Hi, My name is Jeff and I am the principal founder, chief writer and dictator-for-life at Sustainable Life Blog. I started this blog in June of 2009, after deciding in January 2009 for the 4th or 5th (and last) time that I was going to get rid of my credit card debt as quickly as possible. Soon, this morphed into getting rid of all debt as quickly as possible.
My Story
My debt free journey started pretty typically (although it was fairly early in life, thankfully). I made money, and I spent money, but really didn’t keep track of its comings and goings. I’d work plenty, but every once in a while I’d want to take some time (read: about a month) off of work. I did ok, but usually I would be needing a check the day I went back to work, not 2 weeks later. There came the credit cards.
I would make a new years resolution every year to pay off my credit cards and then fail. Every. Single. Year. As you can imagine, this was trying and it got old. Finally, I decided that there had to be a better way, so I went to the internet to find some tips/tricks. I found the Simple Dollar first, and definitely got more than I bargained for. In about .34 seconds, I was hooked, and was following blogrolls and links in posts into the PF rabbit hole. After reading these for about a year, I began toying with the idea of staring one, and finally I decided to go all in. One of the things that I wanted to focus on (aside from finances) was the environment and health (both things I enjoy).
As I was reading many of these blogs, I noticed the frugal thing to do (like walking or biking instead of driving) was also better for the environment and better for your health. I didnt feel like many bloggers gave these benefits the time of day, and thought I could shine some light on benefits of all three that people may not know or may have forgotten.
The journey has been enlightening so far to say the absolute least. It went very up and down for a while, and I had a few times where there was more than 30 days between posts. I always wanted to write more, but I lacked the time management skills (I probably still do).
The Yakezie
Finally, I found the Yakezie challenge and decided to join. They asked for my alexa ranking and I didnt even know what that was at the time. I looked it up, and it was 9,455,581. That was a really high number, but I didn’t care. I joined the challenge to hold myself accountable and find other great PF Blogs. Along the way, I’ve been given incredible opportunities, learned a ton about web design and how much it actually takes to keep a self-hosted blog up and running. It’s been work, but so much fun! As of this writing my alexa ranking is 355,254. I never thought a jump like that was even possible, but I owe it to all my fellow challenge members!
In my spare time I work a second job (to pay off debt), enjoy spending time outdoors doing all sorts of activities, write in my blog, and work on projects that I feel will help my community in some way. I’ve got incredible roommates/friends/dog and I’m just waiting for the day that I’ll be debt free. Once that happens, I’ll start plotting some new adventures! I’m hoping to continue to grow my blog and turn it into a side income generator and continue to connect the dots between sustainability, health and finances.
My top posts:
- The High Cost of Being a Moron – This delves into my first adventure of buying/selling a car.
- It’s Called Personal Finance for a Reason – Another story about me and vehicles. Why PF advice isn’t 1 size fits all
Jeff, thanks for the info. Sounds like you are making steady progress towards your goal.
Good luck getting your cards paid off!
Hey Dean. I paid off my credit cards in May. It was the beginning of my debt journey, but now i’m focused on my student loans.
Sounds like you are a very busy guy!
I thnk you are right, there are a few bloggers ingore some green aspects of being frugal and moneywise… Many times both personal finance tips and environmentally friendly activites go hand in hand.
Great article on Caffeine! That’s the cost that I’m currently battling with… I see you have some great tips today too :)
I think you’re right about finances and environmentally friendly tips going hand in hand. I’m hoping to continue to let people know more about the links between these topics.
As for caffeine, it’s something great to give up. It sucks in the beginning when your body still has trace caffeine in it (it has a 6 hour half life) but you’ll feel great once it’s all out of your system. And if you think people look at you funny when you tell them you’re debt free, just wait till you tell them you dont drink caffeine, they’ll look at you like you grew a 3rd head.
Hi Jeff,
Good luck on your debt, it looks like you are making good progress. Congratulation on the huge Alexa improvement. I just joined the Yakezie challenge myself and already seen great momentum. I like your sustainable life theme, it is easy to forget about the environment when you’re so focus on finance.
Hi 40,
Glad you’re a new member of the Yakezie, it’s great to have you on board. It’s really amazing how fast your alexa drops at the beginning. It starts to slow down after a while, but with hard work you’ll be fine!
Congrats on your Alexa climb. It is great you are working so hard to get rid of your debt. Sometimes things can seem unattainable and it is easy to give up.
Good luck on everything!
Kris,
Thanks. The alexa climb has surprised me the most about this challenge – I didnt even know what alexa was when I started it, but my rank has dropped fast!
Good stuff mate! What is ur job that allows you to take 1 month of at a time? I want it!
Keep on working to break 200k. The world is watching!
Hey Sam
Thanks for getting the yakezie together. It’s really great. As for a job that allows me to take off a month at a time, it was mostly jobs I had in college, but currently 1 of my jobs will allow it if I build up enough vacation time. I’m trying to hoard all my vacation hours for a trip out of the country as a reward for being completely debt free, but that is a ways out.
I thought you were going on vacation???
No, Unfortunately that’s a post from a few months ago that I recently completed. I’ll be going again over MLK day though.
To increase my freedom I have created a few web properties and will be leaving my 9-5 within the next few weeks. it’s more than doable – as you know – it just takes the type of hard work that most relegate to others.
Awesome. Keep up the hard work matt!
That’s my current goal. My wife is still skeptical.
It sounds like you are making progress towards your debt-elimination and Alexa goals and are committed to achieve them. I wish you continued success.
Thanks watson! It’s only been happening as fast because of the yakezie and awesome members like you!
Having that type of goal is great. I think the Simple Dollar was one of my first PF blogs too (probably true for most), though I actually stopped reading them in favor of some of the more up and coming blogs, which is why I love the Yakezie.
Good luck as your journey continues.
I agree beagle. The nice part about the yakezie is you get to read blogs in the same (or similar) stage that you are. Many of the more popular PF blogs have moved on from paying down debt to saving, and talk about “grown-up” personal finance stuff, like insurance. The newer blogs are still in the throes of debt and other things.
That’s an interesting observation, Jeff. I hadn’t thought of it that way. Maybe that’s why I find blogs like yours and those in the same stage, more interesting…
Jeff, great story! Its funny that you mentioned that you have a part time job to pay off debt. I was just prepping article about this very thing. Should entrepreneurs consider taking up a part time job to pay off debt faster? I think so as that is the ultimate goal is to be debt free.
Anyway, good luck on getting there and the Alexa rank has fell out of the sky. Outstanding!! Keep up the great work and keep up with Yakezie!
Freddie,
Thanks for reading. I do have a part time job (although sometimes it turns into a full time job), and most of the proceeds go to debt repayment (some go to savings). It’s what I decided to do to get out of debt faster and I’m glad I’m doing it. Jeff @ Deliver Away Debt did the 2 job thing for quite a while as well.
Hey Jeff, you definitely have managed to tie your passions together very effectively! Congratulations on killing your CC debt, and attacking those student loans!
I look forward to more of your writing and working with you in the future!
Thanks Khaleef (sorry if I misspelled that)
It’s a nice feeling to start to get rid of the debt. Later this week, I’ll make the final payment on my first student loan (paid off after 4 months using my snowball). I’m excited to move on to the next one.
Great intro Jeff! I like your title of Dictator for Life!
Mike,
I enjoy the title too, although sometimes people come to expect too much from me because of it.
Nice to meet you Jeff. I think you have a great blog out there. Helping people reduce debt, maintain good health, and help the environment is a great combo! I’m sure you’ll reach your goal in no time!
Hey Charles.
Thanks for stopping by. I’m trying to buff up more on the health and environment side of things, but it’s difficult because most of my life is consumed with working to pay down debt, and looking at finances often. Health has taken a backseat, unfortunately.
Keep the comments coming people! I’ll try to answer them all, but I’m not sure I can get to them all right away.
Jeff. Sounds like you are really on your way. I am so freakin’ inspired by your story. You work a second job and you have a blog. Dude…do you ever sleep?
Neil,
No, I dont really ever sleep. Me and Jeff @ Deliver Away Debt (it’s a name thing) both work 2 jobs to pay off our debt. Thanks for the comment
Great intro, and thanks for sharing your story Jeff! Also, thanks for being an inspiration to others who are trying to scratch their way out of debt. I think a lot of blogs like yours truly are helping others to find that extra bit of motivation and light to help find their way out of the dark cave of debt!
Glad to hear it money smarts. Sometimes I’ve found it’s difficult to identify with the other bloggers whose finances are sailing smooth, I’m glad that I can help others in the community as much as you all (and others) have helped me.
Awesome! I love your story. I think it’s great that you started your own blog!
Thanks. When are we going to meet PF Firewall in Steamboat for a tweetup?
Love the dictator title Jeff. Looking forward to reading your blog!
Being dictator is not all its cracked up to be. I’d let you give it a try, but someone would have to kill me first :)
I look forward to checking out your blog as well. There’s so many yakezie members, it’s tough to keep track of you all!
You are creating a unique niche by combining money environment and health. I think they DEFININTELY go together! I’m looking forward to getting to know you better. I’m sure you will do well!
Im hoping that I’ll be able to get more into my niche and create more content…unfortunately right now I’m working on my dumb debts!
That’s a substantial increase Jeff! I agree with the others. Combining money, health, and environmental causes is truly a unique niche.
Thanks. I owe my increase in visits (and new posts) all to the yakezie.
Congrats on paying off the credit cards! I have found your posts quite interesting when I have come across them in the past, and agree with buylikebuffett that it is a unique niche. Good luck on paying down the rest of your debt!
Thanks! I’ve moved on to the student loans. Looking forward to reading more of your posts as well. Unfortunately, I dont have much to invest at this point :(
I am on my own debt clearing journey right now. There is a small glimer of hope at the light of a long dark tunnel. I can’t wait to finally be clear!!!
Keep up the hard work and sacrifice. It will get easier with each debt you’ll pay off, and the light will get brighter and brighter!
Good luck, and I hope to hear your story when your debts are paid off!
It’s good to read your story, Jeff. One of the things that I know for a fact that I’m lacking is a set of clearly defined goals, which it sounds like you have. Now, I just have to take that inspiration and get my own. ;)
Having a set of goals is key. Even loosely defined, relatively nebulous ones can keep you from moving backward or staying in the same place. write them down too!
What an inspirational story. I love the way you own up to your own messes and attack them with a second job. Great foundation for a great blog.
Thanks joe. I wish I didnt have as many messes to own up to, but usually I’m good at creating them. This skill has led me to get better at cleaning them up!
It’s great to get to know you better, Jeff. I think it’s terrific that you incorporate the environment along with personal finance. Good luck on your journey to becoming debt free – I definitely think you’ve found the right group for that inspiration!
Little House,
Thanks for stopping by. I really like your focus on the environment as well. The green homes you have up on your site are also awesome.
I’m a frequent lurker on your site. I also think that financial responsibility and sustainability goes hand-in-hand, and it’s nice to know that I haven’t made some crazy correlation where there shouldn’t be one. You’ve done great moving down (up?) the Alexa ranks over the past year. :) Hope to hear more from you and more about Wyoming.
Hi Sandy,
Im glad you come by the site, it’s nice to see people reading and leaving some comments. I was thinking about you wanting to see more about wyoming – When I get more time to get around the state, I may do a post full of pictures that I’ve taken.
Jeff, thanks for the insight into some of your personal battles with debt. There’s no doubt there’s a ton to learn from people like you who not only have dealt with debt, but also have been motivated enough to try to overcome it and even start a blog!
Thanks Andrew!
Awesome intro Jeff. I too pair a bit about environment and health into my blog as well as stuff about being mentally on track. It’s all part of the same way of life and can help finances tremendously.
Good luck pushing towards ultimate debt freedom.
Forest – I totally agree. Many people treat heath and mindset and the environment as different animals, but they really are not – They are all related to one another.
Jeff, I’ve enjoyed reading your blog. Sorry, I can’t remember how I stumbled upon it. I’m sure it was in one of the roundups. Thank you for joining the blogging community. You do provide a refreshing perspective on PF and the Environment.
Thanks First Gen. It’s interesting to read your blog too, you’ve got a great perspective.
Best of luck on your quest for debt freedom! I think you’ve found a excellent niche in the personal finance world. :-)
All the best,
Len
Len Penzo dot Com
Thanks Len. Ive enjoyed a lot of your posts recently, keep up the good work!
Love your blog post on giving up caffeine! Was in Cheyenne Last summer… Wyoming is Beautiful!!!!
Thanks Cents…
Were you in Cheyenne for frontier days, or for other reasons? Its a lot of fun (frontier days) , and you may have seen me around (I volunteer for the event).
Jeff, I love your title as dictator for life. I struggled with the title to put on my blog business cards.
Your three prong focus at Sustainable Life Blog gives you an unique spot in the personal finance blog world. Your dedication to getting debt-free is inspiring.
Thanks Kay Lynn (It’s still weird not to see bucksome boomer in the comments around the net). Great work on using your real name…that takes some confidence.
What title did you end up going with on your business cards?
I went with Publisher/Editor. What do you think?
That sounds like a great title! Are you looking at expanding your operation?
No expansions planned for now. What bloggers do is so much more than writing and I was trying to convey the proprietor side of it.
I’m glad you found personal finance blogging too! I was amazed I had missed out on something so perfect for me for sooooo long!
Thanks for stopping by crystal! You’ve done a great job with BFS, you’ve moved down in ranking so fast, it’s been fun to watch (I stumbled upon your blog when you were still at blogger). Keep up the good work.
I didn’t know you had been reading BFS that long! I do appreciate your very helpful Twitter campaign, lol. I realy suck with all social media. It was nice to get to know you better!
Ya, I cant remember how I found it, but is definitely good stuff. I try to promote everyone on the yakezie on twitter, but I feel like the list I subscribe to has not been updated recently.