Money Hacks Carnival #38 at Taking Charge

The Money Hacks Carnival #38 was hosted at Taking Charge by Jeremy Simon.  This week carnival has an avionic theme with interesting photos and tidbits.  This week editor’s picks include:

• Happiness is Better has put together a great list of how these 10 reasons being financially independent can benefit your life as a whole, including improving your relationships, allowing more time for volunteering, improving your mental and physical health and promoting general happiness. It’s nice to read reasons to aim for financial independence aside from wanting to simply get rich.
• The Personal Financier considers whether shortcuts to retirement amount to “Absurd Frugal Thinking or Common Financial Sense.” While working overtime now may mean an earlier retirement down the road, do we miss out on life by spending more time on the job?
• I once thought acting as a (legal) air courier might be a good way to travel on the cheap, taking flights around the world and presenting people’s packages in person. For everyone who sends letters and packages using more everyday means, Blueprint for Financial Prosperity offers a list of 11 sure-fire ways to save on shipping.
• StopBuyingCrap.com has a terrific review of E*Trade’s online savings account, complete with helpful screenshots that show the account-opening process and account usage. Very impressive presentation.
• I’ve dealt with auto salespeople, but I’m unfamiliar with purchasing a private plane, helicopter or hot air balloon. Since most of us are more likely to buy a car, Sound Money Matters has put together a helpful list of Web sites to use when you’re in the market for some new wheels rather than wings.

Thank you Jeremy for doing a great job on the carnival.  Next week, the carnival will be hosted at Frugal Sisters.