I did decide not to run daily link roundups, so here’s the new format – I’ll try to cover all of my carnivals, picks, guest posts, etc. etc. in one weekly post.

Recently, too, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to information overload. I take in dozens of blogs via reader, hit a bunch rolling through my bookmarks, read forums, and so on. I’m starting to wonder if I’m actually missing some good writing because I’m spreading myself thin. Carnivals are a good way of trying to read “the best of the best” – at least in the carnival host’s opinion, which is as good a way to narrow it down as any. And I really am trying to read (and re-read) some of my favorite blogs’ posts. I’m actually trying to write longer (and less frequently) for this blog, as well, cutting down some of my weekend writing.

In any case, I did have two guest posts (at two blogs I really, really enjoy), two editor’s picks and dozens of must-read articles from others’ blogs (both my favorites and some new ones). It’s actually tough to narrow it down, but here is my attempt!

Guest Posts

Why Is It Important To Put Your Dreams And Goals On Paper? : I have a guest post at Millionaire Mommy Next Door about putting your goals to paper. The post I wrote actually fits very well, I think, with a number of themes at MMND. MMND is one of my favorite blogs, very simply because it’s being written by someone who has actually managed to do what I aspire to – getting out of the rat race! (@ Millionaire Mommy Next Door)
A Solid Breakfast: Another blog I read without fail is I’ve Paid For That Twice Already. Always fun, always interesting, always entertaining, the blog runs the gamut from the minute to the meta. I had a guest post there about eating a good breakfast, and I was happy to contribute so that IPFTTA could keep up the frenetic 8-times-per-day posting schedule while she was traveling! (@ I’ve Paid For This Twice Already)

Carnivals

The Carnival of Personal Finance #123: I had a post in the latest Carnival of Personal Finance that made the cut as an editor’s pick. Obviously being selected is terrific, and I’m very grateful – particularly since it’s a post I really thought people wouldn’t like! I held on to it for ages before publishing it. Just goes to show that it’s easy to make wrong assumptions! Dough Roller did a great job hosting – go check out the carnival. (@ The Dough Roller)

• From the Carnival:
  Why The Rich Get Richer: An Entirely Different Perspective : I link to the Digerati Life a lot, but the reason is simple – I like what she writes. My biggest complaint about the site is usually that I wish I had these ideas for posts first – if I write it now it’s just going to look like plagarism! This is an editor’s pick, and well deservedly. There’s a lot to be learned from people who are already rich… (@ The Digerati Life)
• Enthusiasm is the Way to Success: Enthusiasm is key in almost any endeavor in life. Sure, there are times when duty forces you to do something and you may not be enthusiastic about it, but if you want to do ANYTHING well you need enthusiasm. I have a lot of trouble with this, particularly in regards to my work – enthusiasm just isn’t there. I need to find it, though, and I’ve read this article several times. Another great blog, by the way – relentlessly upbeat! (@ How I Will Be Rich)

Festival of Frugality #97: I was also fortunate to be an editor’s pick not just once, but twice this week! Probably I should go play the lottery now, too… it’s the first time I’ve participated in the Festival of Frugality but not the last. (@ Nature Moms)

• 5 Things I Bought New and Wish I Hadn’t: Just 5? Good grief, I can probably think now of 100 things I bought new I wish I hadn’t. If you counted individual DVDs/CDs, probably more like 1000. Anybody want a copy of “Once Upon a Time in Mexico?” There’s $8 I’m sorry I spent. (@ Rather-Be-Shopping Blog)
• Finally, a price book! : I still haven’t managed to put together a price book. I try to buy carefully, but I’ve never done a real solid comparison store-by-store. The problem usually comes from my preference for natural goods – I’ll buy more expensive organic over artificial most of the time – but it’s not a good excuse. Here’s a good anecdotal article about why it’s worth it to put one together. (@ Keeping Feet)

My weekly linklings

Grandpa Me and Wii: I think it’s actually a good idea for older people to play video games. Ideally it might be crosswords, etc., but video games also have the advantage of helping coordination AND they’re more social if played in groups. It does conjure a few funny pictures of Grandma blasting away at Halo 3, though, doesn’t it? (@ Escape Adulthood)
Balancing A Happy Life And Being Frugal: You do have to strike a balance between frugality and living from time to time. I like to blow out on a nice dinner out from time to time. My wife and I have so few times to go out on the town that when we do, we basically throw caution to the wind, financially speaking. (@ Money Socket)
Decisions that affect small business success: Some anecdotal research by David of Making Ripples has an interesting result: really only one factor seems to determine small-business success. This actually gave me something to consider about how to approach blogging, too. (@ Making Ripples)
Ready To Retire Right Now? Find Out If It’s Time To Quit The Rat Race: OK, I know, I keep linking to articles here. But like I said above, what am I supposed to do? I like both of these articles, so I’ve got to link to them, don’t I? This hits right at the heart of my favorite daydream – chucking it all and being financially free. (@ The Digerati Life)

Voluntary Simplicity – Is It The Answer?: And in the same line of thinking, a good take on voluntary simplicity. I subscribe to this – I basically took a halfway baby step from corporate wage serfdom to consulting. I’m not totally independent – I still need corporate clients – but it’s closer. I’m more in control of my life than I was 3 years ago. (@ My Two Dollars)
7 Essential Points How Deep Breathing Can Have A Positive Impact On Your Life: Slightly Unrelated to everything else here, a good post on a simple lifehack. I actually just did this as I wrote this comment and I feel significantly better. Don’t laugh – try it. Now. (@ Diethack)

Today’s article from the Brip Blap archives: fireworks. I speculate on what might have been, and what could still be. Obscure enough description? Go read the post to see what I’m talking about.

Postscript:  If you haven’t checked out my post on The Myth of the Parent Who NEEDS to Work,  it continues to generate LOT of comments.  There’s some interesting opinions there, so check it out!