This is pretty neat: I received an invite for a contest for a VIP pass the World Business Forum. The September event in New York includes talks by Tony Blair, Colin Powell, Madeline Albright, Jack Welch, and Muhammad Yunus, and the contest is specifically for accomplished young professionals. The invite got me thinking about role models; certainly any of these guys would make good ones. But as I pondered those I admire in business and life, I want to ask you the same question I asked myself: Do you have a role model for your finances? Continued

Imagine paying a high tax for owning a gas-guzzling SUV, enjoying six weeks of paid vacation each year, or giving half of your paycheck to the government. In this guest post, Emily Starbuck Gerson, of the CreditCards.com blog Taking Charge, describes some of the differences between the personal finances of Americans and Europeans. Continued

The New York Times recently published an excellent financial primer for recent graduates accepting their first full-time job. The gist of the article is simple: even if you’re only 22, don’t neglect health insurance, taxes, and your retirement. Continued

Yesterday being father’s day, I was thinking about the often controversial topic of twenty-somethings receiving financial assistance from their parents. If your parents offer financial help, should you take it? And how? Continued

As a kid, did you ever have a relative that sent a check – or cash – for your birthday? While cash can’t always replace a thoughtful gift (avoid giving $100 bills as an anniversary gift, for example), there are times cash money is the most appreciated gift you can give or receive. That said, here are a few rules of etiquette to follow when giving – or receiving – a financial gift. Continued

Jim over at Blueprint for Financial Prosperity recently announced a free e-book called the College Grad Money Guide. Since the e-book’s topic is right up my alley, I had to take a look. Continued

According to US Census Data, Americans in their twenties are the least likely of any age group to have health insurance. Even if you are young, healthy, and poor, is going without health insurance an acceptable risk or just plain stupid? Continued

A Florida college graduate is claiming he will never have to pay for anything again. Not his groceries, not his car, not his rent, not even his secret daily Big-Mac habit. (His girlfriend, a personal trainer, disapproves).

Carl Bishop, 23, told local media outlets Tuesday “it’s like winning the lottery, only better, because I don’t even have to handle the money. I just get what I want, and that’s it.”

How’d he get so lucky? Continued

I was busy posting last week, as this week’s carnivals show! Here’s this week’s personal finance roundup. Continued

Come Friday night, whether you hit the town with friends or do dinner and a movie with your sweetie, weekends take a toll on your wallet. Here are 10 major money-sucks and what you can do about them. Continued