The Beginnings of my Personal Finance Passion
I had an interest in personal finance since I was a kid (I loved being the banker for Monopoly games), but had an even bigger interest in personal finance since graduating from university, when I started to really pull in the cash with a full time job. I didn’t want all my cash to be sitting there and earning less than inflation, so I started learning more and more about personal finance. Initially I bought a lot of random mutual funds (with big lump sums of cash each time) and nodded my head to a lot of financial advisers.
After reading my financial statements and seeing the dismal drop in my mutual fund returns, I decided to take it upon myself to be more proactive with my finances. The idea of blogging about personal finance all started when I frequented this personal finance blog calledMillion Dollar Journey. I didn’t even know that people blogged ABOUT personal finance. The more I was learning about investing, equities, mutual funds, the more I wanted to talk about it. My sisters would look at me with a blank stare.
My friends would tell me they bought some RRSP’s (Canadian equivalent of the 401K) and tell me that an RRSP is a great mutual fund. They would also not understand why I appeared to be hoarding my money and not spending it on clothes and concert tickets like them. I needed a place to talk freely about my passion for frugality because I felt like I couldn’t talk freely about it with my friends and family. I also wanted a place where I could be accountable for and track my money-hoarding progress. So the idea of blogging anonymously as Young and Thrifty was born.
The Start of youngandthrifty.ca
I had made it my personal goal to start a blog in 2009, that was one of my New Years resolutions. I was paying $5 a month for hosting, and found it too difficult to link the hosting company with WordPress (very sad, I know. I am blogging challenged and admit it). I got confused between WordPress.com and regular WordPress. I was ready to give up because I didn’t know it would be so complicated. It wasn’t until October 2009 that I finally got my act together (switched hosting companies) and and started blogging. Young and Thrifty was born November 28, 2009.
I think I was averaging 2-10 visits a day in the first two months (the 2-10 visits were probably my own visits) and was getting depressed from the lack of action on my blog. I saw all the other Personal Finance networks with badges like Money Hackers and Blog Her and wanted in on them. I contacted them and signed up, but then no one responded back. My blogging future was getting more and more bleak. Then at the end of January, I came across an inspiring post from Financial Samurai about how he felt neglected and rejected too, and the Alexa Ranking Challenge. I commented on that post and said that I wanted to join too (and assuming that they will probably ignore me as well). To my surprise, the Yakezie didn’t ignore me (thanks so much guys!), and the rest they say, is history.
Young and Thrifty and Yakezie
Before joining the Yakezie group, I didn’t even know what ‘Alexa’ was. Before I joined the challenge, I was ranked 2,698,387. I did NOT think I could achieve the goal of <200,000 by July 1… but I did, and it happened sometime in April. I am now steadily under 200,000. I honestly truly 100% believe that I would not be where I am right now without the help of the Yakezie group.
Not only has it been a great experience to help boost our own Alexa rankings and create a superpower personal finance group, I think more importantly through this Yakezie experience, I have developed some great personal finance blogger relationships. These guys are my PF buddies…I feel like I know them even though we haven’t met face to face- we support each other (albeit virtually) through our personal finance blogging experience…our trials and tribulations and our love-hate relationships with money (okay, maybe just love). Selflessly promoting others is the motto of the Yakezie, and I know that each and every one of the Yakezie members do exactly that..and more. It’s great to see this in action and be a part of this movement.
I appreciate youngandthrifty’s readers and commentators more than you can imagine! Without you, I would not be writing. This blog gives me the spark and zest in my life when sometimes my regular full time job doesn’t.
What I do When I’m not Blogging
In my non-blogging life, I spend my time with my boyfriend (who initially thought I was crazy when I started my blog and now supports it- as long as it doesn’t interfere with our time spent together), my allergy-ridden Pug-mix dog, and my great circle of friends and family.
My hobbies are hiking, snowboarding, looking for the best deals before I buy, photography, and traveling. Traveling for me is an addiction. Traveling is somewhat mutually exclusive from personal finance and frugality, but everyone has their vices, right? I love traveling to far off places and recently have been amazed by the beauty of Morocco, Nepal, Tibet, Cambodia, Bolivia, and Argentina, to name a few. I found it a bit difficult to access the internet and respond to comments while on dial-up connection in an overseas country, but I somehow managed.
I’m finding it harder to find time for things (like reading and more than 6.5 hours of sleep) while running this blog, but it’s been a great experience so far and well worth it. I’ve learned so much about blogging and am learning new things about wordpress and personal finance every day.
Thanks for reading a little bit about me. I look forward to reading the behind-the-scenes look at other Yakezie members.
Stay frugal my friends!
We invite you to read all the Member Posts and join us for further discussion in the Yakezie Forums.
Loved reading your story. You encapsulated what so many of us have experienced: feeling confused, alone and ready to give up. I am glad you discovered the Yakezie community and the wonder of selflessly promoting others.
Thanks Joe! It’s an amazing feeling to be rescued from the abyss of lonely personal finance blogging lol.
Really great to read your story too. I loved your blog from day 1 that I found it and am glad you did not give up.
You never did put up the nice brightened apples I sent you and if you need tech help doing so I will help no probs :).
Sounds like you have been doing the right things with your cash all along. Most of us are born again frugalists and finance nuts but you are the real things :).
Thanks Forest. No, I would not say I am the real thing- I think we all are. In my opinion personal Finance blogging doesn’t have to all about what you need to do, I think it’s more interesting reading about someone getting out of debt against all odds! Hey, I did put up your apples, but I think somewhere in the craziness of me trying to fix my comment issue (which is now fixed by the way and I am so ecstatic), I re-uploaded the theme and I think my brightened apples washed back to dull. ;) I’ll try and rebrighten them up this weekend, but if I am unsuccessful I’ll let you know. Thanks for the offer again Forest, you’re awesome!
I too loved to be the banker at Monopoly!
It is incredibly frustrating when you are trying to get traffic those first few months. I remember when I was thrilled to get 20 visits in a day. I still don’t have the traffic that many members of the Yakezie have, but at least I don’t get sad or frustrated about it anymore.
Great learning more about you. I am envious of all the places you have traveled!
We’d probably be fighting to be the banker if we ever played Monopoly together lol. Glad to hear that you are happy with your traffic. I am too! =) We’re in a good place.
Hi Young & Thrifty,
What a great story you have there! I’m extremely impressed with the amount of traveling that you’ve done. You must have some fantastic memories. I love traveling, but do it very little. Thanks for sharing your story, and I’m glad you’re on board with us.
Thanks,
Timothy
Hi Timothy, I do have some wonderful memories…My memories (provided I don’t suffer from Alzheimers or any other memory impairing illness) will last a long time- longer than any material item would. Thanks for reading Timothy =)
Young and Thrifty – I enjoyed reading your story. I’m glad you persevered through those early days of the blog, when it wasn’t established yet. It sure is great when the hard work pays off, and a lot more people start to visit! I’m sure many of us can relate.
Cool that you have traveled so much – I have done a fair bit of international and domestic travel as well, and consider to have been money well spent. I’m glad I did, as family responsibilities now preclude such adventures for the most part. By the way, I see that you went to Argentina…it’s on my list for sometime in the future. Did you enjoy it? The closest I have come to South America is Aruba:)
Ooh Aruba!? I always wanted to go. We must swap stories, Squirrelers! I loved Argentina- especially the wine region (biking and wine tasting around wine country was absolute bliss). I’m hoping to knock a few more countries down before my family responsibilities do the same thing. Or you could be one of those cool and chique traveling back-packing families!
Great story Young and Thrifty! You have done quite a bit of travel, I am jealous :)
I still don’t have that much traffic so I totally get where you are coming from. Thanks for sharing your story!
Suba, you’ll get it, trust me. It just takes some time. At first I was really impatient, thinking “where is this thing people call traffic? why isn’t it happening to me?” but it really does time time for all those bots to crawl on your page and make you known to the world. =)
Those countries you’ve listed are certainly off the beaten path (but very intriguing). How did you choose them? Were the visits work, pleasure, charitable, or CIA mission related?
… I’m picturing Anne from Covert Affairs or Sydney from Alias.
LOL!! Yes, I work for the CIA and the countries I go to are actually covert operations related to finding ways to be frugal…secretly. If you are in on this mission, you will find me in Morocco sipping on a mint tea, wearing sunglasses and a green shirt. Lol! No, just pleasure- I have this internal bucket list of places I want to see and things I want to do before I die. Next on my list is to hike Mt Kilimanjaro- some day it will happen!
Y&T, It is difficult to be different than your peers. In school I got ridiculed for reading a lot, then I got to medical school, and classmates were jealous that I didn’t have to read a lot….:) Keep up the good work, and we all need a few vices-traveling is a great one to have. I highly recommend it!
Dr. Dean- nice! You showed them! That’s always the best feeling =) Yes, a lot of my peers aren’t into personal finance as me, but they support me though when I start talking really fast about personal finance. I know they want to learn more, it’s just that their eyes glaze over. ;)
I am 100% jealous of all the places you have traveled! Your story is great, and goes to show you that sometimes you have to step outside your usual zone to find some like minded people.
Awe thanks! I’m 100% jealous you’re a lawyer! AND you live in NY =) That is indeed a good combination. Its nice to be able to find like-minded people and connect, I like how we push each other along to be better PF bloggers AND be better with our personal finances.
Wow, you get 6.5 hours of sleep a night and run a blog. I need to learn some of your time management skills.
I would seriously just be happy to dream of the places you have traveled, that’s pretty amazing.
Look forward to working with you.
you call that time management!? =( we need around 7.5 hours of sleep a night. How many hours of sleep do you get? I look forward to working with you too! :)
I loved reading your story! I’m glad that you didn’t give up – I remember being happy if I hit double-digit page views in a day – and now you are very successful!
It’s also great to see that you have always had a good financial mind and a desire to learn more.
Thanks for reading KNS =) I know the feeling- double digit page views! Glad we are past that now lol. It’s always good to want to learn more. I think that’s what life is about (sorry to get philosophical on you here), continual learning.. even if it’s continual learning about personal finance!
Hi Young :) Great story! That one post that Sam wrote caused me to look at the Financial Samurai differently too! I always like his site, but that article was one of the best articles I ever read in the blogsphere!
I love coming to your site, it’s always a fascinating read! I wish I was as travel savvy as you are! Some of the placse you’ve visited amazes me!
I know where you are coming from on the 6.5 hours of sleep. I still haven’t found my groove yet.
I remember you had a post on balance that really hit home for me too, Money Reasons. Hopefully we both get some sleep back, but you being a parent, that’s even harder! (I suppose there’s no excuses for me, really!).
yeah! Thanks Sam for writing that post- totally blogging-life changing! What a movement!
Cool story! It’s great to learn more about you. I understand the blank stares you get when you talk with your family. I still get a lot of those. And my wife’s eyes still glaze over when I start talking about blogging!
Lol, Mike, at least your wife isn’t like “stop blogging!” Did you see the episode on Simpsons where Lisa had her own blog (I think it was about organic gardening) and she was all sad about her high achieving personality? Then Michelle Obama came to save the day. I secretly rejoiced in watching that episode because I could relate to her! lol- both being bloggers.
Ahh, The Simpsons are awesome. I also enjoyed the episode where Homer starts an internet company (even though he’s not sure what the internet is) and gets bought out by Bill Gates. haha
Ahh i haven’t seen that one! I love the Simpson too. Maybe one day the Yakezie will be bought out by Bill Gates too! ;)
Thanks for your post. I know blogging is a labor of love and it’s awesome that Yakezie was there for you when things seemed bleak. :) We can all lean on each other!
Yeah Jaime, it’s been so great. I love how we have a forum and we had google groups too so we could discuss things freely and get a bit more “behind the scenes”. The Yakezie’s really been great!
Great story. I know how you fell about how hard the set-up behind a blog is. I have tried to do much of it myself, and it doesnt really look how I want it to. I’m ready to pay someone to do that stuff so I can just write stuff.
Ahh- I think I’m in the same boat. I wish I was computer savvy. Funny that I’m supposed to be computer savvy because I’m a Gen Y. But I’m not. =( Your page looks great- but I guess you want something different?
Y&T! Thanks for sharing your story. It’s great to hear you come from the depths of blogging despair to great glory! :)
So tell me, is your boyfriend a SMB?
Cheers, Sam
Thanks Sam for starting all of this! We can’t thank you enough! =) LOL depths of blogging despair- yeah, I think it truly was. I was ready to call it quits a few times. It was like I was blogging and no one was reading haha! Glad I can laugh about it now. I remember your SMB post- it was awesome. I think I’m more the SMG- he likes to think he’s an SMB, but he’s so stereotypically gen Y it’s not even funny (aka put in no work=get results and more $).
Great post and great to meet you. Even better is the great story that you shared. I think a ton of us are in the same boat when we first get started, apprehensive and not receiving much feedback. Good thing there are good people out there who give rookies a chance. We were all there at one point! Shoot I am still a rook! Look forward to reading more of your work!
Hey doctor_s, I don’t think you’re a rookie- you have such awesome tweets on twitter! I’m glad we’re all so supportive of each other. It’s great.
Frugality is in your genes, girl! And the travel bug is worth every penny, IMO! :)
Yeehaw! That’s one bug people want to catch! (but not catch other bugs like stomach bugs or H1N1 on your travels)
Don’t feel bad about not being able to figure all this blogging stuff. I’m STILL bewildered with all there is to know! :-)
All the best,
Len
Len Penzo dot Com
Wow Len, I’m surprised that you’re bewildered too. I guess even the big bloggers have a lot to learn too =) Thanks for the great words of encouragement!
Thanks for sharing! I’d love to be even half as traveled as you are! As it is, I’ve only got about 10 states under my belt and no other countries. Maybe someday, when I’ve gotten past this broke thing…
BeatingBroke, I would love to travel to more states, I definitely don’t think I’ve been two ten states. The US is so big. I was reading my newly acquired coffee table book on the “must sees” and the US has so many great trails and vistas to see. Gorgeous!
Thanks for posting. I can relate to your comment of not wanting to talk to friends about things related to money and frugality. Congrats on reaching your Alexa goal!
Thanks Charlie. It was great to achieve a goal- everything else is a bonus!
[...] food ,clothing, shelter, and your love. Just remember that and you’ll be better off. @YakezieYakezie Member Post- Young and ThriftyYakezie Member Post – Len Penzo dot ComYakezie Member Post – Eventual MillionaireYakezie Member [...]
I’ve liked your blog since the beginning, and it’s nice to see fellow Canadians as part of the Yakezie! I know exactly what you’re talking about when you talk about people “who bought RRSPs”… and I admit I was even one of them, myself! ;)
Glad to learn more about your story; thanks for sharing with us!
Awe thanks for the kind words Invest It Wisely. Yes, I wear my Canadiana pride proudly! I was one of them too (the RRSP=mutual fund folk). Glad we’ve graduated to better knowledge.
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My fellow Canadian, Y&T:)
Its great to get know you a little bit better through this member post, I enjoy reading your blog and encourage you to keep up the good work!
Mich
great story and great approach. glad you have mentioned life outside of work/blogging. many get so imbibed they forget to live….
Thanks Sunil =) Hmm September has been really hectic for me so your comment helped me today to realize to slow myself down and live a little. =) Thanks.
Thanks for sharing your story, Young and Thrifty. It is funny how these blogging relationships develop; I think it’s wonderful how a group of strangers can all of a sudden become buddies through a mutual interest. Perhaps someday we’ll all get to meet in person!
Yes Little House! That would be nice! Thanks for reading my story.
Wonderful demonstration of tenacity. Your post was inspiring, I’m sure you will do well. I like your blog title. And traveling isn’t a vice, but a value!
Best, Barb
http://barbarafriedbergpersonalfinance.com
I’m glad it’s not just an age thing feeling confused! I love your blog and am so glad we “met” via the Yakezie. Here’s to continued growth and success!
Yes, being technologically illiterate definitely not an age thing! I love your blog Bucksome, and I am glad we “met” too!
I’m glad you stuck with it and the Yakezie came to the rescue! Great stuff. Love how your blog was started and the motivation behind it. Great how genuine you are in your posts.
Andrew, I’m glad I’ve stuck with it too! Thanks for reading a bit about me. :)
No problem!
That is a great blogging success story. I have started three blogs, and each one has had that lul in the beginning where you think people should just be showing up. I learned that hard work and promotion cut down on that and help you grow quickly. However, in all of my time blogging about personal finance, the biggest jump was the month I joined this group. Great post!
That’s pretty awesome that you have started three blogs! It must be nice to see a pattern, recognize it, and realize that good things will be coming soon. Linking to your blogs also helps too, I’m sure! Yeah, without the Yakezie, I’m sure all of us wont be where we are today. It shows how powerful group collaboration really can be!
I did love the beauty of Argentina while my parents, sisters, and I lived there in the late 90′s. I also have an allergy-ridden Pug, which we talked about on Live Real Now, lol. Aren’t they just little balls of happy?! Glad you found blogging and good luck with your Pug!
lol I know, we have a lot in common! Where in Argentina were you? Buenos Aires? Thanks! My pug’s skin issues are acting up again so I’ve been keeping busy trying to manage it *le sigh* but his cute little sad looking face makes it all worth it. ;)
I remember my beginning days of blogging. I’ve been around longer than quite a few of your guys in the Yakezie, but didn’t start getting steady traffic till my second year! The beginning sure is bleak, but it only takes one great connection; a new friend or a comment from a reader to make it all worthwhile and keep you going. You’re doing great, keep it up!
You’re so right jmichelsen! The great connections, new friends… really do make it worthwhile. Sometimes though it’s so sad when/if bloggers you become friends with drop off the radar!
Blogging is tough work! :O
We also love traveling and would love to hear more about yours. I really wish travel is cheaper, but you’re right, we all have our vices.