March 1, 2010 Archives

Working as a reporter for CreditCards.com offers a lot of perks -- caviar dispensers in the break room, private flights to international finance conferences and casual dress every Friday -- but improved banking relationships aren't included. My recent headaches prove that point.

My story begins several months ago: Inspired by the calendar change to 2010, I resolved to strengthen and streamline my personal finances. After all, even personal finance reporters aren't perfect. Some of the changes included closing an old Wachovia account, which included (in my mind) underperforming IRAs -- Roth and traditional -- and moving that money to my existing Chase bank account, since that's where my direct deposit goes each month. Unfortunately, my plan had costs -- in both time and money -- that I didn't expect.

One of the many ways I annoy my co-workers is to break out one of my favorite books, "Chase's Calendar of Events," and regale them with the random events that happened to have taken place on this particular day in history. For example, I will say, "Did you know that today is .. " and as their eyes reflexively begin rolling back in their heads, I'll continue, "... National Pig Day?"

So when we got the chance to host this, the 246th edition of the Carnival of Personal Finance, and it happened to fall on March 1, I knew I could spread my for random, obscure facts. March is noted for many things, according to Chase's. Among them: March is International Ideas Month. It's National Clean Up Your IRS Act Month. It's International Mirth Month, too. International Expect Success Month is in March, as well. And don't forget, March is also Spiritual Awareness Month. Finally, cheer up, because it's also Optimism Month.

So enjoy this week's best of personal finance blogs in this carnival, sorted into the events they most closely resemble.