The Top 10 Money Articles I Wrote This Year
#8—"This Is the Most Underrated Skill in Personal Finance"
I might be in the minority, but I love “year in review” posts from my favorite bloggers and podcasters.
I publish 100+ long-form articles per year. Even if you’re my biggest fan, there is a good chance you missed many of those articles— some of which might be my best work.
By the way, don’t forget that you can always read my archive of popular posts here.
You may be aware that in the fourth quarter of 2022, I decided to take MOAM in a new exciting direction by expanding beyond simple “personal finance” and investing posts by launching two new series, “Money on my Mind” and “Buying Happiness” series—which focus on the psychology of financial decision making and using money to buy happiness.
I’m excited that the majority of my most popular posts of 2022 are from these two new series which only recently launched—it lets me know you like the new subjects I am tackling at MOAM—Don’t worry; I will still write about investing, this is an addition of new subjects not a subtraction of old ones.
With no further ado, here are the top 10 money articles I wrote this year.
(Programming note: There will be no posts next week as I will be taking some much-needed downtime with my family, but we are back to our regularly scheduled program on Monday, January 2nd)
#10—This Is Why Taking Risks Terrifies You
We continue our exploration of cognitive biases by unpacking the most human bias of all; negativity bias.
Continue reading to learn:
What negativity bias is
Where it comes from
How it warps your perception of risk
How to overcome negativity bias
#9—Building Wealth Is A Simple 4-Step Process
Despite what some personal finance gurus might tell you, there is no “secret formula” to building wealth.
It’s actually a very simple three-step process.
Spend less than you earn.
Put “investible money” to work, building passive wealth.
Staying patient
Read through to the end of this post, where I’ll discuss a bonus fourth step that can help accelerate the process.
#8—This Is the Most Underrated Skill in Personal Finance
One skill that underpins every financial decision is basic math.
Money = math.
Money and financial instruments are just numbers and formulas— which most people still struggle with, and as a result, most people struggle with money.
#7—Why It (Literally) Pays to Be a Rational Optimist (part 1)
When it comes to success with money and your career, does it pay to be an optimist?
Yes, but only if you are a rational optimist.
This is the first of a two-part post on the impact of optimism on your finances. In this post, I review:
How optimism impacts your retirement, career, and investment decisions.
The difference between rational and irrational optimists.
#6—How to Rewire Your Brain to Increase Financial Optimism (part 2)
In this article, I review what causes someone to be optimistic and pessimistic about their finances and review six research-backed exercises you can do in just a few minutes per day to become more optimistic about your financial future.
#5—How To Build Financial Resiliency
Managing money is a lifelong pursuit, and life itself is unpredictable. Many amazing and terrible things will happen along the way, all of which will test your financial plan and your resolve to stick to—or adjust that plan as circumstances dictate.
To withstand the inevitable adversities of life, you need resilience. Since you need to continue managing money through these adversities, you need to be resilient to be great with money.
#4—What Giving $2.50 to a Children's Hospital Can Teach You about Money
This was the first entry in the Buying Happiness series.
Read to the end of this post to learn:
Why spending money on others can make you happy.
The specific conditions in which spending on others will or won’t make you happy.
Why obsessive penny-pinching robs you of joy.
#3—Here's What Financial Trauma Does to Your Brain
There are many different kinds of trauma, including financial trauma. Money-related events that were so devastating that they continue to impact our relationship with money months or even years after the fact.
Read to the end of this article to learn:
How past financial trauma can impact your financial decision making
The science behind trauma and how it affects the brain
How feelings of financial shame manifest in poor money decisions
How to overcome financial trauma and live a happier, richer life
#2—Yes, You Can Build Wealth Without Owning a Home
Instead of associating The American Dream with homeownership, let’s redefine it as owning enough financial assets to let you provide for your family and eventually make work optional regardless of whether you own or rent your home.
#1—Financial Education Doesn't Work, Do This Instead
The point I continue to drive home through the “Money on my Mind” series is that when it comes to money, action matters more than education.
Building wealth does not require learning how to read a company’s balance sheet (education)—it requires consistently investing in a well-diversified portfolio (action).
Read to the end of this post to learn why financial literacy is not a silver bullet to better money decisions and what you should focus on instead to improve your financial life.
Which of these articles was your favorite?
Did you have an article I write that you like better than any of these?
What topics do you want me to write about in 2023?
Let me know in the comments below or in the MOAM private chat.
Have a great holidays and find some time to rest and reflect before the new year.
This article is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered Financial or Legal Advice. Not all information will be accurate. Consult a financial professional before making any significant financial decisions.