Are you wondering should I start a blog? Have you been thinking about starting a blog for a while? Maybe you’re looking for a way to earn extra income?
Today I’ll share why I love blogging, how it has transformed my life, and why it might be the right step for you. My journey may help answer your question: should I start a blog?
Many people ask whether I began blogging to make money. The truth is, when I launched Making Sense of Cents I had no idea blogging could become a source of income.
I was completely clueless at first. Blogging sounded like a strange new thing, but I decided to try it and created a blog for myself. Making Sense of Cents started simply as a way to track my personal finance progress. Most people I knew didn’t even know I had a blog.
Looking back, I’m so glad I gave blogging a chance. I can’t imagine how different life would be without this website. I asked myself the same question: should I start a blog? There was no reason not to try, so I learned how to start a blog. It changed my life, and I’m so happy I took that first step.
Because blogging made such a big difference for me, I love sharing what I’ve learned with others — especially if you’re on the fence about starting a blog.
Blogging helped me pay off debt, leave my regular job, travel full-time, and more. The best part is I love the work. As you can see from my business income reports, my blog now provides a comfortable living.
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I first heard about blogging from a magazine article about a personal finance website. I didn’t fully understand it, but I was intrigued. At the time I felt like money was controlling my life, and I wanted to change that. I wanted to take control and pay off my student loans.
I didn’t start my blog to make money. It was a hobby and a place to journal about my finances, keep track of progress, and stay motivated. But I quickly discovered how much I enjoyed blogging.
In October 2013 I left my day job and became a full-time blogger after only a couple of years of work. Turning blogging into a career felt amazing.
Learning how to create a blog has improved my life in many ways, and I recommend it to anyone wondering should I start a blog.
Blogging changed my life by:
- Making work enjoyable— I look forward to what I do every day.
- Allowing me to help others improve their finances and lives.
- Helping my husband and me plan for early retirement.
- Giving both of us freedom to leave traditional day jobs.
- Helping me pay off my student loans.
- Enabling a lifestyle where we split time between a camper van and a sailboat and travel full-time.
- Providing a flexible schedule.
- Letting me be my own boss.
- Granting greater personal freedom.
There are many reasons to start a blog, and in my experience it’s been well worth the effort. If you’ve ever asked yourself should I start a blog, this post should help you decide — spoiler: you’ll probably want to start one!
Reasons to start a blog
Blogging is fun
Before I started blogging, I never imagined it could be enjoyable work. Today, after several years, I can’t imagine not blogging full time. I enjoy helping readers, reading content from others, meeting new people, working on the site, and especially writing.
I love waking up to work and no longer dread my job like I did in a corporate position. Blogging is challenging and rewarding; there’s always something new to learn and the potential to reach many people.
You can help others
If you’re wondering should I start a blog, reflect on your story and how it might help someone else. Even an ordinary experience can inspire or guide another person.
Over the years my blog has motivated readers to pay off debt, save for retirement, start businesses, and more. Without a blog, those stories wouldn’t have reached people who needed them.
Starting a blog is affordable
Blogging is one of the most affordable businesses to start. You can create a blog for only a few dollars per month. I wrote a step-by-step guide to create a blog for cheap, and many hosts offer low introductory pricing plus a free domain when you commit to a year. I spent less than $100 in my first year.
You can be your own boss
Blogging lets you run your own business, set your schedule, choose projects, and prioritize work that aligns with your values. I don’t accept work that feels like a drag, which helps maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Flexible schedule
Working for yourself means you can set your hours. I work in the mornings, take breaks for hikes or lunches, and then finish tasks later. I can schedule appointments and still manage deadlines.
No prior experience required
You don’t need technical expertise to start a blog. Most bloggers learn as they go. I didn’t know blogs existed when I began, and I learned everything from scratch. Blogging is challenging but learnable.
Work from anywhere
Blogging enables location independence. I sold my house in 2015 and have been traveling full-time since, working from wherever I am. Plus, no commute is a huge perk.
You can make a living blogging
Blogging can provide a sustainable income, though it’s not guaranteed for everyone. It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme — it requires time and work. I built a high-earning blog and have financial flexibility because of it.
Earn money passively
Blogging can generate passive income. For example, affiliate marketing lets you promote products you use and earn revenue even while you sleep. I teach my strategy in the course Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing for bloggers who want to learn more.
Great platform for freelancers
If you’re a freelancer, a blog showcases your work and helps attract clients, speaking gigs, writing jobs, or book opportunities. It’s an effective way to be discovered and demonstrate expertise.
Lots of free resources
There are many free resources to help you start and grow a blog. I recommend beginning with my free blogging course if you’re on a tight budget. I also offer cheat sheets and free video training to help with affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and SEO.
- How To Start A Blog FREE Course
- Affiliate Marketing Cheat Sheet
- 8 Easy Tips To Make Money From Sponsored Posts On Your Blog
- The SEO Starter Pack (FREE Video Training)
Is it a good time to start a blog?
Yes — now is a great time to start. People said the same thing years ago when I launched that starting later meant missing the boat. The online world keeps evolving and new monetization opportunities appear every year. Brands now recognize the value of bloggers and other influencers, which creates more ways to earn.
The internet continues to grow, and every blogger offers a unique voice. While the blogging landscape changes, that’s true for any business and presents new chances to learn and expand.
Why doesn’t everyone start a blog?
Blogging isn’t effortless. It’s not a guaranteed path to wealth. It takes work, persistence, and time. Many bloggers quit within months, often before seeing traction. It took me six months to earn my first $100. If you understand blogging is hard from the start, you’re already ahead of most people.
Success requires consistency, patience, and passion. If you enjoy blogging or the lifestyle it supports — travel, family time, flexibility — that passion will carry you through challenges.
How To Create A Blog — FREE Course
If you’ve decided to try blogging after asking should I start a blog, I offer a free seven-day email course to guide beginners. It takes you step by step from setting up your blog to earning your first income and building an audience.
The free 7-day email course covers:
- Day 1: Reasons to start a blog.
- Day 2: How to decide what to blog about.
- Day 3: How to create your own blog (WordPress-focused).
- Day 4: How to make money blogging.
- Day 5: Tips for earning passive income from blogging.
- Day 6: How to grow traffic and followers.
- Day 7: Additional blogging tips for success.
Please sign up for the How To Start a Blog Free Course by visiting the course page or signing up through the form provided on the site.
Are you ready to learn how to create a blog? Have you asked yourself should I start a blog? What other reasons to start a blog can you think of?