07/03/25– Issue #3
You know what happened to me this week? I was scrolling through my email and realized I had somehow subscribed to like fifteen different money newsletters. Fifteen! Most of them were basically financial spam disguised as advice, lots of rocket ship emojis promising to "unlock the secret to infinite wealth" or whatever.
But here's the thing: I actually need help with money stuff. Not get-rich-quick schemes, just... how do I stop living paycheck to paycheck without giving up everything that makes life worth living? How do I invest without feeling like I need a finance degree? How do I pay off my student loans before I'm 47?
So I did what I always do, I went through every single one and kept only the newsletters that actually helped instead of just making me feel bad about my spending habits.
Turns out, good money advice exists. It's just buried under a mountain of clickbait and crypto bros. The three I kept are written by people who get that most of us aren't starting with trust funds or six-figure salaries. They know you want to build wealth AND still be able to grab drinks with friends occasionally.
These newsletters have genuinely changed how I think about money, not in some dramatic "I found enlightenment" way, but in practical "oh, I can actually do this" ways. Here's what each one brings to the table.
Pick #1 - Money with Katie – Wealth-Building Wisdom with a Side of Snark
This weekly newsletter feels like getting money advice from a savvy friend who actually makes finance fun. Money with Katie (by Katie Gatti Tassin) breaks down everything from retirement saving hacks to daily spending habits in plain English that won’t put you to sleep. Katie’s tone is witty and relatable, but the advice is dead serious about building wealth – think 401(k) how-tos, “money habit” challenges, and even step-by-step tax tips. It’s the kind of newsletter that leaves you feeling empowered to tweak your budget or up your investing game right after reading.
why I keep opening it:
Actually Actionable – Every issue hands me a clear takeaway, whether it’s a script to negotiate down a bill or a checklist for optimizing my Roth IRA (yep, I’ve done both thanks to her). This isn’t just theory – it’s do-this-today guidance I can use immediately.
Long-Term Focus, Gen Z Flair – Katie tackles big-picture goals like retirement and financial independence without sounding like a dry textbook. She’ll talk compounding or 401(k)s in a conversational way that clicks for our generation. Boring jargon? Nope – just real talk on growing your net worth.
Tools & Templates Galore – From her free travel-rewards mini course to budgeting spreadsheets, she loves sharing resources. I’ve grabbed her planning templates and even tried apps she’s recommended – it’s like having a personal finance coach who gives you the playbook.
Motivating (and a Little Sass) – Whether she’s roasting bad spending habits or celebrating a reader’s first $100K, the tone keeps me hooked and motivated. It’s that perfect mix of “you got this” inspiration and “no excuses” reality check, delivered with humor and heart.
tiny drawbacks:
Deep Dives Ahead: Occasionally she dives really deep on niche topics (looking at you, tax optimization strategies) that might not apply to everyone every time. It’s all valuable, but if you’re brand-new to personal finance, a few references could go over your head until you catch up.
Weekly Waiting Game: It’s only once a week – which means I’m itching for more in between. (Then again, my wallet probably needs the breather to actually implement all those tips!)
my verdict:
9/10 for actionable value. Come for the memes-and-money vibe, stay for the genuine wealth-building advice. Money with Katie is the rare newsletter that’s as entertaining as it is educational.
Pick #2 - The Average Joe – Market Moves Made Simple (and Actually Fun)
The Average Joe is like having a market-savvy buddy explain what’s going on in the stock market over coffee – if that friend also tossed in the occasional dad joke. Dropped in my inbox twice a week, it boils down the latest market news and investing trends into bite-sized insights anyone can digest. We’re talking stocks, crypto, real estate, ETFs – whatever’s making money headlines, this newsletter will explain why it matters for your wallet. The best part? It never feels overwhelming or jargon-y. Instead, I get clear takeaways and even practical personal finance tips sprinkled in to help me grow my money. It’s a quick read that consistently leaves me a little smarter and a little more prepared to make my next money move.
why I keep opening it:
Clarity Amid the Chaos – Big market sell-off? Hot new IPO? The Average Joe breaks it down in a way I can actually understand. Complex financial happenings get distilled into a 5-minute read, so I stay informed without feeling lost or bored.
“So What?” Factor – Every story comes with a mini takeaway for investors. It’s not just “Company X did Y” – it’s “and here’s how that trend could affect your portfolio or strategy.” That context makes it immediately useful, not just interesting.
Wide Range of Topics – One day I’ll learn why tech stocks are rallying, next I’m getting a primer on crypto trends or even housing market shifts. It’s a one-stop shop that gives me a holistic view of money news (perfect for Gen Z investors curious about everything).
No BS, Bit of Wit – The tone strikes a great balance: informative but not stuffy, humorous but never trivial. I genuinely chuckle sometimes, and I appreciate that they can have fun with finance while still delivering solid info. It keeps me scrolling instead of snoozing.
tiny drawbacks:
Not a Deep Dive: By design, it’s a quick overview. If I need step-by-step investment analysis or in-depth stock research, I’ll have to look elsewhere. Think of this as your savvy briefing – fantastic for staying sharp on trends, but you’ll do your own homework when you want to act on a specific stock tip.
Humor Might Vary: The lighthearted tone is a plus for me, but if you prefer super-serious finance coverage, a joke about meme stocks here or there might not land. (To be fair, I enjoy it – it humanizes the money talk.)
my Verdict:
8.5/10 – ridiculously useful on the regular. For a fast, fun rundown of money news that still boosts your investing IQ, The Average Joe delivers. It’s like a market cheat sheet.
Pick #3 - Debt Free Millennials — ditch debt without ditching your life
Justyn Williams’ weekly Debt Free Millennials email feels like a trusted big sibling walking you through the trenches of student loans, credit-card balances, and random life expenses - without shaming you for that latte. Each issue zeroes in on practical payoff tactics, budget tweaks, and mindset shifts that let you crush debt while still having a social life. Think: snowball vs. avalanche calculators, real “before-and-after” payoff timelines, and bite-size challenges you can start today.
why I keep opening it
Step-by-step payoff blueprints. Every month she spotlights a reader who wiped out five-figure debt and breaks down the exact plan, numbers, and timeline.
Plug-and-play tools. From a free debt-snowball spreadsheet to a $0 starter budget template, the resources land right in the email. No treasure hunt.
Budget tweaks that don’t suck. She shows how to trim big three expenses (housing, transport, food) first, so you don’t have to cut all fun spending.
Mindset boosts, minus the guilt. Quick pep talks and behavior hacks keep you motivated when the payoff slog gets real.
tiny drawbacks
If you’re already debt-free and laser-focused on investing, some issues may feel remedial. And the occasional promo for her paid coaching group pops up…easy to skip, but there.
my verdict
8.7 / 10 on the Value Meter. Clear plans, free tools, and real success stories that make becoming debt-free feel doable, even on an entry-level paycheck.
Founders Toolkit - Tools I found that add real value to my life.
This week’s pick: Public — a one-stop investing app where you can buy fractional shares, U.S. Treasuries that currently yield ~5 %, and even sliced-up alternatives—all in one clean interface.
Why I’m sold: I set a $25 weekly auto-transfer and let Public split it across my “Core Four” ETF pie. Idle cash lands in Treasuries, earning more than my bank’s “high-yield” account. Bonus: the social feed is actually useful—real investor notes, not meme-stock hype.
Try it: Download the free app, link your bank, and schedule a $5–$10 recurring buy. You’ll own a diversified slice of the market by next Monday, and your spare cash will start earning while it waits.
ps
Hit reply and tell me one newsletter you swear by right now, I’ll test it and share the best picks!