SMALL WAYS TO EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT PERSONAL FINANCE
(BROUGHT TO YOU BY SOMEONE WHO’S *NOT* AN ECON MAJOR)
On the internet, money has been stripped of its “taboo” status in recent years, and it’s something people are openly chatting about more and more. Although I do not consider myself an educated queen on this topic, I am trying to slowly learn more since this isn’t something I learned in high school or college!
*small interlude* I don’t have a steady income flow, and I recognize not many people have extra cash laying around to easily invest right away.
This post is mainly to help you find a financial path you find comfort in and help you learn more about the financial sector. I’m not giving advice on how to invest — just sharing some pathways I took to educate myself!
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Reading
I loved reading the Freakonomics series because it made investing and money humorous and a little bit easier to grasp for myself.
I’m also a fan of blogs like Ellevest, The Financial Diet, and NerdWallet.
Their content exposed me to key terms I’d never heard of before, which led me into small rabbit holes that were overwhelming but definitely helped me see ways I could put my money to good use without going full stock junkie.
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Watching
I love all the random videos Youtube had to offer me during my economics learning curve. A lot of the videos did not pertain to me and my student salary, but some were fun to help understand different career paths and their income streams.
Aja Dang paid off $200,000 of student loan debt in just two years, and she’s shared pretty much everything she learned along the way on her channel.
Cinzia DuBois quit shopping for a year, and you might want to hear her story if you’re finding yourself clicking on too many Instagram ads or mindlessly filling online shopping carts.
Last but not least, series like CNBC’s Millenial Money and Glamour’s Money Tours offer somewhat voyeuristic (but very useful!) looks at the bank statements of young professionals with a wide range of salaries living in major American cities. If you’re trying to piece together an idea of what your life could look like on a starting salary in a brand new city, these wildly transparent interviews can help you get a feel for what that leap might entail.
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Listening
To be honest, my podcast playlist on spotify mainly has to do with health and wellness, but I do like Planet Money by NPR.
I’d also recommend Bad With Money, Brown Ambition, Clever Girl Finance, and This is Uncomfortable — all of which are hosted by badass women (a welcome oasis amid a too often white, male desert of personal finance experts).
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Truth be told, money and how you choose to wield it is deeply personal. For instance, I’m more cautious with my money, which can result in a slower growth than someone who is more aggressive with investments.
That said, there’s a lot of value in learning about how other people handle their money and making sure your approach lines up with your goals.