Financial Blogger Conference

Three days, 800 miles, and 18 sessions later, I am back from the Financial Blogger Conference.

Here’s the breakdown of my spending:

The conference itself: $67

Breakfast on Friday: $8

Lunch on Friday: $19

Lunch on Sunday: $10

Gas: About $160

Hotel: $182

Tips to the bartender: About $10

That brings the total to $456. The hotel cost is really an opportunity cost, because my rewards card will be reimbursing from my accrued miles. Actual out-of-pocket cost: $274.

What did that money get me?

First, I got to meet a lot of the bloggers I read every day, including a lot of my fellow Yakezie members. That’s invaluable.

I got to spend three days meeting other bloggers, and learning how they operate. I got to hear how they manage Twitter, how often they post, what they do, and how they do it. Phenomenally valuable.

I got to spend 2 days learning better ways to do this whole blogging thing, by listening to some of the biggest names in the personal finance blogging world. That’s a value that you’ll have to judge for yourselves over the next few months as Live Real, Now evolves.

From a purely financial perspective, was this a good spend? Probably not. I spent $274 to get intangibles that won’t pay my bills or put food on the table. There is certainly an argument to be made that this was a waste of money. However, I strongly believe that those intangibles will prove far more valuable than any other way I could have spent that money. Using simple math, I may have wasted that money. Looking at the long-term value, it was definitely worth the time and money.

I will be going back next year.

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13 Responses to Financial Blogger Conference
  1. Beating Broke
    October 3, 2011 | 9:37 am

    I completely agree. The value of what you (we) got was pretty incredible. It was a pleasure to meet and hang out with you and all the other bloggers there, and I think what we came away with will help us to better serve our readers.

    • Financial Success for Young Adults
      October 4, 2011 | 12:30 pm

      You made out like a bandit with the iPad2! lol
      I’m excited to attend next year.

      • Beating Broke
        October 4, 2011 | 2:37 pm

        Yes, yes, I did. ;) It was torture to have to wait until I got home to play with it. Apparently, you’ve got to sync it with a computer and itunes before you can use it and I didn’t bring a computer with me… Next year will be even more fun, I think!

  2. 20's Finances
    October 3, 2011 | 11:18 am

    Thanks for sharing your reflections. I am looking forward to attending next year! It also sounds like people took away the importance of story and have a new drive to change things about their site. Amazing how much one weekend can offer inspiration. I can’t wait to read other people’s reflections to try and get tidbits of info.

    • Jason
      October 4, 2011 | 8:28 am

      I’m rushing trying to take advantage of the inspiration while it’s still fresh. :)

  3. Lazy Man and Money
    October 3, 2011 | 3:28 pm

    I think you might be under-rating the value of the conference. Some of tips over time if you continue to blog will add up to more than $300 in value.

    I knew a lot of stuff that was discussed in the panels and I still found it to be tremendously useful.

    • Jason
      October 4, 2011 | 8:28 am

      I’m positive it will be worth far more than I paid. I should have said “From a purely financial and simple perspective….”

  4. Justin @ MoneyIsTheRoot
    October 3, 2011 | 4:34 pm

    Thanks for the breakdown…I wish I could have been there. Definitely next year!

    • Jason
      October 4, 2011 | 8:27 am

      Totally worth it.

  5. Briana @ 20 and Engaged
    October 3, 2011 | 9:09 pm

    Although it won’t pay your bills or put food on the table, it was an experience that may have changed your life (and your blog). Sometimes you can’t put a price tag on experience.

    • Jason
      October 4, 2011 | 8:26 am

      I have absolutely no regrets about going. I think it’s one of the best things I’ve done for my site. Now I just need to follow through.

  6. Miss T @ Prairie Eco-Thrifter
    October 4, 2011 | 9:58 am

    Sounds like the conference was well worth every penny it cost. I unfortunately missed it this year but hopefully I can go next year.

  7. [...] I met Khaleef from KNS Financial and his very cool wife (un-nicknamed so far, lol), FMF, Jason from Live Real Now, Beating Broke, J Money from Budgets Are Sexy, his partner in Love Drop, Nate, Mighty Bargain [...]

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