Emily's list: Children's Day edition

National Children's Day is celebrated on different days in various countries across the world. International Children's Day is on June 1, but today is something special -- it's Universal Children's Day.

The holiday was first proclaimed in 1954 by the United Nations General Assembly. It was created in hopes that countries would create their own children's day as a way to celebrate childhood and to encourage an understanding and mutual understanding between children.

One of the greatest things my parents did for me as a kid was teach me about saving and spending from a young age. They started a college fund for me when I was a baby. In elementary school, they gave me a three-part allowance: $1 for spending, $1 for saving and 50 cents for charity (at our temple every Sunday, they passed a jar around for donations). Whenever we would receive money as a gift, they would let us know we could spend it if we wanted to, but they always encouraged us to put it in our savings account, or at least set some of it aside for later.

Those lessons have stayed with me, and while I have flubbed up from time to time, I can't thank them enough for not letting me be a greedy brat and helping me to mature financially.

Did your parents do a good job of teaching you about personal finance? If not, read on to learn about nine of the best posts in the personal finance blogosphere from the past week. Enjoy!

1. We all have to start somewhere. Master Your Card lists several innovative ways to build your credit.

2. Plan on whipping out that credit card on Black Friday? Don't go into it like a game of Marco Polo. The Simple Dollar reveals his thoughts and strategies for this infamous shopping day.

3. Gift cards are always popular during the holidays, especially when you don't know what your siblings want. Cash Money Life discusses the pros and cons of giving the gift of plastic.

4. The tight restrictions that come with gift cards may soon change. Consumerism Commentary explains why and shows readers how they can have a say in the new rules.

5. Money Ning tells readers why the concept of a 0% balance transfer for life is simply too good to be true.

6. Don't be swayed back to childhood by Christmas carols and holiday cheer. Good Financial Cents provides tips on how to be smart with your credit card while doing your holiday gift shopping.

7. Debt Free Adventure tells us how additional debt payments can significantly help you accelerate your debt reduction strategy.

8. Ask Mr. Credit Card discusses several common high-return credit card reward strategies for which the loophole may be closing. He also explains why there will be more to come.

9. Money Under 30 examines the differences between large banks and smaller banks or credit unions and makes the case for why the little guys are better.