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How Much Personal Info Is TOO Much?

UserPost

9:00 am
December 2, 2011


Dave @ DebtBlackHole

DFW

Member

posts 77

I have no issues sharing personal stories and info on my blog. Sharing these types of things is something I've done throughout my entire Radio career (to the dismay of my wife, kids, family & friends on many occasions). But how much is too much? Where do you draw the proverbial line for your site…and why?

 

I see there are PF sites that share part of their monthly income (from blogging, websites, consulting, etc.), some who seem to share ALL of their income & break it down/compare it month to month and a few who share nothing about their income at all. Some provide vague details (simply stating income from "niche site #1") and some give links to their money-making sites/ventures. Some include expenses for businesses and sites- affiliate programs/hosting/virtual assistants- but little information about regular expenses like house payments/car payments/utilities.  A few offer %'s of how their money is spent (i.e. 22% on housing, 10% on cars, etc.).

 

Do people really care how much I make from my Radio job, my Mediation/Dispute Resolution consulting or other income-generating projects…or is how the money is spent more relevant?

 

I'm trying to find my comfort zone for 'sharing' and would love to know how you found/determined yours.

 

I appreciate your insights…

 

9:14 am
December 2, 2011


freeby50

Member

posts 54

Personally when I'm reading blogs I want at least an idea of what someones income level is and a basic idea of where it comes from.   I don't really care to know the exact figures and I don't need to know exact break down of where it comes from.    I think its useful for readers to have an idea about the income to get the context for your money discussions.   The amount of your income is relevant to the amounts you spend.

 

Example : If I'm talking about buying a new house and want to spend $250,000 on it then its relevant to know if my annual income is $50,000 or $150,000.

or

If I have a side business that I talk about and I promote side work as a good way to build and iversify our income then its relevant to know if that business makes 20% of my annual income or 0.5%.

or

If I"m talking about a $12,000 European vacation then it would be useful to know that I make $300,000 a year.

 

But I don't need to know how much you make to the penny.  A general ballpark idea is fine. 

 

Two of the biggest bloggers I read don't really talk about their income much.  It doesn't really detract from their articles.  However, I find it a little annoying that theres no context for their financial discussions.  Another big blogger I read vaguely talks about the ballpark of income he has which as far as I'm concerned is plenty good enough.  I think he says something like that he makes "over 6 figures" or such.  Thats enough for me to know tha this modest cost home is really frugal.

 

Just my 2cents from a reader perspective.  I'm an anonymous blogger so I can talk about my income however I want.

 

9:42 am
December 2, 2011


sooverthis

Kentucky

Moderator

posts 1041

I'm a pretty open person in real life, so it follows that I'm open on my site. I actually stopped doing my month-end spending roundups awhile back, (1) because it was too depressing and (2) because I didn't think anyone cared. Then I got an email from a reader asking where the roundups went. So I'll return to it in January, which will be interesting since I'm quitting my job and trying to make it as a blogger/freelancer.

Anyway, I don't mind anyone knowing how much I make since it's not much. I think it helps people understand where I'm coming from and why I've developed the attitudes I have toward debt, spending, and saving. I'm not terribly detailed – I usually say something like "I had X income from my job and Y from blogging and a yard sale." No need to break down every cent and where exactly it came from.

I think it just depends on what makes you comfortable. Most people are fine with a ballpark estimate. They just want to know where you are so they can understand your choices.

 

 

 

10:11 am
December 2, 2011


Eric – PersonalProfitability.com

Portland, OR

Member

posts 2120

I share my net worth, credit score, and budget from time to time. I keep my income number close to my chest though.

10:14 am
December 2, 2011


Eric J. Nisall

Coral Springs, FL

Member

posts 377

I am completely open about my identity, associations, and history.  But I refuse to reveal any information relative to income.  My reasoning is pretty simple: I don't anyone checking out the blog, social media or forums, seeing the information and then coming to me looking for donations or "business opportunities" or the like.  It's bad enough that I get a few just from my business being listed (the solicitors call every business listed in directories), but I don't need this to be exacerbated with my income being out there for anyone to see.  Some people might not see that as an issue, but it's just where my line is drawn.

Eric J. Nisall

DollarVersity

DollarVersity on Facebook & Google+

Email me: eric@dollarversity.com

10:20 am
December 2, 2011


Penny Pinching Professional

Member

posts 69

I've tried to keep my blogging persona as anonymous as possible because I don't really want my friends or coworkers (or classmates, at this point) knowing how much I'm making at any given time.  I just don't feel like that's any of their business.  I was planning, originally, to be completely up front about all of my finances but I chickened out a bit.  I know that if I keep blogging for several years it's inevitable that my friends and family will know about it, so I remove the values on the y-axis of all of my financial graphs before I upload them.  I compare my spending for each month to a running average so there's still some useful information there, but I keep the numbers to myself. 

12:28 pm
December 2, 2011


MoneyIsTheRoot

Member

posts 1456

Ive been pretty open with my first name, and now my last name is very easy to find if you search my site well enough…i.e. my google +1 page.  I disclose blog income, and pretty much whatever people want to know.  I do draw the line at my income from my day job, as friends and coworkers know I blog… and I have a high enough profile job at a large enough company that disclosing salary would be a huge issue.  Other than that I  like to think Im a pretty open book.

Member Blog:

Money Is The Root

Check me out on Facebook

 

Challenger Blogs:

Smart Wealth

12:53 pm
December 2, 2011


Dominique Brown

Washington, DC

Member

posts 510

Too personal is when you make yourself or your family uncomfortable. 

1:39 pm
December 2, 2011


Melissa (Mom's Plans)

Member

posts 908

I have been revealing my online income, which is not much, but it is growing every month.  I am committed to revealing this through the end of 2011, but I haven't decided if I want to continue in 2012, especially if my income continues to grow.

My Member Site:  Mom's Plans

My Challenger Site:  Fiscal Phoenix

E-mail:  momsplans@yahoo.com

4:37 pm
December 2, 2011


JT_McGee

Member

posts 723

Eric J. Nisall said:

I am completely open about my identity, associations, and history.  But I refuse to reveal any information relative to income.  My reasoning is pretty simple: I don't anyone checking out the blog, social media or forums, seeing the information and then coming to me looking for donations or "business opportunities" or the like.  It's bad enough that I get a few just from my business being listed (the solicitors call every business listed in directories), but I don't need this to be exacerbated with my income being out there for anyone to see.  Some people might not see that as an issue, but it's just where my line is drawn.

Curious – what's your opinion of the BBB? Wink

 

In regards to the topic, I don't care to share, and find there's no reason to do so.  I don't dislike blogs because they don't share, nor do I dislike blogs because they do share.  Never really thought it to be all that relevant. 

JT McGee – MoneyMamba

URL: MoneyMamba.com 

Twitter: @JT_McGee

Recent Post: Are We Halfway Through Our Lost Decade? (4 Charts Inside)

5:23 pm
December 2, 2011


Sandy @ yesiamcheap

New York, NY

Member

posts 802

You share how much you want to as long as it's relative to your topic.  If you're educating someone on finances, you don't need to share anything.  Most financial bloggers DON'T share anything.

 

I share pretty much everything because the entire premise of my blog is that I am trying to figure out some alternative incomes as I try to get out of debt.  It would be disingenuous of me to not share my debt load if my blog is all about debt and alternative income sources. 

 

I don't expect everyone to share as much as I do, and that's perfectly fine!  You do what is most comfortable for you.

I'm digging my way out of some serious debt at

http://www.yesiamcheap.com.

9:26 pm
December 2, 2011


MyJourneytoMillions

Member

posts 1012

After I paid off my CC debt I don't share anything but my first name and how much my net worth has grown month to month and YTD (66% can I get a what what)….

3:50 am
December 3, 2011


Derek@LifeAndMyFinances

Member

posts 1298

I share everything except my bank account information and my day-job salary. I think there are quite a few bloggers that are interested in my PF site income because it gives them hope that they can do the same! As for my day-job income, I think people could care less.

Derek @ Life And My Finances 

Website: http://www.LifeAndMyFinances.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/LAMFinances

Email: derek@lifeandmyfinances.com

12:10 pm
December 3, 2011


TightFistedMiser

Member

posts 361

I've shared my monthly expenses and income for a long time.  I don't expect other bloggers to share this but I do like reading the bloggers that do.  I've even posted scans of my electric bill and internet bill when people accused me of lying about how little I spent on them. It is irritating when you post your actual numbers and people say they aren't possible.

3:07 pm
December 3, 2011


krantcents

Member

posts 909

If I would not discuss it with friends, I definitely woould not reveal it on my blog.  I normally do not talk about my personal finances with my friends. 

krantcents  – Making Sense of Money

Website:   http://www.krantcents.com

Fan Page:  http://www.facebook.com/krantcents

Follow me onTwitter:  @krantcents

RSS feed: krantcents

5:47 am
December 4, 2011


moneycone

Member

posts 617

Though reading about bloggers who do share is quite fascinating, I don't personally share income info.  I do share blogs stats and credit scores sometimes, but not income details or any traceable info.   

6:11 am
December 4, 2011


Jonnypean

Earth

Member

posts 69

I shared my stuffs in my blog very rare, and I like to share thoughts from others. May be this will help to get some positive feedback.

1:26 pm
December 4, 2011


Girls Just Wanna Have Funds

Member

posts 9

YourFinancesSimplified said:

Too personal is when you make yourself or your family uncomfortable. 

Same here.  It's not hard to find out how I am in "real life" but I also don't broadcast it either *shrug*  I have a day job which also requires an online identity so I don't like to mix the two. 

3:31 pm
December 4, 2011


MoneyIsTheRoot

Member

posts 1456

Just an FYI…Girls Just Wanna Have Funds is my new favorite blog name! lol… very very clever.

Member Blog:

Money Is The Root

Check me out on Facebook

 

Challenger Blogs:

Smart Wealth

3:37 pm
December 4, 2011


Jeffrey Trull

CT

Member

posts 134

I'd simply share to share enough to be credible. If someone claims to be working hard on their personal finances, I certainly don't mind seeing some numbers to back it up (like J $ and Crystal do). Others have broken down there daily spending in detail, but I don't care for that as much.

Money Spruce: MoneySpruce.com

Email: jeffrey@moneyspruce.com

Money Spruce on Facebook, Twitter, and RSS


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