Welcome back for another Frugal Friday here at Frugal Rules! Where has this week gone? This week has been crazy busy for us with business, which is a good thing but this has been one of those weeks that we seem to be meeting ourselves coming and going. We got a new client this week (WOO-HOO!) which is always a good thing, but we also had several more meetings than normal so that’s the main reason why you did not see me out and about as much in terms of commenting in the blogosphere. I love to be able to leave good comments, but times do not always allow for that. When I run into cases like that I do my best to tweet and share as much as possible as that is generally better than a comment.
As I said in last week’s Shout Out Saturday I am shuttering my monthly blog goals posts as I think that, outside the blogging community, many readers do not gain much from them. This is not to mention the fact that it also takes away a day a month that I can be writing about something more beneficial. However, I do plan on providing some of the higher level numbers in round up posts so others can see where Frugal Rules is at in terms of numbers. January was a great month for the site and Frugal Rules had 20,407 page views for the month (which was a 27% increase from December) and had 7,867 unique visitors. My goal was for 17,000 page views, so I was obviously pleased with the increase. I started to see some solid income come in through the site, so that is always a happily received bonus. I also had my first few affiliate sales this week, so that is exciting to see. In other blogging news, I finalized a deal with Andrea at Nuts and Bolts Media to do a complete site redesign! It’s a few months away, but I am still excited to see what she creates as I am looking to rebrand the site a little and bring in some things the current site is missing.
Like I said, I was not as active as I would’ve liked to have been this week, but that does not mean I was not able to catch some blog posts. As always, there were some great blog posts this week. If you have the time this weekend, I highly encourage you to check out some of the blog posts over the weekend.
Blog Posts
Swanson Says: The Best Ron Swanson Quotes on Fearless Men
How to Know When to Quit Your Job on Ready For Zero
How to Shop For Your Nerd this Valentine’s Day on Luke 1428
Frugal Ways to Say I Love You this Valentine’s Day on Canadian Budget Binder
Financial Responsibility and Kids: It’s Never Too Early to Start on Work Save Live
Beginner’s Guide to Investing in Real Estate on One Smart Dollar
February Goal: De-Clutter My Digital and Online Life on Reach Financial Independence
Money Decisions to Make in Your Twenties on Eyes On The Dollar
Valentine’s Day Shopping on a Budget on Modest Money
What Not to do When You’re in Serious Financial Trouble on Debt RoundUp
Where You Live: The Good and the Bad on Budget and the Beach
5 Gift Ideas for Those That Hate Valentine’s Day on Plunged In Debt
Why Good Personal Finance Management and Prepping Go Hand in Hand on The Frugal Farmer
Do We Really Care About Texting While Driving? How to Implement Real Social Change on Money Q & A
I Fought the Smartphone and the Smartphone Won on Money Bulldog
It’s a Win-Win: Get Rewarded For Saving on Enemy Of Debt
Three Financial Tips For College Graduates on I Heart Budgets
Should You Hire a Blog Coach on Frugal Portland
10 Credit Card Secrets They Don’t Want You To Know on Stumble Forward
How I Got Faster, Cheaper Internet Service By Rearranging My Furniture on Money Life And More
Odd Search Terms
101 ways to save money in 2013…Because 102 would just be too many!
Cheap things to cook for a Super Bowel party…cheap food = Port a Potty needed
How do you let him know he is being too frugal…Most men won’t notice a hammer over the head, so good luck!
Mutual fund for a Valentine gift…Nothing says ‘I love you, honey’ more than a good mutual fund!
27 ways to make your groceries last as long as possible…I never buy groceries, we just go out to eat (I kid, I kid)
I’m rich, but have credit card debt…I’d like to introduce you to my friend – Mr. Budget
Alyson Hannigan FHM…sorry, I don’t run THAT kind of site
Does anyone have anything fun planned for the weekend? Is anyone else experiencing football withdrawal like I am? Have a great weekend!
Photo courtesy of: Juliane Riedl
Hey John! Congrats on the great numbers and the increase in blog site income! It’ll be fun to see how the site re-design turns out. Thanks too, for the mention, it’s much appreciated. We will be having hubby’s mom visit this weekend, which wil be nice. When we bought our farm, we moved nearly an hour away from our families so we don’t see them as often as we used to. (I know, I know, cut the apron strings already!). Have a relaxing weekend!
Laurie @thefrugalfarmer recently posted..Mom’s Spanish Rice
Thanks Laurie! It is exciting to see and am definitely excited to have the blog redesigned. Sounds like you have a fun weekend in store for you. Our closest family is 1000 miles away, so I don’t know what we’d do if we only had an hour drive.
Congrats on the new client! Have a great weekend.
DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted..Weekly Friday Giveaway Post – 23 Giveaways – Leaving on a Jet Plane Edition
Thanks DC! You have a great time on your vacation.
Nice job on the numbers! Looking forward to seeing the redesigned site!
Jon @ MoneySmartGuides recently posted..How I Save Money When Shopping $500 Giveaway
Thanks Jon! It’s pretty exciting, now I just get to wait.
Hey John, thanks for the mention. A site redesign eh, sounds good. I’ve thought about one in the past but I don’t think it’s needed just yet. Look forward to seeing yours though!
Money Bulldog recently posted..We All Need A Little Recognition!
Not a problem Adam. I didn’t want to have to do it so soon, but the guy who created my theme is no longer supporting it and there are a number of things which are missing that I’ve wanted on it for a while.
Thanks as always John. Congrats on the new client, I’m sure it’ll all be worth it and I’m excited to see your new design!!
Catherine recently posted..I WILL Partake in Lifestyle Inflation
Not a problem Catherine. It is worth it, it’s a good “problem” to have when you run your own business.
Wow your blog is doing so great!
Michelle recently posted..Staff Writing is the Perfect Side Hustle
Thanks Michelle! You’re not doing too shabby yourself either!
I totally get dropping the goals posts. It’s nice in the beginning when you can say, “I want 100 twitter followers,” but after a certain point our goals are all the same: put out good content, increase readership, try to get links to bigger sites, and earn some income. You are doing amazing at all of those. Thanks for the mention. Have a good weekend.
Kim@Eyesonthedollar recently posted..Frugal Gifts for Girls Who Hate Valentine’s Day
That’s just it Kim. After a while it just seemed so silly to put up my goals. Not to say I don’t have them, but it’s just not worth it to devote an entire post to them and will probably stop altogether at some point. It allows you to devote time to other things that are more valuable.
Thanks for the blog mention, and congrats on all your blog success!! It’s nice to see those numbers creep up each month. And kuddos for hiring Andrea. She is awesome!!!
Budget & the Beach recently posted..Link Love/Week in Review 2/8/13
Not a problem Tonya. You’re doing pretty good yourself too.
I do like seeing those nice steady upwards progressions in numbers. I would have to agree in terms of Andrea. I could’ve done it myself, but at the end of the day she can make it MUCH better and it frees up time for me.
Thanks for the mention John, and congrats on the new business and blog stats! I just broke 20K pageviews as well and it looks good for Feb. I am sure the new design will be amazing!
Pauline recently posted..Friday recap, five chicks and a lighter site!
Not a problem Pauline. Things are looking good for February for me as well. It will be interesting to see though as the month is three days shorter.
Glad to hear that your blog is doing so well, John. Congrats!
Have a good weekend
Mackenzie recently posted..Life, Updates, and Some Link Love
Thanks Mackenzie! You have a good weekend as well.
Congrats on the deals! I know what you mean about tired. I’m helping organize a half marathon next week and can’t tell you how excited I will be when it’s all over.
I can relate! I am SO ready for this week to be over.
Great stats mate and I’m excited to see that you hired Andrea I’m sure she will give you one heck of a site! I’m waiting on mine now and I know she will giver her 110% because she’s awesome that way. Keep up the good work and enjoy some rest too!! Mr.CBB
Canadian Budget Binder recently posted..Mr.CBB’s Personal Finance Reading List #6 ~Worrying and Complaining Does Nothing, Now That’s Snow!
Thanks Mr. CBB! I am excited as well, it’ll be interesting to see what she comes up with. I am confident that she’ll come up with something that’ll be great.
I do enjoy your monthly blog goals post because it’s always fun to compare! But I do see how your time putting that together could be used better elsewhere. Congrats on the increase in views and exceeding your target. Got to be a great feeling!
John @ Fearless Men recently posted..10 Amazing and Unheard of Uses for WD-40
That’s what it came down to for me, being able to devote that time to something more beneficial and really a better use of my time. It does feel good to see that steady and continued growth.
Glad you’re loving the Ron Swanson!! Great job on breaking 20k pageviews!! That’s awesome–for 8000 unique visitors that’s not a bad ratio.
Todd @ Fearless Men recently posted..10 Amazing and Unheard of Uses for WD-40
Thanks! Gotta love some Ron Swanson!
You’re doing really well and I’m sure that Andrea’s design will give your site a huge boost by the time she’s done with it! Have a good week-end!
K.K. @ Living Debt Free Rocks! recently posted..My Weekly T.G.I.F. Trinidad Edition
Thanks K.K.! I am looking forward to what Andrea will be able to do with the site.
Congrats on all of the growth of your blog, John! Have a great weekend!
Tony@YouOnlyDoThisOnce recently posted..On Conquering Self Doubt (and some great weekend reads)
Thanks Tony! You have a good one as well.
Congratulations on breaking 20K page views this month. That’s some great growth. Keep up the good work.
My Financial Independence Journey recently posted..Portfolio Status: February 2013
Thanks! Have a great weekend.
Fun? Absolutely! I am going running tomorrow morning with a sunny 60 degree day! Love living in Texas!
Thad recently posted..Podcast Interview With Amy Dale | Author of “Off with Her Heart”
Sounds like a plan Thad! We’ve been in the high 40′s/low 50′s most of this week ourselves.
That’s awesome John. You’re doing a great job and those numbers reflect the effort that you have put into the site. Have a great weekend and make sure to take some time to relax.
Justin@TheFrugalPath recently posted..Friday’s Fork in the Path: A Snowstorm
Thanks Justin! You have a great weekend as well.
Great numbers. Looking forward to the site redesign. No big plans for the weekend here. Looks like this blizzard is going to snow us in for at least most of Saturday. I guess that’s a good thing as it will give me plenty of time to catch up on reading for the class I’m taking. Have a good weekend!
KK @ Student Debt Survivor recently posted..How to Spend Too Much This Valentine’s Day
Thanks KK! I hope you were not hit by the snow too hard. By the looks of it last night there were some areas that got some nasty weather. Have a great rest of the weekend!
Great numbers, but don’t forget to relax as well or you’ll burn out!
Eddie recently posted..Toronto Property Taxes to Increase by Two Per Cent
Thanks Eddie! That is a balance to have, especially when you run your own business.
Congrats on a great January. I always find that Jan-Mar is great for personal finance sites as many people get into the personal finance kick!
The College Investor recently posted..12 Savvy Ways to Save Money in College
Thanks Robert! I’ve been thinking that myself.
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Thanks for the mention! Glad things have been busy… that means more money is coming in.
Lance @ Money Life and More recently posted..Personal Finance Round Up #42
Not a problem Lance! Yes, and that’s a very good problem to have.
Thanks for mentioning my post John, it is much appreciated. I know what you mean about this week. It has gone quickly. Nice work on the blog.
Grayson @ Debt Roundup recently posted..Weekly Personal Finance Blog RoundUp – The Great Giveaway Edition
Not a problem Grayson. Yes, the week was a beast and the weekend went by entirely too fast.
Congratulations on the traffic! Andrea does terrific work and if I was making any money on my blog I’d hire her, LOL!
It’s hard to actively visit as many blogs as you’d like every week. Just like you, I read them but don’t always say anything.
Kay Lynn recently posted..The Digest Diet Review and Giveaway
Thanks Kay Lynn! I would try and do it myself, but I know she’ll do a much better job and allow me to focus on other things.
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Thank you for the mention… and congrats on your traffic! So glad so many people are finding you.
Kathleen, Frugal Portland recently posted..How to Get Out of Student Loan Debt
Not a problem Kathleen!
Love the picture of this post! Congrats on your new client and continued success! You were really hard and it’s inspiring to see it all pay off John. Keep up the good work.
Brick By Brick Investing | Marvin recently posted..Selling Options – How To Sell Covered Calls
Thanks Marvin! It is pretty encouraging to see the results of hard work and having new clients sign on as a result.
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I’m glad to read your blog is doing well because I have benefited from your postings. I’m not a person who does a lot of commenting, but I do read your posts. Congrats on your blog and business doing well! Being busy is always good for business. I can relate. Good work pays off and that’s what you’re doing!
Thanks so much for your kind words Sonya! You’re right that being busy is good for business. I’ve been on the other end of the spectrum, and this is much more preferable. Thanks for stopping by & hope you have a great weekend!
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