“Maybe next year.” “Maybe when I’m a bit more established.” “Once I have a better idea of where I want to go.” I totally felt this way the first time I heard of Fincon. It’s a yearly conference for people building businesses online around personal finance topics. It’s authors, freelancers, podcasters, course creators, bloggers, YouTubers, coaches, advisors and all the brands that want to connect with that group of people.
Why You’re Not Going (Yet!)
I totally understand the fear and hesitation. You aren’t really sure what you even want to do. Maybe it would be much more useful if you had even a smudge of a business idea before you show up. Or maybe if you were already better with money. You don’t feel like you have “earned” the right to be there. I’ve heard or felt every excuse. You don’t even want to do anything in the personal finance arena. You are just interested in personal finance (hence why your reading this blog).
What exactly is Fincon?
What is Fincon….exactly? Maybe you have heard bloggers talk about it. You can read about Fincon HERE. Fincon brings together over 200 speakers (including me!) to share about building a business online, podcasting, blogging, writing, getting media coverage, creating courses, growing an audience, creating a video, plus a whole bunch of panels about personal finance from the people who are doing it. (At Fincon 2018 speaking on a panel about FIRE with J.D Roth, Physician on FIRE, Mr. Money Mustache, and Mr. 1500) (Fincon 2019 I’m leading my OWN session about Networking for Introverts using the 5 Love Languages! I’m SO excited!!!)
Go to Fincon Before You Feel Ready
Knowing what I know now, I think the best time to start going to Fincon is two years before you create anything. Period. Take me for example. If this were my 4th Fincon instead of 2nd. I would have had a much clearer idea of what options were out there for creating things online. I would have understood so much more about the process before I started. I would have been building relationships with other creators who could have encouraged me and supported me when I first started. Starting this blog, I had no clue. I had no clue about anything. Not WordPress, not course creating, not video, not how blogs actually make money, not SEO, not how to get featured in media. If I had gone to Fincon two years before I started blogging….that would have been a HUGE head start. It’s easy to think, “I can see how it’s totally worth it for bloggers or podcasters who already have big audiences and are making money. But I don’t even know what I might do.” I would argue Fincon is MOST valuable at the beginning of your journey, definitely not less valuable. I think everyone learns things, everyone deepens relationships and everyone meets with brands. But if you are Mr. Money Mustache or Paula Pant, you already know a lot of the things. You already have a lot of relationships. It’s rather easy for them to meet with brands at any point. They will take Paula’s call. The kind of access Fincon gives you BEFORE you start your journey is an enormous advantage! The most value comes when you don’t have a clue about anything.
The Rare and Generous Opportunity Fincon Provides
Fincon was one of the most generous places I’ve been. You have 200 people who are spending hours preparing to give you their very best information….for free. Most speakers aren’t getting paid for a fancy speech. They are opening their business and life for the sole reason of helping you do what they have done. It’s an incredible group of people. All giving so generously to help other people get where they have gotten. There are very few places in the world where you can surround yourself with millionaires, financially independent, early retiring, best selling authors, big podcasters, best selling authors, freelancers and people who have built 6 figure and 7 figure business. And 99% are simply really cool down-to-earth people. They are really excited to open the doors to their success and let you have a peek into how it’s done. I love the group because they are creators. They all make things and put them out into the world. And I simply need more of those people in my life. People with passion, vision, hustle, and fire in their bellies to create something worthwhile. I love the town I live in but 1 out of a 100 people are doing those things. At Fincon that number is flipped to 99 out of 100 are out there getting it done.
Fincon is like Legends of Zelda for Me
You don’t figure things out before you start. At the beginning of the game, you don’t know the right people, you lack connections, you lack direction, you lack resources, and you lack support. How could Link complete the quest if he never started walking? Totally unprepared. Lacking everything he would need to finish. You learn by going. You’ll get ideas by being around lots of great ideas. You figure out what you want to do or create by seeing what others are doing. You find inspiration with inspired people. Once you see all the options, you start to figure out your path. None of this happens sitting on your couch waiting until you have “earned” the right to spend a chunk of cash and go to Fincon. Go Early. Hang out with the millionaires and financially independents. Hang out with business owners. Hang out with writers and creators. Fincon is a fire hose of ideas, inspiration, and how-to’s.
Two Guys Who Didn’t “Deserve” to be at Fincon
Last year I met two guys on a bus to a dinner party. I asked what brought them to Fincon and their response was awesome! “We just thought it would be fun. Hear a bunch of great speakers. Get to meet all the people whose blogs we read and podcasts we listen to. But it’s SO inspiring. I never considered creating anything online, but after hearing everyone, I just might!” I saw them later that night at a private party. They had met a bunch of people at the dinner and was invited along to meet everyone. They were having the time of their life. “Ok, that sounds good.”
How Much will Fincon 2019 Cost?
Your basic ticket (which is all you probably need): $399-$599 (depending on how soon you buy it!) Airline ticket: ?? Probably less than mine from Montana! Hotel: There are lots of room share options in the Fincon Facebook group $200-$500 Food: You can go as frugal or as expensive as you want. Aside transportation, a room, and travel, I literally spent less than $20 last year. I packed protein bars, nuts and tea. It’s Sept 4th-7th in DC. You’re looking at $1000-$1200 depending on flights and 2 or 3 vacation days. I’m not sure how much $1000 invested for 10 years will increase your net worth. I think investing in Fincon has the chance to yield a much higher return to your net worth over the next decade. If you decide to buy, shoot me an email and let me know you’re going to be there! I’m easy to spot (6 ft tall!) but I’d love to say hi! If you buy with my link (it’s an affiliate link so Fincon will throw a few coins my way if you use it), I’d be happy to buy you a drink!
I didn’t see you last year – even though you are 6 ft tall. I guessed I missed you in the crowd.
Unfortunately I can’t make it this year. I hope to meet you IRL next year.
Sending you blessings for a successful opening to your Money School.
I also lost my voice by Day 2! So I was a silent giant. I might bring a white board this year. =)
I too was losing my voice by Day 2 at Fincon! By the time I got home, I could barely speak above a whisper, but I loved every minute of it! I had an absolute blast. My only question at the entire conference was the one FIRE discussion at the panel you were on where I asked what made you decide to FIRE as what was the catalyst for the decision. I loved MMM’s response of would I do this for free or for $1.
Nice post!
Miriam
I never thought about going before I started any projects (which is exactly where I am). Thanks for that thought. This year I’m committed that week, but I’m in for next and I’ll look for your link next year!
And, as a fanatic about Zelda, I have to point out Zelda is the princess and Link is the main character’s name!
Oh shoot, that’s right! It’s been a LONG time. =) I need to get my kids started on the classics.
So, I feel as if you wrote this post for me. 🙂
AND I’M GOING TO FINCON!! 😀
But I know I wouldn’t be without our conversation earlier in the month.
The thing that hit home was when you said just starting is the MOST valuable time to go, not after you’ve been blogging 5 years and have a lot of this stuff figured out! It completely turned my mindset around.
I can’t wait! If anyone else decides to go for the first time after reading this post, we can be FinCon newbie friends. 😉
There are a LOT of newbies each year! You’ll fit right in. =)
I had actually only been blogging for just over a year before I decided to just jump out there and go to FIncon. So glad I did. Trust me, you will not regret it! I have written about 50+ posts since attending last year at Fincon18. I was just that inspired. It was after reading a post by Millennial Money that made me go from saving $5 a week to $1100 per month. And I even got to meet him at the conference!! And J$ of Budgets are Sexy really does have a mohawk. He was one of the coolest most down-to-earth people I have ever met! And I even did an interview of him for my blog called, The Man Behind The Mohawk: An Interview With Budgets Are Sexy! I got all that from going to one conference.
xoxo Miriam aka Greenbacks Magnet
That’s awesome! Fincon can give so much clarity and motivation.
Oh, this is totally me! I only cobbled together my wittle blog so I could feel legitimate when I go to FinCon! And I’ll be even easier to spot: I’m 6’5″ 🙂
I’m SO excited that you will be there! It should be a really fun time. =)
Oh my gosh! Josh I love you. I love that you did that!!!! Keep doing you.
Miriam
I wish I read this 3 years ago!! This is our first time going, and also the first time I feel “worthy” of going even though I know that’s not true! So excited to see what Fincon is all about 🙂
It’s such a common stumbling block. And the truth is the total opposite. It’s much better to go early than wait until you hit some arbitrary metric.
Wish I could make it to Fincon this year, but will still be on my mini-retirement travels. I’ll definitely be there next year!
It’s a long haul from overseas. If you snag a ticket right after the event, you can get the lowest price.
I’m headed to FinCon for the first time this year! I’m excited to meet everyone and learn as much as I can. I’m so noob that I still haven’t figured out how to enable commenting on my first blog post. My family’s big journey around the US and works starts in less than a year-and-a-half, so I’d better start getting up to speed with blogging, social media and YouTube.
I’ll keep an eye out for you.
Hey Nomads, I thought I was the only one who didn’t have comments turned on! Fortunately, it seems that other people with blogs can comment on mine through the WordPress site/app? I still haven’t figured it out ?
Say hi, for sure! It’s great to go early and just get an idea of the 100 different things people do with blogs.
I wish I had heard this advice last year before I started my blog! Unfortunately I can’t make FinCon this year (groomsman in my friends wedding) but I recently was able to snag some tickets to Camp FI Midwest so really looking forward to getting a similar experience in a smaller setting!
Personal development is something I really haven’t spent a lot of money on in the past, but that’s something I am focusing a lot more on now!
I want to do another post about CampFI, very different, but really, really good! Spending on personal development is a great goal to have.
What’s so great about FinCon also is that when you go there, you can also build up your network with your counterparts – i.e. the people who started blogging around the same time as you. There’s a rising tide lifts all boats thing with new bloggers sticking it out and growing together.
You and I started blogging around the same time, I believe. It’s been fun seeing all of us from our year building up our blogs together.
It is fun to feel like you are “growing up” with a group of peers. =) There are about 10 people that stared a few before or a bit after me and they are some of my closest blogging friends.
I started my blog about 2 months ago and I’ll be at FinCon for the first time. I thought it might be too soon for me to go, but I read so many wonderful things about it that I decided to go. Your article has eased some of my anxiety thinking it might be waste of time and money since I’m so new at all this. Thanks and I hope to meet you there!
That’s awesome! I’m so glad you decided to go. Please stop me and say HI!
Last year was my first FinCon and it was so much fun! I definitely had no trouble spotting you. 🙂
I signed up for FinCon before I even thought my blog was worth the time of day. I’m so, so glad I went. It was a fun, rejuvenating experience. I’m going for Year 2 next month and can’t wait to see everyone!
That’s is awesome! I think going right away gives such a better understanding of the big picture! Plus you get to know other creators, which is essential at the beginning.
Thanks for the validation, as I’m definitely 2 or so years away from actually earning it. Can’t wait to take away some inspiration for my next big adventure and be able to chat the chit with folks of a similar feather!
Great encouraging post Jillian. I’ve been on the fence about going to FinCon or not. Hemming and hawing on and on. I think this just sealed the deal for me. Why the heck not go and check it out, learn some stuff, meet some people. I can’t imagine I’d regret it. Signing up now!
Yeah! You will love it! It makes the whole blogging journey better. You meet so many other people doing the same kinds of things. Can’t wait to see you there!
I totally agree Jillian! Last year was my first year and initially I wasn’t too sure what I was going to get out of it. And boy did it surpass any expectations I had. I am so excited for this year, I’m literally counting down the days. I have been trying to convince my friend Joel, who you met over the summer, into going as he has been flippy floppy, back and forth about going. I’m sending this post to him right now #GetHimToFinCon. Hope to get the chance to chat with you more this year!
I totally had this conversation with Joel! He really should go. No way he would regret it. Plus I love his site! I’m on the #GetHimToFinCon train, for sure!
That’s very affirming and that’s exactly what my wife and I are doing this year. Unfortunately, we missed signing up under your affiliate link by a couple weeks (dangit) but look forward to hearing you and the other awesome FI folks speak and hopefully make some great life-long connections. I can totally relate to not having many local people who are cut from the same cloth regarding the FI mindset and it will be amazing to be surrounded by hundreds of them!
I’m so glad you opted to go! It’s such a cool group of people. There is literally something for everyone.
Going for the first time this year. Really excited to be going, and it’ll be a month before my blogs first anniversary.
I’ve already learned so much from people afar who have been willing to help me out so much. Cannot wait to meet everyone in person.
This post encouraged me, though I’ve felt the same way… “Not important enough.”
Really looking forward to just being “one of the people!”
TPP
I think you’ll love it. It’s such a great creative energy! And there are people at every stage, with all sorts of goals. Lots of ideas and inspiration to be had. Say hi when you see me!
Until a week ago I had never even heard about FinCon. I have just recently started reading all these FI blogs out there. I’ve been deeply involved in meetups and networking in the Real Estate community, but then I discovered there’s a whole network of early retirees as well. What appears to be an even bigger network than real estate investors. Everyone is so great. When people with the same goals get together, its incredible what can happen. I will get to FinCon as early as possible. I have a vacation booked for this years FinCon but I will make a point to add it to the calendar in Future years. Loving blogging so far, just need some readers and to continue posting content. Who knows what could happen. Great post
Next year for sure. I think they already released dates for the beginning of Sept 2019. Tickets go on sale right after the conference and they are super affordable.
This was great motivation! I’ve been really interested in the FI community out there and didn’t think an event like that would be suited for a newbie like me. I may think about taking advantage of this next year. Thank you for sharing – I’ve loved your interviews on recent podcasts I listen to and reading your blog. You’re such an inspiration! Maybe I’ll have a chance to meet you in person sometime. Keep up the great work!
Fincon is a great option! At some point, I’ll write about my experience with CampFI, which was also great!
Hope to make it next year as I just found out about it only a couple of months ago and don’t have the funds budgeted for it! No doubt it will be great!
Looking forward to the post FinCon blog update to see all the fun that was had!
Plan for next year! The tickets are usually cheap right after the conference.
I really needed to hear this, Jillian! Thank you. Looking forward to arriving at FinCon tomorrow, ready or not!
I just realized that Fin Con is going on today! LOL – We’ll I’ll make it next year for sure. Sounds like a fun time and actually not all that expensive compared to some of the other conventions / training I’ve seen. I’ll scoop up some tickets early for next year since they’ll be cheaper too. Cheers everyone! Hope it’s a fun time.
Are you going this year?! We’ll be there and would love to connect!
YES! I’m actually a session speaker this year! I’ll be sharing about networking for introverts. =)
Oh heyyyyy I made it on the MMA blogggg! I love FinCon!