I have as well, despite it being pretty expensive to maintain, updating my own sites is so much more of a "stable growth" feeling and far less stressful than working excessively on a massive social media site that might shutter overnight, limit me, or over-moderate me. I am quite sure that building and maintaining my own sites has cost me a lot less than what it would cost to keep promoting posts on social media.

Now if only wen hosting companies weren't seeking to increase pricing and upsell us all the time, we'd have something really epic! har.