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This is the first in a monthly series of in-depth interviews with leaders in the online personal finance world. These conversations aim to share lessons from their successes and struggles. Here, Flexo of Consumerism Commentary explains his approach and experience.
What is your personal finance philosophy?
Cover your basic needs first and spend less than you earn. The point of good financial planning is to give you the freedom to live the life you want.
What do you do weekly for your blog and how much time do you spend?
I have a full-time day job, so the blog fits around that. Consumerism Commentary takes roughly 40 hours a week. My tasks include writing, managing the site, handling email and advertisers, and writing for other outlets like U.S. News and American Express. About half my time is writing and half is everything else. I’m not thrilled about the marketing side, but it’s necessary to grow awareness of the site.
Are you considering leaving your day job to blog full time?
I’ve thought about it for a long time. The blog has made enough money to support me for a few years, but I haven’t taken the leap. I value the security and benefits of a full-time job, and lenders often prefer a W-2 when approving a mortgage. I might try a leave of absence to test it out.
What are your top tips for staying organized and focused?
Organization isn’t my strength, but a calendar, a to-do list, and a contact list are essential. Follow-up is key. For financial records I use Quicken—I’d be lost without it, especially because I’ve opened over 60 accounts to review for the site.
What are the best and worst parts of being a top blogger?
Best: the option and freedom to leave my day job. Worst: sometimes it feels like a chore. I love writing, but occasionally it’s tough.
When you feel like quitting, what keeps you going?
When I hit writer’s block I step away and come back with fresh eyes. I read a lot and listen to the radio for inspiration. Sometimes I wonder if anything original remains to write, but overall I enjoy writing and that brings me back.
Who and what inspires you on and offline?
I was in a bad financial spot before starting Consumerism Commentary, and I motivated myself to learn personal finance and take responsibility. Seeing my accounts go from negative to positive kept me going. My parents inspired me too—my dad regretted getting into debt and that pushed me to pay off student loans and credit cards. My mom encouraged me to believe I could do anything I put my mind to. In general, reading and spending time thinking and writing inspire me.
How long does it take you to write a typical post?
A detailed post takes one to two hours for research and organizing, then another one to two hours to write. Guest posts may take longer. Shorter pieces often take a total of one to two hours.
How have your goals changed over time?
At first my goals were simple: learn about personal finance and keep myself accountable. I posted monthly balance sheets to stay on track—probably one of the early examples of full financial disclosure. I didn’t expect readers at first and mostly linked to posts I liked. Now I want to grow the site, attract more readers, and maintain a stronger online presence.
What makes Consumerism Commentary stand out and keeps readers coming back?
My voice and writing style. Sometimes dry, sometimes personal, with a subtle sense of humor that resonates with a core group of readers who really connect with the site.
What are your main sources of revenue?
I earn from ads, affiliates, contextual links, and writing for other sites, but Google is the dominant driver—both search visibility and many ad products. Being visible on Google is crucial; when Google ranks you well, you get traffic, advertisers, and affiliate income. I had the advantage of being early in the niche.
Do you use search engine optimization (SEO)? Should newer blogs?
Content is the most important thing. Also format pages so they load quickly—Google prefers that. But without good articles you won’t get lasting organic growth or links. Focus on quality content first, and try to partner with larger sites that can help promote your work.
What inspired you to join the Yakezie Personal Finance Network?
Sam from Financial Samurai has a strong presence online and can draw attention. I don’t always agree with him, but he’s influential. Joining the network felt like a way to give back and connect with other bloggers.
Any tips for personal finance bloggers who want to make money?
The internet changes fast, so my path might not work today, but focus on quality content, build relationships, and be visible where readers search and share.
If you could do one thing over, what would it be?
I wouldn’t change my music education degree—I’m happy with my path. But I would have learned about personal finance earlier, invested sooner, and spent less in college. My career included nonprofit work, a financial breakdown, then re-entering the finance world and working my way up.
What are your personal finance strategies, successes, or regrets?
I’ve focused on eliminating debt and building habits that keep me accountable. My main regret is not starting savings and investing earlier, but overall I’m satisfied with the direction I’ve taken.
