We made it!  We got past the black friday rush and tear period!

Actually, we didn’t even try to go out, and mostly we haven’t done so in the past.  In fact, I only recall going out twice ever, and one of those times was when I was in early for work and was able to leave at 5:00am.  I drove past a sporting good that stated 80% off, so I figured “why not”?…

That was about 10 years ago, and I still have and wear those shoes today (jogging shoes, in case you were curious).

It kind of nice to see that they are spreading out the sales period to more than a few days.  I’m still kind of in the dark how they make money discounting so deeply, especially when a good portion of the customers leave not entirely satisfied since a good portion of the “heavily discounted” items go to the first few lucky shoppers, but it must work somehow…

This is of course the Money Pro’s carnival, and if you would like to submit or host a carnival, please sign up at the “Blogger Carnivals” website.

Now on with the braindumps…!

Maria @ The Money Principle writes Frugality or folly: stop wasting food! – We all waste too much food and it is time to stop. As a bonus you’ll learn how to make spaghetti carbonara and meringue.

SavingMentor @ How To Save Money writes More Free Money: $100 Gift Card And Up To 5% Cash Back On Gas & Groceries – Last year about this time I wrote about a very lucrative deal where people could get a $100 gift to one of four popular Canadian stores or restaurants simply by signing up for one of the best no fee cash back credit cards available to Canadians. It was very popular amongst my readers and a lot of people took advantage of it including myself and my wife.

Minimalist @ Minimalist Finance writes Ways to Find Money to Save – Over and over again, we hear about people that use the excuse that they can’t save money for the future because they don’t have enough money in the now. Many people struggle to put money away when they are already living hand to mouth.

Tushar @ Finance TUBE writes Time to Manage Your Largest Asset – For most people the largest assets are there home and the contents inside of it. But many people don’t spend enough time managing their home, not understanding their financial implications of not managing it.

Hank @ Money Q&A writes How You Can Save A Ton Of Money With Coupons This Holiday Season – You don’t have to go to extreme measures to make coupons, coupon codes, and deals help you and your family save money with coupons. Here are some great tips to save a ton!

Mike @ Personal Finance Journey writes 5 Costly Mistakes Contractors Make When Starting a Home Remodel Project – 5 simple but easy to follow ways to avoid making mistakes and costing yourself money during a home renovation.

Dominique Brown @ YourFinancesSimplified writes I Don’t Borrow-Why Should I Worry About My Credit Score? – People who don’t worry about their credit report and credit score are being short-sighted.

Tushar @ Earn More and Save writes 3 Reasons Why Bargain Shopping is Bad for Your Wallet – The economy is still shaky for the most part and everyone wants to be a bargain shopper nowadays. The problem? Bargain shopping can often be bad for your wallet. Here’s why.

Luke @ Learn Bonds writes Two Moderately-Aggressive Asset Allocations For Income-Focused Investors – A look at 2 moderate risk asset allocation models for those who want to have a higher yield while being able to withstand risk in maturities.

Ted Jenkin @ Your Smart Money Moves writes Do You Have 6.2% Extra In Your Paycheck? – It’s pretty amazing to me how many people truly still don’t understand our payroll tax system.

SFB @ Simple Finance Blog writes How to Set Yourself Up To Be a Financial Success When Starting the First Job—— – Whenever anyone starts out at their first job, it is a process of learning few significant lessons in order to succeed in the real world.

JP @ My Family Finances writes Why Paying Down Debt Is Better Than Investing In The Stock Market – Overall, while investing in the stock market may seem like a good idea, the fact remains that doing so would only put you at a greater risk of losing more money.

Kyle @ The Penny Hoarder writes Long-term vs. Short-term Small Business Loans – Learn about the key differences between short-term loans and long-term loans. No matter what kind of business you have, this information will help you determine which small business loans can best benefit your bottom line.

Daisy @ Suburban Finance writes Want to Learn About Personal Finance? Play Monopoly – According to dictionary.com, the term -monopoly- is defined as “exclusive control of a commodity or service in a particular market or a control that makes possible the manipulation of prices.” I highly doubt I knew what that meant when I was younger, but read what I learned.

Michelle @ The Shop My Closet Project writes Life in the Red-A tale of being in debt – I have spent my entire adult life living life in “The Red”. When I say in “The Red”. I mean in debt. When you talk living paycheck to paycheck I get it. I get juggling bills and money around to see what I have in the bank and in my pocket so that I can pay things off.

Brent @ PersonalFinance-Tips writes 6 Tricks To Help You Get Out Of Debt Quickly – Debt is something that the majority of people today have to deal with, which is unfortunate. With this being said, if you do have debt, there are simple things you can do to increase the rate at which you are able to pay it off. Below are six tricks to help you reach a debt free lifestyle as quickly as possible.

IMB @ Investing Money writes Increasing the ROI on Your Investments – This holiday season, everyone wants a little extra cash to spend on those you love. If you are an investor, you might be looking for the money from your investments. If you can squeeze a little higher return from your investments, you might be able to spend a little more in Holiday shopping.

Eva Baker @ TeensGotCents writes Paparazzi Business Update – I started a new business in September and spent my entire emergency fund in the process. This is my first paparazzi business update!

Lindy @ Minting Nickels writes Top Mistakes to Avoid in Online Forex Trading – There are plenty of places that tell you what you should do when you’re trading Forex online, but not as many telling you what you shouldn’t.

Crystal @ Married (with Debt) writes I Bought a New TV – I just bought myself a new TV. There wasn’t anything wrong with my old TV. I just wanted a new one. Before you start typing, let me explain.

Corey @ Steadfast Finances writes Reasons to Get Life Insurance – I was talking to a friend of mine the other day who is almost 3o and his wife is pregnant. When I asked him what type of life insurance he had, he looked puzzled. “Surely you have life insurance at your age, with a child on the way?” I asked him. I was shocked to find out that he did not think he needed life insurance because he was ONLY 30.

Bargain Babe @ BargainBabe.com writes 9 More Ways to Stay Warm Without Turning the Heat On – 9 More Ways to Stay Warm Without Turning the Heat On

PPlan @ Provident Plan writes Is Income Protection Necessary? – My wife and I have finally gotten to a point where we are earning a decent amount more than our expenses.

Crystal @ Budgeting in the Fun Stuff writes 10 Tips to Save Money – Here’s an oldie but goodie from early 2011! Here are my top 10 tips to save money: 1. Save Automatically. Setting up automatic contributions is the best way, in my opinion, to save money…

Ryan @ Cash Money Life writes Take the Stress Out of Christmas Shopping – Christmas shopping can be an expensive and stressful event! Use these tips to make your shopping list, set a budget, and the reduce stress of the season!

Don @ MoneySmartGuides writes 5 Tips for Identity Theft Victims – Identity theft has made so many victims that you should no longer wonder if your identity will be compromised, but when.

Wayne @ Young Family Finance writes Internet Tips: How to Make Extra Money Online – Looking for some extra for your wallet or savings? Here are some of the legitimate ways to make extra money via the Internet.

Mr. Frenzy @ Frenzied Finances writes Common Personal Finance Mistakes and How to Avoid Them – There are widespread personal finance mistakes made by many Americans that can easily be avoided. What mistakes are you making? Read here to find out!

CAPI @ Creating a Passive Income writes Getting a Kickstart: How to Use Donation Sites – Most people are either unaware of or are reluctant to use donation sites. For some, this may seem like virtual panhandling, but the exact opposite is true.

Mrs. Accountability @ Out of Debt Again writes Shopping Cart Abandonment: Three Ways to Drop the Rate – Have you ever logged onto a store’s website and browsed around, maybe clicked on a couple of items to add them to your cart, then left the page without buying a single item?

Debt Guru @ Debt Free Blog writes Hand Me Downs: Why They Win the Battle of New VS Used – Need clothes for your child? Consider the money savers that are hand me downs, or even used clothing from other sources, instead of buying new.

Tushar Mathur @ Everything Finance writes How To Save A Few Bucks When You Go Out To Eat – If you want to go out to eat but you’re on a tight budget, here’s how to save a few bucks when you go!

Lauren @ L Bee and the Money Tree writes The No-Spend Clothing Challenge Wrap Up – Was the no-spend clothing challenge a success? I cheated, but ultimately it was a success and I reduced my clothing spend by 73 percent.

Roger the Amateur Financier @ The Amateur Financier writes Save Money While Job Hunting: A Few Simple Tips – A contribution discussing some ways to keep your cost of going to interviews and job hunting to a minimum while you are getting a number…

SBB @ Simple Budget Blog writes Ready, Set, Shop! Tips on Getting Through the Holiday Shopping Season – The things to watch out for as you begin your annual holiday shopping experience.

Cindy @ MidLife Finance writes Getting the Most from Black Friday – Inside and Out – It’s coming — the holiday shopping period that drives us crazy each year, but also gives up great bargains. BlackFriday is on its way!

Tushar @ Start Investing Money writes Should You Blow Your Savings on Christmas? – This has to be one of the most tempting times of the year. It’s like a diet you stay on for 95% of the duration, only to fall at the final hurdle and let yourself down during those last few days that could have made a real difference.

Jacob @ AllPersonalFinance writes Commodities: Tips and Tricks to Expert Investing – Many investors, young and old, look to the commodities market when seeking double-digit returns. In this market, one can make serious returns even when the overall stock markets are down. However, when trading commodities, one should follow a few basic rules should they want to achieve success. Here are four tips for a commodities investor.

Cat Alford @ Budget Blonde writes Wow, It’s Really Hard To Save Money Here! – Now that I’ve been back in the U.S. I’ve been spending money left and right. It’s really hard to save money here! There are so many unexpected expenses!

Ben Luthi @ The Wealth Gospel writes What I Learned About Financial Independence as a Mormon Missionary – My experience as a missionary in Germany was unforgettable. Beyond meeting all the crazies and getting to serve others, I learned a lot about financial independence

Sam @ Grad Money Matters writes Should You Advertise Your Company On Groupon? – The other day I received an email from a potential client asking if her company should use Groupon to advertise her business. It can be a hard decision. I’ve seen Groupon work very well for some companies, and then for others I have heard a few horror stories where Groupon did not help their company at all, and actually cost their company money.

Michelle @ Diversified Finances writes Tips To Land That Online Job – Something that I am e-mailed a good amount about is how a person can land an online job. I have had a decent amount of online jobs, and I’m always out there looking for new ones. I feel like a professional in applying for online jobs!

Alexis @ FITnancials writes How To Have Less Debt From College – This topic really interests me, How to save debt from college. College is very expensive. I don’t think there are many people out there who think that college is expensive.

Mark @ Debt, Dividends, & Diversions writes Debt Reduction Options Examined using a Free Excel Spreadsheet – A detailed look at 3 popular debt reduction methods using a free excel calculator and real life examples.

Brock Kernin @ Clever Dude writes Budgeting for the Holidays Late, Again – Every year I plan to save up for the holidays early, but as usual, I’m Budgeting for the Holidays Late.

Daisy @ Suburban Finance writes Want to Learn About Personal Finance? Play Monopoly – In my opinion, Monopoly is the ONE game that sheds light on several aspects of personal finance. It makes you think about money. How to manage your money. How to build wealth. Risk tolerance. Knowing when to take a risk. Buying, owning and investing in real estate. It is a game that can be used as a tool to teach kids and adults about how important it is to manage your money and grow your wealth.

Richard Adams @ Frugality Magazine writes How To Get The Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes Possible – If your car insurance quotes are making you wince – especially as a new driver – then here’s how to save a lot of money without compromising on your cover or “massaging the truth” about your circumstances.

Daniel @ Make Money Make Cents writes It’s Time To Stop Trying to Keep Up With The Joneses – Keeping up with the Joneses is the phenomenon of using your neighbors as a standard for which to compare your own life and material goods.

Oscar @ Money is the Root writes Harmless? Hardly. These things can Negatively affect your Credit Score. – Most consumers are so busy looking out for the big mistakes that can cause credit problems that they completely overlook small but equally damaging problems that can pop up every day.

Jay @ Daily Fuel Economy Tip writes Five Ways for Parents to Save on Tutoring – You may be starting to notice your child’s strengths and weaknesses in school, as far as grades go. There is a solution: tutoring.

Danielle @ Saving Without a Budget writes The Top Survey Sites for Making a Little Extra Cash – Many people ask us about survey sites that we recommend and which ones they are. The fact is however that survey sites are not really a particularly good way to make money.

Matt @ Budget Snob writes How your Upbringing Affects your Money Habits Part 2 – Something that most people do not realize is that how they were raised as children can actually have a big impact on how they make decisions as adults, especially with money.

Jack @ Money Saving Ethics writes http://www.moneysavingethics.com/old-fashioned-money-saving-tips-that-still-work/ – These days everyone is looking for newfangled ways to save money and, in the rush to do it, some people overlook old-fashioned tips and tricks that have been around for ages.

Amy @ Money Mishaps writes Online and Mobile Retail make Black Friday practically obsolete – Ladies and gentlemen, here is a certifiable fact; marking down prices for Christmas is an American tradition. Here is another fact that is a bit newer; today, those markdowns and bargains come right to you at home so there is no need to actually go to the store to get them.

Lenny @ Best Money Saving Blog writes Avoid these Common Mistakes or you will Always be Broke – Part 2 – While being broke may just be the fault of your circumstance because you are out of work, underemployed or just went through bankruptcy, the fact is that most people are broke all the time because they make a lot of financial mistakes.

Hadley @ Epic Finances writes Thinking about purchasing Aflac Stock? Now may be a very good time – Aflac is, right now, an excellent buy due to its recent post earnings pullback and, in our opinion, could easily be chosen over other insurance rivals like The Hartford and Berkshire Hathaway.

Andrea @ So Over This writes More Money, More Gifts: Effective Ways to Save on Holiday Shopping – There are so many people looking to save money during the holidays while also getting the gifts that they want for their family and friends. Fortunately, there are several effective ways that this goal can be accomplished.

Bobby Kania @ Making Money Fast and Slow writes How to Get Free Cars for Life – Want to get free cars for life? It’s as simple as not upgrading every three years and instead investing the difference.

Lily @ Paying Debt Down writes Can you improve your credit in 15 Minutes a day? Yes you can – More and more people are realizing that maintaining a high credit score and understanding their credit is vital to their financial well-being as well as their life in general.

Bob @ Dwindling Debt writes Here are 4 Fees that you actually Should Pay – There are a handful of fees that it actually pays you to pay (no pun intended) and our little blog today will let you know what they are and why you should do it. Enjoy.

Katie @ IRA Basics writes The Secret of Saving for Your First Deposit – Are you ready to become a homeowner and do not fancy a no-deposit home loan? Then the biggest obstacle standing in your way is the first deposit or down payment.

Sam @ The New Business Blog writes Over 70% of Employees Missing Out on Pretax Dollars for Medical Expenses – In 2013 fewer Americans than ever put pretax dollars a way to cover future medical expenses but changes in 2014 will make these flexible spending accounts bit more attractive. These new changes will actually give taxpayers a bit of extra time to use their money.

Marissa @ Finance Triggers writes How to spot a good mortgage broker from a bad one – How can you decide if a mortgage broker is a good one or a bad one? The best way is to learn the answers to these questions.

Buck @ Buck Inspire writes Tis The Enrollment Season To Be Jolly – It is time to enroll for your employee benefits! Some basics are pretty straightforward and really depends on personal preference like HMO versus PPO.

Monica @ Monica On Money writes How To Graduate College Debt Free – It might be hard to believe, but it is entirely possible to graduate from college debt-free. Think about how amazing it would be to start your new career without worrying about paying off student loans.

Holly @ Club Thrifty writes 5 Ridiculous Gifts I’m Not Getting My Kids – As the mother of two toddler daughters, I am horrified by some of the toys I have seen in stores. Read this post for 5 ridiculous gifts I will not be buying.

Alexa @ Single Moms Income writes 5 Practical Christmas Gifts for Kids – If you want to save money and buy Christmas gifts kids will love, you need practical gifts. Here is a list of five practical Christmas gifts for kids.

Graham @ Moneystepper writes Peer-to-peer lending – Funding Circle experiment – Peer-to-peer lending – Funding Circle experiment

Jason @ The Money Makers writes Olivia Wilde is Having a Baby: What are the first-month expenses? – Olivia Wilde recently announced her pregnancy with fiance Jason Sudeikis as she is due with her first child in the coming year. Although the couple have declined to reveal their due date, they likely are expecting to set aside a budget for their baby, even with their high incomes.

Sustainable PF @ Sustainable Personal Finance writes The Importance of Saving Early – When my husband and I first married, we were poor and in debt. It was a difficult place to be, and, even as we made inroads and improved our finances, we still felt pinched.

Karen @ MakintheBacon writes The Dark Side of Shopping For Deals – Is shopping on Black Friday really worth?The things that people will do just to get a deal.

Alice Sibley @ Earning My Two Cents writes How to Handle Medical Bills (Without Freaking Out) – Don’t panic! It’s just a medical bill. You can work out a way to pay it.

Taylor @ The Motive Blog writes Should You Pay Off Your Car Early? – Paying off your car early seems like a good idea, but you have to watch out for these pre-payment penalties that could quickly erase any benefits.

FI Pilgrim @ FI Journey writes Is Patience Still A Virtue? – There are a lot of things in life that money cannot buy. But in my experience there are also a lot of things that debt can take away. I council patience!

FI Pilgrim @ FI Journey writes Is Patience Still A Virtue? – There are a lot of things in life that money cannot buy. But in my experience there are also a lot of things that debt can take away. I council patience!

Justin @ Edward Antrobus writes Dump your Mutual Fund if they do these 4 things. – The simple fact about investing in mutual funds is that it does take a bit of work, time and energy to do it right.

Andy Prescott @ Art of Being Cheap writes Review of the Moto X and Republic Wireless smartphone plan – A review of the Moto X from Republic Wireless. This phone comes with the cheapest plan in the phone industry, but how does it work? I tested it out and the results are amazing.

GenY @ Gen Y Finances writes Does Everyone Need an Emergency Fund? – You’ve probably heard more times than you can count that you should have savings put away for a rainy day. You may have also heard the old phrase that one size does not fit all.

Adam @ Money Bulldog writes 5 Signs You Chose the Wrong Career – Do you find yourself getting bored at work way too often? Maybe it’s time to switch career paths.

Justin @ Root of Good @ Root of Good writes Investment Management Using Asset Allocation Targets – Many investors have an asset allocation for their portfolios. Find out how to rebalance your portfolio using asset allocation targets and free software.

Adam @ Money Rebound writes Who Are the Richest Fictional Characters of All Time? – Fictional characters that made you wish you had their riches when you were younger.

Miss T. @ Prairie Eco Thrifter writes How to Shop and Save Money When Expecting a Baby – Few people can afford to just go out and buy all the paraphernalia required for a baby. So let’s look at some ways to shop and save money when expecting a baby.

Little House @ Little House in the Valley writes Save Money: Fix Those Leaks – A while back, we rented a little house that was long over-due for repairs. Not only did the landlord inherit the place, he made sure he never spent a dime on fixing it either. We were a bit naive and figured we could handle small maintenance tasks and repairs. Little did we know that “small” repairs could turn into “bigger” repairs and cost a fortune.

Lazy Man @ Lazy Man and Money writes Best Cell Phone/Plan Savings Today – So what’s the best cell phone/plan value today? It’s going to be different for different people who use cell phones in different ways, but I believe I found something that gives you almost all the functionality at a fraction of the price.

Matt @ Living in Financial Excellence writes Do You Have Enough Money to Retire? – If you don’t want to end up greeting strangers at the door of Wal-Mart (and I know I don’t!), then you might want to sit down and figure out how much money you’ll really need when you retire.

Mel @ brokeGIRLrich writes Five Dolla’ Make You Holla’Day Series: Teachers & Hostesses – A post about how to keep the holidays thrifty – focusing on gifts for teachers & hostesses

Christopher @ This That and The MBA writes Six Reasons Why Construction Contractors Absolutely Need Contractor’s Insurance – If you own a construction company and do not have contractors insurance, you are putting your entire company at risk if something happens in the foreseeable future. Having contractor’s insurance can be a wonderful way to protect your company and its assets.

Dollar @ Easy Extra Dollar writes How To Manage Your Money – Managing your money helps you figure out where your money is going and whether or not you are living beyond your means, ensuring you avoid debt and are able to save money for emergencies and achievement of your future goals.

Grayson @ Debt Roundup writes The Black Friday Spending Spree – As a fan of infographics, I was able to find one about Black Friday and how much money is actually spent during that day and the weekend following. You might be surprised how much people spend and the trend seems to be increasing.

Jon Haver @ Pay My Student Loans writes 7 Questions to Ask Before Refinancing Your Student Loans – Student loan debt is usually a major portion of the graduate’s financial obligations and refinancing can be a smart money saving option. Unfortunately, many financial institutions are no longer offering student loan refinancing, meaning the student will have to do some research to find a lender.

John @ Frugal Rules writes Tradeking Review: An Online Brokerage Worth Considering – Investing in the stock market is vital to building wealth and with the variety of options available of where to invest it can be confusing. Choosing a good brokerage that has good offering and low fees can be a great way to help grow your retirement portfolio and get your investing on the right foot.

Matt Becker @ Mom and Dad Money writes Disability Insurance: Why Almost Everyone Needs It – Disability insurance is one of the hallmarks of a secure financial plan. And it’s something that almost everyone needs. If you rely on your income, disability insurance is a must.

Claire Murdough @ ReadyForZero Blog writes What To Do With Your Financial Documents – The new year is fast approaching! Get a head start on organizing your finances in the new year with these tips on how to organize and store your financial documents.

Pauline @ Reach Financial Independence writes My 7 Steps to Financial Freedom – A Proven System for Building Your Wealth – Today Anton Ivanov of Dreams Cash True gives us an overview of his wealth building system, the 7 steps to financial freedom describe in his eBook.

Mr.CBB @ canadian budget binder writes Comparing the comparison sites in Canada – If you love a good deal then you know you can compare prices using comparison sites online.

GenY @ Gen Y Finances writes Sharing Your Finances – Personal finance for some of us is a challenging task. Imagine adding another person to share these finances with. With as complicated as money can be it is no surprise that it is the root of many problems in relationships.

Jon @ Making Money Fast and Slow @ Making Money Fast and Slow writes How I Made $12,000 and Paid off my Student Debt by Investing – Here’s my story about how I paid off $12,000 worth of student loan debt by trading options.

Harry Campbell @ The Four Hour Work Day writes Have You Ever Had a Really Great Manager? – On most nights when I get home from work, I have a pretty consistent routine. I’ll work online for a couple hours while I have a little snack and then it’s off to prepare dinner, or grab a quick bite to eat. Once in a while, my fiancee will even cook dinner for me! But after that, I sit down in front of the TV and put on one of my favorite shows: The Office. It’s kind of sad but that show is one of the only ones I can watch over and over without it ever getting old.

Well, there you have it!  Hope you enjoyed this week’s edition!