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Top 10 Personal Finance Articles of the Month — August 2025

by Managing EditorSep 5, 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.

First up this month, we’re going to talk about housing and the housing market. Then, we’ll discuss investing and, specifically, how AI is impacting the economy. After that, we’ll round things out with looks at sinking funds, 401(k)s, “lifestyle dividends,” and more.

Here are our picks for the top 10 personal finance articles for August 2025.

Housing

No One Can Afford a House Anymore: Why It Feels Impossible, and What You Can Do — Lindsay Bryan-Podvin, Mind Money Balance

For many, it seems that with each passing year the dream of owning a home drifts further away. Between rising prices and currently high interest rates, there are several challenges that impact the housing market. Similarly, other challenges impact the rental market and make it hard for tenants to afford their housing, too. So what can be done? That’s what Lindsay explores in this post.

It’s the Housing, Stupid — Nick Maggiulli, Of Dollars and Data

As we established, the current housing market is a challenging one for those looking to buy. Interestingly, this also impacts other markets as well. In this article, Nick explores that connection while also diving more into America’s housing problem.

Investing in AI

How AI Conquered the US Economy: A Visual FAQ — Derek Thompson

If you’ve paid even the slightest bit of attention to the news in recent years, you’ve surely heard about how AI is booming. Not only is the technology growing quickly and expanding into different verticals, but AI companies are now also make up a huge part of the U.S. economy. What does this mean going forward? Derek dives into some stats and big questions.

Time to Think Small? Why Hank Green is Adjusting His Investments — Kyle Burbank, Money@30

As AI becomes a larger part of the American economy, should investors consider diversifying further? After all, due to weighting, the 9 companies in the S&P 500 account for 36% of the index. While YouTuber Hank Green may not be known for his financial insights, Kyle found Green’s recent take on how he’s adjusting his portfolio intriguing.

Personal Finance Tips

Sinking Funds: Making Experiences Work Within Your Expenses — Nadia Vanderhall, The Brands and Bands

One big budgeting trick is employing sinking funds. Although the name might sound perilous, the funds are those set aside for planned expenses. To learn more about how sinking funds work and how to get started using them, be sure to check out Nadia’s article.

Lifestyle Dividends —Craig Stephens, Retire Before Dad

For those unfamiliar, dividends are regular payments made as a portion of profits. Typically, the term is used in relation to finances and, specifically, stock ownership. But what if you had dividends in the form of freedom and flexibility? Craig introduces the concept of Lifestyle Dividends, including some recent examples.

Too Much in 401(k) and Tax-Deferred Accounts? — Jesse Cramer, The Best Interest

When it comes to retirement savings and investments, there’s a lot to consider. For example, is there such a thing as having too much in pre-tax retirement funds (as opposed to post-tax)? In this post, Jesse answers this very question and goes over everything you need to know.

Little Rules About Big Things — Morgan Housel, Collab Fund

This article requires/deserves a different sort of introduction. You may know Morgan from his outstanding book The Psychology of Money, which is filled with enlightening quotables. Well, in this post, he offers up the same, as he presents short and small rules on some very big topics.

Everybody Wants to Be Rich — Darius Foroux

Just as the headline of this article states, it seems that everybody wants to be rich. Moreover, being rich is also often synonymous with achieving fame (hence “famed and fortune”). However, as Darius shares, the real path to wealth is not through attention and acclaim but through embracing simplicity.

The Need for Next — Aaron, Mr. Stingy

As humans, it’s in our nature to look ahead and aspire for more. Although this can be good overall, it can have negative side effects as well. That’s why Aaron highlights how to hone your “need for next” in a positive way.

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.

Author

Managing Editor

Managing Editor ~ Fioney

Toren Ajk is the founder of TAC Marketing Group, the parent company of Fioney. Toren has over 15 years of experience in the digital publishing space and has worked with a number of FinTech clients over the years, including LendingClub, Upgrade, and Able Lending, among others. He has a BA in Business/Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara and earned Beta Gamma highest academic honors for his MBA work in Finance and Marketing at Loyola Marymount University.