It was a dark and stormy night… okay, so this isn’t the best start on a post about the Moneyreasons.com website, but here I go anyway:
When I first started blogging last year (October 2009), I didn’t know anything about Google’s PageRank or SEO, and I just kind of jumped in and started typing away. In fact, I’m still learning even today, and most likely will be 3 years from now… If I had to do it all over again, I would have done things a bit differently, but oh well, let’s move on.
My First Commenter:
My first repeating visitor was from Jane at seejanegetrich.com. She was a law student, but has since graduated. If it wasn’t for her commenting on my blog back then, I probably wouldn’t have continued. Being a starting blogger with nobody leaving comments, it was a lonely place… With the Yakezie group, we depend on each other to keep the each of us motivated!
Why I Started blogging:
I would see many of my friends make big financial mistakes, but when I tried to help them with their problems, often time my help would be ignored. But I got financial game! I’m totally debt-free, and I’ve never carried a balance on a credit card that would require an interest payment. I did take advantage of a CompUSA’s card (to buy a computer), but it was interest free for up to to 1 year (of course, I paid it off early).
Now, I’m on a path to be financially independent in hopefully 10 years or less. So since I have a desire to help others succeed too with their finances, the Moneyreasons.com website was born.
Lessons From Childhood
I was raised in family of small business owners in the mid-western region of the United States. My grandparents owned many businesses including a furniture store, gift store and an auction. My dad fell into the construction business where he has had a decent amount of success. Both my grandparents and dad were extremely frugal when it came to business matters so I’ve learned from the best. My grandfather was a wheel and dealer, always trying to get a bargain on something to sell at his stores or auction.
Yes, I learned the lessons on personal debt, small business practices and observed what it takes to make a business succeed. From a financial learning perspective, it was a great environment.
Teaching My Kids
In addition to my desire to be financially independent, I would like to give my kids a leg up on their finances. So I’m trying to raise them in a way that they can learn to look outside of the box, so they can see opportunities others might miss. I want to teach them what I learned as a kid, but I also want them to have actual experience with a bit of money and investments.
My Work Background
I have a BS in Computer Science, with a minor in business (I focused in accounting and finance). I’ve had some experience with being an computer consultant, mostly with programming applications for a few companies during college, one being a Fortune 500 company. During the final year of college, I started working at another Fortune 500 company and that’s where I’ve been since. In addition to the jobs identified earlier, I have been working since I was 16. I’ve worked as bagboy at a grocery store, a construction worker, a Chinese restaurant busboy (this was great since I love Chinese and Japanese foods), an apartment yardman, a warehouse worker, and also quite a few temp jobs.
Yakezie Benefits
I am surprised how much I have benefited from joining the Yakezie group! The way I have benefited the most is by learning about the other bloggers and their perspectives on personal finance. There is a lot of diversity and experiences in the Yakezie group, practically anyone who checks the group out can find at least a few bloggers that they can relate to!
So thanks Sam, for bringing us all together in one big social machine. Together, we are a different animal then when we are just a solo blogger in the great vast blogsphere!
Well, it’s harder than I though being anonymous and trying to do a member post, but here you have it.
A Few Sample Post on Moneyreasons.com
- Raising Savvy Business Kids
- The Reasons I Like Money Over Gift Cards
- Living With Your Parents While Being Young, Successful And Married
Thanks for reading about me!
Join us for further discussion in the Yakezie Forums.
Hey MR, great background on your story. It is frustrating to try to help people who aren’t ready yet. Patience, definitely a virtue…
I, too, had many jobs growing up-you learned a lot helping little old ladies haul their groceries to the car, didn’t you! I know I did.
Thanks for sharing your story!
The grocery store job was so far the worse one yet. The customers were one of the few things that I did enjoy about the job though :)
MR- Growing up in a family of small biz owners certainly gives you a different perspective on making money.
In my immediate family there was a combination of a “die hard company man” and a “do it yourself entrepenuer”. Both parties shared frugality, but the DIY side definitely loved to wheel and deal more.
Yeah, my grandfather got yelled at by my grandmother often! He would get great deals on stuff that she thought he couldn’t sell, but somehow he always managed to find a way to get rid of the stuff and at a profit…
My Dad was just plain frugal. On vacation we would go to prezel factories, and other free factories when we went on vacations. He was very, very tight with his money… :)
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Your educational background sounds exactly like mine. Are you me? :-)
lol, it does seem like there are a lot of us with similar educational backgrounds :)
P.S. I’m you, but don’t tell me… :)
Nice a little insight into Neo. I am a huge fan of your site and how many great discussions you get going over there
It’s not Neo, it’s Mr. Anderson. :-)
Lol, that’s Christian Bale from the movie “Equilibrium”, not Keanu Reeves… It’s all about hitting that balance, but then again I’m sure your guys already knew that ;)
Actually my Gravatar is from a movie call Equilibrium, and the character’s name is John Preston.
I decided on using that as my gravatar once I became totally debt free (including the mortgage)… They characters are similar though, at least in wardrobe… It was either that character or a balance scale (which I’m actually still thinking about using.)
I’m a huge fan or your site too! Your site, Investor Junkie and a few other personal finance blogs with an investment twist is where I’m going next, now that the debt is gone…
MR,
I appreciate and can relate to your story…especially the part about starting work at a young age. (Early morning paper route for me). I know you are anonymous, but just wondering…does “midwestern region of the United States” mean anywhere near Illinois? If so, anywhere near Southern Illinois?
I’m anonymous because of work reasons, so I won’t say… But I will tell you we are direct neighbors, and that occasionally I like to go to visit Chicago!
I’ve been a reader of your blog for a while and really enjoy reading your posts. It’s wonderful to hear a little bit more about your background. Your parents sound very similar to my husband’s parents; business owners in the mid-west. Although, in that was during my husband’s high school and college years and they greatly inspired his entrepreneurial spirit. I also thinks it’s great you’re teaching your kids to “think outside the box,” they’re more likely to have endless opportunities to choose from. Thanks for sharing your story!
Thanks Little House! :) Of course, I frequent your site often too. I find your site and actions pure and soothing… Something very unique!
You know I am a fan of Money Reasons! You are one of the very first blogs I started reading, and I have appreciated all the help and support you have given me.
You are a hard-working and creative individual, and I have no doubts that you will meet your goal of financial independence. I like how we get a glimpse into your life through your writing, and I can almost always identify with what you are writing.
Keep blogging MR! By the way, I totally pictured Snoopy typing at the top of his dog house when I read the beginning of your member post.
Hehe, yes it’s true, I was a big Snoopy fan as a small child! I was wondering if anyone would know the reference! The batman picture kind of goes with the initial sentence too (that’s my son)…
Thanks for the kind works, I hear your voice clearly in your writing too, and it’s a wise, very pleasant voice!!!
Hey, it was because of YOU that I joined the Yakezie back in June. I saw a post you wrote indicating that you joined the Yakezie and that’s where I was directed to Sam’s Financial Samurai page. If it wasn’t for you, I would’ve never found out about this great community! Just as Jane had a motivating influence, you also provided a spark that I needed to keep going! For that I am truly thankful!
Too Excellent! I’m glad I had an influence on your joining, because this group is one of the best groups I’ve even been associated with… There are so many clever and innovative people in the group! Plus, it seems like I am constantly learning about both finance and blogging!
Congratulations on joining! For me, I’m very happy and content in the group.
Sam truly has something special here… I wouldn’t be surprised if the big media starts to notice the group some day. Perhaps we’ll see a big newspaper/magazine article about the groups soon?
So true on the first commenter bit. The beginning of blogging can definitely be lonely and it’s UBER important to attach to those that chime in. Sounds like you have a pretty consistent history of being financially responsible. You’re just the kind of blogger Yakezie needs :)
Hi Ninja,
I come by your site every now and then, you have some powerful stuff! I especially like the gift you have of making your posts both fun and educational! Keep us laughing and learning!
Great post! You have an interesting perspective because you’ve been able to avoid many the debt traps that so many of us have fallen into.
It was burned into me as a small child, borderline brainwashed… I’m constantly amazed that blogger that have massive debts, put with determination and focus, they climb their way back out, and quickly at that! Deliver away debt is an excellent example! Like the old saying goes “That which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. And I think bloggers like Jeff come back very, very strong!
I think will all the great info floating around the group, we all become a bit stronger financially!
As you know, I think you and your blog are awesome! You can tell from your blog how involved you are as a dad, which I think it dang cool. :-)
Thanks! The feelings are mutual! If the Yakezie had a contest to pick which of us most likely represented a blogger hero/heroine, I’m sure you would be you hands down! I see you as a guest poster on so many blog sites that I’m beginning to think that you are the flash, or the owner of them all!!!
Keep up the great work, you are truly amazing and it will be fascinating to see where you are one year from now :)
Awww! I am lucky to have supporters like you! It’s downright amazing to me to have people in my corner like you, Kris, and Sandy L – I’ve never met any of you, but you make me feel like I’ve known you all forever! It’s the best part of blogging just so you know. Thanks.
Once Sam get’s that yacht and flys us all out, we’ll all have to hang! :)
For those newer to Yakezie, check out Sam’s article about a 300 million dollar yacht!
I’ll bring the makings for Pina Coladas. ;-)
So important to get the kids on the right path. I’m doing the same with my 3.
My kids are incredible important to me! I try to do my best by them, perhaps I go a bit overboard, but they aren’t spoiled!!! :)
MR – I like you talk about kids and money lessons. As a guy with younger kids as well, I can relate. Also can relate to having some jobs when younger when I had to just do what I had to do. I was once a dishwasher at a banquet hall, and a departments store customer service rep…all for near minimum wage.
I’m always amazed at how demanding some of those minimum wage jobs are (especially since I worked some of them). People have no idea the stress and demands of such jobs! Hats off to them!
Nice, it sounds like you had a great background growing up, and it’s served you well since. Since you’ve never been in debt, what do you think kept you out of it beyond knowing the principles ahead of time?
I would like to say divine wisedom, but mostly it’s the lessons constantly grounded into me since I was 5 years old.
Pricing antique coins, P & L statements, budgets, taxes, and in my dad’s case blueprints… So I’ve always had exposure to mony management, which I picked up though I didn’t see or if I did see, understand all of the details.
I hadn’t been to your site before today, but that’s what I love about this group! I’ve been introduced to such well written blog that might have been hidden jewels like yours. I admire your focus and dedication to being debt free.
Thanks for the kinds works! That said I have been to your site at least weekly! Just the visual aspect of your site alone is worth checking out!!! Very clever and original! I especially like your honesty and openness with respect to how much you make from side jobs! Great stuff :)
I can totally relate to your work background and having a bunch of different types of jobs since a young age. Sounds like you come from a hardworking family and have carried on those values. Great to be working with you.
Same here! I’ve worked a lot of different jobs and got a taste of all the different social classes. I’ve learned that there is honor in each and every level of the social strata!
Sounds like you had a great experience growing up learning about small businesses and negotiation! Just another reason to love this group…such a diverse collection of backgrounds!
I agree, I’m having a great time digesting a little slice of all the diversity in the group! Just because I’m debt free, I still root for the bloggers in debt fighting the great battle, and then prevailing in a few hard years of frugality! :)
You’ve had quite an eclectic mix of jobs, and it seems that you grew up surrounded by wisdom and sound advice, which your kids will now benefit from. I definitely agree about the community and the comments… it can be discouraging when you spend a lot of time on the post in the beginning, and not even one person comes by to check it out. This is one area where the Yakezie has been really great in bringing us all together!
Yeah, I thought the same about posting your best work first when nobody hits your site in those lean early days. But some of the wise bloggers in the Yakezie group reposts them so they sometimes re-emerge. I think this is a very clever tatic…
From a financial awareness perspective, I come from an above average background. And I think I’ve taken that background and improved on it, or at least I hope…
Great story, and awesome Batman costume!
Yeah, I couldn’t resist putting the picture of my son up! He’s now officially famous (lol)!
All of the people here at Yakezie seem to have such great stories…this is amazing!
And as Eric said, the Batman costume is awesome!
Yeah, I’ve had a lot of fun with the Yakezie group! Enjoy it, because it might turn out to be quite a financial phenomenon…
We sure do hope so, right!
Yeah :)… If we all individually do a great job, I don’t see anything stopping us. This group is one of the few where everybody on the team can be a superstar :)
Great background story on blogging. I’m actually just beginning to blog about personal finance. It’s amazing how it helps clear the thoughts and brings different perspectives into view. My new blog is DebtChallenge.com
I agree. One of the many reasons I started blogging was to improve my communication skills. I’m happy to say that I believe that I accomplished that, to a degree.
I have had quite a few entrepreneurial influences in my life but none in my direct family, I’m sure those early ones really stuck with you especially them being of your parents and grandparents.
Yeah, but for some reasons they always wanted me to go to college and to get a job instead of owning my own business. And it’s worked out okay for me, but times have changed…
I think for my son and daughter, they will have to run faster and think more clearly with greater focus to be successful in the future!
First of all, I LOVE the picture of your son! That’s awesome! Although, hope you pay him a commission for using his picture! lol.
Thanks Don-san for being with the group since the beginning. I really enjoy your personal stories and humility of your blog. It’s a very warm feeling! I also look forward to your insights on becoming debt free, and also staying debt free!
Cheers
Thanks for the kind words Sam!
Yeah, when my son was 6 or 7 I had him grimace like batman. It turned out better than I thought!
The initial start of the project really grew to something spectacular! I can’t wait to see what it’s like next year!
In the meantime, I’m having a ball! Thanks for creating a great pf network for a such a group of talented bloggers!!! It’s had a great experience blogging, getting much more out of it than I thought!
One great thing about the group is that I’m never lacking reading material anymore! ;)
It’s so funny that so many of us started within a few months of each other. I guess your one year anniversary is very close? It’s nice to have another techie in the group. I’m in the information systems field, which has helped somewhat, but I too knew nothing about pagerank or anything else blogging related until a few months ago.
I agree, I’m still learning SEO/PageRank stuff.
You are right, my anniversary is coming up very quickly (Oct 7th). I’ve been so busy lately that I practically forgot (lol). I knew it was in October, but I was thinking around the 20th for some reason…
Hehe, I still remember the first day I saw a hit in my statcounter account coming from a google spreadsheet. I was like “What the…”, I click on it and saw what you were doing before you announced it (you were testing it at the time). I’m still amazed by the initiative you took to created that spreadsheet! It really did stoke the Yakezie fire in the beginning! :)
Hi Money-Like the backstory. It’s wonderful to have good money models. I think it gives you a leg up in life. If you want to be financially independent in 10 years-you will do it ;)
Hi Barb,
Thanks for the encouragement! I’m off to a slow start, I use a speadsheet to roughly caclulate how much I wll need to save for the next 10 years or so, and so far I’m a bit behind…
:) That’s a great picture. That is so awesome you are debt free and are teaching your kids how to be smart with money. I had minimal advice from my parents growing up and both of them still have money issues actually. Now that I’m more experienced with paying off debt and keeping a budget I’m trying to help them get back on track. Thanks for your post.
Thanks Charlie :)
I believe if I start teaching my kids your, it will become ingrain in them and they will just do it as adults (kind of like me). We’ll see :)
Great post! It was great reading more about you. Your kids sound like they have a really good dad. =)
I’ve been working since I was 15 too. :) I’m a big fan of your blog, you always have interesting discussions generated and some great “life lessons”.
Thanks Young!
As you know, I’m a big fan of your site too!!!
As for being a good dad, I try, and will continue to improve!
I really like the value you add at your site! It’s good to see a blogger with a perfect balance of frugality and life enjoyment! You are doing awesome with your finances!
Awe SHUCKS. you’re making me blush now. ;)
:), Your numbers prove it (thanks for being so open with them), along with those great trips with pictures and a story that goes with them!!!
@MR really enjoyed reading about your story.I can certainly see why writing a member post while being anonymous can be a challenge.I am so glad that you stuck with blogging and enjoy your posts (as you know). There’s a lot of diversity on Money Reasons, which always keeps things interesting. Anyway, it’s great to learn a little more about you.
Thanks :), I really enjoy your site too. The articles you write are always put together very nicely! Fact filled and perfected to a piece of art! I definitely identify with what you write about, and I’m happy you out there doing such a wonderful job of it! :)
It’s great to hear the entrepreneurial spirit was past down through the generations and you are working hard to carry that on…. If I ever have kids I will be trying to pass these same values down.
Yakezie has been awesome for us all.
Thanks, I just dabbled in a little with businesses. My dad and grandfather depended on them for a living… I feel more like a poser!
But with my kids, I hope to teach them to have some type of side income at all times. It sounds like it can greatly reduce stress.
From one ex bag boy to another: Great job, MR! (BTW, I still don’t understand any of that SEO stuff either.)
Best,
Len
Len Penzo dot Com
Len, there isn’t many of us ex bag boys around! Seems like it’s a job the cashiers do now…
Hopefully that SEO stuff will come in time!!!
Thanks for creating such a humorous pf blog! You and Ninja crack me up most of the time :)
Pretty neat work background…That’s really cool! What did your family think about you starting your own blog? Given their small business background, do they see your blog as a similar type deal? I’m excited to learn a lot of new stuff from you since you’ve had some really neat experiences that I’ve never had!
Unfortunately, my grandparents are gone (they died relatively early, kind of scary for me huh…)
My dad’s business is in constructions and he doesn’t understand computers at all (nor does Warren Buffett either for that matter). My dad knows that I have a blog but he doesn’t see it as a business. He thinks that It’s more of a game than a viable business. He doesn’t even know my URL and the rest of my family doesn’t seem to get blogging either…
We’ll see where it goes, I’m having a blast right now though!
Sorry to hear about your grandparents. I know exactly what you mean when it comes to people having no idea what “blogging” is all about and thinking it’s a game. But like you, it doesn’t really bother me because I’m have a great time doing it and getting to know some awesome people!
I share the same point of view as you have on blogging! My site is only 1 year old, so I’m still learning. I didn’t realize what a great group of people pf bloggers are in general! PF Blogging has rewards to it that is more than monitary, that for sure!
I find myself going deeper and deeper into the blogsphere, it’s quite amazing for a 1 year blogger old like me :)
No question…it’s truly a pretty awesome community! Keeps everyone so motivated!
Wow! Having your financial sh** together your whole life is amazing and pretty unique! I only had to get to age 50 before even having that goal!
I think you illustrate an important note which is upbringing. For my family being in debt was normal while yours was encouraging entrepreneurship.
I’m glad you joined the Yakezie as I really enjoy your writing and getting to know you (even anonymously).
Thanks for the kind words!
Not carrying credit card debt made it especially hard when I took on a mortgage. While the car loans made me stress a bit, I was able to pay them off early and with a degree of quickness! But the mortgage was very, very hard for me to stomach! Surprisingly, I think if I were to get another mortgage, it wouldn’t bother me as much…
I have to say, it’s nice having a more mature pf blogger out there! I can find things on your site that the rest of us don’t even think of :) Keep up the great work ;)
Hello Money Reasons!
I grew up on a dairy farm (probably more to come with my intro post), so I have had a job since…well…five:). We used to have to go out and help feed and milk the cows. I think it really gave me a wonderful foundation in finance and life.
Glad to have you here!
That’s a long time to be working! Since farming is truly a small business, you know where I am coming from :)
MR:
You are a very dedicated father – both in teaching your kids about money now and preparing a stable future for them when their older.
That was an interesting array of jobs you’ve had – which one was the best/worst?
Thanks :)
Believe it or not, the worst job I had was my first job as a grocery bag boy! The politics and backstabbing was horrible at that place! The Union hierachy looked down on us since we were to small for the union, and the cashiers viewed it as we were taking away jobs from the union. Management was old old school, where my boss would swear and belittle you in from of your peers (didn’t happen to me but I still hated him from doing it to other, less swift, bagboys).
I’d say the best was when I worked as a student assistant at law school. Everybody was really nice and it was a suprisingly fun place to be. My boss was named Iris and she was a great person all around…
Great post, MR! It was great reading more about you. I hope you know I am a great fan of your blog! Your kids sound like they have an excellent dad.
I thought you will explain about your gravatar ;) in your member post.
Thanks! I know it sounds corny, but raising my kids the best that I can is now my most important job!
My gravatar is based on the fact that I’m at a point of Equilibrium with respect to my debt (since I’m debt-free). I use to have a picture of Benjamin Franklin, but I enjoyed the movie Equilibrium… although I’m sure most people haven’t seen it.
I’m a great fan of your site too! Your site is one of the few sites where the excellent content matches the excellent visual presenation! Keep up th great work! Love it!
I love this…”I would see many of my friends make big financial mistakes, but when I tried to help them with their problems, often time my help would be ignored.”
You must know my friends. Lol!