Rebecca Lake

Some days it's difficult seeing posts from other freelancers about how they are thriving in a difficult market if you were a successful writer before who is struggling to find work. Your innervoice may say things like: - You're less talented - You're less capable - You're not reaching out to the right people But none of those things are true. Reframe it: It's encouraging to see that others are still succeeding. It means there's hope. And while it doesn't help your current reality, it means you also will have your time to shine. I've been feeling down over the last few weeks, but a positive recommendation from a former editor I worked with boosted my spirits. I'm looking forward to things turning around in the new year in the freelance writing industry or pivoting to something else I can succeed in. Cheers, Jerry #personalfinancewriter #hope #encouragement

Here in my second week of work at Nav Technologies, Inc. and many have asked what I'm doing in the new job. I'm still writing and editing (YAY!) In my latest role I still get to work on credit and credit cards content(YAY!) but also cover other small business issues. Here's my first officially published piece in my new role: https://lnkd.in/enThN5JJ

Time flies - it's hard to believe my chapter at Chime has come to an end. Thank you to my wonderful leaders for trusting me with such high-impact content growth projects from day one, including Gisele Góes Lindsay Chastain Nick Fairbairn and Vineet Mehra. I had the privilege to work with some of the best people on our small but mighty team, including Kathleen Mason Amy Goffe Colton Dobbs Alexzandria Hampton, APR Mo Enriquez Mottley Ethan Eckstein Liza Santiago Forni Nathan Reed Maya Joshi Yu Chen JC Hoopes and Troy Woolfolk. I learned so much from you all! It was beyond fulfilling to build a powerhouse team of contributors – you are all so talented, collaborative, kind, intelligent, and professional. Leaving is bittersweet, and I wish everyone in Chime marketing continued success. I'll save what's next for another day - thanks again for everything Chime. xoxo Content Girl™

Today, the eve of my 63rd birthday, I am officially retired. It feels like I’ve been looking forward to this day since I graduated from college. Unless you look at my profile, you may not know the rest of the story. I have now retired twice. The first time was in May 2000. I was into my 16th year as a reporter when Wachovia knocked on the door, offering me a media relations role. I made one phone call (beside the discussion with my wife) and that was to one of the greatest storytellers of our generation, NBC’s Bob Dotson. I asked him what he thought. He knew my ambitions, as we had spoken several times at my tv station for seminars he conducted. He told me I had to ask myself one question, did I want to see my kids grow up or not. Answer didn’t take long. Thank you, Bob. I spoke to my wife and went into my news director, Michelle Butt, and said, I am retiring from the news business. She asked me why, and I told her I wanted to watch my kids grow up. I had spent many days on the road covering events for NBC and its affiliates. Stories like hurricanes ( ten to be precise), two commercial plane crashes and the Susan Smith saga on the NC/SC line (so sad). One evening, I called home to my wife and she had the three kids in diapers around her—twins and then the third 20 months later. I told her I had to stay in Boone for the 11 pm news because the first snow of the year was falling. I heard the sigh and defeated sound in her voice. So when I told Michelle I wanted to see my kids grow up, she said “Vinny, that’s the only answer I will accept.” Thank you, Michelle. I’m sure by now I’m boring you, but I rarely post and most likely may not do so ever again. So standby. I took the job and Wachovia became First Union/ Wachovia after a year, then Citi for a week and finally Wells Fargo after eight years. So now on my 25th anniversary year, I bid the working world adieu. I will have no more daily nor weekly meetings, no more projects that died on the vine and no more written reviews. I cannot tell you how appreciative I am for Wells Fargo, a company that gave me flexibility to see my kids grow up, time to volunteer in my community and a raise. I didn’t become wealthy but they offered me the opportunity to be rich. My wife works at the hospital, so I took the kids to the doctors, practices and cooked dinner many nights. I coached Little League, ran a league, ran a district and now serve as NC state coordinator for Little League. Things I couldn’t do as a reporter. So what’s next? A part of me says who cares. But that will just move a person only so long. Journalism is my first love and in my blood. Whatever I do will involve writing and talking. Two things I love doing. Everyone has a story, you just need to find it. This is part of my story. We shall see what part three, the final act, brings. Vince

This year has been off to a crazy start work-wise. One year into being an editorial director—my DREAM title/job, which I prayed I could work hard enough to earn by my 30s—and I was told I'd be moving to a new website. I was really sad as I loved working on the site I was on, but I also knew moving to this new website would be a really great opportunity. Here we are 2.5 months later and I just wrote an article—mind you, I am an editor and don't write often anymore—and it's on the homepage of Investopedia. This is not something I could have ever imagined, but I'm excited to be working in this world of financial products and services at a brand that has been around for 20+ years. It's crazy how things work out. I don't know where I'll be in a year or even a few months (journalism/media is a crazy world 🙃 ) but I'm excited for this week, which is all I can ask for. BTW, CD rates are great right now, so see if a CD is right for you: https://lnkd.in/e-NkaTu5

We put together the first-ever Investopedia magazine, and this special issue is on sale nationwide TODAY! Keep your eyes peeled at grocery stores, drugstores, and airports this weekend and over the next few months! It's available to order via Amazon print-on-demand and on Magazines.com, too (links are in comments of this post). Incredibly proud of this & our team 💪 More to come!! 💥

Personal news: A couple of weeks ago I joined Money Magazine as Deputy Editor! Sad to leave Investopedia, but excited for an incredible opportunity.