BCM’s Favorite Things for Christmas

Hey if Oprah can shill herself for products, I can certainly put the Big Cajun Man Seal of Approval on things for Christmas, and let’s face it, most folks come to a Financial Blog to find out what would be best to buy their loved ones for Christmas. Remember if you buy using any of these ads, BCM gets a few more nickels in his pocket too (hey even bloggers gotta get paid).

Wealthy Barber Returns

Now some of you may only think of Mr. Chilton as the new guy on Dragon’s Den, but I can assure you he is a very good author and both of his books are must read if you want to have any idea of how to manage your financial life.If your kids are moving out to live on their own and are starting their life away from home, give them both of these books and tell them to at least read one of them, you will be doing them a huge favour (and they might be less likely to end up moving back into your basement too).

Moneyball the Movie(s) and Book

I have not seen the movie yet, but Mrs. C8j will be giving it to me this Christmas, but the book is completely different from the movie, from what I can tell. The Book was very enjoyable for a Baseball stat-head like me explaining how Billy Bean changed the measure of talent (in baseball) from being a “gut decision” to a more mathematical decision.The movie sounds like it could be interesting as well (I am sure Mrs. C8j will enjoy the Brad Pitt portion of things).

The Snowball Warren Buffett and the Business of Life

A very interesting book well worth reading, since it portrays Mr. Buffett as a human being who made some very good decisions, but who also lives a very odd life. It’s the kind of “warts and all” story that I like reading since it doesn’t put him up on a pedestal, but it also doesn’t throw him down into the ditch either. A balanced view of a Very Rich, Pretty Smart kind of average guy.

Soap on a Rope

Nothing says Christmas to a Father or Husband more than soap on a rope, and English Leather, soap on a rope is the antithesis of this product concept. I miss soap on a rope and hope that someone who cares for me will get me one, so it can sit around unused for 5 years, and then get thrown out (the way the last soap on a rope went).Not sure where the tradition of soap on a rope actually came from, but I like it!

Bestest Ornament Ever

This little ornament is very special to me, as it was given to my parents for me, when I was very young and was made by a friend. Yes, some gifts cost very little, but can mean much more than ludicrously expensive gifts (keep that one in mind, when you are buying your kids another lap top, or an iPad).Give your kids something they might remember for more than 2 days after Christmas (remember money disappears on Boxing Day).

Christmas is a time for Family, Friends and Fun, going bankrupt buying ridiculously expensive gifts, is not part of the tradition.