Back to Basics – Suggestions?
Given that I’ve now been at this for three years, I though that it might be time to go about an write a series of basic articles for financial newbies. I’m thinking of something along the lines of a “Back to Basics” series. While this might not be as useful for the personal finance veterans out there, I thought it would be especially good for those that are just starting out. With that in mind, I’m curious as to the types of basic financial articles that you think might be useful?
Please leave a comment or contact me directly with any suggestions.
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About the author: Nickel is the founder and editor-in-chief of this site. He's a thirty-something family man who has been writing about personal finance since 2005, and guess what? He's on Twitter!
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8 Responses to “Back to Basics – Suggestions?”
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May 2nd, 2008 at 12:02 pm
I’m new to the PF blog scene and planning to make a series of posts on my blog for newbies by a newbie. A couple areas of interest:
1) Getting eyeballs to your blog
2) Staying anonymous
3) Tech stuff like who are you hosting with
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:07 pm
SomeGuy: Sorry I wasn’t more clear… I’m talking about financial basics, not blogging basics. Imodified the post to hopefully make this more clear. As for your blogging questions, I would suggest you drop by the MBN Forums.
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I’ve been reading various money blogs for a few months now and have found the following newbie topics helpful.
1) Tracking where your money goes.
2) Creating a budget.
3) Retirement (or why you should max your 401k and IRA).
4) The goodness of index funds or why you probably won’t beat the market.
5) Buying a house.
6) Being nickel and dimed to death by small purchases (coffee, lunch, etc.)
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:28 pm
101 on investing (where to start? and how much to start with?)
Thanks
May 2nd, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Here’s one that I meant to write when I started Funny but haven’t managed to get around to: “Stay out of the herd.”
As I recall, I wanted to talk about not jumping off the cliff just because all the other sheep jump off:
* In purchasing STUFF because it’s in style or because friends just must have … [fill in the blank]
* In making investment decisions based on what everyone else is doing (f’r example, real estate)
* In believing what someone else says without looking it up and thinking it through.
There were other aspects floating around, but i don’t recall them right this instant. Bet you can think of plenty more and better ideas than I can! The idea was not necessarily to be contrarian, but, well…not to be a sheep.
May 2nd, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Maintaining a good credit score.
Strategies for getting yourself out of consumer debt.
Financial Record keeping/organization (keeping documents for possible tax write offs)
Wills, Living wills, trusts, estate planning, Death Tax…
Life Insurance – How much, when you need it, you don’t need policies on your kids…
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:01 pm
HI I would be interested in some of the following:
Pros/con of renting vs buying
which is better pay down debt or save up emergency fund ie how to prioritize
Grocery related posts aldi vs big chains target vs walmart etc
how to pare back on school supplies
529 vs roth ira for kids savings
when best time to shop for items like winter clothes, summer etc
ebay vs selling at used bookstore for cash
opening up savings accounts for kids & getting them to be interested in compound interest. banks that promote kids savings…
Having some money gifted to you with express wish of either being used as a down payment or for kids (3) college funds ages 13,9 and 3.
csa vs farmers market
Aloha
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Here’s another suggestion. I’m currently struggling with this one:
Frugal purchasing (and living in general) when you need to look like you have money.
This is really important for single guys in our consumer oriented society where displaying wealth is way more important than actually having wealth.