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Ok, that is very helpful. I think I will just keep writing and let my STEEM accumulate over time. Although I could use some occasional USD conversions! Trying not to do that, but at least it is an option. This is an awesome site and I am glad I have weaned myself off of the other social media sites that make money off of me. I am following you!

If you don't plan on spending your funds, power up. You can do that without ever leaving the platform, using the internal market for SBD conversion.

Ok, how does powering up help me? I am a newbie.

It helps you gain influence. I just wrote a short instruction on how to do it:

https://steemit.com/steemit/@funkit/the-total-idiots-guide-to-powering-up-with-sbd-no-need-for-external-money-changers