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Top 10 Personal Finance Articles of the Month — April 2024

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 in the weeks prior and highlight them here. This includes a mix of sites that have become staples of our lists as well as many first-timers.

We’ll start off with a trio of stories about moving and housing. Then, as we do often, we’ll talk investing. After that, we’ll discuss some feelings about money. Lastly, we’ll look at some potential downsides of being “good” with money, where to put your money, and how to choose the right health plan for you.

Here are our picks for the top 10 personal finance articles for April 2024.

Moving and Housing

Is It Worth Moving to Lower Cost of Living After You Retire? — Harry Sit, The Finance Buff

In theory, residing in an area with a high cost of living will also mean earning a higher salary. So, what happens when you retire and are no longer making that higher salary? Does it make sense to move somewhere with a lower cost of living? That’s exactly what Harry looks at in this deep dive into the topic.

The Essential Guide to Saving Money When You Move — Kyle Burbank, Money@30

Although moving to a new area may save you money in the long run, the costs of actually making the move can add up quickly. Between getting the supplies you need to pack and either hiring movers or doing it yourself, there are plenty of expenses to consider. With that in mind, Kyle shares a guide to keeping those costs down when possible.

What My Grandma Paid to Build Her Home Will Shock You! (Really, It Will!) — Financial Mechanic

If you’ve ever looked at active house listings on Zillow and scrolled down to what they previously sold for, you may have been surprised by the difference. Of course, there are several factors that can explain why such large discrepancies are common. But, taking this to what might be considered an extreme, this article from Financial Mechanic shares the story of a “forever home” and the lessons we can learn from it.

Investing

12 Simple Questions You Should Ask Before Making Investing Decisions — Darius Foroux

Even as apps and tools attempt to make it easier, investing can still be pretty intimidating for some. However, as scary as the thought of losing money in the market can be, prospective investors could be well served by simply asking themselves some key questions before jumping in. In fact, Darius highlights a dozen such questions to help make the process easier and hopefully protect your money.

The Case for a Little “Fun Money” in the Stock Market — Jim, Route to Retire

Looking at most financial blogs and books these days, the conventional consensus is that everyday investors are best served by purchasing low-cost index funds and ETFs rather than trying to chase the new, hot stocks. While that’s solid advice on the whole, what if you factored some “fun” into your portfolio? Jim looks at how earmarking a bit of your investment funds for high-risk, high-reward picks may make sense for some.

Money Feeling

Content or Complacent? — Aaron, Mr. Stingy

Finding a sustainable work-life balance is a major goal for many Americans. Along with that, another balance that many workers strive to find is that between being content and being complacent. So how do you do that? Aaron shares some thoughts on the matter.

Rich People Who Don’t Feel Rich — Ben Carlson, A Wealth of Common Sense

It’s an age-old question: what does it mean to be rich? Not only is this question complicated to answer but, as research shows, even those who might fit the term under many definitions say they don’t actually feel rich. For his post, Ben looks at this phenomenon and why our general habit of comparing ourselves to others is likely to blame.

Personal Finance Tips

Is Being “Good” with Money Making You Miserable? — Money with Katie

There’s no doubt that being financially literate is a benefit. At the same time, knowing what you should do can occasionally be a burden when you’re trying to enjoy life. Katie ponders this issue — and where common-cited fixes fall short.

Where You Should Put Your Money (And When) — Nick Maggiulli, Of Dollars and Data

Generally speaking, most people have a basic idea of the types of financial goals they should have. For example, we know it’s important to have an emergency fund, pay off debts, and save for retirement. But, in what order should we actually do these things? To help answer these key questions, Nick breaks things down into three stages: the opening, the midgame, and the endgame.

Our (Ridiculously Simple) Method for Choosing the Right Healthcare Plan For You — Lauren “Kitty” Torres, Bitches Get Riches

The current healthcare system in the United States is confusing, to say the least. As a result, it can be difficult for many people to determine what their best plan should be. Luckily, Lauren is here to share some insights on finding the right healthcare option and understanding what your coverage really means.

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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.