#FinCon15 Gave Me LIFE

by Melanie

For the past week, I’ve been trying to recover from the Financial Bloggers Conference, aka FinCon. I came back last Sunday with absolutely no voice and throbbing feet from several nights on the dance floor.

I know I mentioned that last year was a dream come true, but this year was ten times better.

Last year, I had just quit my job and didn’t really know what I was doing. I felt like the new kid on the block, just soaking everything in. I had a blast then, too and did my fair share of networking — most of which elevated my career this past year.

This year? I wasn’t necessarily looking for work, I WAS working. My colleague Tonya Rapley and I hosted two awesome events at FinCon with financial brands that I LOVE. We’ve been working behind-the-scenes for months to make these events happen and it felt so good to see the fruits of our labor pay off.

Right before FinCon started, we hosted a lovely Women and Money Tea sponsored by Fidelity. Imagine a room of 30 powerful and engaging women talking about money in an intimate setting. It was so great to sit down with people I admire and talk candidly about our relationship to money and our unique struggles.

by Joshua Galloway

Fidelity2

FinCon could have ended there and I’d be happy. Everything about that event was simply perfect and I cried happy tears afterward.

The next day we also hosted an event with SoFi, pretty much the coolest student loan refinancing company around. We invited everyone to hang out and bowl. I’m proud to announce I’m still a terrible bowler, but a good time was had by all.

melt

On Saturday, the happy hour crew recorded Martinis and Your Money live and I shared my most embarrassing money mistake. It was so great to connect with all the ladies in-person.

THEN, Saturday night blew my mind even more. This little blog of mine WON best debt-focused blog! I ran up there, jumping up and down like a crazy person. I was so excited. Thank you to all my readers and those that voted. You rock.

Dear Debt is my baby. Dear Debt, in many ways, was a lifesaver for me. In that moment of winning, I felt like everything I’ve worked hard for did matter. It’s nice to have those moments where you feel like other people get what you are trying to do.

Then I kept screaming like a crazy person because Shannon won best podcast, Tonya won best video, Jason won best collaborative project for Road to Financial Wellness (which I coordinated the blog tour and several in-person events for) and more.

Aside from the events, the podcast, and the award, I did attend some sessions that were really inspiring. In addition, I networked my face off and met with as many people as I could.

But the absolute best part of FinCon? The people. Last year I met Shannon for the first time and we were insta-BFFs. This year we were roommates and oh man it was like we were in college. We shared our dreams, our struggles, and our goals for the future (and stayed out way too late). And I’m so proud to call her a friend and colleague.

I loved seeing Erin from Journey to Saving again and catching up about our crazy freelance journey. I enjoyed meeting my debt accountability partner, Even Steven Money, who is always making sure I’m working hard to pay off that debt. I loved meeting the ladies at Payoff in person. I had a great time meeting some of my clients for the first time.

There are simply too many people to name, but I had an outstanding time reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones. As an extrovert, FinCon gave me SO MUCH LIFE.

I’m a die-hard FinCon fan and you bet your bottom dollar that I’ll be in San Diego next year for #FinCon16. Will I see you there?

Were you at FinCon15? What was your experience? Did we meet? If so, say hi!

Fidelity photos by Joshua Galloway

Melanie
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40 comments

Shirria @ GDTH September 28, 2015 - 3:26 am

I really enjoy reading all the bloggers Fincon experiences. It sounds like do much fun and somewhere I need to be to excel in the blogging community. I look forward to being there next year!

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Melanie September 28, 2015 - 9:41 am

You should definitely go. I hope to see you there!

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Neville Bendiola September 28, 2015 - 3:58 am

I am glad to see you have a great time and congratulations on the accomplishments! I was there, but was not feeling too well. Overall, great experience! I hope to meet you next year in San Diego!
-Neville, frugalnev.com

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Melanie September 28, 2015 - 9:42 am

Ahh, sorry we missed each other and that you weren’t feeling well. Let’s connect in SD!

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Natalie @ Financegirl September 28, 2015 - 4:52 am

Loved meeting you!! I will certainly be at FinCon16. I can’t wait!! 🙂

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Melanie September 28, 2015 - 9:43 am

It was so awesome meeting you too! Congrats on your Plutus. I was cheering you on. See you in SD girl!

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Holly@ClubThrifty September 28, 2015 - 5:42 am

So great seeing you! You’re the best! And thanks for hosting those awesome parties! They were a blast!

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Melanie September 28, 2015 - 9:46 am

Loved seeing you again and I was super happy you won the Plutus for best freelancer. You are an inspiration! Thanks for the compliments about the events, hopefully there will be more in the future 😉

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Kalie @ Pretend to Be Poor September 28, 2015 - 5:59 am

I wasn’t there but it’s inspiring to hear about your experience, especially since you’ve established your career as a blogger this year! It sounds super fun to meet all the great people behind the blogs in real life.

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Melanie September 28, 2015 - 9:47 am

It’s such a wonderful event. It gives you tons of inspiration and ideas for the next year! You should definitely go next year!

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Jim Wang September 28, 2015 - 6:25 am

It was great seeing you take home the award, kudos to you! Sounds like you had a great FinCon, it was great seeing you again.

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Melanie September 28, 2015 - 9:48 am

Thanks, Jim! It was awesome to see you too. I can’t wait for next year!

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Michelle September 28, 2015 - 6:30 am

Melanie!!! You SLAYED FinCon15. Thank you (and Tonya) so much for all of your hard work. Congratulations on winning the Plutus, and I was so happy to hang out with you. I’m all set for San Diego-but I hope to see you before then! Wishing you continued success.

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Melanie September 28, 2015 - 9:50 am

Haha, thanks girl. I had the best time ever. I’m hoping to make it to Denver soon and hope we can catch up more!

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Michelle September 28, 2015 - 6:31 am

Oh, and can we get a copy of that awesome picture??!!

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Melanie September 28, 2015 - 9:50 am

I sent them last week 🙁 I’ll re-send!

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Kate @ Cashville Skyline September 28, 2015 - 6:55 am

I know I’ve already said it 100 times, but I’m totally stoked for you. And I’m looking forward to more scopes! I keep reminding myself about your first one 🙂

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Melanie September 28, 2015 - 9:52 am

Yay, I appreciate the support, Kate. You are one rad lady. Yes, don’t do what I did for too long and undercharge. YOU ARE WORTH IT.

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Tonya@Budget and the Beach September 28, 2015 - 6:56 am

Glad to hear it was such an amazing experience for you and the events that you and Tonya put on were some of my favorites! Can’t wait to see you in a couple weeks again when it’s not so crazy! Congrats on the well-deserved award as well!

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Melanie September 28, 2015 - 9:54 am

Awesome, that means a lot! Oh yes, I’m coming to LA soon…almost forgot lol. Congrats to YOU on the award. You put so much work into BATB TV and I’m thrilled for you!

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Alyssa @ Generation YRA September 28, 2015 - 7:05 am

It sounds as if Fincon was such a fantastic experience – congratulations on all of the awards & fulfilling moments! I was able to make it to Jason’s Phroogal tour stop in Corvallis, OR (I was hoping to make it to the stop in Portland, but something came up that morning!). Such a wonderful tour that was, and Jason was incredibly grateful for all your coordination efforts! If you ever host a future personal finance event in Portland, OR – let me know, and I will be there! After hearing about FinCon this year, I am definitely wanting to make it to FinCon in San Diego next September. This October will be the one year anniversary of my PF blog, and I’ve been introduced to such an amazing community that I would be thrilled to meet everyone!

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Melanie September 28, 2015 - 9:57 am

Working on #TheRoad was so fun. We have monthly meetups in Portland if you can make it! You should definitely go to FinCon. It’s such a great way to connect with others and build your blog.

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Kayla @ Shoeaholicnomore September 28, 2015 - 8:16 am

FinCon was AMAZING! I can’t wait for next year. 🙂

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Melanie September 28, 2015 - 9:58 am

It was so awesome meeting you Kayla! Finally 🙂 Can’t wait for next year. Trying to bottle up this energy until next year!

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Kara @ The Daily Whisk September 28, 2015 - 10:42 am

CONGRATS on your award! So well deserved!!! 🙂 FinCon sounds like a complete blast! 🙂

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Melanie September 28, 2015 - 7:34 pm

Thank you! It’s a brilliant conference.

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Erin @ Journey to Saving September 28, 2015 - 11:13 am

It was so incredible to see all of you win Plutus awards. I was so proud because I know how hard everyone has worked this past year, and how much heart and soul you’ve put into this blog. Besides that, you welcome others to share their struggles, and it’s truly a place where people can commit to killing their debt.

FinCon was absolutely crazy, in a good way, and I totally can’t wait for next year already. It’s too far away! You’re also too far away! Clearly I need to get off the east coast. 😉

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Melanie September 28, 2015 - 7:33 pm

I was so happy too! FinCon was just too good this year. Next year is too far away. Well, I’m hoping we can visit mid-year in 2016 😉

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Michelle September 28, 2015 - 12:08 pm

FinCon15 was amazing. I can’t wait until next year!

FinCon always makes me super motivated about my blog and everything else in life. Love it!

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Melanie September 28, 2015 - 7:32 pm

Me too!!

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Hannah September 28, 2015 - 12:29 pm

FinCon was an amazing experience, I am so thankful that I got to go this year. I’m still trying to figure out if we can logistically swing it next year (everything is a little tougher with babies, this year I got lucky being just 2.5 hours from home).

I have to say, I came home just bursting with ideas!

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Melanie September 28, 2015 - 7:32 pm

So glad we could meet, Hannah! I hope you can make it next year! It’s so nice to have so many ideas now.

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catherine September 28, 2015 - 3:15 pm

Sadly I was not there…will definitely not be there next year either seeing as how it’s pretty much as far away from me as possible on this continent! Sounds like an amazing time though and your win was very well deserved!! So glad self employment is working out for you.

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Melanie September 28, 2015 - 7:29 pm

I wish you were there! Thanks for the kind words. Self-employment has been much better than the nonprofit world for me!

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Shannon @ Financially Blonde September 28, 2015 - 3:29 pm

I LOVED rooming with you too!! It was like college but college rooming for hustlers!! I love that we set intentions over a drunken brunch last year and they came true and I can’t wait to see where we are by FinCon16!! You are really an inspiration and your drive and energy just inspires me to no end. You’re the best and I love you to pieces!!

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Melanie September 28, 2015 - 7:28 pm

I feel the same way about you girl! Let’s rock this next year! And so glad we already made the choice to room together again 🙂

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Brian @DebtDiscipline September 29, 2015 - 6:55 pm

So great to connect with you at FinCon Melanie! Congrats on the Plutus award! I’m still playing catch up from the great weekend!

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Melanie October 5, 2015 - 1:21 pm

Same! It was so great meeting you finally!!!

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Abigail @ipickuppennies October 1, 2015 - 2:49 pm

It needs to be FinCon 16 already, dammit!

Congrats again for your win!

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Melanie October 5, 2015 - 1:18 pm

For realz! I can’t wait. Thank you so much!

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