A belated happy birthday to my blog!
Reader Becca remembered this, and I didn't: my blog's birthday is July 4th.
(This is a sign of how fried my brain currently is, I think.)
And this is a rather momentous birthday! If I'm counting right, my little ol' blog turned eighteen this year.
On the 4th of July in 2008, I made a random decision to start The Frugal Girl, and my goodness, I'm so glad I did.
I was a stay-at-home, work-at-home (piano teacher), homeschooling mom of kids ages 2-8 at the time (Zoe was so little!), and I had no idea that my little hobby blog would grow into a job.
I didn't know so many of you would find me, or that you would stick around for so long.
And I really had no idea that this blogging job would become the thing that would support me through a divorce and through nursing school.
Sometimes, my mind is still blown at how this happens. Like...I have just been sitting here in my house, typing posts, sending them out into the interwebs, and that little action, repeated ad nauseum, has built something pretty significant.
(At least, significant to me! I know I am small beans compared to many big-time influencers.)
I've written about this before, but in her divorce memoir, author Maggie Smith wrote a tiny essay called "Full Disclosure" and it about how her writing (which her ex-husband deemed unimportant, but also threatening) turned out to be the thing that kept her and her kids in their house.
It's a crazy thing when words turn into something so tangible, like a mortgage or rent payment. The words that she and I type have financially supported both our children and us. We sustained ourselves with words. Amazing. What a privilege.
When this blog anniversary (birthday? I never am sure!) rolls around, I always feel an immense sense of gratitude to all of you. Thank you for being here! Thank you for adjusting with me as my life has shifted.
In many ways, my life is not the same as it was in 2008. In many ways, I am not the same as I was in 2008. Still, you all are here, and I'm so appreciative of that.
Here's to future iterations of me (and you!) and many more years together. 🙂
Thanks for keeping the blog going! Pretty sure I've been here for nearly all of it. So proud of you- and inspired by your amazing journey. You have a true gift of encouraging and relating to your readers. It's a joy to be part of this community!
Btw I made your butter chicken recipe yesterday and it was delicious 🙂
Many, many happy returns and congratulations! I remember trying your recipes when I was teaching myself to cook, and I still use several of them! Not to mention the sage pieces of savings advice 🙂
Your blog’s success is both earned and deserved. How great is it to generate an income from something that makes the world a better place!
Happy, happy 18th "blogiversary" to you and The Frugal Girl, Kristen! And here's a shout-out to the unique community you've created--the Commentariat. Long may we all wave!
Happy Blog-A-Versary (?) to the best blogger out there! I found you in 2009 when I had a crucial financial need to get Frugal with a capital F. I loved your blog because you were kind and supportive (unlike some financial blogs at the time -- looking at you Mr Moustache guy) and had such practical "you can do it" vibe. I fell in love with Five Frugal Things! At any rate, I've been here ever since and so grateful for your dedication to this project through all the twists and turns of your journey.
Thank you for carrying your kindness through your words and actions! You've a refreshing, reassuring voice on so many fraught topics (money, divorce, life changes/challenges) and have fostered a welcoming community to match.
Congratulations! I have been reading since early days and I still enjoy your content. I'm so glad the blog has been such a win-win. It couldn't have happened to a more deserving person.
In many ways, we are not the same as we were in 2008 either! I didn't know about you THAT far back, but so grateful to be part of the community for the past few years and to be continued. Thank you for keeping us all here with words.