How to Start a Finance Blog (Even If You’re Not a Money Guru Yet)

Okay, first thing’s first — you don’t need to be a financial expert to start a finance blog. Let’s get that out of the way.

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If you’re someone who’s learned how to budget, saved yourself from credit card debt, figured out investing (even just the basics), or just love nerding out about money tips… congrats — you’ve got more than enough to start.

Now let’s walk through how to actually do it — step by messy step.

🧠 First: Why a Finance Blog Though?

Because it pays. That’s the honest answer.

Finance is one of the most profitable blogging niches out there. Why? High-paying ads, juicy affiliate programs, and a big ol’ audience that’s constantly searching stuff like:

“How to budget on low income”
“Best credit cards”
“How to invest as a beginner”

And guess what? If you show up for those searches, you get paid.

But also — if you’re genuinely passionate about helping people make smarter money moves, it’s a solid niche to build authority, grow an audience, and maybe even get some speaking gigs down the line. It’s powerful.

Step 1: Pick Your Finance Niche (Don’t Try to Cover Everything)

The mistake people make? They go too broad. Like, “I’m gonna blog about budgeting, crypto, investing, student loans, taxes, FIRE, credit cards, and couponing.”

Nope. That’s a fast way to overwhelm yourself and confuse your readers.

Instead, narrow it down — get niche with your niche. Here are a few finance blog niche ideas:

🔹 Budgeting for single moms

🔹 Personal finance for 20-somethings

🔹 Investing for beginners

🔹 Frugal living / minimalism

🔹 Credit repair and debt payoff

🔹 Financial independence (FIRE)

🔹 Student finance / money for college kids

🔹 Side hustles & passive income

Pick one lane. You can always expand later. But starting focused helps you build trust and traction faster.

Step 2: Choose a Blog Name That Doesn’t Sound Like a Bank

Try to keep your blog name:

Easy to remember
Not already taken (check domain name + social handles)
A little fun or personal — you don’t need to sound like a finance bro

Examples of solid finance blog names:

Dollars & Cents
The Broke Investor
Millennial Money Diary
Budget Queen Blog
Cash Flow Confessions
The Wallet Whisperer

Don’t overthink it. Just pick something that feels like you. If it helps, use your own name + a finance word. Like: “Lisa’s Money Life” or “Alex Invests.”

Step 3: Set Up Your Blog (The Quick & Dirty Version)

Alright, here’s the quick-start path that won’t melt your brain:

1. Get hosting + domain

Go with something like Bluehost or SiteGround — they’re beginner-friendly and usually offer a free domain for the first year. Get a plan, claim your blog name, and boom.

2. Install WordPress

Most blog hosts will install WordPress for you with one click. This is your blog’s “engine.” Just do it — don’t overthink it.

3. Pick a clean theme

Choose a WordPress theme that doesn’t look like it was built in 2004. Astra or Kadence are good free themes to start with. You want it to look fresh, but don’t spend hours here.

4. Install key plugins

Like:

Rank Math or Yoast (for SEO)
Site Kit (connects to Google Analytics & Search Console)
Pretty Links (for affiliate links)
WP Super Cache (to speed up your site)

Done. Now you’ve got a home base for all your money talk.

Step 4: Start Writing. But Not Randomly.

Don’t just start writing “10 ways to save money” and hope people find you.

You need a content strategy. And it can be super simple.

Start with these types of blog posts:

✅ Problem-solving posts

Like:

“How to budget on a $2,000/month income”
“What to do if you’re drowning in credit card debt”
“How to invest $100 as a total beginner”

✅ Listicles

People love ’em.

“7 Money Mistakes I Made in My 20s”
“10 Budgeting Tools That Actually Helped”
“5 Best Books That Taught Me About Money”

✅ Personal story posts

These build trust fast.

“How I Paid Off $20,000 in Debt in 18 Months”
“Why I Regret Buying My Dream Car”

Just start with 5-10 solid posts that actually help people. No fluff. No weird finance jargon. Just talk like a real human with helpful info.

Step 5: Learn Basic SEO (Or At Least Fake It Until Google Notices You)

Look — SEO is how you get found. You don’t need to master it day one, but here’s what you should know:

Use keywords people search (use tools like UberSuggest or just Google autofill)
Put your keyword in your post title, meta description, and first paragraph
Make your blog post skimmable (use H2s, bullet points, short paragraphs)
Link to helpful stuff (both your blog posts and others)
Be consistent. Google rewards blogs that keep posting useful content.

Over time, the more people read and stick around, the better your rankings.

Step 6: Monetize Like a Finance Pro (But Don’t Rush)

Most new bloggers wanna make money fast. But real talk? Blogging is a long game. So be patient.

That said, here’s how finance blogs make bank:

💸 Affiliate Marketing

This is HUGE in the finance world. You recommend a tool (like a budgeting app, credit card, or investing platform) — when someone signs up, you get a cut.

Examples:

Personal Capital
M1 Finance
Credit Karma
Bluehost (yes, bloggers make money from other bloggers)

💸 Display Ads

Once you’ve got traffic, slap on display ads through Google AdSense, Ezoic, or Mediavine (if you get big). It’s passive money.

💸 Digital Products

Create an eBook, spreadsheet, or course — like “Debt Payoff Planner” or “30-Day Budget Bootcamp.” You only have to build it once.

💸 Coaching or Services

Offer one-on-one finance coaching, budgeting help, or freelance writing for finance brands.

Start small. Build trust. Monetize smartly.

Real Talk: Things That’ll Try to Discourage You (Ignore ‘Em)

“I’m not a certified financial advisor.”
→ You don’t need to be. You’re sharing personal tips and experiences, not offering investment advice.
“There are already so many finance blogs.”
→ Yeah, but none of them are you. Your voice, your story, your take — that’s what people connect with.
“It’s taking forever to make money.”
→ Blogging isn’t an overnight thing. Give it 6 months. Show up. Improve. Repeat.

Final Tips to Keep Going (Even When Motivation Dies)

Batch your content. Write 2-3 posts on a Sunday, schedule ’em out.
Talk to real people. Reddit, Facebook groups, DMs — see what questions people are asking about money. Then blog answers.
Stay curious. Keep learning about finance. Share as you grow.
Track small wins. 10 visits? Cool. 1 comment? Even better. Celebrate everything.
Ignore the noise. Focus on what you can control: writing, helping, showing up.

TL;DR – How to Start a Finance Blog (Recap)

✅ Pick a specific niche (don’t go too broad)
✅ Claim your blog name + set up WordPress
✅ Write helpful, human, real content
✅ Use basic SEO so people can find you
✅ Monetize with affiliate links, ads, or products
✅ Keep going even when it’s slow

You’ve got this.

Your voice matters. And there are people out there right now Googling stuff you’ve already figured out. So hit publish.

Let the blog begin. 💰