Wearing out her welcome

This gal and I had a talk the other day about her "temporary" visit with us. Her fur is everywhere. She smells like a wet dog no matter how many baths she gets. She gets into the garbage when she gets mad at us. She left a big present twice in the recroom and she takes up half the bed at night.

I told her, "Look. If I know my daughter, this is probably your new home. So, please start cleaning up after yourself or you're grounded."

Words With a Blogger Wednesday

Hey, I didn't let you down this week!

I have a Words with a Blogger Wednesday guest!

Her name is Angela and she's from

The Coupon Project

She's dedicated her blog to helping people save money through coupons.

I love blogs like this. I'm addicted to blogs like this. You will become addicted to this blog-trust me.

So, I'm going to shut up now and let Angela tell you her story.

Take it away, Angela!

My name is Angela and I'm a stay-at-home mom of two and a freelance writer. A few months ago, I discovered the wonderful world of couponing. I couldn't get over how much I was saving and I began sharing deals I was finding with friends and family. A few people suggested I started a blog. Although I didn't know how to do that, I quickly found out how. I spent a couple months reading up and planning my blog before launching it.

There are many "coupon blogs" out there, and I don't just want to be one of the pack. So after some serious brainstorming and planning, I came up with a few elements which I believe makes my blog different:

1) I'm a newbie. I don't have all the answers, nor do I pretend to. I'll share with you what I learn as I learn it. I'll share my mistakes as well as my successes. I'm not an "old pro" by any stretch of the imagination.
2) I avoid coupon lingo. This sort of goes with #1, but you won't find acronyms or what I like to call "Couponese" on my blog. I work hard to put my deals in layman's terms, giving you blow-by-blow instructions on how to use coupons. I really want to make my blog accessible and readable to folks who are new at this, too.
3) I work to be gender-neutral. I've deliberately chosen a gender-neutral name (The Coupon Project) and design. There are many "coupon mom" blogs out there. Don't get me wrong, many of these have wonderful content and are reaching a very specific (and large!) audience. However, there are many guys out there that do the shopping for their families. I want my blog to be a place that both men and women can come to find deals.
4) I work to share my knowledge of writing and math. As a freelance writer, I want to provide in-depth and "meaty" posts on all things couponing in addition to sharing the deals. And as someone who worked in the banking industry for several years, I know a thing or two about running the numbers. I always encourage my readers to see the bigger picture and make sure they're making a difference in their total bottom line.


When did you start blogging?

I started my blog in February of this year. However, I've been a freelance copywriter (http://www.angelarussellwrites.com/) for the past three years. I started my writing career as a means to earn income from home while raising my kids.

Do you make money from your blog?

I sure hope to! I just obtained my business license and am in the process of monetizing my blog. I decided from the get-go that I wanted to focus first on building quality content and just getting the hang of blogging. Now that I've been doing that for a few months, I've begun to look at the money-making opportunities available to me. I recently signed on with Google AdSense and Coupons.com. I am also trying to think outside the box as to how I might profit from my blogging venture.

How frequently do you post?

I try to post at least once daily and usually post more than that.

Do you have a favorite blogger(s) that you just can't live without reading?

I'd have to say the top two blogs I follow are Money Saving Mom and Hip 2 Save! Both provide quality content and post frequently.

Have your readers influenced you in any way?

Absolutely! I always encourage reader feedback! I often post deals readers share with me, I have made enhancements to my blog based on reader feedback (such as the Feedburner option I added yesterday), and I make sure to respond to comments left on my blog.

Has blogging changed your life in any way?

Just last night, I went to my SiteMeter tab and viewed the locations of my most recent readers. I had a reader in New York, another in New Orleans, a couple in Kansas, California, Texas, and Florida. It is a wonderful feeling knowing that I am connecting with readers all over the country. (Not to mention, I've connected with some pretty wonderful bloggers, too!) Whenever I get a reader that thanks me for my work, I know that the time I spend on this blog is worth it.

I have also learned that I am more capable of accomplishing things than I realize. A few short months ago, I had not a clue about how to start or run a blog. I also have another business and don't forget - two little ones here at home with me all day, every day. But guess what? I'm making it happen! My confidence has definitely grown since becoming a blogger.

And I have to add, as a writer, it is an exhilarating feeling to be able to write what I want, how I want, and publish it when I want. Now that's power!

What do you do when you get writer's block?

Good question! First I think to the day of the week it is. Having certain days set aside for certain posting topics is helpful. On Saturdays, I work on my drugstore scenarios. On Wednesdays, I tackle the grocery stores. On Thursdays, I'm looking for coupon previews. Another thing that has been helpful is to come up with a big topic that you can break out in a series of posts. I am currently finishing one entitled "Coupon Myths and Misconceptions." When I started this series a couple months ago, I brainstormed about 10 different myths I could talk about. Then, tackle one a week for 10 weeks! Another idea - I read other blogs and forums and see if I can find deals there or other posts worth linking to. As a final idea, think of some personal experience you could share - take a photo of your current stockpile, share how you did at a recent sale, or ask a friend who's having success if you could share one of their stories.

Any other advice you might have for newbie bloggers?

I have lots of advice, but in the interest of time, here are my top three suggestions for newbie bloggers:

1. Do not apologize for being new. I physically cringe when I see bloggers do this. Don't say, "I'm new...I don't really know if anyone's reading this, but here goes nothing." I don't even think you need to say you're new...folks can check out your archive if they really want. Whatever you do, don't discount yourself and what you have to offer! Be confident! Pretend you have a readership in the thousands RIGHT NOW and get going. Remember, people that are reading your blog are already assuming you have something worthwhile to say - so say it with authority. Be confident. And if you aren't confident, fake it.
2. Determine how you will be different. Please, please do something different! Don't just repeat everyone else. Offer something different, unique. In order to do this, you'll have to be a reader of other people's blogs of course. See what they might be missing and jump a the opportunity! Then let other bloggers know about your blog and how it's different. They might feel your content compliments theirs in some way and they could link to you or feature you in a post from time to time.
3. Let folks know you exist. Don't expect to just start blogging and have people find you. Introduce yourself to other bloggers. Offer to write a guest post. Share a deal you find. Leave meaningful comments on their site. Add your deal scenarios if you find a Mr. Linky. I also like to put updates on Facebook or emails. I have submitted my blog to web crawlers and blog aggregators. I'm always looking for new ways to get found.

Finally, if you are thinking about starting a blog, do your planning ahead of time. Don't just launch it at random. Remember that your first post IS important, so be thoughtful about how you proceed.

If you have additional questions about my blog or about starting your own, please contact me at thecouponproject at hotmail dot com. Thank you!

And thank YOU, Angela!

Living up to the title of my blog

Being the mom of a teenager has awakened my respect of my mom who raised three girls who were teens about all the same time. My first time experience with a teen that tested every breaking point in me over the years has conditioned me for my other daughter. I tell her that someday she will call her older sister and tell her "thanks alot" for getting in fights at school, totalling the car after getting her license, lying about where she was all the time and having a son at an early age, because I will be doing things WAY different the second time around. My youngest will NOT get a car at sixteen, sleepovers will be at our house and if I can figure out how to install a GPS system in her rear, I will.

All those perfect parents will gasp in horror after reading about my oldest child's actions and call me a horrible parent and send me terrible comments- oh yeah, I already did have a little troll tell me I was terrible awhile back when I first started this blog. Luckily, they were given the Nobel Peace Award and no longer have time to stalk me. No parent is handed a manual for raising kids and all we can do is try to teach them to do good and hope that some day it will kick in.

With that, I'm still paying for my mistakes made with the first one. The other day she gave me a scare when I called her in the morning to wake her up to get ready for the day (mental note: teach other children how to use an alarm clock). She had to get up to take finals and it was getting near the time she needed to be there. I called her and did not get an answer. I called back and still no answer. Ok, now I was beginning to worry. Crap-I could feel another grey hair growing. After about twenty calls-yes, I'm a crazy mom like that-I called the hubby, frantic and yelled at him to go find her. I'm sorry, but you can't not answer your phone if you are the child of a mom with a vivid imagination. I mean, I write suspense stories. All sorts of crazy thoughts went through my head. Surely, her and the baby were kidnapped and held for ransom. Maybe, they went for a drive in the woods late in the night and the car broke down, leaving them no choice but to stop at the creapy dark house that happens to be right in the middle of nowhere. Now, they are being chased by some guy in a mask with a chainsaw. You see, you better have that phone glued to your ear if you are my child.

As I was freaking out on the phone to my husband at his work, he quietly tried her from his cell phone. She finally answered. I heard him calmly ask her where she's at and why she didn't answer the phone. Then I hear him tell her, "Call your mom-now."

I was relieved that she was ok but then I was instantly angry. I hung up from my husband and waited for her call.

Rinnnng....

"You better be in the hospital!"

"Mom, I didn't hear the phone."

"After twenty calls?!"

"Yes. Sorry."

"Do you know what you do to me when you don't answer?"

"I know, Mom."

"If you don't stop doing this, I'm going to never talk to you again."

"I know, Mom."

"Well, you better get ready so you aren't late."

"Ok."

There was a lecture thrown in there too and maybe some swear words but, I think you get the picture.

I always tell my son that when I have a heart attack before I'm fifty that he can blame his sister and to make sure that my gravestone states:
HERE LIES A WOMAN WHO HAD CHILDREN-ENOUGH SAID.