Weekly Roundup

Blog Round-Up: Week of September 30, 2013

blog roundup

It’s officially October and the stores are filled with Halloween costumes and candy and … Christmas decorations? I know time flies, but it made me pause when I saw the Christmas trees and ornament displays. From a business perspective, I completely understand, but from a personal viewpoint, I would like to enjoy each holiday separately before moving onto the next.

We live in a go, go, go culture and I’m certainly guilty of racing around too. But I also don’t want to be moving so fast that I forget to enjoy these moments. The girls still enjoy going trick or treating, and I don’t want to take these memories for granted. Sometimes the best thing we can do is slow down and appreciate the moment.

This week I shared Phrases to Avoid When Talking about Money with Kids. I appreciate all your comments and supportive tweets and facebook likes. Special thanks also go out to Dime Lab, Budget and the Beach and Mom and Dad Money for mentioning The Heavy Purse last week.

A Few Good Reads

Here are my favorite posts from our the blogosphere this past week. Enjoy!

Joe from Stacking Benjamins asked us, Want to Earn Money Faster? Follow This Surprising Simple Advice. Who you surround yourself makes a huge difference. Their habits and emotions—good and bad—do rub off on you.

Erin at Broke Millennial took a Random Stroll Down 5th Avenue. One of the most recognizable and expensive streets in the world, but it can also be incredibly motivating. True wealth isn’t buying everything you see, but knowing you have the choice or luxury to buy the things that truly matter to you and the common sense to know when to smile and say, no thanks.

Anthony at Thrifty Dad suggests we ask ourselves How Many Hours Do I Need to Work to Pay for This before we make a purchase. What I love is how he looks at it from both sides. Sometimes the amount of hours we have to work in order to buy something we want is ridiculously high. Other times the cost appears to high but after closer inspection, it’s really not.

Dojo from Dojo Blog shared There is No Such Thing as Good Debt. Dojo shares her personal debt story and how her choice to take on debt for the betterment of her family still had it’s “bad” side. A good reminder that all debt has risk, regardless of whether it’s considered “good” or “bad”. Debt is debt.

You can’t go to the store without seeing Halloween displays and pumpkins waiting to be carved, so I will leave you with a couple of great posts on some Frugal Fall Activities from Frugal Rules and tips on How to Spend Less Money this Halloween from Canadian Budget Binder.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Shannon

Image courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net/

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October 4, 2013  •  25 Comments  •  Weekly Roundup

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  1. Friday, October 4th, 2013
    Thank you for mentioning my story here and also for the great reads I have now, going into the weekend. Can't wait to devour all the articles ;)
    • Friday, October 4th, 2013
      You're welcome, Dojo! You have a great weekend!
  2. Friday, October 4th, 2013
    We walked into Lowes the other day and right next to the Halloween decorations were Christmas trees and inflatable yard Santas. My son goes, "Christmas trees? Already!?" Pretty soon, they will be on display by the 4th of July.
    • Friday, October 4th, 2013
      It just seems too early. I want to enjoy Halloween before I even start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas! :) Have a great weekend, Brian!
  3. Friday, October 4th, 2013
    It's so crazy, I just looked out my window this morning and realized that one of the big trees right outside is almost completely orange and yellow now. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was realizing that all of the trees actually had leaves again. And now we're talking Christmas? Where does the time go?
    • Friday, October 4th, 2013
      Love those Fall colors and I bet they are fabulous right now for you! The other day I saw someone talking about there was only 99 days until 2014, which startled me. Time definitely moves fast so we have to slow down and enjoy it! You have a great weekend, Matt!
  4. Friday, October 4th, 2013
    I could not agree more about the Christmas displays Shannon. Our Costco started in late August...yes August with fake Christmas trees. I like the Holiday as well, but we were just getting over the 4th of July at that point. Way too commercialized if you ask me. Ok, end rant. ;) I do love October though and thankfully the weather is starting to look like it's October. :) Thanks for the mention, I really appreciate it. Have a great weekend Shannon!
    • Friday, October 4th, 2013
      August - seriously? That is really pushing it. I understand it's a profitable holiday for most businesses but that's really crazy to start setting Christmas displays in August! You have a great weekend too, John!
  5. Friday, October 4th, 2013
    Hope you have a great weekend!
    • Friday, October 4th, 2013
      You too, Holly!
  6. Friday, October 4th, 2013
    As much as I love Christmas, I hate seeing the decor out so early. By the time Christmas comes around, I"m so sick and tired of the marketing of it that I have a hard time enjoying it!
    • Friday, October 4th, 2013
      So true, Laurie. Having it out so early takes a little bit of that magic away, doesn't it. You have a great weekend, Laurie!
  7. Friday, October 4th, 2013
    Haha! So true. I see the Christmas displays already. I mean, how weird would it be to be shopping for Halloween costumes, with Christmas music blaring :). Thank you for mentioning my post!! Have yourself a fabulous weekend!
    • Friday, October 4th, 2013
      I like Christmas music but not in October! Too early! You're welcome and you have a great weekend too!
  8. Friday, October 4th, 2013
    Thank you, Shannon! Have fun trick-or-treating with the girls. It was always one of my favorite holidays as a kid.
    • Friday, October 4th, 2013
      You're welcome, Erin. You have a great weekend!
  9. Friday, October 4th, 2013
    I agree Christmas decorations right now are just way too early. Do your kids trick-or-treat in your neighborhood? It's so rare to see kids in ours these days (so sad!), so the ones that knock on our door always get like half a bag's worth! Great links, hope you enjoy the weekend, Shannon. :)
    • Friday, October 4th, 2013
      There are lots of families in our neighborhood, which is nice as everybody gets out and celebrates together. My oldest has been known to track which candy is the most popular, LOL! :) You have a great weekend too!
  10. Friday, October 4th, 2013
    I'm already seeing candy canes next to the halloween candy. You know it's fall when all the tv shows are back to distract us.
    • Friday, October 4th, 2013
      It's definitely fall all right! Between all the different holiday decorations in the stores and new shows on TV, it's a busy time! :)
  11. Saturday, October 5th, 2013
    Thanks for sharing!
    I would like to decorate outside for Christmas this year but right now is too early, even November 1st is early. As for our Christmas tree is waits until 3 weeks before Christmas less time for the kids to knock it over :)
    • Sunday, October 6th, 2013
      You're welcome, Katrina! I love decorating for the holidays too but wait until after Thanksgiving. It can be hard at times with young kids as there are a lot more things for them to knock over!
  12. Monday, October 7th, 2013
    It is sad to see how rushed we are with the holidays. I personally don't really care for the time after thanksgiving through new years. Never been my favorite time of year, so I want to slow down and enjoy all things pumpkin that come along with halloween and thanksgiving.
    • Shannon
      Monday, October 7th, 2013
      We do rush through the holidays, which takes a bit of the fun out of it. It is always nice when all the pumpkin beverages, etc come back in season!
Shannon Ryan SHANNON RYAN, CFP®
  • Meet Shannon

    "As a Certified Financial Planner, it is my passion to help individuals and families build a healthy relationship with money. I look forward to helping you raise financially confident kids.” - Shannon Ryan