Hey there! My name is Michelle and I blog at Making Sense of Cents.
Before last summer, I NEVER saw or imagined myself blogging. I never put more than a second of thought into it. However, starting last summer, I became a habitual blog lurker. I would read blogs, but never leave comments or let anyone even know that I was alive.
I started my blog in August of 2011, and the rest is history. I became addicted after the first week. In the first week, I was going on vacation to San Juan, and I still checked my blog every second, even though it was brand new. I was completely obsessed…
When I first heard of Yakezie, I was extremely confused. I just scrolled past it and didn’t pay attention to it. Then a couple of months later, I came back to it and I’ve been loving it since.
I love reading about personal finance, but I also love reading about fashion, beauty, lifestyle, travel and everything else. My blog is a mix of everything, but a lot of it is related to money. I pride myself on the fact that a lot of my readers are fashion and beauty bloggers. A lot of them e-mail me daily and tell me that they’ve never read a blog like mine, because all they read are the same clothing and makeup blogs.
Why I Blog
I created my blog for many reasons. I had a lot (and still do) going on with my family. My dad passed away when I was 18 (a little over 4 years ago), if you want to read about that, click here. I grew up in a situation where someone in my family stole everything my dad had, and opened credit cards in his name. He was too nice and never pressed charges.
This is what made me interested in personal finance. I didn’t want the same thing to happen to me that happened to him. He had to deal with everything like this his whole life.
Also, I blog anonymously. This is for many reasons such as what I said above. I talk a lot about my money situation and that I vent about my family. However, if you look around, you will possibly find pictures of me :) Since I blog anonymously, I feel like I can share everything and not hold back.
Background on me
I’m 23. I have two undergraduate degrees, B.A. in Management and a B.S. in Business. I also just received my Finance MBA in August of 2012. I have worked full-time since I was 16, and worked full-time all throughout my degrees. I was able to land a great job/career right after graduating with my undergraduate degrees, and I still hold that job today.
I do believe that determination is the key to success. I kept thinking about the end goal the entire time I was in school. And I was able to get my undergraduate degrees in less than 3 years, and my MBA in around 1 year.
I have made many friends through Yakezie and my blog, and I truly do love it. The community is great and has introduced me to so much. Without the help from everyone involved with Yakezie and everyone else that I’ve met, I don’t think my blog would be anywhere near where it is today.
Over the next several weeks we will be highlighting the Yakezie Epsilon Member Posts. If you’re interested in partaking in the Yakezie Challenge you can find more information here.
You definitely seem like a very determined person so it is no wonder your blog has done so well. Congrats on making it into Yakezie!
Thanks Lance!
It’s great to learn a little bit more about you Michelle. Welcome to Yakezie. I thought I was a work-a-holic. ;) In all seriousness, that’s quite an accomplishment of working through college. Congrats!
Thanks!
Congrats on making it into Yakezie! I love reading your blog and how honest you are on it :)
Awww thanks! Hopefully it’s not information overload.
Congrats Michelle! It was nice meeting you at Fincon12.
Thanks! I think you’re thinking of Michelle at See Debt Run though.
Ha Michelle! It’s happened to me a couple times as well (Tushar confusing us) and someone really confused me at Fincon. He came up and asked me about my freelance goals and I had no idea what he was talking about. I knew right away that he was talking about you. He said “wait…aren’t you Michelle from St. Louis?” I said “Yes…there’s two of us.” Haha. Anyway, congrats!
Congratulations on achieving Yakeziedom! I love the colors and uncluttered look you chose for your blog – very easy on the eyes. Hope to join you as a Yakezie member in an upcoming class!
Thanks! I think my design is horrible and it’s being worked on :)
I was the same way. I read PF blogs for 2 yes before I decided to start my own.
Nice work Michelle! I think you have a pretty good niche of talking about money but still being girly and relatable to the makeup and fashion bloggers. I think your blog is just going to keep growing!!!
Welcome to the network! We’re so glad to have you a part of the group!
Welcome Michelle! I too worked my way through college so I applaud you for your sacrifice and hard work, it is worth it!
You’ve got quite the degrees there. Nice to meet you Michelle. By the way, thanks for responding to my email.
[…] I get motivation from other bloggers who joined the challenge and met their goals. – Congrats Michelle! However, I plan on doing everything that I can to learn from all of you about what it takes to […]
Our stories run a little similarly! Lol, I was a blog lurker too, reading lots of blogs but never commenting or having a presence. And then I read this one blog about being a blogger and thought, “Huh, interesting idea.” Haha, and just like you I ran across Yakezie the first time and was confused. I even came across it again a little later and was still confused. But third times a charm. I finally joined, and actually, it’s not confusing at all! What was our problems!?? Lol. Glad to have you around, you’ve got a great blog!
Welcome! I enjoy reading your blog a lot for the reason that it is a mix of everything else and not just dry finance. Also, thank you for being my reader. I smiled when I read how you were checking your blog every second while on vacation. I used to be the same. But now if I am on vacation, I am on vacation – no Internet! :)
Welcome. Love your focus and energy to succeed! Good luck.
i fully understand the blog lurker turned addicted to blogging thing! :) I think your blog is one of the really fun ones out there (yep, I lurk – LOL) and I enjoy reading your posts. Never lose your enthusiasm!
Great to have you Michelle! I remember one of your first posts talked about how your mom spent your inheritance and you asked your readers for advice. Those type of stories really draw people and want to follow your journey.
Also, I love all the Hawaii pics! One of my favorite places on Earth!
Great story Michelle. I understand the desire to be anonymous and the “blog lurker” mentality (same happened to me). All the best and I agree, “determination is the key to success”!
Great Story. I always thought I was the most determined person in the room! I guess there is always room for one more. I agree there is something addicting about blogging. It may may be the interaction or feedback aspect.
Well done, Michelle; proud to be standing next to you in this and good luck with your ventures.
Welcome and thanks for sharing your story. That must have been devastating. Good job finding blogging as an outlet and a way to help others. It feels great giving back doesn’t it? :)
Congrats Michelle! Your blog is definitely unique, and your energy is contagious! I seem to see you all over the web these days, so it seems like you’ve definitely found your passion.
I lost my dad too, so I know that it can be a tough road to navigate. What a blessing that you were able to observe the issues that happened to him and can use that to learn and thrive in the area of personal finance!
Congrats Michelle! Your story is inspiring. It proves that, despite our setbacks, we can overcome and achieve success.
Great to finally see your post up here and congrats on the multiple degrees! I worked part time getting mine, and I was always worn out – so good on you for that!