My Media Empire Slowly Grows

After a few months of editing and other tasks, I now have two personal finance websites running.

I wanted to announce it here for a few reasons. The first, obviously, to show readers the sites so they can go there for personal finance information. But also as a place for sources and advertisers to go if they have story ideas or want to advertise on either of the websites.

Here’s a rundown of the sites:

Add-Vodka.com has been around for a few years. I bought it in January from the owner, a woman who gave the blog her own voice and detailed her journey from graduating from college to getting out of debt.

My goal is to continue her work and make the site a must-read for personal finance topics. I’m expanding coverage to include retirement, life insurance, and will be adding posts on kids and money.

I’ve also hired an assistant to help run the site, including writing posts and working with advertisers.

Add Vodka has a Facebook page, Twitter feed and an email subscription to get updates on posts.

CashSmarter.com came to life in December 2014, and posts are slowly going up there each week. I started it before I knew Add Vodka was for sale, and now find myself busy keeping both sites in top shape.

I stared CashSmarter with the idea that after years of writing for other websites about personal finance, it was time to start my own PF site and see if I could attract readers. So far the site isn’t making money, and I expect it will take years to build it up and get enough regular readers to make money with advertisers. So far I only have a few affiliate links there.

I’m trying to cover larger issues at CashSmarter. I don’t want either site to be a general spot to learn about mundane personal finance topics. I’m always looking for the bigger picture, and I hope these two sites can get into bigger areas than lists of how to save your money, etc.

As a fun aside, I’m going to soon be selling bumper stickers and T-shirts for Add Vodka and CashSmarter. I’m proud of the logos for both sites, and I especially like the tagline for Add Vodka: “When Life Gives You Lemons, Add Vodka.” I’ll be selling them in the store on this site, and on the individual sites themselves.