Category: Creator Economy

Storyblocks screenshot
Storyblocks Video (Videoblocks) Review: An Affordable Stock Footage Option?
When I started creating videos for YouTube, I quickly fell into a format that finds me on camera to introduce a section while filling out the rest with images and clips. While this has worked well for my app reviews and other finance topics overall, there are some limitations — namely, it can be difficult...
YouTube Studio logo
YouTube Studio in 2021: The Latest Upload Process Updates for Creators
Just over one year ago, I wrote a post detailing some of the changes YouTube had been making to its YouTube Studio platform and how these adjustments impacted creators. Since then, the site has continued to make updates — including some that have arrived in just the past couple of weeks. Therefore, I thought it...
blogger on a laptop
Starting a Blog: Setting Up, Growing, and Monetizing Your Site
It’s crazy to think that, just a few years ago, the term “blog” was just a strange word that few fully understood. Today there are blogs for just about any topic or niche you could conceive of and a diverse array of talented writers producing content for an equally diverse set of audiences. The question...
FinConX logo on computer screen
FinCon X Recap: A Different Kind of FinCon
For most people, 2020 has left little to look forward to. If you're anything like me, the year has been one canceled plan after another. That's why I wasn't at all surprised when the final decision not to hold FinCon 2020 in Long Beach, California was made. Yet, another announcement that accompanied this news did...
a single dollar bill
In the Interest of Transparency: My Personal Finances and Approach to Money
When I first started writing about personal finance, it's safe to say that I didn't really know what I was doing. That's why I mostly took the approach of sharing what I was learning in regards to finance as well as sharing experiences I had already acquired. Additionally, I've often strived to give context for...
iPad Pro and stand
Pros and Cons of Using an iPad for Productivity
A few months ago, during a bout of the quarantine blues, I began watching a lot of videos about the iPad. Previously, while I thought such a device might be fun, I never really saw much of a need for it. That was until I started to see more people talking about the enhanced keyboard...
writing a book
The Author Journey: Combating Headwinds
A few months ago, I resolved to finally get cracking on a book idea that had been floating around in my head for some time now. To correspond with this goal, I also decided to launch a monthly blog series taking you through the ups and downs of preparing a manuscript. Well, this particular entry...
Write someting
The Author Journey: About the Book I'm Working On
Over the past few months, I've been penning a blog post series here on Money@30 chronicling a book project I'm writing. In previous editions, I've looked at how I was preparing myself to write as well as sharing the successes and stumbles I've encountered while trying to put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard,...
The Author Journey: What's Working (and What's Not) With My Process So Far
Last month, I kicked off an article series in conjunction with a new book project I'm currently working on. True to my word, with one month now past, I'm back to provide an update and offer some insight into the process. This time around, I wanted to follow-up on a few things I discussed in...
typewriter
The Author Journey: Book Preparation and Taking My First Steps
Next month will mark the five year anniversary of my book The E-Ticket Life. That's absolutely insane to me as it feels like hardly any time has passed since that first box of books arrived at my doorstep. Just as crazy is the fact that it's been nearly three years since I released the ebook...
video and refresh icons
5 Ways to Refresh Your YouTube Channel
Perhaps the most common piece of advice provided to YouTube creators who are just starting out is "be consistent." Typically, this means sticking to a schedule and delivering new content with reliable regularity — something that is incredibly important for growth. However, is it possible to be too consistent? In other words, when is it...
walking against the wind
Is Working for Yourself Really So Risky?
Does the thought of starting your own business or being otherwise self-employed scare the crap out of you? It would for me too...if I wasn't already doing it. What's more, my wife recently celebrated two years of the freelance life herself, meaning that neither of us has had a traditional employee role for some time...
Featured Articles
Travel Tuesday: The Club ATL Grab & Go Pantry Lounge Review
Last week, I set off for San Francisco from my home in Springfield, Missouri. But, since I was flying Delta, I of course needed to make a stop in Atlanta before my flight back in the correct direction. Over the years, I've spent plenty of time at ATL, so when something new pops up, I...
4 Daily Games I Play That Somehow Make Me Feel Smart
Remember a few years ago when Wordle took the world by storm? Well, after that, it seemed that several other daily games popped up as well. Over time, the lineup of games I actually bother to play daily has evolved — but there are a few that I keep returning to. That's probably because, even...
Hotel Vandivort Review: Springfield, Missouri's Four Diamond Boutique Hotel
When it comes to my Travel Tuesday hotel review series, I often wonder what travels might be featured in my latest installment. That's when it hit me that: instead of looking to other cities for adventure, I could feature a property found right here in Springfield, Missouri.  Hotel Vandivort is a unique boutique hotel we’d...
I'm 40 and Finally Figured Out How to Properly Shave My Face
For a good portion of my mid to late 20s, I made my living pretending to be in high school for television. As it turns out, part of the reason why I could pass for younger is that I can't grow a beard to save my life. Unfortunately, this lack of growth also means that,...