Say It Forward - Week 3

This week I'd like to spotlight Jennifer from Getting Ahead. Jennifer has been a loyal commenter for quite awhile. I first remember getting comments from her last May, during the 3 Moms, 3 Kitchens, 31 Days Series. We have been blogging buddies since then.

Jennifer is a homeschooling mom of 4. Her family lives a frugal lifestyle. One of the reasons I enjoy her blog so much is because our lifestyles and views are very similar.

On her blog, Getting Ahead, Jennifer shares many great tips and lots of encouragement for practicing frugality. She also posts weekly menu plans and each Friday she hosts Weekly Wrap Up. In between all the practical advice, Jennifer also shares little snippets of her life as a wife and mom that are so easy to relate to.

Here are a few of Jennifer's recent posts that I've really enjoyed:

• What Should You Stockpile
• Quiet Contests
• Thursday 13 (13 Cold Remedies)

In addition to her blog, Jennifer also writes Hub Pages. With almost 300 published Hubs, you are sure to find some wonderful content by Jennifer there. (In fact, reading one of her articles there was the first time I read the term "Staycation."

If you've never been to Jennifer's blog, I highly recommend you check it out!

And then stop by 5 Minutes For Mom for more Say It Forward.

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Say It Forward - Week 2

This week, I'd like to thank one of my very first commenters - Niki from Free 2 Be Frugal. In addition to being an early commenter, Niki was the first person ever to link to my blog in a post. I still remember how excited I got when I saw that link!

Niki has remained a loyal reader and commenter. I am thrilled to work with her on a regular basis now over at Happy To Be At Home, where she provides our weekly Freebie Round-Up.

Niki's blog, Free 2 Be Frugal, is a wonderful destination for anyone looking for freebies, coupons and other frugal tips. In addition to those things, Niki also posts weekly menu plans and great Works For Me Wednesday tips. I've also loved reading along when she and her family have undergone No-Spend challenges.

Niki is a wife and stay-at-home mom of a little boy. After she resigned from her job as an elementary school teacher to stay at home full time with her son, her frugal journey began.

A whirlwind of change was upon us as we morphed from spendthrift couple to frugal family.

I instantly began tapping into the tricks of the trade for thrifty living, drawing inspiration from my own mother, the original queen of frugal! Coupon clipping, store circular studying, clearance cruising, and freebie finding became a way of life. I was signing up for so many freebies and rebates that I was losing track of them. Born from this disorganization was my blog, initially a log of sorts for myself. After time I came to rediscover a love of writing I had long forgotten and found opportunities to try and share great new products with other moms like myself.

My hope is to help other people find ways to make it on one income. To survive losing a job. Or a house. Or the economy in general. It can be done!

~From Niki's Welcome page on Free 2 Be Frugal

Thank you Niki for all of your wonderful and encouraging comments. And thank you for all of the hard work and wonderful service you provide with your blog!

Stop by 5MFM for more Say It Forward.

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Say It Forward - Week 1

I just love this new carnival 5 Minutes For Mom is hosting each week. For me, receiving comments and leaving comments is one of the very best aspects of blogging. It is how I've made some truly incredible friendships over the past year!

I always intend to reciprocate the comments left on my blog, but it just doesn't always happen. I visit, or read in reader, but I don't always have the time to comment as much as I would like. So from now on, I will be participating in Say It Forward each week. I love the idea of highlighting everyone who comments!

This week, I'd like to spotlight Jennifer from The Extreme Housewife. Jennifer leaves me the nicest, most encouraging comments at least a few times a week. In fact, her comments were what originally spurred me to start Cooking During Stolen Moments.

Jennifer is a devoted wife and mom of two little children, a boy and a girl. She runs her own Etsy shop as way to help bring in a little extra income. Her blog is a wonderful variety of her daily life. Here are a few of Jennifer's recent posts that I've really enjoyed.

• Do I Stress Too Much? Oh how I relate to this!
• Why I Want To Homeschool Such a great post with well-thought-out reasons. Jennifer will be (and already is!) A great homeschooling mom.
• Want To Help Me Donate A Breast Pump I love this idea and I think Jennifer's really onto something with her plans here.

Now go pay a visit to Jennifer and spend some time explore her site and her Etsy shop.

And thanks Jennifer, for being such a supportive and encouraging friend.

Stop by 5MFM for more Say It Forward.

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