After last week’s excitement, things slowed down a bit this week. I did pick up a few brave clients who are willing to let me give my graphic design chops a whirl and the LLC paperwork has been sent off. I just need to spend a lot of time learning all the intimate aspects that go along with both of those new endeavors. I’m still working diligently behind the scenes on my new site, which has an anticipated launch date of February 29th (just because I think it’s cool to have the start date be on a leap year). And I made my first Bloggers Give Back donation to the American Cancer Society in memory of my Nanny, who passed away from thyroid cancer in 1997.

For this week’s sharing posts, it’s all about Yakezie. Yakezie, for my newer readers, is a network of personal finance and lifestyle sites with the motto is “selflessly helping others”. And it’s really true. Joining the Yakezie network is one of the two best choices I’ve made for my blog.

One of the activities over at Yakezie is participating in teams. My team is full of incredible and diverse writers and this week, I’ll share some of my favorite posts my teammates wrote this week. Also, in continuing what I said last week, instead of sharing some of my favorite non-personal finance sites, in February I’ll be highlighting some new PF blogs that I’ve been enjoying (and they’re all Yakezie challengers, too!)

Personal finance reads (where I showcase some of my favorite personal finance posts)

On 20s Finances, Corey’s wife provides excellent tips for young job applicants. It’s a good refresher for me. I haven’t been a “young” job applicant in a long time!

Melissa at Mom’s Plans gives an update on her Debt Snowflake Challenge. I’m starting to consider getting in on this but for savings.

Sustainable Personal Finance hosted a very informative guest post on how to make your own baby food (written by Marissa at Thirty-Six Months). I didn’t make my own baby food but I might consider it if anything changes and I can have another baby.

The Tight Fisted Miser offered a very thought provoking post, asking Starting Out Poor or Rich: Which Is Better? My answer is in the comments and I’m contemplating writing a post expanding on that comment.

Kyle at The Penny Hoarder let us know that Kohl’s is giving away a $5 to anyone who signs up for their newsletter (new subscribers only).

Tushar from Everything Finance wrote about how freelancers can rent apartments when they’re self-employed (this was also written by Marissa. That chick is everywhere!). The post gave some information that I definitely needed.

New personal finance reads (or, blogs you need to start reading)

See Debt Run–I think it’s terrific when a couple can blog together about changing their finances. It’s actual  proof that if you’re in it together, change is a lot easier. I really enjoy how honest and realistic Michelle and Jefferson are about themselves.

Young Cheap Living–Kraig is a great writer and he provides insight as a single, financially responsible 20-something. His post topics are a good mix of practical and personal, and his photography is pretty great, too!

Small Budget, Big Dreams–Kari’s blog is really new but if what she’s already written is any indication of what’s to come, then we’re all in for a treat. Her posts are incredibly informative and she lives in the metro New York area, so she knows what she’s talking about when she talks saving money in an expensive place.

Below Her Means–I wish I could sum her blog in one or two succinct sentences but I can’t. She freaking awesome and you need to read her site. That is all.

My other writing (where I showcase myself or where you can find my staff writing)

Choices are hard. Which choice will you make? at Enemy of Debt

52 Ways to Live Richly Reasonable: Make-up, part 2 at Richly Reasonable

52 Week Prosperity Plan, week 4: Prioritizing Debts at Go Be Rich

The best travel secret ever? Off-peak travel at My Broken Coin (part of Yakezie blog swap #17)

This was a good week here at Daily Money Shot. Some behind the scenes things started happening. First, I began work on my new site (which I’ll unveil sometime at the end of the month) and I’m totally stoked about that. Second, I finally came up with a company name and by sometime next week, I will officially be an LLC! Third, and this is the most exciting for me, I abandoned Photoshop but picked up Illustrator (free trials? Are the best ever!). So now I can do graphics!!!

The graphics part is really exciting for me because I really want to start tapping into that. I’m even willing to do a little work for free to get my practice on, so if you’re looking for a new header or blog button or favicon or whatever, send me an email and we’ll see what I can do. If you’re brave enough to take a chance on me, I’ll do my best not to let you down.

Now, onto the sharing part. I haven’t exactly been the most spectacular commenter lately but I have been reading. It continues to amaze me how many great blogs there are out there. And new ones are cropping up every day. For the month of February, instead of sharing personal finance and nonpersonal finance blogs, I’m going to share links from established sites and links to brand new sites. Make sure you read the new sites, too, because the authors are terrific and absolutely deserve some love.

Personal finance reads (where I showcase some of my favorite personal finance posts)

On Everything Finance, Erika provides some excellent tips on How to Create a Good Craigslist Ad and Sell Your Stuff. I’ve never used Craigslist to sell anything but now that I know what to do, I might start to think about it.

The Well Heeled Blog asks for help on finding the best Expense Tracking App. The answers have been really helpful for me since I could totally use one of those.

Married and dating couples know how important it is to have date nights. MomVesting gives some ideas for Wacky Date Nights. The wackiest my husband and I get is going out for cheesecake and wine. Crazy shit, right?

Corey at 20s Finance talks about how his wife Earned $1000 and Gave It Away. I think what she did is admirable, and I think she has the potential to make a good bit of side income through on online store.

Money Cactus gives some great advice on How to Have Anything You Want with No Regrets. As someone who suffers from buyer’s remorse for everything from an iPad to a soda, I really enjoyed this post.

Bonus posts: Everything I read on Prairie Eco Thrifter is excellent. Seriously. It’s one of my favorite sites to read and I always want to include a post from her site for these round-ups but I rarely do because I don’t know which one to pick. So just go read her whole site. On Untemplater, Yakezie Guru Sam writes cautions “Don’t Be In A Hurry To Leave School and Enter the Real World”. The title reminds me of Billy Madison (“you gotta cherish it”) but he makes some outstanding points that I almost completely agree with.

New personal finance reads (or, blogs you need to start reading)

Thrifty and Fit–Kristen’s blog is great and fun. She’s trying really hard to manage her finances so please go give her some support.

Married with Debt–John is opinionated (which is awesome) and he’s a great writer (which is even awesomer). He provides some seriously thought provoking posts that keep you going back to his site for more reading.

The Random Path–Mackenzie is my long lost twin sister, I swear it. I love everything she writes and it’s scary how similar our lives are (and have been). Every time I read a post of hers, I feel like I could have written it. Except she gives recipes that make me want to eat my computer. I couldn’t come up with those.

Smartwealth–Evan’s wife rescued a cat from the streets and named it Boots. I did the same thing and gave it the same name and I feel like we’re kindrid spirits now. Oh, and his blog (which he cowrites with Justin from Money Is the Root)? Is awesome!

My other writing (where I showcase myself or where you can find my staff writing)

52 Ways to Live Richly Reasonable: Make-up, Part 1 at Richly Reasonable

52 Week Prosperity Plan, Week 3: Establishing a schedule at Go Be Rich

Maximizing salaries and raises at Broke Professionals

Establishing a dining out budget at Dining Out Challenge

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I apologize for missing last week’s Sharing Saturday. I was on vacation in Disney World and, as we left mid-week, I got in almost no reading. I do want to give a special thanks to my guest posters: Marissa from Thirty-Six Months, Dr. Cabler from Celebrating Financial Freedom, Dannielle from Odd Cents and Suzanne from A Straight Talk on Debt for filling in for me and providing some excellent content!

I really wanted to provide you with 2 weeks worth of reading for this week’s post to make up for missing last week’s, but I was so overwhelmed when I came back that I had to declare Google Reader feed bankruptcy and start from scratch. I know I missed a ton of great reads but over 400 posts is intimidating! So, I picked up on Tuesday of this week. And, as I predicted, I was not disappointed.

Let’s get to it!

Personal finance reads (where I showcase some of my favorite personal finance posts)

Money for College Project provided a kickass infographic on Surviving the Dining Hall. Not only am I in love with the infographic, he makes some great points.

Your Finances Simplified discussed how to Get Your Children Off to the Best Start. I completely agree with him in that it is crucial to teach them, from a young age, the importance of saving money.

American Debt Project asked So What DO I Want to Do? I love her list of goals and this chick has already made a documentary! How cool is that?

Master the Art of Saving expressed her Biggest Financial Fear. I cannot imagine living without health insurance, especially with an injury like Jen has. Please send her some good karma that she doesn’t hurt her back!

Not Made of Money shared a guest post on how Being Poor Makes You Financially Responsible. I’m not sure that being poor makes you financially responsible but it gives you a great education on how to manage your money. As long as you’re willing to learn.

Bonus posts: Ten Things I’ve Learned from Walt Disney on Doodle and Lucy (I discovered this post while searching for Walt Disney quotes) and Jeff from My Multiple Streams has a great series on AdSense Tips and Tricks.  Start with the first post and work your way through the series.

Nonpersonal finance reads (where I showcase some of my favorite nonpersonal finance sites)

The Kitchen Magpie–She’s funny, she cooks, she’s from Canada, she keeps me amused on Twitter. And she likes really awesome music. She’s also the reason for a very special post coming your way next week.

EduClaytion–Clay reminds me of Chuck Klosterman. He’s smart, funny, and knows how to use pop culture throughout his writing in a way that makes me jealous. Plus, he likes The Goonies and wrote an entire post about The Mupppets. He is officially my favorite blogger ever.

My other writing (where I showcase myself or where you can find my staff writing)

52 Week Prosperity Plan: Creating a System at Go Be Rich

52 Ways to Live Richly Reasonable: Books at Richly Reasonable

My Dining Out Challenge: The Kids’ Menu at Dining out Challenge

An Open Letter to My Debt at Enemy of Debt

Do You Believe in Magic? at Care One Credit/A Straight Talk on Debt