Shout Out To Yakezie

When I joined the Yakezie Challenge 3 months ago I didn't realize the hidden benefits of just being involved. I am not a member yet because I am in the middle of the challenge but the benefits have been so nice that I sometimes forget I'm a challenger. I want to take a moment and share some of the treasures that I have experienced from just being a part of this amazing community of bloggers.  

You might have read about Yakezie (pronounced YA-KAY-ZEE) or seen their badge plastered all over people's sites and wonder what the hell are they all about. If you are reading this post I never had those thoughts because I joined without knowing much about them. Yep call me a rebel. I read what the Yakezie challenge entailed and said to myself "I can do this" and jumped right in. And guess what? I am glad I did. 

Here are some of the hidden benefits I have found by just being a part of the Yakezie community:

1. I Am Smarter
The people on Yakezie (both members and challengers) have an array of knowledge that has opened me up to a whole new world of intelligence. After 3 months of reading tons of articles, posts, ebooks and newsletters I know more about topics on personal finance, taxes, writing posts, food, dieting, family values, marathons... and the list goes on.

2. I Am Happier
Yakezie is a network of cool people who make you feel included in the conversation which makes you want to help out whenever you can. I feel like I have helped people on topics that I know about and have made a difference in their lives and on their sites... In addition I have made a ton of them laugh at some of the witty and humorous posts I write. Just the other day I got an email from someone who said they were having a really bad day and I have now turned it around. :)
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3. I Am Saving Money
There isn't a day that goes by that I don't read a post about saving a buck or 2. All I had to do was read and implement the technique. I read a post yesterday by Smart Money Hacks on how to save money on groceries and saved. No joke. I went on google and found a coupon for Staples. I saved $5.00. Hey that's 2 slices and a diet coke. 

4. I Am Making Money
Who would have thunk? My adsense has gone up in the last 3 months and I can only assume that that is from the power of Yakezie. Also I because I am a photographer with designing skills I have been asked by several challengers and members to do header logos for them which has put a few more diapers on my daughter and food in my belly. Here is an example of a logo I designed for Corey over at www.20sfinances.com.

Not bad for just being a challenger. 

If that wasn't cool enough check out the really nice and thoughtful comment Sam Dogen (founder of Yakezie) wrote specifically to me in response to a comment I left on the site after reading his article What Would You Do If A Major Income Source Went To Zero. 

Sam wrote:" I think being able to catch people when they fall, and prop them back up again is one of the most important attributes of the Yakezie Network. It’s something we are most proud of. Let’s say for some reason you lost your photo business and became a Member. You better believe that I, along with many others will send you as many referrals as possible from the friends and family we have in NYC! "

Thanks Sam 

and 

Thanks to everyone on Yakezie

Until Tomorrow, 

Jai