Time To Turn Off The TV And Restore Your Sanity?

The financial “crisis” is eclipsing everything – even the election? I don’t really think it’s warranted either. It’s getting ratings, so it’s being shown continuously. Ever head the phrase “If it bleeds, it leads?” It’s an old newspaper term that meant that the bloodiest crisis got the front page story. That is what we are seeing happen with the economic “meltdown / bailout / rescue / crisis.”

Never forget that the television we watch, the sites we read, the stories we hear – they are all told because there is some profit in it. If it was not profitable for the news media to forecast doom and gloom 24 / 7 they wouldn’t be doing it.

So before we all go off into a blind rush and pull our money out of our 401(k) plans, just please, I beg you, take a moment to wonder who is profiting by perpetuating the madness.

With that said, here are a few down to earth, regular old articles. And yes, some of them mention the e-word (economy). But they aren’t the normal, run of the mill “The earth is going to EXPLODE” articles we’ve all been seeing so much of lately.

Just to make you smile:

• Miley Cyrus beats out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac @ Credit Cards.com
• What is your deepest, darkest financial secret? (Over a hundred people spill the beans!) @ Broke Grad Student
• Ten Ways to Visualize Our Government’s $10 Trillion Debt @ Mighty Bargain Hunter

Life Goes On:

• Accomplish Anything in 120 Minutes @ The Simple Dollar
• How Much Cash Do YOU Stash? @ Get Rich Slowly (some great reader comments in this one)
• How To Financially Educate Your Children @ WiseBread
• 10 Ways To Reduce Your Utility Bill @ Money Crashers
• If you use an envelope budgeting system, check out some of the best advice I’ve ever seen on how to actually make it work @ Frugal Dad
• How Paying Attention Can Save You Money @ Blunt Money

Game Over…Insert More Money?

• A Financial Adviser’s Take On The Economy @ Money Ning
• Psst! Hey Chicken Little, the economic sky isn’t falling @ Gather Little By Little
• Help! My 401(k) is Losing Money!@ Cash Money Life
• Don’t Be Stupid. Leave Your Money In The Bank @ Five Cent Nickel
• 60 Minutes Report on Financial Crisis: Wall Street Wasn’t Very Good at Their Job @ Steadfast Finances

Cherry Picking – My Favorites

• Why it’s time to move on…@ The Financial Philosopher
• 10 Day Give Challenge Kicks Off @ Mrs. Micah

Carnivals, Festivals, and Celebrations:

Thanks to these carnivals for featuring our articles this week:

• 19th Finance Fiesta – Oktoberfest @ Living Almost Large
• October 7th Carnival of Travelers: The Money Saving Edition @ Fly Away Cafe
• 160th Carnival Of Debt Reduction – Bailout Edition @ The Happy Rock
• Carnival of Personal Finance – 173rd Edition @ Girls Just Wanna Have Funds

That’s it for this week. Sincerely wishing you a weekend full of family, fellowship and fulfillment….without the talking heads!