Hey everyone! To the left you can see yet another one of my pictures of me from far away. I like to tease you all with these. I mean, come on, I am still semi-anonymous! At some point though I will run out of far away pictures and be forced to share an up-close picture with you all.
Girl Meets Debt made a fun questionnaire so that everyone could get to know each other a little better. Cait, Tonya, and Krystal all took part and now of course I want to take part.
I know, I know, I talk about myself a ton on my blog. Oh well, it’s my blog and I’ll blog about whatever my heart desires. I always enjoy reading personal posts on blogs so I am hoping you all enjoy this. I tag all of you!
I haven’t really talked a whole lot about my blog and why I started it, so hopefully you learn something interesting today. So many things have changed since the day I started my blog back in August of 2011. When I go back and read those posts from before, I can’t help but laugh. My writing style and blog have changed tremendously, and so have I.
1) How did you come up with your blog name?
I don’t even remember how I came up with it. I will say that I kind of regret it and wish I came up with something fun and interesting, and possibly not so long! I had a ton of ideas but everything seemed taken. Have you ever had name regret? Or am I alone on this?
2) Which bloggers inspired you when you first started writing?
I actually started by reading DailyWorth. I saw the DailyWorth founder in a magazine (I think it was Cosmo) and looked into the website. I then somehow got hooked on pf blogs and websites when before I barely ever even looked. I found a ton of blogs by looking at the comments on there and it was a long chain effect. Before I knew it I started reading blogs like The Happy Homeowner, Budgeting in the Fun Stuff, Judy’s blog and others and became hooked! These 3 blogs all made me want to continue blogging shortly after I started. What blogs motivated you to blog? Tell me!
I will also say that it was Newlyweds on a Budget who made me look into finding additional income streams. She was making money online from her blog, doing mystery shops, writing for other blogs and so on. She was a huge inspiration and one day I reached out and e-mail her and asked for help with it all. I then of course was also obsessed with Crystal’s blog (BITFS) and everything she was doing. I was HOOKED on blogs that talked about a realistic way to make extra income.
3) Why write about finance?
I actually love writing about finance. I don’t think I’d say I’m strictly a finance blogger, mainly because I try and include everything about my life – family, wedding, friends, travel, and so on. Writing about finance is nice though because I do have a lot of financial goals and it seems easy to talk about.
I also knew that I wanted to be different. I read TONS of lifestyle and fashion blogs, and so many of them were asking me questions about finance. It is nice that people actually ask ME questions 🙂
4a) What do you enjoy most about blogging?
Blogging is great because of the community that it brings. I get so many great emails from readers and other bloggers everyday and it’s just crazy to think about. I started my blog in August of 2011, and before that I never even ONCE thought about blogging or starting a blog. I feel like because of my blog I am able to talk to tons of awesome people every single day, and I have made a lot of new friends. I will say that I am super excited for FinCon13, as it’s my first blog conference EVER.
If it wasn’t for my blog, I don’t think I would be anywhere near where I am today. I most likely would not have even ever thought about extra income, let alone making as much money in extra income as I am now. I also feel like I have improved in nearly every aspect of my life, and I attribute a lot of it to my blog. Having talked to so many awesome people through my blog, I just know that it offers such a great support system.
4b) What do you enjoy least about blogging?
I don’t know if there’s anything that I don’t like. I would say the occasional mean e-mail or mean comment is never great, but I have been doing a lot better with just ignoring things that aren’t true.
5) What’s the most helpful piece of advice you have learned from reading other PF blogs?
Ah! This is such a hard question. There are SO many things that I would say have been helpful. Spend less money than you earn, diversify your income, and make EXTRA INCOME! Also, don’t feel like you constantly need to keep up with the Joneses. Constantly comparing yourself gets you nowhere.
6) In terms of finance, what is your main focus at the moment?
Right now I’m really working on getting rid of all of my student loan debt. Then after that it’ll be saving as much money as we can for my new business venture and also for the down payment on our next house.
7) If you could give your younger self financial advice, what would it be?
There are so many things that I would tell my younger self: Don’t buy so many clothes! You don’t need that. That shirt you are about to buy looks just like the shirt you bought yesterday and the day before. Also, please pay off some of your student loan debt. You have the money to pay it off but instead you don’t.
In all honestly though, I am happy with the way everything in my life has turned out. Yes, at times things felt extremely rocky and scary, but everything that has happened has just made me that more of an awesome person.
8) Who in your real life knows about your blog?
Some people know that I blog (W, my sister, W’s family and 3 friends). No one besides my sister and W know the actual name though. Luckily they don’t read it though!
9) Does your real job have anything to do with finance or money?
I work in the finance industry, but it has nothing to do with personal finance. I know a lot of you want me to blog about my job but not many people do it so I feel like it would just be too easy to search me, and for other people to realize that this is my blog!
10) What’s the first thing you would do if you won a million dollars?
I would pay off my student loans, sell my current house and buy a new and affordable one, travel a tiny bit and save the rest. And lets be honest, I would of course buy some splurge worthy items. I don’t have debt anymore in this scenario, so I think I’m doing pretty well in this dream world.
myfijourney says
The first thing I would do with a million dollars would be to invest it and start pulling in enough passive income to immediately hit financial independence.
My recent post Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT) Dividend Stock Analysis
Michelle says
Yes same here!
My recent post #Tag: Getting to Know the “Person” Behind the Personal Finance Blog
DC@Young Adult Money says
Awesome post! I may do a similar post now that you "tagged" me haha. It's always nice to get to know the people who run blogs and websites, as well as staff writers. It's their unique perspectives that provide value.
My recent post The Death of the 9-5 Work Week
Michelle says
Yes I tag you DC! You are forced to do this also now.
My recent post #Tag: Getting to Know the “Person” Behind the Personal Finance Blog
Holly@ClubThrifty says
Awesome! Now, here's another question. Are you ever going to come out of the blogging closet?
Michelle says
I plan on it eventually. Right now I really can't because of my job.
My recent post #Tag: Getting to Know the “Person” Behind the Personal Finance Blog
Holly@ClubThrifty says
I know the feeling! I came out of the closet BUT have never announced anything to my employers. I just assume they are going to find out one day. =/
Laurie says
Thanks for sharing, Michelle! It's always fun to know a bit more about the person behind the blog. I too have found it to be a wonderful community. In my "real" life, no one's really interested in PF, so they don't take much joy in hearing me ramble on about DTI and financial independence. :-).
My recent post Oops, I Did it Again (Almost)!
Michelle says
Haha whenever I talk about certain PF things, some people tend to think I'm crazy and stupid. They just don't understand how you can make extra income and not work in an office until you are 70.
My recent post #Tag: Getting to Know the “Person” Behind the Personal Finance Blog
Happy_Homeowner says
Yes, yes, YES!!! My friends and family sort of get it, but almost all of my old co-workers thought I was an idiot for quitting my job to pursue this latest leap of online faith…I will NOT be in an office when I'm 40, let alone 70 🙂
John S @ Frugal Rules says
Great idea for a post Michelle! I am curious as to what you do, but I understand the desire to keep it out of the blog. If I were to win $1 Million I think the first thing we'd do is buy a bigger house, then take a nice vacation and then invest the rest.
Michelle says
Yes that's exactly what I would do with $1 million also! And if you're ever curious, you can always send me a DM or an email, I will glad share what I do there! It's nothing too exciting.
My recent post #Tag: Getting to Know the “Person” Behind the Personal Finance Blog
Michelle says
Good idea!
My recent post #Tag: Getting to Know the “Person” Behind the Personal Finance Blog
Rachel says
Fun post!
Michelle says
Thanks Rachel!
My recent post #Tag: Getting to Know the “Person” Behind the Personal Finance Blog
seedebtrun says
Don't knock your blog name, Michelle.. I actually think it is the very best one in the business.. No kidding. 🙂
My recent post Raising Money for a Down Payment on a Home
Michelle says
Awww thanks! I don't believe you though haha 😛
My recent post #Tag: Getting to Know the “Person” Behind the Personal Finance Blog
Lisa @ Cents To Save says
Great idea for a blogger wide tag! I may have to take part! You have done an awesome job with your blog Michelle!
My recent post No More Days Off: Becoming a Caregiver
MakingSenseofCents says
Thanks Lisa!
Happy_Homeowner says
Love this post! Thanks for the shout-out 🙂
I'll be posting my Q&A this weekend!
MakingSenseofCents says
Welcome! And can't wait until I read yours.
Debt RoundUp says
This was a good read. It is always nice to see why people started their blogs and where they have come from since starting them. Thanks for the insight into your semi-anonymous life Michelle.
My recent post Moving Up: Rent Out or Sell the Old Property
SavvyFinancialLatina says
Great post!
I would invest the majority of the million dollars and start making money 🙂
MakingSenseofCents says
Yes same here 🙂
Allison says
Love this!
I would totally invest it and start making some passive income, pay off our home, play with some, and probably give a bit away too.
My recent post Friday Confessions
MakingSenseofCents says
Thanks Allison!
Pauline @ Reach Financial Independence says
cool idea, thanks for sharing! My family wouldn't give a crap about the blog either so I don't bother sharing URL..
My recent post About money, time, and doing the right thing
MakingSenseofCents says
Thanks Pauline!
Budget & the Beach says
Always interesting to see how people got started with their blogs! Thanks for sharing!
My recent post I Have a Confession
MakingSenseofCents says
Thanks!
@girlmeetsdebt says
Thanks for linking back to my #Tag Michelle 🙂 Those questions actually took me 2 hours to come up with. So lame right haha.
I love the juxtaposition of your openness, yet mystery at the same time. And Making Sense of Cents is a rather catchy name!
MakingSenseofCents says
I loved the questions! They were great.
HS @ Our Debt Blog says
This is awesome! Could I answer the questions on my blog too?!
HS
MakingSenseofCents says
Yes of course. I'm tagging YOU! 🙂
therandompath says
Hmmmm, I may have to do this too 🙂
Honestly, I love your blog name Michelle! It's so catchy and people remember it.
My recent post Things You’ll Never Hear Me Say-Part 2
MakingSenseofCents says
Yes do this! I'm glad people think it's catchy. Maybe I won't have name regret anymore after today 😉
mycanuckbuck says
Only my hubby knows I blog – and I am to keep it that way! 🙂
My recent post Grocery store saving secrets
Michelle says
That's good, glad I'm not alone on this!
My recent post #Tag: Getting to Know the “Person” Behind the Personal Finance Blog
The Norwegian Girl says
An interesting read! Always nice to get to know more about the writer of blogs that I read, even if you`re semi-anonymous!
Michelle says
Thanks!
My recent post #Tag: Getting to Know the “Person” Behind the Personal Finance Blog
Newlyweds ona Budget says
Thanks for the shoutout, I'm happy I inspired you! You're the one that inspires me now!
Michelle says
Haha yes you definitely inspired me 🙂
My recent post #Tag: Getting to Know the “Person” Behind the Personal Finance Blog
Frugalista Married says
It was cool to find out more about you…even if not what you look like! LOL. I love it that you are not just a strictly PF blogger. I can only read so many articles about PF stuff. I love blogging too.
My recent post Oh, Monday's
Michelle says
Thanks! Glad that you enjoy that I write about everything. I'm all over the place 🙂
My recent post #Tag: Getting to Know the “Person” Behind the Personal Finance Blog
Financial_I says
Quite provocative questions! Thank you for sharing.
Funny enough but million dollars isn't worth in nowadays. Most likely if I won one, nothing would change in the short term for me. I would be just a few steps closer towards financial independence goal.
If I could I would keep as secret, just keep going…
Michelle says
Thanks!
My recent post #Tag: Getting to Know the “Person” Behind the Personal Finance Blog
Michelle says
Yes I am tagging you now!
My recent post #Tag: Getting to Know the “Person” Behind the Personal Finance Blog
My Wealth Desire says
I am most interested on time management as a blogger and full time employee. Now, my question to you Michelle, how do you manage your time as a blogger? Are you earning passive income from this site? If yes, when and how you are getting money?
Thanking you in advance.
My recent post Wealth Building Strategies of Wealthy People – No. 1 Pay Yourself First
MakingSenseofCents says
How I manage my time would be a whole post in itself! I will make a post on that soon since many people do have that question. And yes I am earning some passive income from this site in the form of affiliate income and adsense. I don't know if you could really call blogging "passive income" though.
MakingSenseofCents says
I'm glad to know that I actually inspired people to increase/diversify their incomes!
Family Money Values says
My question is, did you do anything special to start getting emails from your readers? What do they mainly ask about or for?
My recent post Financial Fables – Whinny Makes a Change
MakingSenseofCents says
I don't think I did anything special. I think people just find me relate-able (or at least I hope!). I try to be personal on my blog all the time, and not just crank out the normal PF posts so I think people can connect to me more easily. I could be totally wrong though 🙂
And they ask me about anything and everything. My life, wedding, dogs, family, etc. I have a LOT of people emailing me about the passing of a family member and their moms being insane (just like mine). People also rant to me about their day and talk about their finances. I also tell people that I love to receive emails, so that might be another reason why I get so many.
MakingSenseofCents says
oooh yay looking forward to it!
@Lbeemoneytree says
You and I are a lot alike, both never having blogged before. This was a LOT of fun to read-I'm STEALING for next week 🙂
Michelle says
Thanks!
My recent post #Tag: Getting to Know the “Person” Behind the Personal Finance Blog
Nick @ AYoungPro.com says
I actually really like your blog name. It was the first thing that attracted me to reading your blog out of the thousands of other personal finance blogs.
Michelle says
Thanks! I'm glad people like my blog name.
My recent post #Tag: Getting to Know the “Person” Behind the Personal Finance Blog
Squirrelers says
Thanks for sharing, I like this idea of answering such questions.
I like that advice to the younger self about clothes. That can apply to a number of things, where we get older and look back realizing that some of those purchases didn't make an impact on our lives. Clothes (and shoes) are a great example.
Michelle says
I agree. I definitely do not need so many clothes.
My recent post #Tag: Getting to Know the “Person” Behind the Personal Finance Blog
edwardra3 says
I actually started writing about money just so I could join Yakezie! These kinds of posts are fun, but I always feel like I should be writing about something more useful than myself. 🙂
My recent post The Parable of the Paint Can: The McDonald’s Hot Coffee Case as a Divining Rod for Political Leanings
Michelle says
Yes I always like personal posts 🙂
My recent post #Tag: Getting to Know the “Person” Behind the Personal Finance Blog
@TheHeavyPurse says
I love these types of posts and getting to know the person behind the blog. I saw Tonya's at Budget and Beach and was actually planning to do something similar. Great minds think a like! I like your blog name. I imagine it's something a lot of people want to do. 🙂
My recent post Children and Money: Don’t Turn It into a Taboo Topic, Part II
Michelle says
Thanks!
My recent post #Tag: Getting to Know the “Person” Behind the Personal Finance Blog
JNieto says
My wife and kids know I blog. I try to get my kids to read it but they won't, at least one of them gave it a like on facebook. As far as work and friends? I'd rather they didn't know. In the corporate world the question will always arise, "If you have time for this nonsense you should have time to do more work at home" it's always been an unspoken expectation wherever I have worked..
My recent post Sequestration – Let it Come – Here’s Why
Michelle says
Yeah I'd rather my work not know also. I'm with ya on that!
My recent post Getting out of debt … with a plan
femmefrugality says
I've had some blog name regrets. I was afraid it was scaring away all the men. I've learned to just embrace it, though. I'm a woman, so sometimes I write about woman things, and the type of men that won't read because of that….that's okay. I guess they're not my target audience as the blog's evolved. My male readers are awesome, though.
The boyfriend tells everyone about my blog. I'm a little more close-lipped about it. I like to pretend it's anonymous even though I've violated that in the past lol.
My recent post The Bible: A Giveaway
Michelle says
Haha W likes to tell EVERYONE! If it weren't for him, then no one would know.
My recent post Getting out of debt … with a plan
Lena says
I loved the opportunity to get to know you better 🙂 You inspire me 🙂 And if I won a million, I would take a long trip back home, then pay off our house and invest and save the rest.
Trine-Marie says
You are definitely not the only one to regret their name choice! I initially blogged on a Norwegian platform (in Norwegian) to keep my friends and family updated while I was studying abroad. Since all my posts would be personal, I figured I’d just pick my name. It worked well for that purpose, but I should have changed it when I switched to WordPress and blogging in English! After all, my name is not very easy to remember or pronounce for most English speaking people… And now it just seems like it’s a bit too late.