Confession #2: I’m for sale. Not in a prostitution sort of way but in a “hey, I love how you write and think you’re amazingly creative and want to hire you to write articles and books, fiction or nonfiction. I’ll even pay you” sort of way. This leads me to confession #2 1/2: I’m jealous of people who get paid to write.

I know that jealousy is a wasted emotion and that anyone who gets paid to write is a) deserving of it; b) talented and creative; c) smart; d) hardworking and; e) ambitious. Since I one day hope to join those ranks (as it’s been my lifelong dream), I use those paid writers as motivation and inspiration to get to where I want to be which is a wage earning writer (my current #1 inspiration is Jen Lancaster. I. Love. Her.). I can’t even say that it would take a tremendous amount of money for me to sell myself totally but it would take enough. I’m for sale; I’m not completely free (though I would be willing to negotiate for a bargain price).

But when you put yourself up for sale you need to be careful of those who want to take advantage and exploit you. You need to be careful about who you sell yourself to. You need to be careful to protect yourself, your family and your finances. You need to be a little bit picky, no matter how anxious you are to get paid. And you have to be careful to not…Sell Out. Which is today’s money tune.

I heard this song (by Reel Big Fish) on the radio last week and remembered just how great it is. Check it out for yourself:

Would you ever sell out? What would it take?

About 9 months ago, I finally decided that I had had it with my job. I was working for an absolute monster, the work was boring and tedious, my co-workers were pretty awful and the gray, fluorescent, windowless office I resided in was just not cutting it anymore. I realized at that point that nothing was going to get better unless I started making some changes in myself and in my situation. So I did. The soundtrack to that part of my life was Sick Puppies “Maybe”. Prior to that, the soundtrack to my life was Theory of a Deadman’s “Hate My Life”, which is today’s money tune. Here is it:

I love every single verse in this song. It is the most upbeat, melodious, angst filled song I’ve ever heard. It’s just so appropriate in so many circumstances. And I love how many verses are about money!

I also love that I’ll have this song in my head for the next week. I suppose it’s better than the Care Bears.

I am a sucker for a good power ballad. Truthfully, I like all hair band songs but there’s just something about a good power ballad that makes me happy. And there are so many good ones to choose from: Steelheart’s “I’ll Never Let You Go”, Tesla’s “Love Song”, Warrant’s “I Saw Red”, Motley Crue’s “Home Sweet Home”, Skid Row’s “Wasted Time”. I could go on (and on and on) but I’ll spare you.

Perhaps one of the most popular power ballads is Poison’s “Every Rose Has Its Thorn”. While that’s a good song (but slightly overrated in my opinion), Poison has a significantly better power ballad–“Something To Believe In”. It’s a really pretty yet cynical and sad song, with very poignant lyrics (which I did not even need to look up in order to quote!). Here’s a sample:

“I drive by the homeless sleeping on the cold dark street,
Like bodies in an open grave
Underneath the broken old neon sign
That used to read Jesus Saves

A mile away live the rich folks
And I see how they’re livin’ it up
While poor they eat from hand to mouth
The rich drink it from the golden cup

And it just makes me wonder
Why so many lose and so few win”

Whatever you’re opinions on the causes of poverty, or the solution (if there is one), there’s no denying that it exists. And the way this song paints the picture is just so, well, accurate.

Check out the video below for the entire song:

Bloggers talk. We talk on blogs, we talk on Twitter. Some of my fellow bloggers have even been kind enough to mention me on their blogs so I’m going to return the favor. When you get a chance (and make sure it’s sooner than later), check out my peeps at So Over Debt, Debt Free by 30, Baking the Budget and One Cent at a Time. While you’re out visiting, stop by my fellow Yakezie Summer Team Group 2 bloggers: Money Beagle, No Debt MBA, Money Crush, Bucksome Boomer, Couple Money, Frugal Confessions, Little House in the Valley, Squirrelers, Mom’s Plans, Mighty Bargain Hunter, 101 Centavos, Faithful with a Few , Stock Market Basics, and Wealth Informatics.

Money Talks. Well, AC/DC says it does. And that’s today’s money tune. I heard this song on the radio today (WYSP ain’t with us no more. Respect.) and I thought it was a great choice:

Also, if you know where that slightly paraphrased movie quote came from, post it in the comments and I’ll let you pick next week’s tune.

I am a huge fan of hair bands/glam metal. I have been since I’m 11 years old. In fact, the double bill of Poison and Warrant was the first concert I was allowed to attend by myself (1990, Nassau Coliseum. I think I was almost 13). As a quasi-metal head, it is only fitting that like many others, I was saddened to hear the news of Jani Lane’s passing last week. A radio DJ that I listen to  at WYSP (Philadelphia) said it best–his death was not shocking. It was disappointing.

Warrant has some great songs: Big Talk, Down Boys, Sometimes She Cries, Heaven, Blind Faith, Uncle Tom’s Cabin…the list goes on. They did have one song, 32 Pennies, that I think is a fitting Money Tune Tuesday tribute to the late Jani Lane. Enjoy: