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Top 10 Personal Finance Articles of the Month — July 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. First up, we’ll look at some “advice on advice,” as various bloggers push back on common conceptions and “expert” opinions. Then, we’ll assess different money mindsets and how they can help improve your finances. Finally, we’ll cover expensive purchases that are worth it, the meaning of value spending, 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 July of 2021, along with their title, author, and the site they originally appeared on.
Advice on Advice
7 of the Worst Pieces of Financial Advice Around — Kathryn Vercillo, Saving Advice
Like with most topics, when it comes to money, everybody’s got an opinion. Unfortunately, those opinions may not always be the most helpful and could do more harm to your finances than good. Thus, Kathryn highlights just a few pieces of money advice that don’t pass muster.
Stay Skeptical of Personal Finance Gurus — Kevin Hall, The Sensible Merchant
These days, there are plenty of so-called “personal finance gurus.” Some of these figures have been go-tos for years while others have seen more recent rises. Nevertheless, as Kevin points out, there are some reasons that consumers should give some extra thought to the advice these gurus offer instead of simply taking everything they say as dogma.
5 Money Mantras You Should Ignore — The Twenty Percent
On a similar note, in the age of social media, there are a number of catchy phrases and hashtags that are often used to sum up a financial belief. As you might expect, these short sayings are often oversimplified at best or just plain wrong at worst. So, you have The Twenty Percent’s permission to ignore the five money mantras featured in their post.
The Practicality of Money — Mr. Stingy
Just because a piece of financial advice is good doesn’t always mean that it’s practical. This is to say that, while generic suggestions can be helpful for some, that “generic” aspect inherently means that it won’t apply to everyone. With that in mind, Mr. Stingy looks at some good but impractical advice while also offering some alternatives.
Money Mindset
How to Prioritize Long-Term Thinking — Darius Foroux
As we go through life, it’s common to focus on short-term goals and desires. Meanwhile, although we might give some thought to the future, this is often secondary. However, Darius argues that focusing on the long game can actually be more beneficial and shares some ways to help you change your mindset in order to do so.
A Clever Way to Financial Independence (My Money Mindset) — Chris, TicTocLife
For all of the technical tips and “how-tos” that come with personal finance, more often than not, your success can be most influenced by your mindset. This doesn’t mean that you can make money materialize with your thoughts but, instead, means that you find greater value in money by focusing on the way you spend it. In this post, Chris explains his money mindset and how it’s helping him to achieve financial independence.
Personal Finance Tips
Expensive Things I’m Glad I Bought — Financial Chain Breakers
Those who fancy themselves as “savers” or “good with money” may actually find it difficult to purchase items that are expensive. Yet, being a savvy consumer doesn’t always mean buying the cheapest items and may even mean shelling out for the pricier pick from time to time. On that note, this article from Financial Chair Breakers looks at a few of their expensive purchases that were well worth it.
Value Spending: How to Really Save Money — Clipping Chains
Which is more relevant to your finances: the amount of money you spend or the value you get from it? While the former may be key in some cases, it’s the latter that can make a larger difference in the long run. That’s why Clipping Chains looks at what value spending means and why it’s so important.
Reduce Your Subscriptions (and Save Money) by Boing a ‘Scream Test’— Frank on FIRE
If you’re like most people, you likely have several different subscriptions these days. From streaming services to memberships, these monthly or yearly expenses can really add up. When you’re ready to start paring down your subscription list, Frank on FIRE has a clever suggestion he calls “the Scream Test.”
My Killer Financial Tool: The “Secret” Savings Account — Physicians in Numbers
In order to save money, sometimes you need to resort to tricking yourself. For example, apps like Acorns that utilize “round-ups” help people set money aside by automatically moving a nominal amount of money when they make a purchase. In the case of Physicians in Numbers, they utilize a “secret” saving account that helps them save without thinking.
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.
