I am positively bursting with excitement about entering the challenge. Most of you who read the site probably know what it is, but in case you don’t here is a brief summary:
“The Yakezie is the web’s largest personal finance and lifestyle blog network. We started in December of 2009, and have since grown to become a thriving community eager to help others. We strive to optimize reader’s personal finances and allow people to lead better lives. We are over 90 Members strong of individual voices, individual owners and different opinions who have all gone through a 6-month Challenge to join the network. Only the finest blogs who we have developed relationships with are admitted.
The difference between our Network and other networks is that we all know each other and collaborate. The 6-month Yakezie Challenge ensures only the most dedicated and highest level blogs can join. At any given moment, we have some 15-30 Challengers in the making who are doing their best to improve their sites and network with existing Yakezie Members and fellow Challengers. We are constantly discussing new ideas and helping each other out publicly and privately.”~ taken from Yakezie.com
What does this mean for me? Not much will change from the day to day, just continuing to blog consistently for the next six months. My challenge will end around my birthday and I think entrance into the elite network of bloggers would be a great birthday gift to myself if I can make it happen. Since my Alexa rank is already pretty close to the threshold (232,826-what what!) it just means I’m going to have to bust ass even harder to get that number down. I cannot wait! I had meant to sign up for the challenge months ago, but then well…life got in the way. For those of you wondering how I got my Alexa so low already the only advice I have for you is this: START MAKING FRIENDS WITH PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. We are literally the best blogging community out there (IMO), so yeah, be my friend.
The timing now is perfect as my emotions about this site run the gamut from frustrated to excited on a near daily basis. I am not a patient person, and I constantly have to keep reminding myself that I am growing a proverbial tree here, and it takes time to make things grow. What better way to learn patience than doing a challenge with all my blog besties?
Hi, my name is Lauren but I'm known to those nearest and dearest as L. Bee. After twenty-five years on the planet I have worked in a lot of industries, moved to many different cities, and made almost every money mistake you can make.Join me on my journey as I navigate my twenties and try not to pick my "money tree" bare.
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Welcome to the challenge! I am also a challenger so let me know if I can help in any way
Lance @ Money Life and More recently posted..Random Thoughts, Round Up and Carnivals #21
Thanks Lance! Same goes for you-I’d be happy to help
Good luck and congratulation on being so close already to breaking the 200K ranking!
Pauline recently posted..Damages finale and the rat race
Thanks Pauline-I was so shocked, but I’m ready to work that much harder.
Jeremy is pretty awesome. It’s amazing how many people he reaches out to and how wide he’s cast his blogging net. Good luck in the Challenge! I’ll say that time truly helps with the blog and it’s simply a matter of months before your getting gobs of traffic. Keep up the great work!
Jason @ WorkSaveLive recently posted..Our Journey Update – Net Worth, Debt, and Savings
Jeremy is the best! And thanks for reminding me to be patient-sometimes it’s hard when you are just so excited.
Thanks Lauren & Jason. I do what I can to help out.
Good luck with the challenge Lauren. I’m not a challenge member myself, but I know it helps some people a lot. It just didn’t seem like my thing though since I’m not into all the challenge rules.
Modest Money recently posted..7 Online Security Tips to Save You Time and Money
Welcome! Jefferson and I just became official members–yay! I just met a bunch of the active members and challengers at fincon, and everyone is just so nice. Let me know if you have any questions!
Michelle recently posted..Already Rich – What Cancer Has Taught Me
Of course, you are my favorite Michelle!
That’s so exciting ! Ranking says 228k now, constantly going down !
Good luck with it. And you’re right, the PF community is awesome if you take the time to get to know people.
MoneyAfterGrad recently posted..Gillian : An Introduction
YAY! Thanks so much.
Welcome to the challenge! I just became a member.
Michelle recently posted..Spending, Life, Income and Food Updates…
Welcome to the challenge. You’ve already got a great start, and there are a bunch of friendly bloggers already here that can help. I’m about 4.5 months into it, let me know if you need anything
Jacob @ iheartbudgets recently posted..Michelle’s Frugal Finds: More Garage Sale Scores!
Welcome to the challenge! You’re already doing so great!
femmefrugality recently posted..Three Things You Should Consider When Moving. But Probably Haven’t.
Congrats and good luck! I hope to get to a blogging level worthy of entering the challenge! I agree, the PF community is overwhelmingly supportive!
mrsplungedindebt recently posted..How I Saved Hundreds On Diapers
That’s funny! I thought you WERE a challenger already. Great job building this blog quickly. You’re well on your way. Like Michelle and Jason, OG & I just finished the challenge. It’s a great process of learning to be part of a network and post three days a week even when you really don’t feel like it. Congrats on entering the race!
AverageJoe recently posted..Blog Post of the Week! by Sandy from Yes, I Am Cheap
Welcome! You’re right, it’s a great community. You’ll be able to get yours under 100K by the time you become eligible! (I think the cutoff for the next class was Sept 15, so you have a lot more time than you think!)
Kathleen @ Frugal Portland recently posted..My Flip To Frugal
Welcome to the challenge L. Bee! We are also challengers. Please let us know if there is ever any way that we can help you out!
Greg@ClubThrifty recently posted..Our Vacation Budget: Did We Stick to It?
Good luck to you in the Challenge, L Bee – I really enjoy your blog and you would be a great addition to the Yakezie network. Great writers, and great people in the Yakezie network!
Travis @DebtChronicles recently posted..Visa GiftCard: Bad Birthday Present?
I haven’t joined yet, but I look forward to hearing about your progress!
Jordann @ My Alternate Life recently posted..Fun Money is Important!
Welcome to the challenge L Bee!
Welcome Lauren! I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun and meet a lot of great folks in the community!
Financial Samurai recently posted..How Often Should I Rebalance My 401k?
Good luck L bee – I hope to see your member post in the spring! If you have any questions feel free to shoot me an email – i’d be happy to help!
Jeff @ Sustainable Life Blog recently posted..Money Laundering: Are High Efficiency Washing Machines Worth It?
Welcome! It’s going to feel more real now that you’ve come out and accepted the challenge!
Kathleen @ Frugal Portland recently posted..The Keys to Happiness
Welcome… It is a great challenge but even better people…good luck!! Feel free to ask any questions you have..Id love to help
Christopher @ This That and the MBA recently posted..Effective Ways To Keep Down The Cost of Home Insurance