If you are new to WhereDoesAllMyMoneyGo.com you should know that most Fridays I run a post called “A Lap Of The Blogs” in which I link to some articles of interest I’ve read in the past week. I also include a weekly “racing video” because my former life was in the auto racing industry… Enjoy!

I’ve started a detox/diet. It’s scheduled to last 2 months, so if you notice my tone getting snarky over the next while – blame it on the diet! :)

About three years ago I got really sick, to the point that I thought I wouldn’t be able to walk again. Part of the symptoms included vertigo, and it got worse when I exerted myself. As such, I essentially haven’t been exercising for the majority of the last three years. I’m basically 95% back to normal now, so no more excuses for letting my health take a back seat. That means paying more attention to nutrition, exercise, flexibility and stress. I’ll keep you posted on the detox/diet – I’m on day 3, and no major cravings yet… (famous last words?)

I’ll have to record the WDAMMG Internet Radio Show later and I’ll post it up over the weekend.

From Around The Blogosphere

Thicken My Wallet: The Value of Advice – hot topic these days!

Jonathan Chevreau: Putting the blog on hiatus for the remainder of summer, but provides Twitter lists of financial tweeps to follow.

Larry MacDonald: The Bizarre History of Employee Stock Ownership Programs. Interesting stuff!

Big Cajun Man: offers up some great advice for future university students, but I follow this advice myself. I remember it from the first time he posted it, and it works like a charm! ;)

Million Dollar Journey: The Landlord-Tennant Relationship from the Tennant’s Persepctive. Looking at the flip side of the coin in this post.

Money Smarts Blog: Six Reasons Canadians Should Invest In Oil Stocks. What? He’s not talking about real estate this week? ;)

Michael James on Money: Unrealistic RRSP Contribution Expectations. Read through the comments section for more insight into this as well.

Canadian Capitalist: Is your caregiver an employee of yours? Great info on Payroll for Employers of Caregivers. I guess CC’s Moneysense deal is paying really well… :)

Rob Carrick: Storing your financial data the safe way.

This Week’s Racing Video

This video shows the footwork involved in driving a racecar. Often, you must use all three pedals at the same time even though we only have two feet. There are probably a few strange things here that need explaining. You’ll notice he uses the clutch when shifting from 2nd to 3rd, but not from 3rd to 4th, or 4th to 5th. With a close ratio gearbox, usually all that is needed to change up a gear is to relieve the force between the engine and transmission by lifting off the throttle. The next gear slips right in. He uses the clutch on the lower gears because there is a greater chance of catastrophic gearbox failure with the lower gears. Also, you’ll note that before he enters a braking zone he used his left foot to tap the brakes. This serves two functions. First, it let’s him know the brakes are still working (racing brakes get really hot, and if the brake fluid starts to boil the brakes get spongy and then ultimately don’t stop the car in time). Second, it firms up the brake pedal which allows for better modulation of the brakes when actually in the braking zone. And last, you’ll see him using all three pedals at the same time when he is in the braking zone. As you know, when the car’s speed is slower, a lower gear will accelerate the car faster. So when going from a high speed zone and into a braking zone, when you have finished braking you want to be in the lowest possible gear as soon as possible. At the same time, you want to match the revs of the engine to the new gear. A lower gear, means higher revs – hence, he must blip the throttle before letting go of the clutch or the car will buck. If you are driving at the limit of traction and then introduce a buck or jerk to the car, you can quickly lose control of the car as you have essentially asked it for more than 100% of the available traction. The trick is that you have to brake and blip the gas with the same foot.

Overall, I think you’ll get a better appreciation for the skill required in driving a racecar after watching this video. Click here to view if reading the email feed. Enjoy!