A Note to Subscribers
What to expect in The Journeyman for 2022
It’s hard to believe it has been nearly two years since my initial post for The Journeyman in February 2020. To my surprise, the newsletter I started all those months ago as an experiment has been well received. It has also morphed from a part-time project into a full-time commitment on my part.
Over the last two years, I’ve had lots of encouragement, even from subscribers who don’t happen to share my political point of view. That is not to say I haven’t had my share of hateful emails, but not as many as I expected.
There are changes ahead for The Journeyman. My goal for this year is to expand the publication beyond essays. I plan to add a few additional perks, so let’s walk through them:
“The Journeyman” Swag:
That’s right, branded caps, hoodies, t-shirts, and other goodies are coming soon, so stay tuned.
Changes to free subscriptions
Until now, I’ve left my posts unlocked for both free and paid subscribers. Beginning next month, that will change. Free subscribers will no longer have full access to The Journeyman.
Next month, free subscribers to The Journeyman will have limited access to written content and will no longer be able to make comments (the comment limitation already has occurred). Free subscribers can still access The Journeyman’s open threads, such as the one recently posted on the anniversary of the January 6 insurrection.
The obvious reason for the upcoming changes is that paid subscribers deserve additional perks for their financial support. I recognize times are tough for many of us. That said, free subscribers who find value in my work and are able, please consider upgrading to a paid subscription.
Subscriptions are $5 a month or $50 annually. Founding memberships are $150 a year for those willing to lend additional support.
Paid subscriber perks
I want to thank my existing paid subscribers for supporting the publication. Many of you have been with me from the beginning. Your investment in The Journeyman means more than you can imagine.
The following perks will come with paid subscriptions in addition to all posts, starting next month.
Weekly Zoom Calls: I’m introducing a Saturday “Ask Me Anything” style Zoom call for paid subscribers. I plan to field your questions about previous articles and give my two cents on political, economic, and racial issues.
The Journeyman Podcast: Paid subscribers have access to my upcoming podcast, where I’ll do deep dives on previous stories. I’ll also give my thoughts on the news of the day.
Discounts on “The Journeyman” Swag: Paid members will have the opportunity to buy the cool stuff I mentioned earlier at a special discount.
Founding subscriber perks
In return for going the extra mile in support of The Journeyman, all founding members receive the following extras:
Free “The Journeyman” Swag: New and current Founding members will have their pick of a branded cap for free, as well as other items at a discounted price.
My Mom’s Favorite Recipes: As most of you know, I was born and raised in the South. So it should come as no surprise that my Mom was an excellent cook.
One of the things I inherited from her was two ringed binders containing all of her recipes. I remember how she used an old typewriter and note cards to record her recipes; others are handwritten, like this Deep South gem:
There are dozens of recipes, ranging from Southern specialties to the hors d’oeuvres she used to make for her catering business.
My team (meaning me, my wife, and my daughter) is in the process of converting this foodie treasure into digital format. Once we finish, each founding member will receive a copy in digital format, free of charge. The cookbook is a work in progress, so it may be a few weeks before it’s complete. I promise it will be worth the wait.
Other ways free subscribers can help
If none of the paid options work for you, but you still would like to support The Journeyman, here are a few options:
Follow me on Twitter: Twitter is my social media platform of choice. If you’d like follow me there, my handle is @geektrader.
Twitter’s tip jar: Twitter has a neat feature that allows users to “tip” other users (see the screenshot below). If you follow me on Twitter (if not, what the heck?), tips are always welcome.
Thanks again to everyone for your support and encouragement over the last two years. I look forward to hearing your feedback.
P.S. I almost forgot to mention — I’m writing a book! It’s a memoir of my 30-years in finance, beginning in Arkansas and ending on Wall Street. Without giving too much away, I will say the book is full of colorful characters from my past and a historical retelling of the days when the Little Rock bond business was second only to Wall Street.
I still have a ways to go to complete the manuscript, but when I do, you’ll be the first to know. ~MSW
Looking forward to your expanded newsletter!