I’m Jackie Beck, and I post 5 days a week over at MoneyCrush, which focuses on the emotional aspects of money and on learning to love your financial life in the process.
I’m in my early 40s, married to a very patient and encouraging man, and have a son who’ll be graduating from high school this spring.
Yay for Yakezie!
It’s been great to be a part of the Yakezie group — which I first heard about thanks to one of Sam’s many provocative posts that may or may not have made me sputter. I love the idea of promoting others (especially on twitter), and enjoy seeing so many different perspectives, trading comments, and learning from one another.
A Little Background
I’ve been three things for close to as long as I can remember: a writer, an artist, and an entrepreneur.
I can remember being a little kid at my grandma’s house, using up all her notebooks and scratch paper as I scribbled “words” on them and drew accompanying pictures. I know I had some idea of what they were supposed to mean, but no one else did. Luckily, I have a very encouraging grandma, because not only did she not get upset, she let me tape up everything I’d made all over her kitchen.
I also started my first “business” in the 2nd grade — and moved on to many that were actually profitable from there. Of course, there were several that weren’t profitable as well — and I’m sure there’ll be more of both kinds to come. That’s just a part of being a doer-of-miscellaneous things (aka an entrepreneur.)
Joining the Personal Finance Blogging World
My husband and I were both married previously, and were both pretty much on the same track financially when we got together — we were getting out of debt, and ready to get our lives back in order and on a positive path. So naturally I took a personal finance book (Your Money or Your Life) with me when we went on vacation.
That book completely inspired me; so much so that I immediately began tracking my spending while on the vacation. When we got back, I began poking around on the internet to see if there were any forums on the subject. I found the (then-small) personal finance blogging world instead. Since I’d been wanting to make it a practice to write daily, I decided a PF blog was the way to go because it would kill two birds with one stone — keeping me focused on improving my finances while meeting my writing goal. This was back in 2006.
My first (anonymously-written) blog stayed small, for years, but I kept writing anyway. Finally I decided to start over with a fresh new blog and my real name. MoneyCrush was born in October of 2009.
Financial Goals
I’m very big on goals of all types — and on persisting in doing what it takes to meet those goals. So naturally I have a few financial goals. First, of course, my husband and I are working to get our house paid off by the end of 2011. That’s a very big goal for us. I’m not quite sure exactly how we will accomplish it yet, but I believe that we will. Hopefully my second big goal will help with that: greatly increasing my income. As part of that strategy (and because we’re just so darn happy to be debt-free-but-the-house) I created a debt snowball app for the iPhone and Android phones called Pay Off Debt.
The Future
I hope folks who read my blog come away feeling empowered and inspired — and that they take action on something that’s important in their lives. I hope to continue building relationships and getting to know new folks in the process. And of course, to reach my goals and help others do the same.
Join us for further discussion in the Yakezie Forums.
It was great to read your story! The PF blogosphere really has taken off – exploded, even. I started blogging in..late 2008, which was about the time I started reading PF blogs. Recently, I’ve branched out to include blogs on all kinds of topics, while (oddly enough) starting to write more about money at the same time.
Thanks! It sure has exploded. It’s great to read all the new blogs.
Nice write up Jackie, I wish you HUGE success with the app. I remeber beta testing months ago. I fact I believe that is how I knew you were on the map. A little tweet asking for help, and the rest is history. Who says twitter is a was of time?
Thanks Jeff! Yeah, twitter can be great for bringing folks together :)
Jackie, love hearing about a fellow entreprenuer w/ plenty of failures and successes (all you need is one success by the way). I’ll have to checkout your debt snowball app, very cool!
Thanks, let me know what you think of it.
Hey jackie, your iPhone app idea was fantastic. I really hope you make your 2011 pay off date and that in itself will feel like a massive income boost!
Oh yeah that will be a massive income boost for sure when all that extra money is going into our wallet instead of our mortgage.
I like the way you have goals that you consider difficult. Good luck with getting the house paid off. What will be your goal then?
Oh sure, ask the hard question…
I was tempted to write “We’re going to Disneyland!” but in reality the next goal will probably be building wealth/retirement.
Nice write up! I don’t have an i-phone, so I don’t know how the debt snowball app works, but it sounds interesting! :)
Our goal is to also pay off our mortgage, but I think you will reach your goal before we will!
Yay, a fellow-mortgage-payer-off-er :)
Great story! It’s fantastic to hear that you’ve paid off all of your debt except the house, but are making a commitment to pay if off by next year. Good luck on your iPhone App!
Thanks, I will be very excited when that’s done :)
Great Write Up Jackie! What was that first business you started at 8 years old?
Hah my first “business” was selling polished, perfumed rocks to the neighbor kids. For some reason I thought that would be a good idea. I think I sold one.
Great intro Jackie! It’s great to read how each of us started out in the personal finance niche and what inspired us. Good luck with the app!
Thanks, it is interesting how we all got started.
Your Money Or Your Life is an awesome book! It really can change your outlook on things. Glad that it got you to form MoneyCrush.
Craig, you’re like the 10th person who has said that recently. I’ve actually never read it but I just requested it from my library this morning after reading Jackie’s post.
Let us know what you think of the book. (Obviously I loved it.)
Best of luck with the app and paying off the house by 2011!
Thanks, you guys will hear about it when we get it paid off, that’s for sure!
You know, even though there are lots of people writing about personal finance now (because of the economy) I feel like the group of people here is a small, tight knit community. I see you guys all over the blogosphere and stalk you appropriately.
Good luck on getting the home paid off. I know that when you do we’re all going to have a virtual drink with you.
I agree, love the community :)
Best of luck with the application. I would have tried, but AT&T doesnt have coverage where I live, so no Iphones around.
Thanks. I keep hoping Verizon will get the iPhone but imagine now they’ll stick with Android…
Wow, you’ve been at this for a very long time! I think it’s great that your house will be paid off in 15 months! I think you might be able to take that trip to Disneyland and still grow your wealth! ;-)
It’s good to see that you have a drive and determination to pushes you to accomplish your goals! Therefore, I won’t give you a hard time about not writing your debt snowball program for Windows Mobile :-(
hehe, thanks for not giving me a hard time!
Thanks for sharing your intro post, Jackie! It sounds like you’re a very goal oriented person, and that’s great that you’re targeting the end of 2011 to have your house paid off.
I’ll have to check out your app – I have an android phone.
Yeah, I’m super goal-oriented. Let me know what you think of the Android version.
Wow, that’s cool that you developed an app! Never would have thought of that, but I’ve seen some sites out there that show you how to do it. Congrats in advance on getting that house paid off – huge accomplishment!
I should clarify — I created the app (came up with the idea, design, screens, math, artwork, and did the testing on it) but I hired some folks to do the development work itself. If you want to know more about how that worked, see http://www.moneycrush.com/how-to-make-an-iphone-app-when-you-dont-know-how-to-program/
Glad to have you on the team Jackie! What do you mean “may or may not have made you sputter”? :)
Any tips on how one keeps up a 5 posts a week regime? I don’t think I can do it. I love spending too much time on other sites. Also, I think I would be overwhelmed, b/c I like to comment and respond to almost everyone who comments on my site.
Cheers,
Oh my lips are sealed! ;)
As far as the 5 days a week posting schedule goes, that’s a decrease for me because I used to post every day. But my tip is the same: Just commit to doing it and set aside the time. But I don’t think a schedule like that is necessary, readers know what to expect based on whatever someone’s current schedule is — as long as it IS something regular. I get pretty close to responding to all comments too, but I do often run out of time to comment on other blogs. (I tend to hit maybe 5 a day.)
I have the app, I just pressed the ‘Record All Payments’ button on the first of the month. It’s so nice to see the balance drop. I’m making progress!
It IS nice, isn’t it? I’m such a dork I enter our mortgage into my own app just so I can press the button. Btw there will be an update coming soon if you have any urge to beta test…
Happy to have you in the Yakezie! You have a great app and I think it’ll help many people. I’m amazed at how many solid posts you write regularly. You have some wonderful goals and I can’t wait to see what’s next on MoneyCrush.
Thanks, it’s a great group :)
Great intro Jackie. It’s always interesting hearing how each of us got started in personal finance. I enjoy reading your blog always provide some good reading. Good luck with the app! I love apps.
Glad to have you as a reader :)
I’ve read your site Jackie since I was getting out of debt in ’07-’08. You still amaze me with the massive amount of quality content you can produce. We also seem to have the same thoughts on so many issues! I should stop writing my blog and point my subscribers to you ;)
Great job on the Pay Off Debt app too. I have a free app in the store (not PF related) and it’s doing horrible! I’m so impressed by your ability to rank in the top finance apps. I love that you are a part of Yakezie! :)
Hah, but I like your blog too, so then where would we be? I didn’t realize your app was live — email me and let me know which it is.
Wow, that’s great with the app. I’m going to go check it out right now. I have a friend who is pursuing his masters in comp sci and when I asked him about programming an app for iPhone, he said it’s not something that can be done easily. So, lots of props to you.
Let me know what you think of it. I can’t answer for the programming aspect of it, but I do know that if I don’t know how to do something or if it looks too time-consuming, I can usually find/hire someone to help :)
Hi Jackie. Great post. That’s great you’ve been blogging for so many years. I’m pretty late to the whole social media scene but it’s so much fun learning about everyone’s different experiences and blog backgrounds.
I’m pretty late to social media as well — I didn’t get started on twitter until last year, but it’s definitely useful.
Jackie,
I LOVE seeing someone pursue their passions, especially when they have known since early childhood what those passions are. Great job and continue doing what you love.
Thanks! I love it too, and would like to help others do the same.
I’be been reading MoneyCrush since the end of last year (right after I discovered the wonderful world of pf blogs)…I enjoy your perspective! You catch me off guard pretty often and made me look at my car debt for what it was – debt. Big savings account with debt hanging on for the fun of it was just silly. Thanks!
I’m so glad to have you as a reader (and commenters! love the comments) too.
Jackie, I love your entrepreneurial spirit. To have the guts and foresight to target a niche like the Android right before it exploded with apps was a great idea, and an app such as Pay Off Debt is already a proven product. We can learn a lot from you!
Thanks, it was pretty much a gamble. Surprisingly, although for a time there the iPhone app and the Android versions were identical (except for layout due to differences between the phones) the iPhone sales have always far surpassed the Android ones. Not sure why, but it just goes to show that there are differences within the market.
Android still has a ton of room to grow. With every phone that is introduced, and every app that is put on the market, the platform will gain more users and you can be sure revenue from your app will climb with it.
I hope so!
Looks like you’ve been entrepreneurial since the beginning! I remember reading about you targeting the mobile app market, and I agree with Jesse that it was a great move!
Yeah I’d like to come out with some other apps too, but for now I’m focusing on the existing one.
I like your 2011 house payoff goal. I have goals that I don’t know how to reach yet too, but I am working on making them real. Also, it is awesome that you built an app.
Cool, what goal are you working on right now?
Jackie, Job well done-I was inspired by your story and attitude!!! I’m stopping by your site NOw!
Thanks for stopping by :)
Hi Jackie,
Great writeup! I love hearing about the bloggers in our group, it’s nice to know where you are coming from :)
Good luck on the iPhone app, it sounds like a great idea to me!
Thanks!
Very positive post.I like the can do attitude. I enjoyed reading the Aim High post as well.
Thanks, and glad you liked the article.
Wow, Jackie! I really admire folks who can post five posts per week! How do you do it? My pea brain just doesn’t have enough processing power to churn that many posts out!
Best,
Len
Len Penzo dot Com
I just put my fingers on the keyboard and something usually pours out ;)
Wow Jackie, I love how ambitious you are by keeping yourself on track with those goals. I find your story inspiring because you are embracing multiple sources of income through innovative strategies, have purposed to become completely debt free including the house, and can post 5 times per week (I typically only write one or two articles per week max). Best Regards,
Shawn
Thanks, I’m glad to hear it!
Hey Jackie, I think that’s so cool you have your own debt snowball app…that sounds like such a difficult thing to do but that’s awesome…I need to check it out…did it take a lot of time and effort and was it tough to get approval? Good luck on paying off your house by 2011! I’m sure you’ll get it done and I’ll be rooting for you.
If I remember right I’ve spent about 350 hours on it to date, although I’m working on testing an update to it now too.
Wow that’s a ton of time but I’m glad it all paid off with it getting approved. Good luck on the update! let me know if I can do anything to help spread the word!
Jackie, I’m a big fan (hopefully you know that by my comments). Thanks for the debt-free inspiration and thoughtful articles. Here’s to goals and persistence!
Thanks and I love your comments!
Nice write up Jackie! I admire your entrepreneurial spirit, I could never do the things you have done. Good luck for paying off your house, with your goal oriented ways and hard work, I am sure you will get it done. Great idea with the app.
Thanks, I appreciate the nice comment :)