Editorial Comments
Weekly Roundup – Back In Action Edition
It’s been a couple weeks now since my mom passed away, and I am trying to get back in the swing of things at work, at home, and here at the blog. Fortunately, I’m surrounded by many friends and loved ones at each place, and it has been a big help during this difficult time. I have not had much reading time these last few weeks, and my weekly roundups have suffered for it. My editorial comments in this edition probably won’t win any blogging awards, but hey, it’s a start.
The Frugal Roundup
101 Ways to Take a Bite Out of Your Food Budget. The title says it all – a monster list of money savers to help trim your food budget. (@The Wisdom Journal)
The Art of Letter Writing: The Sympathy Note. After recently losing my mom, we received a number of nice sympathy cards. I also appreciated the many comments here at the blog, emails, etc. It has made me more aware of the need to express sympathy for others when they are dealing with rough times. This post is an excellent how-to from someone who recently experienced a loss. (@ The Art of Manliness)
5 Ways Spending More is Actually Frugal. I liked this post because it focused on a popular topic surrounding frugality: does it make sense to spend more money up front in some cases to get a better value. (@My Dollar Plan)
The Best Times to Buy for Huge Savings on Major Purchases. An excellent run-down of the best time of year to make 14 major purchases, factoring seasonal discounts, inventory issues, etc. (@The Daily Crux)
Accidental Frugality – Can You Live on Half of Your Income? When we reach debt freedom soon, living on half my income is a big goal for our family. I think we can get pretty close, even with the mortgage, but will require a lot of discipline. (@Stop Buying Crap)
How Not To Suck At Blogging.If you are a blogger, aspire to be a blogger, or are interested in any entrepreneurial endeavor, this is a must-read post. One way “not to suck” is to follow Man vs. Debt’s lead – he’s done a phenomenal job in a short time with his blog. (@Man vs. Debt)
Best of the Rest
- Saving For Retirement? Best Move For Your Retirement Plan
- Question of the Day: Are You a Perfectionist?
- Fall Maintenance Tips for Your Home That Can Save You Money and Protect Your Family
- How To Be Married A Decade And Stay Madly In Love
- Teach Your Kids How to Manage Money in 7 Easy Lessons
- 22 Tools You Should Keep in Your Car
- how to poison attitudes towards work in young children
- Smart Living Rule 7 – Pursue Good Opportunities Fearlessly
- Is CreditKarma Useful?
- Car Leasing Tip – Increase Your Security Deposit
Post by Frugal Dad
State Of The Blog Address
It has been a while since I last posted a “State of the Blog Address,” so I thought I would put together some miscellaneous thoughts for a lazy Sunday afternoon. I plan to touch a variety of topics from blogging to my personal life to money stuff. Stay with me.
Frugal Dad News
First, I’d like to welcome all the new subscribers here at Frugal Dad. With your help, I’m half way to meeting my goal of 7,000 subscribers by the end of 2009 (I started the year with 5,000 subscribers). I’m humbled by the fact that so many of you receive my emails, check my feed, and visit here to leave comments each day. Thank you.
Schedule: I believe it is about time I published an official blog schedule. Of course, nothing is written in stone because sometimes life throws curve balls and you have to adjust a bit. But for the most part I will try to adhere to the following schedule:
- Monday - “Money/Frugal Living Post.” Mondays will (usually) be the weightiest post of the week, with an in-depth look at a money or frugal living topic.
- Tuesday - “Ask the Reader.” These have become one of the more popular topics here at Frugal Dad, I think because it provides an opportunity for us to share feedback/ideas in the comments section. The questions could come from other readers, or from me. I appreciate your willingness to provide feedback and adding to the community “feel” here.
- Wednesday - “Money/Frugal Living Post.” Similar to Mondays, another post on a money topic.
- Thursday - “Link Roundup.” Mondays and Thursdays tend to be high-traffic days, and I would like to take advantage of that by linking to a few of my favorite bloggers and their articles from the past week. I’ll add a few editorial comments to some links, and simply list others, to keep the size of the post down.
- Friday - “Guest posts, Special Features.” Fridays will be reserved for guest posts, or a lighter post if none are scheduled. I’m human - I don’t like to work hard on Fridays, so these posts will probably take on a lighter tone than some of the deeper thoughts published earlier in the week.
- Saturday - “Weekend Projects.” In the Frugal household Saturdays are mostly reserved for household projects. Many of those benefit our bottom line in some way (gardening, installing a programmable thermostat, etc.). Others are done for pure enjoyment/entertainment purposes, or to add quality time with our kids. Either way, I plan to share a little about what we’re up to over the weekend.
- Sunday - “Personal Money Stories.” A new feature here at Frugal Dad. I plan to give a more personal account of my daily money challenges and achievements from the past week.
Again, I’ll try to stick to this schedule for the most part, but on the occasion life gets in the way I may deviate a bit, or skip a post here and there to devote more time to a quality post the next day.
Personal News
Many of you have been following my mother’s recovery from an aneurysm and subsequent stroke suffered last September. It’s been a long seven months, and about half way through her recovery she suffered a major setback. Early last month Mom got very sick and we rushed her to the emergency room on a Thursday evening. She was admitted, and it was later discovered that the aneurysm was bleeding again. On Tuesday afternoon she underwent an 11-hour brain operation as a last-ditch effort to save her life - and she survived.
My mom raised me as a single parent, and I always knew her mental and physical toughness was second to none. But this fight has been unlike any other we went through growing up, yet she continues to fight. She’s been hospitalized the last six weeks or so, and recently began another round of inpatient therapy. She is still wheelchair-bound, still not able to eat, and still mad as hell that she can’t do things for herself!
The experience has had a profound effect on all of us. The reminder that a 53 year-old, healthy, independent woman can be struck down by something in an instant is sobering. I feel saddest for my children, who were so close to grandma and miss here dearly. We visit several times a week, but it isn’t the same as having her at home, having her at basketball games and school performances and birthday parties. All we can do is continue to hope and pray that she makes a full recovery so we can all experience those joys again.
Thanks to all of you who have continued to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers these many months. I truly believe those prayers have sustained her, and given her the strength to push through this ordeal.
Wrapup
This concludes the State of the Blog address for March 2009. Times are hard, in many ways, but we are also blessed in so many others. I have a job. I have a wonderful family. And I have many virtual friends I’ve had the pleasure of meeting through this new-to-me medium, blogging. If you are hurting, I hope things turn around soon. No matter how down things get, take inventory of the blessings around you. They could be as basic as a roof over your head, or food on the table. They could be as extravagant as enjoying a week away with your family vacationing. Either way, stop and smell the roses. Life is short; enjoy it.
Post from: Frugal Dad
