Can I ask you two quick questions?
Ok, well, it's really three questions, counting the one in the title!
As I've been thinking through future blog post plans, I've found myself wanting to know exactly why it is that you read my blog.
I mean, obviously you are here because you have some interest in saving money! But there are a lot of places on the web where you can get money advice, so that is probably not the whole reason you read this blog.
So.
If you tell me specifically why it is that you like reading my blog, that would really help me know how to best serve you in the future.
There are only two questions, and you can type the answers right here on the form; no need to click anywhere else.
And just FYI, your feedback is anonymous.
Of course, if you want to answer the questions in a regular blog comment below, that is totally fine too.
Thank you in advance!
I read your blog--and I have read every single post--for enjoyment and appreciation of what you have done and how you have done it. I admire your persistence, respect and sense of what you should be doing. Also, cooking and housekeeping ideas that are frugal are of interest, but not so important to me as hearing family stories esp. when the kids were young. I still think about various posts about your kids including your watching Sonia push a baby (cousin? just a doll??) in a carriage or stroller and your saying she'd be a good mom one day. Adorable Zoey with goggle to keep cookie sprinkles out of her eyes. On and on. I am in awe of how you keep doing what is best for your family, meal-wise, school-wise--no matter how tired you have to be.
You are the age of my own kids, but I don't think age is important in whom we choose to admire.
Thank you for sharing some of your family and your tips of frugal housekeeping with us.
I also remember fondly the picture of Zoe with her sprinkle goggles! So hilariously cute!
I started reading your blog about ten years ago initially because I was trying to be very frugal while I put away money for retirement and bought a house. At that time I was single and you were about the same age as me, so I enjoyed seeing pictures of family life, in sort of a what my life could have been if I'd married earlier way.
Now I'm married with three kids and still read your blog mostly for the same reasons, but also because it feels comforting and familiar, especially right now. Funny but true, when I got engaged and met my mother-in-law for the first time, I found out she also read your blog for the same reasons-frugal tips and pictures of cute kids!
Anyway, in terms of future posts, I'm not that particular. I mainly enjoy the routine of checking your posts and I read the comments for extra ideas, too. I like that the tone is almost entirely polite.
If I have to request anything, I'd say I am always in favor of more pictures! I miss the pictures of your groceries (with stuffies hidden in) and pictures of food waste, and the 365 pictures, etc. I really enjoy just the little slices of life your photography portrays, and yes, especially right now, it is very helpful to just see ordinary things in the lovely way you photograph them.
Thank you for being such a lovely constant over the years.
I had a friend that told me about your emails every day, so I checked it out and have been a fan ever since. I may not use all your suggestions and idea, and it does give me food for thought. Thank you so much.
Me too! I started reading 10 years ago when I was still a student trying to be frugal. Now my life is so different with two littles, but I still am relating to Kristen and have been a daily reader all this time. It's nice that there are many of us who have been following along through these life changes and evolving together.
I’ve discovered your blog during the current pandemic. Your blog has been a spark of hope and optimism during an often scary and overwhelming time. I like how not only you but your community (WilliamB, JD, Lindsey, Kristen@GoingCountry, and many others) are so supportive and positive. Thank you.
Adding on this (because I didn't think of it in the survey): This is one of the only blogs I've seen where there's such supportive and postive feedback within the community. It feels like a community rather than a bunch of people commenting on one post. I love the back and forth between the commenters.
Thank you Darlene, that's a high complement. This is a great group of people, isn't it?
I have read your blog on and off for several years. Over the last several months, I have begun checking you blog daily.
Why:
This year has been tumultuous and heartbreaking. Much, if not all of it, is beyond my control.Your steadiness and regular columns about everyday life have made things feel normal. Your encouragement, positive attitude, and kindness are projected in everything you write. This is appreciated.
What:
I like your how-to columns, discussions of time management, challenges, and Thankful Thursday.
You do good work!
Bee described the Why way better than I did in the survey!
Yes to everything you said, Bee!
Excellent comment. I 2nd that.
I agree especially about the daily posts. Adds the currently elusive normalcy to my day. Thanks!
I, too, appreciate the more frequent blogging that you have been doing during these nerve-racking times.
100% agreed - thank you for helping create a little bit of normality in a surreal time.
I just answered your questionnaire
Thank you so much! I really appreciate everyone who has taken a few minutes to fill it out. Feedback is so helpful!
Do you remember the oldish comic strip For Better or For Worse? Reading your posts is like reading that strip. Of all the things you could change, I hope that doesn't. 🙂
Oh yes, I do! That was my mom's favorite comic strip when I was growing up; I think she related to the mom. Ha. I haven't read it in years but now I probably would relate to her too!
That's a good analogy!
Your blog is so peaceful. I love how peaceful your life is. You have a loving husband and both of you have raised your kids to be amazing adults. They will each change the world b/c of how you have loved and cared so deeply for them. I also think that homeschooling had made a huge difference. Just being present everyday for them is the greatest gift from God. Your community of readers are all so kind. I too have created a peaceful life for myself and my 2 girls. They are also deeply loved.
Since you have so many readers I was wondering if any of them would like to share their families and stories about their lives. How they are frugal and what this might look like in their lives. Maybe a guest poster once a week. I would love to share my life story.
Thank you for all you do and all the hard work you put into your blog.
Laurie
I love the community here as well. That's a great idea about sharing. I really enjoyed Kristin's guest post awhile back!
That’s a great idea. I would love to hear about anybody that comments on here. Maybe one day Kristen do an answer 5 (one- word questions about yourselves) in the comments below. It’d be neat to see where people live, how many kids, professions, whatever..
For me, I think I am drawn to your posts because you represent, what i feel, is a good example of what our lives should try to embrace. A simple life, a focus on family (that is so loving to each other) and it's well being. That trying to live modestly does, by no means, mean doing without. You do not speak down to people, you do not put on airs ...you are just you. There seems to be an appreciation in things that you do. Appreciation for what you have, what you earn, your family, friends and all that that entails. It's the honesty and frankness in the way you conduct your writings. All this while being entertained by allowing us a small peak into your family and its doings and learning how to mend, cook, bake, spend etc, etc in a frugal way!! I think folks can learn a lot by reading your blog.
What could I like more of? I think you are doing just fine.. is there something you'd like to add that you are unsure of?
I haven't been pondering anything super specific as far as changes go. It's just that during my blog mastermind meetings, I listen to my fellow members talk about their audience/following and about what serves them, and I was reminded that I haven't asked you guys any questions like that for a little while.
Since I'm the blogger, sometimes it is not super obvious to me what you all get out of each visit to my blog. Sometimes I look at what I write and I think, "Geez, I don't know why anyone reads this stuff. There are so many more helpful blogs out there!"
Replies are still coming in, obviously, but so far, a big theme is that you guys like reading my posts more because of the atmosphere/tone than because of the specific content. So, that kind of answers the questions I was pondering about why you read here when there are more professional/expert blogs out there for almost every topic I write about.
Basically, I'm getting the sense that the joy of reading my blog is mostly about how it FEELS around here. And that's really helpful to know, because then I don't have to think, "Oh, but will my readers want to hear about topic X??" because if I'm writing it, and you all are discussing it, then things will feel good no matter what the topic is.
Yep! I think you have summed it up pretty well x
yup! the feeling is good and warm in coming to your blog and filled with good ol' horse sense, but we are learning a great deal too. To not be afraid to take things on ourselves, to give things a try, it it doesn't work out.. all good. At least it was attempted!
Nailed it!
I took your survey but also want to say that I love the kindness of the community on here. It's refreshing how honest and down to earth your posts are and how people respond. I appreciate you speaking up on issues that matter in a graceful and open minded way.
I echo that; I am so grateful for the lovely people who hang out here.
I submitted my answers :).
And what Bee said for why I come here. What she said was so well put. This is a great place to visit, especially these days!
And thanks, Darlene H.! That was an unexpected compliment!
You are an important part of this community, JD! <3
I like your blog because I get to express myself like this
I forgot to add that I also really really like reading about your recipes.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
After submitting my answers, I read the comments and came up with some more things:
I'd love (more) posts on what to actually spend on (I have a tendency to become too frugal) and I'd be interested in knowing more about your views on family and relationships. There's a few posts like the ones on homeschooling and since I very much appreciate your tone and outlook on things, it would be interesting to me.
Otherwise I agree with the others, this blog is a peaceful, lovely place on the internet. Keep up the great work!
For me, the blogs I come back to again and again are the ones that combine something that's useful for me (in your case, tips and inspiration for frugal living!) with the personal (someone who I feel like I really "get to know" via the blog). There are so many blogs out there now that are just devoid of personality and the personal, and so I find myself drawn towards bloggers who blend useful with relatable.
It's funny in that I don't fit almost any of your demographics. I'm not religious, I have no children, I'm vegetarian, I'm fat, I'm disabled, I'm estranged from my family, I'm not straight, I am not good at home improvement stuff.... but I love your blog and always read it.
I think what I like about it so much is it's about finding joy in simple things. It isn't about this new makeup or product or trying to get me to believe in something I don't believe in. It's about, we are in this life together, here's how we can make it better, with a minimum of fuss. And even then, it's never like you are parading that you have the answers, or that you are better than us for having things figured out a certain way.
It's just a kind tone, finding simple joy, being content, introspecting on how to do better, but accepting differences. It's kind of like a frugal Mr Rogers, lol.
So even though I don't usually 'use' many of your posts, I enjoy reading them anyway. Keep up the good work!!
This is what a lot of people are saying in the survey; that they are really different from me demographically, but they still enjoy reading my posts.
And my goodness, I just think that is such a high compliment. I am delighted to have a diverse group of readers here. And I'm glad you are here!
So well said!!! I second this!
Yes! Totally agree
Very well said! I happen to be part of the demographic although not on all points (for instance, I have no kids but I am a retired teacher and dealt with many many families in my career... And I still really enjoy hearing about Kristin's kids and how she's raising them... Probably because her values are much the way I think I would have been as a mom had I chosen to have kids). But I love reading the posts for all the reasons you stated!
I love your comment Rachel! Glad anyone joins and comments. I probably fit most of the demographics but I had to laugh and part at your description of the demographics: how do you know how much Kristen’s reader’s weigh? Ha!
Lol, I meant in terms of the demographics of her personal family, as people tend to enjoy following people that are like them! I have no clear answers on her readers, obviously, ha!
Agree completely!
I totally agree with this post! And is there any better compliment than being "a frugal Mr. Rogers"????? I THINK NOT!
Well said 🙂
Me too! I'm also very different demographically; no children, was homeschooled and hated every minute of it, not religious, and not very good at home improvement projects. But I love the tone. And I love the balanced approach to pretty much everything.
Yes, this post describes why I too read your blog. Hearing the stories you share. Practicing your faith instead of preaching it. The funny photos, the adorable photos, the instructional photos. Keep blogging.
I, too, am not religious, have no children, and love this blog. I wonder if her demographics is really what we think it is!
Also: Frugal Mr. Rogers is SPOT ON! (who will play her in the movie?)
Agreed. I'm pretty thoroughly different than FG and yet I thoroughly enjoy both her posts and the comments. How many places can you say you enjoy reading the comments? That's not even true for the comments at Scalzi's Whatever blog, and he moderates them to keep the crazy out.
I am a single woman who helps take care of her mother. I initially found your blog in April or May of this year. I was getting bored with my own cooking (mom doesn't cook anymore) and needed to spice things up for myself. However I come back to your blog because it has heart. I love reading about frugal things as well. I am okay with adding more recipes or frugal items. Thank you for your blog.
I love your blog for the same reasons others have mentioned. Because you're thoughtful and kind and respectful. And because the comments section is not a dumpster fire.
I filled out the survey but forgot to say that another thing I like about your blog is that you are a few years ahead of me kids-wise, and I really appreciate the glimpses into the future that I get from reading.
I'll also echo what I said in the survey and what I see in the comments-- your kindness really shines through and I respect and admire that and aspire to be that sort of person in my own life.
It is beautiful to be among kind and respectful people.
I am interested in frugality so I read your blog and learn from you and this community. I love the five frugal things and what everyone is doing. There is a lot of good thinking, resourcefulness and ingenuity going on here. I love the Stitch Fix good and the fails.
I am a person of faith and appreciate how your faith is part of your blog without being imposing or pushy. My demographic is work full time in engineering (nerd), daughter is in college, married, in my 50s, living in a very expensive area, cook because I have to. ... bake because I want to.
That is so relatable. Why is baking so much more fun than cooking??
(probably because baked good are more fun to eat than other foods. Ha.)
What strikes me is all the different ages of your readers who can all relate to you.
I have read your blog on and off for 8 years but during the pandemic I started reading you everyday for a little bit of normalcy. I think you have calmed a lot of people.
As far as what I want to see in future blog posts since you have a diverse group of people you should probably stick to what you are doing. Everyone likes the frugal and cooking entries.
And the occasional blogs, for example, homeschooling does not interest me but I can just skip it. But some readers would find it helpful.
Thanks for all you do, just continue!!!
I love the age range too! There are college students and grandparents (I know I've heard from multiple readers in their 80s) and everything in between.
I love that you provide examples of doable frugal or sustainable swaps that I can go immediately implement in my life after reading your post. You also show that being frugal doesn't mean a life of sacrifice and suffering. I don't have a ton of friends who are concerned about being frugal so your site also provides a community of like-minded people for me, as well as inspiration and encouragement that my small frugal steps do matter!
For future posts, I love, love, love when you do the freezer clean-out challenges, so maybe you could do more recipes or posts where you show how you use up items about to go bad in your fridge or pantry. I would also love to see posts about frugal swaps for each room of the house (what are things that I can change in the kitchen, in the bathroom, etc. to be more frugal). I also would love to see more posts about how you tie being frugal into also being sustainable.