This is just a quick note to keep all the regular readers informed. Nate and I had a discussion today and decided it was in the best interest of the blog to ask Jim to leave. He will no longer be blogging here.
Despite this being the correct decision under the circumstances, it’s not something that we’re happy about. It’s always our hope that those who begin blogging here will ultimately stick around until they have blogged away their debt. When one of the bloggers doesn’t, for whatever reason, it’s disappointing. We hope that Jim manages to continue to work on his debt, and ultimately manages to pay if all off so he can be debt free.
We haven’t made a decision on what we will do with the open slot at this time. We are considering leaving it open and continue with the three bloggers we have at this time. We would also consider adding another blogger if that’s what most of the readers are interested in seeing. We would appreciate your opinions on this.
If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments.
Jeffrey strain is a freelance author, his work has appeared at The Street.com and seekingalpha.com. In addition to having authored thousands of articles, Jeffrey is a former resident of Japan, former owner of Savingadvice.com and a professional digital nomad.
After the first incident, and after reading how he defended himself, I had stopped reading Jim. Thank you for removing him from the blog. There are several personal finance bloggers out there who provide great material and inspire all of us. Is it too hard to provide a link to the original material and talk about how that piece inspired you or how you implement that advice? So much easier than re-wording an article in my opinion.
As for a 4th blogger, personally, I would like to see someone new who is serious about debt repayment over here. May be someone who can get rid of debt in a fairly shorter time like 12-18 months to motivate everyone?
I think this is unfortunate. Yes, Jim made a mistake. While it was bad, I don’t think it deserved the level of pitchforks and torches it got. I also think people had a hard time dealing with his method of working and paying his debt. I guess, if it’s not laser-focused and gazelle-intense, people just can’t deal.
I think Jim will be ok, and have far less stress in life than dealing with the incessant commentary from the haters in the crowd that he ran into here. Hopefully he will take the lessons he’s learned and run with them, and live well.
After reading the comments on Ashley’s recent post, I have to rethink my statement above a bit. While I do think people had too many issues with Jim’s methods of earning money and paying off debt, if he is snatching posts from other blogs and reusing them, without credit, on a regular basis, then this is probably not the best place for him.
Still not worth all the pitchforks and torches, but not suitable for BAD, either.
For myself just Ashley blogging is why I read this blog. I understand life happens but she constantly write about what is going on in her life and how she makes changes to accommodate it. Cheryl
I would like an additional blogger. Especially with Stephannie’s blogging a little sporadic these days–which I totally understand, but it does kind of mean that the blog is down to 2 bloggers these days from 4.
I would like to see a 4th blogger too. I know that Stephanie has issues in her life, but I really think she lost interest before that all happened. I understand that life happens, but blogging here really does take a commitment. And the readers here seem to expect miracles in our bloggers’ finances.
Regarding Jim, I have always had benevolent feelings toward him. Yes, he has made mistakes, but I wish him well!
Would love to see another blogger on here since there are really only 2 who blog.
I think another blogger would be great! I really enjoy reading this blog 🙂
I think 4 was too many. I couldn’t keep them straight. As a result i really only follow two anyway. I’d just sick to 3. There are plenty of posts for us as it is.
I think we are fine with who we have. Maybe they could each get two days instead of one? I would love to see the posts spread out more, but I don’t think we need ANOTHER person. I like how things are settling out.
I wish Jim the best. I don’t think it needed to be as combative as is was, however, I think some of that had to do with the fact that when he made mistakes, he didn’t own up to it in an honest/straightforward way. I think people are much more likely to forgive transgressions when it appears that a person is genuinely remorseful and learned from the experience. That being said, I wish him and his family the best.
I would like to see another blogger that increases the diversity of the group. I liked Jim for the bit of diversity he provided. As someone who is single and without children (and no plans to alter either situation anytime soon) I don’t always relate as much to some of the post about saving on kids birthday parties, problems with the partner, parental issues, etc. I think debt repayment looks a bit different when you’re single and don’t have people that you need to support or consider how your extreme debt repayment plans impact another person’s life or well being. Ex. I have three male roommates. Not an ideal situation by any means, but I live in a major city and my rent is $350. I don’t think this person has to approach the repayment of debt in the same way as everyone else, but I would like them to be serious and I would like to follow their journey over the years.
I’d like to see a fourth blogger and agree with Candice on it would be nice to have someone in my personal demographic represented [single, child-free]. That being said, I have gleaned great ideas and motivation from Ashley, Hope & Stephannie’s posts as well as the previous bloggers.
I’ve enjoyed the increased volume of material on the site with the multiple blogger format and think that maintaining the fourth slot will provide the variety we benefit from – but also reduce the impact when a blogger needs to take “pause” to accommodate the realities of life. Such as Stephannie’s circumstances right now.
I am not sure if I am ready for another blogger and if that is even the right way to go right now. I think we have 3 great bloggers and we should now focus our attention on them. I understand Stephanie’s absence from the site, hopefully she will be back soon and until then we should sit tight. The only way I’d be interested in another blogger is if Stephanie decided to leave the blog (which would be understandable).
I also think 3 is good for right now. If the posting slows down maybe add a fourth but we get lots of new material now
I think that was the right decision to let Jim go; I think it should have been done a long time ago.
As for Stephannie, I think you should give her a leave of absence to take care of family matters and bring her back on the next blogger go round. That gives her some time to attend to family matters (and rightly so, I am praying for her and her family) and doesn’t put any pressure on her with regards to her commitment here.
I am fine with Ashley and Hope; I enjoy their posts.
Thank you for removing Jim as a Blogger. I enjoy reading this site, but every time Jim posted anything, I felt like I had to be in detective mode. His demeanor was both sketchy, arrogant, dishonest and defensive. I have been reading since Beks and Jim is the first Blogger that I felt did not belong here.
I agree that perhaps Stephannie should be offered a leave of absence so that blogging here does not add to her stress level. I have enjoyed what she has written so far, but it seems like her present circumstances may already be overwhelming.
Maybe we should try with just Ashley and Hope for a while and see how it goes?
If another (new) Blogger is added, it would be interesting to have a single, childless Blogger, just to read about a different lifestyle. It is my opinion that single, childless people can do whatever they want, so my thinking is it should be so easy for him/her to wipe out debt (or lose weight or …). I would like to see if my thought process is correct.
I am looking forward to a return to a drama-free Blogging Away Debt.
Susan
I agree with all of these points.
I think we have enough. 4 was too many in my opinion.
I also 2nd that if we do have another blogger, it should be one that had no kids (or whose kids have grown up/in college). All 3 right now have kids they are catering too and makes them seem very similar in that sense
Good decision.
I don’t really understand the rationale behind not adding another blogger. Or I guess I don’t really understand what constitutes “too many bloggers” or why someone would have difficulty keeping up? It seems like if you only want to follow one or two bloggers then all you would have to do is select their name on the right side of the screen and you could just read their post? Or is it an issue for people who read the entries through a feed?
My housemate and I both read this blog (she commented above) and I neither one of us is married or has kids (although I have a partner – he doesn’t live with us) and would love to see a blogger that represents a different demographic.
I wouldn’t mind another one in the mix. Esp. with Stephannie on hiatus. How about inviting the blogger who came in #5 on the poll when we voted on the bloggers in March?
I would like to read from a 4th blogger on the now empty Tuesday slots… i think there were a couple of interesting applicants in spring…maybe one of those would like to join now?
I think you could keep the 3 bloggers you have. You could either increase them to 2 days per week or have Ashley blog more days per week. I like Ashley’s posts and would love to see them more spread out to get more discussion from the community. If she is willing/able, maybe have her blog M-W-F with Hope on Tu and Stephanie on Th. This would be more of a primary blogger/secondary blogger situation.
If you do add a 4th blogger, I agree that it should be someone with a different demographic. A fourth blogger could move into Jim’s slot or you could establish the primary/secondary blogger scenario and shuffle the days for 6 days of week of posting.
Thanks Jeffrey. Although it’s hard you did the right thing.
I think 3 is plenty. If Stephannie drops out eventually you might add a 3rd
Selfishly, I’d love to have another blogger (I love reading the others’ content, too!) I agree with the many commenters who have said they’d like to see someone with a different demographic (single, no kids) to add a little variety. There were a couple applicants from back in March that sounded really interesting…Jasmine, Matt, Debt & The City, I’m sure there were others in this demographic (sorry if I’m leaving you out!!!). Just my two cents! : )
Ashley,
It’s nice you remembered my story! I actually have been making an attempt at blogging over on SavingAdvice.com. Blogging’s hard!! But I do enjoy the accountability it provides. I’ve really enjoyed following your journey and am inspired by your constant improvements and progress!
I agree with adding another blogger from the applicants back in March. I think another blogger would be a great idea, especially one that is single and without kids- something I relate to 🙂
I applied for one of the blogger openings back in March and if you remember my post, I’m both single and without children. I’ve been following the blog for along time now and although I was not voted into one of the positions available, I would still LOVE the chance to blog away my debt!
Thank you. I don’t usually comment but I have been reading since Tricia. I agree with a previous poster. Jim was sketchy and arrogant. I prefer people who own their personal situations instead of constantly blaming exes.
I would like a fourth as it seems like we only have two. Someone like Ashley who engages the readers and takes our advice. Someone with kids approaching middle school would be nice or approaching their 40s. I feel like most of the blotters currently writing on the web trend younger.
I think the three bloggers already on the site are great, and produce plenty of enough content to read. I wouldn’t mind a fourth, however. More to learn from. 🙂
I vote for a fourth blogger. I think we need a male voice and I’d like a single and possibly self-employed voice to hear from. Getting a great job in this economy is rare for a young person, so many are trying to make their own jobs. That was the potential that Jim offered in theory. Let’s see if we can find a blogger who can realize that potential, and offer us the viewpoint of someone without family commitments but trying to balance societal expectations with fiscal responsibility.
Thank you for making that hard choice. I have no animosity towards Jim, but I never connected with his story or blogging style. After the plagiarism, I flat out stopped reading his posts.
I too would like to see a fourth blogger added. Preferably someone who fits into my demographic – single, childless, and who lives in an expensive city.
After the first plagiarism incident, I stopped reading Jim’s posts. I think you made the right choice in removing him.
I’d like to see a fourth blogger – single, no kids, and lives in an expensive city. That’s someone I could relate to, and it’s a demographic that is not currently represented.
Nate & Jeffrey, any news on which way (3 bloggers? 4 bloggers?) you’re leaning towards continuing?
I would like to see/be a blogger in the “childless” demographic. I have followed this blog since Tricia. I enjoyed Beks youthful enthusiasm and I really enjoyed Claire.I was sorry to see her go, I had learned a lot and had “bonded” with her.
I think having someone that is around 40 or better WITHOUT kids would really round out the group.