If you’re trying to get smarter about money, investing, retirement, or financial independence, there has never been a better time to discover Substack.
Unlike many traditional financial websites that rely on pageviews and sensational headlines, Substack allows writers to build direct relationships with readers through newsletters. The result? More thoughtful analysis, fewer ads, and deeper insights.
Whether you’re looking for practical money-saving tips, investing ideas, retirement planning advice, or economic commentary, these finance writers deserve a spot in your inbox.
Contents
- Why Follow Finance Writers on Substack?
- 1. Morgan Housel
- 2. Nick Maggiulli
- 3. Kyla Scanlon
- 4. Ben Carlson
- 5. Howard Marks
- 6. A Wealth of Common Sense
- 7. The Diff
- 8. Matt Levine
- 9. Noahpinion
- 10. The Rational Walk
- 11. Dividend Growth Investor
- 12. Of Dollars and Data
- 13. Money Stuff
- 14. The Pragmatic Capitalist
- 15. Humble Dollar
- 16. Financial Samurai
- 17. Mr. Money Mustache
- 18. JL Collins
- 19. The Irrelevant Investor
- 20. The White Coat Investor
- 21. Afford Anything
- 22. Big ERN
- 23. The Best Interest
- 24. Optimized Portfolio
- 25. Money with Katie
- How to Choose Which Finance Substacks to Follow
- Final Thoughts
Why Follow Finance Writers on Substack?
Substack has become home to some of the brightest minds in personal finance and investing. Many writers are former journalists, economists, portfolio managers, financial advisors, and successful investors who share insights that often don’t make it into mainstream media.
Benefits include:
- In-depth analysis instead of clickbait
- Direct access to experts
- Diverse viewpoints
- Free and premium subscription options
- Easy delivery straight to your inbox
1. Morgan Housel
Known for his bestselling book The Psychology of Money, Morgan Housel writes about wealth, behavior, risk, and decision-making. His essays are easy to understand and packed with timeless financial wisdom.
Best for: Long-term investors and personal finance enthusiasts.
2. Nick Maggiulli
Nick Maggiulli, author of Just Keep Buying, combines data and storytelling to explain investing, wealth building, and financial planning.
Best for: Evidence-based investing.
3. Kyla Scanlon
Kyla makes economics approachable and entertaining. Her newsletter breaks down complex financial topics in plain English.
Best for: Understanding today’s economy.
4. Ben Carlson
Ben Carlson shares practical investing advice, market observations, and wealth-building strategies.
Best for: Everyday investors.
5. Howard Marks
The legendary investor behind Oaktree Capital publishes thoughtful memos on markets, risk, and investing psychology.
Best for: Serious investors.
6. A Wealth of Common Sense
Ben Carlson’s popular investing newsletter delivers practical insights without unnecessary complexity.
Best for: Long-term investing.
7. The Diff
Written by Byrne Hobart, The Diff explores business, technology, markets, and economic trends.
Best for: Investors interested in big-picture trends.
8. Matt Levine
Matt Levine’s financial commentary has become legendary for making Wall Street entertaining and understandable.
Best for: Finance nerds and market followers.
9. Noahpinion
Economist Noah Smith covers economics, technology, globalization, and public policy.
Best for: Understanding macroeconomic trends.
10. The Rational Walk
A thoughtful publication focused on investing, capital allocation, and business analysis.
Best for: Value investors.
11. Dividend Growth Investor
Focused on building passive income through dividend-paying stocks.
Best for: Income-focused investors.
12. Of Dollars and Data
Nick Maggiulli’s newsletter deserves special mention for its consistent use of data-driven insights.
Best for: Investors who love charts and research.
13. Money Stuff
Matt Levine’s humorous take on Wall Street has developed a cult following.
Best for: Financial news with personality.
14. The Pragmatic Capitalist
Cullen Roche discusses investing, economics, and wealth management from a practical perspective.
Best for: Long-term wealth builders.
15. Humble Dollar
Created by Jonathan Clements, Humble Dollar focuses on sensible personal finance and retirement planning.
Best for: Pre-retirees and retirees.
16. Financial Samurai
Sam Dogen shares insights on financial independence, investing, careers, and real estate.
Best for: High earners seeking financial freedom.
17. Mr. Money Mustache
The pioneer of the FIRE movement continues to inspire readers to save aggressively and live intentionally.
Best for: Financial independence seekers.
18. JL Collins
Known for The Simple Path to Wealth, Collins offers straightforward investing advice.
Best for: Beginner investors.
19. The Irrelevant Investor
Michael Batnick writes about investing, behavior, and market history.
Best for: Long-term investors.
20. The White Coat Investor
Focused on helping doctors and other professionals manage money wisely.
Best for: High-income professionals.
21. Afford Anything
Paula Pant combines investing, real estate, and lifestyle design into actionable financial advice.
Best for: People seeking financial flexibility.
22. Big ERN
Early Retirement Now dives deep into retirement planning, withdrawal strategies, and financial independence.
Best for: FIRE enthusiasts.
23. The Best Interest
Jesse Cramer’s newsletter explains personal finance topics with clarity and humor.
Best for: Beginner and intermediate investors.
24. Optimized Portfolio
This publication focuses on ETFs, portfolio construction, and investing strategy.
Best for: DIY investors.
25. Money with Katie
Katie Gatti Tassin has built a large audience by making personal finance relatable and engaging.
Best for: Millennials and Gen Z readers.
How to Choose Which Finance Substacks to Follow
The best newsletter for you depends on your goals.
Consider following:
- For saving money: Money with Katie, Humble Dollar, The Best Interest
- For investing: Morgan Housel, Ben Carlson, Nick Maggiulli
- For retirement planning: Big ERN, JL Collins, Humble Dollar
- For economics: Kyla Scanlon, Noah Smith
- For market analysis: Howard Marks, Matt Levine, The Diff
Start with three to five newsletters rather than subscribing to dozens at once. As you discover writers whose style and perspective resonate with you, you can expand your reading list.
Final Thoughts
One of the best investments you can make is investing in your financial education. The right Substack writers can help you become a better saver, smarter investor, and more informed consumer of financial news.
The best part? Many of these newsletters are free to subscribe to, making them one of the highest-value financial resources available today.
