Friday Round-Up: The Best in Personal Finance Blogs

Well, it’s official. The search for low-cost baby items has begun. And it’s exhausting. Maybe because I just entered the third trimester? Maybe because I hate to shop? Maybe because I despise spending money? I don’t know. Whatever the case, I’ll be ready to have my baby-stuff stockpile completed…and to never have to shop again! (For a little while anyway…)

On the flipside, my mother is having a hay day. She loves to shop, and she loves to find deals. So I find little presents on my doorstep. But rather than a decapitated mouse or other such “cat-love” treat that I’m used to, I find bags full of tiny dresses with ruffles, onesies that say “My Grandma is Da Bomb,” and little yellow ducky booties. Somehow, my mother manages to score these finds for a dollar or two. Effortlessly. She’s a wizard.

My focus as of late has been on finding a rocking chair. Well, a glider to be exact. But I’m picky. I found one at Goodwill for $50, but the cushions were mega-stained and the glider frame was pretty beat up. Pass. I found a perfect one on E-bay: a leather club chair styled glider that I could later use in my living room. But that one was listed at $450. Another pass. My next option comes from Craigslist, and I’m excited about trying this one out. It’s a mid-century modern style (tres chic!); it’s very clean; and it’s only $45. Provided it glides well, I’m buying that baby!

In other baby news, my little tumbleweed is right on schedule for everything. Height, weight, movements, etc. She’s also learned a new trick; when I begin to tap on my keyboard, she times a few sucker punches to the rib cage just right to catch me off guard and make me take notice that I’m interrupting her in-utero nap. Awww!

Baby Girl did allow me to work long enough that I got some good reads in this week. Although the blogosphere was full of interesting articles, here are a few that stuck out to me as the best:

• Lucky enough to be contemplating two job offers at the same time? Check out Prairie EcoThrifter’s post, “Factors to Consider when Accepting a Job Offer.” Jana shares her own story and lays out what she learned.
• Junior could cost you a quarter of a million dollars to raise, depending on which statistic you go by. Take a look at the infograph on Money Talks for more information.
• Fair Isaac? Credit scores? FICO? What’s it all mean? Check in with Get Rich Slowly to find out in the post “Building Your Credit Score: Are Credit Cards Your Best Option?”
• News flash: babies become children! Uh-oh, I may be in for more than I bargained for…Thankfully, Jana at Daily Money Shot has some tips and tricks for how to get through the rest of life, after the baby years. Read her post, “What to Expect When You’re Done Expecting.”
• What would you say if Femme Frugality told you that you could "Buy Anything You Want without Any Money?” Well, check out her post for info on doing just that!

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