Merry Christmas!

I hope you’re having a merry Christmas!  Our four year old son has made this one of the most enjoyable holidays in a long time.  His excitement and wonder have been contagious.  It’s neat to think back to a time when even the smallest things could be so exciting.

He didn’t get that many presents because we’re not into buying tons of gifts but we’ve worked really hard on teaching him to be thankful.  He seems to be appreciative of his presents so we’re happy about that.

If you’re taking it easy today, I put together a big list of personal finance articles you can check out in your down time. Today’s roundup leads with a Christmas section followed by some articles on charity and year end financial topics.  Enjoy!

Christmas

• Cheap Christmas? The Christmas Consumer Price Index Is Down @ The Digerati Life
• A Non-Consumer Christmas: Simple Gifts for Kids and Grown-Ups @ Get Rich Slowly
• Bah Humbug! : 3 Ways to Be More Like Scrooge @ Million Dollar Journey
• Sometimes the Best Gift is the Memory @ Being Frugal
• Has Gift-Giving Gotten Out of Control? @ Money Crush
• Three Ways To Bring The Magic Of Christmas Back @ PF Firewall
• Why the Magi Were Wise Gift Givers @ Personal Finance By The Book

Charity

• Finding a Charity to Support in 2011 @ Five Cent Nickel
• Giving Back During the Holidays @ Personal Dividends
• Out With The Old, In With The New: Give to a Charity @ The Simple Dollar
• Charity Spotlight: Teen Challenge USA @ Dough Roller
• Forced Donations: A Nuisance or a Necessity @ Frugal Confessions

Taxes & Year End

• 2010 Year End Tax Strategies @ Suns Financial Diary
• 5 Smart End-of-Year Money Moves @ Frugal Dad
• Time To Sell Year End Capital Losses @ Money Reasons
• Flexible Spending Account Deadlines @ My Money Blog
• Gifting Tax Rules for 2010 and 2011 @ Good Financial Cents
• Five Year-End Financial Moves for a Better New Year @ Generation X Finance

Frugality

• Frugal Ideas I’ve Always Wanted to Try @ Bargaineering
• The Golden Rules Of Haggling @ Beating Broke
• A Minimalist Lifestyle @ Ultimate Money Blog
• Homemade Christmas Gifts @ Canadian Finance Blog
• 6 More Ways to Cut Holiday Spending @ My Dollar Plan
• Negotiate to Get a Better Deal @ Bible Money Matters

Personal Finance

• Your Relationship With Money @ Consumerism Commentary
• Video Review: Suze Orman Speaks at Google @ Fiscal Fizzle
• How to Start Tracking Your Expenses @ Eventual Millionaire
• Safeway Home Delivery Service Reviewed @ Lazy Man & Money
• Car Insurance Risk and Reward @ The Wealth Artisan
• Teaching Kids About Money Management @ The Money Crashers
• Why Dollar Cost Averaging Works @ Investor Junkie

Career

• Creative Ways to Improve Your Resume @ Free Money Finance
• Top Three Dream Jobs of 2010 & Why Theyâ??re So Popular @ Studenomics
• What To Do When You Hate Your Job @ Saving Money Today
• How To Get A Raise At Work @ Moneyed Up

Carnivals

Thanks to the following sites for including our posts:

• Federal Income Tax Brackets@ Don’t Mess With Taxes
• Credit Card Promotions for Holiday Shopping @ Realm of Prosperity
• The Best Cash Back Debit Cards @ Prairie Eco Thrifter
• Scottrade Review @ Financial Highway

Ben Edwards, the founder of Money Smart Life, saved up enough to buy a Nintendo back when he was 12 years old. When he used the money to buy shares of Wal-Mart stock instead, he knew he wasn't like the other kids... His addiction to personal finance has paid off for his family and now he's helping you to afford the life that you want. Check him out on the web at Google Plus, Twitter and Facebook.

All posts by Ben Edwards