(This was Addicted to Saving’s “look” in 2009)
When I started Addicted to Saving back in 2009, I really didn’t expect it to grow much. In fact, that wasn’t my intent. I was just trying to help some of my friends save money and I thought that typing up some of the things I had learned would be easier and less time consuming than helping each friend individually over the phone or via email.
At some point, Addicted to Saving started growing. And growing and growing. It became a part-time business. Then a full-time business. Then hubby stopped working at his job and he helped me on Addicted to Saving. We worked 10 hour days 6 days a week. We took one vacation during 7 years. It was a crazy time for us.
The website opened many doors for me and challenged me in ways that I did not expect. It allowed for me to become more confident in front of the camera. There was a couple of years when I had one or two TV interview almost monthly. It even allowed for me to learn how to speak from a teleprompter when I “hosted” a savings segment on Daytime. It also forced me to grow thick skin. For every 10 wonderful comments and emails I received, I would receive at least 1 or 2 that were harsh, rude and sometimes just mean. I’ve since learned that the delete button is my best friend and I have no problem deleting a rude email. That’s maturity for you.
During all of this time, as a family, we also worked on growing our family via adoption. Many of you were along for the ride as we experienced the highs and devastating lows of adoption. You were excited with us and encouraged us as we brought our son Asher home in August 2013. And you’ve watched him grow into a fun, busy toddler.
(This was Addicted to Saving’s “look” in 2011)
Through it all, Addicted to Saving has continued on. And it will STILL continue on. However, the traffic on it has slowed. And my work has slowed. I’m not able to work 10 hour days anymore. While I still have the same work ethic as before, being a stay at home mom with a 2.5 year old just does not allow me to be glued to the computer like I was before being a mom. Balance has become the new norm. It was difficult to learn at first but now it is definitely refreshing to turn my laptop off throughout the day.
All this to say, with the slowing of Addicted to Saving’s traffic, I’ve considered all options for it. And I’ve decided, I’m going to continue working it. I love it and I love helping people save money. I have a great gal helping me continue to work on it which frees up some of my time. However, I am going to weed back on some of the deals that I post.
(Addicted to Saving’s “current” look.)
When I started this blog, it was a “local” Tampa Bay blog. As it grew, I posted more state specific stores across the nation. Because I no longer have the time or manpower to devote to posting deals for state specific stores across the country, I’m going to focus on nation-wide stores like CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Target, dollar stores and Whole Foods. And I’m going to focus on the Tampa Bay stores that I shop at which are Publix and Winn-Dixie. Since I love shopping online (who doesn’t), I will still continue to post online deals. And I am officially addicted to craziness of working 14 hour days over Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend. So that won’t change.
I’m also going to add more articles on ways to save, things I’ve learned while adopting, ways to eat healthier, navigating life with a busy toddler, etc. My life is so much more than just saving money and I would love to share all of the things I’ve learned through the years (both the good and the bad) and also get advice from all of you!
And I need your help! If you are shopping and find an amazing deal, or if you know of a deal that I haven’t posted, please email me or leave a comment on this blog.
So bear with me as I start to make some small changes here and there. Thank you for taking this journey with me the past six years! I look forward to seeing what the future bring!
Thanks for coming to Addicted to Saving! Here’s a little bit about me so you can know who’s behind all these posts!
My name is Liza and I began my money-saving journey in the Spring of 2009 as a way to stretch a limited household income. I had lost my job and my hubby was self-employed. I launched Addicted to Saving in November of 2009 and it has grown by leaps and bounds. Since then, my hubby and I have struggled with the ups and downs of two failed adoptions and are now LOVING being parents to our little man Asher who we brought home from Ethiopia in August of 2013. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to help you save money. My goal is that you will have FUN and become empowered to save more and more money each week..
I just want to say thank you for all you do… I have been following you for years and I will continue as long as you are here…
Thank you for all of your time and hard work..
Thank you Kellie! I appreciate your following me! I will keep the deals coming for you 🙂
oh Liza yours was the very first blog I read and followed and still keep up with every day. Kudos to you for still taking the time to post deals and keeping us informed of all the sales and coupons. I too understand life just gets too complicated, after having a second baby last year, I am lucky if I can take advantage of a few sales here and there every week. As long as I have some money in the bank and food on the table I’m happy, trying to DO IT ALL is too exhausting, and our kids always come first! God Bless all of you 🙂
God bless you too Nora-Lee! While a part of me wishes that I could do it all, it is refreshing to admit I can’t and to shut my laptop off 😉
Liza,
Thank you for all you’ve done. I remember following you back when you had about 20,000 followers, remember the good ol’ days!?!
Couponing was just a fun hobby for me, but with your help, I was able to share what I learned with coworkers and friends who really needed to spend frugally.
Now as I start my own blog on gluten free living, I frequently think about how you have been able to make a career out of it. You are an inspiration!
Thank you for all you’ve done!
I can still remember when I had just 200 followers! This blog has gone on such a journey! I’m so thankful this blog has helped you and that you have been able to help others too! I am going to check out your blog right now! I’m off sugar and consequently gluten. So I’m always looking for new recipes to make!
Thank you so much for all you have done Liza. You were an answer to prayer for our family at a desperate time. We’re not saying “goodbye” though, I’m officially Addicted to Saving!
Definitely not good-bye Lavonna! Thanks for your kind words. I’m glad Addicted to Saving helped your family 🙂
You’ve changed the way I shop and I only wish I knew years ago what I know now because of you . I’m able to also help extended family with saving and great deals. It’s also fun. Our lives change and we go thru different seasons. I’m thankful you’re not stopping. I live in citrus county so have most of same stores that you do locally, just alot less of them.
I appreciate and am thankful for you Liza.
I am thankful for you too Judy! You’ve left kind comments through the years and I am very appreciative. I’m glad my website has helped you out! And, if it makes you feel better, I wish I knew what I knew now back when I first got married in 2001. I think about all of the money we could have saved. Sigh. But at least we can save money in all of the years ahead of us!
Good for you Liza! I’ve been following you from early on and used to live in your neighborhood! I’ve had the joy of seeing you with Asher at the park after the adoption rollercoaster. I’m niw out of state, but still follow along. Enjoy your new journey…
Hi Barbara! Thanks for following – even now as you moved out of state. And I’m glad you got to see me with my boy. He is a great kid 🙂
Liza,
Thank you for what you do with all of the deals that you post and the money you help us save! Having a 26 month old myself, I can’t begin to imagine how you do it all. Just know that your loyal followers will continue to support you and this blog. Go and enjoy Asher! He is only young once. By the way, it is nice to have someone local here in the Tampa Bay area posting deals! So, I will keep following! Thanks again!
Toddlers are exhausting aren’t they! 🙂 And, you don’t have to imagine me doing it all because I’m dropping balls left and right 🙂 Thank you for following Mary Alice! I will keep the Tampa Bay deals coming!
I started following you back in 2011 when I saw you on a TV segment..Your’s is the first blog that I followed and still do every day. I followed along with your adoption lows & highs. I am still waiting to read about what you went through those weeks when you went to pick him up! Thanks for helping me save and share my savings with others. Thanks for all you do for us, but don’t feel guilty about taking time with your precious son! I love seeing his pictures! This time with him will go so fast, enjoy every minute you can, as well as taking care of yourself!
Hi Connie! Looking back, I did promise to tell what life was like while in Ethiopia with Asher! One of my goals is to start writing more about adoption. So maybe I will talk about our time in Ethiopia 🙂 Thanks for following these past four years!