Observant readers may have noticed that I added a donation button. I was (and still am) a little conflicted about this change. On one hand, I do make money from advertisements. On the other hand, a reader suggested that I put it on the site. I’m not opposed to making money with this blog, so if this is one way of doing it, so be it. Leo at Zen Habits listed it as one of the top ten ways he escaped his day job. So that’s the story behind the button. I put it there if you want to use it, and appreciate it if you do, but don’t feel obligated.
Here are the links you’ve been waiting for…
I wrote an article for the Prosper Blog this week, as I do every week – does psychology play a role in your money management?
The Digerati Life gives Seven tips for real estate investors. Though she says that now isn’t the time to buy property, I think it’s regional. Where she and I live, I agree with her. However, in Boston, prices have dropped 10% from where they were in 2004 and the mortgage rates are at an all time low.
Generation X Finance takes a look back at mutual fund performance of 9 companies. I don’t invest in actively managed mutual funds anymore, but if I did this would be a nice place to get more information on some of them.
Money Smart Life writes about how to use Microsoft Office Accounting Express to manage your small business. I use a different product… Microsoft Excel.
Sun’s Financial Diary didn’t make money from the falling Chinese Stocks. I think buying on dips that happened in the last week is a good plan – though prices had run up a lot before the drop.
No Credit Needed goes back to basics about getting out of debt. It’s a good reminder and consolidated nicely.
Free Money Finance had a title that I just had to click – how to get paid without working. It’s like he knows the Lazy Man. It’s an interesting story that I might write more on later on this week.
Mighty Bargain Hunter asks take a second job or build a side business?. I’ve never been much of a fan of a second job. Of course blogging became that second job. I suppose it just depends on who you call your boss.
Flexo talks about how PriceProtectr saved his girlfriend $100. It saved me 74 cents over the holidays. As usual your mileage will vary, but since it’s very little work, it’s well worth using this tool.
Brip Blap has talks about how to talk to your teenager about personal finance. I love this article, it’s just unfortunate that it’s written about 20 years before I need it. I might need to e-mail it to myself in the future.
Boston Gal’s Open Wallet brings us the national debt clock. The numbers count so fast, it’s hard not to cry.
You pay tax on advertising income. You don’t pay tax on donation because it’s a gift. Correct?
Sounds like a good question for my tax guy. I don’t know.
*disclaimer* I am not a tax professional but as someone with an advanced degree in accounting and a career working in accounting/finance/tax my understanding is that no, the first $11,000 in donations from each person donating would be exempt from taxation. That’s the way I look at it, anyway.
I debated adding one of those but maybe I will too. Can’t hurt, right?
Great idea Lazy, I’m curious how well this is going to do overall. Will you be disclosing the amount of money you get via the donation button or will that be taboo?
I don’t think it’s right to mention how much I make from donations. I will include the money in my monthly alternative income update, but it will be rolled into one aggregated amount.
I’m not a fan of ‘donate’ buttons because to me they imply a need for charity, which fortunately is not the case for you.
I’ve often wondered why bloggers don’t come up with a more creative (and less begging) style of asking for funding – maybe a “support this site” button instead?
Mike
Four Pillars: That’s an excellent point, which is the reason I wrote this post. I went with a Donate button because it’s easy for Paypal – built in and takes 30 seconds. Remember I’m Lazy. I might link to this post under the button.
“Support this site” might be a little lengthy for a button.
Can I put a “donate to LazyMan” button on my site and split the income with you? ;-)