In Debt? Blog about it

I've been scratching my head since I read this article in the New York Times about a woman who blogs about working off nearly $40 K of debt. To hide both her debt from the rest of her Northern Michigan family and close friends, she writes bloggingaway debt from the family laundry room. apparently she is one of at lest a dozen debt bloggers.

I have to say I'm dubious about some of the woman's claims. She calls herself Tricia, and describes herself on her blog as an introvert. If you are an introvert who  doesn't want your family and friends know you are in debt and blogging about it, doing an interview in the New York Times may not be a good way to keep your cloak of anonymity on.  Then, one wonders just how the Times found her.

There's also a photo of Leigh Ann Fraley who blogs$19 K of debt. The thing about Leigh Ann a financial educator, who told the Times she teaches people how to get out of debt, but couldn't do it herself until she started the blog.

This seems to me a new genre for blogs. Use the blogosphere to force you discipline. Think of what it could do for:

• Dieters who start reporting daily on every morsel they swallow, listing high cheat days and low cheat days.
• Politicians, who can report on their struggles to not take bribes or kickbacks. They could start a daily report on the money they didn't take and name the people who offered it.
• Athletes, who discuss how well they did without steroids or other enhancement drugs.
• The unfaithful, who could report on all the times they did not cheat on their spouses, plus occasional lurid reports on their lapses.

Dicsipline blogs could actually be a genre with legs.  Can you think of a few more to add to the pile? One other question, would any of you read any of these?


Technorati Tags: leighanfraley

Comments

[Doug Karr]

Ironically, I wrote about progress on my goals for 2007 today. I'm not writing into great detail, but I am keeping my goals top of mind. As well, putting them out into the 'public eye' makes me more accountable to them.

I'm not sure I would read about a blog centered around that - but I can't believe that it's not unlike going to Weight Watchers, AA, or any other support group.

If you're trying to find the discipline to get out of debt, what better blog to read? Recently, me and my friends at work started pressuring each other to bring our lunches to work so we don't spend as much money. Support groups are great - perhaps this is a fantastic evolution of social networking!

[Tricia]

Hi There,

I just wanted to point out that since I started my blog, we have told our parents and a few friends about our debt situation. I am glad for my blog because it opened up dialogue that wasn't there before I started blogging.

As for how the Times writer found me, he googled "debt blogs" and found my site. He then sent me an email.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[Perry P. Perkins]

I think that, much like other "accountability" movements and organizations, while the ideal is honorable, the premise is flawed.

A person can only be accountable to the level that they are willing to be honest.

If I'm blogging about my struggle with food addictions, and expecting a group of strangers to hold me "accountable" then I am simply taking another step away from personal responsibility, which is the only thing that will achieve my goals.

If I'm simply looking for support (ie: I ate a box of Twinkies today, and now I feel like pond-scum) that's fine, for what it's worth. Commiseration can be a good thing, within reason.

However, if I'm making a commitment that I will change my behaviors based on what I post, and that your feedback is going to alter my attitudes and sense of personal responsibility, then the temptation to "tell you what you want to hear" is far greater than the temptation to be honest.

I will always be able to justify my omissions and promise that I'll get back in the saddle tomorrow.

True accountability can only be between me and me, as I'm the only one that I cannot effectively lie to.

Don't get me wrong, support groups can be wonderful, empowering things, but if I'm using my blog to surround myself with strangers who have to believe what I post, I'm setting myself up to continue living a secret life of shame and failure.

-Perry

[Stephanie Booth]

I've done something slightly similar: blogging about my small, day-to-day accomplishments at times when I had a really hard time doing anything. Putting it out in public actually gave me a feeling of recognition and validation I wasn't capable of giving to myself alone.

Also, I recently wrote the first two posts of my book-writing project. I already feel that blogging as I write is going to help me keep up, and not abandon the project, because there are people watching.

[Bob LeDrew]

There was a guy here in Ottawa who embarked on a serious weight-loss program and did what might have been considered a blog about it -- http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/leosdiary/index.html

Nothing on there since late 2005. I wonder how he's doing?

[shel israel]

Maybe he lost so much weight he just disappeared.

[maggie]

hahahahha. or, maybe he lost so much weight he doesnt have any energy left to maintain his blog.

i read various blogs and i have noticed that the ones posting in anonymity have more detailed, revealing accounts about what theyre bloggin about.

i guess liberation means differently to a lot of people.

[MiserMan]

Gosh I love getting out of debt - it's the greatest feeling. http://www.stopspendingmoney.com is a good source of ideas for stopping spending money. I've started trading my stuff I don't use for stuff I do need - that way it's free! Now that I can live with....

[Claire (Little Miss Sew N Sew)]

I'd read them only if I had issues with those topics and wanted advice, moral support, or comraderie. Otherwise, I don't care what druggie took what, or how some financially silly person spends her money. But it is an interesting trend you pointed out.

[Tony]

Blogging about debt has helped me to think that I am actually helping someone else. It is so so easy to get into debt these days and with no form of financial tutoring at school when we do make it out into the big open world we are very likely to stumble when it comes to credit cards, loans and debt.
Help is needed to reduce debt more through education than anything else.

[William Brooks]

I agree that it is a great way to learn and connect with people going through similar situations.

I like to visit all of these blogs and post comments and try to help. My blog is centered around teaching about debt, but I have been in and out of debt for many years. This due to investing and all.

I figure my experience can help lots of people.

More people should set up blogs about their goals and experiences. Creates a supportive community!

[R Perry]

Hi I think you are on the right track. I have also been struggling with debt. I recently found a great program called Got Guts? This has really made a difference in my life. Check it out at www.got-guts.com

This way of making money is like many other false promises; they may be the perfect solution for some people and a financial curse for others. It all comes down to your reasons for being in debt, your current income, the stability of that income, and your financial discipline. It’s that single key to the puzzle. If you have relatively poor financial discipline, until you change the way you spend your money it is almost certain a recipe for disaster.

Good luck

[Linda Koehl]

I've been in and out of debt, and I can say from personal experience that debt free is the best way to live. I have a theory about lifestyle--we spend too much to have to much to take care of! In the end, stuff can own us instead of the reverse. For an idea of a new way to live, check out my website at www.livingadventurously.com. There are dozens of ideas for getting out of debt, staying out of debt, making money, and having great adventures in life!

www.livingadventurously.com

[Linda Koehl]

I've been in and out of debt, and I can say from personal experience that debt free is the best way to live. I have a theory about lifestyle--we spend too much to have to much to take care of! In the end, stuff can own us instead of the reverse. For an idea of a new way to live, check out my website at www.livingadventurously.com. There are dozens of ideas for getting out of debt, staying out of debt, making money, and having great adventures in life!

www.livingadventurously.com

[Linda Koehl]

I have been in debt and am now enjoying a completely debt-free lifestyle. I have a theory that many of us spend too much money to have more stuff than we can take care of! In the end, the stuff owns us instead of the reverse, leaving us exhausted and worn out. Learn a new way to live, plus dozens of ways to eliminate debt and produce new streams of income. I'll even give you ideas for putting adventure permanently in your life! Check out my website at www.livingadventurously.com

[Linda Koehl]

I have been in debt and am now enjoying a completely debt-free lifestyle. I have a theory that many of us spend too much money to have more stuff than we can take care of! In the end, the stuff owns us instead of the reverse, leaving us exhausted and worn out. Learn a new way to live, plus dozens of ways to eliminate debt and produce new streams of income. I'll even give you ideas for putting adventure permanently in your life! Check out my website at www.livingadventurously.com

[ORIT]

HI
I have been struggling debt for the last 3 years, and i am proud to say that i reached NO DEBT goal, its a long road, but if i did it, anyone can. So, good luck.
Orit
http://debt-management-solution.net

[Kirk]

Blogging about your struggles is like journeling in a way. Some people are able to process what the're dealing with through writing it down. they may inprove their discipline through processing what they are dealing with instead of ignoring it and becoming more concsious of their spending.
I hear people talk about it all of the time. Our debt management program helps them become more disciplined over time. It's not something you can instill in someone over night or even in a few months. The sooner a person deals with their debt the sooner they can get on the right path.

[Chris]

I have my own debt blog that I started in April of this year. I had over $75,000 in credit card debt. Blogging about debt keeps me on track. It also opens my eyes to the mess I am in. I have paid of almost $3000 in credit card debt since April. I probably would not have paid off that much if it wasn't for the blogging.

[abby007]

Debt is always a sense of stress for borrower.The money which add as interest makes it large at the time of payment.Same is in my case,I have been struggling debt for the last 3 years, and i am proud to say that i reached NO DEBT goal, its a long road, but if i did it, anyone can.
abby007
Debt Consolidation

[Debt Management]

I am a huge fan of bloggingawaydebt.com. Until I found this blog, I was in major debt and not really doing anything about it. Out of sight, out of mind. I think "discipline" blogs are a great idea.

[Layla]

That's great financial information. I find that it's hard to get solid advice on financial matters anymore, but you seem to provide some of the best.

[Rachael]

Thanks for the information...I bookmarked your site, and I appreciate your time and effort to make your blog a success!

[Instant loan]

I think that getting out of debt should be a mildy painful process so as to discourage further use of debt as a lifestyle. Just face it. Life will change if you decided to do this yourself. But when you get out of debt, just think of the options that you will open yourself up to with hundereds of extra dollars every month.

[az auto glass]

I have a theory that many of us spend too much money to have more stuff than we can take care of! In the end, the stuff owns us instead of the reverse, leaving us exhausted and worn out. Learn a new way to live, plus dozens of ways to eliminate debt and produce new streams of income.