Review: Money Diaries
Considering my hobby (and my day job) is digging into people’s finances, is it really shocking that I love Refinery29’s Money Diaries? The website has always been pretty dynamic, but their Money Diaries series became insanely popular and even spawned both a book and podcast. In addition, there is a compensation-specific category of the site called Salary Stories. Recently, it was announced there will also be a choose-your-own-advertising adventure as well.
Look – people love snooping into others’ money business. Individuals contribute one week’s worth of detailed daily expenses to Refinery29 with explanations of income, life events, and any other details they elect to share. There are diaries ranging from all over the income, country, and career spectrum. There is still a ton of stigma around sharing those intimate details of your life, so anytime we get to pull back the curtain, it is absolutely fascinating. As a side note: Thank you to all the people who openly talk money! You help your friends more than you know. Predatory agencies survive off of our fear and misinformation, and a little more honest communication is just the remedy the world needs.
The design is clean and cute, with bullet journal-style graphics accompanying the diaries. Refinery29 really shines with their graphic design, and they didn’t slouch on this part of the site. Because you have real people contributing, the diaries are easy to read with a colloquial style that imparts a little bit of the diarist’s personality throughout. Because food is probably the number one purchase we make daily, several entries typically include detailed descriptions of meals. In fact, I actually was fascinated by comparing my food diaries with other women my age (there were a lot of smoothies and avocado toast…).
The book is effectively a printed version of the most illuminating diaries, along with money tips and other assorted financial notes. It follows the same design as the site almost exactly. If you want to physically introduce a financial newbie or young adult to Money Diaries, feel free to purchase the book. For the more casual observer, you get everything you need from the free website diaries; just send the link to your friends.
The podcast is another adaptation of the same concept. I absolutely recommend listening to it for their chosen money expert, Paco. There is something about her voice on the podcast that is both youthful and soothing that just lulls me straight to her website, The Hell Yeah Group. A financial resource and bookkeeping services site, it is self-described as “Valuable shit for creatives doing business. Finance oriented, but not limited.” As a dedicated reader of her weekly emails, I have to agree – it’s fun, down-to-earth, and modern. Imagine if you met your financial advisor in Cali for a slice of avocado toast and a conversation about your business plans.
A caller supplies a financial question, Paco provides the knowledge, and Lindsey wraps it all up in a pleasing package that is the perfect-sized episode to listen to when you can pop in your headphones for 20 minutes. There is currently only one season, but I’m hoping for more in the near future. You can listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
What’s my bottom line?
For the millennial moneymaker, Refinery29 provides an interesting insight into the weekly finances – and lifestyles – of a variety of individuals around America. I actually used this diary of a cam girl for my FIF South Park Series: The Cartman Family. With a podcast, book, and website to pick from, you have every opportunity to experience it on the platform of your choosing. Because of its readability, I consider this one of my go-to resources, and love loaning the book to others to get them started on their financial journey and to show them they aren’t alone.
Grade: A
Gift-gifting potential: for your financially curious millennials and young adults, such as the graduate in your life
Disclaimer: Any products reviewed are done so as an anonymous consumer to provide transparent information about the experience. Any money made off of affiliate links are clearly stated, and do not influence the reviews in any way. No free products are accepted (with the exception of books). Honest, 100% bullshit-free reviews only!
