This post is not about finding a deal. It's not about saving you money. It's about me....and you.
I don't know if I have said this before, but starting and maintaining this site has been life-changing for me. At first, it started as a way to not have my couponing ways take over my personal blog (that one is long gone...don't bother trying to find it). Then it turned in to a "Wow! People are really interested in this stuff?". Then it progressed in to a career. A career that helps people. That has to be a good thing!
And make no mistake, Moms Need To Know is now my career. A 7-day-a-week-365-days-per-year-you-only-don't-feel-guilty-for-not-updating-the-site-one-day-when-you-are-laying-in-the-hospital-on-an-unGodly-amount-of-morphine career.
Don't get me wrong...I am NOT complaining. I spend 7-10 hours per day on this site and through various affiliate links, I am compensated for my time (mostly) while keeping all the information that I provide completely free to you. Assuming you read other frugal/deal blogs, know that I am not a rarity. Most of us make money from our sites (as we should, for the amount of time that we put in to them) But it's not about the money.
I've made no secret of the fact that I am HORRIBLE at emails. Actually - "horrible" is putting it nicely. Even my mother complains that I never answer emails.
But I READ every.single.one of them. Today, I decided to clear out my Outlook and finally get my unread emails to under 500....and the emails that I have missed and not responded to just warmed my heart (and if you are a Facebook Fan, you know that I have had a bad few days...I REALLY needed to read those emails). These were emails thanking me for my site, telling me how much I helped their family..thanking me for making a difference in their lives.
And I was humbled. To know that me, just a mom of 3, wife of 1 and lover of Chardonnay has made such a difference in so many lives? Quite frankly, it's a little surreal.
So that is why I do it. Brad may think it is all about the money (he's "cute" that way), but for me it is also about those emails and comments. When I was a teen, I said that I "just wanted to make a difference in the world" (where "making a difference" = "bring about World Peace"...isn't the hubris of youth cute?). Now, I am just happy that the "difference" is one family at a time.
So thank you thank you thank you. You may be thinking "No - thank YOU", but knowing that I am helping people keeps me going.
It's a good thing!
Andrea @ SavingsLifestyle
So glad to know you too, Mindi! I don't do "xoxo" but I will do virtual hugs 🙂
.-= Andrea @ SavingsLifestyle´s last blog ..Free Stuff Wisk- Mariani- More! =-.
Rachel Bingham
I read your blog everyday and even when I go on vacation, I come home and read what I missed! It helps every week to save money. Just through the month of Sept. I've saved 75% on groceries/toiletries. I even buy for my other family members! Thank you, thank you for all you do! You have been a blessing to my family! I just wonder, when do you have time to coupon yourself? Haha! 🙂
Melody
Hey Mindi!
Just a shoutout to also say THANK YOU! Yes, there are a plethora of blogs out there and I like to view some of them, but you are at the TOP of my favorites and my very first go to site! I look whenever I can because I know there are sometimes "timed" deals that won't last long and I can certainly see that you are often blogging and searching for deals. I hope your compensation is commensurate with your time......but I doubt it! 🙂
Thanks for all you do!
Mel
gary b
Hi Mindi---you do a great job! I try to scan your site at least once a day and have saved mucho dinero over the months as well as score some freebies! I am one of your rare ( I think) male readers! I do all the shopping for the house. Keep up the good work. When I checkout at Stop and Shop sometimes I get comments about how much I am saving and I try to mention your website.
Jackie R
Hey just wanted to say that I was that teenager and am that adult still, and haven't found as wonderful a way to help people as you have, but I try in my own little ways every day, and sometimes that involves sharing your posts with friends 🙂
fairydust
I love your blog! It's one of my very favorites!!!
.-= fairydust´s last blog ..Shopping Notes from Sunday =-.
lena parks
Thank you very much dear Mindi for your time and hard work.
Christina
Thanks for all that you do. You do an awesome job!
Ruth
I build and maintain websites for a hobby and I know how much time, it goes into this type of work. You do a great job with this site.
Recently I gave up my day job as a merchandiser to dive fully into couponing. I invest fully in everything I do therefore I can humbly say that I have become a pro at this. I have to keep records of everything I do regarding couponing and so far I have saved 26K and made enough money to supplement my family's income. I file my taxes every year and declare my income because my integrity is important to me.
Sites like this helps tremendously and I can say that I make more money now that I was making at merchandising and I'm also spending more time with my family. Before a neighbor showed me how to do this, I had no clue but Iearned very quickly. The average person has no idea on how much money can be saved by using coupons but it does take time, dedication and hard work.
Kathy Bampfield
Hi Mindi,
You are the first blog I go to for coupons and details about store sales.
It makes my shopping easier. Thank you!
Kathy