Personal Finance

Top 10 Personal Finance Articles of the Month — December 2021

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. As we enter a new year, we’ll start off with a look back at 2021 along with some resolutions for 2022. After that, we’ll feature a trio of articles on the topic of minimalism. Then, we’ll look at using multiple bank accounts, automating your finances, and more.

As usual, this month’s list includes a couple of 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 December of 2021, along with their title, author, and the site they originally appeared on.

2021 Reflections and 2022 Goals

2021 Goals & FIRE Wrap Up — Joe, Retire by 40

Every year, many of us set goals for ourselves… but how many of us succeed in achieving those goals? While looking back can be discouraging, it can also be illuminating. That’s why this entry from Joe not only offers updates on his 2021 goals but also shares insights on his 2021 financial year overall.

A Year in Review: How 2021 Treated Me — Moriah Chace

There’s no doubt that 2021 was a challenging year for many around the world. Among them was Moriah, who endured several setbacks But, as she shares in this personal post, there’s reason to be hopeful for the future.

How I Lived On $20,415 As A US Nomad In 2021 — A Purple Life

Sure you keep track of your basic finances, but do you know where every dollar you spent went? A Purple Life does. Furthermore, she documented all of her expenses for 2021, giving us a fascinating look at how a nomad can live on just $20,000 in spending.

My 2022 Goals: Personal, Professional, and Money — Kyle Burbank, Money@30

Closing out our New Years’ section, it’s time to look ahead. Continuing a yearly tradition, after pointing out which of hits 2021 goals were accomplished and which he fell short on, Kyle highlights a few of his plans and goals for the year ahead.

Minimalism

Minimalist Living: 14 Simple Ways To Easily Improve Your Life — Brittany Kline, The Savvy Couple

As we’ve covered before, interest in living a more minimalistic life has been on the rise thanks to the likes of Marie Kondo, The Minimalists, and others. Nevertheless, it can be difficult for those curious about making changes to know where to start. To help them, Brittany looks at 14 easy but impactful actions to take.

45 Minimalist Christmas Gifts (All Clutter-Free) —  Jewels, One Frugal Girl

When embracing minimalism, not only might you wish to limit the number of physical gifts you get but you might also start to think twice about the presents you give to others. And while Christmas may be over, this dilemma applies to other gifting occasions year round. So, if you’re looking for clutter-free ideas, Jewels has compiled a list of 45 options.

There Are No Rules for Minimalism. That’s All Bulls*** — Renee, The Fun Sized Life

Just as there are a lot of misconceptions about personal finance and living frugally, these are some perceived “rules” to minimalism that don’t really apply. Yet, these “rules” might stop someone from embracing minimalism for fear that they might have to do something they don’t actually want to do. Thankfully, Renee reminds us that such limitations are B.S. and that minimalism is for everyone.

Personal Finance Tips

7 Smart Reasons Why You Should Have 4 Bank Accounts — Jenny Smedra, Budget and Invest

Have you ever wondered how many bank accounts you should have? To the surprise of some, the correct answer likely isn’t “one.” Instead, Jenny explains why four may be the magic number.

5 Easy Ways to Automate Your Finances and Make Money Management Less Stressful — Natalie, Go From Broke

If having four bank accounts sounds complicated to you, there’s some good news: you can always use automation. Thanks to a number of tools you can employ, there are many ways for consumers to set their money on auto-pilot, making their lives that much easier. Sound good? Natalie offers five ways to get started.

Gap Year Inspirations — Josh Overmyer

Earlier this year, Josh quit his job to take what he’s calling a “gap year.” But, before embarking on such an adventure, he looked to a number of writers and friends, taking inspiration and wisdom from each. Thus, in a bit of personal finance blogger Inception, I wanted to highlight Josh’s list of those who helped inspire his big life change.

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Thanks for checking out my 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 me on Twitter @jondyer9 and of course visit DyerNews.com.