F inancial blogs have become some of the most popular and intriguing sites on the Internet. My favorites that are worth your time...

Personal Finance

GetRichSlowly.org was named "the most inspiring money blog" by Money in 2008. It began as a chronicle of debt reduction for its creator, who wiped out $35,000 in debt in three years. Nowadays, the blog excels at providing eclectic insights about personal finance, such as how to budget and spend money wisely.

Tip’d (www.tipd.com) is one of my favorite blog "aggregator" sites, which means it trolls the Internet for the best practical advice about personal finance published in hundreds of other blogs. It has a searchable archive of ideas on many aspects of financial life -- from choosing the best cash reward credit cards to spending money in retirement.

Saving Money

FiveCentNickel.com recounts a family man’s daily efforts to save money. The blog tells how he negotiates to lower his bills and reduces his grocery expenses. You’ll learn from his successes and mistakes, about which he seems to be unflinchingly honest.

Investing

Seeking Alpha (www.seekingalpha.com) -- "alpha" is a term fund managers use to measure performance -- presents analysis and information on stocks, bonds, global markets and mutual funds written by hundreds of financial professionals. Information ranges from beginner basics to more sophisticated fare, such as investing in emerging market stocks.

Consumer PROTECTION

The Consumerist (www.consumerist.com) is the blog for you if you ever feel like you’re being ripped off by a retailer or your cell-phone carrier... plagued by poor customer service... or unable to figure out the best features in a smart phone. It’s run by a nonprofit subsidiary of Consumer Reports and publishes dozens of posts daily from other Web sites, scientific studies and consumers advising users how to fight back against consumer rip-offs.

The sheer variety of information -- from the best daily Web deals on electronics to what to do with your gift card if a store goes out of business -- separates this site from other consumer spending blogs.

Taxes

Taxgirl (www.taxgirl.com) is a true gem. Tax attorney Kelly Phillips, who writes a monthly column for The Legal Intelligencer, the oldest law journal in the US, makes taxes interesting and understandable. She takes questions from readers, including one recently about whether a home alarm system is deductible. If your home is also your office, the answer is yes (otherwise, no).