Afford Anything turns 3 years old! (Which is 87 in blog years, as my friend J. Money says.)
This lil’ website officially launched on March 1, 2011, with a handful of posts about (what else?) retirement and travel.
Little did I know, at the time, that the Afford Anything tribe would begin brewing a rebellion …
Our tribe has grown to more than 4,100 subscribers, and our message of freedom, lifestyle design and awesomeness has enjoyed 1.3 million pageviews. What-what!
If you’re new-ish to the community, welcome. Here are a few classics you might enjoy:
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Are you sick of hearing people whine about why they can’t get ahead? “This economy is too hard!” “There aren’t enough jobs!” “My boss won’t give me extra vacation days!”
Then check out this face-palming, hair-tugging story of a man who’s scared sh**less — even though he doesn’t need to be. He doubts his ability to capitalize on his own skills and talents. He’d prefer to keep workin’ for the man … forever.
If he could only see the opportunities in front of his face … Stop Crying That There Are No Jobs. Create One.
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Raise your hand if you know someone who:
- Says “Money’s not important!” or “I don’t care about money.”
- Wakes up to a beeping alarm clock, sits in traffic, and spends his/her life in some crummy office or workspace.
It makes zero sense to pretend that money’s not important, while simultaneously sacrificing our lives in pursuit of the next paycheck.
Instead, let’s embrace the reality: Money IS important. (Buying junk is not.) Harness your money to buy back your life. Read more at: Money Doesn’t Buy Stuff. It Buys Choices.
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When I was 21, I bought a car on Craigslist for $400, lived in a tiny basement apartment — and carried $25,000 in savings.
When people saw my car and apartment, they commented: “That sucks.”
You know what really sucks? Cubicles. Long commutes. Dealing with Human Resources.
Thanks to living frugally + thinking entrepreneurially, I quit my job in 2008. Now I never need to punch a clock again. Read the story: You Know What Really Sucks? Cubicles.
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Myth: You can either have free time or you can make lots of money. But not both.
Fact: Money buys time.
The Conformist Majority buys into the myth: You either work an 80-hour week and make a zillion bucks, OR you work a 40-hour week and earn a moderate income.
The Rebellion understands that’s a false dichotomy. It stems from an employee mindset, which believes that you must trade time-for-money, rather than leverage your assets into streams of passive income.
Learn more in this classic, The Best Thing Money Can Buy? Time.
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Enjoy Afford Anything’s annual roundup. I publish these “highlight” articles once a year, in celebration of every Blog Birthday. (Whoa, Afford Anything is a Pisces!)
Now, back to our Rebellion, already in progress. 🙂
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Liam @ HBS Real Estate
Just like any FI blog, yours was a difficult pill to swallow, but after finally having swallowed the not-so-bitter-pill, your posts are awesome. Thanks for speaking out online for everyone.
Afford Anything
@Liam — Here’s to Financial Independence for us all! 🙂
Venice
Happy Birthday. Your posts are positive, inspirational, and motivational. I look forward to all future articles and continued growth.
Afford Anything
Thank you, Venice! 🙂
Charlotte
LOVE your blog, congrats on 3 years! Your posts are always so refreshing and the kick in the pants I need to stay focused. Keep up the great work, Paula!
J. Money
CONGRATULATIONS!!! You’re one of the elite who have made it past not only their FIRST blogging year (super hard to do), but a second and now a THIRD! You are a rock star! And one of my top faves I still read to this day. 3 years later 🙂
Keep pouring your heart into this site, friend – it’s crazy inspiring.
Eric
What is 6 is blog years? Am I almost 174?
Afford Anything
LOL … if I had a “Like” button for comments, I’d totally “like” that. Happy 175th birthday, Eric!
Dividend Mantra
Paula,
Congrats on the anniversary! I know firsthand how difficult it is to blog for this long. It’s crazy difficult, especially with a full-time job, but definitely worth the rewards.
Keep on inspiring!
Best wishes.
Michelle
A HUGE Congratulations. Your blog is one of the resources that has helped me clarify the vision that I have for my future. Cool!
Glen Craig
Congrats on three years! I would have sworn your site has been around longer. Guess that shows how strong an impact you’ve had. Here’s to many more.
Pauline
Congrats Paula, that is quite the accomplishment! Here is to many more years of rebellion.
Michelle
Congrats on three years! For some reason I always thought your blog was around for much longer 🙂
Afford Anything
Awww, thanks Michelle! 🙂
moneystepper
Happy Birthday Paula and congratulations. You’ve built a brilliant and engaging site over the past 3 years and your success if fully deserved. Here’s to the next three years (and beyond)!!
Max Martini
Dealing with HR is most definitely not fun… Congrats and keep it up!
Afford Anything
@Max Martini — Ugh, I remember putting “time off requests” into HR … never again!! That ALONE is enough motivation!
Travis @debtchronicles
Happy birthday, Afford Anything…and congrats Paula! Here’s to 87 more blog years!
Afford Anything
@Travis — Can you imagine the day that we’ll say, “I’ve been blogging for 25 years,” or “Today, this website turns 40.” Whoa!! 🙂
Anne @ Unique Gifter
Happy Birthday! I’m with Michelle, I thought you had been blogging here for longer as well!
Thanks for your help getting me going with blogging as well 🙂
Keep it up!
Afford Anything
Thank you, Anne! I’m so glad that you’re blogging … developing this community is a ton of fun. 🙂
EL @ Moneywatch101
Congrats on reaching the big 3 years. I will hit 3 years during the end of this year as well. Good luck and keep buying houses.
Afford Anything
@EL – Awesome!! Happy birthday/anniversary, in advance!! 🙂
Jenny
Congrats! I love your message! Looking forward to the next 3!
Skint in the City
Happy birthday Paula! And thanks for your help to me, and, as always, your rebellious inspiration. Rock on!
Eric
It is great to see how much success you’ve had over the last three years Paula. You are a great inspiration to new bloggers and veterans alike who want to take charge of their own destiny and make it as their own boss. Keep up the awesomeness!
Lee @ BaldFinance.com
Congrats on your 3-year anniversary. You’ve created quite a following in such a short period of time. I really enjoy reading your posts, and I thank you for turning me onto the Stacking Benjamins podcast. The banter between the panel is always educational and good for a laugh.
maria@moneyprinciple
Happy blog birthday, Paula. May your tribe grow and your way to complete independence be smooth.
Mo' Money Mo' Houses
Congrats! 3 years is a big milestone in blogging time 🙂
Deia @ Nomad Wallet
Congrats, Paula! Those are some impressive numbers. And you deserve every single reader. 😀