Today is C’s first Saturday of classes this quarter. I’ve got a ton of stuff I want to get done today, like starting at least 2 loads of laundry, ding a load of dishes, putting away laundry (my least favorite chore), and I have a birthday party for a 3 y/o later this afternoon.

So there’s no time for idle chit chat, let’s get on with the links.

One of the many things I have always wished I had the hand eye coordination to learn was to be a better seamstress. I can do counted cross-stitch, but anything that requires me to be in charge of making a straight line is beyond my abilities. That just means that I admire Debt Free by Thirty that much more for being able to repair half of her children’s wardrobe.

Sandy over at First Gen American is back after a bit of a hiatus. (We missed you!) And naturally, she’s back with some absolutely fabulous advice that all of need after dealing with our families at the holidays: How to Take a Break from Toxic People

My Broken Coin’s Alyosa is an admitted shop-a-holic who often struggles with her long term financial goals. Truth is, most of us do. We all have to find a system that works for us, so I love that she’s figured out that she is much better at running sprints than marathons.

Everyone should head over to So Over Debt and congratulate Andrea on having one of her posts picked up by Reader’s Digest! Lots of people are talking about this one, as well they should. In fact, it even won Average Joe’s Post of the Week (making her their first ever two time winner). Andrea has worked really hard for this and deserves the success she’s seeing. Congratulations!

Since I also work in healthcare, I often find Dr. Dean’s posts over at The Millionaire Nurse interesting on a professional, as well as personal, level. But this week, it’s all about the personal side. I love his Home Grown Mushroom Project. What I love even more is that he knows he won’t be the one doing it. It’s all about getting the wife to agree. Isn’t that the way it always is?

The Virtual Travel Planner is not a member of Yakezie, though I do know her through the Women in Red finance message boards. Still, PF blogger or not, she gives great advice that all of us can use about how to travel for maximum enjoyment/minimum cash outlay. And guess what? Just like in your finances, it’s all about having a plan.