Dear Readers,
My name is Virginia Neel, and I am the writer behind My Pretty Pennies. I started this blog anonymously in 2009 as an outlet to help pay off student loans with a community of other personal-finance bloggers. Since this blog has evolved from finance-only content to more personal, I have decided to reveal my identity and share this with friends.
To my friends and family who are just finding this blog:
When I first started this blog, I had no idea that I would still be writing three years later, and much less have an audience who actually reads it. As I have continued to write, it feels strange to keep this from those I care about, so here it is! I am so excited about sharing this with you all and hope that you enjoy reading. :)
To those who have become blog-friends and only know me as MPP:
It’s so funny that you know how much money (used to be) in my bank account, yet have no idea who I really am. Well, my name is Virginia, but nickname to everyone is Ginna (pronounced as Jenna, not Gina). I am 18 months apart from both of my sisters, Carrie and Lucy, who also happen to be my best friends. I graduated from Appalachian State University, where my husband Jeff and I first met.
I will continue to write about personal finance, but I will also blog about other areas of my life, including my attempt to cook, decorate, live a healthy lifestyle, and find balance between work and play. Feel free to email me with any questions at myprettypennies@gmail.com.
Thank you to all who have been following for the last few years, and thank you to all who will continue to read my journey! I am so happy to have you all visit this corner of the web.
Best,
Ginna
YAY!!!!!!! :) So pretty!!! And I love reading about you.. which is hypocritical because I am Anonymous, myself ;)
I have read your blog for a long time and been a huge fan!! Its nice to meet you!!!!!!
Melinda
South Carolina
Hi Ginna – so nice to meet you :) I used to write City GIrl Lifestyle (now City|Life|Eats – we did a holiday swap a couple of years ago) and also am a lot less anonymous than I used to be. So nice to “meet” you again :)
Hi Ginna! thanks for sharing this with us! Gorgeous photo! :)
oh Nice to meet you!! I love the picture your so beautiful!
Beautiful! Nice to ‘meet’ you and see the person behind the blog. Best wishes!
Well hello!
Very nice to meet you!!
I’m looking forward to reading more about your adventures beyond personal finance :)
Nice to finally meet you! :)
Yay! You are adorable :) And now I can come up and gush if I ever have the luck to see you around Durham!
Hi Ginna. It is a pleasure to meet you. I just started reading your blog and i absolutley love it. I look forward to reading more of your adventures, tips and advise.
So great to finally meet you :)
Cool to get to know you in a different way!
Very cool! Nice to meet you! I definitely think this will bring a whole new layer to your blog!
Hi Ginna – Such a pleasure.
I love this post ! Your photo is great and I like your ” revelation “.
So great to put a face with the blog. Nice to meet you :)
Nice pic Ginna. So great to meet you. :)
Well helllooooooooooo gorgeous!!!!
I’m glad you’re showing us you and I cannot wait to follow along for the other more this-is-my-whole-life type posts as they come. I love your blog and read every day (tho I barely comment)
xo
Dani
http://www.okdani.com
Been a fan for a while now, I love how your blog is simple, yet sweet, and honest, and seems to really represent who you are and what you stand for./care for Nice to meet you. MPP/Ginna!
Though I never commented, I loved the posts about the little details/personal touch for your wedding (decorations, guest book) etc.
Congrats on coming out of the blogger’s closet. I wish I could do that, but alas I just can’t with my current job. You’re so brave!
WOW. Thank you guys SO much for your support! I am so excited to start sharing more personal information and thank you all for continue to follow along this journey. :)
It really is like a coming out party! Congrats. Loved your blog from he beginning to regardless of if I knew what you looked like or not!
Hello! It’s so nice to put a face and name to your blog :o) Thanks for feeling comfortable enough to make that step. I hope that I’ll be in the same place sometime in the future. Keep on blogging!
Hi Ginna! It’s a pleasure to meet you! I’ve enjoyed your blog and it’s really cool to see who’s behind it.
There were so many little things I related to throughout your blog not even including the fact that I’m also in NC. Now I see you’re an App Alumnus also! How small is the world. (I’m class of ’04.)
I look forward to continuing to read your blog. Thanks for sharing!
It’s so fun to meet you! I look forward to hearing more about your whole life, not just the money stuff (although that’s good too.)
Thanks for introducing yourself!
Hello Ginna, nice to meet you. I’m one of the new ones around here. I am Victoria and I write Ozarks Crescent Mural.
I just found your blog and have a request. Many blogs have an ” about” column on the side of their home page or at least on their “about” heading. Since that is not the case here I had to google to find this page of your blog. I think other new readers may like to know more about you up front! :)
Hi it’s Robin again. I just hit your about button and got your bio. That didn’t happen this morn. Thanks for your great site!
I’m glad the “About” button worked the second time! I am working on a short bio for the sidebar, but that may not be live until the new year. :) Thanks for reading — appreciate it!