Well, The Olympics are almost over and it's looking likely that the United States will take the overall medal count, and possibly the gold medal count too. There's nothing like a medal count victory on the world stage to get those patriotic fires burning...
Links to Us!
Before Reality TV, Bruce Jenner won a gold medal in Decathlon.
- Carnival of Financial Discipline
- Carnival of Personal Finance
- Carnival of Wealth
- Nerdy Finance Carnival
- Hope to Prosper
- 101 Centavos
Links We Liked!
- Andy Hough the Tight Fister Miser isn't concerned about the $120,000 in student loan debt he has, because one payoff plan available to him allows him to defer payment. For some reason, it became a shouting match in his comments section about how what he was doing was somehow 'stealing' or otherwise wrong. Well, no - the people we've elected have put these limits into place, and President Obama even lowered the requirement by executive order to 20 years and 10% of salary (from 25/15%). I know... it makes you feel good to support a policy that you think will do good for people 'in need', then turn around and hate on people that use that policy. Look, if you don't like it - elect different people. Don't hate it when people obey the rules we've set up.
- John at My Family Finances tells us that it's silly to buy a life insurance policy for children. Um... I didn't know this was in question, haha. Regardless, heed his warning - your kids don't need life insurance.
- Dave at 6400 Personal Finance has had enough of the "there are too many!" excuse in stock trading. Follow his stock screening methods and pare down that list to something manageable!
- Flexo at Consumerism Commentary had an awesome piece about price discrimination, coupons, and what you give up for grocery rewards programs. Count me as a big fan - as long as you understand what you're giving up.
- Control Your Cash called Knight Capital's temporary dip and quick returns in the stock market, after a trading error cost them millions of dollars in one day. Like a more snarky Benjamin Graham, Greg and Betty also point out that the market sometimes gets pricing wrong (gasp!).
- CYC also hosted a guest post by Off-Road Finance, a blog that we hadn't yet discovered (but is now enshrined in Google Reader). W of ORF actually recommends that some people of the proper inclination try gambling on a long weekend to try to nail a gambler's mentality. Of course, his caution is that only 1/100 people are cut out for it. Probably true - and 3 out of 3 DQYDJ writers are quite good at poker. Team building exercise?
Vice Presidential Picks!
The pick is in, and it's Paul Ryan, member of the House delegation from Wisconsin! Just a few days ago, PR was unexpected - considered a bit more of a risk pick because he's actually more charismatic than the Presidential contender, Mitt Romney. The pick moved InTrade a little bit - Mitt's odds increased .8 points (2%) to border 40% probability to win the Presidency. Remember - the VP pick is one of the first watershed events which solidifies attention on the race - the other being the conventions, especially for the parties out of power.
It's time to pay attention - at least a little bit!
