Friday Round-Up: Finance, Parenting and Mom Blogs

Friday Round-Up: Finance, Parenting and Mom Blogs

Once again this week’s focus is my marathon. It’s such a huge investment for me, one that crosses a major life goal off my bucket list, that I just can’t ignore it. So run along with me for my final week of training!

This week was my marathon training taper week. For those of you unfamiliar with running, taper is the period of time that a runner spends running less. You see, we build up our training until we run 40 to 60 miles per week (including one long run of 20 miles), and then we decrease the total weekly mileage and the long run mileage. In the week before the marathon, a novice runner may run as little as 9 miles total.

Since I am considered a novice runner, this means that I only had three scheduled runs to complete. I ran three miles per day on three days this week, and I am getting anxious to run the marathon now. I can feel my energy stores rising (as I sit here tapping my feet...), and I am excited to run 26.2 miles on Sunday.

Stick with me; next week I’ll share my very first marathon experience!

As for the anxious energy and extra time, I have spent more time on the internet this week than I should care to admit. But I’ll admit it here because I found lots of great posts about personal finance and parenting!

  • RB40 grades himself on his 2011 goals, including his financial goals. With a new baby in the house, I am super-impressed that he managed to get all A’s and B’s. Great job, Retire By 40!
  • Join Money Cone for a look at B of A’s latest “inspired idea”: charging customers a monthly fee to use their debit cards. Follow along as Money Cone gives us all tips on how to switch banks.
  • At Prairie Eco-Thrifter, Marie shares her story about how she cut expenses by half a million dollars over 40 years. This do-it-yourselfer saved on everything from manis and pedis to house re-roofing; check out her savings!
  • Recipe alert: BrokeTO shares her pumpkin chocolate chip muffin recipe. Gonna have to do some baking!
  • Check out Laura’s October mini goals: vacation funding, walking, losing, and consolidating. Good luck, Laura, and keep us updated!
  • Take a trip to the museum with Little House in the Valley to take in the dinosaurs and the soon-to-be extinct no-fee debit card.
  • Shaun, the self-proclaimed “Frugal Omnivore,” guest-posts on the Family CEO blog with some awesome tips on how to make your leftover meat stretch into a new meal.
  • Another recipe alert: So Says Sarah shares her pumpkin whoopee pies. I am really excited about all this pumpkin – fall is the season for orange squash, and I love it!

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Julie @ The Family CEO's picture

Julie @ The Family CEO wrote:

Fri, 10/07/2011 - 12:59 Comment #: 1

Shaun's post was indeed awesome. Looks like some other great links too.

Christa Palm's picture

Christa Palm wrote:

Fri, 10/07/2011 - 17:47 Comment #: 2

Julie, I did like all the creative ideas in Shaun's post! Definitely check out the others -- some great blogs out there!

cashflowmantra's picture

cashflowmantra wrote:

Fri, 10/07/2011 - 18:55 Comment #: 3

I am interested in hearing about the marathon next week. I know several tri-athletes and have been intrigued. I just remember from many years ago how much my knees would hurt when running distances. I don't know if maybe I needed better shoes or what, but I am prejudiced against running. Instead, I lift weights, play softball, and golf for my activities.

Miss T's picture

Miss T wrote:

Sat, 10/08/2011 - 03:47 Comment #: 4

Thanks a ton for the mention. Hope you have a great weekend.

Little House's picture

Little House wrote:

Sun, 10/09/2011 - 18:14 Comment #: 5

Thanks for including my post!

Is your marathon coming up this week? If so, Good Luck! It's inspiring that you're training so hard (I personally can't stand running. ;) )

Christa Palm's picture

Christa Palm wrote:

Wed, 10/12/2011 - 16:32 Comment #: 6

CashFlowMantra, I have heard many people talk about knee trouble when running distance. I didn't have any probs with the knees, but I do start to have hip trouble at mile 18.

Your post was great, Miss T! Hope your weekend was great!

Little House, thanks for the wishing me well in the marathon! I ran on Sunday, and I'll update everyone on this Friday's round-up.