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Why You Should Start a Blog – So Many Positives!

Last Updated: October 11, 2016 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 120 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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Why You Should Start a Blog - So Many Positives!Every single day, many, many blogs are started. And it seems like there are more and more new blogs in the personal finance community.

I’ve heard some people say that there are too many new blogs out there, but who cares? I LOVE reading new blogs and hearing what they have to say. Who wants to hear the same ol’ story over and over? I want new and fresh perspectives on everything!

I started my blog in August of 2011 for multiple reasons. I wanted to have a “journal” so that I could go back and track everything that I’ve done. Before I knew it, I got sucked into the community and blogging has become a really fun hobby and side hustle of mine.

When I started my blog almost two years ago, I didn’t really think of the direction that my blog would go in, or where I’d even be with it in the future. I didn’t think I was going to be blogging for a year, or anything related to that.

Before I started my blog, I was doing what I thought was “normal.” Paying down my student loans little by little, and assuming that I’d completely pay off my student loans 10 or 15 years from now. I also never I never really even thought about becoming “financially independent” because I didn’t know that it was even realistically possible.

My views on life and personal finance has completely changed since I started my blog, and all for the better. Being more involved in the personal finance community has helped improve my life overall. If you are interested in starting your own blog, please read my post How To Start a Blog, and also be sure to check out all of my other posts in my blogging series. Also, check out my last month’s income report where I made $25,000 online!

If you are interested in starting a blog, I created an easy-to-use tutorial that will help you start a blog of your own for cheap, starting at only $3.49 per month (this low price is through my link only) for blog hosting. In addition to the low pricing, you will receive a free blog domain (a $15 value) through my Bluehost link if you purchase at least 12 months of blog hosting. FYI, you want/need to be self-hosted if your website is used for freelancing purposes or if you want to make money blogging. 

Below are reasons for why you should start blogging:

 

1. To Have Fun

Before I started blogging, I never gave it a single thought. Now that I’ve been blogging for almost 2 years, I couldn’t imagine not blogging. I like reading posts on other blogs, finding new people to talk to, giveaways, and especially writing. Blogging is a fun hobby to have, regardless of the subject that you talk about. Blog about what you enjoy to talk about! Pursue your passion…

 

2. To Blog For Others

Not everyone blogs for others, but I like to talk about personal finance so that maybe I can help others as well. For me, I have learned a lot (and I’m still learning) about blogging, extra income, personal finance and everything else – all from other bloggers. If other bloggers never talked about extra income, I probably would have never pushed myself to create side hustles.

Hopefully my blog posts help others and motivate others to be awesome with their finances as well. For example, I hope that all of my extra income posts help motivate others to create multiple streams of income. I hope that others will want to pay off their high interest student loans. I hope that others want to become more in control when it comes to their finances.

Related: How To Start A Blog

 

3. To Be a Part of an Awesome Community

I’ve made a lot of good friends through my blog. And I love receiving emails from readers and blog-friends that I’ve made. Being able to connect and learn from others is one of the biggest positives of blogging.

 

4. To Grow

Without my blog, I don’t think I would care as much about personal finance. Yes, I care, but I most likely wouldn’t be so focused on extra income like I am now.

I also wouldn’t make so much extra income as well. I didn’t start my blog to make money, and I do think that’s one of the reasons for why I’m doing so well with making extra income from my blog.

Why did you start your blog? Why haven’t you started one?

 

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120 Comments
Filed Under: Blog, Extra Income Tagged With: Blog, Extra Money

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. Atticus Davis says

    May 8, 2013 at 7:03 pm

    You are absolutely right about the joys of blogging. My site is focused on student loans and it has been a pleasure to help people make critical decisions when it comes to funding their education. I know my work has already saved people thousands of dollars and its an amazing feeling that keeps me coming back.
    My recent post An Open Letter to the Class of 2013

    Reply
    • makingsenseofcents says

      May 8, 2013 at 9:09 pm

      That must be a great feeling 🙂
      My recent post Why You Should Start a Blog – So Many Positives!

      Reply
  2. studentdebtsurvivor says

    May 8, 2013 at 8:39 pm

    A lot of my friends kept asking me "how did you do it?" (pay off my student loans so "young") and asked me if I had any tips or advice. I had thought about starting a pf blog for a while, but didn't really know if anyone would read. Then I decided I'd give it a go, because I enjoy writing and it would be like an online journal. That was a while ago now, and I haven't looked back yet.
    My recent post How to Host a Fabulous Party For Free

    Reply
    • makingsenseofcents says

      May 8, 2013 at 9:10 pm

      Your blog is great and is doing awesome! 🙂
      My recent post Why You Should Start a Blog – So Many Positives!

      Reply
  3. makingsenseofcents says

    May 8, 2013 at 9:08 pm

    Your site is still new, so I wouldn't worry about it! 🙂

    And I'm really not sure. However, I do know that Alexa is all about others visiting your blog who have the Alexa toolbar installed.
    My recent post Why You Should Start a Blog – So Many Positives!

    Reply
  4. makingsenseofcents says

    May 8, 2013 at 9:10 pm

    I really enjoy blogging, so none of it seems like work 🙂
    My recent post Why You Should Start a Blog – So Many Positives!

    Reply
  5. kimateyesonthedollar says

    May 8, 2013 at 9:44 pm

    I started blogging to keep myself on the straight and narrow while paying off credit card debt. Like you, I thought I'd pay off debt slowly and save a little every year for retirement, but basically work until my 60's and have a "normal" life. Now I can see what is possible and I want extraordinary. Maybe I will work until I'm in my 60's but it will be because I enjoy it, not because I need money.
    My recent post Your Group Life Insurance Policy Might be Limiting You

    Reply
  6. Janice @ Whizsilver says

    May 11, 2013 at 1:13 am

    I started my blog with an aim to share what I know. Now that I'm in part of this community, I'm learning a lot from other bloggers as well! I am so glad that I made this decision. Though I'm fairly new in this, I'm sure in time to come, I'd gain much more from this hustle.
    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  7. Smart Money Junction says

    May 12, 2013 at 2:18 am

    Starting a blog is definitely a good idea to generate some side income but only for those who have a knack for writing. There are just too many bloggers out there who end up creating a blog just to earn money and later realize they do not have the patience, determination or passion to continually work on their blogs.
    My recent post 15+ Ways to Create Multiple Streams of Income

    Reply
  8. Andrew Kelly says

    May 20, 2013 at 6:22 am

    I started my blog under the sense that I was working with a friend to launch his journalism career. Since then, it has become fun for me to be writing as well as focusing on a subject that I love.

    Reply
  9. Jason Wilson says

    January 11, 2014 at 12:46 pm

    I am working on starting a blog for my wife and myself as well. Also to do this as a side hustle. I have a couple of questions? Do you purchase the $25 a year through WordPress while registering through GoDaddy and get the hosting through BlueHost or HostGator? I was reading the blog post you have about How to start a blog for beginners and its very helpful. I’m just curious about those aspects so that I can:
    1. Budget correctly
    2. Know how to set prices for others I may have to do this for
    3. I love business development and this aspect of it!

    Also, could you use a template purchased from etsy.com for wordpress, would you know?

    Reply
  10. Shelby Adams says

    October 13, 2015 at 1:04 pm

    I haven’t started a blog yet but I have been giving it some serious thought. I love the idea of being my own boss and have tried selling Mary Kay products. That kind of income wasn’t neccesarily for me though. I enjoy being able to go outdoors and explore different and new places with my boyfriend and pup. A dream of mine, and my boyfriends, is to go overseas, explore, and experience new cultures. Italy is our one must see location. With that being said, we are both finishing up college and know that this journey is going to put a strain on our already tight accounts. I knew that blogging could create an income but I’m not sure how to go about starting it and if I will even be successful. My idea is to create a blog where I can post the pictures and stories about the adventures we go on. Neither of us work on Fridays so we typically try to go to a new place or hike a new trail. I would love to get started on a blog asap so that I can gain traction in the community and start making money to help fund us while we travel. I would love if we could talk and you could guide me to the posts that would help with this. I would also love your input about my idea.

    Reply
    • Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says

      October 13, 2015 at 2:52 pm

      Hello! You can always send me an email 🙂

      Reply
      • Jim Hendrickson says

        May 18, 2017 at 11:20 pm

        Hello,
        A friend just emailed me some info about your company/website. After reading it, I am interested in blogging, something I have never done. I have just published my 74th book, including many foreign language textbooks and, recently, my 9th travel book (Go to Amazon.com and Type my name => Jim Hendrickson).

        I am already financially independent, travel constantly (especially abroad), live full time in my 26-foot RV, and enjoy writing, among many other interests.

        Several professionals have suggested that I begin blogging to 1) share my travel adventures with others, and 2) to promote my travel books.

        What is your advice?

        Jim

        Reply
  11. Felicia says

    April 2, 2016 at 6:35 pm

    i want to start a blog to help me pay off student loans while i continue my education, also to help keep myself motivated with my beach body business and to keep myself accountable! i need suggestions and ideas on how to start please!

    Reply
    • Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says

      April 2, 2016 at 10:42 pm

      I recommend reading this – http://www.makingsenseofcents.com/2014/08/how-to-start-a-wordpress-blog-on-bluehost.html

      Reply
  12. Xica says

    July 18, 2016 at 7:54 pm

    I have not started my blog yet but have been thinking about it hard for 3-4 months! It would be AMAZING to have blogging become my side hustle but I am kind of intimidated by the whole idea. This is probably really silly of me!

    I have quite a few ideas but unsure of how to tie them all together. I know I could use my crazy life experiences & traumas to reach others; I just haven’t had the courage yet to pull the trigger. Any helpful words of advice?

    Reply
  13. xiomara jimenez says

    August 17, 2016 at 9:23 pm

    I want to start but just don’t know were to begin, the reason is to be able to pay off debt and provide a debt-free life for my family, to be able to help my family more, I don’t know where to begin, I have had many countless nights that I go to bed and just think about all the debt that I have accumulated, mostly medical bills. I need guidance!!

    Reply
    • Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says

      August 17, 2016 at 10:09 pm

      I recommend checking out my free blogging course – https://www.makingsenseofcents.com/freecourse

      Reply
  14. Crystal says

    November 26, 2017 at 9:18 pm

    Started my first blog today. Thank you for the inspiration 🙂

    Reply
    • Dusty says

      January 17, 2018 at 10:22 am

      How is your blog going? Just curious.

      Dusty

      Reply
  15. Cheryl Colyer says

    July 18, 2020 at 6:50 pm

    Hi, I need some advice. I desire to have a blog about my adventures in gardening. It is my hope to not only have a record of my personal progress, but to provide useful information for my readers. I am not sure how I can make money doing this. I would like to provide sources for buying seeds and supplies as well.
    Anyway, I would like to organize the blog first before it is published.Is it possible to not be charged until I begin publishing? (I do foresee a time of preparation and organization before it is ready for the public eye.)
    Also, do I have to have a website?

    Reply
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Hello and welcome!
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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