Weekend Reading – NHL playoffs, springtime and great blogs

Almost impossible to imagine some four months ago but we’re now watching NHL hockey folks.  At the time of this post, there is lots of chatter on Twitter about the Eric Gryba hit (from my Ottawa Senators) on Lars Eller (Montreal Canadiens).  Gryba’s hit was hard and the result was bloody but it was clean.  I’m sure some Habs fans will argue with me on that one.  In the end, the best team won 4-2, it was a gutsy road game win and we’re up 1-0 in the series going into Friday’s game in Montreal again.  I can’t wait for it.

Spring seems to have finally sprung in our Nation’s Capital, we hit the mid-20s this week (for my friends in the U.S. that’s about 80 degrees Fahrenheit) which means it’s time to get my ass in gear and get working on the lawn and gardens over the next couple of weeks.  I actually enjoy this work outside…

Also, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate one lucky reader who I recently contacted to announce they had won a copy of How Much Is Enough?  Thanks to everyone who entered this giveaway and promoted it via social media over the last month.  Thanks to recent bloglove I’m approaching 1,000 subscriptions.  On that note, this is probably a good time to remind you Google will be pulling the plug on its Google Reader service on July 1st.  To follow my blog, you might be using Google Reader.  If so, I encourage you to find another reader to use or subscribe to my blog via email.  By subscribing you’ll get my updates every time I have a new post about saving, investing, the psychology of money, stuff to giveaway and much more.

Thanks for being a fan of this site and enjoy these great articles this weekend.

Mark

 

I liked the tips on Canadian Budget Binder this week, protecting your vegetable garden.

Canadian Personal Finance wondered if Bitcoins will be a viable currency.

Prairie Eco-Thrifter said you should be wary of financial rules of thumb.  I’m not so sure.  Spend less than you make is a pretty darn good one.

My buddy The Financial Blogger questioned whether paying off your debts is a good thing.

The Passive Income Earner said to get retirement ready with proper asset allocation.

Modest Money is giving away a friggin’ TV!  Come back next week for a chance to win it on my site.

Dividend Ninja encouraged you to take control of your financial future.  I couldn’t agree more.

Million Dollar Journey shared how to prevent credit card fraud.

Michael James has a handle on his car costs.

Big Cajun Man reminded you about tax day 2013.  It’s over for another year just in case you were wondering, or late, or forgot.

Retire Happy suggested you stress test your debt.

Preet Banerjee interviewed one of the co-authors of More Money for Beer and Textbooks, Kyle Prevost.

Robb Engen from Boomer & Echo provided a few good ways to save on your next vacation.

Don’t forget to check out Grocery Alert’s Guide to Cross Border Shopping for Canadians.