It’s Friday, time for me to share some of my favourite links of the week! This week there was a lot of good stuff out there, but the first two links are a little different – shameless self promotion, and a little commenter love!
First up – earlier this week, I put a little teaser in one of my posts, and said the first commenter that got the reference got a link in today’s round up – Shawn at The Money Wars got the reference, and gets this week’s first shared link! So this week he wrote about designing a garden to grow food for both the cost savings and the relaxation. I’ll admit – I love the idea of a garden. I remember both my mother and my grandmother growing big gardens while I was growing up, and enjoying the delicious fresh food that came from it. But I know myself…. and I’ve tried. I’m a disaster growing anything (the running joke is the kids get fed only because they make enough noise – sadly, it’s kinda true!). I hope it works for Shawn, I know it has for other bloggers.
OK a little bit of shameless self promotion – I also blog at a health & fitness blog, Trying to Tri, and this week I’m doing my very first giveaway! My weight loss success story was featured in a newly released book (Healthy Tipping Point: A Powerful Program for a Stronger, Happier You
OK, back to your regularly scheduled personal finance links. 
Crystal at BTFS was super helpful answering some questions of mine about taking on a roommate – then she turned our emails into a blog post this week (hey, I was happy to help!). I think it will take some getting used to – we’ve always just been a family, having a stranger live here could be weird. But to get out of debt, it’s worth a try. If it doesn’t work, at least we know we were willing to try it!
The question of wants vs. needs…. sure I could live on boxed mac & cheese or ramen noodles, but I don’t want to feed that to my family. Over at GRS this week, staff writer Tim Sullivan looks at the Balanced Money Formula budget and the recommended level of 50% for needs – and how to get to that percentage. I’ll admit, our “needs” category is sitting at about 56% too – one of the reasons we’re planning on taking on a roommate.
OK, Ramit’s style isn’t for everyone – I’ll admit, most of the time I like his stuff, sometimes it ticks me off (possibly because it hits too close to home??). This week he and Chris Guillebeau talk about failure and online products – it’s a good read.
I have no idea how I found eemusings blog originally – she commented on one of my blog posts, and I popped over and liked her blog, so I stayed. This week, she wrote a great piece about authenticity and blogging. I know I’m still struggling to find my “voice” here, and frankly, the marketing side of it all is just so overwhelming! I find I’m much more content at my other site – I get to be me over there. I’m still learning to be me here. I may never have a huge blog, but that’s not why I’m doing this – I don’t want to work for myself anyway!
Daisy at Add Vodka talks about motivation for paying off debt this week – something I’m struggling with a lot right now! I’m just not motivated to make the tough decisions and really make the debt disappear. She also wrote a great post about whether bloggers are writers… double mention for Daisy this week.
No Spend Days seem to be very popular with PF bloggers (actually, not really so much different from weight loss bloggers who do No Cheat Days). Michelle wrote a post about why she likes them, and I think her points are valid. I think No Spend Days work for people who spend a lot on impulse, or who have regular, daily spending habits (coffee, lunch, etc.). I just have not found them to be very successful for me – my best bet is simply staying out of stores that tempt me (like book stores!).
OK there were so many good posts out there this week. But I have to wrap this up – I have other posts to write and soup to make. 
Have a great weekend!
Thanks for the link love! Re: Eemusings posts and your comments about it – I think you’re doing just fine
Sometimes it’s hard to find your voice when you’re new to a topic but you’re on your way there!
Well thank you. I’m trying to remember to just be me – sometimes I write stuff and realize I sound like some of the papers I had to write for university, or the business cases I have to write at work. It comes across as too cold and remote!
A roommate won’t be forever – and who knows, you guys can end up being friends. (I am now great friends with my former landlord and his family, in fact, he’s officiating at my wedding!).
I’m hoping it goes well. We’re willing to give it several months, and a couple of tries to find the right fit. Bruce figures 3-4 years should give us enough extra $$ to make a dent in our debt.
Glad to have helped and thanks for a great post idea!
Anytime!
Thank you so much for the link! I’ve had some amazing responses.
I totally feel you on the trepidation of bringing in a flatmate. For the past two years T and I have lived entirely alone (and a couple of years before that we spent a year on our own as well). One of my dear friends hosts exchange students (the paying kind) and it’s worked out really well for them to bring in some extra income. Be discerning with who you choose, follow your gut and I think you’ll be fine.