My name is Mark Goodfield. Welcome to The Blunt Bean Counter ™, a blog that shares my thoughts on income taxes, finance and the psychology of money. I am a Chartered Professional Accountant. This blog is meant for everyone, but in particular for high net worth individuals and owners of private corporations. My posts are blunt, opinionated and even have a twist of humour/sarcasm. You've been warned. Please note the blog posts are time sensitive and subject to changes in legislation or law.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

It's Bean Two Years

Last week, one of my partners at the office commented "that he could not believe how many blogs I had written'. Since I had not really paid much attention to my running total, I went back and determined that I have posted 210 blogs to date. Today will be number 211. That is a lot of blogs when you consider the technical nature of many of my topics and the fact that I tend to write long blogs, despite advice to the contrary.

Today's blog post also marks the second anniversary of my blog which debuted September 20, 2010.

I have been told by several people that when they Google a tax topic, The Blunt Bean Counter is often one of the first links displayed. I am not sure whether I should be impressed with that information or consider the possibility that I write on such boring topics that no one else bothers to write on those topics. I have however, managed to write several blogs on some taboo money topics that have been fairly original in nature and received some recognition.

Over the last year I have received some critical acclaim; being nominated for a Plutus award (I did not win), having multiple mentions in Rob Carrick’s Reader, and being noted as a must read in Money Sense on four or five occasions. I have also been quoted in the newspaper a few times and even been interviewed.

Another blogging accomplishment this past year was creating the Bloggers for Charity initiative, in which Boomer & Echo, Canadian Capitalist, Michael James on MoneyCanadian Finance BlogRetire Happy BlogFinancial Highway, Canadian Financial DIY, Where Does All My Money Go, Young and ThriftyCanadian Personal Finance Blog and my blog, raised $12,575 by auctioning off our blogs for a guest blogger for the day.

All in all, my decision to write has worked out very well, especially considering I really had no game plan other than to write a blog. Despite the time it takes to write many of my posts, I really enjoy writing them and it is rare that the task is burdensome. Now, how many blogs I have left in me is a question I cannot answer at this time?

Finally, although I do not have the largest financial blog following in Canada by any means, I have many readers who take the time to write to me privately, encouraging me or congratulating me when they like a blog, or offering constructive criticism when they don’t like something I wrote. I would like to thank those loyal readers of The BBC – thank you!

The blogs posted on The Blunt Bean Counter provide information of a general nature. These posts should not be considered specific advice; as each reader's personal financial situation is unique and fact specific. Please contact a professional advisor prior to implementing or acting upon any of the information contained in one of the blogs.

14 comments:

  1. As a 50 yr old owner of a private business, I am glad to have discovered your blog a few months back. Many topics are very relevant to my current life such as taxation issues, use of trusts, cottage and business succession, money and kids (i have 3) and others that help get me thinking. Keep up the interesting blog, your wry wit is great and makes for a great read!

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    1. Thx Anon, I appreciate your readership and I am glad the blog is relevant to you.

      It is also nice to know that someone else besides myself realized I have a wry wit, most tell me it is more like a dim wit :)

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  2. Hi Mark,

    Would just like to say congratulations on year two and post number 211. Your writing is of higher quality than all the other sites you mentioned in this post. You have a pretty good balance between packing the appropriate detail and making it pleasant to read (instead of, for example, cracking open the ITA and just directly quoting sections - reading the phone book is only a marginally less pleasurable activity).

    I hope all your "Google mind-share" you mentioned in your third paragraph translates into actual paying customers!

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    1. Hi Sacha,

      Thanks for the kind words and your support over the last two years.

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  3. Mark, I've been reading your blog for months and have enjoyed it a great deal. Please do keep it up!

    I have particularly enjoyed the series on being an executor and the issues around transferring the family cottage. As I'm currently studying accounting, I find your attention to the non-technical aspects of accounting decisions (e.g. the family dynamics around a cottage) very engaging.

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    1. Thx Bruce,

      As you progress as an accountant, you will quickly learn that technical tax issues are very often overidden by emotions, fears and family dynamics. The sooner you grasp that, the quicker you will be a valued advisor.

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  4. Mark, I'm also a CA and your blog has become part of my daily routine. After checking emails each morning - I check/read your blog.

    I have a feeling one day you'll end up going through something similar to Oprah - where you feel its time to give it up but no one else wants you too!

    I really enjoy your writing style and topics you write about... Keep up the good work and on behalf of all your readers... Thanks!

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    1. Hi Anon CA:

      Thanks for the kind words. I have been surprised by the number of CA's who read my blog. I thought most would dismiss it saying they know all about this stuff.

      The only thing Oprah and I have in common, is her cleaning bill is equal to my yearly income :)

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  5. Hi Mark. I read your blog too but mostly I just marvel at the clip art. Now I think its time for .99 cent ebooks. Congrats on two years, and carry on.

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    1. Hi Rob,

      The only thing u will get from me for 99 cents is the Best of The Blunt Bean Counter Blog.

      If and when I write a book, it will be way better than most of the crap I see in the financial section of the bookstore and will be at least $2.99 :)

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  6. Congrats on your two years! Here's to many more. It was a pleasure meeting you at CPFC12. Stay in touch often Mark!

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    1. Thx Mark, great meeting you also. I think you should organize the CPFC golf tourney when it comes to Ottawa, since I assume it will, since every financial blogger seems to be from Ottawa.

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  7. Congratulations on the milestone.

    I do love your posts (most of them at least -- some go over my head!)

    My son is studying BComm (Accounting) at Carleton and may go on to become a professional accountant and I have encouraged him to read your blogs whenever he can spare time.

    Hope you continue writing for several more years!

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    1. Thx Be*en,

      The good thing about an accountant in the family is the free tax returns :)

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