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 79

I decided that there were four posts I wanted to share this week instead of the normal three, so there’s a bonus one today, but again, my brain isn’t quite there to do much commentary. I hope you are all hanging in there – life will go back to normal someday.

1. Bare-Bones Budget: Why You Need to Create Yours Today Cash for Tacos

I keep meaning to make my own bare bones budget spreadsheet, and maybe sharing this post today will be the nudge I need to finally get it done. I have a general sense of what ours is, but it’s been quite a few years since I’ve laid it out. We’re both working right now – as is our roommate – but in times of such uncertainty, it makes sense to know exactly what those expense are in case you need to cut back that severely. Knowing that bare-bones budget also informs just how far you could also stretch your emergency fund. 

2. What Should You Be Doing With Your Money During Covid-19? Mixed Up Money

“Remind yourself that you cannot change what has happened with your financial situation.”

I think that quote is so, so important to remember. There is no point in beating yourself up for past choices right now, but instead, now is time to focus on what your current situation is and take stock from there. 

Alyssa shares some information that is Canada-specific, but the general advice is solid for anyone. Whether you’ve lost your job and are wading through trying to figure out what to do next, whether you’re in a decently stable position, or if you’re in a great spot financially, she has some great comments will help guide you through this period of uncertainty. 

3. Anger in The Time of Covid-19 The Non-Consumer Advocate

This is a short post, but one that I’m certain many of you can relate to. Mush-brain is a real thing, and anger is a perfectly valid response to what is going on right now. I also can definitely relate to wanting to write but not being able to get the words out. Things are straight up weird and surreal right now, and our responses aren’t going to be normal. And that’s okay.

4. Stimulus Checks & Bounce House Daydreams She Picks Up Pennies

“Of course, my thoughts would be dramatically different if I lost my job. But by all indications, we will be paid through the end of the school year. We won’t spend frivolously, and we don’t intend to touch our emergency fund at all right now. Since these bases are covered, we are going to acknowledge that we have enough — and turn support to our community instead.”

Clearly, Penny and I are of one mind on this one. I haven’t done any specific stimulus-check spending dreaming other than buying a ton of take out, but again, if I’m being honest, that’s likely where most of it will go. Perhaps my own Kirkland Restaurant Week, with a different restaurant meal each week? And then money donated directly to those in my community who most need it.

So again, like Penny, my stimulus check dreams consist of doing exactly what I’m already doing – but just on a bigger scale. If you’re in a secure financial situation, that check is meant to be spent – in your local economy. Not on more shares of VTSAX.

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.

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