Top 10 Personal Finance Blogs

While most people simply sit back and wish that they could save money, have a better home, a newer car, better education for their children or live a debt-free life, others have realized that it is their responsibility to take the actions required in order to achieve their goals. Over the past few years, many bloggers have created a successful personal finance niche online that offers useful tips and advice. While many of them offer good advice, there are definitely a few that stand head and shoulders above the rest. Let’s take a look at some of the top contenders.

Discretion is advised before taking action regarding your finances…

1. Get Rich Slowly

J D Roth has built his blog into one of the top personal finance blogs online. It has seen mention in publications such as the Money and Time magazines. He is a firm believer of paying yourself first while also setting goals that will help readers achieve their financial dreams. Topics discussed here range from college loans to building retirement funds. His style of writing keeps readers engaged from start to finish. One of his most popular posts is entitled 9 Methods for Mastering Your Money in 2009.

2. The Simple Dollar

In April 2006, Trent Hamm made the decision to completely overhaul his financial situation. Eight months later, he managed to pay his debts in full. This personal finance blog offers readers clear and concise financial advice on almost every aspect imaginable. He offers readers practical tips for reducing their debt along with advice regarding retirement savings. His aim is to educate his readers in the hope that they avoid making the same financial mistakes that he has made over the years. I particularly enjoyed his post about why it’s important to Pay All of Your Bills on Time.

3. Christian PF

Started and still owned by Bob Lotich, he not only teaches his financial principles from personal experience as well as a spiritual perspective, but he and his team are also willing to answer reader questions in the site’s forum. He firmly believes that virtually anyone is able to improve their financial situation if they are willing to work at it. He is also open to accepting finance-related guest posts that meet certain criteria. One post that stood out to me here was How to Prepare for the Unexpected.

4. Money Ning

Started in 2007 by David Ning, Moneyning is visited by over 500 000 new visitors each month. His straightforward approach leaves no room for doubt. His to-the-point articles cover topics such as showing you how to build wealth, how to become debt-free, how your financial choices affect your life and How to Take the Bite Out of Childcare Costs. Readers will learn something new pertaining to their financial situation each time they visit his site.

5. SquawkFox

When Kerry K. Taylor realized just how many money-saving tips she was making use of, she decided that she needed a way of sharing her new-found information with as many people as possible. She started her blog in 2008 and has been voted Canada’s #1 Money Blogger by The Globe and Mail readers and has appeared on the reality show Million Dollar Neighbourhood. Readers who visit her blog will definitely not leave without learning at least a few great money-saving tips, especially now that she is also a Mommy. One of her most popular posts is entitled The real reason you’re broke.

6. Celebrating Financial Freedom

Dr Jason Cabler has been supplying his readers with excellent content for quite a long time. He teaches readers how to get out of debt once and for all and live a debt-free life and has recently released a new eBook entitled ‘How to Budget – The Quick and Easy Guide to Making a Budget That Works.’ This is honestly one of the best books I have read that covers the budgeting basics in a language that is simple enough for everyone to understand. He has added a little humour to the subject of finances with his post entitled You Know You’re Broke If…

7. Free Money Wisdom

Jon has a straightforward approach when it comes to educating his readers about everything financial. He simplifies all things money in such a way that everyone can relate to his writing, because many of us have been in debt at some time or another. One of his most popular posts is entitled 6 Ways to Conquer Materialism and it offers advice on avoiding the various channels of consumerism in order to save more of our hard-earned cash instead of blowing it on the latest unnecessary gadget.

8. Stacey Makes Cents

While not strictly a personal finance blog, Stacey offers her readers excellent advice about living on less. She covers a wide range of frugal topics such as being a frugal housewife, affording a large family and learning how to cook from scratch in order to spend less on groceries. Her mission statement reads as follows: We aim to teach families to live on less than they make, live free from the bondage of debt, live well while eating well, and have fun while doing it – all for the glory of God.

9. PT Money

Philip Taylor started his blog to educate his readers about all things personal finance related. He teaches readers about The Best Way He’s Found to Truly Save Money, whether it’s for an emergency fund or that holiday that you’ve been dreaming about. He has dedicated sections on his blog that will teach readers how to save as well as earn extra money for the lean times and then spend it wisely in the process.

10. The Digerati Life

Readers who pop by here will be able to read about a variety of financial topics. While they cover the usual topics found on personal finance blogs such as How to Save Money on Food and Groceries, they also touch on topics like choosing the right insurance broker and why credit cards may not be as evil as you think.

As with all of these blogs, the writers are not qualified to offer official financial advice. They are merely presenting their personal opinions on various topics related to finances, whether it is saving money or learning how to live a debt-free life. As the photo in the post mentions, it is important for readers to use their discretion and not believe everything they read online. They hsould always exercise common sense (or should that be cents?) when dealing with their finances…

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