Weekly Roundup

Want to Be Financially Literate? Follow These Bloggers

Ready to Become Financially Literate? Then Follow These Bloggers

Happy Financial Literacy Awareness Month! It may not be a highly celebrated month right now, but I believe in time it will be. Every day I see more and more people recognize the role financial literacy plays in their lives and more fully understand how their lack of of financial knowledge affects them. Their eyes have been opened and they are now taking action to educate themselves.

For many years, there was a natural assumption and expectation that every generation did better than the previous one. In most cases, it appeared to be true. Today, we enjoy some amazing technological and medical advances that seemed impossible, even just a few years ago, so many safely assume their kids will surpass them.

But will they?

Financial literacy continues to erode among our children, which may not seem like a big deal to you. But it is a big deal. I don’t say this to scare you but educate you. Everyone handles money and our inability to make good decisions with how we use our money comes at price. Most often, it’s debt. Too many are barreling to the edge of their own fiscal cliff and they don’t even realize it.

But not all hope is lost.

People are taking back ownership of their money every day. They realize their current lifestyle is unsustainable and are figuring out what they need to do to eliminate debt. They are letting go of old habits and beliefs and openly talking to their kids about money to help them avoid making the same mistakes.

These good things are happening as a direct result of the hard work of many personal finance bloggers who are sharing their stories and experiences in hopes of educating others. In honor of Financial Literacy Awareness Month, I want to highlight some great personal finance bloggers you should get to know and follow on your journey to become financially literate. Some of them have already conquered their debt while others are still on their journey to financial freedom. All of them know the difference financial literacy has made in their lives.

2 Copper Coins
Are Ya Gonna Eat That
Broke Millennial
Budget and The Beach
Budget Blonde
Budgeting for More
Canadian Budget Binder
Cash Cow Couple
Cents and Sensibility
Club Thrifty
Color Me Frugal
Debt Round-Up
Disease Called Debt
Enemy of Debt
Eyes on the Dollar
Financially Blonde
Frugal Rules
Girl Meets Debt
Impersonal Finance
L Bee and The Money Tree
Living Rich Cheaply
Luke 1428
Making Sense of Cents
Modest Money
Mom and Dad Money
Money Bulldog
Money Rebound
Monster Piggy Bank
One Income Life
Plunged in Debt
Rather Be Shopping
Reach Financial Independence
See Debt Run
Square Pennies
Stacking Benjamins
Tackling Our Debt
The Broke and Beautiful Life
The Frugal Farmer
The Random Path
Thrifty Dad
Young Adult Money

Weekly Recap

This week I helped you get a start on your spring cleaning with 5 Smart Financial Moves to Make this Spring. Following these simple steps will help you stay on target to achieve your goals by year-end. To kick-off Financial Literacy Awareness Month, I put together an infographic outlining basic steps to help you become financially literate. The statistics I shared are a bit disheartening, but I also find when people become aware of the need for financial literacy, they get onboard pretty quickly.

The Heavy Purse was mentioned in several places this week. Special thanks to Girl Meets Debt, Shoeaholicnomore, Frugal Rules, Budget and The Beach and Enemy of Debt. I appreciate your support!

A Few Good Reads

My favorite posts from this week. Enjoy!

John at Frugal Rules shared his thoughts on Why Financial Literacy is so Important to Me. I am in complete accord with John as I cannot think of better reason to become financially literate than for the benefit of our children.

Krista and Jon at 2 Copper Coins had the Best Way to Save Money: Embrace Contentment. Too often we look at our lives and see lack instead of feeling satisfied by everything we do have. Love this post!

Grayson at Debt Round-Up compiled his Top 20 Money Quotes to Inspire and Motivate. He found so many great quotes, so you definitely want to bookmark this post for when you need a little extra motivation.

Tonya from Budget and The Beach asked How Bad Do You Want It?” A great question because sometimes we say we want something than do the exact opposite, whether we’re trying to get in shape or get out of debt.

Hayley from Disease Call Debt shared a very personal story in How to Make Relationship Work if You’re in Debt. Most of time we hear about how debt drives couples apart and Hayley shares how her and husband were able to make their relationship stronger as they face their debt together.

Why does financial literacy matter to you?

Shannon

The Heavy Purse Store is now open! My new downloadable Money Club Workbooks are now on sale. Each workbook provides five targeted lessons to help you raise Financially Confident Kids. Please check them out in The Heavy Purse Store.

April 4, 2014  •  50 Comments  •  Weekly Roundup

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Comments

  1. Friday, April 4th, 2014
    Thanks so much for including me in this awesome list! Hmm what does financial literacy mean to me...I think I've written a couple posts about that ;) So instead I will mention a new topic that I think most aren't talking about enough - taxes. It's tax season, but I think we rarely think about it until tax day. It's important that people become educated on tax rates, write-offs, and how to deal with side or small business income.

    I hope you have a great weekend Shannon!
    • Shannon Ryan
      Friday, April 4th, 2014
      You're welcome, DC! I agree, taxes are very important and often overlooked. We tend to only think about for a brief time when we file our taxes, then we forget about them. We definitely need to educate ourselves on taxes, not only on how we get taxed on our income but also how taxes affect our investments. People don't always consider taxes when they select investments or when they start their retirement withdrawals. You definitely need to consider and plan for taxes then too.
  2. Friday, April 4th, 2014
    Thanks so much for including me on this list Shannon! I think financial literacy is HUGELY important- the financial literacy of our generation that can make a big difference in the world around us for our children. For example, in recent years it has continually perplexed me that the US government continues to debate what the debt ceiling should be and push it higher and higher. I don't think that generations past such as the depression-era generation would ever have gone for that.

    Children absolutely need to become financially literate. I hope that the days of not talking about money with your children are over- at least they will be with my children!
    • Shannon Ryan
      Friday, April 4th, 2014
      You're welcome, Dee. I agree - financial literacy is so critical. I hope the days of not talking to kids about money are coming to an end too and I'm so glad that you will be helping us end that cycle with your future kids.
  3. Friday, April 4th, 2014
    Thanks for the mention! Hope you have a great weekend!!!
    • Shannon Ryan
      Friday, April 4th, 2014
      You're welcome, Holly! You have a great weekend too!
  4. Friday, April 4th, 2014
    Thanks for the mention, Shannon!! You know I am SO on board with your financial literacy message. Like you, getting this message to our children is very much near and dear to my heart. Happy Financial Literacy month, my friend!
    • Shannon Ryan
      Friday, April 4th, 2014
      You're welcome, Laurie! Yes, I do know how much you support financial literacy too, which I love. If we can educate our kids, we can truly change their lives and the world too. Happy Financial Literacy month to you too!
  5. Friday, April 4th, 2014
    Thanks so much for the double love Shannon, I really appreciate it! Why financial literacy matters to me...I think I could write a post on that. :) Seriously though, it matters to me because I love my children and think the best (although certainly not the only time) time to teach it is when they're young so you can help mold those important habits that will not only impact them, but future generations. The mistakes I and many others have made are common, but that doesn't mean that they have to happen as much as they do - I believe teaching and living out financial literacy can help stem that tide for the better. Have a great weekend Shannon!
    • Shannon Ryan
      Friday, April 4th, 2014
      You're welcome, John. It's very well-deserved! " I believe teaching and living out financial literacy can help stem that tide for the better." Amen, John. It will make a huge difference not only to our kids, but to every generation afterwards. And it starts with us. :) You have a great weekend too!
  6. Friday, April 4th, 2014
    I am happy to be a part of this list Shannon! Thank you as well for including my money quotes post. That is becoming very popular. I am lucky to be a part of this community and I know that these bloggers are responsible for my financial mindset change.
    • Shannon Ryan
      Friday, April 4th, 2014
      You're welcome, Grayson! Love your post with the money quotes, very motivational. Yes, the personal finance community is great and their collective hard work is truly making a difference, which is so exciting to see.
  7. Friday, April 4th, 2014
    Thanks for the list. I'll pass it on!
    • Shannon Ryan
      Friday, April 4th, 2014
      You're welcome, Mike. I appreciate you spreading the world. These are great bloggers!
  8. Friday, April 4th, 2014
    Great list of bloggers there! Many thanks for mentioning my mention, lol :)
    • Shannon Ryan
      Friday, April 4th, 2014
      Thanks! :)
  9. Friday, April 4th, 2014
    Thanks a bunch Shannon for including me in your list of bloggers! Having our kids grow up with money smarts is so important to me and it's important that the next generation learn how to take control of their own money. Although their may be hundreds (maybe more) of active bloggers in the personal finance space, we can't emphasize the importance of financial literacy enough.
    • Shannon Ryan
      Friday, April 4th, 2014
      You're welcome, Anthony! I agree - it's so important to me that Lauren and Taylor grow up with money smarts and make confident financial decisions. I want the girls to have great lives and I know that in order to do so, they have to be financially literate. I agree - we cannot emphasize the importance of financial literacy enough. It is a critical piece of education that too many of us are lacking.
  10. Friday, April 4th, 2014
    I am seriously SO honored to be included on this list!! Thank you SO much!!! Financial literacy is important to me because it was something that I was not taught and had to learn "the hard way." It shouldn't be hard and it should be something that we talk about all the time and not just once a month. Financial health is as critical as physical health and the only way to obtain it is through financial literacy.
    • Shannon Ryan
      Friday, April 4th, 2014
      You're welcome, Shannon. So many others are in the same boat you were, and it's definitely something we need to change. And more importantly - we can change it. As more and more of us talk about it, we are bringing it to the attention of others. Soon financial literacy won't be an unfamiliar phrase but something we all embrace.
  11. Girl Meets Debt
    Friday, April 4th, 2014
    When I think of Financial Literacy I think of Shannon from The Heavy Purse. :) I've had to learn the hard way the importance of being financially literate, and everyday I'm still learning something new from this wonderful personal finance community. When I first started blogging I didn't think anyone but J would read my blog but over the past year I've had numerous readers email me thanking me for inspiring them to start their own debt repayment journey. I may not know that much about finances per se, but it does feel good to help spread the importance of being financially literate. :)
    • Shannon Ryan
      Friday, April 4th, 2014
      You are too sweet, GMD! I'm so glad J convinced you to start blogging. You have definitely inspired many to face their debt and know that they can beat it too. You are making a difference and helping others become more financially literate.
  12. Friday, April 4th, 2014
    Shannon, thanks for the inclusion on your blog roll, and for the shout out about our contentment post. You can bet we are adding you to our blogs to read list. Just spent a little while perusing your blog, teaching financial literacy to kids, are you crazy? I absolutely love what you are doing here, what a great endeavor. We don't yet have kids but you can bet when we do we are utilizing the good work you've been doing here.
    • Shannon Ryan
      Friday, April 4th, 2014
      Thanks, Jon! I appreciate your kind words. Financial literacy is so important to me, especially teaching our children about money. It my passion and happy to help educate others.
  13. Friday, April 4th, 2014
    Thank you for including me on the list...I am truly honored and it is greatly appreciated. Financial literacy is so important and it really should be a part of the core curriculum in our schools. Think of the difference it would make if people made more responsible decisions with their finances.
    • Shannon Ryan
      Friday, April 4th, 2014
      You're welcome, Andrew! I can only imagine how different the world would be if financial literacy was something we were all taught. It would be a different world. It something to keep working towards.
  14. Friday, April 4th, 2014
    Thanks for this great summary of blogs. Improving my financial literacy is one of my goals this year
    • Shannon Ryan
      Friday, April 4th, 2014
      You're welcome, Victoria! These bloggers are a great people for you to get to know then!
  15. Friday, April 4th, 2014
    Totally honored to be included with this list of fantastic personal finance bloggers! :)

    Financial literacy is so important and I think that you are such an awesome advocate for the cause. Kudos to you Shannon! :D
    • Shannon Ryan
      Friday, April 4th, 2014
      You're welcome, Mackenzie. And it's very well-deserved. And thank you for your kind words - I truly appreciate them!
  16. Friday, April 4th, 2014
    Holy moly Shannon! I am so honored to be included in this great list of financial bloggers.

    Hope you have a wonderful weekend
    • Shannon Ryan
      Friday, April 4th, 2014
      You're welcome, Corinne! You have a great weekend too!
  17. Friday, April 4th, 2014
    Lots of great reads in that list!
  18. Sunday, April 6th, 2014
    Wow Shannon, that is quite the list that I've been included in! I'm not sure what I've done to deserve it but I appreciate it :)
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, April 7th, 2014
      You're welcome, Cat. And you've more than deserved a spot. :)
  19. Sunday, April 6th, 2014
    Thanks for spreading the word about Financial Literacy Month! This is a great list of bloggers. I'll have to check out some of the ones that I'm not already reading :)
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, April 7th, 2014
      You're welcome. Please do checkout the bloggers you're not already following. These are the cream of the crop, in my opinion!
  20. Sunday, April 6th, 2014
    GREAT List! Thank you so much for putting this together for any of us who like to read blogs about managing our finances. It looks like I will be doing lots of reading in the next couple of days. ~Kathy
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, April 7th, 2014
      Thanks, Kathy! These bloggers are all fabulous and the blogs I follow and read every day. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
  21. Sunday, April 6th, 2014
    I'm so flattered to be on this list! Big WOOT WOOT for FinLit month. I'm excited to follow the journey of a handful of bloggers you mentioned that I haven't been tracking.
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, April 7th, 2014
      Your place is well-earned, Erin. :) And yes, a big WOOT WOOT for Financial Literacy Month. Hopefully we can get everyone else to WOOT WOOT with us!
  22. Monday, April 7th, 2014
    Thanks for including Enemy of Debt on your list, Shannon!
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, April 7th, 2014
      You're welcome, Travis!
  23. Monday, April 7th, 2014
    Thanks for including me in such a fine list.
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, April 7th, 2014
      You're welcome, Kim!
  24. Tuesday, April 8th, 2014
    Thanks for including me Shannon! I love this list!
    • Shannon Ryan
      Wednesday, April 9th, 2014
      You're welcome, Stefanie! :)
  25. Tuesday, April 15th, 2014
    Thank you so much for including me on this fantastic list! What a great bunch of personal finance bloggers! Financial literacy really should become more and more an important goal in the public eye. It's so essential for the next generation especially. Thanks so much for all you do in this direction Shannon!
    • Shannon Ryan
      Wednesday, April 16th, 2014
      You're welcome, Maggie! I agree - financial literacy needs to become a priority, considering every handles money and needs to know how make good money decisions.
Shannon Ryan SHANNON RYAN, CFP®
  • Meet Shannon

    "As a Certified Financial Planner, it is my passion to help individuals and families build a healthy relationship with money. I look forward to helping you raise financially confident kids.” - Shannon Ryan