I am hungry to get into the ‘meat and potatoes’ financial topics, so please excuse me while I get philosophical on this, the first post on 20Somethingfinance.com. What makes an ‘expert’ in anything? And at what level do you reach ‘expert’ status. More specifically, in relation to blogging, what makes an ‘expert’ in technology, sports, stocks, and so on?

I am not professing to be an expert at anything – that judgment can come from you, the reader. What I do know is that I have spent a great deal of time, on average, roughly an hour per day for the last six years in trying to increase my overall personal finance knowledge and I absolutely love sharing that knowledge with others. And yes, I am in my 20’s (hence the name of the site).

This much is certain. At no other point in your life (than early adulthood) are the financial decisions that you make as influential to your lifelong financial health. I get fired up when I hear the horror stories, misconceptions, and downright blind ignorance and gullibility of many of my peers when it comes to making financial decisions. These are good people whose lives have taken a more difficult turn due to the failures of our educational system.

The root of this issue goes back to grade school. About the only thing any of us learned throughout school is how to write a check. Write a check? What about mortgages, personal budgets, retirement accounts, savings, mutual funds, stock investing, and paying off your debts, just for starters? Lack of knowledge is deep and widespread and having drastic implications on society (mortgage crisis, foreclosures, credit card debt, bankruptcy, and on and on).

It is my hope that 20Somethingfinance.com will fill a niche in helping people get their financial portfolios on track at an early age. Is this site only for those from the age of 20 to 29? No way! There is going to be plenty of relevant financial information for everyone. Let the discussions begin. If it is one thing that you learn, it is that there is no silver lining when it comes to finance. Everyone has different viewpoints on which path is correct on any given financial issue. Debate is fully encouraged and expected.

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