Welcome to the Other People’s Money Substack!

Hi, I’m Robin! Welcome to my Substack!

Other People’s Money is a Substack I launched in January 2025 to answer your most vexing money questions. It’s a personal finance advice column. Think Dear Abby or Dear Prudence, but about money stuff.

It’s a place where you can ask questions about money without fear of being judged. Whether you’re making a big financial decision, you’re having a money-related dispute, or you just want to know how something works, you’re in the right place.

About me

My full name is Robin Hartill. I live in my hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida, with my dog, Abraham. (He’s missing a leg, but please don’t tell him because I don’t think he knows.)

I’m a longtime financial writer and editor. I’m also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER.™

I started my career as a community newspaper reporter. In 2016, I joined the staff of a personal finance website called The Penny Hoarder. From 2019 to 2023, I wrote the Dear Penny personal finance advice column. Since mid-2023, I’ve been a full-time freelance financial writer and editor.

Long before I started writing about financial matters, I wrecked my credit by charging up a bunch of credit cards I couldn’t afford. I spent years dealing with the fallout: security deposits for everything, aggressive debt collectors, an 18% APR used car loan when I had to sell my old car for scrap metal.

I was really ashamed of my finances. Unfortunately, that kept me from asking for help figuring things out.

My hope is that this Substack will be a resource for others who are grappling with money issues.