The Carnival of Personal Finance for Nov. 9 was hosted by The Digerati Life. Here are some of the posts you’ll find on all things financial:

• Hustler Money Blog presents Free online personal finance trackers: “Track and set your budget to see where all your money is going.” If you don’t know where the money is going, it’s very difficult to make long-range decisions. Start with your past three months’ bank statements if you have nothing else to work with … then keep detailed records from now on.
• M is for Money presents Tax write-off for stock losses: “Make sure it’s truly a loss before selling for tax purposes. Some funds may be down this year, but still in positive territory over a longer period.” If you need an analysis of your situation, make an appointment with an expert.
• Frugal Dad presents Living frugal with other people’s money: “While traveling don’t go overboard with food and entertainment just because you can.” My high school daughter was able to use the per diem reimbursement rules when she traveled for a volunteer committee in high school. I sat down with her and explained how those rules worked before her first trip. She was quite responsible with her expense account.
• Money and Such presents Keeping your job in a tough economy: “In the context of upcoming layoffs, the following would be considered volunteering for target practice: asking for raises; asking for special treatment; causing trouble or hurting morale.” Have you ever been secretly glad that a co-worker was shown the door? Don’t act like that person.

The Festival of Frugality for Nov. 11 was hosted by On a Quest to Be Debt Free. Here are some of the posts you’ll find on frugal living concepts:

• Main Street Meltdown presents Are you really saving a buck at the dollar store?: “You might be surprised that you can get many of the same items for even less than a dollar at other discount stores such as Family Dollar, Dollar General or Wal-Mart.” On a related note, be very careful when shopping those 10 for $10 grocery sales. Some of those products are not bargains at all.
• Happy to be at Home presents Thrifty Thanksgiving tips: “Most people really want to contribute something so graciously accept their offers to bring potluck side dishes, desserts, or wine.” This might mean you will have available a different array of side dishes than you are used to. That’s OK – just make a list of your “must have” items and plan accordingly.
  
• Monroe on a Budget presents Christmas cookie making on a budget: “Go through your cookbooks and recipe boxes to max out on ingredients you can get cheaply or already have in your pantry.” And do not go to the bakery to buy your bake sale or potluck contribution, as I have seen all too often in Monroe. If your kitchen time is limited, then pick something that is easy to prepare. For most desserts, the major time commitment involves baking or freezer time rather than prep, and you can plan that step around doing the dishes or other household chores.