posted April 12, 2019
Welcome to the “Tell Your Story” highlight reel.
If you haven’t guessed it as yet, everyone has a story. Within each is identifiable life experiences, anyone can glean from if open to receive.
This is a Highlight Reel of another’s life journey designed to inspire. Have a coffee/tea and read on as Ryan shares his story.
In short, Ryan is a busy dad on a mission. In addition to raising a family, like many of us he has learned a few life nuggets that he desires to share. Check out what he does in addition to sharing his passion for financial education.
One of my favorite things to do is have a “movie night” with my family on Friday nights. I have three kids under the age of 10 so they love it when we all sit around and eat popcorn while watching a movie. It has become somewhat of a tradition.
I also love working on my blog. The blog has allowed me to utilize my creative side while bringing value to others which is incredibly motivating for me. I have found a new passion in life that compliments my demeanor perfectly.
It’s not so much what I did before blogging as it is what I am still doing. I would love to write full time for my blog but I have yet to create the type of income from it that would replace my current career.
I am a police lieutenant and I have been in law enforcement for the past 15 years. I moved around often through my career because I get bored easily. I have held these positions thus far: Field Training Officer, Neighborhood Enforcement Team Officer, Child Crime Detective, Patrol Sergeant, Internal Affairs Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, and currently I am a lieutenant over our Property Investigations Unit. I supervise 7 sergeants and about 31 detectives.
I have worked in undercover positions and purchased drugs in operations and prostitution stings. I have enjoyed my career but I am starting to get bored with is which is why I created a blog to reignite my creative side.
Why did you start blogging?
Years ago I really dove into the world of personal finance. I was not taught about investments and money management when I was younger so when I started to learn, I read every book on finance I could get my hands on. It created an obsession for me and I wanted to help others get their money under control.
As I looked around, I found that police officers in general were terrible with their money. They all worked extra jobs to supplement their normal careers in order to pay for their boats, lifted trucks, and big houses. I saw an incredible need to start reaching out and helping my brothers and sisters get back on track.
Due to this, a couple of years ago I started writing a book about personal finances geared towards law enforcement. As I continued to write, I reached out to officers and found that the majority of them do not sit down and read books as I do. I started to think that I was wasting my time.
After thinking about it, I stumbled upon blogging and thought it may be the perfect way to offer easy to digest information without requiring people to read a book. As I started my blog, I didn’t want to limit myself to only helping law enforcement so I made it relatable to as many people as I could.
What hurdles (mental or physical) did you have to overcome to get your blog started and continue on today?
The major hurdle I started with was the thought that I didn’t have anything to offer. To me, personal finance now comes easily. I can tell what is a good decision and what is a bad decision in regards to money. I can set up a budget in my sleep and it’s now common sense.
As I started writing, I thought that what I was telling people was common sense and I was wasting my time. I quickly found that what was common sense to me was not common sense to others. Every one of us is an expert in something. We all have unique life experiences and insight that someone else doesn’t have.
I now have confidence that while some people may already know what I’m writing, they still can gain motivation from it. For others, I have received countless emails and messages from people who are at the end of their rope and looking for financial guidance. Being able to help people who feel hopeless inspires me and keeps me writing.
What advice would you share with someone who wants to start blogging?
If you want to start blogging, you should sign up and do it right now. You can get a WordPress blog for free and start churning out information. I have found that blogging not only benefits others, but it also benefits me. Writing and learning are therapeutic for me and my blog is as much for me as it is for others. There really isn’t a valid excuse for delaying your blog. It is on your schedule and you can make it what you want.
If you don’t have time to write every week, then don’t. If you only have time to write once a month, who cares? Your blog is what you make it and if you start it and hate it, you can quit. I always encourage people to try new things. Some things will stick and others won’t. For all you know, you could be the next JK Rowling (Harry Potter Author).
You have value to add to this world whether you know it or not. Do us all a favor and add value to our lives by starting your blog! I can’t wait to read it, please send me your link when you sign up and I’ll be your first subscriber!
Below are Ryans social media connections.
https://facebook.com/arrestyourdebt
https://pinterest.com/arrestyourdebt
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFSKM3t1wHj23wtiHSAMdbA
https://www.instagram.com/arrestyourdebt/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/arrestyourdebt/
https://www.twitter.com/arrestyourdebt/
https://www.arrestyourdebt.com
