The hottest Personal Finance Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Finance Topics
The Better Letter 412 implied HN points 07 Apr 23
  1. Realistic retirement planning is crucial, especially considering the impact of debt and the average 401(k) balance.
  2. Advice on saving more and saving earlier is important, but should be realistic and consider individual circumstances.
  3. Retirement planning should acknowledge competing priorities and be approached with creativity and understanding, without judgment.
Shades of Greaves 275 implied HN points 13 Dec 23
  1. Owning a 'money pit' home comes with financial responsibilities like mortgage, property taxes, and maintenance costs.
  2. Engaging in DIY home repairs can save money but may take more time and effort than expected.
  3. Despite the challenges, owning a home allows for building relationships with neighbors and sharing experiences with other homeowners.
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DeFi Education 1019 implied HN points 01 Dec 22
  1. Everyone makes mistakes, especially in investing. It's important to learn from them and manage risk so you can keep moving forward.
  2. If you're struggling financially, focus on increasing your cash flow, cutting expenses, and working hard. It's important to adapt to the tough times.
  3. Don't assume that past market conditions will come back. Prepare for the future by managing risks and being smart about your investments.
Spilled Coffee 20 implied HN points 12 Dec 24
  1. The author added to an existing investment in a debated stock. It's important to keep track of ongoing discussions in the market.
  2. This update is specifically for paid subscribers, suggesting exclusive insights for them. It highlights the value of being a paid member.
  3. Stay engaged with financial updates and portfolio changes to make informed decisions. Regular updates can help you understand market movements better.
Spilled Coffee 32 implied HN points 16 Oct 24
  1. Many people have more money now than ever because wages have been rising faster than inflation for over a year. This means that they can buy more with their earnings.
  2. Homeowners are seeing their property values increase, while those looking to buy are facing more expensive housing costs. This shows the trade-off between rising asset values and affordability.
  3. Overall, both asset prices and wages are at all-time highs, which has led to a significant increase in net worth for Americans across all income levels, especially the bottom 50%.
Technology Made Simple 159 implied HN points 16 Sep 23
  1. To be worth a million dollars, you can have a million dollars in cash, but it's rare and not always the smartest move.
  2. People can become 'millionaires' through equity, like stock compensation, where the value can fluctuate.
  3. Understanding tricks like using projections, earnings multiples, and fuzzy assets can help spot inflated valuations in the finance world.
Good Reason 199 implied HN points 14 Jan 24
  1. Renting is now more financially sound than buying due to high mortgage rates and home prices.
  2. Renting may save money now, but high rents are still a burden on many, making it hard to save for a home in the future.
  3. The current housing situation reflects negatively on society, with both buying and renting becoming expensive options.
Spilled Coffee 20 implied HN points 30 Oct 24
  1. Holding onto winning stocks for the long run is often the best strategy. Eric learned this after selling Microsoft too early and regrets it.
  2. Investing is about personal choices. Everyone should invest in what makes sense to them, rather than following others blindly.
  3. Celebrating small wins in life can make a big difference. Eric enjoys special breakfasts and dinners to reward himself for his hard work.
Technology Made Simple 119 implied HN points 26 May 23
  1. Banks are for-profit while credit unions are non-profit. Credit union customers have more ownership and transparency in decision-making.
  2. Credit unions usually offer higher interest rates on savings and have lower fees compared to banks.
  3. Credit unions tend to be more flexible in customer service and product offerings, while banks typically have more branches and services.
Concepts of Finance 🧠 219 implied HN points 30 Mar 23
  1. Depreciation is when things lose their value over time, like cars and electronics. This impacts how much you could sell them for later.
  2. For businesses, depreciation helps account for the decrease in value of their assets, matching costs with how much money those assets help make over time.
  3. Knowing how quickly something depreciates can guide your buying decisions. Some items, like luxury goods, hold their value better than others.
Concepts of Finance 🧠 179 implied HN points 24 May 23
  1. Many people struggle to understand their payslip, which is a common document. Knowing how to read it can reduce anxiety about money matters.
  2. A payslip contains important information like your gross pay, deductions, and net pay. Gross pay is what you earn before deductions, and net pay is what you take home.
  3. Payslips often include abbreviation codes for pay and deductions. It's helpful to know these terms to fully understand your earnings and any deductions from your pay.
Concepts of Finance 🧠 219 implied HN points 23 Feb 23
  1. A stock option is a contract that lets you buy or sell a company's shares at a set price for a certain time. It's like having the choice to buy a piece of the company later, not right away.
  2. Vesting means you have to wait for a certain period before you can use your stock options. It helps make sure employees stay with the company and earn their reward over time.
  3. There are different terms for stock options like 'strike price' (the purchase price) and 'expiration date' (when you have to use the option by), which can seem confusing but are important to understand.
Concepts of Finance 🧠 199 implied HN points 09 Mar 23
  1. Net worth is the total value of what you own minus what you owe. It's like seeing how much money you have if you sold everything and paid off your bills.
  2. Calculating your net worth helps you understand your financial situation. It can show if you're actually doing well or if debt is holding you back.
  3. Regularly checking your net worth can help you track your financial progress. You want it to grow over time as you save and earn more money.
What's Important? 24 implied HN points 18 Nov 24
  1. Money is like electricity; it needs to keep moving to hold value. Hoarding it can make it lose its purpose.
  2. The real value of money is about understanding your relationship and feelings towards it. It can show where you need to grow or heal in your life.
  3. Living with love and creativity can lead to unexpected abundance. Focusing on helping others can open up new pathways for receiving.
Austin's Analects 19 implied HN points 22 Mar 24
  1. The purpose of writing a newsletter evolved to creating authentic relationships with readers, rather than just growing an audience.
  2. Struggling to come up with content ideas? Use prompts like TED Talk topics, life events that made you stronger, or public bets you'd back up.
  3. Explore the original CrossFit workouts from the early 2000s, maintaining their essence even after 24 years.
Austin's Analects 19 implied HN points 14 Mar 24
  1. Owning mortgage-free rental properties for each child is a smart financial strategy for the future.
  2. Traditional advice on protein intake might be outdated, with studies suggesting the body can absorb more protein per meal than previously thought.
  3. The unbundling trend seen with companies like Uber is now happening with platforms like Upwork, leading to more specialized niche service providers.
Concepts of Finance 🧠 119 implied HN points 13 Feb 23
  1. Compound interest lets you earn interest on both your original savings and the interest you've already earned. It's like a snowball getting bigger as it rolls down a hill.
  2. The longer you keep money in a compound interest account, the more you'll earn. This means that starting early can lead to much bigger savings over time.
  3. You can find compound interest rates from banks, credit unions, or online calculators. Knowing these rates can help you make better decisions about saving and investing.
Technology Made Simple 79 implied HN points 26 Nov 22
  1. Have an Emergency Fund: Save 6-12 months of expenses to prepare for unexpected layoffs without selling investments.
  2. Pay off Debt: Prioritize paying high-interest debt to prevent it from draining your finances over time.
  3. Allocate Finances Wisely: Follow the 50-30-20 rule to budget your income for expenses, investments, and savings, ensuring a balanced financial plan.
Austin's Analects 19 implied HN points 01 Mar 24
  1. Six-Word Memoirs offer a concise way to connect with others by describing yourself in just a few words.
  2. When planning your next career move, consider mapping out adjacent careers and necessary skills to see what roles align best with your interests and strengths.
  3. A simple 'reverse sear' method can help you cook a perfect steak every time: season, oven cook, sear, and rest to enjoy a delicious meal.
Austin's Analects 19 implied HN points 22 Feb 24
  1. Stop worrying about things that haven't happened yet; experiences in life add value and help us grow.
  2. Identify as a happy person to reinforce that belief; control your environment and inputs to support a positive mindset.
  3. Follow a structured running plan to improve speed and endurance; consistency and hard work lead to strength and success.
Jon’s Newsletter 99 implied HN points 15 Jan 23
  1. Many successful entrepreneurs started off doing simple jobs that taught them valuable lessons. For example, Jeff Bezos learned about customer service while working at McDonald's.
  2. Starting young helped these entrepreneurs understand the importance of hard work and finding opportunities. Richard Branson sold birds at 11 years old and learned about the challenges of running a business.
  3. First jobs can shape one's future career and mindset. Elon Musk worked as a boiler room cleaner, which taught him the value of hard work and persistence.