"There are all kinds of individuals out there who have their own blogs who are talking about money, creating videos, making info graphics and are talking about money. You just see personal finances information in places that you wouldn't expect," says Janet Stauble, spokesperson for the personal finance website, bankrate.com.

She adds, "It's not likely that you might go to a friend and say, ‘Hey, I paid off $1000 on my credit card today,' but people write up blog posts about it and they explain how they did it, how much closer they are to their financial goal, whatever it is."

As technology continues to evolve, she predicts more people will embrace the emerging electronic banking sites.

Online partnerships

with banks

Steve Weisman, who lectures about financial issues at Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts, says the more innovative these sites are in providing their services, the more successful they will be in doing business alongside traditional banks or in cooperation with them.

"For instance, SmartyPig, they are not actually a bank, but they are partnered with a bank," Weisman explains. "So what you're going to see is big banks and little banks that are legitimate financial institutions, but not necessarily the most savvy when it comes to computers or the Internet, they will partner up with other companies that may be doing some of the web material and other assistance, while the actual banking would be done through a bank with which it is connected."