It sounds like you're incredibly aware of where you and your husband are at, Wendi! Knowing your numbers and resourcing yourself (with books, etc.). That's a great place to begin. Re: wanting to start a blog, Substack is an easy platform to get setup on! You might also want to try writing a few posts in a document on your computer and see if you enjoy it first ☺️ but I certainly understand how writing can both help you document your progress/stay accountable—and build community!
I agree about all the influencer content. That’s why I started my Substack. For books, I would recommend It’s Not About the Money. The author has a really interesting story. I also am planning to get the new TFD book when it comes out this spring
Which author for Its Not About the Money- looks like there are a few. Based on the title- I’d like to give it a read but want to make sure it’s the one you’re recommending!
I love love love reading these newsletters! This was NOT boring to read, and I really appreciated the list of things you have an aversion to - especially the part about "abundance" and "manifestation". There's way too much content out there along those themes and I find them incredibly unhelpful. Here for the (non)-boring, practical and useful content that incorporates interesting personal stories that I can relate to (or can contrast my current stage in life against - also helpful!).
Thank you for the feedback, friend! And also the note about how some stories contrast where we are at also being helpful! I totally agree. There's so much we can learn from others, and across generations (younger ones included). I'll still avoid the "abundance" talk... but personal stories that are practical too? Sign me up.
Not recommending this for finance reading although they say Warren Buffet recommends just this book “The Intelligent Investor”. It’s great for putting me to sleep 🤣 with its tiny print. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intelligent_Investor
Although I really did enjoy Amanda Holden from US and her investing courses. Love the way she frames the content and easy to understand.https://www.amanda-holden.com/id-course
Ahhhh, a name I love seeing pop-up! The last time I saw Amanda, we went for Mexican food after a book event in Portland. She is every bit as warm and wonderful as you think she is.
on tiktok lately there has been a "loud budgeting" trend- this is where the girlies who want to stick to tighter budgets or want to pay off debt faster, share exact and specific numbers / spending this week/month, as a sort of online accountability/voyeuristic feeling girl group of "we're all in this together". My favorite lately is Brittany Reynolds. She's been paying off 36k of credit card debt and I think she's down to 12.5k left- partially bc she keeps getting tiktok brand deals now. Part of what makes it interesting is (in her case) the rags to riches feeling you get when you watch her pay down another couple grand. Part of it is the interest in her life- it's just interesting to watch her compare "what i spent this week vs what i spent this time last year" as she picks apart her old bad habits that racked up all the debt. It's interesting to see what people spend money on. It feels like a part of their lives we usually never get detailed access to. I am sure I don't have to explain this to you!! You were part of an earlier wave of this trend I think.
So I wouldn't say money is boring now... but you have to go where the young people are. Finance books are not it. But for the kind of content you are looking for- I am not sure. Maybe that stuff is all boring. I haven't gotten to that point in my life yet.
I love Brittany’s content too!! Love how she’s not preachy and just authentically sharing her experience going from overspending to focusing on this credit card payoff journey without excessive judgement
Interesting story of a personal journey managing money. I’m both a certified public accountant and a writer on Substack on living with the trait of high sensitivity, and occasionally I write for other outlets. I might be interested in contributing some content to your effort. I’m not sure the tack I’d take but would be interested in collaborating on something perhaps.
I’m interested in stories about people working towards less than more. Instead of trying to find out how to make the most money, they search towards getting meaning out of life other ways. At the same time, one can’t live without money so I’m interested in that balance between figuring out how to live a “meaningful” (I know that means so many different things) life without being focused on having the largest house, the newest fanciest car, the expensive purse, etc. I want to work less and enjoy life more yet I must have a job to pay for all the things and especially in America, you have to have a full time job to have healthcare but I know people figure out ways around this!
Thank you for everything you included in this, Aimee! It sounds like coming up with your "enough" number (as my friend Nicole Antoinette calls it) might be a helpful part of that process... which starts with knowing what a meaningful life means to you, of course. Do you have your own answers to those questions, or are you still trying to answer them? ☺️
Ah! Thank you for the reminder of the enough number. I had learned that concept before and will revisit the idea!
I am definitely trying to answer them. I have done a decent job downsizing my life and I require less but I think I am at a similar point to you in that I do need a bit more income to meet my savings goals and for some other things I’d like (mostly a few big trips I’d like to take) but I don’t want to get a “serious” job again because it’ll throw off my balance. I’ve always struggled with the idea of wanting more money because I hate money! And all I believe it stands for.
I get what you’re saying about money being boring. Anything I get in a groove with and is effective becomes “boring” to me. I’ve learned to embrace it.
Like you mentioned, it probably has to do with my nervous system.
I’ve learned to embrace boring because when I don’t something in me conjures up “excitement” in the form of crises.
It’s a pattern in all areas of my life.
I’ve also learned to shift from bored to content. I’m thankful that I have routines that stabilize my life. Thankful that I have the capacity to settle.
The growth junkie in me wants to reach reach reach, but I’m learning that I don’t need to reach to grow. Life unfolds. New pathways open up. Questions are asked and answered.
Yeah, that’s all woo and feel good, but it really is turning out that way.
On the money front, I know how to budget, save, pay down debt and earn income. I see those as basics.
My edge is now growing money and creating income streams that increase as my effort decreases. I’m fascinated about those topics.
"I’m thankful that I have routines that stabilize my life. Thankful that I have the capacity to settle." This was so relatable, Nneka. I think renting this house was one of the best decisions I've ever made for my nervous system. I also don't think I'd be writing, if I was still unsettled.
Loved this. It's so hard to figure out how to have a critical voice when I'm at the very beginning of my personal finance journey. I want to find the things that are rooted in what you're talking about, but I end up getting so confused about how to find the resources that are really going to resonate with me. The world of money feels like such a predatory place sometimes. I really appreciate your outlook.
I can definitely relate to the challenge of knowing who to trust in the beginning, Katie. I'm not sure which country you're in, but one type of writer I'd look for: financial journalists. They aren't allowed to sell products, just report on how things work. Financial therapists feel like a safe group of people to learn from too. I know I've linked to her a couple times in this post/comments, but Lindsay is new to me and her YouTube channel seems like a good resource: https://www.youtube.com/@MindMoneyBalance/videos - happy to brainstorm more options anytime, if you let me know which country you're in! ☺️
I heard somewhere that the drama of our lives is the drama of our relationships. And when those relationships (money or people or work or anything) are mostly solid then I think they feel 'boring' because they aren't wildly activating either direction. But I think that's when we settle into enjoying the simpler nuances of days and weeks and lives. Ripples instead of hurricanes.
I think it's Esther Perel and she actually says: the quality of your relationships determines the quality of your life: https://youtu.be/LmDPAOE5V2Y?feature=shared - but wow, what a GREAT comparison! My income is too low/feels a little unstable... but ultimately, I know I can change that. And, I know how to manage money stuff overall! So it makes sense it doesn't activate me the same way anymore... and I'm just living my simple life and feeling ok! Ripples instead of hurricanes. Thanks, friend ☺️
I also find the 'boring' content the most interesting. I'd maybe call it realistic rather than boring, and the more real things are the more interesting they are. The term realistic is often used to mean not ambitious, but of course being ambitious is a real experience too, just not one that is often framed in a realistic way. A lot of that other content doesn't feel like it's made about or for human beings.
Realistic rather than boring. Love that. I also think it's... this is how it feels, when you're past the "debt payoff drama" stage (which can feel like a wild ride) and into the "living life and feeling ok" stage. It's not boring, it's just... life!
If you ever feel like writing about it in more detail I would love to know your evolution from the needs/wants stuff! Like, how you conceptualize your spending now in that regard.
Ooo ok! I'll have to think about that. My first quick thought: I just don't have a hierarchy anymore! My spending is my spending. Are there things I might cut back on when money is tight? Sure (though not by much, because I don't feel I overspend on anything as it is). But if I created a budget, I would not once at all think about needs vs. wants. It's all just... me! And my spending adds up to a little life I love! I won't try to squeeze it into some made up model of how much we "should" allocate to various categories (including needs vs. wants).
Back in 2017, I read Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing and that was what nudged me to start investing. I never regretted it even though prices seemed high at the time.
In reading your words, as well as those from others here who comment, I am of the opinion that money (and finances in general) is a very personal / individual related topic. What may seem "boring" to one person (who has "been there / done that" financially over the years) may instead appear as quite new to another (who is just starting out and has never experienced the topic). Likewise, there may be a person who needs to be step-by-step guided in grasping and / or completing a financial task as opposed to another person who, in just being given a more general financial topic, has the ability (and / or experience) to form their own conclusions and / or unique steps in completing a financial task successfully.
People are all different. We all enjoy reading / learning information (whether it be finance / money -related or something else) at all different levels of detail. It all depends on one's background, education, past experience (whether it be good and/or bad), lifestyle, age, present wealth, family situation, whatever.
I guess what I'm saying is that my thoughts and interests regarding money having continually changed over the years: from right after university (starting my first job); then later getting married; and then later starting a family; followed later (with more savings) getting into investing. I guess that this interest in money matters will always continue to evolve as time goes on for me.
So whatever money matters that you decide to discuss here over time may not apply to some readers but most probably will apply to others reading your words. Write about what interests you personally and I'm sure your readers (through their comments) will post about whatever interests them. That way we will all benefit by sharing ideas and information.
"What may seem "boring" to one person (who has "been there / done that" financially over the years) may instead appear as quite new to another (who is just starting out and has never experienced the topic)." This is very true, Rob, and a good reminder! I think it felt important to name some of the things that *don't* interest me, because I was often afraid to say things like that when I was younger. I was afraid to share my opinions. But I know the value of sharing them now. Of being more honest about who you are, what you stand for, what you will/won't be creating content about. It also sets expectations for readers. But I love what you're saying, and as we can see, people will absolutely post comments and share what's true for them—and that's a good thing.
It sounds like you're incredibly aware of where you and your husband are at, Wendi! Knowing your numbers and resourcing yourself (with books, etc.). That's a great place to begin. Re: wanting to start a blog, Substack is an easy platform to get setup on! You might also want to try writing a few posts in a document on your computer and see if you enjoy it first ☺️ but I certainly understand how writing can both help you document your progress/stay accountable—and build community!
Read "Your Money or your Life" by Vickie Robin and Joe Dominguez. It's and oldie but goody.
One of my personal favorites. I feel that it is a life changer!
I've read it, but might be a good one to re-read this year! Thanks!
I agree about all the influencer content. That’s why I started my Substack. For books, I would recommend It’s Not About the Money. The author has a really interesting story. I also am planning to get the new TFD book when it comes out this spring
Which author for Its Not About the Money- looks like there are a few. Based on the title- I’d like to give it a read but want to make sure it’s the one you’re recommending!
Scarlett Cochran!
Thanks for the reco, Maria! I actually hadn't heard of this one before!
I love love love reading these newsletters! This was NOT boring to read, and I really appreciated the list of things you have an aversion to - especially the part about "abundance" and "manifestation". There's way too much content out there along those themes and I find them incredibly unhelpful. Here for the (non)-boring, practical and useful content that incorporates interesting personal stories that I can relate to (or can contrast my current stage in life against - also helpful!).
Thank you for the feedback, friend! And also the note about how some stories contrast where we are at also being helpful! I totally agree. There's so much we can learn from others, and across generations (younger ones included). I'll still avoid the "abundance" talk... but personal stories that are practical too? Sign me up.
Not recommending this for finance reading although they say Warren Buffet recommends just this book “The Intelligent Investor”. It’s great for putting me to sleep 🤣 with its tiny print. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intelligent_Investor
Ha! I'm sure it was great for that 😂
Although I really did enjoy Amanda Holden from US and her investing courses. Love the way she frames the content and easy to understand.https://www.amanda-holden.com/id-course
Ahhhh, a name I love seeing pop-up! The last time I saw Amanda, we went for Mexican food after a book event in Portland. She is every bit as warm and wonderful as you think she is.
on tiktok lately there has been a "loud budgeting" trend- this is where the girlies who want to stick to tighter budgets or want to pay off debt faster, share exact and specific numbers / spending this week/month, as a sort of online accountability/voyeuristic feeling girl group of "we're all in this together". My favorite lately is Brittany Reynolds. She's been paying off 36k of credit card debt and I think she's down to 12.5k left- partially bc she keeps getting tiktok brand deals now. Part of what makes it interesting is (in her case) the rags to riches feeling you get when you watch her pay down another couple grand. Part of it is the interest in her life- it's just interesting to watch her compare "what i spent this week vs what i spent this time last year" as she picks apart her old bad habits that racked up all the debt. It's interesting to see what people spend money on. It feels like a part of their lives we usually never get detailed access to. I am sure I don't have to explain this to you!! You were part of an earlier wave of this trend I think.
So I wouldn't say money is boring now... but you have to go where the young people are. Finance books are not it. But for the kind of content you are looking for- I am not sure. Maybe that stuff is all boring. I haven't gotten to that point in my life yet.
I love Brittany’s content too!! Love how she’s not preachy and just authentically sharing her experience going from overspending to focusing on this credit card payoff journey without excessive judgement
Googled her after reading this, and she seems really relatable! I'm glad you've found someone whose journey is inspiring you ☺️
Oh and I don't use TikTok. But if anyone is curious what Loud Budgeting is, I liked this video (also by Lindsay Bryan-Podvin): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYIynkNnjBg
Interesting story of a personal journey managing money. I’m both a certified public accountant and a writer on Substack on living with the trait of high sensitivity, and occasionally I write for other outlets. I might be interested in contributing some content to your effort. I’m not sure the tack I’d take but would be interested in collaborating on something perhaps.
I'd be happy to connect, Monica! Email me anytime: caitflanders at gmail
I’m interested in stories about people working towards less than more. Instead of trying to find out how to make the most money, they search towards getting meaning out of life other ways. At the same time, one can’t live without money so I’m interested in that balance between figuring out how to live a “meaningful” (I know that means so many different things) life without being focused on having the largest house, the newest fanciest car, the expensive purse, etc. I want to work less and enjoy life more yet I must have a job to pay for all the things and especially in America, you have to have a full time job to have healthcare but I know people figure out ways around this!
I second your comment Aimee! I am interested in these things as well 😊
Thank you for everything you included in this, Aimee! It sounds like coming up with your "enough" number (as my friend Nicole Antoinette calls it) might be a helpful part of that process... which starts with knowing what a meaningful life means to you, of course. Do you have your own answers to those questions, or are you still trying to answer them? ☺️
Ah! Thank you for the reminder of the enough number. I had learned that concept before and will revisit the idea!
I am definitely trying to answer them. I have done a decent job downsizing my life and I require less but I think I am at a similar point to you in that I do need a bit more income to meet my savings goals and for some other things I’d like (mostly a few big trips I’d like to take) but I don’t want to get a “serious” job again because it’ll throw off my balance. I’ve always struggled with the idea of wanting more money because I hate money! And all I believe it stands for.
Lots to ponder…
I get what you’re saying about money being boring. Anything I get in a groove with and is effective becomes “boring” to me. I’ve learned to embrace it.
Like you mentioned, it probably has to do with my nervous system.
I’ve learned to embrace boring because when I don’t something in me conjures up “excitement” in the form of crises.
It’s a pattern in all areas of my life.
I’ve also learned to shift from bored to content. I’m thankful that I have routines that stabilize my life. Thankful that I have the capacity to settle.
The growth junkie in me wants to reach reach reach, but I’m learning that I don’t need to reach to grow. Life unfolds. New pathways open up. Questions are asked and answered.
Yeah, that’s all woo and feel good, but it really is turning out that way.
On the money front, I know how to budget, save, pay down debt and earn income. I see those as basics.
My edge is now growing money and creating income streams that increase as my effort decreases. I’m fascinated about those topics.
Amen! Contentment and knowing what is "enough" is what we all are searching for in my opinion if we are being honest with ourselves.
"I’m thankful that I have routines that stabilize my life. Thankful that I have the capacity to settle." This was so relatable, Nneka. I think renting this house was one of the best decisions I've ever made for my nervous system. I also don't think I'd be writing, if I was still unsettled.
Loved this. It's so hard to figure out how to have a critical voice when I'm at the very beginning of my personal finance journey. I want to find the things that are rooted in what you're talking about, but I end up getting so confused about how to find the resources that are really going to resonate with me. The world of money feels like such a predatory place sometimes. I really appreciate your outlook.
I can definitely relate to the challenge of knowing who to trust in the beginning, Katie. I'm not sure which country you're in, but one type of writer I'd look for: financial journalists. They aren't allowed to sell products, just report on how things work. Financial therapists feel like a safe group of people to learn from too. I know I've linked to her a couple times in this post/comments, but Lindsay is new to me and her YouTube channel seems like a good resource: https://www.youtube.com/@MindMoneyBalance/videos - happy to brainstorm more options anytime, if you let me know which country you're in! ☺️
Absolutely! I’m in the US. I listened to Lindsay yesterday and found it so helpful. Any other resources are greatly appreciated!!
I heard somewhere that the drama of our lives is the drama of our relationships. And when those relationships (money or people or work or anything) are mostly solid then I think they feel 'boring' because they aren't wildly activating either direction. But I think that's when we settle into enjoying the simpler nuances of days and weeks and lives. Ripples instead of hurricanes.
I see it as an invitation to lean into appreciation rather than searching for (or creating) something to make it exciting again.
I think it's Esther Perel and she actually says: the quality of your relationships determines the quality of your life: https://youtu.be/LmDPAOE5V2Y?feature=shared - but wow, what a GREAT comparison! My income is too low/feels a little unstable... but ultimately, I know I can change that. And, I know how to manage money stuff overall! So it makes sense it doesn't activate me the same way anymore... and I'm just living my simple life and feeling ok! Ripples instead of hurricanes. Thanks, friend ☺️
I also find the 'boring' content the most interesting. I'd maybe call it realistic rather than boring, and the more real things are the more interesting they are. The term realistic is often used to mean not ambitious, but of course being ambitious is a real experience too, just not one that is often framed in a realistic way. A lot of that other content doesn't feel like it's made about or for human beings.
Realistic rather than boring. Love that. I also think it's... this is how it feels, when you're past the "debt payoff drama" stage (which can feel like a wild ride) and into the "living life and feeling ok" stage. It's not boring, it's just... life!
If you ever feel like writing about it in more detail I would love to know your evolution from the needs/wants stuff! Like, how you conceptualize your spending now in that regard.
Ooo ok! I'll have to think about that. My first quick thought: I just don't have a hierarchy anymore! My spending is my spending. Are there things I might cut back on when money is tight? Sure (though not by much, because I don't feel I overspend on anything as it is). But if I created a budget, I would not once at all think about needs vs. wants. It's all just... me! And my spending adds up to a little life I love! I won't try to squeeze it into some made up model of how much we "should" allocate to various categories (including needs vs. wants).
Back in 2017, I read Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing and that was what nudged me to start investing. I never regretted it even though prices seemed high at the time.
Love the Bogleheads forum...so much wisdom there!
"need to know who the audience (is)"
Hi Cait,
In reading your words, as well as those from others here who comment, I am of the opinion that money (and finances in general) is a very personal / individual related topic. What may seem "boring" to one person (who has "been there / done that" financially over the years) may instead appear as quite new to another (who is just starting out and has never experienced the topic). Likewise, there may be a person who needs to be step-by-step guided in grasping and / or completing a financial task as opposed to another person who, in just being given a more general financial topic, has the ability (and / or experience) to form their own conclusions and / or unique steps in completing a financial task successfully.
People are all different. We all enjoy reading / learning information (whether it be finance / money -related or something else) at all different levels of detail. It all depends on one's background, education, past experience (whether it be good and/or bad), lifestyle, age, present wealth, family situation, whatever.
I guess what I'm saying is that my thoughts and interests regarding money having continually changed over the years: from right after university (starting my first job); then later getting married; and then later starting a family; followed later (with more savings) getting into investing. I guess that this interest in money matters will always continue to evolve as time goes on for me.
So whatever money matters that you decide to discuss here over time may not apply to some readers but most probably will apply to others reading your words. Write about what interests you personally and I'm sure your readers (through their comments) will post about whatever interests them. That way we will all benefit by sharing ideas and information.
"What may seem "boring" to one person (who has "been there / done that" financially over the years) may instead appear as quite new to another (who is just starting out and has never experienced the topic)." This is very true, Rob, and a good reminder! I think it felt important to name some of the things that *don't* interest me, because I was often afraid to say things like that when I was younger. I was afraid to share my opinions. But I know the value of sharing them now. Of being more honest about who you are, what you stand for, what you will/won't be creating content about. It also sets expectations for readers. But I love what you're saying, and as we can see, people will absolutely post comments and share what's true for them—and that's a good thing.