The Right Side of the Finance Algorithm

Before you think this is just an advertisement: stop! This is not. I am not trying to sell any of these creators’ works. In fact, I’m trying to show you the creators with really decent free advice. These are creators that have created such high-quality content that it’s popular enough for them to survive on advertising revenue and views.

That being said, many finance creators are this way, and not all creators are the same. Some finance creators develop content that is too good to be true–but it’s exciting. It farms your views and provides you with misleading content.

I was fortunate to land on what I call the “right side” of the online finance advice universe. Algorithms can take you down rabbit holes–some of which are potentially dangerous and actually make you poorer. Instead, I found influencers that encourage you to practice common sense while also providing specific information, including but not limited to:

Advice for increasing and maintaining credit score

Investing tips and terminology (i.e., the difference between day trading and dollar cost averaging)

Why different strategies work for different lifestyles

Do these creators often sell things like online courses and memberships? Yes. Do I recommend taking any of their courses? Not necessarily, unless you feel that is how you learn. I recommend checking out the free advice of these creators because they helped me develop a money sense that helped me create a sizable nest egg, a side hustle, and a comfortable job that is setting me up to be able to go to graduate school with no student loan debt at all.

Not only do their free resources include their videos, blogs and podcasts, but a lot of them offer free spreadsheets, budgeting resources, and more.

I think I learn just fine by consuming hour after hour of content, but the jury is still out on if that is actually the case. So, if you like one of these creators, go ahead and support them.

Before you think this is just an advertisement:

I do recommend listening to each with a grain of salt and following similar creators. Be wary of conflicting advice because that is truly, truly

You’ll know if you’re heading in the wrong direction if you start sending them money that you don’t have. If you ever get to that point, don’t walk, RUN away.

Victoria Nicole (TikTok)

I was fortunate to land on her first, and she gave me a lot of clarity right away and pushed me toward the right side of my finance journey. She has a very empowering tone, and, while a lot of her episodes become repetitive over time, they are also timely.

Most of her content reminds you not to act reactively to market downturns, which is one of the more important habits you can build when investing in your long–term future.

Personal Finance Podcast (Spotify)

Not just personal finance, but also very good advice for entrepreneurs and all different episodes for many different types of interviews, book talks, and timely advice. Andrew, a former Dave Ramsey apprentice, will tend to get into both the Dave Ramsey talks while also talking with a wide range of other successful people–who define success in a different way. They are

Social Symone (YouTube)

Oh, she’s funny! Not only is she funny, but she’s down-to-earth and provides some really practical advice. Most videos are reaction videos, which can be classified somewhat as a “guilty pleasure,” which I talk about next. However, Symone often chimes-in as a voice of reason and is less of the person who gives you resources and is more of the common-sense approach to personal finance and a range of other issues.

Caleb Hammer (YouTube - For your Guilty Pleasure binge)

Okay, sometimes it’s just nice to see a bunch of people that are a little bit worse off than you to give yourself an ego boost. Caleb Hammer does a great job of bringing those people onto his show. Sometimes that’s necessary to remind you that, no, splurging on your high-interest credit cards is not a good idea. There are consequences to taking out that payday loan. Getting a second car isn’t the best idea.

All of these creators are very different, but all have something in common: their voice and their perspectives are similar to those of everyday people. You can tell they’ve dealt with the dilemma of student loans, mortgages, how to enter the stock market. They are relatable and human.