How My Blog Changed My Life: Tonya from My Fab Finance

Hi friends! I have another awesome edition of How My Blog Changed My Life. This time featuring MY GIRL Tonya from My Fab Finance. I met her a while ago on Twitter. I saw she lived in Brooklyn. As some of you know, I used to live there. So I thought I’d check out her site — I fell immediately in love with her site and her story. She is an inspiration and has been on quite a journey. Now she rocks the house by helping people turn their finances from drab to fab. We have connected in so many ways and I can’t wait to be friends with her “in real life” at FinCon! More about her:

Tonya Rapley is the founder and editor of My Fab Finance. She is your guide to becoming financially fabulous. After improving her credit score by 120 points in 18 months, she fell in love with personal finance. My Fab Finance promotes financial freedom by supporting financial behavioral change and offering relatable information that increases financial literacy. Tonya is a Certified Financial Educator and possesses a master’s degree in Urban Policy.

1. What was the inspiration for starting your blog?

I started my blog so that it could be my accountability partner during my journey to financial respectability. The site turned out to be a hit with my peers and I realized that they wanted to find out how I was improving my finances. A year and a half later I am now a Certified Financial Educator and looking to do My Fab Finance full-time by next year.

2. What has been the most challenging part of having a blog?

Well up until May I was also in graduate school. Plus I work full-time. So growing a blog with a regular blogging schedule while working full-time and attending grad school full-time was extremely tough. Managing my time was difficult and continues to be.

Also I am a Gemini and focusing isn’t really our thing. I’ve learned to focus on the mission of my blog but I have to constantly remind myself of something my mentor told me, she said “be a tree, not a bush.” Don’t try to do everything with your site. Do what you do well, become known for that, and then grow.

3. In what ways, direct or indirect, has your life changed because of your blog?

I found my purpose in my blog. I always knew I wanted to change people’s lives, which is why both of my degrees are public service oriented, but I was not prepared for how clear this blog would make everything. I have never loved any endeavor I have embarked on as much as I do My Fab Finance. It sounds crazy but it’s my baby. I’m protective of its brand and integrity and think about it every waking hour (do I sound obsessed?)

I have met so many amazing people that I never would have met otherwise. I’ve learned how to effectively collaborate with others and see people in my field as assets not competition. My blog has also taught me about completion. Prior to My Fab Finance I was the type of person who talked about what they were going to do. Now, I do what I say I’m going to do. I have learned how powerful I am and have gained confidence in myself and my ability to achieve my goals. My Fab Finance has given me the opportunity to let my life speak.

4. What have you learned from blogging?

I have learned that consistency is essential and can overshadow talent. I have learned that relationships matter. I have learned how to use Photoshop a lot better. I have learned what type of person I don’t want to be. I’ve also learned how to share.

5. What advice would you give to new bloggers who are thinking of starting a blog?

Make sure it’s something you reallllyyy want to write about. After that first year that topic you thought you had so much to say about starts to look a little skimpy. Also write write write. I have a stockpile of articles I write when I’m in that zone to pull from when I’m not in the zone.

Lastly, readers do not come overnight, it takes work to get them to the site, be patient and make sure you have good content to bring them back.

Thank you so much, Tonya!

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Melanie

Melanie Lockert is the founder of the blog and author of the book, Dear Debt. Through her blog, she chronicled her journey out of $81,000 in student loan debt. She is also the co-founder of the Lola Retreat, which helps bold women face their fears, own their dreams and figure out a plan to be in control of their finances. She is passionate about empowering women, helping others get out of debt, and focuses on the intersection of debt and mental health. Every September she organizes a Suicide Prevention Awareness Blog Tour, to help share resources for those struggling with debt and suicide. In addition to her love of personal finance, art and music, she is also a karaoke master and a cat mom to Miles and Thelonious.

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