8/03/2009

Happy Anniversary, Coupon Geek & Future Plans


I cannot believe that today is the 1 year anniversary of Coupon Geek Blog! When I started this blog, it was just a place to share deals with my friends so I could quit filling up their email inboxes. I also started sharing stories of my activities with the kids and as a family and about our journey down the Total Money Makeover path, as they all enjoyed reading about our lives and finding ideas to do with their kids and ways to help their debt, as well. Little did I know just how fast Coupon Geek would grow. I was happy with my 10 readers and visits. :) And now, there are soo many of you that bless me with your friendship daily. And I am so truly honored by that.

I have always done my very best to be 100% honest with my reader friends. And maybe that's why you keep coming back, I don't know. But I must share another bit of honesty with you today. For the last few months, I have been struggling to keep up. To find balance with blogging and family time. My kids are growing up and needing more time for aiding in their development. For Nathan, we have to start potty training and learning his basics for pre-school. And Kaydi, my dear little baby, is now a master speedy crawler and needs more time to ensure her safety and to help her explore and learn more about life, in general.

So at this time, I am unsure of the future of the Coupon Geek Blog. I have been trying to make cut-backs but find myself only feeling a sense of guilt or like I am letting down my readers by not having constant deals. I even considered "rebranding" as they call it and having a non-deal blog with just money-saving advice and kid's stuff. But I'm not sure it wouldn't turn back into the same type of blog. :)

So I am going to spend the next month, until September 3rd, making some changes and seeing if I can finally find a way to find that balance. I may just set a blogging time limit and leave it at that and ask that you understand that the blog won't be the same or chalk full of as many postings. I may discontinue some "dedicated" postings or making them "at random series," if I find you still like them. I'm really not sure. I've even considered *gasp* taking a mid-week day off. :) What I do know is...I'll be here. I'll be blogging. And I'll have my heart into it for at least another month. And especially in this 30 Day Get Fit Challenge, as it is something truly important to me.

But, thank you for an absolutely amazing year!! And thank you for your patience and understanding while I figure out the direction of the next stage of Coupon Geek.

15 comments:

  1. Thank you for everything you do for us! You are amazing! We'll follow you faithfully...hope you find the right balance for yourself, sweetie!

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  2. Hi Jaycie!

    I just found your blog a few months ago, when I became obsessed with using the Internet to find good deals!! Thank you for all of your hard work!!

    You are awesome, and I will continue to check back often! I totally understand finding a balance between work and family and wish you luck!!

    One thing I must say ... don't feel guilty about cutting back. I suspect that few people have time to check daily ... I know I don't!

    Good luck!

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  3. Congrats on a year!! Love your blog and appreciate you taking the time to post all the deals! Don't feel guilty at all, family comes first! I will still be a faithful follower no matter what!!

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  4. Happy Anniversary! If you ever need a day off and some guest blogging let me know and I'll be happy to help!

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  5. I totally get where you are - that's why I stopped blogging last year. I felt I was spending too much time on blogging that I could be spending with my kids while they are little. I also have a full time job, so there just wasn't enough time in the day. You do a great job, but remember that your kids are only small once - there will be years later for the "other stuff." I pray you find the perfect balance for your life.

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  6. Thanks so much for all your deals and for your blog and congrats on 1 year. Thanks for being honest, b/c it helps me too. I see all the deals and I only have 1 kid and am a sahm and wonder, how do these mom's make it all work. I don't even blog, but do go online a lot to seek and share deals. My dd is advanced in language learning, etc. so I take extra time with her to learn stuff, and have limited access to a car so, I always have to contemplate...do the deals, or go see friends, etc. on the couple days I have a car. DH is 100% opposed to stockpiling in our small house so....I have to accept that ok I will spend $75 on food/week or $100-$125 on all food and misc. per week, but hey, I used to spend $150/week on just food for only 2 people!! I also started couponing after doing Dave Ramsey's program, so if the main goal is living below ones means and paying off debt, then I am doing that and that is what counts and picky me (for personal care stuff for allergies) and picky dh (for food) we are all happy not eating our way into debt anymore, plus now I don't worry that there is not enough $ for me to be a sahm. God bless you and your family, Jaycee!

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  7. You do a great job with this blog and I love seeing all the deals you post. Please do whatever works best for your family, but I for one would still consider your blog a valuable tool if you were only able to post a few times a week. Happy anniversary!

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  8. Happy Anniversary my #1 Referrer! So bitter sweet I'm sure.

    I think I tell my hubby at least once a day that I just don't get how these SAHM can post 5-20 in a day and still, do laundry, clean the house, cook, play with your kids (if there not in school--mine are both 4) and research to find the deal, post the deal...I mean..it's allot. But we all love it so we do it. But I do understand that it's all a balancing act and finding what's important to YOU in this space and time and making it happen. You are not alone. This topic in itself could be a blog (but that would only give us more work..LOL.
    Whatever you decide, I'm sure it will be what's best for you and just so you know...if you do decide to take a "break", you will be missed.

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  9. I, too, only found you about a month ago (if even)! It must be a lot of work for you because I go to your site to save myself the trouble! Thank you for all you've done; and I hope you'll still find time to share your deals with us from time to time. In this recession, my hubby and I have sure appreciated the help!

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  10. Jaycie,
    I enjoy your blog and check it daily. Take the time you need to decide the future of this blog. You have to do what is right for you and your family. Good luck and God bless.

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  11. Jaycie!
    I completely understand where you are coming from! Sometimes you just have to do what is best for you! Last week when I was on vacation I didn't post at all and it felt great! The readers that really value your site will come back anyway. I think you have great material and if you cut back, I'm sure your readers will understand! :) You are AWESOME and I am so glad we have met through the bloggy world!

    Christy

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  12. Happy Anniversary!! I too am trying to find balance and I just started!! I can totally relate! I am doing the 30 day challange with you and also have a 10, 5 and very active 9 month old!! Family and self need to be first!! Good luck and your blog will be great no matter how often you post!! I just started for my friends too and got totally sucked in!

    You blog is great!

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Blessings to You All!
~Jaycie

 

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