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Should I still be anonymous?

Last Updated: June 25, 2014 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 98 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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I’m sure you have all noticed, but lately I’ve been asking everyone on Twitter if I should still remain anonymous. Lately I have felt the HUGE need to tell people. I told my sister about my blog last month, and her and the boy keep telling me that I should tell people.

It also doesn’t help that the boy has told a lot of his friends and family that I blog. Luckily I have told them all to not tell anyone, so no one else really knows. They also don’t know the URL (at least I don’t think), so I am safe there as well.

I do think that I am not entirely anonymous. I talk a ton about my life, I am Facebook friends with some of you, some of you have my cell phone number, and there are pictures of me out there on my blog, Pinterest, Twitter, etc. I just try not to post anything directly on my homepage of my blog.

This is mainly for my safety. I am able to talk about whatever I want without worrying if someone will find out and that I will hurt their feelings.

I also talk a ton about money, and I go into detail with our budget, income and everything else. I wouldn’t want some weirdo to know how much money I make, especially if this is a weirdo who me and the boy know. I wouldn’t want to put anything at risk.

I last made a post on my decision to be anonymous in January.

I would like to tell my friends so that I am not so private about everything. They probably are starting to wonder why I am still so busy even though I don’t have night classes anymore also.

One of the reasons that keeps holding me back is something that my friends recently said. We were all out one night and the topic of an acquaintance’s blog came up. They were saying some not so kind things and it made me nervous to say anything. However, I’m afraid that one day they’ll find out and wonder why I hid it.

I’m definitely NOT ashamed of my blog in anyway, but I do talk about a ton of personal things here on my blog.

And there are some things that Im not sure if I would want my friends to know, as it is all too personal and still upsets me.

Another reason why I want to share my blog is because I’m also starting a second blog (a site in which my sister will help run), and she wants it to not be anonymous. My friends will easily find it if she’s not anonymous and I would rather tell them now then them finding Making Sense of Cents and questioning it.

So I guess the thing is, if I were to stop being anonymous and became public with my identity, I would have to hide certain things, such as how much money I make. Or would I not? What would you do? Keep everything the same or hide some things in order to protect yourself?

If you have posts that explain why you’re anonymous or not, please leave them below in the comments. I would love to read them!

What do you think?

Were you ever anonymous and then decided to not be so private?

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98 Comments
Filed Under: Blog, Life Tagged With: Blog, Life

About Michelle Schroeder-Gardner

Michelle is the founder of Making Sense of Cents, a blog about personal finance and traveling. She discusses how her business has evolved in her side income series. She paid off $40,000 in student loans by the age of 24 mainly due to her freelancing side hustles. Click here to learn more about starting a blog!

Comments

  1. Lesley says

    October 17, 2012 at 12:30 pm

    i definitely understand why you are anon, but i would love it if you weren't only so the blog would feel more personal and i could know you better.
    My recent post diy: holiday table runner by lindsey @ sensible nonsense.

    Reply
    • MakingSenseofCents says

      October 17, 2012 at 11:39 pm

      I agree, that's why I would love to not be an anon. Posting pictures of my actual face would feel great!

      Reply
  2. mysocalledchaos says

    October 17, 2012 at 2:26 pm

    I don't think there is a problem so much with showing who you are, or showing pictures if you want, but I would recommend never using your full name… In fact if you give yourself a nickname or pseudonym, it may be better for you. I'm wishing I would have done that all along!

    Reply
  3. Canadianbudgetbinder says

    October 17, 2012 at 2:27 pm

    Well everyone who reads my blog knows I'm anonymous and it doesn't bother me at all but for my family and my career that trumps all when it comes to a blog. Too many implications if I potentially say or do the wrong thing although I'm always a nice bloke. Do what you feel is best but I believe Pauline had a couple questions to ask yourself. Best of luck with your decision. Mr.CBB
    My recent post The Grocery Game Challenge Oct 15-21,2012~ Welfare Food Challenge

    Reply
  4. Alyx says

    October 17, 2012 at 8:50 pm

    That's a tough one – I feel like you should do whatever you feel most comfortable with, especially if it comes down to your safety.

    Reply
  5. Susan says

    October 17, 2012 at 10:05 pm

    You seem to be thinking in your case it's an all or (mostly) nothing proposition – either you tell everyone or you tell no one. Clearly the secrecy is weighing on you because you're holding yourself back from friends. Why not try an incremental approach similar to your boyfriend's. Choose a few friends you would like to know and see how it feels to let them in, Mom issues and all. After awhile you can assess your comfort level and see if this is something you're comfortable expanding or you'd rather stay relatively anonymous.

    On the Mom issue, for what it's worth I think you did and are doing the right thing. I'm sorry she took your inheritance but you sleep better at night knowing you're not arguing with her over that anymore. But giving her more of your hard earned money so she can go on vacation? No, absolutely not. I know it doesn't help the hurt but you're doing the right thing. You've made your stand. Don't back down. The hard part of making the decision is over. Wishing you all the best.

    Reply
    • MakingSenseofCents says

      October 17, 2012 at 11:37 pm

      Thank you Susan, I appreciate it a lot.

      Reply
  6. Christa says

    October 18, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    I would remain anonymous and just share with those closest to you. That way, you're free to be as open as you wish. It does make writing a little stifled if you're not anonymous.
    My recent post Purchasing an Investment Property with a Loan

    Reply
  7. myjourneytomillions says

    October 18, 2012 at 2:46 pm

    For the most part I am anonymous. A few friends have sniffed out my blog (they looked hard lol) and it has changed some of my posts. Being anonymous lets you be free.

    My recent post Where Did All the NFL Owners Obtain their Wealth?

    Reply
  8. Paige says

    October 18, 2012 at 6:19 pm

    I am totally anonymous, and it's not really by choice. I would love to not have to hide my identity, as I feel I could share a lot more about my job and my everyday experiences. However, as a (future!) lawyer having my own personal ramblings out there for any potential client to see is a huge liability.

    Reply
  9. Makaila says

    November 2, 2012 at 1:01 pm

    I wish I was anonymous. 🙂

    Reply
  10. Dai says

    April 12, 2013 at 11:20 pm

    For the reasons you mentioned, I'd stay anonymous. ahhh… it's like feeling conflicted like a super hero 😉 good luck with your decision.

    Reply
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My name is Michelle and I'm the author/owner of Making Sense of Cents. Learning how to save money and make more money changed my life. It allowed me to pay off $40,000 in student loans, start my own business, and I now travel full-time.

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