends w/ same interests?

So thank you again, Mapgirl, and all others who were so open and helpful. You guys rock.

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Sexy Saver Certificate - A Present from Me, to You.

Dear online family,

It has been almost 3 4 full months since i've launched this blog, and you guys are still reading it!

Can you believe we're now at 21 39 108 current subscribers?! ROCK ON. And that's just the subscribers, there are a good 40+ 150 200 people each and every day checking it out. THANK YOU all so very much! You all sure do know how to have a sexy time ;)

It has been a pleasure reading all of your comments, bouncing around all of your blogs, and just posting when the thoughts hit me. Not to mention the motivation it gives me to keep being Mr. Frugal!

If you would allow me to do so, it would be a great honor to give you back a little somethin' somethin' in return. I hope it will give you long lasting fortune, and remind you to pat yourself on the back every now and then for being so financially savvy. You could even hang on your wall, and cherish it forever! haha... So, from me to you, please to enjoy:

[click to enlarge - save to desktop - and print! or download here]

Now remember, you *must* hang it on your wall to intercept all forms of financial luck. haha...actually, that's a lie. you have to hang TWO of these on your wall for good luck ;)

Before I go, I'd also like to give a shout out to my pf bloggers who continue to send traffic my way. You guys are freakin' awesome and i continue to learn from ya! Here are my consistent top referrals:
*Krystal at work, *Chicky Finance, *DINK'S Finance *Change can be a Good Thing, *Saving 4 Later, *Always the Planner, *My Crazy Debt

Thank you - Thank you - THANK YOU! I love each and every one of you (even those reading this for the first time. yup, i love you too). You are one VERY $exy group of people!

God bless, and come again.

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This guys rocks. And saves!

I came across the Change Race the other night and i just HAD to give it due credit. Although the word "Entertaining" defines it entirely, let me tell you a bit more about the genius behind it....or perhaps what the site's about since i don' t actually know the person behind it :)

The concept is simple:

We will being collecting any money that we find on the ground. It must be found, and must be change. First one to $100 wins. The trophy you ask? It is a parmesan cheese shaker that we stole from the pizza place where we hatched the idea. It will be filled with 100 pennies and will be a symbol of our victory.

The blogger, Baily, sends in a post every time he finds change, and talks about exactly what he's come across (quarters, nickels, etc), along with an interesting story or two behind it. They've since made it past their $100 mark, but are still going at it! and why not? it's a helluva unique blog idea, as well as a great way to get you to think twice about pickin' them up next time. on top of it all, it's freeeeeee money.

It's now been 3+ years, and although he doesn't post daily, it's still updated every now and then & continuously cracks people up....well, at least me! I think the random pix he throws in from traveling and such (see Grover in Paris), is what seals the deal. GENIUS! I might have to put up a "change counter" myself one day...hum...

One thing's for sure, that classic saying definitely holds true: Change Adds up!
---------------
For similar reading, check out their inspiration: Change Quest .This guy's a little more hardcore, posting every day. awesome.

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Referral Lovin' and Updates

Hot Dogs, this site's been up and running for over 1 month now! And so far i'm lovin' it :) Not only is it fun unloading all this info onto the finance world, but you guys are helping me learn a lot at the same time. I think that's the best part....that, and i can actually talk turkey w/ people who WANT to listen ;)

So, THANK YOU all commenters & fellow pf bloggers, it feels great to be alive and bloggin'! Here's my shout out to a few of you below. I've seen this around on a few blogs, and thought it was a pretty cool way to acknowledge people.

The top 5 referrals to this site (in order):
1) Krystal at Work
2) Chicky Finance
3) A Dollar a Day
4) The Simple Dollar
5) No Spend Zone

And, just cuz i'm feeling extra spicy today, here's a quick update on all the challenges i'm up to:

- No buying random crap (for Lent): not a thing since my initial mess up! i gotta say, it's been a lot easier lately as i'm now used to it. although, i won't complain once Easter has passed ;) This time next week i'm allowed to buy anything i damn well please! not that i will. i am getting frugal'er as the days pass. haha...

- A Dollar a Day: the George Washington's are still piling up in there! i have now amassed...drum roll please... $21.00! that sounds about right. i'm too lazy today to verify the total ratio of days worked vs. non-workdays this time around. but since i am still going strong here, i say we're doing alright.

- No spending $ on work days: a. big. fat. failure. i lost on day one as i happily conceded in a past post. turns out this isn't my forte. BUT, i've only eaten out 2 times in the past 6 work days....so that should count for something.

- *Days in a row NOT eating McDonalds: 1225 That's like what, over 3 years! CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT??? not that there's any real point to this to be honest, but it's still an unbelievable feat for me. keep in mind this was my favorite place in the world, and has since been replaced w/ Wendy's. But even these days i've been skimping on the fast food. to this my body adds, "THANK YOU"... i think it's pretty happy on that one.

See you happy campers tomorrow!

*random.

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