All about… financetidy
Avid personal finance blog reader Ben set up financetidy in 2016 to help bring some order to the financial chaos he saw in so many people’s lives. He covers money management and smart shopping, but it’s in investing that his true passion lies. Here Ben shares with us more about the importance of financial education and the reasons he started financetidy.
Tell us about your blog.
financetidy is my personal finance blog focused on saving money, budgeting and investing. However sometimes the lines blur or I write about another money topic that interests me, and hopefully you, the reader. The aim is to educate and simplify money to start people thinking about their finances and how they manage money.
Why do you write about money?
I was taught from a young age how to manage money wisely, and maybe quite sadly it’s something I still enjoy learning more about. For years I have been sharing saving ideas, tips, recommendations and generally talking about money issues with my friends and colleagues. I was surprised how many people don’t think about or fully understand their finances, and ultimately struggle living from payday to payday.
Money is central to our everyday lives, but with no training people struggle and have a poor relationship with their finances. I thought by writing I could continue to learn whilst helping others.
How did you start blogging?
Well, it was a hot summer’s night and I couldn’t sleep. The idea popped into my head, I told my wife the next day and she said, “do it”. That’s it really; quite simple.
What’s your most popular post and why?
At the time of writing my most popular post is ‘7 Signs You Should Have A Budget’. It was only posted recently but has taken off… well for a small blogger like me.
What’s your favourite post you’ve written, and why?
I really enjoyed writing “Time is Money, and Money is Time?”. It’s not my biggest or most researched post however, covers a simple concept that I don’t think enough people consider.
What’s your number one money tip?
Don’t ignore it, or be afraid to talk about money. Take time to understand and learn how to manage it well, otherwise it will control you forever.
What’s your top blogging tip?
Get set up and started as soon as possible; don’t waste time initially on minor details. Then focus on writing content you know and love, repeat, repeat and keep going.
Why are you part of UK Money Bloggers?
It’s great to be part of a community of similar minded individuals to discuss topics, but also share ideas, tips and tricks. It has also given me an insight into other areas of blogging along with some different viewpoints. Additionally being fairly new, it’s good to get advice from those more experienced and learning from their success and failures.
Who are your three favourite UK Money Bloggers?
My favourite topic is investing and Monevator has written some fantastic stuff. My other two favourites would have to be Nicola from The Frugal Cottage and Jenni from Can’t Swing A Cat.