Hi, I’m Julie, the blogger behind The Family CEO.
In 2006 I hired myself to save my family money, make extra money, and get us out of debt. I started a blog to document my efforts. That’s how The Family CEO was born.
Prior to 2006 I already did all the things that I hired myself to do. I was naturally frugal, so I did many things to save money. I earned money – full-time before kids and part-time after. I was also pretty debt-adverse (even though we had plenty of it) so I was always working to pay it off.
So what was significant about 2006? By hiring myself I changed those things from just something I did to my focus. My job. That little shift in thinking was significant.
As a personal finance blogger, I’m a little unusual. Specifically, I’m in a different stage of life than a lot of bloggers. My husband and I are in our mid-to-late 40s (me, mid; him, late) and we just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. We have two teenage children: a daughter starting her sophomore year in college and a son starting his sophomore year in high school.
Some other info about me:
- I have a degree in Business Administration from The University of Kansas. At the time, I chose business because it was practical and I didn’t have a passion for anything else. It has served me well over the years and now I see that it was actually a very good fit for me.
- I have worked in a number of small businesses throughout my life, starting with my uncle’s sporting goods store while I was in high school. I’ve also worked for a small employee benefits company and a small consulting company (both owned by women). Right now, in addition to freelance writing and blogging, I keep the books and do the payroll for my husband’s insurance agency and my dad’s business as well. You could say I have a real passion for small businesses.
- I’m also passionate about blogging because it lets me combine all of my interests: writing, researching, personal finance, and even some photography. I also love working from home.
- In my spare time I love to read, travel, and follow politics. I’m a huge political junkie. I also like decorating and homemaking and you’ll see those topics show up in my blog from time to time.
Since this is a post introducing myself, it wouldn’t be complete without telling you what blogging has done for me.
Starting a blog put me on a path that would take me places I didn’t even know I wanted to go. I’ve learned about writing for the internet, social media, search engines, and making money online.
It’s not a stretch to say that I’ve learned more in the last five years of blogging and writing for the internet than I did in four years of college. And that’s not a knock on college at all. It’s just a testament to where following an interest or a passion can take you. It’s been a blast.
I’ve also made connections with people – in person and virtually – that have enriched the experience. Yakezie has been a part of that. I look forward to staying active in the community going forward and seeing where this ride takes us all.
Great to hear bout you! Blogging really helps the budget doesn’t it? Not only does it make you more aware of what you’re spending, but it also leads you down a path of making money that you were never aware of before! I love it!
Yes, it’s a double edged sword that way. I love it too.
Great to meet you formally, though we have certainly chatted before. I love the concept of your blog, and especially your transparent posts like how much a year of college for your daughter cost. Looking forward to reading more on your blog and your staff writing posts.
Melissa, I’m a fan of your blog too. Thanks for your nice comment and for letting me know which kind of posts you find helpful. That particular post was eye opening for me as well.
Welcome, Julie! I always look forward to your posts because you’re so much wiser than I am – I always learn something, either about finances or about life in general. I hope by the time I reach my mid-40s (not that far away, really!) I’ll be out of debt and enjoying some stability in my life. You inspire me to keep going!
Andrea, you are too nice. But I like being called inspiring. I look forward to following your journey. I appreciate the way you keep it real on your blog.
Hi Julie! I never knew the story behind your blog before… how interesting! I always enjoy reading what you write.
Thank you, Denise. Back at ya.
As someone who spent 22 years of my life in St. Louis, Missouri and a huge Mizzou Tigers fan, I just have to say that I hope you or someone else is reaching out and helping the Jawhawks of the world, because I’m intentionally ignoring them. :)
Nice member post.
Kevin, I’m not familiar with these Mizzou Tigers you speak of. Are they a Division 1 program?
Welcome to the group Julie. You’ll find out quickly that the Yakezie will help reach your blogging goals sooner than later.
Thanks, Charles!
Welcome Julie! I love your blog proposition. Running the household finances is really the job of someone who can envision themself as a CEO. The responsibility and decision making skills required are very similar to the skills required of a CEO.
Thanks so much. I think it helps to think of it as a job because it can really affect your family’s bottom line if you do.
Great to see another lady as the family CEO! It’s a great responsibility to run the household, but oh so rewarding at the same time.
I agree. Very rewarding.
Welcome to the network! That’s a great story!
Thanks so much, CI.
I am the family CFO/CEO and my wife is president! Separation of powers! I like your words, It is a testament……following an interest or a passion can take you. I really believe in doing what you love to do! Great story.
Love your division of powers, KC.
Nice to meet you Julie. Congrats on becoming a member!
Didnt realize you had been blogging for so long. Congrats on the membership!
Thank you!
I always liked the title of your site-so descriptive. Your story is really inspiring! I look forward to getting to know you better.
Thank you, Barb. I enjoy your blog a lot too.
Great introduction! Nice to meet you and look forward to reading your blog.
Thanks!
Julie, I follow your site and I didn’t realize that our lives were SO parallel. Age, degree, work experience, and even why we started our blogs. We’ll have to connect some time to pick each other’s brains.
Kristia, that’s crazy. I will follow your blog with special interest. Yes, let’s plan to connect.
Great job CEO :) Running a household is similar to a small business…. personal finance goes hand in hand with business. I’m a business major myself. Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you too. I agree that there are a lot of parallels between running a business and running a household.
Oh boy–that wasn’t very welcoming.
I meant Welcome!!!
Thanks x 2. :-)
Welcome Julie. Glad to learn more about you and what makes you tick. Congrats on becoming an official member of the network. We are all very happy to have you. Best of luck with everything going forward.
Thank you, Miss T.
Welcome to the family Julie! I hope to see you around for a long time to come. What is the one thing you learned working in a small business environment, and do you think we should raise taxes on small business owners or reduce?
Thx!
Sam
I love the idea of hiring yourself. Great concept. Congrats on 25 years of marriage, too!
Thanks, Matt. I appreciate that.
Glad to get to know you better and look forward to learning more in the future. I am looking forward to learning from your experience in small business in particular.
Welcome!
Julie, I love the name and story behind your blog. It’s a reminder of the fact that we need to take our household finances very seriously!
Congrats and welcome Julie!
Hello, Julie. It sounds like you have plenty of diverse interests that are serving you well in the blogging world. It was good to get to know a little more about you.