Friday Finance Findings for February 5th

Another Friday, another roundup. Before we get to the links I have just a couple of reminders. First, you have until 9 pm EST tonight to get an entry in for a $25 Amazon gift card. That’s right, make sure you leave a comment on the question I asked earlier in the week: what would you do if you had a million dollars? There aren’t that many entries yet so your chances of winning are pretty good.

Next, I wanted to remind you about the Generation X Finance email newsletter. You may have seen the signup form at the bottom of each post, but I just wanted to draw your attention to that once more. I’ve spent a bit of time in recent weeks polishing up the newsletter and now you’ll get a new article delivered to your inbox each week. This is an original and unique piece that isn’t just a copy of a post I made on the site earlier in the week so the only way to get it is to sign up. You will also be the first to know when there are time-sensitive deals that come along. I occasionally get special coupon codes or offers that may only last a short time so I’ll always let subscribers know about them first. So, at the bottom of the post below all of the links make sure you enter your information to get all the latest updates!

Choosing a Financial Planner – Thinking of hiring a financial planner? Not all planners are created equal. There are a few things you should look out for, some questions to ask, and credentials to be aware of before trusting someone with your money.

Six Common Myths about Stock Market Returns – If the past decade has shown us anything, it’s that the stock market isn’t what many of us thought. Just ask Dave Ramsey. According to him you should invest in growth stocks and earn 12% each year. Right…

Turbo Tax Free Trial! – Thinking of using TurboTax to file your taxes this year? Well, why not give it a spin for free! Ben tells you how, and also gives you some opportunities to win a free copy.

How to Claim Your Home Buyer Tax Credit – Do you remember that tax credit for new home buyers? I sure do, and even with the amendments to the credit we still got screwed with our new house purchase last year. But most of you will be far more lucky, so learn how to claim your credit this year.

The Ultimate Frugal Home Office – One thing I’ve been paying attention to more now that I work from home full-time is my home office. It’s a disaster, and I have a new desk on order and can’t wait to get organized.

Our Debt to the Future and Past – Did you receive financial assistance or items from your parents when you were young? Does this obligation automatically translate forward to your own children? Steve has some interesting thoughts about the subject.

How To File Taxes For Less – For many people, filing taxes costs money. There are a few ways you can file for free, or at the very least save some money. Here’s how.

Become Master of Your Financial Domain – Have you struggled with money in the past? Learn how to become the master of your financial domain.

Don’t Invest In The Stock Market – I always love Jim’s Devil’s Advocate posts. The titles always sound a bit absurd, but when you read the arguments there are usually some valid points.

Tax Tips for the 2009 Tax Year (And Some Giveaways!) – It might be 2010, but that doesn’t mean 2009 is completely behind us. Most of you still have taxes to do, so make the most of it. And don’t forget to sign up for some of the tax software giveaways.