Passed My Radiology Physics Boards

I received my radiology physics board results a few weeks ago and am happy that another exam is behind me. It seems like from the moment we are born we are constantly being rated, evaluated, or tested. APGAR score, IQ tests, SAT's, MCAT's, USMLE Steps 123... does it ever end?

Apparently not, because in about a year I'll be taking a radiology writtens exam, then the next year it will be radiology oral boards, then radiology certificate of added qualification exam, then...

You'd think that now physics is done, I'd be blogging more. Instead, I've been busy with work, call, moonlighting, fantasy football team, research projects, and family. I actually think I blog more when I'm preparing for a test because it's a convenient excuse to not study. And now that I'm not studying, I no longer need the blogging excuse.

But now I'm just rambling. I will renew my effort to try to post at least once weekly as long as I have something worth blogging about.

The Official PoorMD Borders.com Coupon Page

Since radiology residents read more than any other resident out there, I'm always on the lookout for good book deals. Borders frequently has discount codes and coupons, and this is my attempt to pass the savings to you.

Before purchasing from Borders, double check with Amazon.com to make sure you are getting a good deal. Most Borders coupons posted here can be used on textbooks, however certain exclusions will apply.

40% OFF!

BRE1129H

Expires 11/2/09

Map Out Local Crimes With CrimeReports

Last week we were the victims of a breaking and entering with an attempted burglary. Fortunately, those that were home at the time were unharmed and damages totaled about $250 worth of repair work on a busted front door and some new locks.

We live in a very quiet and seemingly safe neighborhood. Check out CrimeReports.com to see the crime activity near your current or potential residence.

Cheap Thrills: Make a Website!

I started my first blog back in 2006 on a whim and it has since become a hobby that I enjoy spending my free time with. It costs basically nothing to start, and if you have a neat idea, it may have the potential to gather momentum and become something more. And even if it does not become a hit blog or website, it's still fun.

There are many sites that will host a blog such as Wordpress or Google's Blogspot. But a fun site that I recently came across is Weebly.com. With an easy to use WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) powered system, you can make good looking blogs and websites for free!

I'm currently working on incorporating a website feature to the PoorMD.com blog which I've created with Weebly and I have to say that I am impressed with the rich and easy to use features. Best of all, it's free to make a basic site! If you are looking for a cheap thrill, go to Weebly.com and make your own!

Check out some websites that I've put together on my free time include:

• www.radiologyAZ.com: our radiology residency website.
• www.poorMD.com: a central website for the poorMD blog.
• www.friedgonads.com: a blog and website by daddy bloggers who happen to be doctors.
  

If You've Never Failed, You've Never Lived

You have to check out this video:

I was told by my premed advisor in undergrad that because of my freshman grades, I would "never get into medical school and should consider other options." But I applied anyway and here I am with my MD.

I was told by family that I was too young to get married when we got engaged. Eight years later, we are still happily married.

I had an acceptance to a medical school on the East coast. But because we preferred a different school which I was on the waiting list, we took the risk and moved to the Midwest even though I did not have a firm acceptance. I finished number 1 on the waiting list, had to sit out a year, but was granted acceptance for the next academic year. I excelled in my classes, clinicals, and boards and received honors in academics and research.

When we were expecting our first baby, people questioned how I would support a child as a medical student. Now a radiology resident with four kids, we have no credit card debt, maximized Roth IRA's, and a decent emergency fund and savings.

Each challenge, struggle and failure brings us that much closer to success. If you don't take risks, you'll never reap the rewards.

Free $25 Starter Bonus with the Best 529 Savings Plan: Ohio CollegeAdvantage

Birthdays, holidays, first day of school, good grades... my kids are always getting money from their grandparents for special occasions. Recently, my wife and I decided to open a college savings plan otherwise known as a 529 savings plan for the kids. To learn more about the 529 college savings plan for your kids or future children, click here.

The tax advantages of a 529 savings plan are appealing, and The Ohio CollegeAdvantage plan gives the perfect combination of a good plan with a great variety of investment options and some of the lowest fees in the nation.

Recently rated the "Best 529 College Savings Plan" by Morningstar, this plan is currently offering a $25 bonus refer-a-friend promotion for those who open up an account and deposit at least $25 by December 15, 2009. You do not have to be a resident of Ohio to take part in this program.

So if you have kids or plan on having kids, get a jump on funding their college expenses by opening this great plan. To get the $25 referral bonus, the process will take just a few minutes:

1. Open up a new account before by December 15, 2009 and enter in your information with Ohio CollegeAdvantage.
2. Choose your investment fund and amount (you will need to deposit at least $25 to qualify for the bonus)
3. For the $25 bonus, be sure to enter in the referral code: 2505466
   
4. Wait 2-3 business days for the account to be verified and opened.

The benefits of a 529 plan are many:

1. Earnings are tax-free if funds are used for college.
2. Funds can be used at any college in the country to pay for tuition, room and board, or books.
3. Contributions can be made for as little as $25 at a time and can be made automatically through your bank account, payroll deduction or online.
4. CollegeAdvantage offers a wide variety of investment options managed by leading financial firms, and you can also save with FDIC-insured bank products.
5. There are no enrollment fees, no maintenance fees and low administrative fees.
6. CollegeAdvantage offers flexibility allowing you to transfer funds to another child, withdraw funds at any time and change investment options.

If you have multiple kids like myself, you could then use your newly opened account's referral code to refer other siblings and receive the $50 referral bonus as stated on their website:

Q. I currently have two CollegeAdvantage accounts, but have not yet opened an account for my third child. Can I receive a referral bonus for opening a new account for my own child?

A. Yes, you would receive a $50 referral bonus for one of your existing accounts (whichever one you used as the referral code) and a $25 referral bonus for the new account. Simply complete the referral bonus section on either the online or paper application when you open the new account.

Myths of the Credit Score Gone in 60 Seconds

My take home points:

1. Myth: No car, no house no worry: your credit standing can impact employment, insurance and lending decisions – don’t fight it, accept it. – 20% of all employers look at it now.
2. Myth: Closing cards helps you. Sadly, this hurts your score as it lowers the credit available to you.
3. Myth: You have to keep a balance to build your score. Ugh. No. Not true.
4. Myth: Checking credit scores hurts. Nope, as long as you are getting it from a non-lender your score is unaffected.
5. Myth: Online loan shopping hurts. Truth is all inquiries in a 30 day window for home loans are treated as 1 inquiry.

[via Consumerist]

Cheap Thrills: Fold A World Record Paper Airplane

PoorMD.com is devoted to bringing you the best of personal finance which includes cheap entertainment. Need a break from studying? Then why not fold yourself a Sky King, the world record holding paper airplane for longest flight time of 27.9 seconds. While simple to make, it's a pretty neat little airplane. Fold one for yourself with these directions from Wired.com.