Excellent idea! I have actually been pondering this for awhile, so I think I’ll take your advice.

There are lots of awesome blogs out there. And I’m sure no one would mind if he said that he was going to link to some great posts by other authors once or twice a week so that he can care for his baby.

Otherwise, I don’t bother and just skip right over it. I often wonder if it might serve any purpose to write and post such informational articles myself, but never do because I get too bored writing them if there’s no real personal connection to it.

@ABC, I suppose seeing it that way, it does seem like a reasonable trade overall. At least for the two parties involved.

@PT, Well first of all, congrats again on the new bundle of joy (aka the pooping machine). I had actually forgotten about the fact that you have a new baby causing you to need to lighten the load. Given your busy life, I do appreciate your stopping by to respond! And I’m glad that it actually did help some readers. Like I said, I’m a tad jaded today (okay, every day).

@Mrs. Micah, You know I hadnt considered that side of things (search engines/mixed crowds) so thanks for that side of things

@Meg, Yes, I suppose there is something to be said for hammering a points home. Which is probably why pretty much every PF book inevitably includes the basic advice, at least in the first few chapters.

Thank you all for responding. I actually did get to see a new side of this particular topic. There are certainly times when I’m just too cynical/used to frugality and everything feels like “Been there, done that” or “been there, can’t do that.” I think perhaps I’m just in one of those modes right now. These comments may help me snap out of them and look at things from a different angle!

Sure, those habits are obvious. However, how many of us know them without really live them? Imho, seeing them over and over again helps us better internalize them so that what once was book knowledge starts to become part of that internal monologue (or dialogue if you argue with yourself like I do).

Of course, at some point you are just preachin’ to the choir, beating a dead horse, etc. etc. etc.

I go through phases in my writing as well as in my PF blog reading. There were a couple months where I read virtually nothing because I was sick of 99% of it.

The other thing (less with this article, perhaps, but with basics articles) is that it’s not just your own readers you’re trying to reach. I get a LOT of visits from search engines and they’re normally looking for something practical. Sometimes it’s posts about how the stimulus is going to work this time around (not basic, though perhaps repeated on various blogs). Other times, they want to know ways to “save money groceries.” A basic article might give them ideas they’d never had before because these aren’t the people reading PF blogs. They aren’t all gung-ho for finance, just searching for info. So if I can help them out as well as my regular readers, then it’s a double win.

Thanks for reading and for the kind words, Abby. I’d say the post was more guilty of being a bit too generic vs. too basic for who I’m trying too reach (I want all-comers). I have people in my family who’ve never heard these concepts before believe it or not, or at least they live their life like they don’t.

Someone (non-blogger) did leave a very long and thoughtful comment in response, making me think at least he got something out of it.

Like you say, I do try and balance the simple with the complex on my blog. Overall though, I like to help people with my blog and give specific steps they can follow. This post definitely lacked specifics. I can see the frustration in that. It is what it is though. Trish is a good writer but may have mailed it in a bit with this post. I let it fly b/c she’s worked well with me in the past and I’ve got a one-month old in my arms right now. Not much time or motivation for deep, provocative content from me right now.

You make some good points here though. I get tired of the same ole posts too. I’ll try and do better.

Again, I appreciate you reading and for being a long time commenter on my blog.

From the point of view of the writer – as long as the link gets published then the less time spent on the article, the better.

From PT’s point of view – he got a reasonable (although not great) guest post which lightens his load a bit.