Truthfully, I was very close to shutting down this blog as of December 31st. I had run out of retirement topics and felt burned out on the subject.
I am very glad I didn't follow through.
The response to some of the topics I now feel free to address has resulted in a new burst of creative energy, and some fascinating and meaningful exchanges. Not everyone has been happy with my views on more controversial matters. Even so, for the most part the exchanges have been reasoned and deal with the issues, not in personal attacks and name-calling.
One of the most gratifying experiences with this blog has been the creation of a community of folks passionate enough about something to share opinions, knowing their thoughts would be treated with respect by others. In today's blogging world that creation of a safe place to express oneself is not the norm.
So, with deep gratitude, thank you for helping make this a rare port in the blogging storm: a place where adults feel comfortable in talking about what matters to them.
One thing you may have noticed: I have removed all advertisements from Satisfying Retirement. With the growing concern about companies collecting our personal data, one concrete step I could take is not provide places where a company is able to gather data just because a reader clicks on an ad on this blog.
Yes, I will lose some money, but not enough to change my mind. The battle to safeguard our privacy and not allow others to profit off our data is heating up. I want Satisfying Retirement to be a safe place, not only for comments and a free exchange of ideas, but also one that protects your privacy.
Have a safe and happy New Year's Eve and Day.
I love your new and expanded format. Wishing you and your wife a Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am enjoying a mix of topics, too.
DeleteHappy New Year!
ReplyDeleteQRZ from K7UNL.
DeleteThanks, Ed
Who says that you have to talk only about retirement? Having said that, getting into anything political is a big turn off for a lot of people, ourselves included. Retirement can involve a lot of things... especially travel and RV'ing!
ReplyDeleteRegarding advertising, I think it's irrelevant. Take the money! When we made the choice to include advertising on our blog, the readership numbers actually went up, despite a few (very few) people saying that they didn't think we should.
Retirement means I can have all sorts of interests and ways to be involved. I like not being as restrictive as the blog has been for over 9 years.
DeleteAdverting is an individual choice. I will say, though, there are a lot of blogs and web sites I visit that overwhelm me with advertising, including boxes that float in and off the page. If I wanted to make serious money I'd have to go that route, not just the 3 or 4 static boxes I did have. So, we will see how the advertising-free choice goes.
I love the new format. You're retired but you can write about anything you like. And you should. You can please all the people all the time so wrote what you are called to.
ReplyDeleteThe whole point of blogging for me is to express myself in a way that fulfills me. Those who like it will stay, those who don't won't. That is OK.
DeleteBob, I started reading your blog maybe four or five years ago when I began seriously prepping to leave the workforce. Initially it was the topics you covered that drew me in and, as I started reading regularly, I realized that it was both the posts themselves and your reader's responses to them that impressed me. That combination of good material plus attentive readers and their respectful comments has produced a top notch blog and an excellent retirement resource. So thank you, Bob, and everyone out there.
ReplyDeleteAs far as broadening your scope, I would hope that the title of your blog applies not only to the "satisfying retirement" of your readers, but to yours, as well. Point your bow in whatever direction you want, adjust your sails accordingly and make the most of the new course you've undertaken. I, for one, am not going anywhere - and I'd bet that the same could be said of most of your other followers. It may sound trite, but it's very true - your dedication to this blog and its readers is sincerely appreciated.
Warm wishes to you and Betty for all of life's best in 2020!
Very nicely said...I appreciate your support and encouragement. I have tremendously warm feelings for the readers who visit.
DeleteI like the no-ad format!
ReplyDeleteI was drawn to your blog by the retirement topics. But, good for you in expanding your blog to include other things---if I am not interested in a topic, I'll scroll on by---and return the next time! No biggie!
I retired 6 years ago---my hubby, age 76, retired 10 days ago :)
Happy 2020!
Thank you for your support. And, you have the answer to a topic that may not concern you: skip it and come back in 3 or 4 days for the next one.
DeleteCongrats to your husband for joining the ranks of the retired. As a famous song said many years ago, we have a lotta living to do.
Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteIf it is taking too much of your time, why not cut back to once a week?
We would miss that extra oppprtunity to read your blog, but beats not having anything to read from you.
God Bless you and Betty and Happy New Year!
Every 4 days is a comfortable schedule, but thanks for your concern. When I started 10 years ago I was posting every day. That was a bit much.
DeleteTo be honest, I didn't ever notice your ads, but I always appreciate not having to fight the popping ads all over a blog and often just stop reading those that do that. Like others, I'm finding your new direction very enjoyable and look forward to reading whatever else you have in store for us. Thanks for keeping up this blog! It's one of my favorites!
ReplyDeleteLike you, if a blog or web site is too cluttered with all sorts of ads and signups I will stop visiting.
DeleteI know many bloggers look to their site to make money and that is absolutely fine. I don't need to so I can take this step...more symbolic than effective, I realize.
Hi Bob! Happy New Year! And congratulations on letting go of the ads. I personally find them very annoying and only read sites I REALLY like if they have them there. Isn't it nice not to need the money they bring in. And continued congratulations on the decision to stick with the blog and write about subjects that you really, really want to write about. That's certainly my goal. As you know it requires too much time and effort to do it otherwise. And isn't that what a "satisfying retirement" is all about? I'm looking forward to seeing where you go from here. ~Kathy
ReplyDeleteThe ads were more of an annoyance than a money maker. I spent more time freshening them than it was all worth. Plus, the privacy issue did bother me.
DeleteA little teaser: tomorrow, mum's the word.
Bob, I’m so glad that you have made the decision to continue with this blog. As for broadening the topics you will write about— well that is totally fine with me. As you know, my own blog is all over the map in its topics. I write about what matters to me in the moment, if I think it might also be of interest to others.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you and Betty in 2020!
Jude
Blogs must stay entertaining and engaging, as well as topical, to hold and gain readership. I am glad we don't have to be so restrictive in what we address.
DeleteBob,
ReplyDeleteI love the new format. Retirement does not mean stepping out of life. There are still delights and challenges we all encounter and it is nice to gather the collective wisdom of others and learn how they navigate these years. Retirement, for me, is a chance to re-engage in with life writ large--rekindle old interests, develop new interests and dialog with others about their perspective on the world.... even if they think it's flat. :)
Rick in Oregon
Gathering the collective wisdom of others is a good way to put it. If we think we know all there is to know, we are in a bad place. How else can be learn and grow except by interactions with those at the same stage of life?
DeleteHi Bob! Long time since I've visited your blog! I inadvertently had deleted my long time blog (midlifemommusings) but have restarted up again. This time my focus is on preparing for retirement. Five grandchildren have been added to my family as well as a newly commissioned Navy ensign, (my son, and I'm immensely proud of him ;) ). I look forward to catching up on your posts as I've been out of pocket on most of the blogging community. I will say you are a brave man to step out into any political affiliation these days. I choose to stay neutral, although I will say I'm a president supporter as an independent voter. I had my reasons, and they had nothing to do with race. Having said that, I believe coming to the center is the only way this country will heal. Happy New Year to you and Betty. :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, Sharon.
DeleteWith both left and right sides of politics being so dogmatic and hypersensitive, I agree that coming back to the center is the only way out of our current mess. I don't see that happening anytime soon, but it must be a goal.
Let me know how your new blog is developing. I'll take a look.
Midlifebalancedmoney.blog. It’s a slow work in progress this time.
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