Don’t Kill an Interview With These Blunders (US News).  Survey of HR pros reveals the top mistakes job candidates make.

5 Ways to Put the “Pro” in Profile Pictures (Fast Company).  No matter what your employment status, having a great online presence is a great move.

Tax Questions? There’s an App for That (MSNBC).  Find out when to expect your refund, get tax tips, and more.

Car Policy for Less, But Only If You Call (NY Times).  A good reminder to call your various service providers to see if there are better deals available.

6 Strategies for Young Adults to Save More in 2012 (AOL Daily Finance).  Good tips for getting off to a great financial start.

And from the blogosphere…

Do I Need a Master’s Degree to Figure Out Extreme Couponing? (American Debt Project).  An ode to moderate couponing.

How to Find Financial Accord (Bucksome Boomer).  Good ideas for making the whole money thing work well in marriage.  And for those wanting a more detailed guide to money & marriage…

Do No Spend Challenges Work? (Well Heeled Blog).  Going on a spending fast, even for one spending category like entertainment, is one of the most Radical Ways to Accomplish Your Financial Goals.

Dollar Matters: Kid Stuff (Financial Highway).  Trying to teach your kids about money?  Here are lots of ideas to consider.

4 Money-Saving Mobile Apps (Money Talks News).  The old advice to always make a list before going shopping now reads: “Always download the right apps before going shopping.”  Oh, and make a list, too.

Got a question or a response to any of the above?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Who else would benefit from this post?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

Don’t Get Audited: The IRS’s Dirty Dozen Red Flags (AOL DailyFinance).  I recently described generosity as An Irrational Financial Act.  Unfortunately, the IRS seems to agree.

Claiming an Adult Child as a Dependent on Your Taxes (USA TODAY).  Got an unemployed adult child living in your basement?  Here’s what you need to know about the tax implications.

Ensure Those References Help You Land a Job (MSNBC).  They’ve agreed to serve as a reference for you, but do you know what they’ll say?

When Is It Bad to Kill a Credit Card? (Bankrate.com).  There are a lot of misconceptions about the pros and cons of closing a credit card account.  This article does a good job of helping you make the right decision.

Retirement in America is “Endangered” (MarketWatch).  Not exactly a feel-good story, but perhaps a helpful wake-up call.

And from the blogosphere…

Kids & Money: Teach Your Kids About Credit Cards (Bargaineering). Better to have them learn how to use credit cards while they’re still at home than after they leave.

Focus on Reliability and Fuel Efficiency (The Simple Dollar).  Good advice for those in the market for a car.  For more help comparing the ongoing costs of cars, check out this True Cost to Own tool.

Future of Shopping (Wealth Informatics).  Interesting review of retail trends, some of which may actually benefit shoppers, not just the retailers!

5 Kids Expenses to Budget For – Apart From College (Parenting Family Money).  All the more reason to get in the habit of living well within your means before you have kids.

10 Ways to Protect Your Financial and Personal Information When Shopping Online (Bible Money Matters).  Great ideas for staying safe when traveling in cyberspace.

Got a question or a response to any of the above?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Who else would benefit from this post?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

Open Low Minimum Roth IRAs for Kids (Kiplinger’s).  Kids who contribute to a Roth IRA will head into adulthood with a great financial advantage.  Here are three companies with kid-friendly requirements.

How to Master the Art of Negotiation (US News).  It’s amazing what you can get if you just speak up.  We recently had a not-so-great hotel experience, so I brought it to the attention of the chain’s customer service department.  I didn’t even make a specific request, but they credited my loyalty account with 50,000 points!

5 Things I Look for In a Great Job Interview (Inc).  Words of wisdom from one who has interviewed lots of candidates.

Job Hunters Still Not Careful on Social Media: Study (MSNBC).  Your resume is a carefully crafted work of art, but what about your social media presence?

Tweet Your Way to a New Job: 8 Twitter Templates (CBS MoneyWatch).  Are you using Twitter as part of your job search?

And from the blogosphere…

What’s Next After Debt Freedom? (The Simple Dollar).  It’s always encouraging to hear about people gaining true financial freedom.  This post also reinforces the importance of Knowing the Why Behind Your Goals.

Financial Goals That Are Easy to Accomplish (Canadian Finance Blog). This list includes several important steps people often put off.  It’s well worth it to review this list and schedule these activities.

A Crash Course in Couponing 101 (One Money Design).  Good advice for getting value from using coupons without making it a second job.

The Ins and Outs of Getting and Using Your Free Credit Report (The Consumerist).  When was the last time you checked your credit reports?  Here’s how to do it and what to look for.

9 Healthy Habits to Help You Manage E-Mail Overload (Lifehack).  It’s so tempting to check e-mail throughout the day, but the advice in this post is consistent with that of other productivity experts.

Got a question or a response to any of the above?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Who else would benefit from this post?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

If you’re not familiar with a blog carnival, it’s a showcase of some of the best writing from throughout the blogosphere, with bloggers submitting one of their best recent posts.  This particular carnival, which features rotating hosts, has been in operation since the summer of 2005.

I thought it would be fitting to intersperse this week’s picks with quotes that feature additional words of wisdom or points to ponder.

Editor’s Picks

“The ancient Greek definition of happiness was the full use of your powers along lines of excellence.” – John F. Kennedy

There were lots of great entries in this week’s carnival, but I thought the following two were especially good.

Bob at ChristianPF shares an important idea he calls Get Your Financial Life on One Page, which recasts what can be a tiresome financial chore into an act of love.

Roshawn Watson at Watson Inc asks Do You Have the Courage to be Wealthy?, pointing to a key character trait that can either hold us back in so many areas of life or propel us forward.

Money Management

“Action expresses priorities.” –Mahatma Gandhi

Laura Edgar from NerdWallet offers some good guidance for Sticking to Your Resolutions, along with a quiz to see which of two approaches may be best for you.

SB at One Cent at a Time says resolutions aren’t enough; you need to become obsessed with what you want.  Read more at 5 Obsessions Towards Financial Freedom and Becoming Rich.

Sustainable PF offers rational ways for Beating Irrational Financial Behavior.

Jon the Saver from Free $ Wisdom shares 3 Financial Lessons I’ve Learned From Angry Birds.  Don’t worry, you don’t need to have played the game to get the lessons.

Jeffrey at Saving Advice provides Money Lessons Learned From “The Firm,” a movie that demonstrates in many ways the old adage: money changes people.

Investing

“October:  This is one of the peculiarly dangerous months to speculate in stocks. The others are July, January, September, April, November, May, March, June, December, August and February.” – Mark Twain

Diva at Diva in Debt covers the latest personal finance controversy with More Bad News for Suze Orman.

Div Guy at The Dividend Guy Blog helps clear the fog from our economic binoculars with If You Want to Know Where the Stock Market is Heading, Read the Following.

Philip at PT Money brings us up to date on 2012 Traditional and Roth IRA Contribution Limits.

FIRE Finance offers Three Good Habits of Successful Retirees, reviewing the traits of successful long-term investors.

Economy

“Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.” – Ronald Reagan

PK at Don’t Quit Your Day Job submitted Another Salary By Major Chart, which may help those headed for college choose a productive path.

Taxes

“Did you ever notice that when you put the words ‘The’ and ‘IRS’ together, it spells ‘THEIRS?’”  – Author Unknown

Glen Craig at Free From Broke encourages us not to pay more in taxes than we have to with 10 Common Overlooked Tax Deductions.

Career

“Work while you have the light. You are responsible for the talent that has been entrusted to you.” – Henri-Frederic Amiel

Mike at The Financial Blogger shows other bloggers what’s made a big difference in his success with This Image Will Make You a Believer.

For business owners, Peter at Bible Money Matters has a helpful reminder on How to Prepare and File A 1099 For Contract and Freelance Workers.

Credit

“Before borrowing money from a friend, decide which you need most.” – American Proverb

Erik at DollarVersity opens up a bit of a debate with Are Credit Scores Still Relevant?

Real Estate

“A man builds a fine house, and now he has a master, and a task for life.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Martin at Passive Income Now has advice for landlords in Maintaining Your Rental Property Once You Hand the Keys Over.

Frugality

“Economy is half the battle of life; it is not so hard to earn money as to spend it well.” – C.H. Spurgeon

Squirrelers offers 12 Expenses to Cut, reminding us of some discretionary spending that we may have re-categorized as essential.

Finance

“Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons.”  – Woody Allen

Roger Wohlner at Chicago Financial Planner offers The Similarities Between Buying Coffee and Choosing a Financial Planner.  A key to choosing well in both cases is knowing what you’re getting for your money.

Budgeting

“Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.” –Alan Lakein

Dan Meyers from Your Life, Their Life explains Why We Use a Cash Budget, backing up lots of research that shows people tend to spend less when they pitch the plastic.

Saving

“In the old days a man who saved money was a miser; nowadays he’s a wonder.” –Author Unknown

Martin at Studenomics reminds us of a classic way to start building savings in What’s the Best Way to Start Saving Money Right Now?

Other

“Plans are worthless.  Planning is essential.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower

Money Beagle has ambitions to get lots of stuff done this year.  Hence, My List of 500 Things To Do This Year.  It may sound overwhelming, but when you break the idea down month by month, it may just help you stay organized, reduce clutter, and avoid buying things you don’t need.

Thanks to everyone who submitted posts for this week’s carnival.

Keeping Your Online Accounts Safe (CNNMoney).  Sure, it takes some extra work to follow these guidelines, but it’s wise to stay vigilant about online security.

Money Milestones: What Kids Should Know About Money and When (Time).  No, your three-year-old doesn’t need to know about Roth IRAs, but there are some things about money kids can learn at that age.  Here’s your guide.

401(k)’s Not Working for Gen Y (MSN). For young people, playing it too safe with your retirement savings is one of the riskiest things you can do.

The Best Ways to Teach Your Kids to Save (Main Street).  Interesting to see the not-so-obvious benefits of opening savings accounts for our kids.

Credit Information That’s Really 100% Free (MSNBC).  I agree with the author of this one – if you’re going to try one of the free credit score services, go with the one that doesn’t require your full Social Security number.

And from the blogosphere…

Five Resolutions for Aspiring Leaders (HBR Blog Network).  Good career management advice – whether you’re young or…more experienced.

How I Fed My Family for $100 a Week (LearnVest).  Proof that it’s possible to manage the grocery store tab without superhuman effort.

What Easter Island Can Teach Us About Money (Wise Bread).  No quick tips on how to save a buck or two in this post – just a great, thought provoking read about the dangers of short-term thinking.

8 Frugal and Fun Martin Luther King Day Activities for Kids (Money Crashers).  Make Monday more than a day off from school for the kids with these free or low-cost ideas for helping them understand what this important holiday is all about.

Frugality Advice From Millionaires (Get Rich Slowly).  I don’t really consider this to be frugality advice (you probably know I’m not crazy about the idea of frugality); it’s simply good solid money management advice.  Just as was shown in the book “The Millionaire Next Door,” most of the habits and practices of those who win with money are those that most of us can practice.

Got a question or a response to any of the above?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Who else would benefit from this post?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

Patient People Have Higher Credit Scores (US News).  Just one more of the many benefits of delayed gratification.

Five Tips for Raising Money-Smart Kids (Bankrate.com).  Which one is toughest for most parents?  I vote for “Don’t bail them out.”

Five Commonly Asked Resume Questions (US News).  If you’re polishing up your resume in preparation for a job search, here are the answers to questions that may be on your mind.

Five Overused Resume Phrases (Forbes).  Are you an innovative thinking, effective communicating team leader?  Uh-oh.

New Study Shows Architecture, Arts Degrees Yield Highest Unemployment (Washington Post).  The idealist in me says students should still follow their passions.  Someone who’s exceptional at a job where there’s not a lot of hiring should do better than someone who’s mediocre and not passionate about a job where there is a lot of hiring.

And from the blogosphere…

Four Online Secrets for Getting Amazing Flight Deals (Mashable).  Chicago to NY for $54 roundtrip, anyone?

5 Unusual Ways to Raise Successful Children (Get Rich Slowly).  Not the usual advice.  Some really good ideas here.

11 Things That Are Worth the Money (Wise Bread).  Like home maintenance, which is on the list, I would add vehicle maintenance.  As the old commercial used to say, you can pay me now or you can pay me (a lot more) later.

How to Manage Common Productivity Traps For Improved Productivity (Stepcase Lifehack).  Good ideas for getting more done with less stress.

Avoiding Lifestyle Inflation (The Simple Dollar).  The points about maintaining friendships with people who have similar values and living in a neighborhood where people have a similar standard of living as you do are huge.  Our environment impacts our finances more than we realize.

Got a question or a response to any of the above?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Who else would benefit from this post?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

How to Land a New Job in 2012 (US News).  There are some great nuggets here, including one that a lot of job seekers don’t pay enough attention to: preparing great questions to ask.

How to Stand Out When Applying for Jobs Online (Kiplinger).  It’s all in how you interpret the questions.

Five Expenses That Take Half Our Lifetime Earnings (MSNBC).  What’s the better strategy – obsessively avoiding lattes or buying a house you can truly afford?  I think you know the answer.  My main issue with this article is that it says to keep housing costs to no more than 30 percent of monthly gross income.  I say keep it to no more than 25 percent.

4 Risky Places to Swipe Your Debit Card (Bankrate.com).  There have been some major identity thefts tied to debit cards in the recent past.  Here are the places where using a debit card may put you at the greatest risk.

Is Your Kid Saving for Retirement? (MSN).  Why contributing to a Roth IRA should become as common a kid goal as the latest LEGO set or a new bike – even for kids as young as six.

And from the blogosphere…

How to  Create a Financial Vision Board (LearnVest).  I love this idea for staying motivated as we pursue our goals.

Three Free Ways to Make Your Child’s Life Better in 2012 (Money Ning).  Great ideas for building into our kids without tearing into our wallets.

The 3/50 Project: Help Your Local Economy (Consumerism Commentary).  One of the more interesting personal finance articles I’ve read recently – how our spending choices can do good while being personally beneficial as well.

5 Things Angry Birds Has Taught Me About Life (Wise Bread).  Some surprising life lessons from one of the hottest games.

How to Write & Publish an eBook and Sell It For Profit (Money Crashers).  Lots of people dream of writing a book.  Through the wonders of eBooks, that dream is well within your reach.

Got a question or a response to any of the above?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Who else would benefit from this post?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

Last-Minute Gift Doesn’t Have to Be Costly (USA TODAY).  Shopping in a hurry often leads to overspending, but not if you follow this advice.

5 Tips for Being a Fabulous Holiday Host (Main Street).  Got company staying with you over the holidays?  Here’s how to keep ‘em happy while keeping your sanity.

10 Myths About Job Hunting During a Recession (US News).  Feel like you’re fighting an uphill battle in your job search?  Don’t let these falsehoods hold you back.

Year-End Reality Check: 71 Percent of Americans Don’t Have a Retirement Plan (Financial Planning).  A good place to start is with this simple retirement calculator.

5 CD Dos and Don’ts (Bankrate).  I’d add one more “do” to this list: Do consider a credit union when shopping for a CD, including my long-time sponsor, Christian Community Credit Union, which offers better rates than I believe you’ll find anywhere else.

And from the blogosphere…

15 Dynamo DIY Projects That Cost Less Than $20 (Apartment Therapy).  Thanks to my wife, Jude, for bringing this one to my attention.  Some great, inexpensive ways to spruce up your home.  Rug painting, anyone?

The Top 10 Best and Worst Communicators of 2011 (Ragan’s HR Communication).  Great communication skills are essential for excelling on the job and in life.  There’s a lot to be learned in studying the best…and the worst.

Free Apps To Help You Recover a Lost Phone or Laptop (Clark Howard).  With so much important information stored on our digital devices, we can’t afford to lose them.  Here’s how to put them on an electronic leash.

25 Ways to Make This the Best Christmas Season Ever (Pick The Brain).  Hat tip to Trent at The Simple Dollar, where I saw a link to this post.  It’s not too late to incorporate some of these great ideas.  Or, if you read this after Christmas, there’s always next year.

A Peace That Transcends Understanding (Matt About Money).  As with last week’s roundup, I thought a post from the Christmas archives would be in order.  This one certainly speaks to me this year.  I hope it does to you as well.

Here’s wishing you a wonderful Christmas. And to my Jewish readers, Happy Hanukkah.

Got a question or a response to any of the above?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Who else would benefit from this post?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

The end of each year always puts me in a reflective mood.  As I’ve been taking stock of 2011, I reviewed the 131 posts I’ve written so far to see which ones did the best job of connecting with people.  Here are the top 10 – the ones that were shared the most on Facebook.

1. The Art of Simple Living.  Starting with the premise that simplicity is about so much more than uncluttered closets, this post looked at how we can develop both the heart and the habits of simpler, more joyful living.

2. Let’s Occupy Our Own Streets.  My take on the Occupy Wall Street Movement, encouraging all of us to look a little closer to home before blaming our country’s economic problems on someone else.

3. When Should You Let Your Kids Get a Cell Phone?  For parents, this is a tough question to answer.  This post teed up the most important factors to consider when making that call.

4. Money Lessons For New Grads. Advice for those in transition from college to career – from how much to spend on rent to an overall approach to money that tends to lead to a lot more happiness.

5. An Identity Theft Like No Other.  This one is central to all that I believe about money.  If we’re ever really going to get the money thing right, we have to know who we are.

6. Free Kindle eBook Hits a Nerve.  My most recent book, Money & Marriage, was released in March of 2011.  When the Kindle version was offered for free, that promotion got off to a controversial start.

7. A Love Letter Like No Other.  In honor of Valentine’s Day, I transcribed a powerful letter written from the battlefield during the Civil War, which served as a reminder of what really matters.

8. Which Way is the Financial Wind Blowing in Your Life?  Albert Einstein called it “the eighth wonder of the world.” It’s the most seemingly magical of all financial concepts, which is why you need the force to be with you, not against you.

9. Radical Ways to Accomplish Your Financial Goals.  Many are the people who say they can’t get out of debt, can’t save, can’t…  And then there are the few – the radical – who plow through financial obstacles in the most countercultural of ways.

10. A Call for Truly Radical Wealth Redistribution.  The second in a two-part series about Occupy Wall Street, this time calling for each of us to put a little personal wealth redistribution into practice before forcing it on others.

I added video to the blog this year, and, by far, the most viewed piece (with over 8,000 views) was an interview I did with Mint.com’s security architect, in which I asked a question that’s apparently on lots of prospective Mint users’ minds: How Safe is Mint.com?

Three other posts that I especially enjoyed writing in 2011 were:

The Case Against Frugality.  Frugality is all the rage these days, but here’s why I’ve never cared for the term.

I Want the Red One.  Of blue Hula-Hoops, red Hula-Hoops, and the problem of wanting what other people have.

Money Lessons From An Old Toy Fire Truck.  Sometimes, the most unexpected things remind us of the progress we’re making in the journeys of money and life.

Thank you for being part of the community here at Matt About Money.  Writing this blog is one of my great joys, and I consider it an honor that you are a subscriber.  Here’s looking forward to an even better 2012.

Who else would benefit from this post?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.

6 Classic Movies About Holidays and Money (Bankrate).  From a timeless tearjerker about a bank too small to fail, to several reminders about what really matters, most of these movies will help bring some extra cheer to your holidays while also teaching some important lessons about money.

Tipping in Tough Times: Here’s What You Need to Know (MSNBC).  If coming up with tip money is more difficult this year, the good news is that those who typically receive tips seem to have lower expectations.

A First-Time Manager’s Hiring Discoveries (Chicago Tribune).  Some good insights about how to stand out from the crowd of candidates.

How Your Attitude Determines Your Career (Forbes).  Solid advice for not just keeping your job in a tough economy, but excelling over the long haul.

“A” Is For Freebies: 7 Perks You Can Get For Good Grades (Main Street).  If your kids bring home a good report card, here are some extra ways you can reward them.

And from the blogosphere…

31 Great Gifts That Keep On Giving (Wise Bread).  If you haven’t finished your shopping yet, this list should help you get the job done.

Tipping for the Holidays (Free Money Finance).  More good advice on tipping, including research from Consumer Reports about how much people usually give to various service providers.

Avoid the Resume Clone Wars: Tell Me Your Story! (Glass Door).  Real world advice from a real world hiring manager.

Saving Money: There’s An App For That (Moneyed Up).  Five apps that have tested positive for being financially helpful.

The Heart of the Matter (Matt About Money).  This season brings up all sorts of stuff for people, including issues around forgiveness.  If that’s true for you, I hope you find this post from a previous Christmas encouraging.

Got a question or a response to any of the above?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Who else would benefit from this post?  Why not forward a link to my site? And if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to this blog by clicking here.  Two or three times a week, you’ll receive ideas and encouragement for using money well.