This past December marked two years of partnership between me and the Murfreesboro Pulse. I also learned that 2025 marks 20 years of operation for “the Pulse,” as it is known to its fans. The publication is an important cornerstone of this community. I thought that to kick off the year, I’d do something a bit different for the Money Matters article. I wanted to share what this paper means to me, and to others in the community.

Prior to moving to Murfreesboro about four years ago, I came from two large cities: the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area and Washington, D.C. I can say that one thing those places are missing is a hometown paper to call their own.

I recall going to a networking event at Boombozz Pizza, then walking into Steak ’n Shake, as well as taking my children to the Linebaugh library, and all three places had news racks containing the Pulse. I thought that there must be something to this, and I grabbed a copy and read it. I was impressed with how much I was able to learn about what was going on in the community.

I also recognized that if businesses were advertising in this paper, they were probably businesses I should check out, where I should potentially get to know the owners. The Pulse gave me an opportunity to find these places and forge relationships with the people in the community. I wound up going to a group called “Networking for Awesome People” and met some people who live up to the name. Fortunately for me, I was able to convince that group that I belonged. I learned about the Boro Prom, the BBQ Festival, how cool Cannonsburgh Village could be, Friday night concerts on the Square and so many more amazing things about this community, all through the Pulse.

A few months later, someone told me I should go to an event called The Connection, which was taking place at the Murfreesboro Strike and Spare. They told me that the owner of the Pulse was hosting a meeting there. I thought there was no way that someone who published this paper would talk to me. I was so wrong. Bracken and his team were there, and I got to meet him. He’s a down-to-earth, regular, local guy. Through another networking group, I got to know the singer for a band called Kings of Queen, and they were featured in an issue of the Pulse when they came to town. No matter what it is that happens in Murfreesboro, the Pulse probably has you covered.

In the months and years thereafter I attended quite a few of the Pulse’s monthly business networking events—now held at Champy’s Chicken—and decided to advertise in the paper, which helped me in so many ways as I became a part of the Murfreesboro community.

I then thought it might be fun and beneficial to write an article myself but thought there was no way that could happen. Again, I was wrong. Bracken was open to the idea and gave me an opportunity to write a financial column in the paper. Each month I enjoy sharing ideas with people on how they can better budget, save for retirement, give more to charity and so many other things that can help their financial lives.

As a few months went by, I met some people around town who said “I read your article in the Pulse.” A person wrote to me commenting about my article, and I felt like a regular Dave Ramsey.

As a financial advisor, every so often I’ll get someone to book a meeting on my calendar and I’m not sure how they found me. I have had meetings with potential clients who shared that they read my article. One even had a copy of the paper on his kitchen table when we sat down to talk about how I can help with his retirement planning.

To say that the Murfreesboro Pulse has been an impressive resource is an understatement. I enjoy writing these articles, and I appreciate the partnership with the Mayos and the Pulse.

Happy 20th anniversary to the Murfreesboro Pulse. I look forward to the next 20 years!