It’s our 5-Year Anniversary!

I can't believe it. at all. Today marks the 5th year I have been publishing this here blog. 5 YEARS, can you believe that?!

In that time, it has gone from a hobby to a small business venture for me. It has changed names (as all my original Mommy Snacks friends remember) and quite honestly, I have changed along with it. My view on personal finance, couponing, and general ways to save are different now than they were 5 years ago.

Here's some stats to share with you as a result of 5 years of publishing:

• We have published more than 13,000 posts – INSANE!
• We have received literally thousands of comments – we LOVE your comments. It's hard to say how many since some were lost when we transitioned to a different digital platform.
• Created the Dayton and Cincinnati Savings Lifestyle pages that we update regularly. Cincinnati updates are coming back again! I needed some time to breathe from the Christmas rush!
• The Savings Lifestyle Facebook page has grown to have more than 23,000 likes. Please continue to share the page with your friends or join the private Facebook group that we used during Black Friday and continue to share in!
• The @SavingLifestyle twitter account has nearly 58,000 followers. I do love me some twitter!
• I have personally taught too many coupon classes in Cincinnati and Dayton to even know the exact number. I love that I can be a small part in helping people achieve savvy saving skills!

In the past 5 years, we have made our own personal strides with our personal finances. I have also worked extremely hard to eliminate consumer debt for our family. I was involved in an accident last week. Our van was totaled as a result (but I'm OK!). Before writing this site, my reaction to this may have been to get a loan and purchase a new car. I've learned to be more patient in 5 years. We are saving now for a replacement which may happen sooner than we expected.

FYI, you can see some pics on my Instagram account here. For the locals, yes, it was the 50 car pileup on 75!

Change is good, right? One thing is for certain, my goal from the very beginning: “save on what you need so you can spend (and save) more on what you want” has NOT changed – and it never will! I truly don't want to be the person I was 5 years ago when I started this site. I'm thankful that God hasn't stopped working on me and pray He continues to use me in whatever way He sees fit!

So, thank YOU for being along for this ride for so many years. I've been blessed beyond measure as a result of blogging, especially amazing friendships with other bloggers and many of you! I hope you'll keep coming back for 5 more years!

Next week I will be asking for your help to provide feedback on the site and the content we deliver. As you know, I rarely ask for your help to complete any surveys or whatnot but this one will be important to help me continue to improve the site. I would be so greatful if you complete the survey! Look for it on Monday :)

Remember, you can always subscribe to receive our daily emails so you know what's been posted each day. They are free and come once a day around 5 PM EST. This will ensure you see the post on the survey too!

Thanks again for 5 years!