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Top 10 Personal Finance Articles of the Month — February 2025
Welcome to Fioney’s look at the top 10 personal finance articles of the month. On the first Friday of each new month, we look back at some of our favorite posts published (or updated) in the weeks prior and highlight them right here. This includes a mix of sites that have become staples of our lists as well as many first-timers.
To start this month, we’ll check in on the FIRE movement with two posts on the topic. Then, zooming out, we’ll look at some aspects of getting ready for “regular” retirement.” After that, we’ll discuss getting back on track financially. Lastly, we’ll cover “The Half Rule,” sports investing, and more.
Here are our picks for the top 10 personal finance articles for February 2025.
FIRE
I Was Supposed To Retire Today: How FIRE Can Go Better Than Forecast — A Purple Life
When most people hear about FIRE for the first time, they might be intrigued, but most find the goal of reaching financial independence to be too lofty. But, what if you not only managed to achieve FI but even did so ahead of schedule? That’s exactly what happened to Purple — and, in this post, she explains what went right.
Is ‘Benefits Hacking’ Genius? Or Immoral? — Jesse Cramer, The Best Interest
If you reach FI and retire early, your net worth is likely in the millions. That’s why it’s surprising to learn that, in some cases, you may qualify for certain programs meant to help those with low incomes. But is it right to take advantage of these options just because you can? That’s the moral question at the center of Jesse’s deep dive into the topic of “benefits hacking.”
Readying for Retirement
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Before Retirement? — Ben Carlson, A Wealth of Common Sense
As retirement approaches, you’ll surely want to have your financial ducks in a row. Plus, with a desire to transition into your new lifestyle, you may be wondering if it makes sense to try to pay down your mortgage early. Well, if that’s you, you’re not alone as a reader happened to ask Ben this same question — which he explores in this post.
3 Levels of Retirement Readiness: Where Do You Stand? — Fritz Gilbert, The Retirement Manifesto
Speaking of preparing for retirement, how ready would you say you are? Even if you have the financials figured out, have you considered other aspects of what the transition will entail? Well, you can find out which “level” you’re at and what it means thanks to this great post from Fritz.
The Four Cornerstones of a DIY Retirement — Craig Stephens, Retire Before Dad
Between self-directed retirement account options and a plethora of online advice, a “DIY retirement” is now more achievable than ever. In fact, it’s something that Craig has been writing about for years. Now, in this deep dive, he breaks down the topic of DIY retirement into four cornerstones.
Getting On Track
Getting On Track
I Have Stupid Credit Card Debt — Amanda Golka, Racing Debt
Bad spending habits can sneak up on you quickly. One day you’re doing just fine keeping up with your monthly credit card bills and then, the next… not so much. Finding herself in such a situation, Amanda has decided to undertake a “No Buy Year” as she looks to erase her “stupid credit card debt.”
Audit Your Wallet: Build A Roadmap To Your Money Goals — Nadia Vanderhall, The Brands and Bands
Want to change the way you manage your money? An audit of your wallet may be in order! Luckily, Nadia is here to walk you through the full process and explain all the benefits you can expect as part of this important exercise.
Personal Finance Tips
The Half Rule Will Change Your Money Life (Frugal Living Tip to Live By) — Frugal Confessions, Amanda L Grossman
When it comes to saving money, many tips are easier said than done. So, when you hear the advice “just use less,” you might be inclined to write it off. Yet, as Amanda explains “The Half Rule,” it seems that this simple switch could lead to some huge changes for the better.
Sports Investing — Tiffany B. Brown
You’ve surely heard about sports betting, but what about sports investing? And, no, you don’t need to be a billionaire and buy a team to participate! Instead, as Tiffany explains, there are a few sports teams and other entities that are publicly traded. Who knew?
Yes, I Bought the New iPhone Today. Here’s Why. — Kyle Burbank, Money@30
Finally, with a new iPhone hitting the shelves last month, some consumers may have been tempted to upgrade. Among those was Kyle, who did indeed decide to buy. However, while this may not have been the most necessary purchase, he explains what about the iPhone 16e in particular appealed to him, his budget, and his overall money philosophy.
Thanks for checking out our top 10 personal finance articles published last month and congratulations to all of the bloggers who made the list. To find more of these great articles on a daily basis, be sure to follow us on Twitter @fioneymoney and of course visit Fioney.com.
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