#Tag - Getting to know the "Person" behind the PF blog

This tag comes courtesy of Girl Meets Debt

The Questions:

1) How did you come up with your blog name?
Morgaine is a character from my favourite book "The Mists of Avalon" by Marion Zimmer Bradley. I am seriously considering it as a name for girl if I have a daughter. Its been my online moniker for more than 10 years now. Since I'm still trying to stay anonymous, I figured a moniker was a good way to go. I also like the alliteration of Morgaine and Money.

2) Which bloggers inspired you when you first started writing?
Krystal from Give Me Back my Five Bucks, The Asian Pear, Jessie from Jessie's Money, and Jolie from Shaking the Money Tree were around before I started writing my own blog and inspired me to do one too. I've also been reading Gail Vaz-Oxlade's blog since 2008.

Bloggers that inspire me to keep writing (almost gave up on this blog) Cait from Blonde on a Budget, Bridget from Money After Graduation, and Cassie from Tales from the Trenches plus the above list.

3) Why write about finance?
I want to become debt-free and be more responsible with my money. Blogging is a way to stay accountable.

4a) What do you enjoy most about blogging?
To get other people's opinions and suggestions. I've been struggling with some of my money decisions and having such a support team is wonderfully inspiring.

4b) What do you enjoy least about blogging?
Coming up with articles that aren't just numbers. The pressure to promote your blog.

5) What’s the most helpful piece of advice you have learned from reading other PF blogs?
How to budget, its a personal thing. I've been struggling on how best to set-up my budget and reading how other bloggers do theirs and the issues and questions they have helped me to want to create my own, not just follow a pre-filled excel spreadsheet.

6) In terms of finance, what is your main focus at the moment?
Main focus - saving for downpayment on first home. Secondary - paying off debt and saving for other things so that I stay out of debt for good!

7) If you could give your younger self financial advice, what would it be?
Oh God! So many things!!! First, work harder. You're only young once when you have the free time and energy to work 2,3,4 jobs at a time. Second, save more. I saved nothing when I was in school. Three, don't take more student loan than you actually need. Sometimes I got more OSAP than I needed for tuition, I did spend some of it on books and other school related needs, but some of it was spent on clothes and other frivolous purchases. I should have worked harder and saved the money for books, needs, and wants and used only as much OSAP as I needed, it would have saved me at least some of the $21K debt I graduated school with.

8) Who in your “real-life” knows about your blog?
My hubby, T but he doesn't read this. I wanted this to be an online diary of sorts and I would feel more self-conscious if he read it. Some of my friends know, but to my knowledge only my friend Bianca reads this blog.

9) Does your real-life job have anything to do with finance or money?
Yes, I work in pension administration. Before this I've worked in the financial industry for 8 years, all of my jobs save 1 since graduation have been something to do with money. Its funny though that I would give people advice about saving and debt but didn't take it for myself until I was 27.

10) What’s the first thing you would do if you won a million dollars?
Pay off the remaining debt, buy a nice house (but not a million dollar house), go on a vacation, and put the rest in savings :)

If you decide to join along, please #tag this back to Girl Meets Debt (link at top).