Top 10 Personal Finance Articles of the Month — October 2020

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 is something we could also use right now: early retirement. Then we’ll answer a pair of financial questions. Finally, we’ll round things out with a look at economic inequality as it relates to Sin City, why you should try thinking like a Millennial, how tweaks to your environment can help you reach your financial goals, and more.

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 October of 2020, along with their title, author, and the site they originally appeared on.

Early Retirement

Things I Did Wrong and Still Retired Early — Tommy, Leisure Freak

There are several reasons why most people assume they can’t retire early. Among them is the belief that their past mistakes have already doomed their future chances. However, for those stuck in that mindset, Tommy shares some of his missteps and how he managed to retire early in spite of them.

Did FIRE Just Get Much Easier? — Joe, Retire by 40

If you’ve ever explored the idea of early retirement, you’ve surely come across talk of the 4% Rule. Well, just recently, the creator of that guideline adjusted his thinking and suggested that the actual safe withdrawal rate is likely 5%. Does this mean that financial independence just got way more achievable? Joe takes a look at how this could impact potential early retirees.

Abolish the Early Retirement Police? — Financial Mechanic

For whatever reason, a lot of people take issue with the concept of early retirement. As a result, it’s not hard to find critiques and commentary stating that some of those who have obtained FIRE aren’t actually retired. However, Financial Mechanic argues that it’s time to put an end to these so-called “early retirement police” while also taking a closer look at the subject.

Financial Questions

Can You Live on $10,000 a Year? — EAT Money

Each year, the average American spends nearly $60,000. With that in mind, cutting those expenses down to just $10,000 annual may seem impossible — but is it? EAT Money breaks it down and presents some scenarios where it just may be doable… but perhaps not so easy.

How Many Stocks Should a Beginner Buy? — Tight Fist Finance

As we’ve discussed before, getting started with investing can be intimidating. This is especially true if you want to explore the world of individual stock buying. So how many stocks should a beginner buy and what types of stocks should they shoot for? Tight Fist Finance answers these questions and more.

Personal Finance Tips

Economic Inequality as Explained by Vegas Table Games — Kyle Burbank, Money@30

It seems that the past few years in particular have shined a light on economic inequality. Nevertheless, the concept might still elude some. In this short post, Kyle offers a unique analogy, showing how economic inequality can also be found on a casino floor.

Why You Should Try Thinking Like a Millennial — Financial Chain Breakers

Even in today’s society, Millennials still get a bad rap. Yet, for all the accusations of the generation being entitled and lazy, they may have something to teach those of other ages. Thus, this post from Financial Chain Breakers looks at why you may just want to start thinking like a Millennial after all.

Creating Better Money Habits: How to Adjust Your Environment to Support Your Financial Goals — Rox, Finance Rox

Sometimes making small changes can help you work toward much larger goals. Additionally, adjusting your environment can make a bigger impact than you may realize. Rox shares some personal experiences that show how changes can help create better financial habits and offers some tips for those looking to do the same.

Spend Your Money on These Three Things to Increase Happiness, According to Science — Joshua Becker, Becoming Minimalist

We’ve all heard it said that money cannot buy happiness. Yet, it seems that spending money in some ways can be more beneficial to our happiness than others. With that premise, Joshua looks at a few purchases that studies show offer the best emotional return for your money.

4 Tried and True Ways to Make a Few Extra Bucks — Melody, Cash for Tacos

Finally, we could all use a little extra cash these days. Unfortunately, finding an opportunity that makes sense from a financial and time standpoint can be difficult. That’s why Melody highlights four “tried and true” ways to add a few dollars to your pockets that are as stress-free as possible.

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.

Also published on Medium.