The Carnival of Personal Finance for Sept. 22 is hosted by Sound Money Matters. Here are some of the posts you’ll find on all things financial:

• Amateur Asset Allocator presents Top 5 Budget Date Ideas: “Most cities have free events scheduled weekly during the summer months and beyond, depending on the local climate. These can include concerts, plays, improv shows, and movie screenings.” Attention local readers: Monroe County, Mich., has lots of community events. Go to the MonroeTalks calendar to see the listings. There may not be something interesting to do every day, but I can guarantee there’s something interesting every weekend. Example: Custer Week starts Oct. 3, and that event gets bigger and better every year.
  
• Student Scrooge presents Cash ‘discounts’ at gas stations: “The logic has always been that consumers are likely to spend more often and in greater amounts if they can pay via credit, which justifies the costs to merchants. Why do gas companies suddenly need to deviate from this?” We’ve noticed this situation in Monroe, Mich. too.
• One Girl’s Quest presents Don’t burn through your emergency fund! How to find a job in this rough economy: “You are allowed to take a job offer that pays your bills but is not your ideal job. The objective is to get a job that pays your bills.” If the available jobs don’t pay enough to pay your bills, you’ll need to reduce your living expenses in addition to taking a not-so-pleasant job. I know, it’s not fun. Sometimes you’ve got to do it anyway. My husband was on the temporary job loop for quite awhile to keep bringing in a paycheck.