Money Hackers Carnival #9 – Scream Edition!

Welcome to the 9th edition of the Money Hackers Carnival. The name of this carnival is normally the “Money Hacks” carnival, but I modified it a bit this week to fit the my “Hacker” theme.

First up we have my all time favourite hacker from the “Nightmare on Elm Street” series – Freddy Krueger.

Nobody knows how to slash costs better than Freddy. Need to cut the head off a debt monster? Just give ol’ Fred a call. Waste money on expensive manicures? Not likely! Sweet dreams…

Best Hackers (Editor’s picks)

• Not The Jet Set gives some excellent directions on building your own rain barrel. It has got detailed instructions, pictures and everything.
• Chief Family Officer has some good alternatives to buying lottery tickets. I’ve always been a fan of buying tickets for smaller draws where your odds are much better than a lottery.
• Paid Twice offers some suggestions for your economic stimulus check.
• Blueprint For Prosperity makes an excellent case for a 30 year mortgage over a 15 year mortgage.
• Squawkfox says that free stuff is for the birds. Usually “free” stuff has a big catch!

Next up is a hacker who also likes to play hockey – Jason! You know him from the “Friday the 13th” movies.

Jason was a very misunderstood individual. All he really wanted to do was inform those sexy, young camp counselors that if they invested their earnings while they are still young, it will grow to an amazing amount due to compounding. Unfortunately, communication wasn’t Jason’s strong suit, so words were exchanged, tempers flared and well…you can imagine what happened next.

Best slashers

• Moolanomy has some great tips for college students to keep their spending under control.
• Can I Get Rich On A Salary is not going to listen to the “rich” when deciding whether to invest in real estate.
• My Dollar Plan had a timely post on online backup services. I’ve looked for something like this in the past but never took the plunge.
• The Personal Financier talks about saving $3000 in one hour.
• Free Money Finance says you should budget by year, not by month.
• Finance Gets Personal explains how being chronically late costs her money.
• Master Your Card writes about the new credit card “bill of rights” proposed by Barrack Obama.
• Debt Free Revolution explains why you don’t get your EPA fuel economy MPG.
• Mrs. Nespy’s world has a list of items that you should only buy new.

Halloween is a really fun time of year for me, especially because I can watch Michael (no relation) do his thing on the tube.

Michael knows a thing or two about return on investment. The original Halloween movie was made for $325,000 back in 1978 and grossed $47 million. Not bad at all!

Best ghosts and goblins

• Sound Money Matters has some advice for reducing prescription drug costs.
• The Money Kings urges you to go out and buy a GPS today!
• Single Guy Money set up a special savings account to save for a couple of special luxuries. Maybe you can comment and try to talk him out of the $359 sunglasses he wants.
• Help My Cash Grow writes that retirement is not for everyone.
• Northern Cheapskate wonders if Upromise is worth it?
• Know The Ledge says to stay the course with your investments.
• Cash Money Life wants to know if it’s better to get a tax refund or owe money?
• Millionaire Money Habits has some ideas about how kids can make money.
• Prime Time Money has the connections for free razor samples.
• Free From Broke talks about their new cell phone plan.
• Save and conquer says that turning off the furnace pilot light can save you $75 per year. Bring on the caviar!

I know what you posted about last week!

The “fisherman” from “I know what you did last summer” just doesn’t give up. The first movie wasn’t all that good and they still made several sequels.

Best fish stories

• The Family CEO says she makes extra money on eBay.
• My Daily Dollars shows how to get wedding invitations for half the cost. Inviting half as many guests is my suggestion.
• Fire Finance covers some basic energy saving tips.
• Financial tips has some frugal grocery shopping tips.
• Financial zip shows the way to financial independence.
• Joshua Lien has plenty of shopping tips to save you money.
• The Shark Investor writes about passive investing vs. growing assets.
• Greener Pastures like to dream about her trust fund.
• KC Lau thinks he can identify the hot stocks of tomorrow.

Thanks a lot to all the contributors of this carnival!