Many people don’t believe me when I say this, but learning about finance can actually be really fun. You might be rolling your eyes at me as you read this, and I don’t blame you. When most of us think of a financial advisor, we envision someone in a suit behind a mahogany desk talking about stocks and a bunch of other things that are hard to understand.
The truth is that these days, you can find out anything you want to about money by just reading some great financial blogs and signing up for unique programs. There are so many websites out there that can teach you about paying off your debts and investing, and they do so in a fun and engaging way. Below are my top ten favorite websites that can help make you smarter with your money and by extension, wealthier than you ever thought possible.
#1 Payoff.com
The first step to becoming 100% financially independent is to pay off your debts. It’s rare these days to find someone that has no debt: between sky-high student loan debts and mortgages, chances are almost everyone you know owes money for something. That’s why Payoff.com is so unique—it’s an encouraging website that joins with social media to help keep you motivated to pay off debts. They give out virtual badges when you reach certain steps, and you can encourage others through their unique community.
#2 Mint.com
Mint.com is a favorite among finance professionals. The tools on their site can help you to live on a tight budget and also see where you money is going every month. It’s completely free to sign up and keeps your information secure.
#3 LearnVest
LearnVest is a relatively new company that is earning a lot of praise for their great financial advisors and unique programs. They have an online community where you can go and ask questions as well as tools to track your budget.
#4 Investopedia
Investopedia is just like it sounds: an encyclopedia for you to educate yourself on anything and everything finance. Learn about investing and check in for the latest news and articles on financial topics.
#5 GoGirlFinance
GoGirlFinance is a great grassroots company that is devoted to helping women gain the confidence to handle their finances. They provide unique blog posts every week on a variety of financial topics from the fiscal cliff to when it’s a good time to have a baby, and they also partner with several talented financial advisors to bring free webinars to the public.
#6 MyMoney.gov
MyMoney.gov is a US government website that exists as a way to educate citizens on finances. You can learn about mortgages and loans and utilize their tools such as debt and mortgage calculators to find out how to best manage your money.
#7 WiseBread.com
WiseBread.com is one of the top personal finance websites with tons of resources to help you better understand how to manage your money. They have a team of highly accomplished writers who all bring a unique perspective to the site. They also have an invaluable, regularly-updated list of all of the top personal finance blogs.
#8 RetailMeNot.com
One easy way to get smarter with your money is to start learning how to save money on simple things like your grocery bills. Coupons are all the rage, and there’s no shame in carrying a stack of them into the store with you—in fact, before I buy anything, whether it’s a scented candle or a nice computer, I always check RetailMeNot.com to make sure there isn’t a coupon for it that I’ve missed. Simply search the store where you are about to shop just to be sure there isn’t a $5 off coupon or a free shipping code: by doing this you can easily live like a king on a peasant’s income.
#9 BankRate.com
I like BankRate.com because it almost acts like an interactive newspaper. You can get updates on the best mortgage rates while enjoying interesting and fun articles and useful tips, and they also provide several calculators that you can use to determine how much you’ll need to spend each month for that new home or car.
#10 ManVsDebt.com
ManVsDebt.com is a great personal blog belonging to a couple who sold all their belongings and traveled around the world. If you’re looking for inspiration for the goals you can achieve when you save, this is the place to get it. They also offer great tips for smarter ways to save money while simultaneously encouraging you to live a minimalist life.
Hopefully, these ten great websites can help you get on track with learning all you can about finance in a way that is enjoyable and fun. All it takes is a little bit of knowledge to make big changes that can lead to a happier and healthier financial life this year.
Featured photo credit: Balancing Time and Money via Shutterstock
