I’ve been gone for quite a while. I had to take a break while I studied for a certification that I wanted to complete. Needless to say I passed my CISSP and now I’m refreshed and ready to start posting again. See everyone next week.

Are there still people hanging around ?

-mfd-

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Another week has passed and this time I covered some money saving tips from a teacher (my wife). We also had another increase in our net worth for the month of August. Finally I ask people to take a closer look at the extended warranties being offered instead of blindly turning them down.

Carnivals

This week I was an editor’s pick at The Canadian Finance Blog who hosted Carnival of Pecuniary Delights #22 – UFC Edition

Modern Graham hosted Festival of Stocks #156

The Canadian Finance Blog also hosted Festival of Frugality #193 – G.I. Joe Edition

Automatic Finances hosted Money Hacks Carnival #80

Stretchy Dollar hosted Carnival of Personal Finance – History of College Football Edition

Around the Blogosphere

Thicken My Wallet points out that you need more then just a will to settle your estate.

The Canadian Finance Blog looked at where to find other sources of income.

Money Energy asks if this is a good time for Canadians to invest in UK dividend stocks

Dividends Value reminds us to never fall in love with a stock.

Financial Highway covers 11 dumb ways to get into debt.

Million Dollar Journey talks about converting your principal residence to a rental property.

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This week I looked at whether price wars make for a good investment. I also had some follow up thoughts on the funemployed and how it will lead to the fall of society as we know it. I know its a bit dramatic but its how I feel about these sort of things. Finally I looked at how hindsight can trip up a novice investor.

Carnivals

I was an editor’s pick over at Modern Tightwad who hosted Money Hacks Carnival #79 – Hack The Planet Edition

Bugets are Sexy hosts Carnival of Personal Finance #218 – “Chuck Norris” Edition

Your Money Relationship hosted Carnival of Personal Finance #219 – Little League Edition

Paycheck Chronicles hosts Carnival of Pecuniary Delights, Edition 21

Around the Blogosphere

Suburban Dollar helps people understand debt

Debt Free adventure looks at a cheap alertnative to a compost bin

Canadian Finance Blog looks at the risks associated with leverage investing

Financial Highway looks at the power of compounding interest

Thicken My Wallet points that it should look at more then some simple credentials when choosing a financial advisor

Canadian Capitalist looks at why you should us median family income statistics instead of average family income.

Million Dollar Journey discusses the problems with reward points.

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Last week I wrote about being funemployed and some considerations before pursuing that route. Now I want to discuss a far more sinister issue, the impact to employment insurance.

Whats the beef ?

Unemployment Insurance is a social program established in order to help people who have lost their job and not a means to fund an extended vacation. Now like any other social program it is open for abuse and that abuse is built into the system. However this thought of being funemployed is a new breed of abuse. It is one that can put substantial strain on unemployment insurance program.

Whats different about funemployment?

Here you have well educated people who have the job skills to find new work but decide not to. It seems as though its become socially accepted and even trendy to fleece the system in this way. When things become trendy they have a tendency to pick up steam and the system will not be able to handle such a large influx of people. This is just another example of a new generation carrying around a sense of entitlement. They don’t seem to realize because something is there that doesn’t me you should take it.

If this kind of attitude continues it will be the end of a lot of social programs and a lot of people will suffer. It’s sad to say but it appears that in order for society to fix itself it may have to venture back into the dark ages in order to spur on a new era of enlightenment.

Do you think having this sort of action become socially acceptable will have on impact on the future?

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Funemeployed is a term that I heard a few months back.  Its based on the simple premise  if you lose your job rather than finding a new one you spend your time doing activities you enjoy.  You take your severance, savings and unemployment benefits and you take a very long weekend off.  People golf, sail, pick their belly button lint or spend time with their kids.  On the surface this seems fine but before leaping in there are some considerations:

Finding New Employment

When you first make the decision to be funemployed rather than looking for a new work the job landscape may be completely different. The recession  could continue to get worse and unemployment could have risen substantially.   Now here you are, after a year of fun you have no savings, no unemployment benefits left and an ultra competitive job market with you being at the bottom of the barrel. You could quickly come to regret that year of fun.

Lack Of Security

Just as quickly as you found yourself unemployed other aspects of your life may change just as quickly. On paper being funemployed will seem to work out great but unfortunately life isn’t always like that. There could be illness, an accident or some other life altering event waiting for you. Having a job could provide security and stability during those trying times.

Plans Delayed

Most people have plans like early retirement, having children or buying their first home. The concept of being funemployed is great but you need to live with the fact that these plans will have to be put on hold. This especially becomes an issue if you blow through most if not all of your savings. You’ll be pretty much starting over.

Work Provides Structure

For better or for worse work provides you a certain amount of structure. This structure gets people up and going.   With no structure you could find yourself going to  be at all hours of the night and waking up just in time to catch the sunset. In this situation life can become a blur and that is an unhealthy state of being.

Conclusion

Funemployed is a great concept but has to be implemented uniquely to each person’s own situation. Just be prepared for what may lie ahead of you when the fun is over.

Could you ever be funemployed? Do you think its worth putting all of your plans on hold ?

-mfd-

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This week I announced my return after the hiatus I took to get married and go on my honeymoon to Hawaii. It had been a while since I posted a net worth update so posted my numbers for both June and July as well as a midyear review.  As my first post back in on the personal finance scene I decided to review the most important tenet to building wealth, positive cash flow.

Around The Personal Finance Blogoshpere

Money Energy wrote and interested article about the seasonal market weakness in September and October which is something I’m been waiting for to invest some of my banked cash.

Four Pillars talked about an interesting concept by which you calculate your “net” travel cost to get the true cost of traveling.

Canadian Capitalist is wondering if tax increases are just around the corner so governments can make up for the large deficits incurred during this recession.

The Canadian Finance Blog points out that the great deals on personal islands during this recession. Its my dream come true.

Financial Highway gives some sound points on keeping your emotions out of investing.

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The deed is done. I’ve gone from being a single to being a set. The wedding was a blast and everyone had a good time.   I can honestly say that it was worth every dime.

After the wedding we had Sunday off and headed to Hawaii for the honeymoon.  The honeymoon cost us a pretty penny but I definitely came back refreshed and motivated. I’m really eager to start posting again.

I’ll have a few wrap up posts on the wedding and honeymoon then back to getting all my finances in order.   I still have a lot of questions that I need to sort out and I hope everyone will join me along the way.

-mfd-

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Unfortunately wedding plans have gotten in the way of writting articles for the blog. I’ve decided to take an official hiatus until after the honeymoon. I really wanted to continue to write but alas it will have to wait. Looking for regular posting to start at the beginning of August. I will try and keep everyone updated though with some quick updates. See you all soon.

-mfd-

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Well it’s been a few weeks and I think I finally have the design I want. Its simple and clutter free. I like the dark to light contrast. I’ve tabbed most of my side bar widgets. I added some life to the subscribe section so if you aren’t already a subscriber then why don’t you head on over and get those daily updates. I’m really interested in getting some feed back. Let me know if anything looks out of whack in your browser. Do you like the colour scheme? Should I get a banner designed or just leave the simple text? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

-MFD-

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I know I haven’t been posting lately and I’m sorry. I hope to be back and running next week with some posts. I’ve gotten a bit side track with the theme for the site. I’ve implemented a new theme and have been busy alerting the css to get a look I like. I’m finally getting close to being done. I just need to get a new logo done and some final tweaking. Just out of curiosity what do people think of this theme?

Talk to you soon!

-mfd-

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