I am both thrilled and grateful to have recently been nominated for the Liebster Award! A big thanks to Dames in Debt for nominating Centsibly Rich!
So, what is the Liebster Award, you ask?
I asked that exact question when I found out Centsibly Rich was nominated! I discovered the Liebster Award is an online award given to new(ish) bloggers that have 200 followers or less as a way to recognize, connect and support fellow bloggers.
The Rules
- Thank the person who nominated you.
- Answer the questions from the person who nominated you.
- Nominate 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers.
- Create 11 new questions for the blog you nominate.
- Inform new nominees through social media.
My questions from Dames in Debt, answered
What made you take the leap to start a blog?
I love reading blogs, particularly personal finance blogs! Many of them have inspired and aided me in making positive changes in my own life and finances over the years.
Starting my own blog is one of those things I thought about for years but never took those first steps to get started. I was waiting for the “right” time and finally realized if I kept waiting, I would never start. So, a couple of months ago, I decided to just do it!
What is your favorite part about blogging?
Wow! How to choose? I love that it is something of my own, something that I am creating and that it challenges me every single day to learn new things, put myself out there, connect with awesome people, and hopefully help others in the process!
Do your friends & family know you have a blog, or is it your own little secret?
Great question! Sharing my blog with friends and family has been a challenge for me. I recently wrote a post about being forthright with the people in my real life. Honestly, I am still hesitant, but I am slowly divulging the website to family and friends.
Are you more of a write on the couch with a cup of tea blogger, or a sit at the desk with coffee blogger?
I am experimenting with that! The blog was started on the couch, but I have recently moved to a desk. So far, I seem to be more productive at the desk, but it is yet to be determined where I end up – that couch sure is comfy!
Where do you get your blog post inspiration from?
Everywhere! I read books and blogs, listen to podcasts and take ideas from my own life experiences. My plan is to begin incorporating more personal information and pics about what we do to save money.
Ideas come to me at the most inopportune times, like when I’m driving or showering. The problem is I sometimes forget the ideas before I get them written down.
What is your favorite book, and why?
Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin. Our finances weren’t horrible before I read this book, but after reading it, everything changed. I looked at the value of time and money in a different light, began to track net worth and evaluated areas of spending that didn’t align with the things most important to us. I first read the book about 8 years ago and still utilize the lessons it taught me.
How do you use images and text to get your message across?
I try to write in a way that inspires and motivates others to make positive changes. Many of my posts have revolved around the importance of having a positive mindset – I believe this is the key to making dreams a reality.
Though I haven’t focused much on images up to this point, I plan to start incorporating more of my own photographs for a more personal touch.
What do you wish you’d known before you started your bloggie?
It’s more work than I ever imagined! I still have much to learn about WordPress, social media, outreach, and writing. In the beginning I put a ton of pressure on myself to learn everything right away, but that caused undue stress. I decided to take a step back, slow down, and just learn as I go.
What are your goals for your blog?
Right now, my goal is to increase my readership! But I realize that this can take some time and I am in it for the long haul. My primary objective is to help readers make positive changes in their lives and finances. Eventually I would like to be able to offer money coaching services and possibly do some freelance writing.
How do you remain productive?
I make a list with the goal to get the top three items accomplished every day. I’ve also been experimenting with getting up early in the morning to write. I used to hate getting up early, but I must be getting old, because it seems to be working for me. Now, if I can only stop falling asleep on the couch at 8 pm…
What’s your favorite away-from-the-blog activity?
Spending time outdoors is at the top of my list. Gardening is a favorite hobby – I love to dig in the dirt, plant seeds and nurture the plants that put food on the table all summer. My family also takes camping trips to various local and national parks each summer.
Announcing my nominees
- This Wife’s Life
- Millennial Investor
- Ty at Get Rich Quickish
- Mrs. Picky Pinchers at Picky Pinchers
- Julie at Live Work Joy
(I’m not 100% sure how many followers these bloggers have and sorry- I didn’t get to 11 either!)
My questions for new nominees
- Why did you start a blog?
- What do you like about blogging?
- Are you an introvert or extrovert?
- What is your favorite form of social media?
- What does your typical day look like?
- What is your favorite blog to read?
- What is your greatest achievement?
- What’s your favorite pastime (besides blogging)?
- What advice would you give to someone considering starting a blog?
- What is your biggest financial challenge?
- Would you rather vacation at the beach or in the mountains?