1. Balancing Family, Life, and Two
Careers:
Getting the Most Out of Part-Time Blogging
Travis Pizel
#Fincon12
September 7th, 2012

2. Introduction
Who am I?

Husband, dad, family man

Full-Time Software Engineer

Part-Time Blogger

CareOne Debt Relief Services

Enemy of Debt
Goals

Share journey to find my blogging
identity

Make you reflect on your own

3. My Progression as a Blogger.....

MAR 2010 : Customer Blogger For CareOne Debt
Relief Services

NOV 2010 : @DebtChronicles Was Born

JUN 2011 : Our Journey To Zero

JUN 2011 : Joined #Yakezie Challenge

JUL 2011 : Joined TeamEOD

SEP 2011 : The Great Maryland Adventure

OCT 2011 : #FINCON11

NOV 2011 : BURNED OUT

4. What Happened?

Blogging became all consuming

Quality of posts suffered

Family time suffered

No time for any other interests

Stressed

Believed there was a single definition for success as a
blogger

Wanted to do it all, whether I enjoyed it or not

5. Defining Success

Money

$500 - $800 per month

Being Inspired By Others

@blondeonabudget (Cait Flanders)

@affordanything (Paula Pant)

@Jen_Fowler (Jen Fowler)

@suzannecramer1 (Suzanne Cramer)

@brad_chaffee (Brad Chaffee)

6. Defining Success

Helping and Inspiring Others in Debt

“Your article relating the marathon to getting out of debt was rather inspiring at a
time when I was becoming frustrated.”

“I'll be reading for the great ideas and reassurance as we all continue our paths
to financial freedom.”

“I've really enjoyed reading your posts and I keep learning things every day.”

“You truly are helping many of us in the community. You are a true inspiration
and have helped me through your words.”

“t-pizel you are my hero :-).”

“Oh and thanks to @DebtChronicles for being a small lifeline when I first
confronted filing for bankruptcy. You didn't know but you helped.”

7. Unforeseen
Inspiration

8. Defining Myself

Re-discovered the joy of being an engineer

Realized that I simply want to be a writer

Not interested in being a blog owner

Re-prioritized the important things

Family

Full-time Software Engineer

Part-time Writer

9. How Will I Achieve My Goals?

Stop activities that do not align with goals

Provide the absolute best content I can

Look for ONE guest post per month

Only accept writing jobs that fit all parties involved

Implement a structured and efficient method of writing

Continue writing with Tori

10. How I Write

Time budgeting

One hour per day writing

Dedicated, quiet place

Methodology

Story boarding

Rough Draft

First Edit

Final Edit

Miscellaneous Tips

Ideas File

If a post doesn't turn out, keep it – it will eventually

11. Closing Thought

12. Thank You!