There are a whole bunch of really great personal finance blogs online and keeping up with them can be tough, I used to subscribe to so many that I could never clear my reader. I’ve cut back a bit these days, but there is still so much great information around I figured the best way to share it would be to interview people who I think are doing great things as online wealth creators.
Kevin from Invest It Wisely is my very first guest in what I hope will be a very insightful series. Kevin has a great blog (make sure you check it out) and shares a very similar blogging goal to my own. I really liked Kevin’s responses, he has a great view of personal finance so I hope that you get as much out of this short Q & A as I did:
Why do you blog and how long have you been doing it?
I first started blogging in order to learn more about finance, and also to share my insights with others. I started in 2010 and I’ve since found that I really enjoy the connection between personal finance and life, and learning from the stories of others.
Do you believe in budgets?
Yes, of course. Do I believe that everything needs to be itemized? Maybe not, but I do have general goals for my budget, such as how much of my income I want to save this year, and how much I need to set aside to meet my necessary expenses. The first and primary goal of the budget is information — knowing how much you’re spending, and where. Without this information you’re sitting in the dark.
Who is your hero?
I would have to say Andrew Hallam. He was the first “big name” to stop by my blog and leave thoughtful and encouraging feedback, and I’ve grown to deeply admire his courage and perseverance, both in personal finance and in life. He is a great teacher, and he shows that you don’t need to be a financial wizard in order to take control over your own finances and your own future.
What are some of your favorite wealth resources?
I hate to name names, since there are so many great blogs out there, but I find fellow bloggers Financial Samurai and Darwin’s Money to be aligned with my own thoughts; they share some great insights. For investing, My Own Advisor and Beating the Index are also great resources. I follow up on economics news from sites like mises.org and The Daily Crux, and as part of the Yakezie I have to recommend the main website, yakezie.com.
What is the worst financial mistake you have ever made?
Leasing two new cars in a row, when I was a student. Getting a used car doesn’t have to be lame — I could have gotten a nice model used car, and saved some money along the way. I wasn’t disappointed at all with the cars, but as a young person, I could have saved some money and invested it instead of spending it.
What is the best lifestyle decision you have ever made?
Hands down, buying a home together and moving in with my girlfriend. This has absolutely been the best decision to date.
What is the best piece of advice ever given to you?
Hard to say, but if I was to come up with something, I would say “We are not defined by our past, nor by factors outside of our control. What matters is how we choose to face the future.”
Something that people that currently read your blog may not know about you?
I don’t spend that much time thinking about how to invest my money. I mostly use index funds, and asset rebalance when called for.
An article written by someone else that you think everyone should read?
Another tough one… but why not start with the story of Steve Jobs? The road to success is lined with failure, and it’s important to realize that. Everyone gets kicked down, but the real trial is getting back up again. Most people won’t be as successful as Steve Jobs in the way that he was, but everyone can use the same lessons to improve and better their own lives, and that’s what ultimately matters.
An article written by you that you would like everyone to read?
(Yet) Another tough one, but I would like to challenge everyone’s beliefs with this post: http://www.
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