I remember when I first came to the Yakezie network. It was just over six months ago when the member posts from the gamma class were being posted. I remember reading Andrea’s member post from So Over Debt (I was so happy that she didn’t delete her blog) and LaTisha from Young Adult Finances among many others. I found them all to be such inspiring stories. What helped me continue with blogging (even when times were tough) was the relationships that I was starting to build with the Yakezie members and challengers.
It was a great feeling to communicate and build relationships with like-minded individuals. Many of you may not know this but LAMF is my cousin. He always spoke so highly of the Yakezie group. He mentioned how Yakezie changed his life and I’m so glad that I had the same opportunity to find out for myself firsthand.
COMPLETING YAKEZIE CHALLENGE
After completing six months of the challenge, I look back and appreciate the “boot camp” one has to go through. On top of selflessly promoting fellow Yakezie member and challenger sites, initially I thought that once my Alexa rank dropped below 200k that I would be eligible to become a member. Later I realized that the focus was not only to drop the Alexa rank but also to determine if one has the dedication it takes to stick with blogging (hence having to complete the whole 6 months before applying to become a member). While going through the motion, I learned that starting a blog is like being in a relationship as they share similar stages.
- Honeymoon: Everything is new and exciting. This is when you are getting to know your blog (or partner). Trying to set everything up and meeting other bloggers (going on dates and having fun).
- Developing Relationship/Ending Relationship: Now you have been together for awhile now. Things aren’t quite as exciting as in the beginning. But if the experience (or chemistry) is good then you want to continue with it. Sometimes when things seem like work, people decide that it’s easier to just quit.
- Marriage: If you make it this far, you have made the commitment. With any long-term commitment, you need patience and an understanding that everyday is not always going to be bright and cheery. It all boils down to this: Anything worthwhile takes work.
MY STORY
I was fortunate to have been raised by a very loving and financially-minded mother as my father died when I was at a very young age. Since it was just the two of us, we had to stick together and act as a team. This meant I had to take on more responsibility at a young age. I saw the decisions my mother made regarding our finances. She always put our needs before our wants. I didn’t always understand her decisions at the time, but this is how I unconsciously learned a lot about personal finance (I thank her for this today). Going through this experience really helped set the foundation for my personal finance skills to develop as I grew up.
When I was younger, it was hard for me to understand why my friends and their families could afford to go on lavish vacations, live in fancy houses, and drive new cars. Don’t get me wrong, we lived in a nice house and had a nice car to drive; however, I was infected with keeping up with the Joneses. I wanted to live in the mansion and have all of the luxuries that money could buy. At this point in my life, I didn’t truly understand the value of money nor really understand what was important in life.
Once I entered into the real world I started to see things differently. I started understanding the value of money. This is when my priorities began to change. I no longer cared about keeping up with the Joneses. Now I value financial freedom, family, and friends more than any mansion, luxury car, or any of the latest gadgets. I actually prefer to seek a higher return on my investment. I have done this by keeping the same car for 12 years and using the same laptop for 4.5 years. This habit in particular is what helps me to achieve financial freedom.
NEW VENTURE
Before creating World of Finance, I barely knew what an RSS feed was and obviously had no clue how to set one up. I also had never used WordPress or Twitter before (among many other things). I knew these were essential to creating a successful blog so I was determined to figure it out. I remember when I first used Twitter and kept seeing RT (had no idea what this meant) everywhere… I realized I had so much to learn but now I reflect back and appreciate the journey I’ve completed thus far; I’m even more excited to see what the future holds.
Over of the past six months, I developed a close relationship with LaTisha as we discovered that we share so much in common. Most recently, we founded Help for Analysts as we are both professionals working in the finance world and trying to advance our financial knowledge. I have really enjoyed getting to know many of the Yakezie members and challengers over the past 6 months. I look forward to developing our relationships even further and also getting to know others as well.
Congratulations on your entrance into the Yakezie membership Delta class. It may have seemed like a long road the past 6 months, but one that was well worth it!
Thanks Money Infant. Stick with it and soon you too will be a member in no time :) The journey is definitely worthwhile. Best wishes. If you need anything feel free to drop a line.
Congrats on your entry. Look forward to getting to know you better and see how things progress as it sounds like you’ve got a lot of great ideas.
Thanks MoneyBeagle. Looking forward to getting to know you more as well.
Congratulations! I loved your story. ….I suppose LAMF is a good guy to be related to, also….
Thanks! LAMF is a great guy and cousin too :) Best wishes on your blog venture!
It’s a relationship tussle with yourself and if you break up you break up a part of who you are. Self expression, which is one of my strong points, is my therapy. Not that I need any therapy. ;)
I think it’s great that you dabble into photography and ventured into the world of personal finance as well. Sounds like you are trying to have a well-balance self expression :)
Congrats on getting in! It’s great to hear your story and learn more about you!
Thanks and same to you Jeff!
Welcome Mary! So glad that you made it! Now we can conquer the world :)
Lol. Thanks LaTisha. We can conquer the world one blog at a time ;P
Congratulations Mary on getting in, and realizing through your experiences that family, friends, and financial stability are worth more than any luxury money can buy. Thanks for sharing your story!
Congrats on making it in! It’s fun to see the relationships grow. I’m just trying to sort everybody out and find out who everybody is. It’s so overwhelming!
Thanks and welcome to the challenge. Stick with it and you’ll be glad you did. The journey is a great experience :) If you need anything feel free to drop a line.
congratulations. I only hope I have the same dedication as yourself.
Thanks. Welcome to the challenge. If you need anything feel free to drop a line.
Congrats on completing the challenge! I felt the same way about twitter when I got started. I hadn’t used it at all until I started blogging and it’s got it’s own lingo and etiquette! I’m definitely in the second phase of my “relationship” with blogging but i’m still excited for the future.
Thanks DD! You got a great thing going. Stick with it. If you need anything please feel free to reach out to WoF :)
Welcome to the family! You’ve been a consistent contributor for all this time. I like your website redesign, and it’s great you’ve stuck w/ your blog so far!
Thanks Sam! I’m so happy to be part of the Yakezie online blogging community :) I have a lot more in store for WoF. Will keep everyone posted on the progress :)
Congrats Mary! I couldn’t agree more about the blogging/relationship parallel. Nice new site!
Thanks Corey. I thought you would relate… you have established several online relationships ;) Stick with it, you have a great thing going.
Congrats! What an inspiring story.
Thanks WHB! Welcome to the challenge.
Mary- I’m excited to be in the delta class with you. I had no idea you were related to Derek! There’s something great in your genes…I like what you have going on in the new site. I think there should be more educational sites out there. I personally love khan academy.
Thanks Funancials. It was great to read your member post and get to know you better. It seems we have more in common than I initially realized. Best of luck with your blog.
What a great story – I learned like you did after I started earning money that I didnt want/need a huge house or a fancy car.
It’s great when your priorities become clear :) There is more meaning to life at this point. It’s true that money does not buy happiness.
This is so great and inspiring. I will love to do the yakezie 6 month challenge. Where do I find out more about it and how to do it?
Congratulations and well done!
Thanks Maria! You’re doing great, keep it up.
Welcome to the Yakezie, and you’ve been great at participating and promoting others. I liked the analogy to the relationship as well. :)
Thanks IIW! It’s been great to get to know you through your blog. I look forward to getting to know you even better moving forward.
Congrats! This is a great post :) Love your analogy.
Thanks Daisy. Welcome to the challenge. Stick with it, you’re doing great.
Congratulations on becoming a member! Great analogy and great post.
Thanks Aloysa. I’ve seen you around. You’re doing great, keep it up :)
Congratulations. There is something about this journey into membership that tests you commitment. I am glad you made it.
Thanks KC! That means a lot :)
What a great member post! I think you and LaTisha are doing awesome work :)
Thanks ADP! Appreciate the kind words.
Welcome Mary! Great to have you in the team. Honestly I don’t know what FF stands for in twitter. Good to know LAMF is related to you. All the best for future blogging
Thanks SB. Same to you. Glad to be in good company.
Congratulations! You story is inspiring. I’m sure, as days go by, you have more gratitude towards your mother for instilling these great values.
Thanks Shilpan. I definitely appreciate everything she has done for me. Now it’s my time to give back :)
Welcome to the network! Glad you’ve made so many great connections already!
Thanks TCI! It’s a wonderful community. I’m happy to be apart of it. Looking forward to learning more about you and other members :)
I am so glad that you stuck with the challenge.
Thanks Super Frugalette. Look forward to getting to know you more. Love the icon for your site.
Welcome to Yakezie, WoF. Great story. We share the practical in driving older cars.
Really appreciate the kind words. Here’s to keeping your car as long as possible :)
Wow, this is a really encouraging post. I started the challenge one month ago and already my readership has increased 75%. Yeah, its really encouraging reading your post! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the kind words EH! Stick with the challenge, it’s a wonderful experience :)
Glad to learn more about you. Welcome and your gonna give your cousin a run for his money!
Thanks Buck. It’s been great getting to know you through your blog. Best wishes with all your exciting life changes this year :)
Hi Mary,
Congratulations! Thank you for visiting my site and letting me know you were here for me if I need anythning. That means a lot to me.
Your story touched me on a personal level because I too grew up without my father because he passed away when I was only 2 and my brother was 5. This left my mother (at the age of 29) a widow. I learned so much about money and being frugal through my mother. I also didn’t have much growing up because we could not go on family vacations because we didn’t have the money and my mother was working 2 jobs.
I realize now why I’m so different than so many of my friends. I didn’t have it easy and I learned what it was like to earn a dollar.
We both have our wonderful mothers to thank for this and I am forever greatful.
Great post and I love the honesty behind it. I love your blog as well! Congrats again and thank you! :)
Wow! Sounds like we can relate really well. Good luck with the challenge. I know you can do it :) Feel free to reach out to me for anything at all.
Congrats on becoming a member! I love your analogy…and even though I don’t know her at all, I have a deep respect for your mother.
That means a lot…. thanks FF.
Congratulations Mary on achieving your goal! I was a Financial Analyst for Westinghouse before I made a career change and went into teaching. Best of luck to you and LaTisha with the new venture!
Thanks FT! Sounds like we have similar passions. I enjoy teaching as well. I tutored for awhile and found it very rewarding. Best wishes with your site, you have a great thing going.
Welcome in! Glad you’re officially aboard. Great member post, and inspiring story. I like how you said that you “value financial freedom, family, and friends” more than luxury goods and similar items. I see it that way too.
Thanks Squirrelers! It’s a great feeling when your priorities become crystal clear. :)
Congratulations on becoming a member. Now only good things can happen in the future :)
Thanks Tushar. Being part of the Yakezie group is already a great thing :) And I’m sure the future holds a lot of other fun surprises.
Congratulations on your membership! I really enjoy checking out WOF and see you around the forums, too. As a challenger it’s really cool to see people like you making it! Way to go!
Thanks for the kind words Nick. Stick with it and soon you too will be writing your member post :) If you need any help feel free to reach out to WoF.
Great story WOF, My truck is only 11 years old, but hopefully will last a few more years. You lead by example, the best way. Good luck.
I did not know you are Derek’s cousin! Well, congratulations.
It is difficult to not want to ‘keep up with the Joneses’ at a young age. I don’t know about your high school, but it seemed that at mine you could not be popular unless you owned the right clothing.
Fortunately for me, I spent a summer abroad in Spain before my junior year. It was during this summer that I discovered how tiny and insignificant my high school was compared to the rest of the world. Really changed my life!
Congratulations, Mary. Looks like South Florida is invading the group in force! I noticed that Derek used to live down here, but would have never figured it out. Funny how quickly you can go from not having a clue to multiple sites in a matter of a few short months.
Congratulations on making it in to the Yakezie. I wish you luck in the new site as well.
I enjoyed your member post – thanks for sharing more information about yourself! Welcome – I’m in your Delta class too!
Congrats on becoming a Member! It’s really neat how much we can learn in 6 months. I learned a ton when I was in the challenge and continue to learn more things about blogging and PF. Welcome!