Hi. Joe Plemon from Personal Finance by the Book here. I have enjoyed the member posts to date and have admired how you write so graciously and unassumingly about yourselves. But now that I am doing it myself, I struggle about how to make this post interesting without sounding like I am tooting my own horn. Oh well, I am not much of a horn tooter, so here we go, interesting or not.
About me
I live in Southern Illinois with my wife, dog and cat. Because I graduated from high school the year Len Penzo was born, I assume that I am the oldest Yakezie member. Jan and I have four grown children (all good money managers) and three grandchildren. Like several others in our group – going from memory here – Len Penzo, Kevin from Invest it Wisely, Joe Taxpayer, Darwin from Darwin’s Finances, Engineer Your Finances, Money Green Life (and surely others), I am an engineer. Well, a retired engineer. Because engineers are notoriously frugal (some say “tight”) math nerds, we are normally good with money. However, I assumed engineer writers were anomalies until I discovered I wasn’t alone. Or maybe we are all anomalies.
Personal Finance
I became interested in personal finance by listening to Dave Ramsey on the radio, reading his books and hosting Financial Peace University at our church. When I saw first hand how the simple Baby Step approach helped dozens of families, my appetite was whetted to help even more people. So, in 2006, I took the required training to become a Dave Ramsey Certified Counselor and opened my own business – “Plemon Financial Coaching”. I have always enjoyed writing, so to get more exposure for my business and earn a little money, I pitched a personal finance column to two local newspapers. They bought it and I have been writing the weekly newspaper column “Dollars and Sense” ever since.
Starting a blog
What does all this have to do with blogging? Fellow Southern Illinoisan Jeff Rose, who writes Good Financial Cents, read my newspaper articles, asked permission to run them in his blog and eventually encouraged me to start my own blog, which launched in July, 2009. Actually Jeff did more than encourage; he set it up for me and held my hand for months until I was eventually able to wean myself from his watch care. Thank You Jeff Rose!
Yakezie
Yakezie has not only helped my blog grow and my Alexa number shrink (from 330,000 to a little under 100,000), but has drawn me out of my shell. Understand that although I am not an introvert, I am far from outgoing. When surrounded by strangers, I would prefer to stick my nose in a book than initiate a conversation. Therefore, I am reticent to comment on other sites, not because I don’t like reading the posts, but because I prefer to blend into the background. This, of course, is not a good attribute for successful blogging, so I want to thank all of you who have visited and commented and make me feel like I belong. Nowadays, while I am not yet a gadfly, I thoroughly enjoy the camaraderie of the group. You have successfully and selflessly promoted me and I am grateful.
Personal Finance by the Book
Personal Finance by the Book is exactly what the name suggests: my goal is to write helpful personal finance content based on biblical principles without sounding preachy. I hope I have succeeded so far.
Some posts you may enjoy are:
Debt Free in One Year – A True Story – the story of how my son and his wife got out of debt…and also runner up in Free Money Finance 2010 March Money Madness.
Stretch the Life of Your Mower by Giving Him a Name – my attempt at humor.
Unemployed? Are You Rocking or Are You Rolling? – both challenge and encouragement to the unemployed.
After saying hello, join us for further discussion in the Yakezie Forums.
I didn’t want to say that engineers are tight, but glad you did. LOL. Anyway, this is a good thing because obviously you know what to do with your money. And raising 4 grown children to be financially responsible is no easy feat. Congrats on that. You have a chain reaction that your family with thank you for for generations.
I went to SIUC, so I am a Southern Illinoisian at heart anyway. Living in Chicago now, I make way back every now and again. Have to come back and see that new stadium they built there. Amazing from the pics! I played football there in the mid 90s and they have been promising that new stadium forever!
Anyway, good to meet you and sure I will be interacting with you around the Yakezie family in the near future.
Keep up the great work and DAVE RAMSEY IS OUTSTANDING!!
Although I haven’t been to a game in the new stadium yet, I hear it is worth the wait. Good to meet someone who went to college close to my home…I live 20 miles south of Carbondale.
Joe,
*All* engineers are anomalies. :P
Nice to know there’s at least a few other blogger types up here in the midwest area. (I’m in North Dakota, about 22 hours from Chicago, but a heck of a lot closer than LA)
Like you, I’m working on the social aspect of blogging. At first I thought that if I write it they will come, but I’m learning that you’ve gotta do some commenting and interacting socially. It’s a hard thing for me, too!
Thanks for sharing, Joe.
You may be on to something with the *All* engineers. I am sure my wife would agree. Maybe we can encourage each other to keep up with the social aspect of blogging. There may be more than I thought who are “net-shy”.
I think that most of us who are “net-shy” are pretty shy in real life as well. In fact, I think the net helps us break out a little bit. I know I wouldn’t have the guts to stand up in front of a crowd of hundreds and give one of my posts as a speech…
Joe, I’m glad you stepped out of your comfort zone to write this post.
I love your mower story. I also grind up anything thing that gets in my way rather than pick up. Leaves, sticks, the occasional rock and tree stump. My mower is called the Red Dragon (she isn’t exactly “street legal”)
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Car,
Red Dragon…I love it! You should write a story about him…or is it a “her”? Has he lasted longer now that he has a name?
Hey Joe, nice to meet you! Don’t you realize that soon, engineers are going to take over the world??
Charles,
Haha. Don’t you know that we are supposed to keep it secret? Now everyone knows.
I’m glad you’re a part of Yakezie and got involved in blogging, Joe! Thanks for sharing your story and your wisdom with us!!!
Thanks Paul.
Engineers won’t take over the world, because they will be arguing amongst themselves on who is right….
Glad to read more about you, and look forward to working with you!
Dr Dean,
Don’t tell anyone, but the real reason Engineers won’t take over the world is because we are too frugal (tight) to take on all that debt.
I have no idea where I discovered your blog, but I am glad I did. While I don’t get into the religious aspect all that much your stories, with their elderly-like lesson (cheap shot?) in the middle are FANTASTIC.
Hey. I’ll take all the backhanded compliments I can get. Especially from young whippersnappers. :)
Joe – glad to read your intro. I think you have succeeded in the goal you stated, and have a really good blog that’s positive and helpful. It’s even hard to tell when reading your blog that you’re an engineer:) Anyway, it’s cool to have a fellow Illinoisan (is that what we are?) in Yakezie.
Thanks for the encouraging words. I am glad that my writing doesn’t sound like that of an engineer. :) And yes, we are fellow Illinoisans, although Southern Illinois and Northern Illinois are worlds apart.
Joe – yes, I agree that Northern & Southern Illinois are worlds apart. Chicago lingo is “downstate” for anything outside the realm of this metro area…whether north, west, or south:) I’ve lived in Southern Indiana, which is more similar to Southern Illinois, so I can appreciate my downstate neighbors. Anyway, keep up the good work!
Joe – I’ve always enjoyed your blog! You’ve succeeded at creating an interesting post with humility – something I always find at your site! By the way, I love the “Mower” post – very creative and fun!
Thanks Jason. I had a lot of fun with the Lazarus post. But one of my sons said that he never dreamed that reading the story of a lawnmower would make him feel sad. Hmmm.
Hi Joe,
I’ve really enjoyed your blog ever since I discovered it through the post about the wealthy beggar. As perhaps one of the oldest members amongst us, I also think that your accumulated wisdom and experience is a great asset to the Yakezie. Thanks for sharing it with us, and I hope you’re enjoying your vacation up in the smoky mountains!
Kevin,
As you know, I have likewise enjoyed your blog. I am honored to be one of the oldest among us, and am glad that some of my life experiences can be of help to others.
Great Intro post Joe. Looking forward to reading your blog.
Techbud,
Thanks!
I always love hearing how people became bloggers. Your story is great. Moving from print to the web with the help of an established blogger is proof that even *old* people can jump on the blogger bandwagon. I am not implying that you are old, but you are the one who said that you are the oldest one here ;)
Don’t worry about implying that I am old. Like you said, I am the one who brought it up. I don’t feel old at all, and I thoroughly enjoy hobnobbing with (and learning from) a much more tech savvy generation. Computer Science class when I was in college was one two hour course with punch cards and a computer lab where we would drop off the cards and then pick them up three days later to see if our program worked. Most of the time mine didn’t. The technology, of course, has changed tremendously and I have tried to keep up. But, as mentioned in this post, I would NEVER have tried blogging without the help of an experienced blogger.
Hi Joe, I am also an engineer, you can add me to your list. ;)
I’m just starting out with blogging and Yakezie is very encouraging. I’m looking forward to reading your blog and learn from your experience.
Hey 40, glad to meet another anomaly. I wish you the best with your blogging and am glad that we are fellow Yakeziens. (Did I just make up a word?)
I’ve always enjoyed your writing and support long before I joined Yakezie! I definitely appreciate how you deal with delicate topics without compromise. Thanks for sharing your background with us, and I hope we are able to work together soon!
It works both ways, and I certainly appreciate your writing too. Thanks for the encouragement.
As a major socializer, it is good to be reminded that a lot of people are truly leaving their comfort zone when blogging. I am so glad Jeff helped you through it! I really appreciate seeing your comments occasionally at BFS and am thankful when you just hang around without commenting too. Being a lurker is good too. ;-)
Good thing lurking is OK … sounds a bit sinister. I love the fun tone of your site…I think the name perfectly describes the author, and I believe your success is largely because the readers want to be able to lighten up occasionally when dealing with financial issues.
Thanks! I was shooting for a lighter site! Hahaha about the “lurkers”…it does sound a little creepy…have any ideas what the readers who don’t comment would like to be referred to as? :-)
Hi Joe,
Nice to meet you and that was a very interesting post! i just discovered yourself this weekend and have enjoyed reading it.
blb,
Thanks. Getting to meet each other through these member posts is a great idea.
Joe, I knew most of this already, but it was nice to get a bit more. Congrats on all of the success with your business and blog. Looking forward to more.
Loving the diversity in age! We need young, old, and in between. Not that I’m saying your old, actually you said it :) Glad you are gonna stretch your social comfort level and start getting more involved. We could use your wisdom.
Ninja,
Yes, diversity is a good thing. I know it is from my perspective. By the way, where did you come up with the stick figure theme? I LOVE it.
Hey Joe,
I’m an engineer by education as well, although I never actually intend to work as an engineer. Congrats on increasing your Alexa ranking so much with the Yakezie network!
Kevin,
I suppose having the engineer education but not working as an engineer doesn’t quite qualify you as an anomaly…or maybe one who smartened up.
About the Alexa ranking…I didn’t make it increase; my Yakezie network did. I simply feel like one who has been “selflessly served”.
Hi Joe,
I’m glad to see another engineer. I am one myself. Great post, and congrats on your success.
-Matt from Dividend Monk
Wow. Another engineer! Maybe we really are going to take over the world! Thanks for the encouragement.
Hi Joe, I really enjoyed your story. BTW, my dad was an engineer too and a beautiful writer (and excellent at PF too). I like getting to know you better and enjoy your blog! It’s fun having more than one career isn’t it?
Barb,
Thanks! Having more than one career is wonderful …I feel like I have been re-invented. Everyone should try it.
Hey Joe, thanks for the awesome insights and the interesting background. I think that’s awesome Jeff was so encouraging of you to get started on your own blog, and the result has been awesome. You’ve got a really great writing style and interesting perspective. I really think age is pretty irrelevant when it comes to blogging; in fact, if anything, you probably have the biggest advantage because of all your experiences!
Andrew,
Yes, Jeff is an awesome guy and, as I said, the reason I am now blogging.
Great point about the age..it really is pretty much irrelevant when it comes to writing (although I do need to take advantage of my “experience”). Thanks for your support and encouragement.
You do a plenty good job taking advantage of your experience! All the support you get is a result of the awesome job you’re doing Joe.
Thanks for the shout out! Was thinking about all the engineers / PF bloggers and you’ve inspired me to do a carnival for us! :)
Why didn’t I think of that? If you have followed the thread, you will see that other engineers have been coming out of the woodwork, so we should be able to put together a pretty nice carnival. Do you agree that engineers are natural tightwads…uh, er…frugal?
Joe, Thanks for sharing your story. Hope I can get to know you better. Always enjoy reading your blog post.
I’m not an engineers, but I did graduate with a bachelors in computer science, so I guess I’m a second cousin to you all… (lol)
I feel like I know you much better now since your post, and so I’ll surely be stopping by more often! Thanks for providing the great background of you life!!!
Money reasons,
Hey. Second cousin is fine. Are CS majors naturally frugal like engineers? Looking forward to getting to know you better.
[…] for penny-pinching, but whatever it is, I’m glad our numbers our growing. After reading Joe’s bio, it inspired me to compile a list of the best posts written by my fellow […]
I feel left out of the engineer club but I do have a science degree as well. There must be something in the way our brains are all wired so that we have gravitated to this subject. Who knows? Joe, I’ve lived on your site and especially love your case study section. Your writing style makes is very easy and conversational which makes someone like me with a short attention span pay attention. Thanks for making me want to “up my game”.
Sandy,
I always appreciate your comments. And I am flattered that my writing makes you want to “up your game”. Not sure anyone ever told me that before, but that statement inspires me to want to up my own game. Thanks!
Joe, I never picked up on your not being outgoing so I don’t believe you :). Running the peace uni, writing a newspaper column etc etc…. All very outgoing :).
You Engineer nerds are taking over Yakezie, us dumb creatives will have to bow down to your rational in the end.
Been great interacting with you and I agree the Yakezie has been awesome for all of us. Never been to Illinois but hope to pass through that way one day.
Forest, anyone who can see beneath an engineer’s facade is overqualified to be an engineer. I think you really did pick up on some incongruencies in my story…the thing is: I really do like people, but only in small doses. So am I outgoing? Probably not. But the Yakezie network has helped me be more so.
If you are ever near Illinois, give me a holler. We actually have a Cairo in Southern Illinois, and the southern 1/3 of the state is called “little Egypt”. Interesting, huh?
Thanks Joe :)…. I kind of like large gatherings because it means I can blend in and not be noticed! Small gatherings tend to put more focus on me and I get shy!
Next time I am back in the States I hope to visit some Yakezie members. My partner is from Vermont so I may get back there next year, who knows.
I have heard of that Cairo as found it looking for restaurants and things. Actually excited me the first time I searched and found some things that I could not believe were here….. Turned out they were actually in your Cairo, dang!
Hey Joe, great intro post. I’m glad to see you stretching yourself and stepping outside of your comfort zone. I’m much the same in that it doesn’t always come naturally to me, but it’s been a great learning process along the way.
Mike,
Thanks. Stretching is a good thing…as you say, a learning process. I hope I never quit learning.
Glad to know a little more about you Joe! The yakezie certainly makes it a bit easier to engage with other bloggers!
Elle,
The Yakezie has been a catalyst to meet all sorts of amazing people. Even through the dialogue from this member post, I have been learned that there are others like myself who needed to be stretched. Go Yakezie!
Great to learn more about you Joe. It’s nice to hear how you became a blogger and how you’re stepping outside your normal engineering comfort zone. I often find that I have the same problem (I work in back-end server technologies, maps and databases). We get closed into our own world and dont know what’s going on around us.
Thanks Jeff. It is fun to discover, amidst our differences, we share many common traits. Good to hear that you too have been drawn from your comfort zone.
Joe, I look up to you so much because I can sense your integrity, courage, and wisdom through your blog. It is nice that your character shows through your posts. I don’t wonder if you believe something other than what you are writing. You don’t sacrifice your convictions for popularity or even collegiality sake. It’s appreciated and admirable. Keep doing what you are doing!
Shawn,
Wow. I am humbled by these words. And greatly encouraged to live up to them. Thank you.
Joe, I’ve enjoyed your writing ever since I first read your writing over on Jeff’s blog oh so many moons ago. I’m so glad you decided to start your own blog, and share your insights with the world! Keep up the good work!
I appreciate knowing that I have at least one “long time reader”. Thanks for the encouragement.
I really enjoy your blog Jeff- that is a sincerity or something about it that just stands out to me.
I am glad your friend talked you into writing! I hope continue to enjoy blogging!
Oh my gosh, I wish I could edit my comment. My son was talking about someone named Jeff as I was typing and I wrote Jeff instead of Joe. I am sorry about that!
I should learn to not type and listen…
Haha. Multitasking is not my strong suit either.
I appreciate your perspective on my writing. I have read that people write in very similar ways that they talk. I don’t set out to create a “sincere” tone, but I am glad that it comes through in my writing.
Hello!
I enjoyed the post about your son and his wife getting debt free in one year.
I also like to mesh into the background…and this group has been instrumental in making me a bigger part of the internet community.
Amanda,
I am glad you enjoyed the debt free post. Obviously, I am proud.
I have learned that there are others among us who prefer blending in instead of standing out. Maybe we should form a “background mesh” anonymous support group. But then the word anonymous would be counter productive to the purpose of the group. Hmmm. This is a conundrum. :)
Did you really graduate from high school in 1856? LOL
Joe, I’m glad to see at least one of us had success pitching an article to a newspaper! :-)
Although I do not comment frequently, rest assured your blog is among my favorites. Next time you are in SoCal, you better look me up. I know a few good watering holes that honor AARP discounts. ;-)
All the best,
Len
Len Penzo dot Com
Len,
If long sideburns and suede shoes were popular in 1856, that may have been the year.
I got turned down by several newspapers before my column was eventually accepted. One newspaper gave me a firm “no” but I tried again when they got a new editor and it worked that time.
I would love to drop in on you in So Cal, but not to sure we would want to hit a watering hole that is affiliated with AARP…unless we wanted to stir up some political debate. Is that what you had in mind? :)
Joe, you did a great job on your member post. I found it interesting that you are a regular newspaper columnist AND a Dave Ramsey Certified Counselor. Very impressive!
What I like about your style is that it is biblical based, but I don’t feel like I have to be a bible scholar to join in on the conversation.
P.S. It’s also good to have one more boomer in the group!
Kay Lynn,
I am glad you don’t have to feel like a bible scholar to read what I have to say. I sometimes visit biblical blogs that are so far over my head that my brain hurts when I try to figure out what they are talking about.
Here’s an idea: let’s form a “Boomers Unite” group. Well, maybe not. But I agree that it is nice to have fellow boomers in the Yakezie group.
Your success is an encouragement to me. Keep up the great writing.
Joe, I really enjoy your blog! I am glad to know more about you through this post, though I feel I know you already by reading your blog ;) I totally agree with Shawn, he said what I wanted to say – your integrity and wisdom shines through every post of yours. Thanks for writing!
Unfortunately I am not outgoing as well, combine that with my fear of “English”, I don’t comment in most of the blogs, but I do read a lot, so I know where you are coming from.
Suba,
I am once again humbled and challenged. Thank you for the kind words.
You are great in the use of English…I would never have guessed that it is not your primary language.
[…] My Member Post was on Yakezie this past week. Hop over there and learn all about me. Well…learn some about […]