Top Ten Posts for 2011
I don't think I've ever done this before! I've seen a lot of other bloggers rounding up their most popular posts from the last year, though, and I thought I'd give it a try.
The thing is, I'm not quite sure how to get my stats program to sort out only posts I've written in the last year, so this list is a combo of new and old posts (which means it's not a strict top ten list, but hopefully it'll suffice).
1. How to Paint Wooden Furniture
This is always the top post every year and almost every day.
Somehow, even though I know very little about SEO, this post has become the number one search result if you type "How to paint wooden furniture" into Google. Probably a number of you reading this post today found my blog because of this particular post.
If you're wanting to rehab some old furniture, this post is the place to start! I talk about my method and the tools and products I use. Plus, there are links to some fun before and after posts, showing old furniture I painted.
2. How to Make Homemade Yogurt
Another oldie but goodie. If you eat a lot of yogurt at your house, making your own could save you tons of money. A gallon of milk makes a gallon of yogurt and you simply can't buy a gallon of yogurt for the price of a gallon of milk!
3. Reuse, Refresh, Repurpose
This was my announcement post about my ebook. Thank you all so much for supporting this effort of mine!
4.What to buy (and not buy) at Aldi
If you're a new Aldi shopper, this post (and the comments) should be really helpful to you.
(those are some of the super delicious grapefruit my Aldi sells in the winter)
5. Some Bottled Water Thoughts (and maybe some rants)
I wrote this post after watching the Tapped documentary, and it was a hot topic. I'm usually pretty "live and let live" but our culture's obsession with bottled water drives me crazy, so I was more firm in this post than I typically am.
6. How to avoid the "My homemade food must be fat-free, sugar-free, salt-free, and 100% whole grain!" mindset
In this post I discuss a common problem new from-scratch cooks encounter when they realize just how much fat/sugar/salt some common foods call for (when really, the commercial versions call for just as much or more).
7. By Popular Request...my new schedule/routine
Last March, I went away for 24 hours all by myself and I used the time to draw up a time budget and schedule. Of course, now that Mr. FG's work schedule is upside-down, I really need to make a new plan!
8. Dear World,
This one's pretty recent. I wrote it on a day when I was feeling really frustrated and discouraged over some negative feedback I'd been getting, and you, dear readers, left me such encouraging comments. I'm so grateful for you!
9. What I think of extreme couponing
I'm not anti-couponing per se, but coupons aren't an integral part of my grocery-shopping strategy. As a follow-up to this post, I wrote about How to Save Money on Groceries Without Coupons.
10. Wednesday Not-Baking | Energy Balls
Gotta have at least one recipe in the list. 😉 If you like cookie dough, you'll love these. They're super easy to make and don't even require an oven.
Well, that was a fun post to write! I should do this every year. It's so interesting to see which of my posts end up having popularity staying power.
If I hand-picked my favorite posts from the last year, though, the list would probably be a little bit different...I have a soft spot for things like my photo essays.
If you feel so inspired, tell me your favorite type of Frugal Girl post (or if you have one, share your favorite). I'm curious if your favorites match up with this top ten list.
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Today's 365 post: Organized.
Joshua's 365 post: Loneliness
Love all Frugal Girl post! The bottled water thing is soo true. Hubby works for one of the major waste hauling companies and goes to the landfill daily. He says you walk 2 steps and step on at least 20 to 30 bottles. Our state is not one of the largest in the union, I could only imagine in a place like Texas what their landfills look like. Happy New Year!!!
Pretty much all posts hit the spot! Here's to another great year of The Frugal Girl! Happy New Year!
I'm only buying bottled water for my emergency stash. Since they say to rotate the food & water every six month, I'll still be buying more than I want to, but at least I'll recycle the bottles.
We have GOOD tap water where I live.
If your tap water is so great, would it be possible to re-use some of the bottles you purchased water in and fill them with tap water?
My favorite by far was the photo essay that started "Learn to like what doesn't cost much". I think you called it Simplicity.
Thanks for another inspiring year - while I'm not nearly as disciplined about blogging you have inspired me to keep taking a few minutes where I find them.
Oh yes, I had fun writing that post...it's belong in that photo essay genre I mentioned. 🙂
Agreed. Lovely, inspirational post.
Yes, one of my favorites also.
I have read your blog for years and so many of your posts are so inspiring and informative. Thank you, and I hope you and your family has a blessed 2012!
I love the ebook, I have one on every electronic item I can. Got ipad for Christmas put it on that. Have it on the phone, to look back on when I need something. On both laptop and desk computer, Ipod you just never know when you want to look back. Thanks. Can't wait for the next book.
Wow, you are devoted. I'm impressed. 🙂
I love them all but was particularly impressed with the post titled "a little note to my Christian friends." So thoughtful and well written. The way you are able to express yourself is a gift.
It's so hard to choose my favorite post! One of my favorites was "3 Ways to Use Ripe Bananas". We always end up with overripe bananas in our house, and the only solution we really had before I read this post was to make banana bread. Not that banana bread is bad, but it's nice to have multiple solutions! Now I make peanut butter and banana smoothies/ice cream and sometimes I just eat the frozen slices for a snack.
And that's just one great post. I'm always inspired by Food Waste Friday and your to do lists!
I always like it when you show pictures of Goodwill finds. It inspires me to shop there more.
Just keeping it real...I appreciate that!
I linked to the post on painting wooden furniture from another blog (no idea which one). I have since made gallons of homemade yogurt, and the energy ball recipe looks like it will use up a bunch of cupboard odds and ends this weekend!
I search your site via Swagbucks to look up recipes. Like your pizza, granola, hamburgers, spinach salad, yogurt,honey glazed pan rolls, banana chocolate chip muffins and pumpkin muffins, there are others I can not think of right now. My family eats better now 🙂 thanks to your freely sharing great recipes!
My eight year old son Samuel loves to look at all of your sons reptile pictures.
I always like before after pictures with clean up. They are so refreshing. I love to clean. I had not really thought about before and after pictures or even posting to my blog about it. I am wanting to paint and do before and after pictures maybe after I have this baby in the spring.
I have found your blog inspiring and super encouraging in general, but the cooking post have been my faves.
I found Frugal Girl while "googling" how to paint wooden furniture. Even though I haven't yet, I'm very happy I found this blog. Thanks for what you do! Happy New Year!
Interesting that your "How to Paint Wooden Furniture" is the top of your list! This is my first comment on your blog, but I read everyday since I found you by Googling "How to Paint Wooden Furniture"! As a matter of fact, just today, I shared the link to that very post on facebook to a friend whom I'm trying to encourage to paint her own project! I enjoy your blog because its like re-living my life as a young frugal mom. My boys are now 27, 25, 22, and 16. I'm a 46 year old grandmother (Mimi) of 6, with only one of my own babes left in the nest. This has been a very, very difficult season of life for me during this transition towards an empty nest. Watching other young moms enjoy their lives with young children has actually been very healing to me...whether on the internet (with moms like you), in my church, or watching my three beautiful daughters-in-law (both near and far). Thank you for what you are doing! Your message of faith, family, and frugality is much needed.
I love to bake and even though I'm not as accomplished a baker as you, I looked forward to your Wednesday Baking posts. Any chance of getting back to those?
Love your blog!
There are some great articles, here 🙂 🙂 I'm going to check out the article on painting wood furniture 🙂 🙂 Happy New Year to you and your family. Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 🙂
A nice varied bunch of posts we all got stuck into, great list x
This is my first time writing on your blog, but I read every day. I look forward the new and creative recipes you post. My family is now eating homemade yogurt, whole wheat bread (which I learned how to knead from your post), granola, pizza.... I have made a new commitment to making more of our food. I search for recipes daily and have yet to fail. I have even shared some of your recipes with my co-workers. Thank you for blogging and sharing your life with all of us, it is truly a blessing! Best wishes for 2012!
Found your blog about 1/2 year ago from your CBN video on youtube. Love it so much. Thank you for sharing, teaching, living, loving, writing. Your writing and pictures makes me smile. I love your e-book too. My favorite post of yours is your anniversary post, and simplicity, and many others. Keep being a blessing and inspiration. 🙂
My husband just rented Tapped from the library; I had similar thoughts when I started watching it and was also disgusted by the end of it. And I just threw away our water bottles that aren't BPA free. Thanks for the no-bake energy balls recipe; I make those often!
Thank you so much for posting this list! When I first found out we were getting an aldi near me, I posted a comment...and went back and read your "What not to buy at Aldi" post (#4 on your list here). And I didn't even think to read the comments until I read this list! Thank you for sharing. I read and will most likely be returning after my Aldi opens!