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Top 10 Personal Finance Articles of the Month — March 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. For this installment we start off with a look at all things budgeting, with tips for various money personality types. Then we’ll check in on the increasingly popular FIRE movement. Finally we’ll asses how much your job could be costing you, a fun strategy for jumpstarting your savings, and tips for completing a no spend challenge.
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 March of 2019, along with their title, author, and the site they originally appeared on.
Budgeting
Why Feeling Scarcity Is Good For Your Budget — Natalie, Go From Broke
If you ask anyone why it’s a good idea for them to budget, they’d likely say something to the effect of “so you aren’t broke.” While that is the basic goal, it’s also true that feeling broke can actually help you with your budget in the first place. As Natalie states, feeling scarcity can lead you to prioritize and get creative, making your budget better for it.
How to Budget When You Want ALL the Things — Jenna Griffin, Mr. Jamie Griffin
No one ever said that sticking to a budget was easy. Of course it can be even harder when you’re a certified “wanter” of all things. But, as a self-proclaimed wanter herself, Jenna offers a few tips for building a budget, learning to say “no” to yourself, and more.
What is Zero Based Budgeting (And How Does it Actually Work)? — Bobby Hoyt, Millennial Money Man
Whether you realize it or not, you’ve probably encountered the idea of zero based budgeting before. And, like other financial strategies, this method of budgeting comes with a set of pros and cons. That’s why Bobby takes a closer look at “ZBB,” what’s good about it, and who could be best served by this approach to budgeting.
Financial Independence
Can The Gig Economy Help You Reach Financial Independence? — Joe Udo, Retire by 40
Surely you’ve heard of the gig economy at this point. That’s the generic name that’s been applied to services such as Uber, Shipt, and many others that allow independent contractors to make money on a per-assignment basis. But can this approach to extra employment help you reach larger financial goals such as early retirement? Joe dives into that question while also assessing some of the good and bad elements of the gig economy.
I Haven’t Sacrificed Anything On The Road To Financial Independence — A Purple Life
As the “FIRE” movement has gained more mainstream attention, it’s fair to say there have been mixed reactions from the uninitiated. For one it seems that there’s been a large focus placed on the sacrifices that come with pursuing financial independence. However, as this post from A Purple Life shares, seeking FI doesn’t really mean you have to sacrifice anything you actually want — it just requires defining what that means.
7 Different Paths to Financial Independence — Marc, Vital Dollar
Another misconception about FIRE is that there’s a single path that everyone needs to follow if they plan on making it all work. In reality there are several different ways individuals and families are approaching their financial independence goals. From those with large salaries socking away cash to those with lesser means making the most of frugality, Marc offers a look at seven select paths commonly taken by FIRE followers.
5 Outdated Financial Rules that Need to be Broken — Ty Roberts, Camp FIRE Finance
Perhaps one of the reasons the idea of FIRE has been met with raised eyebrows by some is because the movement manages to break some preconceived notions people have about money. For example traditional thinking suggests that retirement doesn’t begin until you’re at least 65 years old. For his piece, Ty not only dispells this particular myth but also takes aim at a few other financial rules that are simply outdated in the 21st century.
Personal Finance Tips
Is Your Job Costing You Too Much Money Each Year? — Michelle Schroeder-Gardner, Making Sense of Cents
It seems pretty obvious that the basic point of employment is to make money. Despite that there may be times when you find that your job is actually costing you a significant amount of cash and eating into your earnings. While these expenses might not be worth quitting your job over, Michelle points out a few costs you should be aware of and pay attention to.
Best Strategy to Successfully Start a Savings Account or Emergency Fund — Andrea Joy, Saving Joyfully
Sometimes the best way to reach a goal is to start by making a few small changes. Of course finding a way to make these changes fun certainly can’t hurt either. That’s what Andrea discovered when she first tried money savings challenges. Now she explains why these challenges were so effective for helping her build an emergency fund and other savings.
The Complete No Spend Challenge Success Guide — Debt & Cupcakes
Speaking of money games, a popular trend for savings seekers has been attempting various no spend challenges. As this name suggests, the goal in these cases is to cut out unnecessary purchases for a set period of time. Think you’re up to the challenge? Debt & Cupcakes presents some no spend ideas to get you started and offers a few tips for ensuring your success.
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.
