by Nicole Ouellette | Nov 9, 2009 | Marketing Monday
Every Monday I profile a person or business doing something cool to promote themselves online. Think there is someone I should consider? Contact me and let me know!
Breaking Even began as a personal finance blog back in 2007. Since then, it’s become about business and other things on occasion but a money theme, even if barely noticeable at times, runs throughout. (It’s no coincidence, for example, that TCT crafts mostly cost under $10 to make.) When asked what my blog is about, I say “Money. Well, kind of.”
That said, I still follow a lot of personal finance and money bloggers and when Phil Villarreal sent me an email a few months ago about reviewing his how-to-save-money book and I accepted, because I like books, especially when they are free and go with the theme of my blog.
I noticed a few weeks after our communication that reviews of his book were all over the blogosphere. Then, his book became a New York Times bestseller.
How’d he do it?
by Nicole Ouellette | Nov 8, 2009 | Personal Finance Tips
One of my favorite things of being a money blogger is getting great books to review. I always manage to learn something and having to review the book forces me to read about financial stuff, which honestly I find boring a good part of the time.
I read Phil Villarreal’s book in stolen moments these last few weeks, out of pleasure and not out of obligation (this review is already a couple months late). It was a busy time and the one to three page chapters were perfect for a quick fix.
Phil reminds me of John who I consider one of my very best friends. Like Phil, John used to work in newspapers and has this snarky sense of humor that comes from intelligence and self deprication (rather than stupidity and making fun of others). Phil is the exact kind of guy you want to be friends with, and also the kind of guy you can learn a thing or two from.
A few of my favorites:
by Nicole Ouellette | Nov 6, 2009 | Good For You
A few weeks ago, I had a friend visiting for the week. The last day of his visit, Phil told me he had a surprise for me. “Don’t make any plans for 3 o’clock today.” he said cryptically. Needless to say, I was pretty curious.
When we pulled up to the Bar Harbor Spa, I got excited. Clearly I was in for a treat, and something I would never buy myself in a million years.
“We’re getting manicures.” he said. Fun!
What I didn’t expect was for people to actually notice it, and treat me differently.
by Nicole Ouellette | Nov 5, 2009 | This Week In Business
I usually publish ‘This Week In Business’ on the blog Wednesday or Thursday of each week. I realized Sunday I didn’t do it last week. D’oh!
I have been quite scatterbrained these last two weeks (you can see further examples of my recent flakiness on Facebook). I am going to attribute it to the move and being busy and just try to get back on schedule this week.
Despite what some people believe, I actually maintain a separate personal and internet life, with Facebook being the point of intersection, so it’s always interesting when I meet people from my internet life in person. And it was a week of meet and greet at Breaking Even Communications.
by Nicole Ouellette | Nov 2, 2009 | Too Cute Tuesday
Tonight’s craft is sponsored by Quigley’s Building Supply in Fort Kent, Maine. To sponsor a craft, contact us.
Next week, Too Cute Tuesday is gearing up for our month of giving… to each other!
Starting next Tuesday, the TCT crew will take turns helping one of our members complete a project in their house. Think of all those projects that you may want to get done but are nervous or simply dreading attempting yourself…Yup, we’ve got them too! Christy is kick off TCT’s Month of Giving next week by having us help her build a bar.
But this fantastic election day, we have decided to do a fun, whimsical craft to celebrate. What do you get when you combine the playful fun of PVC pipe with the plumbing marvel of hip swiveling? A hula hoop!
