Friday Roundup: Finance, Parenting and Mom Blogs

Friday Roundup: Finance, Parenting and Mom Blogs

You might have noticed that I have not mentioned my own kids in any of my posts. This is because my children right now are furry beings: a Great Dane and two cats. Now these kids can be almost as trying, as loving and as beautiful as human children (to which any parent of a furry child can attest!), but there’s a certain je ne sais quoi missing in stories about one’s pets that is apparent in parent stories (really, how many people truly want to hear my numerous Great Dane puppy stories?).

In any case, my hubby and I hope to (okay, we are getting really anxious to) get pregnant someday soon, so I have loved to read everything related to parenting lately. In fact, I have become a connoisseur of parenting and mom blogs, loving everything from finance parenting sites to fun blogs about the cutest kids I have ever seen!

In our past round-ups, we have focused on all of the fantastic finance blogs, but now I’d like to add some of the best stories (and blogs!) from the parenting realm. Here are some of the best posts I’ve found this week on both fronts:

The Finance Front

  • Follow Femme Frugality as she shows us some of the best couponing sites, complete with one that has a searchable coupon field. I know what I’m doing this afternoon…
  • Mysti shares a story about how asking for a lower rate can save you cash.
  • Lindy Mint sells some gold jewelry to come out ahead…or at least not completely hosed.
  • Sandy wonders if we should listen to Warren Buffett when he tells us we need to raise his taxes.
  • Baby RB40 has taken Retire by Forty by a sleep stronghold, but he still manages to answer a few finance questions!

Finance Fun, Continued

Some Outdoor Fun From Finance Peeps

  • Perfecting Dad shares the story of canoeing in a raging river with three kids, two dogs, and a wife who is 8 months pregnant (brave woman!)
  • Jeff shares how to build a compost bin.
  • Niki dives into her garden to come up with the most adorable bell peppers and one sad cuke (which doesn’t look all that sad to me!).
  • I can smell the wood smoke in Laura’s post, and I’m jealous of her awesome camping trip!

More From Our Favorites in Finance

  • Little House calculated her Starbucks to the tune of $5,256. Ouch! Thank you Spendster for the wakeup call!
  • Derek brags…I mean, shares…how he lost 15 pounds in two weeks and what the means for his wallet.
  • The Family CEO made an executive decision to negotiate a lower rate on her cable/internet/phone package.
  • Ashley finds $1,158 sitting around and applies it to…wait for it…the teeth fund!

From the Mom Blogs!

  • Sarah at SoSaysSarah is one of the most creative moms I have found to date. Check out her circle art for kiddies, inspired by artist Kenneth Noland.
  • Amy at When Did I Get Like This writes about motherhood in fun ways, and one of my favorites to date has been “So, What are Your Superpowers?
  • At MyKidsEatSquid, Kristen shares a recipe for squid burgers. Nope, scratch that: portabello burgers. It’s all the same to me: my niece and nephew only eat mac ‘n’ cheese, hot dogs and fries. Maybe I can get them to try portabello with this recipe.
  • Another Housewife shares a heartwarming story about how lunch notes can make your kids’ days.

Photo Source: Christa's pics (yes, that's my 100-pound baby girl!)

Niki's picture

Niki wrote:

Fri, 08/19/2011 - 11:45 Comment #: 1

Thank you for the inclusion.

I love your baby, so cute.

Oh and I love your superpowers. We share a few in common. I won't say which.

Ashley @ Money Talks's picture

Ashley @ Money Talks wrote:

Fri, 08/19/2011 - 16:22 Comment #: 2

Thanks for the mention! And good luck at the baby making!

Lindy Mint's picture

Lindy Mint wrote:

Fri, 08/19/2011 - 18:56 Comment #: 3

Thanks so much for including my gold story in your round up.

Babies and pets are eerily alike. Even their toys sort of look the same.

retirebyforty's picture

retirebyforty wrote:

Fri, 08/19/2011 - 19:54 Comment #: 4

Thank you for the mention! Baby RB40 is starting to sleep through the night. 9:30pm to 6am every other night or so. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Christa Palm's picture

Christa Palm wrote:

Fri, 08/19/2011 - 20:42 Comment #: 5

Nikki, thanks for the compliment on my baby! For your superpowers, do you also run like Phoebe on "Friends"? That's probably my greatest superpower!

Thanks, Ashley! This sure is the fun part of family planning ;-)

Lindy Mint, I think the potty training is really similar, judging from stories I've heard. My pup refused to pee outside until one day it just clicked...I am thankful to have experienced that with a dog first! Now I'll be able to chant "This too shall pass" (like my mom used to chant pretty consistently...)

Great news, RB40!! Finally some sleep to be found!

Paula @ AffordAnything.org's picture

Paula @ AffordAnything.org wrote:

Fri, 08/19/2011 - 21:03 Comment #: 6

Thanks for the mention! I do love the internet Fix-It magic! :-)

anotherhousewife's picture

anotherhousewife wrote:

Fri, 08/19/2011 - 21:38 Comment #: 7

Thank You so much for including me :)

I too often run like Satan is chasing me! You know the neighbors dog! I heart Friends.

Melissa's picture

Melissa wrote:

Fri, 08/19/2011 - 22:25 Comment #: 8

Haha!! Christa, your call out to me made me laugh SO hard! Don't worry though, I have successfully been talked out of my car buying wants thanks to you. :)

Thanks for the love!

Melissa's picture

Melissa wrote:

Fri, 08/19/2011 - 22:26 Comment #: 9

p.s. I, too, find people don't love it when I talk about my cat as if she were an actual child. I try to keep a lid on it. But man, let me tell you, no child will EVER be as excited to see me when I get home as my cat is.

femmefrugality's picture

femmefrugality wrote:

Fri, 08/19/2011 - 22:54 Comment #: 10

Ohhhh sweet baby! And best of luck with the other kind of baby!!!!!! Thanks for the mention!

Little House's picture

Little House wrote:

Sat, 08/20/2011 - 18:13 Comment #: 11

Thanks for including my Spendster link! Now if I could only cut out my Starbucks. ;)

Alex | Perfecting Dad's picture

Alex | Perfecting Dad wrote:

Mon, 08/22/2011 - 21:30 Comment #: 12

Thanks for linking to me on your page. I enjoy reading your posts and have you on the feedreader. Finance is near and dear to my heart.

Christa Palm's picture

Christa Palm wrote:

Tue, 08/23/2011 - 13:49 Comment #: 13

Paula, I <3 the internet magic, too! I always try to fix it myself before hiring a pro!

AnotherHousewife, beware Satan (the neighbor's dog)! Love your site!

Melissa, glad you decided not to buy a car for now! As for the kitty-child, I think pet children are the best -- always excited to see "mom" come in the door!

FemmeFrugality, thanks for liking my sweet, blue, Great Dane babe! I'm excited about a human baby (hopefully soon!).

Little House, Starbucks is my downfall, too! It was nice to see how much I spend over the course of a lifetime...of course, I might not be able to quit entirely!

Alex, thanks for having us on the feedreader! We love your site, too! I really loved the story about your recent trip!