Dollar Jane

I’ve been reading personal finance blogs very regularly for several months now. Lately the little voice in my head saying, “I can do this!” has grown loud enough that I’ve ventured over to Wordpress to give it a try.

I am obsessed with personal finance. Yet, I’ve read very few pf books. The few exceptions include Suze Orman’s The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous and Broke, a book I recommend as a must read for anyone about to enter the working world. I bought YF&B after I graduated college in 2005. At the time I was unemployed, living with my parents, and the proud owner of $8,500 in student loan debt, and a hefty credit card balance.

I quickly got a job (a $10.00/hr job, but a job nonetheless) and used a cash advance on my credit card to sublet a room in an apartment with some friends. Now I’m on the verge of being credit card debt-free. I recently obtained a slightly positive net worth, which is very nice feeling. Check out my “About” page for my complete story.

Anyway, after getting Suze’s book, I got addicted to online pf websites and articles. Then I discovered the blogs. Blog after blog, each person shared something in common with me. I couldn’t stop reading. But it wasn’t just about boosting my financial literacy. I’ve read so many personal finance articles I’ve practically memorizes the 401(k) annual contribution limits (For an individual in 2008 it’s $15,500), and the Roth IRA personal income eligibility requirements (For a single filer in 2008 it’s $101,000 to fully contribute). No, my addiction to pf blogs is about the voyeurism (maybe not the best word) of looking into another person’s wallet. It’s about being able to check out how much other people my age make, how much other people at my salary level spend and save, and just seeing other people struggle with the same financial obligations and desires that I face. For me, the appeal in reading other people’s personal finance blogs is about the community it creates.

So that’s why I’ve decided to give my own personal finance blog a try. I work pretty demanding hours but I’m setting a goal to post once a week. I’m learning how to blog and how to get my financial house in order, so I’ll be posting on a variety of topics within these themes. I’ve got several posts in mind to write, but if you’d like to see a post on a particular topic, make a suggestion in the comments.