I hope you have been entertained this year. I try to make TBP like a slap in the face on a daily basis. It’s now been up and running for almost 10 years, with three different versions. Since the latest version (protected by TMWNN) began in 2014 we’ve had 39 million visitors, 475,000 comments (and only 300,000 included profanity), 24,000 posts by me and 6,000 posts by our beloved contributors. 85% of you are men. 80% of you are over the age of 45. And I assume 95% of you are white. I also assume the average IQ is above 110.
The number of visitors per year has grown from 4.4 million in 2014 to a projected total of 9.5 million in 2018. We are currently averaging 26,000 visitors per day, up 7% over last year. Despite the increasing number of visitors, the amount of ad revenue and donations is down 20% over last year. A large chunk of the decrease is due to Amazon banning my site. They were the biggest revenue generator. The ad companies that have replaced them generate revenue on a much less consistent basis.
We’ve received donations of $20,000 as of today. I’d like to thank all those who have donated this year and prior years. A huge chunk of this total has come from a few very generous readers. We have 20 people on automatic contribution who account for 15% of that total. One extremely generous individual gave a $2,500 donation. Yojimbo has been beyond generous sending 9 contributions of $100. There have been several $500 donations and quite a few $100 donations. I’d estimate 40 people have accounted for more than half of total. Considering there will be 9.5 million visitors this year, 40 people accounting for more than half of the donation total is surprising.
When I started the site it was all about me. It was a site where I got to write anything I wanted free of censorship. It was centered on financial stuff, because that is what interested me. Over time the site has evolved into something far different. It is no longer about me. I’ve given a voice to dozens of people who had something to say. TBP is certainly not a one trick pony. There are hugely divergent views. I do not moderate the site because I don’t have the time or inclination to do so. It’s a Fight Club. You can say anything you want, but be prepared to be pummeled if what you say is stupid.
We all know how Stockman, Casey, Martenson and many others charge a monthly fee for their content. I’m sure they make a decent living from that format. But I think the content on TBP equals or is superior than those pay sites. I also know the commentary after the articles is far better than the commentary on Zero Hedge and other websites.
My goal over the last couple years has been to make my life less fragile and dependent upon others. The ultimate goal would be to exit the rat race and my two and half hour daily commute, so I could run TBP full time and get back to writing regularly. I essentially spend all of my spare time trying to keep the site interesting and running the site, rather than doing what I like – writing articles. The more money TBP can generate, the closer I get to that goal. So, if you have the means and think TBP benefits your life in any way, send a few bucks our way and Make TBP Great Again. I promise to build a wall and keep the brain dead liberals out.
Operators are standing by.
Make TBP Great Again? Sounds catchy. Thanks for the mammaries.
I gave $40 and didn’t get a shout out. It would have been more but I sent the rest in your name to the Beto campaign. Seriously, though, I will send something along if only so you never have to stay at that 1 star motel with the piss bottles and toenails on the ground. Did you submit a review on Trip Advizer?
We promise never to stay there again. I’m too nice. I didn’t even give the name of the motel in the article.
Something about beach motels. I stayed a week one night at one in Daytona Beach.
don’t help him get a better place,he needs to suffer for his art–
Hell, I’ll put a check in the mail for sure, now that you’ve given me a gif of Bustoff, and the 3 ((Stooges)).
CNN is to Trump what Wild Hyacinth was to Curly.
– makes ’em go apeshit, and start lashing out, kicking ass, and taking names.
Thx for good memories, besides the good content on the platform.
Jim, I can’t thank you enough. There are a million sites out there but this is my major stop everyday. It has great contributors , interesting and relevant articles about the psychotic planet we inhabit. Checks in the mail my friend. Best wishes for another outstanding yesr.
Couldn’t have said it better myself. Congrats, Jim. I visit TBP several times a day, not only for the articles but for the incisive/humorous comments by your readers. I made a small donation; I’ll do much better if my gold stocks ever get out of the frigging basement.
I feel your pain. I’ve owned CEF in my IRA for years.
Ever since 2011 my 100% gold stock portfolio is down 90% ..I spend all my time crawling around on a gravel parking lot with my ass on fire, looking for a place to puke, some more…If ever there is a real gold rally to truly reflect the debased dollar and fake fiat in general, then I will send a big-titted messenger to your door with a worthy contribution and a big thank you for this site…
Well, Ed, you are probably way smarter than I am, so maybe I am not the one to be giving you any advice, but I will anyway. Sell your gold stock; buy gold Eagles or Maple Leafs. Just hide them away in a secure place and don’t worry about whether gold goes up or down.
When this house of cards collapses, your gold stock certificates will be utterly worthless, not even good for toilet paper, but your gold will still be there.
Better yet, buy silver. The upside for silver is much better than for gold. Historically, the gold-to-silver value ratio has ranged from 10:1 to 20:1. In the USA, the ratio was pegged at 20:1. Currently, gold is quoted at about $1200 and silver just under $15. So, silver should be about $60, at the historical American ratio. In reality, as you no doubt know, both gold and silver prices are actively suppressed, silver more so than gold.
Don’t I knows it times millions.
Big ED,
The Confederate Calvary Guerrilla is giving sound advice.
Here is a good place to pick at stacking: https://sdbullion.com/
(Buy second helpings)
Jim,
Funds are kinda short right now with recent ones going to too many politicians. But, I will have a small check in the mail tomorrow. Gotta keep you in business!!
All of the anonymous donations were from mwah.
Yeah, I’ve been slacking in the donation area, that will change shortly.
How do you disable loop Glif. I think that’s what you call them.
It’s snowing.
I just donated enough to get my total to $100 for the year. I’m not made of money like Yo is.
“I also assume the average IQ is above 110.”
The first time I read that I thought it said 10..lol! There are some days that you swoop in on someone who could be assumed to have an IQ of 10.
That would be Stucky.
Admin,
Just set up a $30 per month contribution…sort of a subscription to the best conglomeration of editorials available anywhere…often embellished with some rather spicy corrective comments! (Actually, my wife set up the contribution as I do not do PayPal, and I could not make a monthly contribution using a credit card.)
About 35 years ago I was tasked to make a presentation to a volunteer who had spent many years and much of his personal fortune serving, and thereby inspiring, the youth of my then community. The audience was to be about 2500 folks.
After going through many options I simply entitled the speech as “Some Men do More”.
You are clearly one of the very best of those unique men who do more.
Many Thanks,
It is an applause gif if it isn’t visible.
Maff is hard fo me but I think if we got this to 100 with $25 each, that would bump it up a couple grand.
That is a great way to state it, MC… even a ten dollar bill mailed to the post office box adds up when it comes from the heart.
My contribution and note of thanks will be in the mail soon.
Thanks for he reminder.
You said:
“The ultimate goal would be to exit the rat race and my two and half hour daily commute, so I could run TBP full time and get back to writing regularly”
If that happened, great for you, and great for us readers.
In the meantime, know that you are much appreciated.
I hit the button, rather than send a check as in past times, I’m guessing that’s easier for you.
Am eagerly awaiting this year’s installment of the 30 Blocks of the Hoe, Hoe, Hoes.
If I win the lottery I’ll fund that.
Incoming.
I haven’t contributed as much in terms of content this year but 2018 has been challenging overall especially in terms of the health of close people around me. Time and energy have been spread pretty thin. I lurk every day though and still appreciate what you do. 2019 is shaping up to be a gong show on other levels here. Hopefully, I can get back in the game a bit more in spite of it all.
Keep on keepin’ on my friend.
The manufactured liberal fog comes on little cat feet from places high and low.
Here I sit looking over harbor and city, not on silent haunches and looking for wisdom to know.
I send this year’s third Ben Franklin, thanks for the show!
You stole that line about cat feet, pussy toes. I’m not sure if I should admire it or not.
Maybe we can raffle off a pair of Stuck’s designer underwear complete with ‘stressed’ holes and chic stains. The lucky winner will have the retired boxer shorts or briefs sent pressed and ready for framing.
Just send in a dollar bill of any denomination from $5 to $20. To : Jim Quinn – P.O. Box 1520, Kulpsville, PA 19443
It’s perfectly safe to send in the mail, a check will work also. Give ’til it hurts.
I contributed. Thank you admin for all you do. If the bastards get control of the narrative without anyone to speak out they win by default. That just can’t happen.
I’ll donate again but don’t get rid of those big titted ads.
Where are you Stuckey, Uncola, etc and the other constant posters????? It is time to uncover the money sent in for these constant opinion posters to be called out. What has been given by whom?????????????????? Get some balls admin and do not let these constant article posters get off free.
BD, in a version of ass, gas or grass, Admin gives peeps a cherce; submit articles, subscribe or send in a substantial donation. Although Admin is liberal enough to let folks ride for free if they so wish. Really, though, it isn’t fair, realistic or practical to expect Admin to keep the site going, write and defend against attacks all on his own. This is your blog too, if you can keep it.
From Sydney Australia thank you for the amazing website. Donating via paypal, done.
Thanks Jim,