Dear valued readers and friends,
After much self reflection, prayer, reading and talking with family and friends, I have made the decision to sell Centsibly Rich.
2017 has been a year of life changes for me and my family on a personal and business level as well. And while I would love to be able to “do it all” (and tried briefly), it took a toll. I can’t do everything and I certainly can’t do it well.
Time, it’s all we got
Without boring you with too many details, the decision basically came down to the issue of Time, the most precious and limited resource we all have.
My son is graduating high school next Spring with plans to head to the Air Force and I want to make that time count. Nothing is more important to me than my family.
My health requires more of my attention than I’ve given it lately and it’s become apparent I need to spend more time managing it. I have limited information on how my diagnosis could play out (because apparently I’m very unique!), but I figure the more time and energy I give it, the better the results will be.
I have a strong desire to connect more in my community, to get more involved with nonprofits and help out. I became a social worker for a reason (it wasn’t money ;)) and feel a pull to help on a more personal level.
And I can’t leave out our new venture into real estate. At first I was super overwhelmed and had doubts. Now, I see the potential and we’ve learned sooooo much by going through the process. There have been many ups and downs but it’s something we’d like to continue to explore. We dove in the deep end but are learning to swim (but not without blood, sweat and tears – on a regular basis). 🙂
Thanks
The one thing that has been holding me back from finally making this decision is my readers and the amazing personal finance community. This fantastic community was unexpected, but the absolute best thing about running the blog.
I’ve made some great friends along the way. Ones who have went out of their way to help me and support me in ways I never would have expected. Ones I don’t want to lose touch with just because I won’t be on Centsibly Rich any more.
My only solace on this point is that I know where to find you all! 😉 I can continue to talk to you and support you and comment on blogs. (Plus – I’d love to guest post from time to time!)
So to all the incredible people I’ve met and to everyone who has gone above and beyond to support me and Centsibly Rich along the way, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You’ll never know how much that has meant to me.
I wish you all continued success in life and all your endeavors.
All the Best,
Amanda
Wow! I wish you all the best in your journey! I hope you find a good balance! I know the feeling of wanting to spend more time with the kiddos before you feel like you’re going to lose them to loving on with other things! I stepped back on my site as well for the summer so I could focus on making more memories with my daughters, since my oldest is starting kindergarten on Monday! Time flies and it never seems there is enough of it!
Thanks, Steven! I really appreciate it. I totally agree with you on spending more time with the kiddos. And, oh my, kindergarten! Such an exciting time and such a big transition. I can’t say I didn’t shed a tear when my kids started school. And I can’t believe one will be a freshman and one a senior. Time really does seem to fly by. 🙂
I’m glad you found what will work for you. I’ll miss the blog, but you can always hang out at my place. 🙂
Believe me, I’ll be there! 🙂 You’ve been such a great friend and a big inspiration to me since the beginning. Thank you so much!
I’ll miss your blog Amanda, but understand wanting the balance having just gone through a senior year x two. Enjoy the time with the family and connecting with others in the real world!
Thank you, Brian! I appreciate the support and friendship you’ve offered me since day 1! I’m grateful I know where to find you. 🙂 You’ve also been a great source of inspiration for me to get out there in the community. (I have plans for a local personal finance meetup.)
Aw, I’ll miss your blog, but like the others, I understand. Best of luck to you as you close this chapter and focus on the next.
Thanks so much Emily! It’s been great to get to know you and I look forward to continuing to follow your blog. 🙂
We’ll miss you, Amanda! Best of luck going forward and hope to see you around the web in the future.
Thank you, Matt! 🙂 You will definitely see me around – love your blog. I may not be blogging, but I’ll still be reading, commenting, and connecting whenever I can.
Congrats on your big decision! I really respect what you’re doing and wish you all the best in every area of your life. Enjoy your time with your family, good luck with your real estate venture, and all the best wishes and prayers for the impact you can make in your community.
If you ever get the itch to write a post, let me know – I’d make an exception on my guest post policy for you! 🙂
Stay in touch and God Bless!
Thank you for your kind words, Chris! It was a big decision for sure, but I know it was the right one for me and my family.
And I’m certain I’ll get the itch to write a post – I’ll definitely let you know. Thank you! 🙂
I wish you the very best for this next chapter in your life as well – and I’m looking forward to following along. I love what you and your family are doing – you’re a great source of inspiration to me and others.
Hey, Amanda, this is both exciting and sad news but I’m glad you’ve made a decision that works for you. I’m definitely going to miss your posts. I feel like we both started up around the same time and always appreciated your support as we grew our blogs. Hope to see you around still!
Thanks so much, FP! 🙂 I look forward to continuing to read your blog. We did start around the same time, and to be honest, I expected to stick around. But, life and circumstances change, and I’m ready to see what the next chapter has in store. But you’ll definitely still see me around! 🙂
I’m going to miss reading your blog Amanda. You’ve been an inspiration, and I’m grateful for your support of my blog over the past year. Enjoy the added time with your family, and the other exciting projects you have on the go! Thoughts and prayers are with you,
God Bless!
Thanks, MMM! I really to appreciate the kind words. I look forward to continuing to read and learn from your blog! It seems like we are at similar stages in life with similar values and I look forward to following your journey. 🙂
I’m really surprised, but can totally understand. Wishing you all the best things in life for your journey going forward, especially with your health – we are all rooting for you whether you’re blogging or not :).
I feel kind of bad that I’m super curious about the fact that you’ve ‘sold’ the blog rather than just stopping blogging – I hope you’re getting a pretty penny for the hard work and following you’ve created here!
Mrs DDU
Thanks, Mrs. DDU! I really appreciate the well wishes! 🙂 You know, I thought about just stopping the blog, but by selling, my posts will be able to continue to reach people and I won’t have the blogging expenses each month, so that made the decision for me.
I wish you, Mr. DDU and baby DDU the very best! I look forward to continuing to follow along on your journey into parenthood! 🙂
Congrats on your decision, Amanda. I can certainly understand any one of those reasons pulling you away from blogging, so with all of them in play, I hope you find the balance you’re seeking. I’ll miss your contributions here! Best of luck with everything.
Thank you, Gary! 🙂 Honestly, it will be really strange to not have the blog. And, I admit, I’m grieving that loss a bit right now. That said, I know it was the right decision and will help with the balance, as you said. Hopefully I can continue to contribute now and then through guest posts, comments and sharing!
I’m stunned and sad for us but so happy for you! Time with your family is the most precious thing and of course, your health you got to take care of that!
Does this take you out of FinCon?
Thanks for your support, Amy! I knew many would be surprised. It seemed like a sudden move, but it’s been in the back of my mind for some time now. This does take me out of FinCon (I still have a ticket!). I actually decided not to go to FinCon prior to selling, due to an upcoming surgery, but I will really miss not meeting everyone in person!
Looking forward to continuing to follow you and your amazing blog! Love everything you’re doing over there! 🙂
So bummed we won’t meet in Dallas, but we will definitely have to meet someday and enjoy a tall refreshing lemonade on me. 😉
Thank you! I’d love to see a guest post from you there for sure.
Prayers for you on the upcoming surgery. Take care, wishing you all the best!
Thanks, Amy! 🙂 I’d love to have that lemonade with you sometime! Hit me up on twitter if you’re ever going through Iowa.
Bittersweet news… Congratulations on selling the blog, but it’s sad to see you go! I’m really going to miss seeing your garden posts, but understand you have a lot on you hands right now. Best of luck with your current and future endeavors!
Thank you, Mr. Crazy Kicks! Funny thing is, I’ve been spending less time on the garden this year, but the harvest is bountiful. I used your tips for improving the soil – so I owe you a big thanks for that! I’m glad we’ve connected and I look forward to following your journey. 🙂
I’ll miss you! I’ve enjoyed your blog and getting to know you. Congratulations on the sale and good luck with your surgery. Wishing you and your family all the best.
Oh, I’ll still be around, Mrs. Groovy! There’s no doubt about that. So, you’ll still hear from me. Thank you for your well wishes! 🙂
I’m sure it was not an easy decision, but I believe you’ve made the correct choice for yourself, your health, and your family.
I have been finding myself especially short on time lately, but I’ve decided to cut back on the more stressful part of my life — the day job.
I’m glad to hear you’ve found a buyer. That’s better for you, and better for us, because the site will live on.
Cheers!
-PoF
I appreciate you saying you think I’ve made the right choice, PoF! 🙂 I agree, even if it’s been rather difficult to do. I was glad to find a buyer – I wanted the posts to live on without the weight of the blog on my mind, so it seemed the best choice.
I always wonder how you do it – and I bet you are really looking forward to cutting your time at work down! Wishing you the very best and hoping we can connect again sometime in the future. You know, my rhubarb is ready a full month before yours. You could stop by and get some for your brew. 😉
Amanda, I will miss your voice. You have brought such energy and optimism to your blog, and you’ve been a blessing to many – including me – through it. I’m very sorry to learn that your health is a factor, and I wish you all the best in navigating this rare condition – which I know you will do with wisdom and intelligence. I respect your decision to put family first, and you are absolutely right in what you say about time being our greatest asset. Your husband and children are very lucky to have you. Blessings to you, Amanda.
Thank you so much for the kind words, Ruth! 🙂 I appreciate the positive feedback on what I created on the blog. I will miss writing. But, once things settle down around here, I am hoping to put some guests posts together. Plus, I’ll still be involved in the community!
The rarity of the condition is frustrating, but then, none of us really know what the future will hold – so in that respect, I’m no different. I think it’s just been a good reminder for me to appreciate everything I have…today and every day after that. I’ve also found if I move more each day, I feel better. It’s use it or lose it, right!? Blogging definitely had me sitting more than I normally do, but the real estate endeavor has me moving, for sure!
Thanks again for your support! It means so very much to me! 🙂
So good to know that moving more makes you feel better. What a sensible thing it is to follow that observation by making it possible to put into practice! (That’s what I meant by the “wisdom and intelligence” part.) Perhaps it’s time for you and your husband to take up dancing?
Wow, so sad to hear, but I’m sure it was a tough decision to make.
Wishing you the best!!
— Jim
Thank you for the well wishes, Jim! 🙂
Congratulations, Amanda! Thank you for being so welcoming to me as I started off in my blogging 🙂
Wow – I’ve been so busy with getting my son off to college and selling our house (and getting the next one ready – you get it, don’t you!!) This surprises me but I’m so happy that you’ve found what will help you move forward. I wondered what happened when I saw your new Twitter handle! The best to you – and if you ever want to do a guest post, definitely let me know!
Thank you for your heartfelt letter, Amanda! While I’m sad that you’re no longer the owner of the blog, I’m excited for your future endeavors. I hope that your health will get better, and that you will be able to spend more quality time with your family.
Best wishes,
Ms. FAF
I’ll miss your blog! But I hope you make the most of this time with your family and most definitely for your health as well. And I hope we’ll still see you around.
Oh Amanda! Is there a place where I will still be able to see pictures of your beautiful garden?! I will miss your voice, but I can imagine how you might feel the need to reclaim your time. And, of course, nothing is more important than your health. Take care of yourself, friend. I am sending you all my hopes and wishes for happiness and success in all your next endeavors… xo
p.s. if you ever come to nyc…!
Wow – big congrats!! I am sure the decision to sell was bittersweet but nothing in the world is more important than your health and your family. And, yes, you know where we are!! ❤️
Wow! ? Didn’t see that coming!
I remember the first post I read on CentsiblyRich: http://z8zqd.hosts.cx/change-mindset-change-money/
I liked it when I first read it and I still like it today after rereading it.
Best of luck with your health. Enjoy your time with your son. May your life turn out better than you hope it will!
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog, Amanda, and wish you all the best on your journey!
Congrats – a bittersweet moment. Best of luck 🙂
This might be a little late but I just want to say, I’ve always been a big fan of your work. I like the way your articles flowed and how you connected with your readers. It was always something I strived to emulate.
You were one of the first bloggers to reach out and connect with me and that is something that I will always remember. I hope everything went smoothly and your surgery was great. And thank you for reminding to cherish what I have today 🙂