There are times that I come across multiple blogger posts on similar topics. When it’s about debt, mortgages, retirement, etc, it doesn’t really get my attention but every so often there’s a topic that’s not so common that still comes in a cluster of posts. This week, it was, you guessed it, outsourcing.
Wojciech of Fiscal Fizzle tell us Why You Probably Shouldn’t Hire Outside Help. In this post, we are offered reasons why people like the idea of paying others to do some work for them, among them, the though that you earn more per hour than the cost of paying someone else. On the other hand, what will you do with that free time?
Erica Douglass guest posted on Get Rich Slowly Outsourcing Life: Unconventional Advice for When You’re Financially Secure. Erica has gone the outsourcing route and frees up time that she puts to good use. She’s outsourced various aspects of her life hiring virtual assistants as low as $3.33/hr for a VA in the Philippines to a local VA whose worked on her web site at $30/hr. Erica’s outsourcing has helped her focus on her writing and building her business. For whatever reason, her post struck a nerve with many readrs generating a swarm of comments. A good debate going on.
Kelly Whalen guest posted at Consumerism Commentary Time Management: Outsource to Save Money and Time. Kelly’s approach is slightly different but on the same track, paying for or trading time with others to help you focus on the more important things on your list.
Now for some valentine thoughts……
Yes, sometimes truth just beats out fiction. As I shared with my tweeps (those with whom I chat on twitter) this was what my wife wanted. Funny thing, it needed to fit under the sink in the kitchen , and I stopped at 6 stores before finding the exact size that clears the pipes by 1/4 inch.
Next on today’s roundup – Kyle at Amateur Asset Allocator tells us how to Pamper Your Valentine For Free. Some very nice thoughts, a romantic walk, some chocolate covered strawberries, you get the idea. Good for any occasion, really.
Matt at Steadfast Finances offered some Unique Gift Ideas for Valentine’s Day. Matt previously published Valentine’s Day is a complete ripoff and I have to agree. It’s a artificially created holiday to pressure men into spending money as if we don’t show our spouse we love them every day. Matt offers a number of ways to say I Love You that are better than showing up with roses (trash cans for that matter.)
Last on this topic is Kathryn’s post at Million Dollar Journey, A Frugal Valentine’s Day. Another set of good suggestions for a day to please your sweetie, and confirmation that Matt and Kyle are on the right track.
As a final roundup link today, I’ll offer Jeff Rose’ What’s the Differences between Coverdell Education Savings Accounts vs. 529 College Savings Plans? The title says it all, and considering the day, it seemed appropriate to look ahead 9 months. Once that baby is born, it’s a great idea to get moving on the college savings. I may be a bit obsessive, but I put in the paperwork to set up my daughter’s accounts within days of getting her social security number.
On a personal note – In addition to Moolanomy Answers, I also frequent the Basically Money forum, both are excellent places to post a question to get some help and insight.
Another excellent weeks of reading…..
Joe
A beautiful sentiment. Thanks for visiting today.
I agree we should try to show our love daily by all the small and occasionally big acts of consideration. But I also always thought both sides of a good relationship, not just the guys, would feel like doing a little something for Valentine’s Day. It’s the way I treat it, anyway. Asking the guys only to do something is maybe a tiny part of why our poor men are offing themselves at a much higher rate than women. Plus rubbish to having spend any serious money — that’s not what love is about. Sometimes it is just taking an extra moment to really listen to whatever ails one’s loved ones. And if one’s spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, lover, partner whatever does not do anything for V-day, that’s fine too.
I think some of our holidays in the U.S. need re-inventing, to remind us all of what bonds us first.
Awesomeness! Thanks for highlighting my post.