Understanding how to manage your finances is essential for staying out of debt, building wealth, having a comfortable retirement, and tools such as life insurance to protect your loved ones. While achieving financial literacy sounds like a formidable task, there are plenty of online resources that can help.
But how do you know which sources to trust? Check out our list of the 12 best websites to learn about personal finance.
1. Wise Bread
If you’re new to the financial world, this personal finance website is a great place to start. The writers cover basic personal finance topics, and share their own tips and experiences. Wise Bread is geared more toward those living frugally. Expect lots of “saving hacks” and budgeting articles.
Best for: Learning to spend less and save more.
2. The Penny Hoarder
This popular personal finance site has an article on almost any personal finance topic, but mostly focuses on the basics of saving and making money. If you’re on the hunt for bargains, freebies and general money-saving tips, this is the financial resource for you. Penny Hoarder covers topics like budgeting, credit repair and other frugal money moves.
Best for: Penny pinchers
3. Policygenius Magazine
If you’ve nailed down the basics and are looking for more financial guidance, check out our magazine. We offer explainers on money news and give personalized advice on big money moves like buying a home or expanding your family. Want more free advice? We also offer a weekly newsletter with quick money tasks to get your finances back on track.
Best for: Busy people looking for straightforward money advice
4. Econlife
Econlife combines current events, history and economics in an easy-to-digest way. The website analyzes economic stories, past and present, to help readers understand the financial choices they make.
Best for: Learning about how the economy connects with everyday life
5. The White Coat Investor
James Dahle is a practicing emergency physician and the author of White Coat Investor, a blog, book and podcast.
His blog covers personal finance for physicians and other high-income professionals. Most of the advice is geared toward doctors, but investors with more capital can also take advantage.
Best for: High-income professionals looking for financial assistance
6. HerMoney
Women view and use money differently than men, and they often face challenges in the workplace that can hinder them financially, according to HerMoney CEO Jean Chatzky. HerMoney offers personal finance and career advice for women. The website includes articles like how to ask for a raise or how to talk about money with your partner.
Best for: Women
7. Ellevest
Ellevest is a financial planning company that offers investing and career content specifically for working women. Ellevest covers topics on career growth, investing and building credit.
Best for: Women investors
Check out the best (and worst) states for women to work.
8. Entrepreneur
As the name suggests, this website (which is also published as a monthly magazine) offers stories about entrepreneurship, freelancing and owning a small business.
Want to learn more? Check out our interview with Jason Feifer, editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur Magazine.
Best for: Freelancers and entrepreneurs
9. ChooseFI
The “Financial Independence, Retire Early” movement is becoming more popular. If you don’t know what FIRE is or where to start, ChooseFI is a great resource to learn more. ChooseFi is a blog, podcast and book covering how to reduce expenses, get out of debt and build passive income.
Best for: Learning about the FIRE movement
10. Quora
Quora isn’t a traditional personal finance publication. It’s a Q&A site where users can answer other users’ questions. Users can give personalized answers, so the next time you’re struggling with a particular financial issue, you may find you’re not alone. Note: Most answers aren’t given by financial professionals. While using Quora can help point you in the right direction, it’s best to do more research before taking money advice.
Best for: Finding the answer to your specific money question
11. New York Times: Your Money
Readers can expect explainers on recent financial regulations and changes. Most of the stories in this section of the New York Times are narratives with a financial angle. If you have a good understanding of personal finance and the financial world, this website is a great go-to for policy news.
Best for: Staying up-to-date on financial policy
12. Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports is a nonprofit organization that advocates for marketplace transparency. The website offers product reviews and advice for consumers. It provides content on topics like avoiding hidden fees, product safety and how to protect your stuff. The website also follows and reports on food and product recalls.
Consumer Reports tests products in its own labs to ensure accurate reviews. If you ever plan on buying something, this is a good place to find the best (and safest) products.
Best for: Product research
Want to learn more? Check out the 8 best personal finance podcasts.
Image: Marius Maralar
