My last post

By Alison Griffiths

Alas, this is my 78th and final Moneyville blog. For you faithful readers, my Monday column will continue in print and on-line.

Though I’ve always been fairly technologically savvy -- I was one of the first writers in the country to use a personal computer (remember the Kaypro?) even when my book publisher didn’t have one -- this was my first foray into the blogosphere.

It’s been an interesting 10 months. During the 15 years I’ve been writing for the Star I’ve become accustomed to quite a bit of interaction with readers. But blogs provoke response that is a different order of being. For one thing, there’s the immediacy; reaction can be almost instantaneous, which is both good and bad.

The good happens when you strike a chord with a reader who dashes to the computer and bangs out a thank you. That’s gratifying. The bad occurs when you strike a discordant note and the reaction is swift and negative, which is not gratifying.

The truth is, once I got over some shocking outpourings of cyber bile, I got to enjoy it. The experience was a little like being at a raucous sports event. Despite popcorn throwing, slur-hurling idiots there’s a rush associated with human nature in the raw zone.

Blogs are a wonderful way to respond to and interpret unfolding financial news and events. Though I am a journalist, I’ve never been a reporter. The blog makes me understand why so many of the Star’s terrific complement of journalists have been bitten by the news bug. If you follow my work there will be more of it as I join the Investor Education Fund’s Masters of Money team for a few months. Check it out, there are some great writers contributing. You can also find my regular Metro Alison on Money column every Tuesday.

And I have a new book coming out in early January. Count On Yourself: Take Charge of Your Money (Simon & Schuster) is about getting comfortable with money, getting organized and learning how to invest it more cheaply and more effectively with far less stress. You can pre-order it at a substantial discount through Amazon .

And, of course, you can go to my website for information and past columns or email me. I love hearing from you – bouquets, brickbats and all. See you around. Contact me at Alison Griffiths .