Weekly Roundup

The Buck list participated in one carnival this week, the Just Write Blog Carnival July 10, 2009 Edition. Thanks to the host for including my post.

You might not have heard of Stateless Systems, but it is likely you know a few of their sites, such as Retail Me Not, Beat My Price and Jungle Crazy, among several others.

Wi-Fi Free Spot is a directory of locations that offer free Wi-Fi all over the world, including a state by state breakdown of the USA.

If you are all about the freebies make sure to check out Hey, Its Free!

Don’t forget to keep up on your credit history with Annual Credit Report.

Check out trovix for a free personalized job search.

Best Sweepstakes Sites

I have had sort of an off and on relationship with online sweepstakes over the years. The daily entry sweeps can hook me for a week or so, while I prefer the single entries so I never have to return. I subscribe to the site email newsletters only to cancel after awhile when I feel I am wasting my time. After some time passes there I am, entering sweepstakes again.

I have read that the key to winning sweepstakes is to enter as many as possible.
When I do get on a sweeps jag I use RoboForm to quickly fill out the forms. One other tip is to use an email address exclusively for your sweepstake entries because you could end up with a lot of spam. While I have not won anything substantial yet, you never know. And unlike the lottery, they are free to enter. In no particular order here are my top five favorite sweepstakes sites. Good luck!

CashNet Sweepstakes – A huge directory of contests and sweepstakes.

Sweepstakes Advantage – They offer a free newsletter. Become a member and you can participate in their referral rewards program.

Online-Sweepstakes – This site has a large directory as well as an extensive forum for members.

Sweepstakes Today – Visit Mr. Sweepy and his Lucky List, among other features on this list.

About.com Contests & Sweepstakes – Sign up for the free newsletter and check out the articles on how to avoid scams and their tips on how to win more prizes.

Ten Months Out: Confession of a Lazy Blogger

When I started this blog last September all I wanted to accomplish was to exercise my writing skills by posting about my attempts at making and saving money. I have really enjoyed keeping a regular posting schedule, which has forced a steady writing discipline. As for blogging money; I have made very little, which is entirely my fault.

CONFESSION (How NOT To Make Money Blogging)

My biggest problem is my half-assed approach to promotion. While I joined Blogged and Blog Catalog and a few others, I don’t have anything to do with My Space or Facebook, and I don’t tweet. I know, I know. The thing is I can’t bring myself to do it. I’m sure it’s money down the drain, but I just don’t want to devote the time to keep up with it all.

However, my Google analytics account tells me I am almost doubling my traffic every month, which is due to steady content and the few referring sites I do belong to. I know what I could do to bump up that traffic; I just don’t want to mess with it.

I have participated in dozens of blog carnivals, which can bring a brief surge of hits, usually lasting a couple of days. My first few months of blogging I would enter every post on up to three different carnivals, but now will enter maybe one or two a week, if I remember to.

Specific to my blog subject niche are Tip’d and PF Buzz, which I usually still submit posts to every week. I enjoy reading others articles on those sites, and it only takes half a minute to submit mine.

Another of my big no-no’s is I don’t usually leave comments on other blogs, and I don’t participate in forums. Like most internet readers I skim content first, and if something catches my attention I will go back to the beginning and read it. If not, I’m gone. While most of the personal finance blogs I read and subscribe to are useful, they are not particularly interesting enough for me to leave a comment. Looking at the lack of comments on The Buck List would lead me to conclude the same about my blog. As for forums, I guess they fall into the “don’t want to take the time” category.

So there you have it, my confession; contradictory but true. I will keep blogging for now (you have been warned) and hopefully will present something useful once in a while. And if you really want to know how to do it right, go visit ProBlogger.

Focus On: Bankrate

This is fifth in a series of brief reviews of personal finance and frugal websites and blogs.

Online since 1996, Bankrate offers free rate information on mortgages, credit cards, automobile loans, money market accounts, CD’s and home equity loans among many other financial products. There are countless personal finance stories and advice articles, a calculator section, small business guide and plenty of frugal tips. This is definitely a site to bookmark and return to often. Make sure to sign up for their free newsletter, too.

Send me an email (BuckWeber at gmail.com) if you have a frugal or PF site you would like to see included in this series. If it belongs to you include a few lines about it and yourself.

Weekly Roundup

The Buck List participated in two carnivals recently, the Carnival of Money Stories - Declaration of Independence Edition and Festival of Frugality #184. (The site would not open for me to link to) Check them out for a wide variety of personal finance articles, and thanks to the hosts for including my posts.

Try free, instant, confirmed restaurant reservations from Open Table.

Visit “The Lighter Side of Unemployment” at The Canned.

There are a mountain of coupons at Coupon Mountain.

Finally, don’t forget what the Fourth of July commemorates.

Is AAA Worth It?

That my membership card reads “Member Since 1995” probably belies my answer to that question. The two reasons my wife and I first signed up was because our used cars were not always reliable and we had small kids at the time. While the kids are now grown, we still have it because we still drive used cars, as do most of the people we know. Since the card covers the holder, rather than any particular vehicles, we have also helped friends and family with car breakdowns.

According to the AAA website members saved more than $2.1 billion by using discounts and offers. In addition to roadside service they offer wireless service, insurance coverage, discounts on prescription drugs and car rental. They also offer hotel discounts, currency exchange, entertainment discounts and travel agents that can help you plan a customized vacation.

I suppose AAA membership could be classified as more of a “want” than a “need” but it is a card I won’t go without.

Are you an AAA member? Do you think it is worth it?