We had a great July 4th the other day with our standard set of visitors comprised of the usual suspects: relatives, close friends, in-laws. It’s always enjoyable chaos when our guests come over, and this time, along with the many little kids we are accustomed to having over, we had a new visitor — a tiny kitten that my brother-in-law had adopted around a month ago and which he brings around to his appointments whenever he gets a chance. The kitten was ensconced in a fleecy cat cradle of some sort and it was very very small.
There was one particularly funny yet disturbing thing that happened that day. Well there were more incidents, but I’ll share just this one. And no, it wasn’t anything to do with public drunkeness. It was the fact that not long after the cat used its litter box to do its business, my three year old noticed the sandy box, and thought it was a toy. So what do we get but little hands clutching at sand nuggets. Ugh! 
I must say it turned out to be a great (and now memorable!) party and it took all of Saturday to recover. After the party, I vegged out by getting my financial stories and tips together! Check them out:
Personal Finance Reads
- All Financial Matters: Be aware that renovations can lead to unplanned consequences. A kitchen renovation can cause higher energy bills; new systems can cause added maintenance.
- Lazy Man and Money: Wow, a $1,225 price tag for “baby’s first savings bank”. The bunny bank is made of sterling silver and only 4.75 inches high! I received something like this from a colleague during a baby shower, but it was a Tiffany’s duck. I’m not sure what it’s made of, but I better check now!
- Money Smart Life: Do you wonder whether your job is right for you? Find out whether you and your job are a good match.
- Gen X Finance: It’s already the middle of the year — time to see how we’re doing so far! Review your financial goals and progress by going through a mid-year financial checkup.
- The Sun’s Financial Diary: I’ve been bracing myself for this possibility for sometime now, but it still gives me chills when I think about it. Are we now in a bear market?
- Mighty Bargain Hunter: Buying any stuff on eBay? Here are a couple of neat eBay tricks for buyers out there!
- No Credit Needed: Perfect timing perhaps? NCN is contemplating on buying a house and talks about how he’ll be saving for it!
- Million Dollar Journey: Here’s the perfect guide for those of you who are shopping for disability insurance. Look into managing your risk with disability insurance.
- Brip Blap: Here’s a scary thought: can Roth IRAs fall victim to political maneuverings? Do you think there’s a possibility that the government may end up raiding our Roth IRAs one day?
- My Dollar Plan: Check out these great ways to bring down your credit card debt!
- Stop Buying Crap: How do you use the web to help yourself shop?
- My Investing Blog: The Money Life Network had a Summer Savings Series, and here’s a month’s worth of quintessential savings tips!
- Rocket Finance: See how one family attempts to hold down grocery costs.
- Millionaire Money Habits: Ryan reminds us to resist temptation to buy. If you wait a little before deciding to purchase something, you may realize a few days later that you don’t really need to make the purchase after all!
- Sound Money Matters: One of those things we’re dealing with these days is the phenomenon of “shrinking groceries”. But there are ways to deal with it.
Recent Carnivals
- Eat A Cheaper Breakfast, Dress Your Kids On Less
- Finance Fiesta #5: Thanks to RocketC for the kind words on my post “how to save money while you pay your bills“.
- Stock trades: Free stock trades from Zecco, Cheap stock trades from TradeKing, Stock news and Investment info at INO TV Free, No cost Trend Analysis for stocks
- Earn top returns: FNBO Direct [1.90%], HSBC Direct [1.65%], WTDirect [1.76%], E*Trade Bank [0.95%], ING Direct [.25% to 1.65%]
- Cash bonus: Discover More [$50], American Express [$25], Lending Club [$25]
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I would rate your cat story as slightly gross, but kids will be kids
Hehe! I shudder when I recall all the other stories of childhood that I bring up from the deep recesses of my brain.
I’m sure many parents will attest to other cringe-worthy moments that kids and their pets have brought to their lives. Some of these stories can be funny and gross at the same time!
Thanks for the link love! As far as gross cat stories, my 3 1/2 year brought a dead mouse in the house this week that my cat caught. I don’t know how long she was toting it around, but she pulled it out of her pocket to “show daddy a big surprise she found!”
Ugh, to the bathtub immediately kid!
Haha! I can just imagine my 3 year old pulling a stunt like that!
Little kids just don’t know how gross certain things are. Even my school-aged kid prefers to eat stuff coming out of his face rather than the food we put on his plate!
Ick!
I remember we used to have a sand pit we used to play in… and I used to find these weird squishy things. wasn’t until years later my dad told me they were cat poos! Eeeek!