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Short Takes: Predictions of Doom, Zero Fees, and more

I found my blog in a searchable list of over 2000 personal finance blogs. Apparently, I’m number 112 in Canada. I assume this is for several reasons. I don’t know how to set the blog up properly for viewing on phones. I’m not on Facebook. I use too many numbers and charts. The writing level is too high. Sometimes I take unpopular positions if I think the common wisdom is wrong. I don’t know much about SEO. I don’t fix broken links often enough. I have no idea why my Google PageRank got dropped to zero. I’m unwilling to pay anyone to fix some of these things. No doubt others could add to this list. I appreciate all my readers who fight through these problems and give me a reason to keep blogging.

 I managed only one post in the past two weeks:

Seniors Staying in their Homes

I was pickier than usual recently. Here are a couple of articles worth reading this weekend:

Shawn Langlois has a funny chart overlaying predictions of economic doom on top of a steadily rising S&P 500 chart.

Dan Bortolotti points out that while zero-fee investing will save you a few bucks, it won’t make you a better investor.

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Comments

  1. AnonymousAugust 31, 2018 at 9:11 AM

    Well, thanks for your blogging. You're one of only three that are worth reading, along with Dan Bortolotti and Justin Bender. Site works fine on my mobile, though I usually just read the convenient email that comes in when you post. So I'd put you at much better than 112 if they asked me, for what it's worth.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sebastien BenoitAugust 31, 2018 at 9:38 AM

    I'm surprised there are even 112 personal finance blogs in Canada! I'd definitely rate yours higher than that. I always come back :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Michael JamesAugust 31, 2018 at 11:37 AM

    @Anonymous and @Sebastien: Thanks for the kind words. I was surprised at the number of blogs as well. There can't be that many different takes on whether the first debt you pay off should be the highest interest or smallest.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Steadyhand_chris August 31, 2018 at 5:07 PM

    you're in the top 5! no doubt about it ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael JamesAugust 31, 2018 at 10:53 PM

      @Chris: Thanks. That's quite an upgrade from 112.

      Delete
  5. AnonymousAugust 31, 2018 at 6:32 PM

    You're in my top 2, and frankly, I'm always looking at add blogs to my reading list, so staying top 2 means something. Maybe being from a science/engineering background as well helps since your take is often similar to mine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael JamesAugust 31, 2018 at 10:56 PM

      @Anonymous: Sadly, I seem to be dropping blogs faster than I'm adding new ones. I get tired of reading a bad post and then seeing the disclosure about it being a paid post at the end.

      Delete
  6. SpeculatorSeptember 1, 2018 at 5:54 AM

    I don't know jack about broken links and SEO either. I would also NOT pay anyone for a fix. The Canadian PF landscape is littered with so many individuals trying to make money blogging because they borrowed money so are now a 'get out of debt' expert.
    They buy stocks so now they're a dividend growth stock expert.
    Millenial stay at home Moms who are now spewing financial advice who haven't got a clue how the world even works.
    I write for me and my random thoughts about what I'm thinking about investing and trading. I don't do people well anyway. You're one of the smarter guys out there and I appreciate the blog. I don't read many, just not worth it. You already know that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael JamesSeptember 1, 2018 at 9:29 AM

      @Stockmarket Speculator: I think you hit on the two biggest problems -- bloggers not knowing much and having the sole goal of making money.

      Delete
  7. Alan Whitton (Big Cajun Man)September 1, 2018 at 11:41 AM

    For some very odd reason I am ranked 56th ? How very odd... I want to put more numbers and charts in....

    ReplyDelete
  8. JohnSeptember 2, 2018 at 2:15 PM

    I also appreciate your charts, numbers and higher level writing, and I look forward to reading each new post on your blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael JamesSeptember 3, 2018 at 3:10 PM

      @John: That's good to hear, because my writing style isn't likely to change much :-)

      Delete
  9. UnknownSeptember 5, 2018 at 4:48 PM

    I really enjoy reading your blog and the higher level writing as well... I've been reading since about 2008 I think

    ReplyDelete

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