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.
We’ll start with a fun category composed of article titles that end the same way: with a question mark. After that, we’ll talk about topics related to both potential and impending parenthood. Wrapping up, we’ll discuss what it means to consider the full price, a “treat yourself” budget framework, and more.
Here are our picks for the top 10 personal finance articles for July 2026.
Question Marks
Is Your Perfectionism a Financial Liability? — Jessica Sommerfield, MoneyNing
We all know that, as the saying goes, nobody’s perfect. And yet, that doesn’t stop us from trying. However, as Jessica points out, striving for perfectionism in personal finance can actually backfire in some big ways.
Die With $10,000,000? — 1500 Days to Freedom
As humans, we tend to overreact to certain things in ways that really make no sense. It’s almost as though a pendulum swings and we forget all about the predominant wisdom we had before then. With a title that’s a tongue-in-cheek reference to Die With Zero, this post from 1500 Days to Freedom looks at the problem with such short-term thinking.
Should You Open a Trump Account? — Lazy Man and Money
Recently, applications for Trump Accounts opened. If you’re not familiar, these tax-advantaged accounts give parents a new option for saving for their child (and potentially claim a free bonus in the process). Lazy Man and Money breaks down the pros and cons of these accounts… while also addressing the elephant in the room.
Timeshares: Vacation Dream or Financial Nightmare? — Stephanie, The Money Savvy Blog
We’ve all heard horror stories about timeshares, but you’ve probably also seen some great things as well. Indeed, it’s a fraught industry that most people might not actually know all that much about. To help, Stephanie takes a closer look at what timeshares are, how they work, and what potential buyers will definitely want to consider.
Regarding Parenthood
How To Plan For Maternity Leave When Self-Employed — Danielle Desir Corbett, The Thought Card
Being self-employed can be great in terms of keeping a flexible schedule and perhaps even working from home. But what does self-employment status mean in terms of taking maternity leave? Danielle dives deep on the topic to provide some great guidance.
To Kid or Not to Kid? The Question that Finally Helped Me Decide — FIRECracker, Millennial Revolution
Of all the major decisions you’ll make in your life, choosing whether or not to have children may be the biggest. In turn, answering that question for someone else can be next to impossible. Instead, this article shares a personal experience that will hopefully help you reflect on your own situation.
Personal Finance Tips
If You’re Not Thinking About “Full Price,” It’s Holding You Back — Jesse Cramer, The Best Interest
When you make a purchase, do you consider the full price? No, not the retail price — the full price. To understand what this truly means, Jesse shares some examples and explains why it’s important to think in these terms.
The Treat Yourself Tax: A Budgeting Framework That Makes Room For Joy (Two Ways) — Nadia Vanderhall, The Brands and Bands
Budgeting can be hard, and we as humans need rewards once in a while! So how do you make a budget that’s not overly painful but keep your splurging in check at the same time? Enter Nadia’s Treat Yourself Tax, which you can employ in a couple of different ways.
Why You’ll Never Solve All Your Money Problems — Aaron, Mr. Stringy
When it comes to money, we’re all chasing various goals. In doing so, we may assume that, some day, all of our goals will be met and, thus, all our problems will be solved. Alas, Aaron explains why that’s not exactly the case (but why you should still be happy with 90% solved).
The Pros and Cons of DIY Investing — Craig Stephens, Retire Before Dad
For many, investing can be intimidating. Even for those who know the basics, they may be wondering whether it’s worth hiring a professional. Before doing that, you can check out Craig’s thoughts on the pros and cons that come with DIY investing.
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.
