Taking the Yakezie Challenge!
I’m having a great time with this blog and the Money Counselor business. After just four months, I’ve learned so much and “met” (in cyberspace) so many cool, smart people with a lot of interesting ideas and perspectives. I’ve written over a hundred Money Counselor posts—phew! And a couple of them we’re pretty good! 
I feel the time is right to take on the Yakezie Blog Network challenge. The first step in the challenge is to install the Alexa toolbar. I know the Alexa rankings aren’t exactly the product of refined science, but still, I admit to a short bout of depression when I first saw Money Counselor’s Alexa ranking: 1,641,999. Ouch. That’s humbling. But also motivating.
To meet the Yakezie challenge, for the next six months I must:
- Post 2-4 times per week (been doing 5 times per week)
- Install on Money Counselor the Yakezie challenge badge (done)
- Announce that I’ve joined the challenge (you’re reading it!)
- Selflessly promote others and build relationships (I’ve been doing this, but look forward to ramping it up)
- Meet the other Yakezie members and challengers on the Yakezie forum (great!)
To become a Yakezie member, besides succeeding at the above challenges, I have to achieve a 200,000 or better Alexa ranking for Money Counselor within six months. As an ex-Business Coach, I know what it’s going to take to meet this goal: Mainly, persistence!
Wish me luck! My Yakezie challenge results will be reported here in six months.
Through formal and self-education, experience, and work in corporate finance and as a certified credit counselor, I’ve learned about making good money decisions. I still have a lot to learn, but my wife and I have achieved modest financial freedom: We’re debt-free and have managed to sock away a decent nest egg. We don’t have and have never had a lavish lifestyle (the main reason for our progress), but we’re reaching our goals and like our lives. We’ve learned that simple living saves money and, more importantly, improves life's quality and richness. We didn’t get to this place by accident; we arrived through thousands of choices large and small to save or simplify instead of spend or splurge. I believe you can do the same. Thanks for visiting and sharing. - Kurt