Hi everyone! So this week marks three months of blogging for me. I published my first post on Halloween (which I’ve decided is a pretty cool day to have a blogversary!) Anyway, recently I’ve been thinking that a lot has changed for us here in the CMF household since then. Well, I guess if you were to look at our lives from the outside now it does not necessarily look much different than it did a few months ago, but mentally our attitudes on different things have changed a LOT.
When I started blogging, I thought the hubs and I were pretty frugal. And I think compared to a lot of people, we were. But I’ve discovered that one of the great things about immersing oneself in the PF culture is that there is always someone else to learn from who is doing it better or differently. I’ve “met” so many people who have different approaches to personal finance, and many of them, through their writing, have really helped Mr. CMF and I re-evaluate our financial priorities. So, before I go any further, I have to say Thanks Bloggers!
I also think that the act of writing about personal finance and frugality has helped us to examine our lives and think more carefully about what’s really important to us and what isn’t. It’s one thing to have thoughts in passing and an entirely different thing to take the time to write out those thoughts and share them with the world.
The biggest mental change we’ve made in the last few months is that we have completely changed our attitude on debt and decided that getting out of debt is priority number one for us. We are still contributing to our retirement accounts, but our major focus at this time has become getting the debt paid down, which we are hoping to accomplish within two years. That’s an enormous change for us, since we’ve basically been sticking our heads in the low interest rate sand and waiting for the student loans to pay themselves off up to this point.
Other changes have been more subtle. I bought a pair of shoes and some undergarments this month and decided that was probably going to be all I needed for new clothes for at least six months (I already know I’ll be buying a bike jersey in July). Mr. CMF is going to fall over when he reads this, because for as long as he’s known me I’ve been sort of a clothes horse. Clothes and shoes have been my weakness, and I always justified those purchases by telling myself that I needed nice clothes for work. And I do have to be presentable at work- but I have an entire closet full of presentable clothing so we should be good there.
For his part, Mr. CMF decided to forgo a subscription to his favorite financial periodical- Barron’s– this year and has decided to read it at the library instead. We purchased a low-flow shower head for our shower. We’re eating out less. We’ve made several other small changes which we hope will add up to savings over time.
Basically, we are more conscientious with our money since starting Color Me Frugal. This has been a really nice surprise- especially since we thought we were pretty conscientious before! When I started the blog I was looking to find a way to earn money in a way that would allow more location independence. We’re slowly on the way there (a few dollars or cents here and there have started piling up in the Adsense account)- but the biggest benefit so far has been that we have been examining ourselves more closely. I have to say that I totally agree with those who say that if you want to achieve your financial goals, start a blog! So far it’s been a pretty awesome experience for us.
If you have a blog, in what ways have you seen your life change since you started it? If you don’t have a blog, do you think you would ever consider it?
Photo credit: photologue_np
Holly@ClubThrifty says
atHappy 3 month blogiversary!!! I agree that blogging gives you the opportunity to learn a lot from others. I have certainly learned a lot from my peers and gained a lot from the friendships we’ve formed.
cmf says
atThanks, it’s honestly been the biggest surprise- I guess I never thought about the fact that I would learn a lot on the journey. But it’s been really great and I’m so glad I started the blog.
DC @ Young Adult Money says
atCongrats on three months of blogging! You’ve made it longer than most bloggers : ) I look forward to many more posts in the future. Also, I agree that blogging makes you more conscious of your spending and finances, mainly because you need new blog content so it’s easy to make time for reviewing your own finances because it will provide you with that new content. At least that’s been my experience so far.
cmf says
atThanks! Wow, is this really longer than most bloggers make it? That’s pretty sad, especially since I feel like I’m just starting to get to a place where it feels like it might actually be possible to make some money doing this!
Bre says
atCongrats! For me blogging has created a sense of accountability and direction. There is something so much more powerful telling the internet your goals and the idea of complete strangers reading them. Rather than just telling yourself. I have loved finding other blogs through starting a blog. It has been exciting to get to start to network with people all over! I love your posts and am excited for all the posts to come! 🙂
cmf says
atThanks Bre! You’re right, blogging really does make you accountable to the world, which is super cool. And I agree, it is a ton of fun to network with people all over the country and the world!
Michelle @fitisthenewpoor says
atI hit the three month mark earlier this month. I know the excitement!
For me, it helped me get through Brendan’s unemployment. There were so many sad moments that I struggled to see the light, but I got through it with other blogger’s encouragements and stories.
cmf says
atWoo hoo! Congrats on your three months too, Michelle! And congrats on Brendan’s new job!
Grayson @ Debt Roundup says
atCongrats on hitting 3 months. My blog has changed me in many ways. I am more conscious about my spending and it allows me to get feedback on different things that I want to try.
cmf says
atIt’s really neat, isn’t it? We are definitely feeling more conscious of our spending at this point- it’s been a really good side benefit.
E.M. says
atCongratulations on three months of blogging! I am glad you’ve found so many benefits to it. I do enjoy the “learning from others” aspect of the community. It’s nice to hear other viewpoints that might challenge your own.
cmf says
atThanks, I totally agree. In a way we have changed our viewpoint on many things since the blog started, and I do think it’s because I’ve been spending so much time reading other blogs that present financial topics from a different perspective. It’s great!
Stephanie@Mrs.Debtfighter says
atI am a fairly new blogger myself and have the same feelings lately! Like you, I thought I was frugal before but am learning so many new ideas from others in the PF community. Having a blog is making me think more about extra ways to make and save money just to be able to share on the blog. I feel like publicly announcing my goals keeps me accountable for actually achieving them! 🙂
cmf says
atI agree, being public about goals is incredibly motivational!
Kyle | Rather-Be-Shopping.com says
atYou should be proud, you have written some great stuff in a short period of time and the fact that your blog is helping you stay accountable is a HUGE bonus. Congrats!
cmf says
atThanks Kyle! I appreciate that. Blogging really has been a great experience for me/us all around- in so many more ways than I expected! I’m looking forward to growing the blog more in the coming months!
NZ Muse says
atGirl, I can guarantee there is ALWAYS someone out there who can outfrugal you with making their own detergent, washing ziplock bags and other such craziness. Extreme frugality and early retirement types. Don’t even try to compete 🙂 Happy blogiversary!
cmf says
atOh my gosh I know. There is ALWAYS someone out there doing it better! It really is inspirational, but definitely can be difficult to compete!
Girl Meets Debt says
atCongrats on 3 months blogging Dee! Even though I know I still would be paying off my debt without the blog, having one and being a part of the PF community has taught me so much about finances. It also gives me extra motivation because I do a debt repayment update every month so I don’t want to let down my readers. 😛
cmf says
atThanks! I’ve just started sharing my goals on the blog this month, and I am hoping that this will be extra motivation for me to achieve them! You’re so right- I don’t want to let myself or my readers down.
SuburbanFinance says
atI started blogging on WLGYL years ago. It has taught me so much, not only about blogging itself but about online marketing, social media, web design, and other skills that I didn’t have before.
cmf says
atAbsolutely! I knew nothing about website design or any of those things before becoming a blogger either. I’ve still got a lot to learn, but I know a lot more now than I did three months ago!
Dear Debt says
atHappy 3 months! My blog has helped me get through the tough times in debt repayment and stay motivated. I’ve also learned new skills and met new friends, which is super awesome! Glad your mindset about debt has changed for the better.
cmf says
atThanks! It’s really been such a worthwhile journey so far. I thought about starting a blog for MONTHS before I did it- I never thought I’d have time before. I have discovered that yes it is time consuming but I am working on finding ways to work smarter not harder!
Debby says
atHappy Three Months of Blogging! – looks like October was a good month to start a PF blog! 🙂
I think the great thing about it – and something that I hadn’t expected when I started – is that you find people in similar situations as yourself, and you get inspired as much as you inspire others. Getting support from – sometimes – complete strangers, people you might never really meet (unless… FiCon!), and supporting others just because you can: that’s a great thing right there.
Cheers to another 3 months of more of that!
cmf says
atI totally agree. It is so cool to be able to find such a supportive community online. I am constantly inspired by others and finding out ways people are being financially smart about xyz. Some of the financially savvy things that other people do would probably have never in a million years occurred to me. So glad I get to read all about it on their blogs!
jefferson says
atGreat post.. You are really taking me back to the feelings that I had when I first started blogging.. The others in the PF community can be hugely inspiring, and can really get your imagination and creativity flowing.. I’m glad that you decided to join us! 🙂
cmf says
atThanks Jefferson! Me too!!
Kali @ CommonSenseMillennial says
atCongrats on 3 months of blogging! Since I started my own blog, I’ve seen similar changes in that we’ve become even more conscientious about spending. Blogging and being a part of the PF community has really opened my eyes to what all is possible, too! It’s amazing what managing your money well and getting some serious saving in can do for you.
cmf says
atThanks! I agree, it’s really given me a feeling of confidence in my financial abilities. We thought we were doing well in terms of frugal living before, but other bloggers are so inspirational and come up with ways to save or earn more that I/we never would have dreamed of. It’s so cool.
Stefanie @ The Broke and Beautiful Life says
atOne of my favorite things about the PF world is that I get to see all the other savings strategies and perspectives out there. It’s so helpful!
cmf says
atI agree, it’s so neat- on any given day I can read about practically any aspect of personal finance. Different bloggers write about different things and it’s so great to get to read all the different perspectives.
Brian @ Luke1428 says
atI’ve read that the first six months of blogging are the toughest…most people quit by then. So congrats on making it half-way through that danger zone. Like you, I felt that immersing myself in the culture and continuing to write helped me grow as a person and enhanced my views about personal finance. It essence it pushed me further. Here’s to many more months/years of blogging for you! 🙂
cmf says
atThanks Brian! I’m in agreement that the first three months have been kind of tough, but it’s mainly because my day job is kind of consuming and some weeks it’s tough to find time for it all! But I have no intention of quitting at this point- especially since I feel that I’m just starting to get to the point where it might actually be possible to make a little bit of income doing this! I wish many more happy months and years of blogging to you too!
Ryan @ Impersonal Finance says
atCongrats Dee! You’re doing an amazing job, and I couldn’t agree with you more. I thought I had a good handle on personal finance, frugality, and the like, until I started blogging. But seriously, I really dig the blog. Best of luck to you, and keep up the great work!
cmf says
atThanks Ryan! Same to you!
Ashlee says
atCongrats on three months of blogging! That is awesome! I’m just starting out on my PF blog and your post makes me so excited about making it to the 3 month mark, heck even the one month mark! Looks like I’ll be learning lots about my own frugality as well. I can’t wait!! 🙂
Dee says
atThanks! Blogging has been pretty awesome so far! Good luck to you on your blog!!
Dividend Family Guy says
atYes I have learned new ways about managing money and being frugal but the best thing about starting my blog is getting to know your not alone. The support from the community is awesome!
Have a good one,
DFG
Dee says
atI really love that part too!