I am the guiding voice of Get Rich Slowly. Over the past six years (and one month), I’ve been the one who has written the bulk of the articles here, the one who has edited 95% of the material on the site, and the one who has decided which topics we cover and which topics we ignore.
That said, I like to think I’m responsive to the needs of the readers. As the audience has changed, so too has the material I’ve covered. (And, of course, my own financial life has changed too, which influences the direction of the site.)
From time to time, though, I feel out of sync with the readership. I feel like your needs and my needs have diverged. When that happens, I make a post like this one, a post that asks explicitly: What topics would you like to see Get Rich Slowly cover?
Rather than simply guess at this stuff, I’m asking you to give us feedback about what you need and want from a personal finance blog.
- Do you want to see more articles about the psychological side of money? Or would you prefer to see fewer of these?
- Is it useful for you to hear about the lateest bank and credit card deals? Or should we keep these sorts of articles to just a couple of times per year?
- Would you like more reader-contributed material or less of it?
- What about non-financial stories, stories about success and achievement?
Basically, anything you can tell us about what you like about Get Rich Slowly — and what you don’t like — will help us build a better blog for the future. So, please leave a comment below to tell us how we can better help you. (And, if possible, point to some recent articles you love and/or some recent articles you hate.)
While we’re talking about administrative stuff, let me note that we’ll soon be doing another round of hiring for staff writers. As we bring new people on board, what’s important to you about their content and writing style? Do you like personal stories? More academic pieces? Do you a younger writer who reflects your experience? An older writer? Somebody who’s struggling with debt? A millionaire? How important is the writer’s voice? Their writing skill? Basically, tell us what sort of staff writer you think would appeal to you
I know many of you would prefer that I wrote every post here, and that’s flattering. But, as several astute readers have noted lately, I’ve burned out. It’s time to inject some fresh blood into this site, and your voice will help us determine how we do that.
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To me right now there is JD and then staff writers. The staff writers seem to be somewhat generic. It could be because they, at least on paper, happen to be all very similar as to their age/point in life/geographic area. So their voices blend as one.
I’d like to see more voices, stronger voices. So that when I see staffWriterX I immediately know that hey, that’s the one with kids struggling to stay frugal amid ballet classes. Or that one is trying to start his own business, or that one is retired already. Each writer would need to have their own major struggle in life, be it business, work-life balance, DYI attitude…whatever..
We know JD because of his war on stuff, his ex for the gardening she does. I’d like more uniqueness like that.
I also like the articles about insights of why we do the things we do and how to change them. I would like articles into aspects of money in other things. Life is to be enjoyed, so I’d like to know how to enjoy all the aspects of life with minimal cost.
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My perception is the site has been more tilted towards the frugality aspect recently. More emphasis on what to do to make your money work for you (investing, etc) would provide a nice balance.
I find some topics such as “Donate your body to science” to be frivolous and so outside the norm and the blog would be better served spending the real estate on another topic. Fair or not, its my perception that Donna’s posts are more likly to fit in this category.
I’d like to see more on the psychology of saving, particularly as I’m debt free except the mortgage, saving appropriately, but still anxious if I’m doing enough.
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I like the reader stories and psychological side of money. Hearing from an actual millionaire would be nice, too.
I am working on buying my first rental property (closing has been pushed back twice, but should be closing by the middle of June). Any suggestions/stories from rental property owners would be nice.
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I would like more articles about the psychology of money.
I don’t care for bank and credit card deals.
I like the current amount of reader contributed stories.
I would like to see more non-financial stories about success and achievement.
I like to see a variety of writers with different backgrounds, some struggling, some successful, some old, some young, etc., such as the site has now.
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As you are already in the “got rich slowly” category, it might be nice to take on a writer (or perhaps two – one younger starting out with a heap of cc and student debt, and another older writer trying to catch up a retirement plan) who could give regular updates on their progress, including – alongside periodic updates with figures of approximate account balances and net worths – anecdotes of milestones, pitfalls and musings along the way, perhaps with a commentary from JD every so often on their situation as well.
The story part of this blog has always been really compelling, and JD – having already met his main goal in that respect – can’t supply that need himself any more.
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I would like to see more information on:
1. Strategies and tactics to repay student loans–I’m in my early 30s and I don’t want the basics because I know all that. I need some meat and substance.
2. Personal finance for single people NOT IN A RELATIONSHIP. I don’t want to hear about marrieds w/children, married no children, single parents, or bf/gf. I’m single and it’s just me to depend on/live with. What should I do, how should I handle my finances? I like having independent control over my $$ and I’d like to hear more about that. For example, my emergency funds looks way different than a married couples fund. I don’t have a SO to live with and split the expenses w/. How can I be happily independent and in control of my finances. It’s not a bad position to be in, but more stories on how people are doing it would help.
3. Regional content distinguished by cost of living–I live and work in Washington, DC. I pay $900 for a one bedroom all utilities included. When I the bulk of what I read is ppl paying mortgages for $900 that doesn’t help me. What advice I do when I live in a high-cost city? Is it normal for me to pay $300 for groceries per month? How do I know if I’m over/underspending when I live in a high cost area?
4. Finance and diversity–I’m an African-American female and sometimes what I need to pay attention to may be slightly different from the mainstream, although sound money advice is good for anyone regardless of culture. I would also think that finances may be a bit more complicated for those in same-sex relationships. Having difference perspectives is always nice.
5. Food and money–I want to continue eating healthy (fresh foods, whole foods) without breaking the bank. While farmer’s markets are great, sometimes traveling to them cancels out the savings. How can I save at chain groceries? What are the best days of the week to shop? How to do price comparisons? How can I get something stocked on shelf at my local grocery without having to go to Whole Foods Market?
6. Investing for the absolute n00b–I want to start investing but I don’t know what to do. It’s so much information out there, that I’m caught in information overload! When you try to make educated choices but it’s hard to know what’s what.
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Get a notebook and write down your priorities. You don’t have an easy situation and the best thing for you to do because of student loans and because you live in Washington D.C. is to earn more.
The best way to do this fast is to find a new job and get 10,000-15,000 more than what you earn now. Or get a second job or start an online business and sell your goods or services. You might also make the choice of living in an affordable area until you can live in the area of your choice.
Speaking for myself, I moved to the mid-west to go to college and to get my degree. After college I’m moving out of here ASAP. Sometimes the only way to get ahead is to make certain sacrifices. What is 4 years of your life?
I also suggest saving those direct mail grocery fliers and then comparison shop on which store has the cheapest sales. My mom gets all the grocery fliers from her mail and then checks the dates that the sales are on for, then she hits the stores before the sale dates expire.
If you don’t get them mailed, go to 3-4 grocery stores within 20 miles of your home and they usually have them at the front of the store.
One store might have sale on meat, a second store might have a sale on fruits. My mom usually shops at 3 stores and takes the fliers with her. My bf and I spend about $400/per month on groceries and we live in the mid-west, eating is expensive no matter where you do it. I also tend to buy fruits and veggies. So if you’re doing it for $300 then that’s pretty normal.
I suggest you start reading basic finance books from Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman. They’re very good for beginners and they also cover investing for beginners. Their books usually tend to be for beginners anyway.
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I agree with several of the replies, that all of the the articles would be best grouped into “stage” or lifestyle groupings such as “Negative Net Worth- Beginner,” THE SINGLE LIFE or FAMILY ISSUES, etc. No one really wants to read a post that has nothing in common with their lifestyle.
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I read this comment on another blog: “For several reasons I’ve started being embarrassed to say my monthly SS check covers ALL my expenses with about $400 extra: 1. Most people seem shocked that I could live on less than $2000 a month 2. That I have discretionary income out of it 3. That I’m OKAY with it and 4. That I manage to do it at all. Yes, folks, I have the obligatory 401k which I do not use because SS is enough!
I do not need a million dollars, just enough to pay the bills and recreate now and again.”
I’d love to hear a story (or stories) about the actual nuts and bolts (complete with dollar amounts) of how someone does this.
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Author: PawPrint
Comment:
I read this comment on another blog: “For several reasons I’ve started being embarrassed to say my monthly SS check covers ALL my expenses with about $400 extra: 1. Most people seem shocked that I could live on less than $2000 a month 2. That I have discretionary income out of it 3. That I’m OKAY with it and 4. That I manage to do it at all. Yes, folks, I have the obligatory 401k which I do not use because SS is enough!
I do not need a million dollars, just enough to pay the bills and recreate now and again.”
I’d love to hear a story (or stories) about the actual nuts and bolts (complete with dollar amounts) of how someone does this.
End Quote
I couldn’t find your comment to reply to, so I had to “Quote” the e-mail.
Just ask anyone 70 or older to explain how they survived the Great Depression and World War II. They’ll be more than happy to share their experience with you and happy to have anyone to talk to, because the long term memory is the last to go.
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I would love some innovative content. No credit card and bank offers, except maybe a couple times a year, but even one describing how to FIND those offers would be better than just telling us about them.
I definitely like the variety of voices, because one person’s priorities may be different than another’s. Someone who has kids vs. not is a major example. Ready to retire (regardless of age) vs. looking at the working world through Long Haul glasses.
I find I feel pretty marginalized by so many of the articles here assuming that people work in either an office or a home-based office (whether they’re doing office work at their home business or telecommuting for a larger company). There are so many of us who have and may never work in an office, for whom so many of these articles simply don’t apply. And many of us in that position have plenty of time to come home and read blogs after being on our feet all day, rather than the people who are getting home and trying to get MORE active and LESS internet time. And what about people on disability and other state aid?
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I’m 43 years old and earn a considerably good income… I have everything I need, so I am interested in looking into different ways of saving and increasing my portfolio. (I am not a home owner and I have very little saved for retirement).
Also, I am starting my life over again and I need to know different ways to boosting my credit score and FAST. I am denied for credit, insufficient credit and have a few blemishes…so I am in dire need of your help in regards to Credit Repair, Increasing Credit Scores and Credit Responsibility.
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I’m a fairly new reader, but I prefer shorter posts versus longer ones simply because I end up skimming by the time I’ve reached the end of 1,500 words.
I find investing and wealth-building strategies scary and would like everyday common person speak about them (break down all the terms that I hear, nod my head to, but don’t really get)
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