We have been featured on three carnivals/festivals this week. We are pleased to welcome all new readers, as well as new carnivals to Not the Jet Set. To find out more about us, click here. We are a personal finance blog focused on frugality, stewardship, and current events, while also telling our story as a family and the personal finance decisions we have made. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out our new NtJS Cafepress shop!


The 158th edition of the Carnival of Personal Finance is up at Mrs. Micah, and in full Buffy the Vampire Slayer garb. Our post about personal finance lessons from car mags has nothing to do with vampires, or their slayers, but is still a good read. Some other good reading:

• Finance Gets Personal shares some garage sale hosting tips.
  
• Millionaire Mommy Next Door shares a dirty little secret in her... garage.
• Living the Frugal Life has been running tests and found the best way to save gas.
• Saving Advice shocked readers and traded a fuel-efficient vehicle for and SUV.
• Passive Family Income asks "Is it Frugal or Stealing?". I'm pretty sure some of those would fall into the latter category.

This issue of the Carnival of Money Stories is hosted by The Dividend Guy, and includes our story of a friend taking control of their spending - by switching to cash. Here are my favorite stories from this edition:

• Free Money Finance is done with Wal-Mart. They chased our business away years ago.
  
• Out of Debt Again tells the tale of the $6480 washing machine. How many machines could that money buy over the course of 30 years?
  
• The Debtfree Playbook gives thanks for her debt. A concept on par with "love your enemies".
  

My Investing Blog rounds out this weeks entries with the Money Hacks Carnival. Featured this week is our revealing look at what Trans Union did with your personal information, and what you can get out of it. For you fellow hackers:

• Sound Money Matters has a hack for those pesky new checked baggage fees.
  
• Financial Zip hacks their way to radically saving money.
  

Thanks for reading and thanks to all the hosts. Don't forget to tell your friends and subscribe to get updates via email or RSS.