Sometimes you don’t need advice which is straight up and down your path.  Having ancillary sources helps you expand your perspective on what you do.  In fact, that kind of symbiotic learning is where we truly learn to innovate.  Blogs are a wonderful field for this.  Many bloggers help people by giving advice on relatively general areas, or find ways to make their specific experiences more accessible.  This is a list of 5 bloggers whose insights into life, finance, entrepreneurship, leadership, and independent living/employment are invaluable.

Escape From Cubicle Nation -Pamela Slim

http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/
We live in an age where we are radically redefining what it means to be employed, what it means to be an expert.  As we shift in these definitions, we shift in our understanding of what the workday is, what the work place is.  We shift what work is.  Pamela Slim advocates a life of entrepreneurial excellence, independence, and working for your true value.

Her site is full of excellent content including e-books, recommendations for other sites, articles, and newsletters.  A successful entrepreneur, writer, and speaker herself, Pamela Slim’s site is not to be missed.

Disrupting the Rabblement – Niall Dougherty

http://www.ndoherty.com/
Niall quit his job almost two years ago and has been travelling ever since.  Did he save up?  Well, a bit, but more importantly he’s created a business for himself out of design work and e-courses through his blog.  His goal is to travel the world without ever getting on a plane.  he started in his native Ireland and is currently on the Indian Ocean.  Wild.  He gives keen insights into his own financial records so you can gain a better insight as to how you can control your own while starting of as an independently employed person or an entrepreneur.

Beyond his business endeavors, Niall discusses how he attempts to live as genuinely as possible.  This confluence of transparency and self awareness with business is manifest in his writing.

Man Vs Debt – Adam Baker

http://manvsdebt.com/
Adam Baker is one of the cornerstones of the internet community.  Man Vs Debt was founded as a way for Adam and his wife to gain control of their finances.  Adam realized that the current system of money  – taking out massive loans to put down payments on things you may never fully pay off, massive credit lines – made little sense.  He seized control of his finances, began travelling, and quickly developed a name for himself on the internet.
Man Vs Debt will absolutely help you plan out your finances and realize the silly mistakes we all make.  A combination of life hacking and savvy accounting will ensure you see results quickly while still building toward the long term.

Advanced Riskology – Tyler Tervooren

http://advancedriskology.com/
Tyler lives his life in extremes.  He wants to accomplish more in his life than “99% of people ever will.”  He’s attempting to run a marathon on every continent, scale the tallest mountain on every continent, all while maintaining his businesses and blogs.  Where does such an extreme figure fit into the picture here?  He knows how to convince you to excel beyond your wildest dreams.  He – more than anything – can convince you to push beyond your perceived limits and achieve what you want.
Tyler explains credit card tricks, saving tips, planning tips as well as life hacks that will all put you a cut above the rest.

Exile Lifestyle – Colin Wright

http://exilelifestyle.com/
Colin Wright would be my personal “Must Read” of this list.  He travels to a new country every four months and lives there for that time.  The kicker?  His readers vote on what country he should live in.  Beyond being fascinating as an individual, Colin runs a branding studio, sells graphic tee shirts and does consulting gigs in addition to having written books on Networking, Branding, Entrepreneurial-ism, Travel, and maintains a fascinating newsletter covering these topics.

His travel stories incorporate business themes, personal branding messages, and networking tips.  Plus, they inspire you to live a life outside of the normal understanding of what life can be.
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All of these bloggers are phenomenally inspiring.  They work to redefine what it means to be independent in the modern era and exemplify how technology allows for life and work to no longer be mutually exclusive terms.  You can have a fulfilling life and a fulfilling career.  You can explore the world and expand you work.  Experience can be gained both in living and in you field.
Push yourself beyond your expectations, and let these folks help inspire you.