Best Of Making Momentum In 2018 – Top Posts In Year One
On February 19, 2018 I clicked publish and officially launched this blog. With little to no experience and an uncertainty on what to expect on the road ahead or what might be in store, it’s safe to say I was going into this in the dark.
And wow, did I find the light.
What’s the light? All the amazing benefits I’ve received since starting Making Momentum. From the skills developed, networking opportunities within the community, financial gains, personal satisfaction and so much more.
Clicking publish and going down this road has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
A blog is so much more than just a blog. Starting Making Momentum has allowed me to grow personally, professionally and financially. I dove in head first and tried my best to manage what felt like drinking from a fire hydrant. I made so many mistakes and fell flat on my face quite a few times.
In total from February 19th to today (December 31st) I’ve published 166 blog posts. This includes features from two ongoing series – the Momentum Series Interviews and Weekly Roundup Momentum’s Finest On Saturdays – plus all the original articles and guest posts.
To close out 2018 I just wanted to package up a “Best Of Making Momentum In 2018”. Of course, “best” is a subjective term and open to interpretation. However, I selected a cross-section of posts here to hopefully provide a little something for everyone.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT & PRODUCTIVITY POSTS
Waking Up At 5AM Change My Life – Win The Morning, Win The Day
After entering the working world and life as an office dwelling professional had begun, my alarm time continued to be push later and later. My old habits of using the gym or going for a run in the morning were dying off. What used to be a 6:30AM alarm became 6:50AM then 7:15AM before getting all the way up to 7:50AM.
Slowly I started to notice some negative drawbacks on my energy levels, mood, productivity at work, relationships, monthly budget and general wellness.
Eventually I said enough was enough.
Since that day (almost 3 years ago) I’ve woken up at 5AM.
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A Productive Night Starts The Night Before – Set Yourself Up For A Successful Morning
The first step was waking up earlier. Then, the next discovery that paid immediate dividends was finding out that a productive day starts the night before.
Mornings have only become so beneficial because I’ve set myself up for success the night before. Through trial and error, I’ve developed a routine to ensure I can most effectively and efficiently take advantage of that 5AM – 8AM window.
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Walking To Work For 4 Years – The Money, Health & Mind Benefits
I’ve been walking to work for 4 years straight. Every single day. Through snow, rain and Ontario humidity, it’s been my consistent mode of transportation day after day to and from the office.
This post summarizes the benefit it has had on my money, health and mind.
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MANAGING MONEY POSTS
Best Personal Finance Podcasts – 40+ of the Top Money, Investing, Financial and Side Hustle Shows
The amount of free knowledge that has come through my headphones from podcasts over the last decade has changed my life. In particular, this collection of the best personal finance podcasts has helped shift my entire financial journey and outlook on money.
From interviews with the biggest names in personal finance to side hustling and investing, these podcasts run the spectrum of the financial world.
With 40+ money, investing, side hustle and financial podcasts, there is something for everyone.
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Be The CEO And CFO Of Your Life – Manage Your Money Like A Business
It was such a powerful, yet simple statement on taking control of your money and life. The focus of the idea behind be your own CEO and CFO was to manage your money as if you were a small business.
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Financial Advice From 29 Personal Finance Bloggers: A Memo To The Next Generation
We can’t perfectly predict what the future holds in terms of the economy and job landscape. However, hopefully we can inspire financial literacy for the next generation of adults.
I asked 29 different personal finance bloggers the same question.
If you could send a memo to the next generation (ages 14 – 18) about taking control of their money and life. What would it say if that memo could only be 3 sentences long?
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Building Good Money Habits – Make Your Own Money Momentum
Just like the power of compounding interest, the power of making your own money momentum will slowly and surely build to something empowering and substantial. Stringing together good money habits creates an interconnected web of wealth opportunities.
Starting these good habits early in our financial timeline will set us up for the long-term success we desire.
These are the opportunities for our small financial wins. The framework of systems and good money habits we can build to achieve those big picture goals are developed during this marathon.
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89 Personal Finance Tips – Budget, Save, Make, Invest & Better Manage Your Money
Personal finances are personal. No two situations are the same and the best way to take control of your money and life differs for each unique individual. However, there are some personal finance tips that can help many of those looking to improve their financial standing.
A small shift in spending habits or a mindset adjustment could generate major savings and earning potential. The right book or podcast might change your financial journey forever.
Compounding small financial wins can have an amazing return with limitless ROI across a lifetime.
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MAKING MONEY POSTS
35 Rewarding Side Hustles (Almost) Anyone Can Do To Earn More Money
Whether you want to pay off your student loans, save for an emergency fund or just earn extra cash, side hustles are a great way to help you reach those financial goals.
Some side hustles are fun, enjoyable and entertaining. Others require a time commitment and serious hard work. Here are 35 rewarding side hustles that almost anyone can do to earn more money.
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How To Make $1,000 Quick: 12+ Legit & Easy Ways To Make Money Fast
Perhaps you overspent last month and are in need of money in a hurry as the bills are tight. Maybe you just want to fast-track your financial goals. Those money goals could be making an extra payment against a student loan, starting an emergency fund or saving up to fund the trip your friend’s wedding next spring.
Lucky for us there are a number of legit ways to earn money to accomplish whatever that might be.
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How To Make Money From Your Phone For Free: 35+ Apps & Easy Ways
It’s never been easier to make money from your phone than it is today. Dozens of free apps, services and platforms are just a click away ready to help you earn a little extra cash online. With some time and effort, your smartphone can unlock a number of easy ways to put more money towards your financial goals.
Digital rewards platforms, the gig economy, side hustles, entrepreneurial endeavors and so much more are easily accessible right from your hands. Whether it’s on free time during a morning commute, when you’re relaxing around home or out walking around the city, your phone is such a powerful financial tool.
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SAVING MONEY POSTS
40+ Money Saving Hacks: How To Save Money Each Month In Your Everyday Life
Taking control of your money and life often starts with finding ways to save money based on your current spending habits. The one two-punch of saving and making more money will be the key contributor on your road to reaching your financial aspirations and continuing to move forward.
Generally the saving money part is suggested to be the more accessible and fixable side of that equation to make improvements in.
But no matter how big or small the cost-savings might be or where you stand financially, there is an opportunity to reassess your current expenses. It might be a major life change or small shift in spending.
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TRAVEL POSTS
Travel Hacking 101: 70+ Tips & Tools To Help American & Canadian Travel Hackers Save Money
Who doesn’t want to travel this amazing world for less as you save money on flights, accommodation and take advantage of the offers available to you? This post will look to help you do just that while acting as a travel hacking 101 resources guide. An encyclopedia of links connecting you to all the different areas of travel hacking to help you save money on travel.
Travel is such an amazing tool for personal growth, relaxation and enjoyment. However, it can be expensive as flights, accommodation, food, entertainment and so on, quickly add up. The cost (and freedom) is often the most limiting factor from allowing us to explore more often.
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One of the decisions I made earlier in life put an immediate anchor on my financial journey right out the gate. However, it was also one of the best decisions I ever made and was worth every cent.
What decision was that? Backpacking Europe for 3 months in the summer when I was 19-20 years old with my best friend.
The cost of the trip, opportunity cost of the missed summer job and additional student loans now needing to be taken out compounded to seriously impact my finances. In total it cost me between $34,000 – $56,000, depending how much of my future education and living decisions I want to hook to this.
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Conclusion: Best Of Making Momentum In 2018 – Thanks For Everything & I Can’t Wait For 2019
I just want to close this out by saving a big THANK YOU.
Thank you to the Rockstar Finance crew, EFB group, all the Momentum Series Interview participants, anyone who has ever shared a post or commented, the hundreds of thousands of people who somehow visited this blog since February, the Momentum Makers on my email list…and everyone else.
This has been such a wild ride since clicking publish.
Learn from yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning – Albert Einstein.
2019 is going to bring even bigger and better to Making Momentum.
Happy New Years!
Scott