Welcome to another week of the Women’s Personal Finance Wednesdays roundup. I started this series after months of debate because I wasn’t certain I wanted to up the ante and commit to publishing three posts a week. However, now that I’ve started sharing these posts, I’m so glad I started.

There are so many fabulous women writing about personal finance online, and yet there is still a perception that women aren’t good with money, don’t care about money, or don’t understand it on a granular level beyond perhaps knowing how to coupon and score a good shopping deal. These roundups are my way of doing a small part to change that perception. There are no shortage of women online doing their part to make it clear that they DO understand money, and these posts are meant to amplify that fact.

The hardest part of this post every week always is narrowing it down to my favorites, because there is just so much good content out there. If you’re ever interested in what else I’m reading, I share quite a few other posts on Twitter (and that’s also where I read most of the content to begin with these days).

Our Women’s Personal Finance Facebook group also has a sharing thread on Fridays, and that’s the place to read all the blog posts written by members over the previous week. If you’re looking for more articles written by women, that’s a great place to continue reading (plus we have plenty of great discussions on finances the rest of the week as well!).

If you don’t have the time or inclination to go searching down myriad posts, though, I will be continuing this series every week to showcase some of the best of the new content I read. If you ever read a post you think I absolutely need to consider for this roundup, please let me know! I am always open to reading new blogs (and posts of blogs I do know, because I miss some).

Women’s Personal Finance Wednesdays – Week 51

1. To Everyone Who Went to Work Today She Picks Up Pennies

In the personal finance world especially, but in general as well, there’s this concept that regular work doesn’t have value for most people. Or, that it is only valuable if it is a complete passion and your life’s work.

Jobs – and whole careers – are much more complicated than that, and I love that Penny again and again reminds us of the good in work, regardless of why you’re still there. This was an inspiring post, especially if you’re someone who works an okay job that pays the bills, but it’s not your favorite thing ever. But you don’t have to hate it either.

2. I’m Starting a Happiness Project! Rose Colored Water

“For years, people described me as a hipster because I fought so hard to NOT be considered a “basic” white girl. I wouldn’t watch blockbuster hits or listen to certain kinds of music. I just went against the grain because I could. And you know what? That was dumb.

Because guess what? I am a BASIC HIPSTER! Gimme those leggings and over-sized sweaters, but hold the UGGs (I don’t like those) and give me some Doc Martens. Give me all the scarves and snuggly cold weather stuff, but let’s just stay inside and play video games.”

Whenever someone says they wish they could relive their high school years or early twenties, I think of this. So many of us tried hard to fit in boxes / specifically not be in boxes in order to be “cool” or “in” or “loved” or whatever. But the very best you can do for yourself is to be you. And I think this is the core of what Liz is trying to say here. Find your happiness wherever it is, and who cares whether it checks the right box or not if it works for you.

Side note: why I sing this song to my kiddo (and to myself) often.

3. Why I’m ignoring Jean Chatzky’s advice I Pick Up Pennies

I will admit, Jean Chatzky has some great money advice. And the advice that Abigail walks through here is particularly good. But just because advice is good generally doesn’t mean it’s the right advice for you. Perhaps this is a theme for my picks this week, but just because something fits a box etc does not mean you need to do exactly that.

Abigail has an intentionality to her money, and it shines through in this post. Budget or don’t budget. Travel hack or don’t travel hack. Never buy coffee out or make it your daily routine. All that is really important is that you do the best for your given circumstances (and those include mental health, overwhelm, other external circumstances, etc). An expert is never going to be one in your own life.

I hope you enjoy the posts this week as much as I did. I read a ton of content and it was hard to narrow down my favorites. I’m looking forward to sharing some new ones with you again next week!

As always, if you’re looking for a categorized list of self identified women writing and speaking about personal finance, here is my comprehensive guide to the Women of the Financial Independence Community.