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.

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.

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.

Headhunters’ Job Search Tips and Interview Advice (Bloomberg Businessweek).  Words of wisdom from those who know how to get a job.

Report Shows Unbelievable Child ID Thefts (Main Street).  Good for you if you’re taking steps to protect your identity, but your child’s identity may be more at risk.

Stock Up On Peanut Butter Before Prices Soar (Main Street).  What used to be a low-cost lunch staple is about to become a pricey indulgence.

Materialistic People are Less Happy in Marriage (Time).  Interesting quote in this article: “It’s not the money itself, but the love of money that’s at the heart of the heartache” (Hmm, seems like I’ve heard that before somewhere).  Just one more reason why it’s so important to talk about money – a lot – before getting married.

20 Ways You’re Getting Ripped Off (Forbes).  Who knew that college seniors can get their graduation caps and gowns on their own and for a lot less than what their schools charge?

And from the blogosphere…

Boost Your Human Capital: Get More Experience (Consumerism Commentary).  Good thoughts on making yourself indispensable to your employer.

5 Things to Remember When Teaching Kids About $$$ (Gail Vaz-Oxlade).  Simple ways to teach kids about money through daily living.  It’s through our daily lives that we can call our kids into a better story as well.

How Our Addiction to Electronics Affects the Environment & Our Lives (Money Crashers).  In the midst of iPhone 4S mania, some challenging thoughts on the price we pay for always needing the next new thing.

85 Easy, Frugal Halloween Costume Ideas (Wise Bread).  Have you seen the prices of new costumes in the stores?  There is an alternative – at least 85 alternatives, in fact.

Four Reasons to Switch to a Credit Union (Frugal Dad).  Free From Broke also just wrote about Why Credit Unions Are Good For You.  If these articles pique your curiosity about credit unions, check out Christian Community Credit Union.  Yes, they’re a sponsor of my work, but we’re also members and CCCU has delivered nothing less than an exceptional experience.

Got some feedback on any of the above?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Who else would benefit from this article?  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.

Why It Shouldn’t Have Been a Lost Decade for Investors (via NY Times).  While the U.S. stock market may have stood still, those who diversified properly moved ahead.

8 Ways 20-Somethings Can Deal With Debt (via Bankrate).  Mostly good advice, but the one point I strongly disagree with is the advice to get a car loan to help build a good credit score.  No, don’t ever finance a vehicle!

The Value and Risk in Your Jewelry Box (via Mainstreet). Assuming you haven’t cashed in on the rising price of gold by selling all your jewelry, you might want to revisit your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if you have enough coverage.

Car Lessees Driving Themselves Into a Ditch (via TIME).  The last sentence of this article says it all: “People who end up with strong financial lives don’t lease cars.”

5 Ways to Protect Kids From Identity Theft (via MarketWatch).  Some helpful reminders for parents, especially since identity theft involving kids can go undetected for years.

And from the personal finance blogosphere…

Why Pay When You Can Get Something for Free (Or Very Low Cost)? (via Bargaineering).  Good ideas for saving on software and more.

How to Get Free Redbox Rentals (via Generation X Finance).  Even though Redbox movies only cost $1, free is even better.

Use These 4 Cheap Produce Items to Make the Most of Your Grocery Budget (via Financial Highway).  Of course, another way to utilize inexpensive produce is to grow your own.  For the first time, we created a small vegetable garden in our backyard.  Now we’re eating lots of zucchini bread, zucchini pancakes, zucchini muffins, steamed zucchini, grilled zucchini…  Good thing I like zucchini!

The Most Overlooked Step in the Job-Hunting Process (via Free Money Finance).  Hint: it’s the step you need to take right when you get home from an interview.

Debt-Free News #20 – Jenny of Ex-Consumer (via Enemy of Debt).  There’s nothing like a real life story to motivate someone trying to get out of debt.

Got some feedback on any of the above?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Who else would benefit from this article?  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.

Many Prescription Drugs Are Getting Cheaper Soon (via Main Street).  Good advice on getting the best prices for your meds – especially helpful for those who have lost their health insurance through the recession.

Are Credit Scores Worthless? (via NY Times).  I always get lots of questions about credit scores in during workshops.  This debate between a blogger who takes issue with the way credit scores work (or his perception of how they work) and a credit industry expert sheds some helpful light on the topic.

5 Things You Can Do To Land The Interview (via US News).  Good practical advice for job seekers, including one idea that should improve your odds of getting hired from 1 in 33 to 1 in 4.  And while you’re at it, don’t forget these two essential steps for finding a new job.

Stay Tough, Stay Employed (via CNNMoney).  Helpful research about who’s most likely to stay employed, including some interesting parenting advice (hint, make sure your teens get a job!).

Budgeting While You’re In College (via MSNBC).  Are you heading off to college this fall or do you know a college student?  This is a good guide to building one of the most helpful financial habits.  Discovering that a budget leads to financial freedom is a great lesson to learn early in life.

And from the personal finance blogosphere…

How to Use Bill Reminders (via Mint).  Regular readers know that we use Mint in our household.  This article describes how to use Mint’s newest feature.  If you’re thinking about using Mint but are still concerned about security, learning about the steps Mint takes to keep user info safe may ease your mind.

Preparing for Your Next Act (via The Simple Dollar).  Good thoughts on getting set, financially and otherwise, for what might be next in your life.

New Ways to Listen to Music for Free or Cheap (via Wise Bread).  Sometimes it’s easier to sing along if you didn’t pay for the song.

5 Strategies to Save Money and Sanity Big When Flying With Baby (via Money Ning).  Why early boarding may not be a good idea, and other helpful ideas.

How to Protect Your Smartphone From Identity Thieves (via Money Talks News).  All those apps you love so much might be loved even more by ID thieves.  Here’s why and what to do.

Got some feedback on any of the above?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Know someone else who would benefit from this article?  Please 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.

Recently I had the chance to talk via Skype video with David Michaels, VP of Engineering for Mint.com.  He’s the person who designed the security system for Mint, the popular online budget tool that’s now used by nearly 6 million people.

He explained how Mint keeps user info safe.  Watch the 9-minute video interview here.

We use Mint in our household and are comfortable doing so.  I believe the benefits far outweigh any potential dangers.

Do you use Mint or another online budget tool?  If so, how have you gotten past any initial concerns you may have had about security?  If not, are security concerns holding you back?

Know someone else who would benefit from this article?  Please 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.

Recall! E-Mail Habits That Could Cost You At Work (via MSNBC.com).  Our job is our economic engine.  One way to keep it humming is to make sure we’re following proper e-mail protocol.

Go Beyond Referrals to Find a Real Estate Agent (via MarketWatch.com).  Buying or selling a home is a lot easier with the right agent.  Here are some good ideas for making sure you have the right one on the job.

Back to School Smart Phone Shopping Tricks (via CNNMoney.com).  Time- and money-saving ways to use your smart phone to help your kids get ready for school.

18 Tips to Ace Your Job Interview (via USNews.com).  If you’re in the market for a new job, review this list before heading out to your next interview.

My Wallet Was Stolen: 4 Lessons Learned (Via Kiplinger.com).  This re-run of an older story has timeless lessons about preventing your wallet from being stolen and what to do if it happens to you.

And now, here are five especially helpful personal finance blog posts.

A Wedding Planner’s Top Tips for Cutting Your Big Day Budget (via Mint.com).  With the average wedding tab now topping out at over $25,000, here are some good ideas for keeping costs under control.

Seven Frugal Ways to Keep Your Kids Busy This Summer (Via FiveCentNickel.com).  Actually, most of these ideas are good year-round.

How Not To Get Promoted (via FreeMoneyFinance.com).  Helpful and surprising findings from a new CareerBuilder employer survey of what personal characteristics may keep you from getting ahead.

Is Your Social Media Activity Putting Your Career At Risk? (via MoneyNing.com).  A good reminder that what you put on Facebook and other social media sites may come back to haunt you.

How to Make an Efficient Weekly House Cleaning Schedule Template and Checklist Chart (via MoneyCrashers.com).  Time is money, so spending less time cleaning is a good thing.  Here are some good ideas for staying on top of household chores.  It’s a good way to keep the kids involved as well.

Which of these articles did you find most helpful?  Anything to add to any of them?

Know someone else who would benefit from this article?  Please 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.

According to an article on Consumer Reports’ Money Blog, posting your kids’ birth date, middle name, and their mother’s maiden name could make them vulnerable to identity thieves.  The article also advised that if posting your children’s pictures to social networking sites, make sure your privacy settings are up to date.  Otherwise, you may be making them vulnerable to predators.

Consumer Reports offers additional advice through its Online Security Guide.

What steps do you take to keep your kids safe online?

One relatively simple and free way to monitor your own credit for signs of ID theft is to pull one of your free credit reports via Annualcreditreport.com every four months.  For example, pull your free report from Equifax in January, TransUnion in May, and Experian in September.  Then scan the reports for open credit accounts you don’t recognize.