Thank you to the thousands of you who took time to fill out our reader survey this past week. Your input was invaluable and so much was gleaned from what you shared. Hopefully, you’ll see continued improvements to this site as a result. Just a few notes I wanted to make:
::Survey Winner
The winner of the $500 Visa gift card was Melinda M. (MelMazzocco@). We’ve been in contact with Melinda and will be shipping her gift card out in the next week. Thanks to everyone who participated.
::LITE Feed
A number of you commented and said you didn’t know there was a LITE Feed for MoneySavingMom. Well, it’s a new feature and I’ve not actually really mentioned it. If you come here mostly to read the content posts and aren’t too interested in the deals, then the LITE Feed is likely for you. It contains all non-deal posts — usually 1-3 per day. You can subscribe via email or RSS reader here.
::You Mean I’m Supposed to Finish What I Start??
Probably the number one thing mentioned over and over and over again by you all was that you wish I would do a better job of finishing series after I start them. Ah, you noticed that I’m a very great starter and a very bad finisher, didn’t you? 🙁 (You should see how many books I often have started at once; it’s pathetic!)
This is an area I really need to work on, so I’m going to make a commitment to you that I will not begin another series until I have finished the series I am currently running (31 Days to a Better Grocery Budget series, Saving 100% Down for a Home series and–yes!–the Becoming a Work-At-Home Mom series — which fell by the wayside awhile ago!)
From here on out, I’m also not going to start posting a series until I actually have it finished first. That way, I can put the posts up in a timely manner instead of letting them constantly get shelved and forgotten. And you’ll know when to expect the posts, instead of wondering if I’m ever going to post another part of the series or if I completely forgot about it!
Thank you for your patience with me as I’m often a rather scatter-brained blogger; I’m aiming to work a great deal on becoming a more-organized and purposeful blogger this year. I’m a work in progress and have a long way to go, so I appreciate you bearing with me. Someday, maybe I’ll have my act all together when it comes to blogging. 🙂
You are a blessing! I am so random and busy, I never noticed you did not finish. I like surprises! Yeah for you! You are a tremendous woman of God. Do what you can and don’t sweat it! Hugs and prayers!– Heather
tried the Lite Feed link and it didn’t seem to work. Kacie had trouble too. I’ll try again tomorrow. Thanks.
I love, love your blog. It is my favorite and I can’t wait to check it every day. I love how you’re authentic, but I also love how you’re not ashamed to share your faith with others. We serve an awesome God don’t we? He takes care of our every need, and so many times our wants.
I have recently started blogging and get a lot of inspiration from the posts that you share. What inspires you to think of creative ideas for posts/series?
Thanks for all you do.
I’m with Emma – I don’t expect a publishing schedule for your various series. Perhaps not having 3 or more running at once will make things less stressful for you.
I love this blog! You are so authentic and real! I guess I never really thought about the series continuation. Whenever I see the “31 days to better budget” or “saving 100%” or whatever symbol, I just thought- oh goodie- more information about this! Maybe that would be an idea- to not call it a series but just have certain topics that you focus on now and then? But then again, I also like coming here not knowing what I’ll get. I may get a wonderful deal, I may get real life tips, I may get an inspiring story to help with my walk with our Lord, I never know exactly what I’ll get but I know it will be good!
Are you going to share more of the survey results? I’m curious what most people liked/ didn’t like. I had a hard time just choosing the top likes!
God is so good! He shines through you in your work here. Thanks for the wrap up to the survey. It’s good to hear what others are thinking…
Joy and your sister are doing a GREAT job behind the scenes. It shows in your website and fresh content. This site and readers, me included, are really blessed with these ladies as additions.
Also, CONGRATS MELINDA! What a joy to receive such a phenomenal giveaway. I hope you’re blessed with such a gift.
Crystal,
You mean you’re not perfect??? 🙂 “Sidetracked” is my middle name so I can definitely identify with being very busy and having lots on your plate! I really enjoy the down-to-earth tone of your blog and how you speak from personal experience. Thanks for blessing us with your humble approach and willing attitude.
I appreciate that there is another great starter/poor finisher like me:) At least we know what our weaknesses are:) Thanks for the blogs!
So what does it say about me that I don’t even notice when you don’t finish a series? lol. I’m the exact same way… it’s sad in some ways, but I’m not wasting my time on a book that can’t keep my attention and mind! 🙂
Crystal, I love your blog. I’ve been trying very hard to limit my computer time lately (as it can seem to take over my life on occasion), but your blog is the one I must check daily. I think it is b/c you are amazing, but real, humble, and honest at the same time. I love that you are sincerely good, ethical, and unpretentious. There are so many blogs out there that make me feel like I’m just not doing enough….not good enough. Conversely, you consistently inspire me to be better, but I never leave your blog feeling like a failure. I just love your series…my husband and I have both been inspired to set some **crazy** financial goals this year b/c of them. In fact, I almost like them a bit spaced out. It gives me time to think about whatever principle you’ve taught recently and work on applying it to my life without getting overwhelmed by the next post. With 3 children under 3, I spend much of my time feeling overwhelmed. I don’t need more of that from the blogs I read. That is why I follow your blog so regularly. It never makes me feel overwhelmed. Instead, I often leave your blog feeling hopeful and energized. Thank you so much for giving that to each of us. I hope it is rewarding to you as well b/c I can only imagine the amount of work you put into it.
re book recommendation; I loved the Power of Less too!
I think your site is amazing Cystal and even though I’m not in the US and can’t use any of your coupon posts, I gain inspiration from your saving money, frugal posts.
Keep up the great work 🙂
CRYSTAL:
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE WORK YOU PUT INTO THIS BLOG…IT CERTAINLY SEEMS LIKE A MASSIVE UNDERTAKING, AND IT BENEFITS US SO GREATLY.
I ESPECIALLY LIKED THE SPRING CLEANING POSTS, AND YOU HAVE GIVEN ME SOME FRESH IDEAS.
I AM NOW ASKING MYSELF, DO I REALLY NEED THIS ITEM, BEFORE AGREEING TO KEEP IT.
THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! AND I LOOK FOWARD TO YOUR WORK AT HOME SERIES.
I’ve been wondering about the saving 100% down series! You really inspired me to pay off debt (just paid off the cars, all that’s left is the house!). Also, my husband is going back to school for nursing and because of you I know we can afford to do it. I never would have considered it without hearing an experience like yours. Look forward to your future posts!
You are doing a good job on the blog.Remember at one time you had 3 blogs so one is enough .I like it when you have guests posts.
crystal,
you are doing a fabulous job with this blog!
of course, there’s always room for improvement with anything in life, and i love that you are always trying to excel still more, and in such a humble fashion.
keep up the GREAT work!
🙂
Oh boy, can I just say that I’m also really good at starting a series and then letting other things take priority!??! It’s hard when there are SO many great things to blog about and so many OTHER reader requests!!! So, while I am anxious for more posts in your series, I completely understand the difficulty of getting around to posting them. We can all wait patiently, and then get real excited when we see a new post in one of your series!
Can I also just say that the word series – singular- and the word series – plural – are making me feel silly? I keep wanting to write serieses. Serieseseses. Seriessss. Anyway…
🙂
@Laura@HeavenlyHomemakers, Laura, I’m loving your serieseseses 🙂
I think you do a wonderful job Crystal. Especially considering that you have three young children.
I do miss it, however, when you start a series and then get sidetracked by life. After a while, i have wondered if i missed something and start going back through old posts. I think your plan to write the series in it’s entirety before posting is a great one. Also, maybe you could designate a particular day of the week as “walk with me ——day” Something for us to look forward to! Additionally, it can be a day that we readers plan to contribute to whatever the topic is. If we know that next Thursday, for example, is the next part of your house buying series, and you are talking about the ins and outs of house hunting, readers who have gone through the same thing can be prepared to add their tips.
You have a great heart and you are humble enough to admit weakness! That is HUGE!! thanks for your heart and for being willing to work on areas… I am a chronic ‘starter’ and need to learn to be a ‘completer’!!
Oh, I agree with the others! You do a great job at this! I can’t imagine being as dedicated to the site as you are as another mother of 3!
God Bless and Thank you!
I think you are doing an awesome job as well! I did want to mention a recent book I enjoyed about simplifying our lives a little. I don’t recall you mentioning it so I thought I would share.
It is called “The Power of Less” by Leo Babauta. He is a blogger to on the minimalistic lifestyle. Anyway, this book was full of tips for simplfying one’s work life…how to deal with email, tackling one project at a time…etc. You may gleam some tips from it 🙂 I know I have!
Still, you are truly doing a great job…and please know we all love ya for it!
Thanks so much for the book suggestion!
@Crystal, Crystal you will LOVE that book! I would have guessed you already read it, but if not I highly recommend it!
Please don’t be so hard on yourself, Crystal—–we all think you DO have your bloggging act VERY MUCH together already !!!!!
Thank you soooooooooo much for all the wonderful help and Godly advice you give us all!!!
Well, considering there were at least 500 comments on the survey requesting I please finish series when I start them, I’d say not everyone thinks I have my blogging act together, but thanks for your kind words. 😉 I appreciated the feedback from so many as it helped me to realize areas to improve and focus on.
Crystal,
I think you do such a wonderful job on this website. I have gleaned a lot of really great tips and tricks from your site. You have helped me a great deal in cutting down my grocery budget, which I really appreciate!
You also serve as a great encouragement to me, because through you and the comments from all your other readers I finally realized that I am not the only person on the planet who’s laundry piles up, and dishes sometimes go undone. As a work-from-home mom I’m often overwhelmed with the feeling of not being able to fully committ to both of my lives and I end up frustrated and annoyed with work and with my schedule. Coming here daily is like a peptalk in a bottle and I just want to say – “Keep up the great work!”
Oh, my laundry *never* piles up and I *never* have dishes in my sink.
Ahem. Just totally kidding on that! 🙂
I’m still looking for the magic wand to wave and clean my house. 🙂 I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not entirely possible to have perfect balance in all areas of life all the time. I just have to seek the Lord and do the best I can with each day — and not be discouraged or overwhelmed when it doesn’t all get done. Because it pretty much never does.
My mother’s helper who comes on Tuesdays is a huge blessing, though. I’d highly recommend finding some support like that, if you can. Being a WAHM mom is hard work!
It is hard work but it is such a blessing and so so rewarding! Especially when it’s God that makes it all happen for our good and his glory. Amen.
You do a great job!Thank you for all you do.
Thank you for your continued efforts to improve this site! I love that you don’t settle for anything but excellence.
I think you do a great job and I just love whatever you do have time to write… even unfinished series’. 😀
One thing I have learned from you is to not be afraid to start something even if there’s a chance I won’t be able to finish! Seriously! I think we are very different in this regard, as I rarely start something unless I can see the finish line in the NEAR future. I think I would actually accomplish more if I were more willing to jump into things and not get so caught up in “is this completely achievable”… 🙂
Thanks for the kind encouragement, Tammy!
Yes, no complaints here either. In fact, I appreciate your sharing about the chaos and disorder, because it’s nice to know I’m not the only one. It’s very encouraging. Your work is a blessing.
Yeah Melinda! Congrats. And Crystal thank you for the AWESOME job. I love all the hard work you do to save me money!!!
Getting an error screen when I try to subscribe to the “lite” feed. I’ll try again later!
I agree with both Allison’s! I feel like my entire life is being held together by a thread. Just taking care of my three little one’s basic needs is about as much as I can handle on any given day. I cannot imagine taking on all that you do! I really appreciate you and I have no complaints! You are doing a great job.
I second the first Allison’s comments! : ) My kids are roughly the same ages as yours, and I can’t tell you the last time I did anything organized, like balance the checkbook. It’s all I can do to keep up with the laundry and grocery shopping. Even if you didn’t finish your series, you have given lots of helpful tips and insights and I appreciate them!
You are doing an AMAZING JOB! Crystal—you have inspired me as a wife, mother and child of God. Thank you for your willingness to share all of the details of your life to help ladies like me be more frugal, more grateful and more blessed. 🙂