Tag Archives: On Blogging

Not A Classy Exit Followed By A Better (Hopefully) Return

January was a rough month for Aloysa’s Kitchen Sink. So was the beginning of February. Hopefully from this moment forward it will be smoother sailing. One can only hope for it, right?

A lot of you asked me what happened, why I pulled the plug so unpredictably. A few of you asked me to come back! I do owe you some answers. At least, I feel that I do.

What happened

I don’t have a thrilling story to tell about Lithuanian mob requesting at gun point to pull the website down because of my post How We Did Business The Mob Style. FBI did not put Beaker and me into the witness protection program, and did not send us to some remote farm in Ohio.

No broken hearted women wrote me hate letters because they felt that I portrayed them in A Good Gym Is Difficult To Find. Just Like A Good Man. Maybe one day I will get hate mail from at least one of these women. It would make a great blog post, wouldn’t it?

My story is pretty trivial. I simply burned out. Don’t you feel it sometimes? When the pressure at work is building up at a hectic pace, and you start to wonder if you are going to have a mental breakdown? When you come home and feel completely drained, and not a single coherent thought crosses your mind? That was me. It didn’t happen in one day. In fact, it was weighing me down for weeks.

I shamelessly gave up on my blog because it seemed to be the easiest way out.

Why I Pulled the Plug

I like closures. I don’t like to abandon anything and let it float in time and space unattended. Is it compulsive obsessive? I don’t know. Perhaps. But don’t get me wrong. It was not the happiest moment in my blogging career. The feeling of closure, the finality of it was painful. It felt irrevocable and complete. Or so I thought.

One great thing emerged from this as I call it “not so classy exit” debacle. Your support, emails and forum discussions made me think really hard. In fact, you made me reconsider a lot of things about blogging and myself as a blogger.

You made me feel as if I was still on the blogging ride, my mind caught in some tremendous gravitational force that pulled me back in, right where I was before I thought I left it all behind.

You probably don’t realize it but you also taught me some valuable lessons:

– No one is alone in the blogging world. There is a lot of support, understanding and care.

– Expectations should be reasonable. No one is expected to be perfect.

– If you need help, ask for it. That’s what friends and guest posts are for.

– If you need a break then take a break, have some rest, get away from it all. Financial Samurai said it the best “If you can speak forever, you can blog forever.”  Ditto!

What Future Holds

Even though I am still sorting things out, I am ready for a comeback. I wrote this post with a lot of hope and a feeling of endless possibilities.

Talk It Out: Money and Relationships column will be back, and I hope for its first appearance next Monday. Beaker is excited to continue his series Beaker’s World. There is still a lot to discuss about our trip to China. I missed some great blog swaps and, even though, I cannot promise to make up for it, I will come up with something to compensate for missing all of this.

I cannot promise to post three times a week. But I can promise that I am back to blogging.

Are you in?

Introducing Talk It Out and Aloysa’s Reading Picks

Please make sure to check out my staff writer post at Beating Broke, What Our Chinese Guides Taught Us About Pragmatic Consumerism.

I came up with an idea for a new series TALK IT OUT: Money and Relationships. This series will be all about money, relationships and our lives.

Money can bless a relationship or curse it. Am I wrong? Let’s put it this way: money does affect relationships. Anyone disagrees? Is she a compulsive spender? Is he a frugal saver but she is a gold digger? I am sure you have plenty to say, so let’s talk it out!

If you like discussing money and relationships, if you have something to say or to ask, if you have a personal story to share, a personal experience to talk about, if  you want to be heard and if you want to see what others have to say then email me.

How It Works:

1. You tell me your story through email. If you decide to stay anonymous, let me know. If you don’t care, so be it.

2. I will read what you have to say, and let you know when your story, experience or a question will be heard, shared and answered.

3. If you want to ask Aloysa a question about Beaker, our relationship with each other and our not so simple relationship with money, please do so! We promise to respond.

4. Twice a month my readers and I will discuss, brainstorm and share our own experiences with you. Payroll Tax Holiday: Why Most People Will Get A Raise In 2011 @

What You Get Out Of It:

1. You vent, you confess, you rant, you rave, you share, you cry, you laugh. You spill it all.

2. Your opinions will be respected. Your questions will be answered. Your experiences will be appreciated.

3.  If you decide NOT to stay anonymous, I will gladly promote your blog.

Bonus:

You get to know my readers and me, Aloysa!

Do you like the idea? Then PLEASE SUBMIT WHATEVER YOU WANT TO SUBMIT BY SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5. THE FIRST TALK IT OUT DISCUSSION WILL TAKE PLACE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7.

Moving on to Aloysa’s Reading Picks (as usual in no particular order):

Who wants  a free iPad? I do! Win An iPad, Amazon Gift Cards, And A Starbucks Gift Card!! @Buy Like Buffet;

What do you think about plastic bottles? Check out Sustainability Tip #21 Steel vs Plastic @Sustainable Personal Finance;

Did you think the guy in my “gym affair” article was creepy? How about this creepy guy in How I Overcame The Worst Ever Health Club Membership@TransFormX;

Men vs Women in offices, what are your thoughts? Find out reading I’m Not That Kind Of Girl, But I Should Be@Yes, I Am Cheap;

I usually don’t read book reviews that much but this one caught my eye. Book  Review: Your Money or Your Life@Retire By 40;

Do you prefer a hustle and bustle of the city life or tranquility of suburbs? Young Professionals in the City: Will the Allure of the City Break the Bank?@Brokeprofessionals

Ever wondered what it is like to work at a hotel? Heard horror stories and wondered if they are true? Find out readingFaulty Towers vs Reality @I Am The Working Poor;

What are your financial milestones? 20 Financial Milestones for your 20s @Budgeting In The Fun Stuff;

Someone just got a place together! Huge step! Our First Home Together @Invest It Wisely;

I discovered something new while reading The Beardstown Ladies @Money Cone;

Express your opinion about gender equality after reading Gender Equality and Opportunities for Girls Today @Squirrelers;

What if one of you would have to stay home and raise children? When Two Incomes Become One @MomVesting;

Did you think you got an unexpected pay raise when you saw you paycheck in January? Payroll Tax Holiday: Why Most People Will Get A Raise In 2011 @Faithful With A Few;

Saving for the first home but life gets in a way? What are your priorities? First time Home Buyer – Saving for a down payment @Wealth Informatics.

Aloysa’s Reading Picks: Secrets Revealed

Are you ready for 2011? If not, check out my staff writer post at Beating Broke today, Catching Up On Your Year End Financial Planning.

You probably heard by now all of my news. I pretty much announce it every chance I get, so it would be almost impossible not to know. But just in case you don’t know, listen up!

A few days ago I broke 200K! I completed the Yakezie challenge in 2.5 months! It feels great. My Alexa rank is now about 177K. As I type it, I cannot believe it. I joined the challenge on September 27. My Alexa rank was about 2.5 million. I switched to a self-hosted site in October and ended up with Alexa of 15 million. It was tough, starting from the scratch. Few words to the challengers:  you can do it! Nothing should be stopping you. We are all in this together!

Last week I became a contributing writer @ Beating Broke. My first article The Golden Rules of Haggling was published this week. Please make sure to stop by. I had fun writing The Rules. I hope you will have fun reading my post.

Someone asked me what is the secret of my success with my Alexa rank dropping so fast. I wondered about it myself. Then I looked at Google Analytics and my eyes opened up. Here are my secrets revealed:

My 5 top referring websites in November were:

1. Sweating the Big Stuff. This came as a big surprise. I do read this blog and comment there from time to time. Secret revealed: your comments attract readers. Leave a good, constructive comment and you might be surprised.

2. Carnival of Personal Finance. I do submit my articles to this carnival almost weekly. The result? Top two referring website! Secret revealed: participate in carnivals!

3. Politicalcalculations.com. I had to go and take a look at this website because I had no idea what this was all about. Apparently one of my articles Beware of Men Counting Pennies ended up in this blog’s roundup. It was an editor’s pick, and as the result of it, my traffic was great for a few days. Secret revealed: write well and submit to carnivals. I know, somewhat redundant but hey, you never know who is reading you!

4. Google. Secret revealed: I don’t write word targeted posts. I don’t know anything about SEO. Ignorance is bliss. Sometimes.

5. Yakezie.com. What can I say? I like to talk. Ask my husband Beaker, he will confirm. Secret revealed:participate in forums!

My 5 top referring websites in December are:

1. Invest It Wisely. I participated in his suggested project and the result was AMAZING. His original article was picked up by a coupe of big websites. Congratulations! As the result of it, The Kitchen Sink got some share of this traffic. Secret revealed: participate in projects. Support your blogging friends!

2. Carnival Of Personal Finance.

3. Life and My Finances. Comments people, make comments. By the way, check this blog out. Great blog, interesting reads. Special thanks to Derek for a great guest post!

4. Yakezie.com

5. Everyday Tips and Thoughts. I am a regular reader of this great blog. I love Kris’ humor, insight and style. I read, I comment, I get traffic.

Now as all my blogging secrets revealed, let’s catch up on some great reading:

Do we need failures in order to succeed? Find out reading Want to Be Successful? Go Out And Make Mistakes! @Life and My Finances.

Have student loans? Have trouble tracking them? Read HowTo Track Your Student Loans @Money Cone.

What would you do if the worst happend? Find out reading If The Worst Happened @Budgeting in the Fun Stuff.

I am a horrible tipper. Thanks to Suba I have a Holiday Tipping Guide – How Much and To Whom@Wealth Informatics.

This post just proves to me that being a landlord might be a nightmare. Dealing with My Tenant From Hell@Yes, I am Cheap.

Have your limits when it comes to generic stuff? Express your opinion after reading Sometimes Saving Money Isn’t Worth It – Items I Refuse To Buy Generic @Everyday Tips and Thoughts.

Are you in a disagreement when it comes to discussing finances with your significant other? Read The Daily Grind: How To Agree On Daily Finances@MomVesting.

Interested in renewable energy? Find out How Much Does Renewable Energy Cost Me? @retireby40.

Don’t we all want to stretch our money a little more? Streching Your Grocery Dollars Without Using Coupons Part 2 @Mom’s Plan

A relatively new blogger wrote an excellent article about charitable donations. Check it out – Giving to Charity – Sustainability for the Soul @Sustainable Personal Finance.

Are you a fan of Rich Dad Poor Dad? You have to read Rich Dad Wrong Dad @Buck Inspire.

Hate Christmas gifts you get from your in-laws? You are not alone! Get some laughs reading Unforgettible, Funny Holiday Gifts That Were Given as real Presents @Squirrelers.

Vacation, Alexa Ranking and Aloysa’s Reading Picks

I am going on vacation! I waited for it long enough and, finally, it is here. You won’t hear from me till the middle of November. It makes me a little bit paranoid because I have never been away from the Kitchen Sink for that long. Well, my blog will be three months old in November and you know how paranoid parents get about their newborn. The Good news is that you will hear from a few great bloggers as their guest posts will appear on this blog. Please make sure to come back and see what they have to say.

I joined the Yakezie challenge on September 27, 2010 with Alexa ranking of 2.6 MM. A month later I made it to 700K, running The Kitchen Sink as a free wordpress blog. In October I switched to a self-hosted website and never looked back. It was the best move I ever made in the blogosphere. However, the switch affected my Alexa ranking. It was sky-high at 15 MM. Today, November 2, 2010, it is 613,380! Thank you everyone for reading my posts, commenting, promoting and linking back. Thank you everyone for becoming a subscriber and a loyal reader!In fact, I cannot thank all of you enough.

While I am away, make sure to check out these great articles:

Do you want to know what people spend on weddings? Do you have something to say about it? Read Would You Pay for An Extravagant Wedding @Everyday Tips and Thoughts.

If you want to learn how to maximize your strength, check out Strength Finder 2.o @retireby40.

Want to learn more about how to make money blogging? Read 3 Ways to Supplement Your Income With Online Earnings @ Financially Poor.

What to do when financial disaster strikes? Find out from One Disaster Away @Yes, I am Cheap.

Do you get paid bi-weekly or monthly? It’s All About Timing @Musings of an Abstract Aucklander.

Wondering if you should invest in 401K? Think you cannot afford it? Find out reading 401K Advice – Stop Passing Up Free Money! @Faithful With A Few.

What is your experience with Craigslist? I am not talking about the Craigslist killer…  but Craigslist Secrets That Nobody Told You @Minting Nickels.

Have you heard about Consumerism Commentary blog? Of course you have. Do you want to find out more? ReadPersonal Finance Luminaries @BarbaraFriedberg Personal Finance.

What is the difference between Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account? Find out reading Health Savings Accounts vs Flexible Spending Accounts @Wealth Informatics.

Get involved and state your opinion after reading Does It Matter Who Is The Main Provider Between Husband and Wife @Squirrelers.

Find out what millionaires drive reading Toyota Millionaires Vs Mercedes Millionaires @Watson Inc.

Halloween is over but see what you could have done Free Deals and Activities For Halloween @The College Investor.

Have a great week everyone!