Want to Get Out of Debt? Top Ten Posts That Changed My Views on Money, Debt and My Life
I am a giant nerd. Whenever I get interested in a new subject, I immediately want to read a bunch of books about it*. I think a lot of the world’s problems could be solved if we all just read some more. But when it comes to personal finance, the blogs have it. In this department, I advocate blog learnin’ over book learnin’. Blogs are so much more dynamic, in-depth and personal about money, making it that much more interesting to the average reader (or person Googling “how the hell do I get out of credit card debt” and stumbling upon a gem like Get Rich Slowly). Blogs completely changed my views on money and I’m so happy I found the growing sphere of personal finance blogs. I enjoy every single one of these blogs, but there were a few posts that started it all and have since been bookmarked as a handy reference guide on getting out of debt. Whether you are thinking about getting out of debt, are knee-deep in the process or just want some guidance on understanding money, these are some of my favorite posts of all time!
American Debt Project’s Reference Guide on Ten Blog Posts That Will Change Your Views on Money, Debt and Life
1. 25 Traits of the Not So Well to Do: This is it. This right here was the single catalyst that started changing my views about how I spend money. I was reading Dave Ramsey, I was browsing the blogs, but it wasn’t until I found this post that it all really hit me. Practically every single trait of the “not wealthy” could be applied to me at some point in my life. I’ve referred this post more than once on my blog, and it is that good. If you can read this and not relate to it at all, you are not in debt. You do not have major money problems. But if you do relate to it, you’ll start to understand why you are always short on money, why your credit card balances never seem to go down, and maybe just a few ways to start changing those situations.
2. 75 Ways to Save Money Every Month Instead of reading one hundred terrible Yahoo! articles entitled “5 ways to reduce your expenses now” with the same tired advice, just read this list when you need some tips on saving money. You’ll find something new every time! This list has something for everyone and it works to save money because it is the little things that start to add up, and tips like #60 (Pay your credit card twice a month to cut down interest expenses) are ones that are saving me money.
3. Language of the Perpetual Poor makes you reassess your version of ‘hard times’. Are you really doing the best you can when it comes to creating savings and getting out of debt? Or do you get frustrated and impatient and need to reward yourself? I can identify with some of these as well and definitely could identify bad habits of lower income Americans. A lower income doesn’t mean you have to fall into these patterns. A lower income can teach you to live on less and when you begin to earn more, you will not immediately scale up your lifestyle to match.
4. 12 Steps to Financial Freedom in 2012 is a post that J.D. Roth updates every year for his Get Rich Slowly blog. It is plainly written and comprehensive. I started tracking every penny I spent in 2012 because of reading this. And once you read one GRS, you’ll want to read another. And then you’ll click to another article and you’ll find you just can’t get enough. Think of If You Give A Mouse a Cookie…
5. Forget About Your Debt. Just Forget It. Really. is what I refer to when I get discouraged about the seemingly endless grind of paying off debt. Every morning I wake up thinking about bills. That’s a terrible outlook. Afford Anything reminds me to be excited about how many opportunities I am creating for myself for the future. I was talking to a close friend yesterday and she also pushed me to stop worrying about debt. Keep doing everything to pay off debt, but stop thinking about it. Stop telling yourself you’re not free. You are free and you will be debt-free eventually too.
6. 107 Things That Make Good Financial Cents deserves an award for sheer quantity of ideas. I never read this list all at once, my head would explode. But it has so many good ideas and I like to go back and look at a few tips every so often to keep me going. It’s also one of the posts that is not just about debt but creating wealth. Paying off debt is just the first step on the financial journey. What are you going to do after that?
7. 10 Ways to Get Out of Debt is an article from The Street. This site should be one of your bookmarks. I refer to these 10 ways to get out of debt because it puts greater demands on you than just cutting the cable and buying generic cereal (although those are good things to do). You want to build your own business? You need to devote another 8 hours to it when you get home from work. Don’t eat out. Period. These are not easy tips, but they will work.
8. 10 Traits That Make You Filthy Rich is also from The Street. If you check out this post, you need to read all of the articles posted in the sidebar under Timeless Financial Advice.
9. Deliberate Practice and Personal Finance is from The Simple Dollar. Deliberate Practice is a great concept that Trent breaks down into three parts: 1) Focus on technique as opposed to outcome; 2) Set specific goals; and 3) Get good, prompt feedback, and use it. Deliberate practice can be applied to any part of your life you want to improve, sports and music being two examples where you can better develop your skills using these techniques.
10. 15 Ways to Stabilize So Your Dreams Can Materialize is from my all-time favorite blogger, Genius Types. Sadly, this is his most recent post and he hasn’t posted since July 2011. But his site is so full of material that it will take some time to read and process all of it. Since getting out of debt, he’s become an entreprenuer and real estate investor. But my main affinity for Genius Types is that he is interested in creative pursuits (me too!) and how to balance being an artistic type with creating a cash flow for yourself. I read this post often to figure out where I am in my process and I love this quote: “Financial stability starts with steady income and low expenses, NOT with a great investment or the next great entrepreneurial idea. It took me awhile to realize this, but it’s only when you have a strong base to stand on that you can take big risks.”
So that’s my guide. If you’re currently hoping to find your way out of a financial mess, the posts above are a great place to start. I’d love to know about the posts that totally blew your financial mind. Did I miss one of the greatest posts on money ever? Let me in on the secret man!
*I’m reading about the history of blogging right now, Say Everything
. A blogger reading a book about blogging? I’m like those doctors who watch Grey’s Anatomy.
Favorite post I have seen in a while, thank you for sharing these links.. Some amazing ideas and reading here.
I am going to bookmark several of these for reference when I find myself getting discouraged.
Thanks so much for the mention. It’s responses like yours that really make what I do awesome! I’m glad the article struck a chord in you.
I can tell you that I wrote that from experience, either my own or from people I’ve seen around me.
Wow, thank you for the mention, and I’m honored that you read that post every time you start feeling discouraged about debt. I truly believe every word in that post — You’re already free. And with every dollar that you put towards debt, you’re taking advantage of a great opportunity to save on interest.
Glen-thank you for your site! It’s like a never-ending grab-bag of awesome.
Paula- Your site is a big motivator. I love the tone and spirit of your writing. I think you inspire a lot of people!
Those are some really great articles and writers; the type of articles that I wish I’d written.
Something to aspire to.
I think these are all great post! Thanks for the round up I will definitely be reading each and every one of these.
Good roundup of money saving tips! I really learned a lot from all these finance blogs as well. Even as I write my own articles, I learn a thing or two. My wife still cringes a little bit whenever I talk about budget and finances. I think people in general just don’t enjoy the topic because they want to enjoy their lives by spending as much money as possible and not worry about debt.
Charles- you just made me crack up “they want to enjoy their lives by spending as much money as possible and not worry about debt.” Wow, I think you just summed up why I got into so much debt in the first place. But you are absolutely right. I sometimes surprise myself when I remember I have a blog about money-no one likes to worry about money! But eventually you get to a point where it’s either changing or accepting you are always going to be in debt. And I am definitely choosing the former.
Ha! I know most of these sources. And I remember reading Glen’s post shortly after I started The Money Principle; in fact I linked it and did a bit of test with it. I didn’t have the traits already. Most of my readers who took the test had a large proportion of them. (OK, I do have the latest gadgets but I don’t pay for them myself any longer, I smartened up on this one.)
Funny story: I credit Genius Types for my success in real estate. It was through him that I found my real estate club and got myself prepared to start investing!
That’s awesome. I’m glad to find another Genius Types fan. And I definitely need to talk to you re: real estate investing!
[...] 4) Put together a guide of getting out of debt without reinventing the wheel. Everything you need to know is already out there thanks to some great bloggers. I’m going to create a reference guide of posts and people who have really helped me in my process. A good portion of getting out of debt is changing your mindset and attitude, and 95% of my change came from getting amazing guidance from strangers on the internet. (Update: DONE! Check out my Top Ten Blog Posts AboutDebt, Money and Life) [...]
I read every single one of these posts after you posted this. Thank you for showing them some link love! Your #1 post was by far the best of the bunch. It really struck home. While some of them have never been applicable for me (Big TV, premium cable, eat poorly, tons of gadgets), some of them REALLY struck home (eating out, lots of new clothes, tons of gifts, quick to pick up tab). If I think of any more great posts to add to your list I’ll send them your way.
Thanks Cassie! I agree, that list hit home for me more on some points than others. I’d love to see other posts, send ‘em my way!
Thank you for posting it! It is definitely something I am going to reference very often. I think the first post was written about me!
These all sound like really inspiring posts. I’ll have to check them out. I agree that blogs have been far more beneficial in learning more about financial matters, especially when you’re really trying to learn about a certain area in particular.
Liked the “25 traits of the not so well to do”….good choice.
[...] Debt Project lists his getting out of debt blog post favorites. you would think life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness were all involved to hear him gush! [...]
Nice list! That’s the first time I’ve seen Glen’s post, and it’s a great one!
Wow, guess I’ma giant nerd too! My classmate way back in college told me how obsessed I could be in learning like I would read a bunch of books in the library, all the cards with my name of it just because I’m so interested with a topic! But you right, personal finance is not just about reading, it’s more on the execution. It’s what counts the most. I am so bookmarking this gem! Looks like my eyes will feast with those links you’ve provided
Glad you liked it Jonha! The blogs definitely make you go for it more than a book would. Although I will be writing a book about it one day, so you should read that…:)
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Great link list! There are awesome articles on here
Awesome post!! I really enjoyed the first and last posts. I definitely can relate to many of the traits listed of the not rich.
I’ll be bookmarking the list so I can come back and read them again.
[...] American Debt Project put together an amazing list of posts about money and debt [...]
This is a great post! I always find new inspiration when I come back to it!
[...] your financial future. I am staying focused on that and if other people who are looking for ways to get out of debt get inspired by my progress, then my blog has accomplished its goal. It’s great that there [...]
Thank you SOOO much for these great articles! I have just started reading personal finance blogs to help and motivate myself to get out of debt– I’m beginning to feel like this is possible!
Anytime! I am so excited for you. I know exactly how you feel and it sounds like you are on the right track. Good luck and hit me up if you have any questions!!