See Debt Run – 1 Year Birthday
Posted by jefferson on Jan 23, 2013 in Site News | 80 comments
One year ago today, my wife Michelle and I made the decision to start this website, and to change our lives forever. We were drowning in consumer debt, and the minimum payments to our various creditors were making escape seem impossible. We made a pact with each other that we would buckle down, make the necessary sacrifices, and clear the path to a better future. We started documenting our experiences, both good and bad, to hold us accountable. This whole time, we haven’t been pretending anything. The stories shared and the emotions conveyed have reflected our true to life hopes, dreams, and frustrations.
As the months have passed we have watched this site grow, which has helped tremendously. Our Alexa Ranking, an index of worldwide web traffic, dropped from over a million down into the 80,000′s. Our articles went from only getting a few comments, to often getting more than a hundred. Our site traffic went from around 25 page views per day, to averaging over 500. When creating and nurturing a website like this one, it is easy to get consumed by all of the numbers and metrics, but that isn’t the point of all of this. In watching our site grow, it only served as further motivation to continue “running” down the path of getting rid of our debt forever.
- By the numbers:
- This is the 202nd post on See Debt Run
- As of this writing, there have been 5764 comments posted on our articles.
- There have been 160,000 pageviews in the last year (average of 438 p/day).
- We have paid off over $16,000 of consumer debt
I want to be clear that this past year spent budgeting and trimming expenses, and of course scrambling to generate side income, has NOT been an effort in frustration. Quite the contrary, in fact. Both Michelle and I have learned a tremendous amount about ourselves, about finances in general, and about what we need to be happy. We have donated or otherwise disposed of probably half of our possessions, and embracing this sort of minimalism is truly liberating. Our finances are in a much better place than they were a year ago, and so is our spirit.
One of the best parts of running this blog has been getting know all of the wonderful people in the personal finance community. I wanted to take a minute and thank all of those who have offered us support and friendship over the last year, your words and encouragement have meant more to us than you will ever know. We have great love and admiration for all of you.
We are still planning to have this completely paid off by the middle of March, just seven weeks from now! Which will be amazing. We should celebrate by taking a big European vacation or by getting a new boat, right? In reality, we are planning on starting to save up for some long overdue home repairs, and to finally get serious about our retirement and college savings. We will continue to share our journey with you all, even after our initial “run” away from debt is complete.
Thanks again.
80 Comments
Leave a Reply
eBook with Michelle & Jefferson for only $4.99!
As Seen On
About Us
Designed by Nuts and Bolts Media | © 2013 See Debt Run
Business
Happy blogoversary! You have done amazing so far, congratulations. Impressive stats, keep it up!
Pauline recently posted..13 money resolutions for 2013: #12 make a plan!
Thanks Pauline!
Wow Congrats guys! It is crazy to think it has only been a year. You guys are.doing amazing on your debt and I look forward to the post where you have completed your goal and it is paid off!
Lance @ Money Life and More recently posted..How We Set Up My Girlfriend’s Budget
I look forward to that day as well, Lance. It isn’t that far away!
Congrats on 1 year! I’m looking forward to sharing in your continuing journey even after there’s no more debt to see run away!
Mrs PoP @ Planting Our Pennies recently posted..He Said She Said: A Team of Professionals
Thank you, Mrs Pop. You are so sweet. We both love to write and share our stories, and have no plans to stop!
Amazing progress in just one year; keep up the great work!
The Happy Homeowner recently posted..Personal Finance and Lance Armstrong: What You Can Learn from Lance’s Fall from Grace
Thank you, HH!
Congrats on 1 year! Definitely a lot of good changes
Michelle recently posted..What Does a Virtual Assistant Do?
Aww yeah.. This year has been a very good one for us, without a doubt.
Congrats! You guys have so much to be thankful for and I am very, very proud of you two. I hope we get to meet soon!
Keep writing.
L Bee and the Money Tree recently posted..More Pushin’ for Your Money Cushion
We hope to meet you soon too LB!! We make it a point to count our blessings every single day.
Congratulations to you both! That picture is hysterical! Best wishes to another great year!
Jules@Faithful With a Few recently posted..How NOT to Get a Job
Cool! Happy birthday!! Yo’uve made great successes!
Thanks TB!!.. It has been so much fun.
Congrats on one year – those are some solid first year numbers!
PK recently posted..Basel Equity and Its Impact on Banking and Lending
Thanks PK.. we are very happy with the growth that we have seen.
Congrats on your blogiversary! That is a wonderful accomplishment
Mackenzie recently posted..So, I Knew This Girl…
Many people seem to burn out early.. So it is an accomplishment to make it this far
Congratulations! I love reading your site because the articles deal with everything and anything that goes in on in the lives of a family trying to get their finances in order. Its amazing that you’ve paid off $16,000 worth of debt, but I don’t just love the advice and tips you give on getting out of debt, its the article about enjoying life and really focusing on whats important that make this site unique and interesting. Happy Birthday SDR!
Kelly@Financial-Lessons recently posted..College Tuition in Other Countries vs. The U.S.
You always leave the sweetest comments, Kelly! Thank you so much for the kind words and constant encouragement.
Happy Blog Birthday! I have been enjoying your website for the past few months. you guys have done impressive things since starting this website and I hope I can show such progress when I hit a year.
Grayson @ Debt Roundup recently posted..Are You In Debt? Stop The Expensive Vacations!
We love your website too, Grayson! I know that you are well on your way.
Happy blogiversary! You’ve come so far within a year, both with finances and blogging – it’s inspirational.
Kyle @ YPFinances recently posted..Personal Training: My Reflections
Thanks Kyle!!.. This past year has been a lot of fun.
Happy blogoversary, and congratulations you two! You’ve made some absolutely incredible progress, and it’s been awesome reading about the way you’ve grown together along the way. I’m rooting for you in your final push to pay off your debt. You can do it!
Cassie recently posted..The Tax Man is Approaching
Thanks Cassie.. You are so sweet. We have absolutely grown together the whole way…
Yahoo!!!! Happy one year, guys. It’s been a great ride so far. Cheers for the next year.
AverageJoe recently posted..College Planning Strategy: A Creative (and Effective) Option
Thanks Joe.. You are one of our favorites as well. It has been a great ride indeed.
Big congrats on the anniversary. You guys have really done well at getting your family back on track.
Sean @ One Smart Dollar recently posted..The Psychological Effects of Being in Debt
Sean, buddy, we have enjoyed your blog this whole time as well. Thank you for the kind words.
Congrats on the 1 year! Those are some enviable stats for the year, and I love how you guys are doing it together! Good luck on the final 7 weeks until your debt is paid off; not even a little celebration?
Btw, the picture was pretty terrifying.
Vicky recently posted..Free Credit Report from TransUnion
Doing it together has made it so much more rewarding!.. Both the blog and the debt payoff!
Congrats on your one year milestone and on paying off all the debt. Can’t wait to see what’s next.
Kim@Eyesonthedollar recently posted..Benefits of a Crappy Job
What’s next is mapping out our future, Kim.. We can’t wait to share it.
Happy anniversary and congratulations on your incredible debt payoff progress so far! You guys are amazing. Can’t wait to read more of your posts in the next year to come
.
Shannon-ReadyForZero recently posted..How to Increase Willpower
Thanks Shannon.. You are so kind!… It has been amazing so far..
That is awesome, congrats to you both! Looking forward to following what good things will happen to this blog (and your finances) in the year to come.
Kyle | Rather-Be-Shopping.com recently posted..Blogging Lesson: Learn From Your Mistakes
Thanks Kyle!.. We look forward to many good things as well.
Happy anniversary, and I’m so glad to call you friends! REALLY glad you started this little site! Run, debt, run!
Kathleen, Frugal Portland recently posted..What’s the best way to make money on the internet?
Kathleen!!.. We are happy to call you a friend as well, and we think you are oh-so-great!
Congratulations and many returns of the day.
Astro Gremlin recently posted..Camp Stove Charges Smart Phone
Thank you, Astro!
Congratulations on 1 year and for being so close to the debt finish line! Looking forward to hearing about life, “after debt”
KK @ Student Debt Survivor recently posted..Personal Finance is Personal-Butt Out
Life after debt is going to be wonderful.. We are so close!
Happy Birthday and congrats on a successful year!
Paul @ The Frugal Toad recently posted..Top Spring Break Destinations
Thanks Paul.. It has been a wonderful first year. We look forward to many more.
Congratulations on this one year of great job! I’m looking forward to read more about your financial journey and thank you for your inspiration, you’re amazing! Happy anniversary!
Shovellicious recently posted..Where is Poland?
Thank you Shovellicious.. We are so thankful for all the support that we have gotten from you and the rest of the PF community.
Congrats on the 1 year anniversary, and especially congrats on the debt paydown!
DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted..Why Health Insurance Premiums Will Increase for Young Adults in the United States
When we hit that big zero on our debt total, that will truly be a reason to celebrate!
Happy Blogiversary!
Thanks Holly!.. You know that you guys are one of our favorites!
Congrats on a year! Even bigger congrats on the debt payoff…$16k in a year is freaking AWESOME!!
John S @ Frugal Rules recently posted..5 Ways Routine Maintenance Pays Off
Hi John!.. It was a good year. We buckled down and kicked a little bit of butt. I am hoping that this year goes even better.
Congrats, guys, on the anniversary, AND on the debt payoff. Can’t wait to see what year 2 brings for you!
Laurie recently posted..Motivation: Learning From Others
Thank you, Laurie. We are excited for this year as well!
Happy anniversary !! I just found you this week and I am excited to get reading ! My husband and I are at the start of our debt paying journey. We have taken on way too much and it is discouraging when you see those minimum payments and then figure out how much interest you have to pay per month. Scary.
Thanks for sharing your story, I am excited to dig in and start reading and seeing how you did it !!
Hi Step!!.. Welcome to SDR. We are happy that you are here. We have shared a ton in the last year, and please feel free to reach out to us through the “Contact Us” form if you have any concerns or need any advice!
Congratulations, keep up the fantastic work!
Jamie Dickinson @ YourSavingAngels recently posted..5 Beauty Treatments to Forget in 2013
Thank you Jamie!!
Happpppy Blogoversary!! You guys are amazing. I love your blog and look forward to many more YEARS of reading
Super excited for you and your dent payoff date on the horizon!
Catherine recently posted..The Value of A Dollar Through Life’s Stages
Hahahaha! That image wins the week for sure. Congrats on all fronts, guys! You guys are killing it.
Look forward to year two and beyond!
Johnny @ Our Freaking Budget recently posted..He Says/She Says: Haircuts
Congratulation!!! You guys are doing so well. Not many blogs can come this far in one year. Great job!
Midlife Finance recently posted..Buying A Car: The Basics
It has been an adventure, MF!
It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to…cry if I want to! Happy BURFDAY!!!
It’s been great to get to know you and follow your journey. Congrats on all of the wonderful debt and blogging success. It seems like just yesterday we started these things…
WorkSaveLive recently posted..5 More Easy Ways Everybody Can Save Money
Thank you Jason! We have enjoyed getting to know you and sharing your journey with you as well. What you have done with WSL is just plain awesome! You are right, of course.. the time sure does fly!
Congrats on 1 year!!!
Edgar @ Degrees and Debt recently posted..Credit Card Balance Transfers
Thank you!
I would love to have 438 visits per day. That’s awesome! Congratulations to your whole family! That’s amazing progress!
Budget and the Beach recently posted..Dream Technology
Oh you will get there B&tB!!.. Day by day, it varies wildly, of course.
Congratulations on 1 year of blogging and paying off so much debt! I can feel your excitement about becoming debt free and continuing to pave a sound financial future. Best wishes to you!
K.K. @ Living Debt Free Rocks! recently posted..What Is Your Debt Holding You Back From Doing?
Thank you KK.. The excitement is really starting to build as the date gets closer and closer.
Congrats to both of you on your one-year mark! I recently started reading your blog and truly enjoy it. Look forward to this year.
Little House recently posted..How to Make the Most Out of a Small Bathroom
Congrats on your one year.
You’ve guys done a marvelous job in just one year!!
Hilarious picture! Happy Blogoversary!
Julie @ The Family CEO recently posted..Simple Winter Decorating Ideas
Congratulations to you both on one year! You have done so well for yourselves. Keep up the great work, the blog is awesome!
Canadianbudgetbinder recently posted..How I Turned My Passion and Skills Into Making Extra Money
First off, congratulations on your anniversary.It’s great to know that everything is working out for you.
Rynessa@financialfreedomnewsletter.net recently posted..Tips to Help You Find a Startup Investor
Wow! Congratulations on paying off $16,000 in debt in one year. You inspire me-and I love reading your blog. I can’t wait to read the post where you talk about your final payment. Those posts are addictive to me.