It’s hard to believe, but it’s been 10 years since I started Making Sense of Cents! A decade feels like both a lifetime ago and just yesterday. Back then, I had no real plans for my blog. I was anonymous and clueless, just doing it for fun.
Fast forward to today, and this blog has grown to attract hundreds of thousands of monthly readers. I’ve made great friends, earned enough to retire whenever I want, and genuinely love what I do. I never imagined this when I started.
I’m especially grateful now, as my blog has become a successful business that lets me enjoy my work, have a flexible schedule, and make a good living. With a baby on the way and having been quite sick for a few months, the ability to take time off has been invaluable. And I’ll be able to take even more time off when the baby arrives. The flexibility is something I’ll always cherish.
I launched Making Sense of Cents in August 2011, not knowing much about blogs or that they could make money. I didn’t even consider myself a writer. But in the past decade, so much has changed because of this blog. Initially, I worked on it while holding a full-time job as a financial analyst. About two years in, I quit my day job to blog full-time.
Here are some stats about Making Sense of Cents:
– First post published on August 10, 2011.
– 1,986 articles published.
– 66,572 comments, though I deleted over 5,000 with broken links.
– Replied to over 21,364 comments.
– Earned my first $100 after six months.
How did it all begin? I started the blog on a whim after reading about a personal finance website in a magazine. It was just a hobby to track my finances. I knew nothing about running a website. At the time, I was an analyst at an investment banking firm, working a stressful 8-5 job. Blogging became an outlet for my stress, and my interest grew even though it was just a hobby. After six months, I made my first $100 from an advertisement deal, which sparked my interest in making money through blogging.
Blogging has transformed my life, allowing me to control my finances, work from home, travel, and have a flexible schedule. I encourage anyone interested to start a blog.
Here are 10 things I’ve learned and love about blogging over the past decade:
1. **Being My Own Boss**: I love the control and flexibility of being self-employed. I only do what feels right and aligns with my values.
2. **Flexible Schedule**: I can work whenever I want, whether it’s early morning, late at night, or weekends. This flexibility is life-changing.
3. **Location Independence**: Working from anywhere has been amazing, whether from an RV or a sailboat. All I need is an internet connection.
4. **Success Takes Time**: Many bloggers quit too soon. It took me six months to earn my first $100. Good things take time and effort.
5. **Writing When Inspired**: I write best when not under pressure. I used to write last-minute, which was stressful. Now, I stay ahead to write when inspired.
6. **Constant Learning**: Blogging is a continuous learning process. There’s always something new to learn, from social media to website management.
7. **Networking Over Competition**: Seeing other bloggers as collaborators rather than competitors has been crucial. Networking has brought me great opportunities.
8. **No Experience Needed**: You don’t need prior experience to start a blog. I knew nothing when I began, and I learned along the way.
9. **Making a Living**: It’s possible to earn a good income from blogging. It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme, but it’s rewarding.
10. **Loving What I Do**: I genuinely enjoy blogging. Despite occasional challenges, I love writing, interacting with readers, and working with companies.
Looking ahead, my main goal is to prepare for the arrival of our new family member in December. I’m getting everything planned and scheduled in advance. I also aim to keep improving page views and creating valuable content for my readers. If you have any topics you’d like me to cover, feel free to email me or leave a comment.
Thank you for being a reader of Making Sense of Cents! There are plenty of valuable free resources available, and I recommend starting with my free blogging course if you’re interested in blogging.