Canada Day Edition
Posted by Gail | Filed under Thinking Out Loud
Happy Canada Day! No doubt y’all have wonderful plans to celebrate with family and friends, and I hope you have a terrific day.
If you haven’t been to the Globe & Mail “vote for your favorite blogger” event, you should go and see the suggestions for great places to find out more about money. While some moron has tried to hi-jack the voting, that should not detract from the fact that some very good sites have been suggested.
I don’t include a blog-roll on my site because I just can’t keep up with what goes off the air. Very often I click on a blogger’s recommended sites only to find the site is older than Methuselah or defunct, and I hate that! But I do have some fav sites, and I’ve added my two cents’ worth to the Globe. So pop over and see what other people are reading. And if you have a favorite site that hasn’t been mentioned, you should add it to the list using “comments” and spread your cheer.
I was at my publishers on Monday to go over plans for my new book, which will be coming out in January 2010. Debt Free Forever: Taking Control of Your Money & Your Life takes you through the process I’ve been using with families on Til Debt Do U$ Part so that you –– or someone you know — can go from delusional to In Control! I’ll tell you more as we get closer to the publication date.
While I was at Harper Collins, I picked up four copies of SquawkFox’s book 397 Ways to Save Money and am offering them in a random draw to four people who send me their Success Stories by Friday July 2nd at midnight. Squawkfox also happens to be one of the blogger’s in the Globe & Mail’s blogger event, so it all dove-tails quite nicely, dontcha think?
One of the biggest boo-hoos I get from folks on my website is that I only deal with couples. Well, we’re heading into production on the new show called Princess this fall. Head over to the Princess Facebook page or to Slice’s Casting Call page for more information. (Have you all joined the Til Debt Facebook Group? Since I don’t accept people I don’t know on my Facebook personal page, this is the way to go.) If you know someone who fits the Princess profile, maybe you’ll want to nominate her (or him) for the show. Since there’s “no partner required” for this show, singles can now get in on the action. But I’m warning you, the process – like Til Debt – will not be a cake-walk.
And, finally, I’m wondering how these blogs are working for y’all. Most blogger’s write shorter daily pieces and I’m wondering if my more verbose style is working for you or if you’d like shorter pieces… sometimes less is more, after all. If I’m being too long-winded let me know and I’ll shorten up a bit. You’ll notice I’ve added links for StumbleUpon, Delicious and Digg to the end of the blogs. I’d appreciate it if you’d vote for any blogs you really like since this opens the site up to more potential readers.
Have a terrific Canada Day!
July 1, 2009 at 1:42 pm
I like the length of your columns as well as the tone and style- newsy, chatty, like reading a letter from an old friend that is both comforting but gives you that kick in the butt to keep you on the right track!
July 1, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Roxanne said it perfectly!
July 1, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Happy Canada Day to everyone!
Keep your blogs as they are, please. I like the detail–it helps with understanding points that I haven’t studied before. And I love your humour, so keep it coming too!
July 1, 2009 at 2:31 pm
I would be very sad if the columns were shorter. I like you as you are, Gail.
July 1, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Happy Canada Day, everyone!
I like your blogs the way they are, Gail. I can hear your voice as I read them – you write like you talk – and that’s the way it should be! Please don’t change! I’m looking forward to your book too – can’t wait to check it out!
Good luck with your new show, Princess. I can’t say I personally know any of those, but I sure would love to see how you deal with them!
July 1, 2009 at 2:53 pm
I love your blogs … thank you so much for taking the time to write them. You have a talent for writing and I throughly enjoy the time I spend reading them.
Looking forward to the new book.
Happy Canada Day!
July 1, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Gail!
Don’t change a thing – I love the style of your blog and the fact that you write it just like you would say it. The things that you write – I can picture just how you would be saying them to a couple on your show! I don’t like short blogs – i like when writers expand on an idea and make it clear to give you all the details to consider.
Keep it up. you are faboo!
PS – today i just paid off $432 to my line of credit to become forever DEBT FREE!
July 1, 2009 at 3:30 pm
I love the blog…. I check it everyday. Don’t change. My bf and I watch the show religiously… Joining your facebook page at the moment. Don’t change!
July 1, 2009 at 3:37 pm
The blog is perfect. I check it everyday to see what you’ve written. I’ve learned so much from my one year of Gail’s blog and Til debt. Thank you for all you’ve taught me.
July 1, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Happy Canada Day to you too, Gail! And I like your blog the way it is–I don’t find the entries to long. In fact, I appreciate the level of detail you go to; that’s where the learning is! There’s enough sound-bite, Twitter-like stuff out there as it is.
July 1, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Everyone has it covered! You’ve got a great thing going here! We all love it! After I get up and take care of all my kids (animals) I sit here at my computer and see what insight Gail has for me for the day. Then I check back during the day to see what everyone else has to say about it. It’s part of my daily life. Just joined both facebook pages! Can’t wait for the new show. I’d of nominated myself for Princess about 6 months ago but I think I am reformed….. for the most part.
Happy Canada Day!!! Enjoy the fireworks!
July 1, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Oh and CONGRATS Melanie!!! Yay for you!!!!
July 1, 2009 at 5:02 pm
If you’ve got time to write it, I’ve definitely got time to read it.
July 1, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Happy Canada Day, Gail and everyone! Longer posts are great, too – some blogs are extremely successful with longer posts. Tim Ferriss’ recent talk proves there is no one-size-fits-all, you just have to see how it fits for you over time, and experiment…
July 1, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Love your blog exactly the way it is….
July 1, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Your blogs are superb…do not change a thing!!!!!!:)
July 1, 2009 at 6:05 pm
I’m a first time poster but have been reading for awhile. First, I’d like to say I love your blogs Gail. Don’t change a thing.
Second, I just joined the Facebook page… YAY!
Third, Happy Canada Day to everyone. As happy as this day is for most of Canada – I just wanted to also remind people that in Newfoundland (my home) this is also Memorial Day. Please take a second to bow your heads in remembrance of the many young Newfoundland soldiers who lost their lives 93 years ago today at Beaumont Hamel.
July 1, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Hi Gail,
I think everyone here has said it a few times – but I’ll say it again – your blogs are great the way they are – I checked out some of the other financial blogs from the Globe and Mail list and they kinda disappointed – I am way to use to the way you write a blog – yours is the only one I had ever read before checking out the Globe and Mail list. Keep it the way it is – it does sound like a friend sharing valuable advice.
Happy Canada Day.
July 1, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Don’t. DO NOT change your writings on this blog….I love reading what you have to say and learn a little something every day.
July 1, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Hi Gail,
I am in Australia and first thing I do when I get to work each morning is read your blog, it is always a good read and the tone is great.
I also watch your show on cable, we are a couple of seasons behind, but that’s okay, that means the new shows will last longer….lol
Sarah
July 1, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Happy Canada Day everyone! I enjoy the blogs as they are. Looking forward to more blogs, Season 7 of TDDUP, and Season 1 of Princess. Keep up the great work!
July 1, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Gail, love your blog the way it is. I read it first thing in the morning. Enjoy it very much. I’m on my way to being debt free. My aim is Sept. 2010. It is very doable.
July 1, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Gail, if your blog were too long for people to read, you would not get the amount of traffic you do.
The information is complete or a part 1 of 2…
Melanie:
Congratulations !
July 1, 2009 at 8:14 pm
I also agree – great the way they are!
July 1, 2009 at 8:27 pm
LOVE the blog just as it is–please don’t change it!
DH just got back from school….happy to say that we were able to cover everything between our reduced income and money we had slowly put aside over the last 12 months, without having to use the LOC once. Following the same plan for the next 12 months, plus really planning on having our 8000 dollar debt paid off by March!
July 1, 2009 at 8:36 pm
I love your blog the way it is!
July 1, 2009 at 8:51 pm
I am agreeing with everyone here. Please don’t change the length of your blog(s). I love the matter of fact, no bull way you say things. You help me stay on track and your guidance is immeasurable. I can’t say yet, that we are debt free but the awareness alone ….. can’t put the feeling into words. Just being aware of what we’re doing is half the battle. Seeing that there is a way out… wow! I don’t like the “how to lose weight” method any more than I like the “get out of debt” method. Eat less, move more and Spend less, earn more. But this is a reality in life.
I’m very happy to hear that there is a new series starting.
Happy Canada Day to all. Keep up the excellent work Gail!! Gonna go check out Facebook. Have a great evening, what’s left of it
July 1, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Gail – I love you and your blogs just the way they are! Don’t change a thing. I will be sad to see the end of your current show. I hope your new show is just as successful.
July 1, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Please keep the blogs as they are. I read them every morning as I have a coffee. Most times I am too shy to comment, not sure why…but I love how they are and enjoy hearing your voice of reason each day. You are awesome! This site is truly a gift to us all.
July 1, 2009 at 9:49 pm
I love your blog, I check it everyday. You have that unique quality that makes everyone think your their bestfriend. It shows when your on t.v. and comes through on your blog. Your Gold Baby!
July 1, 2009 at 10:18 pm
“397 ways” is a pretty good book.
Where is the link to Squawkfox’s blog???
July 1, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Princess sounds good… and how about a “Did Debt Do Us Part?”, a look back after a year or two to see how some of the couples did. We’d watch.
And the blog postings are a good length; don’t get all twittery. Sometimes more is good.
July 1, 2009 at 10:40 pm
I agree with Bob. I was just thinking about that the other day. A “reunion” show with some of the past participants. Would be great!!!
July 1, 2009 at 11:11 pm
I think your blogs are the perfect length, gives me something to think without it being too long. I wouldn’t want them much shorter.
July 1, 2009 at 11:47 pm
I am very pleased and impressed with the quality and legth of your blogs. I am a high school administrator, mother of three sons and am in the process of finishing my Master’s degree. Despite the pace of my life, I take time every day to read you blog as I find it very educational. I find that you have a good variety in the topics you discuss and write to number of demographics. Keep up the excellent work!
July 2, 2009 at 1:25 am
excellent length, tone, and content. i soooo love your style- very conversational- yet, you make very strong impact. thanks, gail!
July 2, 2009 at 6:28 am
Please don’t change your blogging style, it is just fine as it is.
July 2, 2009 at 8:05 am
Love the blogs!!!!!!!!
July 2, 2009 at 9:36 am
Hi Gail,
Ditto. Your blogs are fine the way they are. If the topic does not relate to me at that moment in time I know I can come back and search it out later. I don’t facebook, myspace, twitter or even know, or care to know how to text. I’ve been in the financial services business for many years and this is the one website where everything can be found in one place. Make improvements as you see fit. Afterall it is your site but no need to shorten up your blog. Your opinion is your opinion and if it takes four or five paragraphs to get the message across, then so be it.
July 2, 2009 at 11:22 am
I agree with everyone else….Do NOT change a thing! You have changed the way I think about money. Watch the show faithfully and look forward to your book in 2010. Thank you Gail for everything!!
July 2, 2009 at 11:25 am
Hi Gail, I have read your blog for awhile now, and this is my first post! I would hate to see you change anything about what you do. Your genuine approach to money, people, and societal pressures in general is a relief to read! If you want to write a shorter post, go for it…however, if you are experiencing external pressure to do so, DON’T!!!
On another note, I was so interested in your approach to money that I bought your book A Woman of Independent Means…loved it! But I have to be totally honest…I bought it through Amazon.com and it was a previous addition. At first I was going to send it back, but then I didn’t…I secretly wanted to know if what you were saying then is what you are saying now!
I have to say to everyone out there, I think we have found the real deal! Gail, your book is consistent with what you say on TDDUP, your website, and blog…It was a relief to know you are who you are!!! This brings me back to what I initially began to write…DON’T CHANGE, who you are is who you are and we love you for it!
July 2, 2009 at 11:29 am
I love your blogs. They are the first thing I read when I get to work. The blogs and your show have helped me take a really good look at myself and my spending. Tomorrow we are mortgage free, September we are braces free and by the end of December LOC free.
Whenever I am about to do something foolish, I can just picture you behind cuffing my head and saying “What are you nuts!!”
July 2, 2009 at 12:29 pm
I love your blog and check it daily. Don’t feel you need to change it unless you are finding it too difficult to maintain.
Yesterday we were talking about a friend, and my boyfriend said “do you know what that girl needs? She needs you to sit her down and make her watch a season’s worth of ‘Til Debt Do Us Part”
July 2, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Hi Gail,
I read your blog every morning. I really appreciate the wide variety of topics you cover and your common sense approach to things. I don’t always get through the comments but appreciate it when I get a chance to read it. I am debt free right now, going to Paris next month on money I saved to celebrate my debt free status (don’t worry – emergency fund is well underway). Next step is saving for a downpayment for a condo. Your blog (and show) have helped me define my priorities, locate my spending weaknesses, and helped me get going again when I fall off the path to debt free. Thank you so much for everything.
Joanne
July 2, 2009 at 1:21 pm
This is the first of several personal finance blogs I read every day. Please don’t shorten the posts! The substantial nature of every post and the fact that you don’t cut corners (with link posts) or skip days without warning is what makes this blog my favourite.
July 2, 2009 at 1:23 pm
I tend to read bloggers that give meatier posts (like yours). I don’t think your posts are too long.
That said, you’re polling self selected group of people who already like what you do! As far as I’m concerned, don’t change.
Actually, the one thing you could change is adding more links. You often talk about things and don’t link to them (like the G&M blogger thing). Links are one of the great things about blogs and web 2.0 vs other media formats.
July 2, 2009 at 2:11 pm
PLEASE don’t shorten your posts!
This tiny tidbit phenomenom is annoying enough in the news, newpapers, etc… I come to your blog because I want to know as much as I can! Keep ‘em coming!!!!!!!!!
If I wanted a tiny blurb I’d join a twitter group.
(PS thank you for asking!)
July 2, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Gail I love your blog (and you!) Just the way it/you are!! Everything helps the hammering of the point home, time and time again. I personally need that. Someone who is straight to the point, blunt, direct, and doesn’t try to make nicey-nice over things that really can’t be that way.
Keep on doing hat you are doing. You’ve got all of us listening!
July 2, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Hi, Gail. I really enjoy reading your blog! I definitely like the current format and don’t think you’re too long-winded!
July 2, 2009 at 6:01 pm
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July 2, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Why revise or alter perfection? Love your blogs the way they are Gail ;o)
Best of luck with the new TDDUP episodes!
July 2, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Terrific Blog. Good advice from someone who knows. Nice length too11. Keep up the good work!!
July 3, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Hi Gail, I love reading your blog. Each morning I get my “Gail” fix which starts my day off right and keeps me in a good state of mind. heehee I agree with everyone above, please don’t change the format.
Congrats on the new book – I look forward to reading it.
July 3, 2009 at 12:21 pm
I have subscribed to you by RSS feed and I just know you tend to be a longer read than most of the other blogs I frequent, so I read yours last. Easy fix.
July 3, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Please don’t change a thing about your blog. One of the things I admire (and envy)about you is your ability to set out exactly what you are thinking in a logical and articulate way, and to support your ideas with real life examples. Removing the personal experiences and leaving just the facts would take the fun out of getting to know you.
Maureen
July 3, 2009 at 10:36 pm
I adore this blog , please don’t change anything!! This, and the show are very inspirational!!
July 4, 2009 at 1:12 pm
don’t change a thing Gail, i come here for the more indepth posts, i love your style and your approach!
July 4, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Please don’t change anything! I like to read your blog a lot!
July 13, 2009 at 1:47 am
Ditto dont change perfection.
July 15, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Cocoa Dots Toy Bag…
Happy Canada Day! No doubt yall have wonderful plans to celebrate with family and friends and I hope [...]…
July 22, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Love your blog. Don’t change it!