I’ve been blogging for the Toronto Star’s Moneyville.ca for just over a month now, and I’ve forgotten how different it is to write for an audience who doesn’t know me. I’m new to this sort of personal finance world, and the criticism can be hard at times. I’m spoiled on this blog, because the majority of my readers have been here for a long time and I feel a connection with a lot of you from e-mails, Twitter and Facebook. And aside from a few isolated incidents, I have gotten positive comments, constructive criticism, and great ideas.
Blogging for Moneyville has opened me up to a different sort of writing. GMBMFB has always been my online financial diary, but with Moneyville I am able to relay my experiences into useful and interesting personal finance topics. I’ve connected with some great people, have received some very interesting e-mail, and am really enjoying myself . I even got to do my first radio interview (although I still haven’t gotten the courage to listen to it). Also, while my readership has gone way up on this blog, I feel a little bad when people follow me on Twitter because I don’t usually use Twitter as an avenue for PF talk. I tend to use it as a socialization tool.
Also, my goal is to revamp this blog. I’m already a little sick of the template, but I don’t exactly have the time to figure it all out. In fact, it makes me exhausted just thinking about it. At the very least, I want to change up the header again. I also really want to try out having a second sidebar. But I don’t want my blog template width to exceed a certain number of pixels. I don’t like the look of wide blogs. They tend to look a bit cluttered and they kind of make me feel panicky – like I don’t know what my eyes are supposed to focus on. I like clean white space because I think it’s easier to read.
In other news, BF has finished and passed his school program. All he has left to do is some on-job training through until January where he will take his final exam to be certified. And then once that is over, he can finally start working on his new career. We are really excited about it, and both have agreed that in 2011 we will work as hard as we can to make as much money as we can for a down payment. Our goal is to start looking near the end of next year, and hopefully close on something by the summer or fall of 2012. :) It seems so far away, but I know we’ll be there before I know it.
14 Responses to “An update on my life & blogging for Moneyville”
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Sounds like 2011 is going to be a big year for you! I remember when my husband and I were saving for our house. We lived off his salary and saved mine for the downpayment. We still maxed out our 401K plans. We saved enough for a 20% downpayment on a home in Southern California in 1998! We followed a more modified plan after buying the house and now we are targeting for the house to be paid off in 6 years. Just when our oldest child starts her senior year in high school. Without a house payment we'll be able to use what used to go to the mortgage to pay for her tuition.
Sounds like 2011 is going to be a big year for you! I remember when my husband and I were saving for our house. We lived off his salary and saved mine for the downpayment. We still maxed out our 401K plans. We saved enough for a 20% downpayment on a home in Southern California in 1998! We followed a more modified plan after buying the house and now we are targeting for the house to be paid off in 6 years. Just when our oldest child starts her senior year in high school. Without a house payment we'll be able to use what used to go to the mortgage to pay for her tuition.
You and me both. I feel awkward blogging in a structure. I am so used to spewing junk.. :)
I say change up the header and leave the template messing around for when you have a chunk of time. Like 2 weekends. It was NOT a fun experience to flip my blog template a week or two ago
My recent post Are Americans Downsizing The Culture of Clutter and Statistics
You and me both. I feel awkward blogging in a structure. I am so used to spewing junk.. :)
I say change up the header and leave the template messing around for when you have a chunk of time. Like 2 weekends. It was NOT a fun experience to flip my blog template a week or two ago
My recent post Are Americans Downsizing The Culture of Clutter and Statistics
I'm glad that things are going well for you with the Moneyville blog. I have been reading your posts there and I like them! It is a great site. It sounds like you guys have a great plan for saving that downpayment and I know you can pull it off!
My recent post Blog Im Reading Lately
I'm glad that things are going well for you with the Moneyville blog. I have been reading your posts there and I like them! It is a great site. It sounds like you guys have a great plan for saving that downpayment and I know you can pull it off!
My recent post Blog Im Reading Lately
I recently discovered your blog through Moneyville. It seems like you and your BF achived a lot in 2010. You already have great plans for 2011. Best wishes !!!
My recent post What will happen to your TFSA when you die
I recently discovered your blog through Moneyville. It seems like you and your BF achived a lot in 2010. You already have great plans for 2011. Best wishes !!!
My recent post What will happen to your TFSA when you die
There's always going to be a peanut gallery, both positive and negative, but those of us that have been reading for awhile love you all the way!
My recent post Feminine Fridays – Sadie and Knowing Your Strength
There's always going to be a peanut gallery, both positive and negative, but those of us that have been reading for awhile love you all the way!
My recent post Feminine Fridays – Sadie and Knowing Your Strength
I'm so excited for 2011 too. 2012 will be over before you know it. That's my goal to buy a place too :) Good luck!
I'm so excited for 2011 too. 2012 will be over before you know it. That's my goal to buy a place too :) Good luck!
Yay! Good luck :) Sounds like things are all falling into place now!
Yay! Good luck :) Sounds like things are all falling into place now!