Personal Finance

Top 10 Personal Finance Articles of the Month — September 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. First up we’ll feature some recent reflections on the financial independence (FI) movement. Then (appropriately enough) we’ll look at some investment-related articles. Finally we’ll explore the pros and cons of financial advisors, ways to remove financial risk in your relationships, and how ignoring your money problems can only make things worse.

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 September of 2019, along with their title, author, and the site they originally appeared on.

Reflections on FI

The New FI: Forget Financial Independence, Achieve Financial Improvement First — Mad Money Monster

When most people learn about the concept of FIRE, they typically have one of two reactions: prompt dismissal or instant intrigue. For the latter, there are now several blogs dedicated to pursuing financial independence and exploring different routes. However, as Mad Money Monster points out, in some cases individuals may become so enamored with the idea of reaching FI that they don’t think to focus on small financial improvements instead.

There is More to Life than Financial Independence, Why I’m Now Pursuing “FILLS” — Mr. Simple Life, Simple Life Compass

One of the tenants of FIRE is rejecting consumer culture that insists we purchase the latest and greatest. Not only can consumerism hurt your wallet and jeopardize your financial future but could also be having an impact on the environment. That’s why Mr. Simple Life has come up with a new title for his pursuit: Financial Independence Live Lightly and Simply (FILLS).

Slow FI: The Real YOLO — Jessica, The Fioneers

As mentioned, there are now several flavors of FI. These include Fat FI, Skinny FI, Barista FI, and many more. So what is Slow FI? In this piece, Jessica not only defines the idea but explains why this path is the one that’s right for her.

Why I’m Glad I Didn’t Learn About FIRE in My 20s — Adam, Minafi

For a certain type of person, the idea of FIRE is captivating, motivating, and exciting. But could that actually be a bad thing in some cases? Adam explores what might have happened if he had encountered FIRE earlier in life and why he’s glad he didn’t.

Investing

Surviving A Bear Market: How to Keep Investing In A Rough Economy — Invested Wallet

With the United States still enjoying its longest economic expansion period in history, it should come as no surprise that many are bracing for a recession. Following years of great stock market returns, how will investors manage in a bear market? That’s what Invested Wallet seeks to answer, offering a few tips for staying the course.

Risk-Averse Investors Love These Strategies — Michael Dinich, Your Money Geek

It doesn’t take a recession to scare off some would-be investors. Instead there’s no question that the inherent risks associated with investing can be hard to stomach for some. For those looking for relatively low-risk options, Michael highlights a few investments that might appeal to risk-averse individuals.

Do You Know Your Stock Market Orders? — Jim Wang, Wallet Hacks

Beyond the risk factor, another reason that average adults might be intimidated by investing is the frequent use of jargon. To be sure, stock market investing does come with a terminology of its own that even extends to the way you choose to purchase shares. In a bid to help newbie investors better understand stock buying and selling options, Jim takes a look at a few common order types, including some pros and cons.

Personal Finance Tips

Should You Hire a Financial Advisor? — Kyle Burbank, Money@30

If you’re looking for financial advice, there’s certainly plenty to be found these days. From television and radio to something called “The Internet,” there are plenty of ways to learn about investing and other personal finance topics. So where does a financial advisor come in? For his article, Kyle looks at the potential benefits of hiring a financial advisor as well as some questions to ask yourself before taking the DIY route.

How to Eliminate Financial Risks in Your Relationship — Brian Brandow, Debt Discipline

It’s well known that one of the topics couples argue about most is money. That’s because many partners don’t take the time to discuss their financial philosophies, leading to conflict when things go badly. To help prevent such clashes, Brian looks at a few ways to remove the financial risks in your relationship and ensure you and your partner are on the same page when it comes to money.

Do You Ignore Money Problems?—  Melanie, Partners in Fire

No one likes to admit when they’re struggling with money. In fact, all too often individuals won’t even admit to themselves that they have a problem and will elect to ignore it instead. Unfortunately this never works out well. Thus, Melanie explains why no good can come from ignorance and offers some solutions for making needed changes.

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.

Other Articles by Jonathan Dyer