It’s been eleven years since I launched Making Sense of Cents, and I’m still amazed that this is the work I get to do every day.
In August 2011, I opened my laptop and started this blog with no idea what I was doing. I didn’t even know blogs could generate income.
Making Sense of Cents began as a hobby because I enjoyed reading other personal finance blogs and thought, why not start my own?
When I began, I had no clear goals. I stayed anonymous for a long time, writing under a pseudonym and not telling friends or family about the blog. For the entire first year, only Wes and my sister knew about it.
So much has changed since then. What started as a simple way to share my story has grown into a blog with millions of annual readers, many lasting friendships, and an income that allows me financial freedom. I never imagined this outcome when I first published a post.
Running my own business and working minimal hours means I can spend abundant time with my husband and our baby girl — a dream come true. Because blogging is a remote job, we can travel while I work: hiking, snorkeling, biking, and exploring new places. At other times, I can stay home and relax knowing the business continues to support us.
My blog has become a business that provides flexibility, fulfillment, and a comfortable living.
People often assume you need to be technically skilled or a natural writer to start a successful blog. I’m neither especially technical nor formally trained as a writer, yet I built this site by learning as I went — making mistakes and improving over time.
I began Making Sense of Cents while working full-time as a financial analyst. Blogging was a side project for about two years until I quit my day job to blog full-time in 2013.
Some notable facts about Making Sense of Cents:
- My first post was published on August 10, 2011.
- I’ve published over 2,000 articles on the blog.
- I’ve received tens of thousands of emails from readers — far more if you count messages I deleted over the years.
- There are more than 67,000 comments on the site, and I’ve personally replied to over 21,000 of them.
- It took six months to earn the first $100 from the blog.
How and why I started this blog
I started Making Sense of Cents after reading about a personal finance website in a magazine. It began purely as a hobby to track my finances and share my journey. I didn’t know blogs could be monetized or that people made a living from them.
At the time, I worked as an analyst at an investment banking and valuation firm. The job felt stressful and uninspiring; I didn’t see a future there that excited me. Blogging became an outlet from that daily grind. It gave me a supportive community, a place to write, and a way to measure progress.
About six months in, a friend in the blogging community connected me with an advertiser and I earned $100 from that first sponsored partnership. That early payment motivated me to take the blog more seriously and learn how to grow and monetize it.
Blogging changed my life. It allowed me to gain control of my finances, work from anywhere, travel when I want, and build a flexible schedule. My journey wasn’t perfect — I made many mistakes — but learning from them shaped the blog into what it is today.
What I love and what I’ve learned from blogging
1. I love being my own boss
When I realized the blog could produce income, I discovered how much I enjoy running my own business. Being in control of my schedule, choosing projects that align with my values, and deciding daily priorities has improved my work-life balance. I avoid activities that feel like a total drag and prioritize meaningful opportunities.
2. A flexible schedule changes your life
Working for myself allows me to set my hours, work ahead when needed, and fit life around work. I can work a few hours in the morning, spend the day hiking, and finish tasks in the evening. Flexibility also means I can schedule appointments without stress. That said, it’s important to maintain boundaries to protect work-life balance.
3. Location independence is wonderful
Being location independent has given me amazing experiences, from living in an RV to spending time on a sailboat. All I need is a laptop and an internet connection. The downside is that work can blur into every day, making true time off challenging — but overall the freedom has been invaluable.
4. Success takes time
Many bloggers give up within months. The truth is that blogging is a long-term pursuit. It took me six months to earn my first $100, and if I’d quit before that I would have missed everything that followed. Patience and persistence are essential.
Recommended reading: Ways To Make Money With A Laptop
5. Don’t write under force
I write best when I feel inspired rather than pressured by a deadline. I aim to keep content well ahead of publication — ideally a month or more — so I can create my best work. Right now I have several months of posts ready in advance.
6. Be prepared to learn
Blogging requires continuous learning. It’s not a get-rich-quick path — early income is slow for most people. You’ll need to master skills like SEO, social media, content creation, and website management. The evolving nature of the industry keeps the work interesting and challenging.
7. Stop viewing other bloggers as competition
There’s room for many voices in the blogging world. Treat other bloggers as peers, not enemies. Networking, sharing other creators’ content, and attending events can lead to collaborations, growth, and friendships. Be genuine and give more than you take — authenticity matters.
8. Previous experience isn’t required
I had no blogging experience when I started. You don’t need to be a tech expert or a social media whiz to succeed. Those are skills you develop as you go. Nearly every blogger began as a beginner; persistence and willingness to learn are what matter.
9. You can make a living blogging
Blogging can be a sustainable career. It isn’t guaranteed, and it’s not immediate for most people, but many bloggers build reliable incomes over time. For me, the blog has provided a high income and the option to retire when I choose — yet I continue because I enjoy it.
10. I love actually enjoying my work
Before blogging I dreaded the workweek. Now I genuinely enjoy my work most days — writing posts, engaging with readers, testing monetization strategies, collaborating with brands, and growing the blog. There are tough moments, but the overall satisfaction is immense.
11. The beginning will be tough
Starting a blog is challenging because it involves learning many new skills. Fear and hesitation are normal, but the biggest step is to begin. Set motivating goals like a vision board or long-term plan, and don’t let fear stop you from trying.
What’s next?
My yearly goal remains steady: plan and schedule content months in advance. As a new mom, staying ahead on work makes life more manageable. I’m exploring ways to grow the blog further, including potentially experimenting with short-form video formats and continuing to strengthen SEO and reader resources.
I’m deeply grateful to my readers. If you have suggestions for future topics, email me at [email protected] or leave a comment below. Thank you for reading.
Free resources for bloggers
I started learning without spending much money by using free webinars, courses, and guides, and you can do the same. Here are a few resources I offer:
- How To Start A Blog — Free course to help you launch your blog.
- Affiliate Marketing Tips For Bloggers — a free ebook on monetizing with affiliate marketing.
- How To Increase Your Google Traffic — free SEO training to improve content and search rankings.
- The Free Blogging Planner — a workbook with printables for planning posts, daily and weekly schedules, and goal setting.
For additional learning, consider recommendations I’ve shared about top blogging courses and resources that helped me grow a successful business.
Are you considering starting a blog or a business? What questions can I answer for you?