Wow, I don’t know about you but July is flying by. Hope you are all enjoying your summer! Here are the picks of the week.

The 10 Step Saving Action Plan- a simple plan broken down into 10 steps that anyone can follow. (@liverealnow)

10 Tips For Maximizing Returns on Credit Card Rewards- if you are into collecting points and getting free stuff, read here for how to max out your options. (@helpmetravelcheap)

How To Build Credit- with bankruptcy and lack of savings hitting us hard this past year, here is a manual on how to build your credit effectively. (@consumerismcommentary)

Now Is The Time To Prevent Bankruptcy- 5 easy ways to protect yourself and your family. (@ownthedollar)

15 Organic Fruits & Vegetables That Aren’t Worth Paying More For- Being the organic eater that I am, I found this list helpful for better management of the grocery budget. (@lenpenzo)

Going Green Could Mean More Money In Your Pocket- simple changes you can make around the house that will really add up. (@wisebread)

Making Hard Choices- Are you looking for someone to blame? How do you make tough decisions? (@canadiandream)

Learning To Spend- very interesting article. Some of us have a hard time buying! (@getrichslowly)
Setting Goals With Your Partner- excellent advice. My husband and I are going to try this. (@thesimpledollar)

The Wealth Of Farmers- here is a great article on how you can learn from your local farmer. They have the key to wealth. (@freemoneyfinance)

Money Is Relevant- what is important to you? How do you spend your money? (@dinksfinance)

17 Things You Are Missing Out On For Spending Too Much- I liked numbers 4 and 10. How about you? (@wisebread)

When Partner’s Don’t Cooperate With Setting Goals- remember that reasonable compromise for both parties is the key to future success. (@thesimpledollar)

10 Steps Everyone Should Take To Prepare For Their Own Demise- we have just started this project in getting our stuff together. (@budgetlife)

Why You Should Cancel Your Cable- we have been discussing this lately ourselves. (@thegreenestdollar)

5 Decisions That Will Improve Your Financial Future- I particularly like #’s 3 and 5. (@moolanomy)

You Earn A Living Like Your Friends and The Company You Keep- surround yourself with like minded individuals; it can affect your bank balance. (@ownthedollar)

The Secret To Getting Out of Debt: Forget Snowballs and Interest Rates- forget the 40 hour work week, try 70. (@frugaldad)

A Clever Consumer Trick for Ensuring Smart Spending Decisions- why the cost per use method is the way to go. (@lenpenzo)

How We Underestimate Our Financial Strength- do you have false beliefs? Correct them,. (@mysuperchargedlife)

Does Being Smart Make You Better With Money?- the truth is, smarts have nothing to do with it. (@popeconomics)

Party, Party- where do you draw the line with your friends? (@dinksfinance)

It Doesn’t Matter What Your Position Is Right Now: You Can Do Better- we should never become idle and complacent. We can always improve. (@thesimpledollar)

Happy reading!

I hope everyone has had a great week. 

Here are the picks of the week.

9 Tactics That Work For Starting Food Preparation At Home- my husband and I have followed these steps for a couple years now and we too can vouch for their success. (@thesimpledollar)

5 Investing Lessons From The World Cup- awesome post. My favourite one was that on defense. Makes total sense when it comes to finances.(@financialhighway)

20 Quick Tips For Better Time Management- I am sure like me, you too could use some tips on how to get the most out of your time. (@lifehack)

9 Thoughts On Personal Finance From America's Founding Fathers- very interesting read. This was my favourite: In the general course of human nature, A power over a man’s subsistence amounts to a power over his will. 

- Alexander Hamilton (@thesimpledollar)

Debt Free By 30: Including the Mortgage- very inspiring story of a couple who even after graduating decided to continue living like a student. (@getrichslowly)

We Crave Certainty- why we need to over prepare. (@canadiandream: free at 45)

Ten Ways To Find Extra Money To Pay Off Credit Card Debt- I've done 1, 6, and 10 and yes they do help reel in some extra dough. Which ones will you try? (@ownthedollar)

How To Get Your Spouse On Your Financial Team- being newly married, I can attest to how important it is to be a team when it comes to finances. Things don't work if you are opposing each other in decision making etc. (@consumerismcommentary)

A Frugal Fact: The 6 Most Valuable Grocery Items Known to Man- 100+ things you can do with 6 common items. Amazing!! (@lenpenzo)

Is Being Rich Important for Living the Ideal Life?- is money really the key to happiness? Here is one bloggers view. (@scotthyoung)

5 Steps Towards A Greener Kitchen- a great post broken down to specific details for going green. (@simplemom)

Bake Up A Vacation Plan- we are going to try this for our trip to Australia next year. We will see how we do. (@budgetsaresexy)

Are You Spending Intentionally?- great question. It is amazing how much my values influence what I spend money on. How about you? (@frugaldad)

Saving Should Not Feel Like A Diet- it's true. Having your budget too tight is just asking it to fail. (@canadiandream:freeat45)

10 Ways To Get Kids To Save Money- 10 great ways to teach your kids how to not take money forgranted.  (@freemoneyfinance)

10 Ways To Protect Yourself From A Double Dip- I actually think these are just great life skills and should be done all the time. (@balancejunkie)

Making Your Time Less Money Dense- very good post. Got me thinking about what we spend our time on. (@thesimpledollar)

7 Ways To Stay Grounded by Staying Organized- we already practice these habits and they do make the rest of your day easier. (@lifehack)

Happy reading!