Comments on: Digging Deep: Writing About Money Without Repetition, Burnout, or Self-Commercialization

By: Do You Dave Ramsey?

Do You Dave Ramsey? — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:31:44 +0000

I respect your approach and transparency. I enjoy your writing and trust that your recommendations are genuinely motivated.

I also envy (in a good way) your success and ability to devote as much time to writing and reading and research as you do. Sometimes I feel like I have 10 or 12 ideas bouncing around in my head but don’t have the time to chase them.

I need to work on that side of my situation but I appreciate you demonstrating the potential for success.

Dave

By: Vir

Vir — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:40:56 +0000

My financial situation may be a little different than some readers – I have savings put away, I invest regularly in my retirement fund, always pay off my credit card balance and my only debt is my mortgage. But I read your blog because it reminds me to keep doing what I’m doing, to not get sucked into keeping up with the Jones’ and I like your frugal tips, which help me stay frugal too!

Trent, keep up the great work!

By: Trent

Trent — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:29:14 +0000

Michael, ads just scratch the surface. You have no idea how some bloggers – once they’ve reached a certain level of popularity – make money. Hint: it’s not by shooting 100% straight with their audience.

By: Dana Booth

Dana Booth — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:10:07 +0000

Being relatively new to the site, I must say I have quickly become addicted; I need lots and lots of advice :) Please continue as is true to you and the site will stay terrific.

Thank you!

By: ellynhill

ellynhill — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 11:39:13 +0000

Dear Trent,
Your blog is wonderful. I’m in a position now, just recently divorced that I need good advice.
Some of your readers may be tired of the same things, but please remember there are lots of newbies like me. Thanks again!!

By: sibyl

sibyl — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 03:57:31 +0000

love your response. keep doing what you’re doing, I find your info interesting and will keep reading. And Please keep spouting those same basic principles about finance – one of these days it will sink in for someone somewhere!!

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:52:06 +0000

great blog! I would like to hear thoughts on how to instill personal finance know-how in kids (and pardon me if this is on the site already … I haven’t looked).

Also, I make me own yogurt at home — which I started doing purely for taste reasons — but I’ve realized it saves a LOT of money for yogurt eaters. And a yogurt machine is only a $20 investment.

By: mb

mb — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:17:31 +0000

thanks for keeping tsd the way you have been, the basics need repeating. you give solid examples on how to do things that keeps reading useful, not just lists of ideas without application. you do run a business, so some adds are expected, i apreciate the adds here being reasonable ones.

By: tammy

tammy — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:58:48 +0000

It’s the writing, communicating and exchange of ideas that keeps me reading! You do a fantastic job. Trent you do great work!

By: Phil

Phil — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:03:41 +0000

Trent,
Just read your article on digging deep. Again, you’ve impressed me with your integrity and character. Writers (or anyone, for that matter) rarely show the honesty you’ve shown. It’s apparent you love what you do, and I think that feeds your soul (and ours). I’m feeling the effects of the bad economy as much as anyone across the world. Your blog is daily reading for me and my family to help us through this. Thanks for all your help!

By: Prasanth

Prasanth — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:52:16 +0000

I have been a regular reader of TSD almost since the beginning – I come back here every day just because I find you to be one of the few bloggers that say it like it is. I consider you trustworthy and a man of integrity. Keep it up Trent. Also I love repetitions!!

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:50:23 +0000

Eh…

I know you’re more concerned about money than you pretend here. That’s fine because this is a business. You know your audience won’t stand too many ads and you’re aware of trends towards networks like Coudal’s Deck ads – less ads means more money.

Again, that’s fine, but there’s no need to play the altruist.

By: June

June — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:48:51 +0000

Dear Trent,
Your writing is my favorite part of my email…you are honest, humble, resourceful, reflective…all qualities I value in myself and want to deepen. You inspire me to keep on keeping on and you give me hope for both my future and everybody else’s. Thank you for your original take on issues affecting us all.

By: Hannah

Hannah — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:37:07 +0000

I agree, repetition isn’t all bad.

Also, like M said, start doing more posts on cooking! You have stated multiple times that it’s something you’re interested in blogging about, and it is totally relevant and related to the overall message of The Simple Dollar. Though, if you want to keep up with the great food blogs out there right now, you might need to invest some time in learning how to make your photography look more professional.

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:33:54 +0000

Like TV shows, Movie Franchises, or other serial media, blogging has a limited scope and then after a while you start ‘jumping the shark’. This is the challenge for all publishers. Good luck with that Trent.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:08:43 +0000

I like the way that your blog reads. I’ve gone through and read hundreds of posts, many of them remarkably similar… but usually, each one helps hit a point home in a different way.

If nothing else, staying current with TSD helps me to remember to make the wiser money choice every time.

By: Emma Savage

Emma Savage — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:30:59 +0000

Hey Trent,
I have been reading your site since the early days and this is what I’ve been waiting to see. Nicely put. I am tired of reading negative comments, you put a huge amount of effort and thought into your blog and it shows. You are a constant inspiration and source of information to me, not to mention a guiding light in a world gone mad with unnecessary junk.

Keep up the good work and don’t listen to the naysayers!

By: Steve @ Freedom Education

Steve @ Freedom Education — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:30:51 +0000

Hi Trent,

I respect someone who says what they want to say, when they want to say it and how they want to say it because that’s what they want to say.

Good on you,

By: SteveJ

SteveJ — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:19:29 +0000

Trent,

I agree with many others, keep repeating yourself! For me at least, I hear an idea, think “that’s a good idea” and then get distracted. It’s only when you bring it up some time later that I mentally slap my forehead and go to it. Just this week I bought some more life insurance. I’d meant to do it for about 3 months, but then Monday morning I read the 1-2-3 review, which talks about basic estate planning, then the mailbag hits me with worst case scenario (CC debt question) and raising your kids (nanny question). All stuff you’ve mentioned a dozen times before, but it was finally the perfect storm to get me off my duff. Thanks!

By: Monroe on a Budget

Monroe on a Budget — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:08:07 +0000

Yes, it can be easy to stall out on ideas – no matter the blog topic. That’s why, when I got started, I kept a list of everyday / year-round ideas to fall back on for “slow news days”.

My long-term approach has been to settle on a niche within the personal finance blogosphere.