Money Under 30 is a blog about learning to build the life you desire.
Specifically, I provide simple, honest advice about money for your mid-late twenties. As you go from being a broke college student to a young professional with a decent job and some money in the bank, maybe you’re wondering “what now?” Or, more aptly: “How do I not f—this up?”
I’ll show you.
Who This Blog Is For
You’re smart and a little bit ambitious. You’re savvy enough to know you should pay attention to money, but budgeting every month for the rest of your life sounds like some upper circle of hell.
Perhaps you want to get out of debt, get married, buy a home, or even have kids. Maybe you want time to have fun or travel before settling down. Or maybe you just want some furniture that’s not from IKEA.
(By the way, it is fine if you’re over 30. Now I am, too.)
Join Me
Sound like you? Join my insider’s list to get posts delivered via email (once every 1-2 weeks) and exclusive email-only links and lessons on:
- Money roadmaps to meet your goals, tailored to your income level.
- Peeks at other young people’s finances so you can see how you compare.
- Creative, non-scammy ways to earn more money.
- How to stop being lazy and get things done.
And for a limited time when you sign up you’ll get access to download my free workbook on setting and achieving your financial goals.
P.S. I hate SPAM as much as you do. I WILL NOT share your email address and you can leave at any time. Scout’s honor.
WHERE TO START
Money Under 30 has 800+ articles spanning five years. Try a search:
Alternately, here are a few favorites:
- 30 Years, 30 Things I’ve Learned About Money
- The Big Fat Guide to Kicking Debt’s A**
- Six (and a Half) Steps to Financial Stability
- Where to Put Your Money
- The Case for Simple Investing
- Why You Need a Roth IRA
- How Much House Can You Afford?
- Choose Where You Want to Live, Then Find a Job
- Renting is NOT Wasted Money
- My Favorite Credit Cards
- The Best Credit Card Customer Websites
SOME GREAT CONVERSATIONS
- Do You Earn ENOUGH Money?
- How Much Should Be In Your 401(k) at 30?
- How Much Does/Should an Average Wedding Cost?
- Debit vs. Credit: How Do You Use Them Differently?
- How Do You Split Expenses with a Partner or Spouse?
- Grads: Can You Afford to Be Picky About Jobs?
- The Annual Cost of Pet Ownership: Can You Afford a Furry Friend?
- How Much Should You Spend on an Engagement Ring?
OTHER POPULAR POSTS
- Capital One Venture Credit Card Review
- Ex-Car Salesman Tells All: How to Beat the Auto Dealerships at Their Own Game
- American Express Cards DO Have Spending Limits
- Deciding to Earn More
- Health Insurance: Understanding Your Deductible, Co-pay, & Out-of-Pocket Maximum
- The 10 Habits of Self-Made Millionaires
- What Percentage of Income Can You Afford for Mortgage Payments?
- Cash Rewards Credit Cards Compared
GREAT TOOLS
- High Yield Savings Accounts Compared
- My Recommended Credit Cards
- Free Budgeting Spreadsheets
- Mint.com: Free Online Money Management
- Real-time Mortgage Rates
- Get a TRULY FREE Credit Score (NO credit card required)
My story
I’m David Weliver. I live outside Portland, Maine, and I’m a blogger, husband, new dad, and a recovered debtaholic.
In the winter of 2006 I was earning $32,000 a year and lived in an 8×10 room in a rented house with three roommates. I was also about $80,000 in debt.
How did I get there?
I wish I had a better story. I wish I had spent two years travelling the globe, paid for a loved-one’s lifesaving operation, or even lost it all in a high-stakes poker game. Alas, I had simply spent my way through early adulthood, ignoring the cardinal rule of personal finance: Don’t spend what you don’t have.
At 26, I had no savings, no financial plan, not even a dollar of available credit. I was maxed out, stressed out, and fed up.
Ironically, I had dug this hole despite spending a summer and a year working for SmartMoney Magazine. So while I penned snarky snippets about intelligent investing, I managed to ignore every shred of advice my colleagues and I toiled each month to dispense.
But then, in 2006, as I stared at my bulging credit card balances and overdrawn bank account wondering how I could ever turn it all around, it hit me: Do what it takes—not just to get out of debt but to really live a financial savvy life—and blog about it. My goal was simple: Write concise, readable articles to help readers become smarter with money sooner than I did.
Later that year, MoneyUnder30.com was born. And then I got to work. On the blog, but also on my financial life. I got a second job at Starbucks. I found a higher-paying “day job”. Months later, I accepted a job back at my old employer for yet another raise. Meanwhile, this site grew from a hobby to a part-time business.
Five years later, Money Under 30 has over 800 articles on everything from credit cards to the stock market, starting a small business to buying your first home. And every month, this site receives over 100,000 unique visitors. On a personal note, I paid off over $80,000 in debt in under four years. I have an emergency fund, a maxed-out Roth IRA, and a home with a 20-year fixed-rate mortgage. I came a long way in less than four years. But you want to know the best part? As I write this, I’m not 30 yet. I am lucky to have learned smart money management young; decades before most people. Despite my mistakes, I have a leg up in life. Stick around, and you can too… (Have you subscribed yet?)
But don’t take it from me…
Here’s what some readers say about Money Under 30 in their own words:
Adam:“I just wanted…to thank you guys for all you do. As an undergraduate racking up tons of student loan debt, and someone who doesn’t have a great pedigree in money management, I’ve found the advice on this site a lifeline. It seems all too easy at this age to fall into pitfalls, easy choices, and stop-gap fixes. I feel that…young people have a responsibility to learn from the irresponsibility of previous generations and to infuse a new dynamism into their personal finances.”
Kelcie: “I’ve just subscribed to your mailing list, and I could not be more impressed…Thank you for making the subject of finances bearable to learn about!”
Bishnu “I love your blogs. I have been reading them for a few months now and they help me out tremendously. I am 25, and have been somewhat responsible with my money. I make about $40K a year. Basically debt free, live within my means, save before I spend, and I try to cut out non-essential expenses. I managed to save up a little over $20k so far. I plan to continue saving… Keep blogging bro!”
Tom: “Your articles are awesome. I just used the LendingClub site I found on your blog to consolidate my credit cards. The monthly payment over three years is almost the same as making the minimum on all the cards and the one with the highest balance would take 17 years to pay off with the min payment! I’m hoping to buy a house as well in 4-5 years and it’s SO expensive here in the northeast. Thanks again and keep up the good work.”
Contributors
These cool kids also write for the site sometimes:
Amber Gilstrap (formerly known as “Carrie…on the Cheap”) is a twentysomething CPA from Kansas City, Missouri who loves writing, working out, and—of course—finding fresh ideas for saving money. Amber’s posts include frugality tips on everything from tailgating to getting married, as well as expert tax advice. In addition to contributing posts, Amber also manages Money Under 30′s social media campaigns and blogs about spending wisely and living well at Blonde and Balanced. You can follow her personal Twitter account @AmberBalanced.
Mark Riddix covers investing for Money Under 30. He’s the founder and president of New Horizons Financial Management, an independent investment advisory firm that provides personalized investing and asset management consulting. Mark is a regular contributor to Seeking Alpha and has written financial columns for Baltimore and Washington, D.C. area newspapers. He also publishes his own financial blog, BuylikeBuffett.com.
Sarah Davis writes about the ups and downs of becoming a homeowner for the first time. Sarah is a licensed Realtor in San Diego, California where she works with a team of real estate attorney/brokers specializing in short sales and foreclosures. Sarah and her husband Cole are also real estate investors focusing on fix and flips and buying seller-financed notes. Sarah been writing about real estate since 2006 and also has her own Website: RealtorSD.com.
Press
Money Under 30 has appeared in major media outlets including:
Here’s a list of links to selected quotes and radio/podcast interviews I’ve done.
Contact
Comments? Questions? Media inquiries? Send ‘em in! Contact me now.
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Photos by Brian Fitzgerald/Maine Headshot Photography (headshot) and Jenny Gironda Photography (family).
