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Top 10 Personal Finance Articles of the Month — April 2019
It’s time again for one of my favorite features here on Dyer News: a look at the top 10 personal finance articles of the month. Starting this off, we look at a couple of articles related to some of the largest purchases many of us will make in our lifetimes. Then we’ll talk saving and budgeting, including tips for slimming your budget and more. Also this month we’ll go over some of the basics of working with a financial advisor or planner, share why #FinHealthMatters, and dive into some streams of income you can use to help you retire early.
As usual, this month’s list includes a couple Dyer News Top 10 mainstays as well as a few first-timers. Without further ado, below is my list of the top 10 personal finance articles published in April of 2019, along with their title, author, and the site they originally appeared on.
Making Major Purchases
6 Pitfalls of Down Payment Assistance Programs — Dan Rafter, Wisebread
Obviously purchasing a home is likely to be among the largest if not the largest purchase you’ll make in your lifetime. Plus, given the emphasis placed on homeownership, you may be considering some shortcuts such as down payment assistance programs. However, as Dan points out, these services can come with a few potential downsides you should know about.
How Much Should Your Car Payment Be? — Kim Suazo, Frugal Rules
Second only to a house in terms of price, a vehicle is another major purchase most Americans make. Notably it’s also where many commuters spend a decent amount of their time, leading some to stretch their means for all the bells and whistles they want. So how much should you actually be spending on a car payment? Kim offers some suggestions and guidelines to follow.
Saving and Budgeting
Disadvantages of Budgeting: Fact or Fiction — Debt and Cupcakes
Most people know about the advantages of budgeting but what about the disadvantages? Are there really even any? This Debt and Cupcakes article bites into some accusations leveled against various aspects of budgeting to determine if they truly hold water or not.
Considering More Ways to Save Money Every Day — Andrea Joy, Saving Joyfully
When starting a budget, it’s often advised to start small and make subsequent cuts as you go. However sticking to this plan might lead some people to feel they’ve run out of options for trimming. If that’s the case for you, Andrea offers a few different things to consider that might just help you pull out some extra savings from your budget.
30+ Simple Strategies To Boost Your Savings — Mad Money Monster
Still looking for more ways to save? Have you thought about requesting work from home opportunities, relocating, or looking for frugal forms of entertainment? These are just a few of the money-saving ideas Mad Money Monster shares — ranging from small lifestyle tweaks to big game changers.
How to Determine the Right Amount of Money for Your Emergency Fund — Rachel Scott, Wrachel Writes
One of the most important money saving goals you should strive to accomplish as early as possible is developing a fully-funded emergency fund. Of course this proclamation begs the question, what does a “fully-funded” emergency fund consist of? For her post, Rachel breaks it down and looks at how you can calculate your ideal emergency fund amount.
Financial Planning
How Do Financial Advisors Get Paid? —
If you’re looking for a greater level of guidance on how to manage your money effectively, a financial advisor may be just what you need. That said the services of these professionals rarely come for free. Morever the way advisors get paid can vary greatly, with some structures proving more attractive than others. With that in mind, Fred details the different ways financial advisors make money.
Financial Planning 101: The Ins And Outs Of Working With A Financial Planner — Sean Finucane, Dinks Finance
While having a basic knowledge of financial advisory fees is important, there’s also a lot more you should know about working with a certified financial planner (which is just one type of financial advisor). From understanding the benefits of a financial planner to finding the right person for you, there’s certainly a lot to consider. Thankfully Sean has a few tips for working with a financial planner that should help make things a bit easier.
Personal Finance Tips
#FinHealthMatters: The Biggest Financial Lessons I’ve Learned —Kyle Burbank, Money@30
This past week marked #FinHealthMatters Day, focusing on the importance of financial education and literacy. To mark the occasion, Kyle highlighted a few of the most important financial lessons he’s learned in recent years and how they’ve helped him grow into a more money-minded adult.
The Six Streams of Income We’ll Rely on in Early Retirement — Laurie, The Three Year Experiment
These days it seems that workers of all ages are dreaming of an early retirement. Of course while some may only be thinking about it, others are taking action and taking proactive steps to make it happen. That’s the path Laurie and her husband are on and, in this post, she shares a look at the six sources of income they’ll be leveraging to make early retirement a reality.
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.
