The personal finance blogosphere has been increasing with each passing year. With an larger list of attendees at their annual event called “FinCon”, it’s clear the niche is growing. I was a first timer this past September, where the event was held in San Diego and the very fun cast of characters were interesting to say the least. FinCon had a family feel to it, where sharing information was encouraged. The sense of competition was almost nonexistent. This crowd had mixed their personalities into their individual unique message. Here are 8 bloggers who can and will add value to your money game. Some are bigger, some are smaller yet all are well deserving of a mention.
J. Money
J. Money is one of the more popular names of late with his Budgets Are Sexy blog. Though his mohawk doesn’t help him look the part of someone you’d ask about money, he is what the personal finance blogging community is all about. Transparent in his history and story, his website is committed to getting people to pay attention to their money.
Amanda Abella
Amanda is the best selling author of “Make Money Your Honey” where she delves into building a successful personal relationship with money. She offers a variety of advice ranging from freelance writing to building your own brand. She’s definitely someone you should contact if you are looking to get into this world. Otherwise, her straightforward approach will add value to your net worth. Amanda’s freelancing career was a move she made when faced with the Great Recession, a problem too many Millennials faced not that long ago. You will enjoy everything from her Periscope video’s to her tweets, as Amanda is really making a name for herself.
Jessica Garbarino
Jessica’s genuine personality and passion for finance is apparent. Her blog Every Single Dollar is geared toward single woman. Her content leverages her experience of paying off $56,000 of debt all on her own. If you are looking for a speaker or financial coach in this niche, she’s your gal! In addition to mastering her own money, she has experience as a skilled Corporate Accountant. That’s a killer combination, if you ask me.
MoneyBoss
J.D. Roth, the creator of Get Rich Slowly has moved on to his next baby, that being Money Boss. As one of the best known names in the industry, his credibility is unquestioned. After missing payments and bounced checks, J.D decided to become the CFO of his life. If you are ready to take personal responsibility and run your personal finances as if it were a business, Money Boss is the place for you. He’s a wealth of knowledge, it’s no accident that he’s been in the game for a while.
Thomas Frank
I was first introduced to Thomas when I walked into a seminar he was hosting at FinCon. He was showing how to make quality video’s and immediately I knew he was good at what he does. That being said, he’s much more than a video guy. His notoriety derives from his website, CollegeInfoGeek.com, where he teaches students how to win at college. Though not primarily a finance guy, he paid off 15 thousand dollars in loans BEFORE he graduated. Imagine that? After meeting him personally, it’s clear he is going places. And don’t forget to tune into his podcast, where in his own words, “helps students learn and improve in all areas of life.” I only wish I ran into such a resource when I was getting through school!
Lauren Greutman
You may recognize Lauren’s name from one of her many media appearances or her popular book named “The Recovering Spender.” She has an incredible story of transforming her life and relationships through overcoming 40K worth of debt. Whether it’s owning your actions or talking to your spouse about your financial situation, Lauren’s book has plenty of relatable information. You can see her on The Today Show, Barnes and Noble, or Doctor Oz. She’s in demand for a reason!
Whether it’s FinCon or some other learning/networking event, these sites and others like them are filling the void left by traditional education when it comes to finance. The niche was collectively created out of necessity and personal hardship rather than a quest to attain money. That is a good litmus test for quality of content. In these names, you will find stories of debt, entrepreneurship, as well as the overcoming of personal demons and hardship. Use what they have to offer to better your own life. I hope you get as much out of what they have to offer as I have! And if you are looking to start a finance blog, your attendance at FinCon won’t be regretted. In many ways, it’s the perfect example of the so called “Sharing Economy.”
Finding a role model can be a critical step toward shortening your path to success!
