I am so happy to feature one of the first bloggers I ever followed, Tonya from Budget and the Beach. I think she is spunky, fun, so very talented and I simply love following her journey. She has also been such a great supporter and friend. We even shared some glasses of wine together during her last visit to Portland. Oh, and if you need a writer or video editor, hire her. Like, yesterday. She’s damn good at what she does!
More about her: Tonya is a beach volleyball-lovin’ video editor and writer living in Los Angeles. She chronicles her journey of becoming financially independent, and managing the rocky waters of freelancing, in her personal finance blog Budget & the Beach. You can follow her on Twitter at @beachbudget or on her Facebook page.
What was the inspiration for starting your blog?
Back around 2011/12, I had another blog that all my friends and family knew about that was related to my attempt at becoming a life coach. The truth is, I needed a coach myself, but more for financial reasons. So in 2012 I started Budget and the Beach as a way to talk about my financial life and my struggles with saving and spending. At first it was anonymous, but over the course of two years everyone I know in my life knows about it at this point.
What has been the most challenging part of having a blog?
The biggest challenge (and I’m sure everyone has said this) is the time you need to dedicate to have a successful blog. And by successful, I don’t necessarily mean a blog that is monetized, but one where you get regular readers and commenters. It takes a lot of time to build up a community around your blog, but it’s well worth it if you are interested in the subject matter, which I am!
In what ways, direct or indirect, has your life changed because of your blog?
I would say it mostly has had a direct effect on my life in a very positive way. First, having a place to be free with expressing myself is amazing. I work in a creative profession as a video editor as my main gig, but mostly you are at the mercy of whatever your client wants. In the end it’s really their vision, not yours. With my blog it’s been one of the best creative outlets I could have ever hoped for…and it’s all mine…my words, my thoughts, etc.
Secondly are all the amazing people I have met through my blog, both online and in person. Not only do I value their friendship, but many, many people have helped me with job recommendations, job referrals, technical advice, blog advice…you name it! And the personal finance community is not some kind of snooty, boring group. We are a bunch of fun, crazy people who just want to be smart about our money!
And third it has led to me earning extra income both as a writer for other sites, and earning income from sponsored posts and ads.
All in all it has been a life saver over the last couple of years. One of the best things I could have ever done.
What have you learned from blogging?
Wow another loaded question! 🙂 Well the one obvious answer is I have learned a ton about the subject of money in general. I learn through both solid advice and tips, to people’s deeply personal experiences. I’ve also learned a lot about Wordpress, social media, SEO…and all of that other behind the scenes stuff that goes along with having a blog.
From an emotional standpoint I’ve learned how to be very strong and weather some tough times through some really creative thinking, side hustles, etc. And I’ve really embraced frugality and simplicity in my life.
What advice would you give to new bloggers who are thinking of starting a blog?
It’s the same advice I give over and over to new bloggers: Love what you are writing about and if you want people to come to your site, you have to get out there and read and comment on other blogs. But it won’t seem like work if you love what you are writing about. Be patient, but be consistent with your writing schedule. And lastly, don’t worry about being the perfect writer. People come to blogs because they want to get to know the person behind the blog…not some boring regurgitated facts.
Thank you, Tonya!
- Talking About Money and Mental Health - September 12, 2022
- Dear Debt, We’re Better Apart - June 27, 2022
- Announcing The Mental Health and Wealth Summit - May 4, 2021
18 comments
So happy that you featured Tonya! She was also one of the first sites I read back in 2012 and have followed her progression as a blogger. I wish her nothing but the best that is on its way!
Awe thanks lady!! I’m so glad you came back to blogging. I love your point of view!
I love these interviews!! I should say that I’m biased because Tonya is a friend. But, her blog rocks. My favorite video is her budgeting video and if you haven’t watched it (other commenters) go to her blog and watch it STAT.
Thanks Michelle! I love working on the videos and I’m working hard to get sponsorship for it!
I love the advice to be yourself and write about what interests you. I have done a few posts that were more to generate traffic, and they did. But I did not feel good about those articles. I’m thankful that I learned a lot through my October challenge and I’m hoping to see a difference in my blog (at least, in the way I feel about it).
Good luck Kirsten! The ones I have felt the most proud of are the ones that really come from the heart, even if that makes me vulnerable!
Tonya is awesome!! I am so glad she started her blog and that we are friends IRL 🙂
Thanks Mackenzie! I’m so glad we’ve gotten to meet up a few times in person! And I love our text conversations too! 🙂
I didn’t know you previously had a blog re life coaching! So cool. I could see my future self being a life coach, but we’ll see. And I couldn’t agree more that the biggest challenge is the time commitment. Without a doubt, blogging takes 10 times the amount of time I thought it would when I started.
Well I took classes and got certified in the foundations course but it was too expensive to complete, so I didn’t get certified. I do like a lot of what I learned though!
I am so psyched you featured Tonya!! I love her blog and I love reading about her journey. The best is that she doesn’t sugar coat her experience, and I relate to a lot of what she is going through. Plus, her BATB TV episodes are not to be missed!! 🙂
Awe thank you so much Shannon! 🙂
Tonya, your blog has impacted my life tremendously as I watch and read about how you go after your dreams and always drive yourself to be the best you can be. And I couldn’t agree more about the wonderful value of the friendships created through the PF blogging world. They are tremendous!
Thanks so much Laurie! This community is truly invaluable!
So glad you started your blog, Tonya! I appreciate the way you blend finances with emotional intelligence and personal struggles. Your words ring true, and always end up encouraging your readers. Keep on writing! (And producing hilarious videos : )
Thanks so much Prudence!!
I think a lot of people start blogging when they see your success, with very little understanding of the passion and work that went into making that and building a community from scratch. I always enjoy your blog Tonya!
Many of my friends want to start blogging, which is awesome, but I don’t think people realize how much work goes into it. It’s a full time job basically!