Best Personal Finance Blog Articles of 2012: Week 42

Sometimes, we do some pretty nonsensical things with our time. While I believe that it can be worthwhile to work more to make more – with the ultimate goal of paying off debt or saving more, time off can be equally as valuable. Here are two articles that ask you to think about how you value your spare time and how you spend it.

Money Crashers: 6 Reasons Why I Stopped Extreme Couponing I believe “extreme couponing” is just another fad. Seriously – buy what you need when you need it. Of course – look for deals and coupons, but don’t go out of your way and spend a ton of time saving a dime. It’s the equivalent of someone driving a few miles out of the way to wait in line to buy gas that is 1 penny cheaper. What are you going to save filling up? 13 cents?

Mr. Money Mustache: Why Your Spare Time is Worth Way More than $25 per Hour Do you put any value in your free time? I believe you should be valuing it at your overtime wage rate. That’s because you have the option of working more or spending your spare time doing something else worthwhile. The overtime rate is your opportunity cost.

Posted by Long