Interview with the Financial Freedumb Blog

This is the 16th in a series of interviews HelpYourMoney.com is doing of other personal finance bloggers.

An Interview with FreeDumb of the Financial Freedumb Blog:

1. First, can you please introduce yourself and tell us why your started your personal finance blog?

I’m an anonymous blogger that goes by Financial Freedumb, or freedumb, or dumb…My dog is my partner in blogging and featured on my blog as well, he goes by Brownie. He’s an anonymous dogger.

Why did I start blogging? Well, I’ve thought about this a bunch of times, and everytime I think about it, something changes a little. So instead of answering it again, I’d like to suggest checking out my about page.

2. Do you feel you are on the right track to reaching your financial goals and what are they?

My goal is to achieve this self-determined point, aka “financial goal,” where I can sustain myself financially without the need to work and within my desired lifestyle…aka, “financial freedom.”

I think I’m on track. But the keyword is think…The only thing I do know is that I need to try to stretch my money as far as I can everyday, today. My goal, which is currently 2.5million USD by 2030, might change. In fact, I’m pretty sure it well…hopefully for the better. But on the way there, I need to make the right financial decisions to put myself in the best position to achieve my goals. That’s the best I can do. The rest is outside my control.

3. Do you work in the financial industry?

No, I do not.

4. If you had to recommend just one financial related book, what would it be?

Haha…I touched on this topic on my blog, I’m not an avid reader. I wish I was, but I just haven’t found the inspiration to start reading…books that is.

5. If you had to recommend just one financial related magazine, what would it be?

I like Smart Money. But that’s the only financial magazine I’ve read. I am looking forward to receiving my first issue of Kiplinger’s. $5 for 3 years! Hopefully it actually comes in.

6. If you had to recommend just one or two financial related websites (besides your own and that is not a blog), what would it be?

Slickdeals.net & Google.com. A consumer’s best friends.

Okay, seriously, pfblogs.org and CNNMoney.com. Two websites that I think you can gain a lot of insight on finances. Hopefully pfblogs.org qualifies for this questions, since it’s sort of indirectly related to blogs.

7. What is one of the WORST financial related decisions you ever made?

Buying a new car, first year model. Financial loss: $4000.00

Sometimes treating yourself is okay in moderation. As much as the urge to get something I really, really want pushes me towards something, I usually do okay, and think about it.

In this case, I really wanted a new car because it was reintroduced after being discontinued for 8 years. Unfortunately this binge purchase costed me a hefty $4000.00. I paid a premium for a car that was in demand when it was first released. I didn’t regret buying the car, just when and for how much. Lesson learned: Sleep on it. Never buy cars when they are introduced. Read my top five financial blunders here.

8. What is one of the BEST financial related decisions you ever made?

Making a move to switch 100% of my 401k from stocks to TIPS. It worked, netting me a return of around 20% for that year, after intially being down at the beginning of the year. More on this here.

9. Do You Trade Individual Stocks and If so recommend your favorite 3 to 5 picks?

Yes, but I can’t recommend any. You can always visit my blog…on occassion, I post assessments…Had I bought _just_ JNJ, I would be up 10%. Hah.

10. If you could give our readers just one financial related tip, what would it be?

Wait.

11. Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Thank you for all the continued support from my readers. I hope to continue writing something of value, but without feedback, it’d be kind of pointless.

>> Visit FreeDumb’s Financial Freedumb Blog.