Emily's List: Get your saunter on

When you're busy and in a hurry (which we all seem to be these days), it's easy to walk quickly just to get somewhere without even noticing your surroundings. There's no need to walk so frantically today! It's annual World Sauntering Day. 

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, to saunter is "to walk about in an idle or leisurely manner." It's a happy stroll that is both casual and hip. It is slow and sometimes aimless. It's a way of stopping to smell the roses without actually stopping.

This "holiday" was created by W.T. Rabe in the 1970s. He was in charge of public relations for a hotel on Mackinac Island, Mich., and was known for his publicity stunts. This could have been one of them.

Either way, today, take a break from worrying about your about your high electricity bill, pending credit card statement or recent impulse shopping spree. There's always time to worry about those things tomorrow. Today is the day to let go and saunter casually and languidly everywhere you go. Better yet, grab some friends, family or co-workers and saunter together.

Before you head out to saunter, however, be sure to read this list of some of the best credit card-related posts in the personal finance blogosphere:

1. The Digerati Life explains what your FICO credit score actually means and what components go into making up your final score.
2. Green Panda Treehouse explains what a debt counselor can do for you in addition to several steps for getting out of debt.
3. The Consumerist reports (via the New York Times) that some credit card companies are desperate enough to be repaid that they will settle for a reduced payoff.
4. Fabulously Broke in the City provides tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft.
5. Single Guy Money explains why you should not have to pay for credit repair.
6. Kacie at Sense to Save reflects on how the mindset of "keeping up with the Joneses" now seems to be "keeping up with the cheapskates," and it's not for the better.
7. Are you having trouble keeping track of your bills, payments and budgets? Cash Money Life lists the best free online money management tools available.
8. MoneyNing provides tips for saving money each month. One method is to check your credit card statements for recurring payments that you don't really need.
9. Good Financial Cents explains why a debt consolidation loan may sound appealing, but is not such a great idea.
10. Five Cent Nickel ponders whether married couples should keep their finances joint or separate, and explains how he and his wife handle credit cards.

OK, saunter along now.