December 2025 marks the 21st anniversary of this site. Every year about this time, I think to myself: “How crazy! It worked!” I’ve been able to choose my work (or not to work) on my own terms for a while now. However, I keep going because I feel that the sharing and writing itself provides both myself and others an ongoing benefit. Writing for others makes me research more thoroughly and improve my understanding of the topic. While it may be trendy to mock “content creators”, I continue to love learning new stuff from online communities and individuals.
Another of the substacks I follow is Sketchplanations by Jono Hey, which explains complex ideas using simple sketches. Topics may include everything from vocabulary words to scientific theories. Apple and Ideas illustrates the following quote often attributed to George Bernard Shaw:
If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange apples, then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.
In another sketch, Three Bricklayers Story does a great job explaining the “Three Bricklayers parable” about the power of having different perspectives in your work.
In that way, I think that each of us, sharing our own ideas with others, even has a greater purpose. Everyone can help each other move forward a little bit. I truly believe that everyone has something valuable to share about what lights their fire. Perhaps you post occasionally to an online forum, or just pass things along to close friends and children. Even sharing a mistake, what not do, is valuable. Making a mistake also means you at least took action, took a risk. I’m a shy person, but I’m always amazed that I always learn something even after short, casual conversations. Sometime just a quick side comment can turn me onto a hugely important concept.
Finance still intrigues me, but it’s also fun to be a beginner again; I consider myself a curious novice in running, triathlons, and woodworking.
The Best Credit Card Bonus Offers – 2025
Big List of Free Stocks from Brokerage Apps
Best Interest Rates on Cash - 2025
Free Credit Scores x 3 + Free Credit Monitoring
Best No Fee 0% APR Balance Transfer Offers
Little-Known Cellular Data Plans That Can Save Big Money
How To Haggle Your Cable or Direct TV Bill
Big List of Free Consumer Data Reports (Credit, Rent, Work)
I’ve enjoyed your previous posts, and also this one. Congrats on 21!
Thanks!
I’ve been here since the beginning. Not sure how I found you, but glad I did. I read most days, and have shared you to many. All the best and congrats on your longevity.
Thank you for reading 😄
Jonathan, I’ve lost track of how many years I’ve been coming to your page on a daily basis, but it’s definitely been an important part of my life. I’ve posted every now and then, but I mainly have just appreciated your continued desire to inform others and share things that many could use to improve their lives even a little bit. It’s also nice that you’ve stayed true to yourself and that you share things about your family and how things impact you directly. The personality of your blog has been there since I first started following you, and it continues today. So, congrats on 21 years, and thanks again for all your work over the years towards a very admirable purpose.
Thanks for the kind words 😄
I’ve learned so much from this blog over the years; thanks for everything you do!
Thanks for reading, skg!
Excellent post, Jonathan. You provide a lot of great stuff on this blog, and I truly appreciate your great work on it!
Thanks for reading, T!
Count me as one of your many long-time readers who appreciates what you do on a daily basis to help us little guys get ahead. In fact, you’ve held the #2 Favorites spot on all of my web browsers for a good decade+ now, so thank you so very much for continuing to be y-o-u, Jonathan.
Thanks for the kind words, Ian!
Wow, I don’t even think I’m #2 on my Mom’s Favorites Bar. 😆
Congratulations Jonathan on the 21-year anniversary of this blog.
Thank you for all the information you’ve shared over the years, I truly appreciate it.
Thanks for reading, P!
Merry Christmas Jonathan! You have helped me many times to save money over the years. Specifically, this year the – Navy Federal Credit card bonus and the Barclays tiered savings bonus were two offers that I would never have known about or taken advantage of without your blog. Thanks again and have a wonderful New Year.
Thanks for reading, Marco. Well done taking action to take advantage of those offers. Merry Christmas!
Congratulations on the blog reaching legal drinking age. I have loved following it over the years.
Thanks Lazy Man! 🍻 Congratulations on your long, independent run as well. I’ve been pondering a lot of the points you’ve been bringing up in your recent posts. It’s been quite a ride.
Congrats on 21 years. Have followed you since the 5% CD / 0% credit card transfer days. Thank you for the good finance and non-finance posts. Have you considered going on a podcast?
Thank you for all the information over the years! Happy New Year to you and your family.
Jonathan, I have learned a lot from your posts! Thank you for your work.
Fergus