Week in Review: Haiti Edition

 In a few short days two earthquakes hit.  One, 6.5 magnitude, in Northern California and the second, 7.0 magnitude, in Haiti.  The first one had minor damages and no injuries.  The second has devastated a major city and killed up to 50,000 people with many more injured.

What’s the difference?  One happened in the richest state in the richest country and the other happened in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.  Haitians need help and the world’s response (for the most part) has been generous and heart-warming.

My personal donations to date has been unique experiences.  I texted “Haiti” to 90999 for a $10 donation to the American Red Cross fund.  Then Best Western is offering their Rewards program members to convert points to a monetary relief donation.  My 10,000 points resulted in a $40 donation through World Vision.

I added a special section this week to highlight personal finance blog posts regarding Haiti. 

Haiti Blog Posts

How to Help Haiti@ Tight Fisted Miser
Help for Haiti Fund: How You can Help@ The Centsible Life
Safe Ways to Help Haiti @ No Debt Plan
What to Do About Rebuilding Haiti @ Tough Money Love
Some Ideas of How to Help and Donate to Haiti Earthquake Victims @ Own the Dollar
Please Donate to Haiti Earthquake Victims @ Four Pillars
What is Poverty? Haiti Reminds Us. @ Her Every Cent Counts
Safe Donations to Victims of the Earthquake in Haiti @ Consumerism Commentary

Editor’s Picks

 1. 35 Best Personal Finance Books. Madison @ My Dollar Plan put together this reading list with the help of her readers. I’m currently reading (very slowly) number 22.

2. 7 Essential Tips to Prepare for Retirement. It’s always good to make sure you’re taking the right path to retirement. Read Mark Brown @ Personal Finance Firewall for details (plus I love the crown in the picture).

3. The Art of the Potluck. Kris @ Get Rich Slowly has lots of information on how to have a successful potluck. The best thing about potlucks is getting to enjoy so many different foods without burdening the host.

4. Get Financially Fit in 2010: Have the Heart of a Giver. Erik Folgate @ Money Crashers’s article is very timely. Read his other articles in this miniseries to get the most of 2010.

5. I will never look at vegetables the same way again. To lighten your mood, check out these funny, cute and maybe a little creepy pictures of vegetables. Thanks FB @ Fabulously Broke.

6. The 11th Reason Credit Unions Kick Ass. A couple of weeks ago I posted the Move Your Money video to provoke thought about moving money to a community bank or credit union.  J. Money @ Budgets are Sexy gives us 11 reasons to move to a credit union.

7. My Love File: 14 Critical Items. A love file is probably not what you’re thinking. As Joe Plemon @ Personal Finance by the Book explains it’s the file containing important documents left for loved ones when we’re gone.

8. Should You File Taxes Using Tax Software or Hire a Tax Specialist? Craig @ Money Help for Christians writes about the advantages of doing your own taxes and the steps needed.

9. Barriers to Mindful Health: The Obstacles to Overcome. Jeff @ My Super Charged Life writes how to overcome obstacles (self-imposed or not) to living healthier. I need any support I can get for my 2010 goals!

10. 7 Steps of Financial Caregiving for Aging Relatives. As our parents, grandparents or other family members age we might need this list from Kate Forgach @ Go Frugal Blog.

Carnivals

Carnival of Money Stories @ Dough Roller
Carnival of Personal Finance #239 – Hot Money Trends of 2010 @ Darwin’s Finance
Festival of Frugality #212 – New Beginnings Edition @ Yes I am Cheap

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Tagged as: Banks, Giving, Retirement, Taxes, Week in Review