Winter vacation is near!
Starting Wednesday, Corinne and I are lucky to have two weeks off at the same time and we’re going to do some exploring around the prefecture and elsewhere. We’re also taking care of our friend’s hamster so that should provide some interesting entertainment
Here’s our major plans for break:
- Visit friends in Kyoto and Nagoya
- Go skiing for the first time
- Onsen
- Finalize the layout of our apartment
What are you guys up to if you have time off?
I’m also very pleased to announce that this is Foreigner’s Finances 50th post!
In a little under four months I’ve learned a lot about personal finance, social media, and blogging and I’m excited to bring more content to you as I get move on to 100 posts! (For those Super FF fans, at 3 posts a week I should get there in early April – see you then!)
Here’s 4 personal finance posts I loved the past two weeks:
-Studenomics - The Ultimate Home Buying Guide — Buying vs Renting Detailed Comparison
This is an epic post that covers important aspects of owning a home. A lot of people right out of college assume home buying is the next step in life, but lately a pro-rent following has been propping up and with good reason. If you’re considering buying a home soon, ask yourself the questions brought up in this post before you even start looking at properties.
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- Debt Free Adventure! – Debt Reduction vs. Retirement Savings for Bruce and You
Matt over at DFA! always come through with some solid posts revolving around the topic of debt. This post is one that a lot of people my age should read because it deals with the relationship between debt and savings. Ideally, you’d love to do both, but sometimes you need to think about your situation and what’s best for you. Matt provides some great insight on the topic with different suggestions for different situations.
- Green Panda Treehouse – Build an Automated System While in College
I’m a sucker for posts that promote getting your money in order in college. My favorite advice? Hunt for scholarships! It’s easy money that’ll save you so much in the long run.
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- Lazy Man and Money – Top 10 Sneakiest Business Tricks
A smart consumer needs to be aware that who there buying from isn’t your best friend. The Lazy Man provides some insight into some of these sleazy practices so you can avoid that no payments for 18 months trick the next time it’s offered at the register.
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Blog Carnivals I Participated In
Money Hacks Carnival #95: The Tiger Woods, We Hardly Knew Ye Edition @ Len Penzo
FF post featured: Simplify Savings with the Envelope System
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Carnival of Personal Finance #235: The Cinderella Edition @ Well Heeled Blog
FF post featured: Give Donations as Gifts this Holiday Season: 15 Charities You Can Help
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Carnival of Personal Finance #234 @ Suburban Dollar
Suburban Dollar’s Feed
FF post featured as an *Editor’s Pick* – 4 Japanese Personal Finance Gripes
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My monthly guest post ran at the Hiroshima JET blog, Wide Island View
Check out: The Financial Accounts Every 20-Something Needs
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I went link crazy today, but that’s it!
Have a great week!
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Have fun on vacation, my wife and I are also off… & looking forward to a lot of simple down time.
Godspeed.
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