Resources for Students Attending Online Financial Planning Schools

Students pursuing a degree in financial planning need to fully immerse themselves in the world of finance. This will make it easier to understand the terms and strategies being discussed in various classes. While it is certainly beneficial to follow the big names in finance, there are many amateur finance enthusiasts who have years, if not decades, of experience with valuable tips and information to share. Learn more about budgeting, Wall Street, loans, and retirement options as you work your way into a life of financial planning and hopefully financial independence.

Financial Planning
Financial planning is your area of study and you will likely meet, read, and speak to many industry experts over the course of your study and career. However, sometimes it is possible to glean valuable insight from amateurs as well.

1. Russell Bailyn
   This blog is written by a New York financial planner. He shares his experience and offers insight into the world of financial planning.
2. All Things Financial Planning
   The blog features writings from numerous financial planners. All aspects of financial planning are addressed here.
3. Wise Bread
   This site maintains a section specifically about financial planning. They discuss recent news events and best practices.
4. Five Cent Nickel
   The author discusses a variety of financial planning topics such as savings rates, mortgages, and credit cards.
5. The Wisdom Journal
   This blog is written by Ron, who is not a financial planner. He does have an MBA in marketing and writes extensively on personal financial management.
6. Dough Roller
   This is a blog about how to make, give, save, and spend money in ways that are conducive to financial independence. All topics of financial planning are open for discussion.
   
   Loans
   Sometimes it is necessary to obtain a loan. Learning more about the loans you and your future clients will be offered is a good idea. These blogs discuss some of the loans the financial industry has to offer. From reverse mortgage loans to payday loans, there is a little bit of everything.
   
   
7. Low VA Rates
   This blog specifically discusses issues concerning loans for Veterans. They include stories from veterans as well as financial planning advice.
8. The Student Loan Blog
   The author gives advice to students about student loans as well as a variety of other topics useful for students and those who have recently graduated.
9. Reverse Mortgage Loan Blog
   This blog discusses the reverse mortgage niche. How these loans work as well as the changes and intricacies associated with this area of lending.
10. Pay Day Loan Industry Blog
    This blog is written about this subset of the financial industry. Information about industry standards and best practices are often discussed.
11. Smart Borrower Blog
    A blog that provides information on a variety of loan types. Other topics covered include mortgages and current events in the financial sector.
    
    Budgeting and Retirement
    The backbone of any good financial plan is a budget. Budgeting use to have a bad reputation as being boring but many of these bloggers are making it fun. Retirement is another mainstay of financial planning and should be put into any budget.
    
    
12. 4 Reasons Why Your Budget Failed
    This post discusses common pitfalls of personal budgets and how to avoid them. The author is a personal finance amateur and enthusiast.
13. My Money Blog
    This blog is written by an amateur and how he makes the most with his money by budgeting and looking for wise ways to use his income.
14. The Recessionista
    This author has achieved international recognition by giving advice on how to live the good life for less. Let her tips help you.
15. iPhone Apps That Help Your Budget
    This post lists several applications that can help those new to personal finance keep their own personal finances in check. A review is provided for each suggested application.
16. Budgets are the New Black
    This blog was started by Jolyn, a mom interested in personal finance and in making the subject more trendy.
17. Budgets are Sexy
    This is a personal finance blog that makes thinking about money fun. This is an entertaining and informative way to discuss the topic of personal finance.
18. Generation X Finance
    This blog is written specifically for those of generation X. The author, Jeremy, spent many years in the finance industry and now specializes in retirement planning.
19. All Financial Matters
    The author is a financial insider. He discusses asset allocation, budgeting, cash flow, IRAs, and numerous other financial topics.
    
    Economics and Education
    Many of these blogs about economics are written by educators for students. Check in with them to see if they can explain what you are studying in a way you can more easily understand. You will also find a few resources about online education to help make your time in school more productive.
    
    
20. Economics Help
    This is a blog that simplifies the world of economics for students and those not in the world of finance. The author is an economics teacher in Oxford.
21. The Everyday Economist
    This blog is written by Josh Hendrickson, an economics professor. He has a passion for his subject that he enjoys sharing with his readers.
22. Aplia Econ Blog
    This is a blog resource written specifically for students of economics. Topics are centered around academics and interaction is encouraged.
23. Economics in Plain English
    A blog that is written by economics teachers who are trying to make the subject more accessible. This is a great place to refresh on the basics of economics.
24. Billy Blog
    This popular blog is written by an Economics professor in Australia. Although some of the dynamics of their economy are different than that of the US the basics remain the same.
25. Beeronomics
    This blog is written by Patrick Emerson. It is a companion blog to his Oregon economics blog. He noticed that he used beer analogies frequently when discussing economics and decided to devote more space to explore the connection.
26. Changes in Online Education Over the Last 5 Years
    This post offers insight about the learning experience. If you have wondered how the world of online education has developed, visit this blog.
    
    Savings and Investing
    Once you have a budget in place and you understand the basics of the field it is time to think about saving and investing, both for yourself and your future clients. Visit these blogs for tips and tricks that will help you make your savings grow.
    
    
27. Get Rich Slowly
    This blog has been featured in Money magazine and advocates saving and investing money with long term goals in mind. A great website for nuts and bolts advice.
28. Crossing Wall Street
    Written by Eddy Elfenbein, who describes himself as a stock market addict. His posts revolve around the stock market and he updates frequently.
29. Oblivious Investor
    Provides investing tips and information. A few of the key principles are diversifying, minimizing costs, and ignoring stock market trends.
30. Consumerism Commentary
    Discusses banking, saving, investing, taxes, as well as almost every personal finance or financial planning topic. While not all of the writers are financial professionals the posts are informative.
31. Free from Broke
    Often described as a personal finance blog for regular people. However, it addresses many complex theories.
    
    Personal Finance
    The topic of personal finance truly covers every concept that has to do with a person’s finances. Learn more about how to control your finances while you are learning to help clients with theirs. Several resources you will likely take with you into your career.
    
    
32. The Bankruptcy Lawyers
    This blog is written by lawyers specializing in bankruptcy. Numerous informative entries about life after bankruptcy.
33. 10 Best Financial Blogs
    This is a list of some of the best financial blogs available. The lists includes professional and amateur financial planners.
34. Money Musings
    This blog is a personal finance blog written by Michael, a money enthusiast. He discusses his experiences and motivations in regards to personal finance.
35. The Simple Dollar
    This blog is written by Trent Hamm, a gentleman who faced a financial setback and learned to successfully manage his money and now helps others to do so.
36. FruGal
    The author is a personal finance writer that blogs about her own personal finances on this personal blog. One of the few girls in a sea of male finance writers.
37. Give Me Back My Five Bucks
    This blog discusses personal finance issues. The author discusses the importance of financial independence and how to achieve it.
38. Well Heeled Blog
    The author is a money and finance writer and maintains this blog for personal finance and general happiness. A look at how to live well while spending wisely.
39. Financial Samurai
    This blog discusses how personal finance is a part of every aspect of daily life. The author believes education is the key to freedom and welcomes an exchange of ideas.
40. Personal Finance by the Book
    The author often discusses how this family reclaimed their financial independence by using tried and true personal finance techniques.
    
    Financial News and Concepts
    Staying abreast of the latest news and trends in the world of finance is a habit you need to form early. By staying up-to-date on what is going on you will be able to help yourself and your future clients. These blogs break down some of the top trends and news stories in the financial sector.
    
    
41. Free Money Finance
    This blog is written by an avid finance amateur. Discusses many current trends and topics and is a great reference for beginners.
42. Deal Breaker
    The author covers financial news and headlines as well as the latest gossip. This is a great place for students to learn about what is going on in their field right away.
43. American Consumer News
    The author provides a steady stream of the country’s most pertinent financial news as well as commentary. A well rounded resource.
44. Financial News
    This blog has all the latest financial news. Updated frequently, this is a good resource to keep up with what is going on.
45. Cash Money Life
    This blog is about personal finance, small business, current events and more. A popular blog that breaks things down in an easy to understand format.
46. Money Crush
    This blog is devoted to helping people learn to love their financial life. Personal insights into personal finance from an amateur financer.
47. The Digerati Life
    While this blog is primarily a personal finance blog the authors background in technology is also apparent in the many tech oriented posts that are delivered.
48. Balance Junkie
    This blog is written to share personal finance wisdom gained over decades of life experience. The author is not formally trained but has a passion for personal finance.
49. Canadian Finance Blog
    This is a personal finance resource for Canadian residents. While most of the personal finance information available on the web is for Americans this comprehensive site offers insight into Canadian economics.
50. Darwin’s Finance
    Self described as being financial evolution for the masses. The premise behind the site is the importance to educate oneself about personal finance, adapt with the aid of that information, and achieve financial independence.

To be a successful financial planner you will need to learn about all aspects of the financial world. You will also need to stay aware of what is going on each and every day in order to best help your clients. Trends in finance change hourly. Be sure to have a firm grasp on the basics in order to be able to understand the nuances.

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