Welcome to Wise Bread's Best of Personal Finance roundup. This week brings a brief explanation of yard sale litigation, how the recession is bringing in some bad hair business, and the top ten places to relocate or retire. (Plus, check out an amazing video!)

Top 5 Articles of the Week

Every Penny Counts Video – The often overlooked unit of currency can have a big effect on your financial future. This ingenious video made by Josh Chan, as part of Stanford FCU’s video scholarship contest, should be a winner! Bargaineering

Having a Yard Sale? Don’t Break the Law – There are many things that you could sell at a yard sale and get in trouble, as a result. Nope, we’re not talking prescription drugs, stolen stereos, or bathtub gin – it’s the baby cribs that could get ya! Learn how recalled products can stay off your sale tables, and how you can avoid surprising legal woes. Smart Spending

Nothing Simple about Food Dating, Expiration Dates, or ‘Use-By’ Dates – What is up with the “freshness” dates printed on foods these days. Are they OK to eat past their due dates? Is there a bit of wiggle room? Who decides what’s safe? This article clears up a good portion of the confusion. Consumer Affairs

12 Critical Things Your Family Needs to Know – If you left the world today, with no warning to your family, would they have the info they needed to keep things under control? Most of us are unprepared to pass on the facts about insurance, organ donation, and debt. Get some peace of mind with this list of lists. Free Money Finance

Some Thoughts on Building a Successful Friendship – It’s a topic that we all come back to several times in our lives: friendships. As an adult, things are a bit more complicated than declaring your school bus seatmate a “BFF”, and it’s good to read a well-thought out list of truths that can be useful for a lifetime. The Simple Dollar

Other Essential Reading

Recession Gives Rise to Bad Haircuts, Cowlicks – While salon business isn’t exactly booming, corrective hair styling sessions are on the rise. Wall Street Journal via Consumerist

How to Save $1,000 or More on Moving Costs – Our own Frugal Duchess shares these tips for drastically cutting costs when you change residences. One tip: stay flexible for savings of up to $600! Relocation.com via Frugal Duchess

Top Ten Places to Relocate or Retire – There are over 100 fabulous places mentioned in this roundup originally provided by Money Magazine. See what destinations took the top ten spots. Money Magazine via Frugal Dad

Condiments, Sauces, and Seasoning Recipe – If paying over 50 cents for a packet of taco seasoning seems insane, help is on the way! This list of DIY quick mixes and sauces is a life-saver, giving you the dirt on how to make your own chocolate sauce, garlic croutons, baking powder and pumpkin pie spice! Kitchen, Crafts & More

The Case for Debt Elimination Over Savings – What? What would Suze Orman think? This brief explanation of another way of thinking is a great read! I’ve Paid for This Twice Already