Narrow Bridge Finance

Three years ago today, I started on a journey I called Narrow Bridge Adventures. In my first post, I outlined my reasons for starting my second blog.

At the time, I had recently left working in a bank. At the bank, I learned all of the tricks used on the other side of the counter. I learned banking regulations, how banks really make money (hint: don’t overdraft), how wires and ACH transactions work, how the Fed interacts with local banks, how mortgage loan reviews work, how to decide who gets a credit card and what their limit is, how to read a credit report, and many other ins and outs of the industry.

To sum it up, I knew my stuff. I had knowledge and wanted to share it. I headed over to Blogger and registered a free Blogspot blog that evolved into the site you are reading today.

When I was deciding on the name of my site, I kept returning to a famous Jewish song written by a long deceased relative of mine, Rabbi Nachman of Breslov:

Kol Ha’OlamKulo, Gesher Tsar Me’od. The whole world is a very narrow bridge. Veha’ikar– veha’ikar lo lefached klal. The most important thing to remember is not to be afraid at all.

How appropriate is it, then, that my third year begins on the eve of my religion’s holiest day, Yom Kippur. On the day that we reflect, repent, and pray for a good new year, I have the opportunity to reflect on the journey and growth I have seen as a writer.

As you can see, I no longer have a free site on Blogger. I have written a book. I have turned my hobby into a side business. I have written nearly 600 posts. I am receiving record traffic every month. I have made many friends. Some of those friendships recently crossed into the offline world.

One week ago today, my blogging took another major step. As I boarded a plane for Chicago, I had little idea of what really lied ahead. I took a taxi for a lonely ride to the Marriott hotel in Schaumberg, Illinois. But when I got out, I was immediately in a warm and welcoming atmosphere at the Financial Blogger’s Conference.

I first met someone who I think will be a longtime friend, Shane from Beating Broke. We then sat and had a quick meal and a beer with Barbara Friedberg, Sandy from Yes I Am Cheap, and Joe Taxpayer. I quickly met friends from the Yakezie and elsewhere. As we networked, learned, and danced, I developed new relationships with other bloggers from around the US, Canada, and even Australia.

Meeting inspirational people like JD Roth, Adam Baker, and Ramit Sethi was a catalyst that I hope will take this site to a new level. Many others came to me for thoughts and advice. While some friends think that I have too big of an ego already, it was nice to have it inflated just a bit more.

I have big plans for Narrow Bridge Finance in the coming weeks and months. I hope you have enjoyed the adventure and journey so far. Whether you have been coming here for three years or this is your first stop in, please come back often. Please leave your thoughts in the comments. Please email me your questions. Please participate in this community that I am hoping to grow and build around making your financial life easier and less stressful. As we embark on year four, let’s save more money, invest more money, and press forward so our finances work for us, not the other way around.

Thanks for being a part of it. I would not be here without you.

Eric

Top image by taygete05.