One of the things I like most about the Seattle area is that it doesn’t get hot, at least not really hot, on a regular basis. Having lived in eastern MT and northern NV, I’ve had my share of hot. I like temperate. To me, the temperature should stop going up once it hits 75.

However, every once in a while, Seattle gets a blast of heat. This is that weekend. (Naturally, we have plans to be outside all day tomorrow, at the Faire, in 90+ degree weather.) Today, we have some things that need to happen around the house. I am making no promises, though. I did get up at 9am and mow the very back part of the yard, but now, at almost noon, well, even the dogs think it’s too warm to do anything other than lie around.

Because of that, this may be a slightly less than energetic look at what I’m reading. I do not do well in the heat, and just sitting at my computer seems like it’s too much work.

You all know we recently bought a new to us car. Our friend over at Well Heeled Blog thought she could be carless for her time in her MBA program. She was wrong, and now she’s looking for a car- but what should she get?

Well, one of our new Yakezie Challengers might be able to help her out. Will, over at Hacking the Bank recently put together his list of the top 6 best used cars under $10k. Our “new” car isn’t on there, but that’s because it wasn’t under $10k. The car we traded in, also not on there, but no one actually thinks a Chevy Cavalier is good deal, especially not those who own (or have owned) one.

While I was doing a state of my blog post earlier this week, Jason at Live Real, Now was doing a state of his life and finances post about Changing Circumstances. Having also recently lost my mother-in-law, and coming out financially better for it, I can understand the gamut of emotions Jason is going through.

To go along with changing circumstances, Kathleen at Frugal Portland is figuring out new ways to view her finances, not just her debt, but her net worth, as well. Sometimes, changing the paradigm makes all the difference.

Kathleen isn’t the only one who is learning to view things differently. Our next new Yakezie Challenger is Carvin, from Rule Your Wallet. (I can’t, the dog ate it.) He’s taking a look at Budget Flexibility, the problem’s he’s had being flexible, and the problems inflexibility has caused.

Speaking of needing to be flexible with spending, we all know our pets bring endless enjoyment but also unexpected expenses. (My little Junebug is likely going to cost us another few thousand this year, but that’s for a later date.) In my ongoing quest to cross link pet blogs and personal finance blogs, it is once again time for The Cost of Things, the monthly post tracking pet expenses over at The House of Two Bows.

That brings us to Money Beagle (Beagles always make me smile), who shares with us this week some of his recent camping misadventures. Since he decided to tell us that they bought a travel trailer, he now justifies the expense (just kidding) by telling us all about how they are using it. I, for one, am jealous.

And finally, we end with some good advice that I just don’t want to follow. My good friend Joe, from Average Joe’s Money Blog, was finally able to return to his home office after over 6 weeks away. He was home for less than a week before having to run off again. (Hope your daughter did great in her race, Joe.) But he was able to get some things done in the short time because he apparently knows some secrets of Productivity 101. Me? I don’t want to be productive. I want to go lay on the bed with the dogs and watch the Olympics. It’s too hot here to do anything useful.