Why I Joined a Gang

It all started back in 2006 when I started chatting with a guy named Henry about personal finance and blogging.  We became friends and started connecting with other people who were interested enough in personal finance to write about it every day online.

We were all going through similar things and got a lot out of sharing information with each other and going to one another for help.  Eventually we decided we needed a “home base” where we could share our ideas and questions and decided to start our own “blogging gang” online – The Money Writers.

Of course, there was nothing nefarious about the gang, as the title might suggest.  We were just a bunch of blogging buddies helping each other figure things out.  I credit this group of people with helping me learn a tremendous amount about personal finance and the world of blogging.  Without them, I don’t know that I would have been able to keep Money Smart Life running all these years.

Why You Should Join a Gang Too

The reason I’m telling you this is that building a support group can help you enormously in life.  Having a trusted group of people you can go to for questions, help, or even just support can make the difference between success and dismal failure at whatever you’re doing.

Whether you’re trying to lose weight, manage your finances, be a stay-at-home parent, start a business, etc – having a support group help the process along and prevent you from feeling alone and overwhelmed.

There may already be groups of people that you could join up with.   If not, you can always contact people you know that are in your same situation and start up your own.  It helps if everyone brings something a little different to the table – different skill sets, personalities, perspectives, etc.

For example, here are the members of our group and their specialties. Of course everyone has multiple things they’re good at – here are some of their specialties and a recent article from their site.

Our Philosopher & Career Expert – Brip Blap

• One Resolution a Month

The Tax Expert – My Dollar Plan

• Reviewing 2010 and 2011 Financial Strategies

The Canadian Branch – Million Dollar Journey

• Why Low Interest Rates Are A Good Thing

Our Frugal Expert – Frugal Dad

• Increase Investment Returns by Controlling Costs

Retirement Expert – Generation X Finance

• Ways to Save Money On Your Phone Bill

Life Hacks Expert – Lazy Man and Money

• Make a New Year’s Resolution for SMARTER Goals This Year

Our Deal Expert – Suns Financial Diary

• Does Automatic Enrollment Improve Retirement Saving?

Innovation Expert – The Digerati Life

• Bill Paying Strategies To Help Find Your Spending Balance

If you’re struggling with a part of your life right now, think about joining (or starting) a group of people that can help you and one another press through to success.

Ben Edwards, the founder of Money Smart Life, saved up enough to buy a Nintendo back when he was 12 years old. When he used the money to buy shares of Wal-Mart stock instead, he knew he wasn't like the other kids... His addiction to personal finance has paid off for his family and now he's helping you to afford the life that you want. Check him out on the web at Google Plus, Twitter and Facebook.

All posts by Ben Edwards