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 🙂
Isn't that broiled chicken so good? I always snack on a few pieces when I'm chopping it up. 😉
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.
Your blog has come of age 🙂
Happy anniversary Kristen and happy years ahead!
Good morning everyone 🙂 Yay to you, Kristen, and happy blogiversary!
As the economy took a deep dive in a bad way in 2008, and many of us needed excellent advice, a sounding board, a frugal community, and warm fuzzies, YOU WERE THERE!!!! Thank you so much for your loving, warm spirit that shows through daily in your writing. Been with you since you began this blog, and I'll be here a lot longer. So keep churning out the heart-warming, needed, and sometimes just venting (because that's required, too!) posts and we will be right here with you.
Have a wonderful week!
Happy anniversary and many more. I don't post often but I read comments and you and others in this community really are significant in my life. So thankful to "know" you, cheer you on in life, and pray for you. And I learn a lot too!
I'm scrolling through memory lane in your blog, and came across info for terracycle. Here's their recycling link. Reduce, reuse, recycle (as if any of us need to be told that one 🙂
https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/collection-programs
I am intrigued by the recycling of cigarette waste, "all brands accepted". I participated in NoButt day last Saturday and we collected over 5000 cigarette butts in an hour - there were eleven of us. This was a few days after an open air concert and most butts were firmly stuck between the pavement stones. I took them out with a sharp fork I bought at Goodwill, for that purpose.
Thank you so much for doing that.
Yup, still here, and glad that you still are, too. Cheers to 18 years!
(I never remember the actual date I started mine, but it was in March, and also 18 years ago. That is a stupidly long time to be writing the insignificance that I publish, but I still love it. 🙂 )
I check your blog quite often Kristin
You keep going too!:)
Isn't it just wild when you sit at think about this? Eighteen years is such a long time! Our blogs are adults now. 😉
Congratulations! That's a long time to keep a blog going when so much has changed in both the online world and your world! Love that your words have helped to carry you through so many life changes and I'm sure your words as a caring nurse will spread even further.
Thank you for all the work you do to create this community.
Your blog is one of my first go-tos every morning. Thanks for a super start to the day.
Congratulations and wishing you many more blogging years! I’ve been a faithful reader and sometimes commenter for about 13 of those years and have enjoyed this community so much.
While I did not find you right at the beginning, I did find you quite a few years ago when we were both raising little ones! I have long appreciated your encouragement to both live within your means as well as improve your situation with creativity and hard work! You have navigated serious life challenges with beauty and grace. Thank you for creating a kind, supportive community!
Happy Anniversary! I have read all the comments so far, and echo what everyone has said. I have no recall of when I found you, but I am glad that I did, I enjoy your blog very much.
Happy Anniversary! So happy for your little spot on the interwebs!
Congratulations on 18 years! Thank you for being a cheerful constant on web for so many years!
Congratulations,Kristen! Lisey is the one who told me about your blog. I don’t comment regularly but I do read your blog every day you post. I’m so glad you’re able to continue posting even with your busy work and school schedule.
Love you and blog.
Making your yogurt recipe today with the kids at summer camp! Love you and recipes and honesty and openness.
Yes, it is the words. The quality of your writing. But, more importantly, it is the intentions behind the words. Honest, informational, kind, examining emotions, being real. That’s why we have all stuck around. We have grown with you. Thank you for your lil project. You show us how important so-called unimportant words can be. And, how far-reaching they may be.
I'm too glad you continue to blog for us-- despite the troubles you have endured, the press for time, as you have navigated nursing school, and now, while working a challenging job as you build your career...you are amazing!
Your blog is a little ray of humanity and sunshine in my morning, your readers are so kind and so thoughtful and so interesting..I read most of the comments!
I've read you blog for a looong time..I am older now, retired now, and some, actually, many of my friends from "the old days" have passed away or also retired and moved away..having this "old friend" (your blog and you and the others, who comment) is a boost to my mood every morning as I build a fulfilling retirement life, which is a little more challenging than I thought it would be!!
BRAVO-- please keep writing!!!!
So grateful for you a nd your blog! I am bedfast and you are the first thing I read each day. My dh quit his job to be my caregiver. He started a small jewelry sales on market place and he now brings in an amazing amount of cash plus let's him do something he really enjoys. God is so good.🙏
I am so sorry that you are enduring this, Linda-I so appreciate your positive attitude. That is GREAT that your husband's business is doing well!
Take good care-Amy
Hope this is okay to include-feel free to remove my comment if not, Kristen! I discovered a wonderful Youtube channel last year called Flawless Cleaning Services-they are based in the UK. Ben and his crew (many family members) do what they call a "Flawless Blessing" every week-cleaning up public spaces, helping older folks whose gardens have gotten out of hand and various things like that, all for free to the folks they help. He puts up new videos every Friday and they always give me joy. (The series with Jim is my favorite.)
Ive been reading your blog for all those years as well and Ive gone through many hard times and happy times. I'm so grateful you are still writing every week to keep me focused on what is really important, family,friends and home.
Interesting that you started blogging on Independence Day.
I've been around since the very beginning, and I'm thrilled for you and the progress you've made. You truly have become an independent woman.
Here's to smoother sailing ahead!
Haha, right? It was foreshadowing and I didn't know it. 😉
Happy Birthday Frugal Girl! The only blog I read every single post, the only one I subscribe to, and the only one which has held my interest consistently since 2009 when I found you! Your posts are interesting, educational, funny, touching, relatable and relevant. Thanks for all you put out into the world.
I don't remember when I started. I searched for frugal ideas and your blog came up. I was a fairly new reader when you had your nose surgery so what year was that? Anyway, I'm so glad I stayed. You have been a positive blog friend and I am grateful for you!
That was 2016. 🙂 So...ten years ago!
Snuggles and I wish you a happy blog birthday! Love reading your posts.
Such joy you have built with kind words. This blog is a place I look forward to visiting everyday since 2010. That is an amazing feat. I echo A.Marie's comments!
Happy Blog Birthday! I'm so glad you started this blog. I've learned so much from you, especially, but not just, your recipes and cooking.
If you're not familiar with her, Tia Levings (A Well-Trained Wife), also was able to harness the power of the internet and writing to help her escape her high-control religion and marriage. Highly recommend her book and social media work.
Your post in my Feedly is always a welcome sight ever since I accidentally found your blog; you understand the sweet spot between pix and narration. You are younger than my children, and I’m at the age where I know how much nurses matter. I love your optimism, your work ethic and your joy in everyday life. And, most of all, I resonate with your frugality. Thanks, Kristen, for your words. Congratulations on your anniversary and your perseverance.
Happy Blog-versary!
My takeaways, after some 10-15 years of reading here are many-
Minimize food waste
Make repairs while they are still small
Cook ATK and affiliated brand recipes because they are great
And most of all, how resilient you are and continue to be!
Love the throwback pictures of the girls! You matter, they matter and your words matter! Now, I’m off for a stock up grocery trip at Aldi (the store you introduced me to) where I do about 90% of my shopping. Cheers and all that!
So so happy you are here! Found you a few years ago from thenonconsumeradvocate, and I love your writing style!I look forward to your posts and enjoy reading archived ones. Thank you and congratulations!
Happy Birthday AND Happy Anniversary...celebrate its creation and its sustainability.
It is so amazing how we take one step and start something we truly want to do...and how the journey takes us. So many times we do not allow ourselves to just start and try, no matter where it goes.
It is a real blessing that your work and effort has helped you to make the necessary changes in your life. So many women want to leave, want a divorce but are literally unable to do so for financial situations.
I watch these trad wives, many of whom have never worked, on or offline, and wonder how things will go down the road. The idea of being so dependent on anyone is so appalling and unappealing. Women with no financial resources, including as being a spouse (some have absolutely no money of their own to use as they wish and not to pay bills or buy family groceries) who if nothing else, should be paid for their services. Life is terrible when these women wake up and realize: Hey, whoa. This is servitude. That their sacrifice is theirs alone.
I'd love to see you do a post on that. People are free to choose their life, but they really need to know what they are getting into. Some provisions should be made for these women because it's only right given what they give up, willingly or not.
I have been reading for over 10 years (how time flies) and though I am single, with no children, I still find your content relevant. And I cheer your successes because you have worked hard and paid a huge toll emotionally for the tough choices you had to make. You have truly worked for and earned your success. ENJOY! CELEBRATE!
Someone wisely pointed out that the trad wives you see on social media these days are in their 20s, *maybe* early 30s. We don't see trad wives in their 40s or 50s. Give it some thought.
Tia Levings wrote an entire article on that:
https://tialevings.substack.com/p/whats-the-difference-between-a-sahm
'The old trad wife is not enticing. The deconstructed trad wife who left the lifestyle but is now behind in everything has no retirement. No savings. Old and atrophied skills. Often, no child support after the divorce, too. No alimony. Just a vacuum of lost years where she poured her whole heart and soul into homemaking, only for the structure to cave, and now she’s the one trying to hold the bag, pick up the pieces, and rebuild her life.'
Happy Blogiversary! I think I started reading in 2012 😊
Happy Blogiversary! It’s been my pleasure to be part of the journey since near the beginning, when the focus was preventing food waste. Life rarely goes as we plan it - the sheer number of sayings to this effect is illustrative:
- man plans, god laughs
- man proposes, god disposes
- best laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley
- no plan survives first contact with the enemy (military version)
- Murphy usually wins
I look forward to as many more blogiversaries as you can give us.
WilliamB, I like your list of sayings. DH, may he rest in peace, would have added two more: "S**t happens" (a friend gave him a poster with this on it at his surprise 40th birthday party) and "So who said life was fair?"
Would love an update on how your children are doing now?
Oh Kirsten I’ve been here since your Banana Choc Chip Muffin days, when your children were so small. It’s been both a privilege and a pleasure 😊
Happy blog birthday Frugal Girl! Your work has been a source of encouragement and support for me since I began reading in 2012.
I love the idea that your words have sustained you. I will add that your words quietly built a community as well. So many of us are so grateful.
Happy blog birthday! I think Ive been reading since close to the beginning while I was still in graduate school (my degree was awarded in 2010) and trying to learn how to bake bread and make yogurt for fun. I enjoyed your writing and kind aura even though your life was completely different from mine.
<3
Congratulations!
You Grow Girl! Proud of you and for you!
Is Keep Moving a blog or a book? Where can I find either?
Happy Anniversary
It's a book! I got it from my library.
Congrats on the blog’s birthday! You’ve come a long way!
I’m so grateful for your thoughtful insights and for helping us be frugal and thankful.
Happy blog-iversary! I very enjoy the positive space you have created here.
So glad I discovered your blog way back when. I look forward to it Monday through Friday, and appreciate how you've shared your life changes with us even when it may have been hard. And I've learned so much from you and the commentariat.
Congrats! I don’t know how long I’ve bee reading Frugal Girl, but I do know yr kids were quite young! It has been a pleasure to witness your transformation:)
Thank you!
HAPPY 18th ANNIVERSARY!!! Wow! I can't believe you have been writing this blog for so long, that is quite the accomplishment. I'm so glad you are here. I truly enjoy your blog so much.
Happy blogiversary. I hope we are both around for many more.
I've only been here for a couple of years, but I was drawn in immediately by your authenticity and your beautiful writing (and photos!) and then by this lovely community. I am so proud of you, Kristen!!!
Congratulations! I started reading your blog a few months ago and it has become one of my favourite ones. Thank you for your positive energy 🙂 Best wishes from Switzerland
Oh, welcome, welcome! Always happy to have new faces around.
I have followed you almost from the start of your blog. I don't comment as much as I used to but still regularly read your posts and are blessed by them. I especially appreciate your positive attitude and always looking for things to be grateful for. That's pretty rare on the Internet!
What a good thing it is that we're not the same as 18 years ago! I'm so grateful for the wisdom and life lessons gained in that time, even if most of those were learned with or through difficulty.
And thanks for saying yes to meeting back in 2012. It was so lovely meeting you and your family in person, even if it must have felt pretty weird for you! 🤣
In addition to the great writing, your lovely photography also drew me in. Happy blog birthday a bit belated!
I'm a relatively new reader (2 years now???), but I have loved entering into Frugal Girl world. What you've accomplished since your divorce is nothing short of incredible and knowing that you created this platform that could ultimately support you financially while you were enduring such a repressive marriage is a testament to your tenacity and courage.
Three cheers for all you've accomplished so far, and three more cheers for the many years ahead.
Hugs, my friend <3
Hooray for you and your blog!! I’m a reader that has been around since the early days. Pretty sure it was the French bread recipe that brought me to you. I remember Fridays food waste, your purple hair streaks, and the nose ring convo. I too have been through many surprising life events. Grateful you are still posting and that it has made a real sustaining difference in your life as it has in the life of your Commentariat. ☺️
I echo the others when they say your kindness lens is appealing and is the world view we all wish to emulate.
Happy Blogiversary! Here’s to many, many more! So very happy that through everything you keep blogging and bringing us all together each day. I don’t comment often but I immensely enjoy this little space of the internet that you’ve created. Thank you!
I am thankful you started this blog all those years ago and keep it going!
Here's to 18 more! Wouldn't that be wild?! I'm so glad you're here. You and your readers are a beloved part of my life.
Kudos to your enduring blog. So.many.frugal.blogs started in 2008, few remain. A number I (briefly) read were written by wives of Wall Street bankers who lost their jobs. They exacerbated the Great Recession when they had to let their house cleaners/nannies go. Truth be told, most of their frugal writings were things those already frugal knew. And had been doing a long time, possibly raised that way. Sad to say when things got better, their blogs died. I often wonder how many frugal habits they continued to do once the money started rolling in again. History repeats itself whether we want it to or not.
I've always been a firm believer that a woman should be able to support herself and any child(ren) she has. Children have no say as to their circumstances and far too many (especially politicians) don't walk the walk when it comes to ensuring their needs are met.
I've been a faithful reader for probably 16 years. Just this week I used your French bread recipe and yogurt recipe.
Blessings on this anniversary! I have no need to be frugal at this point in life, but remain committed to using resources with intention and not being wasteful. However, that was not always the case! There were times when I needed to rub 2 pennies together and get a dime. I found you when you were finishing prereq’s for nursing school and hoping to get in. Your divorce situation was all too familiar and my heart went out to you and your family. I don’t comment often, but always read everything. You’ve come a long way, baby! (Even though it was a cigarette commercial, I still thought the thought had merit!). And, I’m always late to the commenting party.
Happy birthday to the Frugal Girl to blog! I LOVE visiting this space every weekday morning as I enjoy my coffee! I’m sitting here trying to think of what it is about your blog that keeps me coming back. There are lots of things I like about it, but if I had to choose just one word to describe it, I would say it’s comforting. Thank you for continuing to blog after eighteen years!
You are not at all the first person who has chosen that word to describe how it feels here, and I love that! People especially felt that way during Covid; coming here felt like a comforting touch of normalcy. 🙂
Congrats!! I’ve been following you since probably 2009 or 2010. I have triplets born in 2006, my best friend also has triplets and found your blog. We loved your meal plans, grocery tips, meal plans & bread making tips to make it so easy! And I’ve been here ever since!!!
Happy birthday of your blog, I would call it! The day you put it out there in the world. It's just like a child being born (but not as painful! 🤣
I'm so glad to hear how it's sustained you. But I'm also curious how it pays you. Is there any chance you could write a little about that? I confess, this is probably a lazy question. I guess I coukdGoiglethat and find out how blogging makes money. But I'm curious how it works for you. Here's to 18 more years and more. I enjoy your posts and learn something every time I read what you've been up to. And I feel like we all help each other get thru life a little easier and have fun along the way.