There are thousands of people out there writing about their financial lives, sharing their tips and experience, and providing examples of how to pay down debt, save for retirement, build financial security, and harness the power of money to live life on their terms. Here's my favorite personal finance articles this week:

Crying Over Spilt Money - Othala Fehu

How you blow your money is as important as how you save your money. I think I really keep this list to keep pace of my ever changing life. Call it a little perspective. As I keep journaling about my Financial Life, I have come to the realization this is also my Actual Life.

What I Learned Interviewing 19 Millionaires - Budgets Are Sexy!

So basically, knowledge is key. And it seems that the rich understands this like nobody else.

How The Picky Pinchers Clean - Picky Pinchers

I don’t spend my money on a housekeeper or have a magic wand that takes out the trash with the flick of my wrist. I’m a little bit of a clean freak, so I have to find ways to fit cleaning into my daily schedule.

Hindsight is 20/20: What I Wish I Knew About Money BEFORE I Left for College - Debt Discipline

My parents briefly explained how interest worked, how I would be required to repay them after graduation, and what I could/couldn’t use the money for, but I kind of had an “I’ll deal with it later” mindset

Why You Should Ask Why - Optimize Your Life

Identify the decisions that are most important. Start there.Ask questions about decisions that involve your health. Stop and think a bit more about what really makes you happy. If that’s working out, ask “Why?” about other decisions that you tend to make on autopilot.

I hope you had a great money week and thanks for reading!

Be sure to check out the tag #5weeklymoneyarticles for a complete archive.