My Wealth Builder was born on August 13, 2006 at 11:30 AM with a post on Saving Is The Starting Point. I began blogging to learn more about whether blogs should be used extensively at work. (The answer is not at this time). Here's what I've learned about blogging, personal finance, and myself in the year since then.
Blogging
It's all about me. Blogging is about information from a personal context. It's about sharing stories, experiences and knowledge. Blogging isn't about how to buy a stock. It's about how I bought a stock, including my reasons for buying, my results and any past mistakes.
Content is king. Well written content, knowledgeable content, and original content are top priorities in a blog. Linking to or summarizing articles from MSN.com, Yahoo! or the New York Times produces quantity but not necessarily quality content.
Focus on one's passion. My spouse is amazed that I still can create articles 349 days after my first post. In fact, I'm impressed that I have been writing at least one article daily since December 1, 2006. However, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Personal finance is my passion. After all, I am a personal finance junkie.
Personal Finance
Financial success is personal. What works for me, may not work for someone else. What works for someone else may not work for me. A great example is credit card arbitrage - i.e. using 0% credit card balance transfer to get "free" money which can then be put in riskless investments. I understand the principle, agree that it works, but don't feel it is worth my time or effort to manage it. On the other hand, I invest in individual stocks, which some PF bloggers think is equivalent to "gambling."
I can still learn more. While I think I know a lot, there is still more to learn. In particular, I have found some good blogs on stock and real estate investments, in which I consider myself knowledgeable, but not an expert. I also continue to learn about personal finance, especially in the retirement and tax areas.
Find experts who can help. I've learned that working with professional advisors is extremely useful. My financial advisor has helped me analyze my financial situations with tools and perspectives to which I did not have access. I realize now that I will need to continue expanding my network of experts to a CPA and an attorney.
Myself
I love "working" for myself. While blogging will not likely produce the level of income from my day job, I thoroughly enjoy it, am energized by it, and look forward to doing it every day. So far :-) I also enjoy that there are no organizational politics, downsizing programs or project reviews.
It's fun to fully leverage my strengths. Using my strengths is much more fun than working on my weaknesses. My Wealth Builder allows me to regularly use my strengths and only address those weaknesses that may be limiting.
Bricks and mortar skills are still useful. I've been pleased how My Wealth Builder has developed a readership base, that I've established contacts with numerous credible bloggers, and that My Wealth Builder has received recognition as a Top 100 Blogs to Read in 2007 by Creditcard.org. It shows that skills developed in my day job are still relevant in the new Internet environment:-)
Blogging
It's all about me. Blogging is about information from a personal context. It's about sharing stories, experiences and knowledge. Blogging isn't about how to buy a stock. It's about how I bought a stock, including my reasons for buying, my results and any past mistakes.
Content is king. Well written content, knowledgeable content, and original content are top priorities in a blog. Linking to or summarizing articles from MSN.com, Yahoo! or the New York Times produces quantity but not necessarily quality content.
Focus on one's passion. My spouse is amazed that I still can create articles 349 days after my first post. In fact, I'm impressed that I have been writing at least one article daily since December 1, 2006. However, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Personal finance is my passion. After all, I am a personal finance junkie.
Personal Finance
Financial success is personal. What works for me, may not work for someone else. What works for someone else may not work for me. A great example is credit card arbitrage - i.e. using 0% credit card balance transfer to get "free" money which can then be put in riskless investments. I understand the principle, agree that it works, but don't feel it is worth my time or effort to manage it. On the other hand, I invest in individual stocks, which some PF bloggers think is equivalent to "gambling."
I can still learn more. While I think I know a lot, there is still more to learn. In particular, I have found some good blogs on stock and real estate investments, in which I consider myself knowledgeable, but not an expert. I also continue to learn about personal finance, especially in the retirement and tax areas.
Find experts who can help. I've learned that working with professional advisors is extremely useful. My financial advisor has helped me analyze my financial situations with tools and perspectives to which I did not have access. I realize now that I will need to continue expanding my network of experts to a CPA and an attorney.
Myself
I love "working" for myself. While blogging will not likely produce the level of income from my day job, I thoroughly enjoy it, am energized by it, and look forward to doing it every day. So far :-) I also enjoy that there are no organizational politics, downsizing programs or project reviews.
It's fun to fully leverage my strengths. Using my strengths is much more fun than working on my weaknesses. My Wealth Builder allows me to regularly use my strengths and only address those weaknesses that may be limiting.
Bricks and mortar skills are still useful. I've been pleased how My Wealth Builder has developed a readership base, that I've established contacts with numerous credible bloggers, and that My Wealth Builder has received recognition as a Top 100 Blogs to Read in 2007 by Creditcard.org. It shows that skills developed in my day job are still relevant in the new Internet environment:-)
A Request for Presents
No this is not a request for money. It's a request for something even better, visitors to My Wealth Builder. Help My Wealth Builder celebrate it's one year blogiversary by:
- Subscribing to the feed.
- E-mailing a link to a friend or colleague.
- Visiting on August 13, 2007. I will be hosting the Festival of Stocks, Edition #49 in celebration of one year of blogging.
For more on Reflections and Musings, check back every Saturday for a new segment.
This is not financial advice. Please consult a professional advisor.
Copyright © 2007 Achievement Catalyst, LLC
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3 comments:
Congratulations on the consistent blogging and sharing your experiences! Personal finance and investing is something that I, too, have a passion for and when you have a passion for something, it really shows.
Yes, it shows that you have a passion for personal finance, maybe that is why you are consistent. Also, hearty congratulations to "My Wealth Builder" on it's blogiversary!!!!!!!
Stock Information and Raj,
Thanks for your kind words. I hope I can make My Wealth Builder even better over the next year :-)
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