Neal Frankle is a financial blogger who considers himself lucky to have started as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).
He lost both his parents when he was just 17 and has come a long way to learn about finance through his own hard experiences. He believes in sharpening one's financial skills to become truly successful. Today, he writes on personal finance topics like getting out of debt, saving money, investing, and navigating retirement planning issues.
Let's take a look at what Neal has to say to our interviewer, Sarah, about his experiences with blogging and managing personal finance.
Sarah: From where did you get the idea of blogging?
Neal: I started working on a book and my publisher suggested I do the groundwork for it by starting a blog.
Sarah: Your blog's tagline says, “A journey to self, health and wealth”. What preparations are you making to achieve this goal and how?
Neal: Personally? I try to remain balanced. Remember to be grateful. Do the best I can and forgive myself when I make mistakes.
On the financial side, I have a financial plan and have involved my wife and family and this is great progress.
I also work out and try to watch out for the brownies who try to get me to eat them all up.
Sarah: What do you do in real life and how'd you get started?
Neal: I am a Certified Financial Planner. I got started 25 years ago because I needed a job... I met a friend and he told me about the opportunities so I just started. Lucky.
Sarah: Do you think blogging has changed your life in some way or the other?
Neal: Maybe a little. I spend a lot of time doing it. It has helped me focus. Blogging can drain ALL your time if you let it. I've cut back and try to focus on the important things. That has helped me in other aspects of my life too.
Sarah: What are the three biggest finance mistakes you have ever made in your life?
Neal:
- Sold a house we owned because I was afraid of holding it when prices were low.
- Sold a profitable business for almost nothing because I wasn't paying attention.
- Speculated on investments.
(These 3 were more than 15 years ago... I guess that means I've learned something!)
Sarah: Where do you see yourself in 10 years down the lane?
Neal: I hope to travel w/my wife a lot more. I hope to visit my kids wherever they might be. I hope to still be blogging and working as a CFP at that time.
Sarah: Give Me One Good Reason Why people Should Read Your Blog?
Neal: Well... there are many great blogs out there but there aren't many of the super popular ones that are run by people with personal and professional experience. I have both.
I have been a professional advisor for more than 25 years. On top of that, I know what it's like to have no money and lots of fear. I was broke and semi-homeless at the age of 17 when both my parents died.
Sarah: So Do You Have Any Famous Followers?
Neal: You.
Sarah: Please advise our readers how to pay off their debts from your past experiences?
Neal: The most important step is to put a tracking system in place and also get everyone in the family on the same page.
Sarah: How do you feel by becoming a part of the world's largest debt consolidation community now?
Neal: Not sure I understand the question... I need to understand more about what you guys do.
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As Neal suggested, putting a tracking system in place is the most important step in paying off debt. Join the DebtCC community today to find the tools and support you need to get your family on the same page.
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Our contributors bring you exclusive interviews with inspiring individuals from around the personal finance space, highlighting real stories of debt recovery, frugality, and intelligent investing.