Friday Finance Findings for January 21st

I know readers come from all corners of the globe, but those of you who reside in much of the U.S. have had quite a winter thus far, myself included. It seems like it’s been snowing non-stop for weeks and some areas have over three feet on the ground. I’ve probably shoveled the driveway more in the past two weeks than I did all of last winter! To cap things off, they are calling for temps below zero and wind chills dangerously cold at upwards of -25 degrees this weekend. This weather isn’t fun, but we’re turning the corner and spring will be here before we know it.

But the cold hasn’t kept me indoors entirely. Since picking up my old photography hobby last fall I’ve made a point to get outside and take pictures even though it’s sometimes painful to do so. To help keep me on my toes I even started a 365 project where I’ll be taking one photo a day for an entire year. If you’re into that sort of thing, it’s sort of like a daily photo blog and you can follow my progress and images here. And if you’re into photography yourself, I’d highly recommend starting your own project. It’s fun, and it encourages you to try something new each day.

While this photo wasn’t part of my 365 project, it was yesterday’s sunset and shows that even when the wind is howling, record snow on the ground, and temperatures that will give you frostbite, there’s still some great scenery out there. (Luckily, I only had to step out to my back porch to get the shot so I didn’t freeze to death.) And if you’re on Flickr, feel free to add me as a contact. I love connecting with others and sharing photos.

And on with the links…

7 Simple Tax Organization Tips To Use All Year Round – Tax season is here, and I know most people are now thinking about taxes. But there are things you can do all year to make tax season go that much smoother.

9 Ways to Prepare for Food Inflation – It’s like 2008 all over again. News reports are beginning to talk about food inflation and food shortages. So, here’s what you can do to help prepare.

Credit Cards For Those Who Carry A Balance… or Who Like 5% Cash Back Rewards – I like cash back, don’t you? Well, here’s a few different cards that can help you get the most bang for your buck.

10 Wacky and Clever Safes to Hide Your Money – Don’t trust the bank? You can always keep your cash at home, even though it’s a big risky. But a safe can help. Here are a few weird and clever safe ideas for hiding your money.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Card – If you’re a frequent flyer you probably would rather rack up airline miles than cash back, so here’s a good way to start.

The Dangers Of Chasing Returns – If you ask me the one mistake almost all novice investors make, it’s chasing returns. I saw this all the time in my old job. People only wanted to look at the historical performance charts and invest in the past top performers. Big mistake.

Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA) vs Dollar Value Averaging (DVA) – You don’t hear the term dollar value averaging very often, but it’s an interesting take on the similar dollar cost averaging we hear so much about.S

Should I get an accounting degree? – Well, I know I don’t want to get one, but some of you out there might be considering it. So, take the advice from an expert and see what Steve has to say about getting an accounting degree.

The Most Fuel Efficient Cars of 2011 – Buying a car in 2011? You’re in luck because fuel efficiency is the new black. Even so, some cars are still better than others. Here’s a break down of the most fuel efficient cars this year.

More great reads:

• Alternative Asset Classes That Are Easy To Own
• Mint.com Canadian Review
• Income Tax 101: Tax Brackets and Withholding
• 2011 Tax Law Changes
• A Resolution Worth Keeping: Set Up An Investment Account With An Online Brokerage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Changes for 2011 – The new rules don’t change what’s eligible with a FSA, but they do change whether or not you will actually be able to pay for it. Here’s a recap of the FSA changes for 2011.
• Creating a Financial Plan for Free – Wealth Pilgrim explains how you can create your own financial plan easily and for free.
• TurboTax Online Tax Software 2010 Review – TurboTax is still the industry standard for tax prep software. See why.