Archive for June, 2007

Friday’s Finds — 06/22/2007

As we near the end of the month, I usually take a closer look at how I can improve upon blog monetization and how to increase traffic. As my AdSense revenues have gone down, I’ve adopted a couple of additional sources that have worked fairly well. Here are some posts from around the blogosphere that I think you’ll enjoy that discuss these very issues.

• Randy, otherwise known as the Grown Up Geek, points out that many bloggers are experiencing a downturn in AdSense earnings. While most were chalking it up to a “summer slump”, Randy discusses what is causing AdSense earnings to fall.
• Paula Mooney has published an updated list of blogger salaries, and *this guy* is on the list…um…#86 out of 120 bloggers. But I did make the cover (thanks, Paula). The Top 5 is led by 2 domainers rounded off by Markus Frind at Plenty of Fish, Michael Arrington of TechCrunch, and Matt Drudge behind the Drudge Report.
• Curious to know how much your blog could make from Google AdSense? Paul Wilson at MyMarketer.net posted about the AdSenseMeter. That’s right. If you don’t currently run AdSense, now you could get a rough estimate of how AdSense revenue your blog might generate. Of course it’s a little inaccurate since it is limited to a defined CPM for your blog, not to mention it uses Alexa to determine your traffic count. But it is a cool tool that I wish was accurate. At a $2 CPM, my blog should make $695 in July.
• I’ve received alot of traffic from StumbleUpon lately after inserting a bookmarking plugin, which puts icons at the bottom of each post. Terence Chang at the Blah Blah Blog shows us how to Stumble a page without StumbleUpon toolbar…and how to tell if a page has been stumbled.
• Contests are always good for increased traffic. Kenric at Live Learn Invest is having a contest to win an iPod Shuffle. The contest is sponsored by Printed Circuit Boards.

That does it for this week. Enjoy your weekend!

Popularity: 2% [?]

3 Steps Toward Saving For College

Saving for college has become a large factor in budgeting for retirement. It certainly has for mine. Here are 3 simple things to consider when planning for your child’s education while keeping your own finances in order.

1. Determine An Amount
According to FinAid.org, college costs increase at about twice the inflation rate. Current increases have averaged 5% to 8%. Go ahead…use their College Cost Projector and see for yourself.

Based on trends in college pricing by The College Board (the 2006-2007 average total costs including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation and other expenses were $16,357 for students attending four-year public colleges and universities), here is what the estimated cost of sending my 4-year-old son to school will be according to the College Cost Projector:

Public Institution

	First Year Projected Costs:	$42,177.08
	Second Year Projected Costs:	$45,129.48
	Third Year Projected Costs:	$48,288.54
	Fourth Year Projected Costs:	$51,668.74
	Total Projected Costs:	$187,263.84

Tuition inflation rate of 7.00% with each year adjusted after matriculation

Using the same metrics for a four-year private college or university at the current average per year of $33,301, the total projected cost is $381,247.99.

2. Set Up A 529 Account
There are many advantages to using a 529 college savings plan versus a traditional savings account or other savings vehicles.

• Earnings on a 529 account are not taxed.
• If your kiddo gets a scholarship, any unused funds can be withdrawn without penalty. However, you must still pay tax on the amount.
• Your child does not have control of or access to the account. Only the account owner (usually the parent or guardian) has access.
• Most 529 plans do not have an age limit for the end user. If you decide you want to head back to grad school someday, you can use the 529 to do that.
• In the event your kiddo wants to “skip a semester”, you have the option of transfering the account to another family member.

Be sure to check out Upromise to see how you can save money with everyday purchases. Our family currently uses it, and we’ve saved a bunch. The trick is to get as many people involved.

To learn more about 529 Plans in greater detail, the SEC (sec.gov) has a great Introduction to 529 Plans.

3. Don’t Ignore Your Own Financial Situation
It is easy to overlook your own finances, specifically with regard to retirement planning. Revise your budget often. Stash some away for your own retirement, especially if you can take advantage of a company-matching 401(k). Pay down debts. This is the method I use personally when determining the amount I save in Lil D’s 529. Why? Keep in mind that student loans have been and (probably) always will be among the least expensive borrowing tools. Worst case scenario — let them pay for it with student loans. They’re cheaper than your 11.9% interest rate credit card and your 6.2% mortgage.

Popularity: 3% [?]

High-Speed Train Roller Coaster

Some Norwegian kids play engineer and have a little fun with a high-speed train. My initial thought was “what a bunch of idiots” assuming they were going to derail the train. Boy was I wrong.

Norwegian Kids Mess With Train — Watch more free videos

Popularity: 2% [?]

Home And Garden Decor At Online Discount Mart

Are you looking for a bird feeder? Maybe a garden gnome? Online Discount Mart had these and many more items (i.e. sundials) for your summer decor needs. Online Discount Mart is introducing many new items to ring in the summer months — June 21st is the first day of summer — from simple country to english garden to modern maverick. They accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Paypal, Checks or Money Orders. Visit them today.

This is a Sponsored Post.

Popularity: 1% [?]

GPS For Your Paper Currency…Sort Of

About 9 years ago, I found this website called WheresGeorge.com. Where’s George allows you to track your paper currency by entering the denomination, series, and serial number of any U.S. dollar bill, and your current ZIP code. Find out if it’s already been tracked or if you’re the first.

According to the U.S. Federal Reserve, a $1 bill is in circulation for an average of 21 months before it is destroyed. A $5 bill? Only 16 months.

So, go track your paper currency. If you’re in Canada, you can use Where’s Willy.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Yahoo! CEO Terry Semel Steps Down, Jerry Yang! Steps Up

After months of criticism regarding the ongoing battle with Google for online ad supremacy, Yahoo! Inc. CEO Terry Semel steps down taking a back seat to Yahoo! (Yet Another Hierarchical Officious Oracle) co-founder Jerry Yang. As John Shinal of MarketWatch explains in the following video, technology will be the focus with Jerry Yang at the helm. Well…it might be.

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Popularity: 5% [?]

Improve Your Page Rank With The ViralTags Train

Here is yet another train to help improve your page rank. It was started by a blogger named Andy Coates and he calls it the Viralink. The purpose, of course, is to reach a wide audience giving you more exposure to other blogs. I found this particular train at JaypeeOnline.net.
To join, just follow the instructions below.

1. Copy and paste the entire matrix of “ViralTags” below.
2. Substitute the Host Tag and one of the “ViralTags” in the matrix with your anchor text of choice containing your blog’s URL. Please keep anchor text to a maximum of 3 words to keep the matrix size manageable.
3. When you get a ping back from someone that has your link in one of their “ViralTags”, practice good karma by copying his/her Host Tag’s anchor text (automatically the associated link will also be copied) and paste it over one of your “ViralTags” below.
4. Encourage and invite your readers to do the same and soon this can grow virally.

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Popularity: 10% [?]

BlogRoll

• Milk Was A Bad Choice
• CrackBerry.com
• Stock Trading 101
• For The Love Of Sports
• Project Spurs
• Busted Coverage
• WallStreetFighter

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