Do you have a reputation for being financially savvy?
Maybe you can crunch numbers in a flash to determine how to get the best deal whenever you’re shopping. Maybe you’re armed with an organized binder full of coupons.
Whatever your secret, when it comes to money, you’re in the know.
So why don’t you get paid to write about personal finance? If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing your byline in well known money-focused publications, it’s time to act.
[sps_reusable_block post_id=43047]
Want to write personal finance articles? Here are 21 outlets to pitch
While details of payment often depend on each editor and pitch, many of these publications pay writers — sometimes handsomely. Those that pay don’t usually allow links back to your personal blog or website.
We did the hard work of tracking down these freelance writing gigs. All you have to do is write.
Here are 21 opportunities for personal finance writers.
1. The Dollar Stretcher
This popular online personal finance and productivity resource also publishes a bi-monthly print magazine.
The Dollar Stretcher (TDS) has been around since 1998 and goes beyond “six ways to save money on your grocery bill” content — instead, it looks for more unique articles related to personal finance, like how to deal with a non-frugal partner or stage-of-life material for families, single people and more.
Besides in-depth articles with practical ideas, TDS also prefers its writers use professional quotes and statistics when possible. Email your submission to editor@stretcher.com.
Payment: $0.10 per word, for a maximum of about 800 words, but most of the articles selected are in the range of 500 to 700 words. Only publications in the print version are paid.
2. Wise Bread
One of the highest-ranked personal finance websites, Wise Bread shares articles about personal finance and frugal living. It’s interested in smart, helpful and insightful writing that delivers authoritative yet easy-to-understand advice.
The exposure on Wise Bread is broad, so any writer on this site will have a large audience — especially if your post is syndicated by Business Insider, DailyFinance or Forbes.
Payment: The site specifies it’s hiring writers, which means it’s a paid gig — but it doesn’t specify an amount. You must apply to become a blogger, and the application process requires three sample posts and five concrete ideas for future posts.
3. Entrepreneur Magazine
Although they don’t have a super-simple contact form or contributor-specific email address, pitching Entrepreneur could land you in one of the premier personal finance publications in the country.
Find the department that best fits your story and pitch directly to that editorial inbox. To better your chances, follow the submission guidelines.
Payment: Unverified. Some sources say $1.50 per word.
4. The Penny Hoarder
The Penny Hoarder tackles fun and unique ways to make and save money. It’s looking for evergreen articles of at least 700-900 words and is particularly interested in stories that share specific details.
Payment: Pay rate will be individually negotiated.
5. Business Insider
Business Insider looks for a variety of professionals to write columns, personal essays, profiles, how-to’s and more related to personal finance and beyond, including business owners, journalists, personal finance experts and entrepreneurs.
Payment: Contributors are unpaid, but Business Insider is a high-traffic site that could draw considerable attention to your writing endeavors. However, freelance writers are paid varying rates determined by factors like the amount of reporting and research, the length of the article and your experience as a writer.
6. The New York Times Opinionator
It’s perhaps one of the most well known columns on this list, although it’s not specifically finance or business related. The Opinionator accepts submissions based on any opinion you may have, so don’t hold back with your personal finance or business-related submissions. If editors like your writing, The Times will respond within three days.
Payment: Unlisted, but sources suggest an average of about 65 cents per word.
7. The Wall Street Journal
One of the U.S.’s top daily newspapers, much of the content on WSJ is related to business and breaking news. You can submit an opinion piece to discuss anything relevant to the paper, including personal finance or family budgets. Please submit your piece in the body of the email rather than as an attachment, and keep it to 400-1,000 “jargon-free” words.
Payment: Unlisted, but sources report an average of 66 cents per word.
8. Beating Broke
If you’re a member of the Yakezie Group of personal finance and lifestyle blogs or author of an established financial blog on a different network, you can submit guest posts to Beating Broke. If your content’s a good fit, you may be able to become a contributing writer and post on the blog regularly.
Payment: Guest posting is an unpaid opportunity, but you may include a “reasonable” amount of links in your content, including to your own website. Contributing writers who write two or more posts per month for at least three months may be paid a negotiable rate based on the quality of your work. Bonuses may also be paid based on post performance.
9. Forbes
Go big or go home, right? Being published in Forbes is a big deal for any writer, and this is one case where the pay matches the prestige. Submit a well-crafted pitch to ideas@forbes.com.
Payment: Although this one might be a little tough for beginners to break into, one writer reported a pay rate of $2 per word for a lengthy piece involving a good amount of investigative footwork.
10. Income Diary
This website is all about earning. Some topics you may cover include monetizing your blog, earning money from writing, or any other topics related to earning money. They’re also on the hunt for an SEO expert to write an in-depth post about keyword research using either Ahrefs or SemRush.
Payment: Worthy articles are paid at a rate of up to $200, and the SEO post mentioned above has a budget of $200-$500.
11. Doctor of Credit
Doctor of Credit shares money management strategies and savings suggestions. The site focuses on practical ways to be frugal, as well as information about credit cards, the best cards out there, and the different rewards available.
Payment: Doctor of Credit accepts guest posts by readers, and accepted submissions receive $50. However, if you publish regularly you may find an ongoing opportunity. You should hear back from the site within seven days of submitting your post.
12. Reach Financial Independence
Personal bloggers with non-commercial sites can contribute guest posts to Reach Financial Independence, a blog dedicated to working smarter and living more. Your original piece must be at least 800 words in length, and may not include affiliate links. Plus, stay away from topics like debt, loans, student loans, life insurance, credit cards and credit scores.
Payment: This is another unpaid opportunity, but the writer guidelines specify you can include up to two links back to your blog in the body, and links to your social accounts in the bio.
13. Money Crashers
This popular personal finance blog covers a variety of topics relating to money, including frugal living, investing, tax preparation, mortgages and money management. Writers should have an expertise in one or more of its broad areas, either through direct experience, education or certification. If you’re capable of comprehensive articles of 3,000 words or more, even better.
Payment: Although a rate isn’t listed on the website, Money Crashers claims its start base rate of pay is “competitive,” and there are additional monthly performance incentives to earn based on traffic
14. Money Saving Mom
This well-known blog is written by financially savvy mommy blogger Crystal Paine, who’s published several books and ecourses. You can guest-blog for Money Saving Mom with practical money saving advice relevant to the site’s readers, but be sure to keep your submission under 2,000 words.
Payment: Unpaid, but you gain serious street cred by writing for this site, and you’re bound to get traffic back to your blog or site.
15. Modest Money
If you manage a personal-finance-focused blog of your own or otherwise have ample financial writing experience, Modest Money is looking for guest posts from you! Posts should be at least 500 words long and may include up to two links to your personal website
Payment: Although this is an unpaid opportunity, the chance to link back to your personal site is gold!
16. Inc.
Inc. Magazine is the place to go to read advice about small business tools and advice that can help you grow and innovate. It’s interested in real stories about business, plus stories that add to its expansive resource about entrepreneurship. If you have a story idea, send it to pitches@inc.com. If you’re more interested in being a regular columnist, send your submission to contributors@inc.com. Be sure to follow these contributor guidelines before you reach out.
Payment: Unverified, but one source reported 33 cents per word.
17. TechCrunch
If you consider yourself an expert in topics like tech investing, fundraising, growth and emerging technology trends, submit a guest post to TechCrunch, the well-known magazine about startups and technology. Submit a story of up to 2,000 words; if it gets picked up, you can land a recurring columnist gig.
Payment: Unpaid, but a feature from a magazine like TechCrunch could lead to tons of paid opportunities.
18. FreshBooks Blog
Invoicing software FreshBooks hosts a blog that’s a popular resource for small business owners, FreshBooks customers and anyone interested in reading up on accounting and taxes, project management and invoicing and expenses. Although it’s not seeking new contributors to its blog, it welcomes you to submit a “suitable pitch,” like a story idea or area it hasn’t covered. Apply by filling out this form.
Payment: Unlisted, but it previously stated $200+ per post.
19. The Motley Fool
The Motley Fool helps millions of readers achieve financial freedom through its blog, podcasts, books, newspaper column, premium investing services and more. On the career page, you’ll find a variety of freelance writer listings — whether you’d like to write about taxes, credit cards, investment planning or a host of other finance-related topics, it’s likely you’ll find a contract role that suits you.
Payment: Pay rate varies; however, some opportunities list a rate of $140 per published article.
20. ElitePersonalFinance
Finance blog ElitePersonalFinance says it spends more than $100,000 per year on creating high-quality content for its site. That means it’s always looking for talented writers who can write 1,000- to 3,000-word posts that cover business, ways to earn money online, credit reports, loans, identity theft and more. This also has the potential to become a recurring opportunity.
Payment: $300 per guest post.
21. Money Pantry
Do you have “unusual and interesting, yet practical, ideas for earning and saving more money”? Money Pantry wants to hear from you. This website that aims to make personal finance something everyday people can understand seeks contributors to pen articles of at least 700 words that offer strategies and tips to help readers.
Payment: $30 to $150 per post.
This is an updated version of a story that was previously published. We update our posts as often as possible to ensure they’re useful for our readers.
Photo via mandritoiu/Shutterstock
