Thin Soup - Things are Changing

Ok - I'm really writing this post.

I have been thinking and praying about this decision for weeks.

I am at peace and know this is the decision I needed to make.

I will no longer be posting on Penny Pinching Penguin.

Well, mostly stop.

I may post occasionally.  I am not ready to say it's completely over.  I will link to past articles through Rediscovering Domesticity.

I will continue the Bloggy Basics and Money Minute on Rediscovering Domesticity.

Why?

I need to focus on my family more.  I've been feeling like thin soup.  Now that I have 2 little ones, I hardly have time to plan a good bargain shopping trip let alone stay up on all the hot deals.  My heart just isn't in shopping anymore (it is so hard doing multiple stores in one day with carseats and naptimes).  I am trying to pinch pennies in other ways and will explore those on Rediscovering Domesticity.

I had mentioned about writing an ebook about saving money in every room of the house.  Many of you have submitted ideas for the book.  It will still happen!  I will offer it free on Rediscovering Domesticity when it is finished.

Thank you all for coming along side me while I learned how to save money and while I learned how this whole blogging thing worked!  Come on over to Rediscovering Domesticity.  Check it out.

Happy Labor Day!

Unveiling New Blog Layout

Welcome!

Today is the official unveiling of my new blog layout!  Come on in - I'll show you around!  This post will remain in the sidebar to refer back to as needed.  Just a note - the blog will change every few months - I'll try to reflect changes on this page!

Mission

The biggest change has been the blog's focus.  I will be focusing on helping you learn how to maximize savings and to manage your money well.  I will no longer be writing my own coupon match-ups.  Other bloggers do a much better job.  I will continue to post great deals as I find them.

Tabs

The next big change has been the addition of the tabs at the top of the page.  Let me walk you through those tabs.  There is a chance that the tabs may change a bit as things fall into place - as a way to streamline the site and make it easier to use.

Home - This tab will always take you right back to the main page should you get lost in searches.

About - This tab explains who I am and why I am blogging as well as how to contact me via email.  I have my email address written out as a way to prevent spam from web crawlers.  Simply remove spaces, substitute the @ symbol and the . symbol, and you have the email address.

Coupons - This tab is a great resource for beginner information on coupons plus various places to get more coupons. You will find a list of common coupon terminology with explanations, links to electronic coupons, and links to coupons to print.  Coming soon - a guideline to ethical coupon usage (the few who abuse coupons have caused some stores to shy away from various types of coupons such as internet printables or coupons for free items).

Stores - This tab gives tutorials for how to maximize savings at specific stores, lists blogs that specialize in coupon match ups for those stores, lists special deals for the stores where I am an affiliate (they email me deals that may not be available elsewhere).

$$ Minute (Money Minute) - This tab is where to go to find simple and quick ways to save a little money.  Money minute posts are just a couple paragraphs long with a focus on just one or two ideas.  It's money management in bite-sized pieces!


Daily Deals - Many stores and companies offer one special deal each day at a deep discount.  This tab is a compilation of direct links to many of these companies.  Check back each day to see what is on sale!  Many deals are at 50% savings or greater! (Also, you can check the Amazon lightning deals widget in my left sidebar for even more deals).

Diapers - This tab will detail ways to save money on purchasing diapers.

Stockpile - This tab is dedicated to links to posts about the why and how of growing a stockpile of groceries and toiletries as well as pictures for ideas of how to store items.

Programs - This tab details various money-saving programs that I participate in.  You can also find information of trial programs that offer trials of products for reviews of these products.  I use all of these programs - feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Surveys - This tab lists each survey company I use or have used plus my review of that site.  I have been able to make a bit of money by taking surveys (around $25/month at this point) from home.  Between surveys and Swagbucks, we paid for Christmas gifts last year spending less than $100 out of pocket.


Of Note

Here are some other parts of the site that may be helpful to you:

• Search box - type in what you are looking for and search the site for helpful information
• Subscribe in reader - I get overwhelmed with all the blogs I read.  I use the reader bloglines to organize the blogs and get recent posts of all the blogs all in one place.  There are many readers to choose from.  If you subscribe, my posts will appear in your reader.
• Grab My Button - If you blog, feel free to grab my button for your site!  It is a direct link back to Penny Pinching Penguin.
• Assistance for Haiti - I don't want people to forget that the people of Haiti still need our help.  Check out the past posts linked here for more ideas and information.
• Networked Blogs - I am part of Networked Blogs on Facebook.  If you are on Facebook, feel free to follow me there.
• Blog Topics - This is a quick reference for posts on various topics to help you find information quickly.

• My Other Blog - I run a blog dedicated to becoming a better homemaker, Rediscovering Domesticity.  Check it out!

• Amazon Lightning Deals - Amazon's hottest time-sensitive deals are posted in this widget which automatically updates!  
• Offers - These are companies that I am an affiliate for.  Basically, they support my site for me advertising on my site.  I don't just post any ads.  I will not post anything that I wouldn't/haven't used myself.  If you ever have a problem with any of these offers, please contact me!
• Followers - You can follow me and this blog directly through google for free to help you stay updated if you choose.
• Facebook Fan Page - I now have a fan page on Facebook.  This page lets me announce new posts right away plus will send posts to Twitter.  I have a forum/discussion board on the fan page as well to help as we all learn to grow in financial awareness.
• Swidget - The Swidget is part of Swagbucks.  You can sign up for Swagbucks through the swidget, search, shop, and be notified of free swagcodes with the swidget. 

I hope you enjoyed your tour!  Take your time - take baby steps!  Don't be discouraged if you get burned out from time to time - it happens to everyone!  I welcome feedback through comments and through email!

All Sorts of New Stuff

Hi all!  I hope you are faring well if you've been hit by this snow storm!  We got a little over 10" of snow over a happy layer of ice.  Thankfully, Hubby was able to go out this afternoon to get us an "aimer flamer" because our power was out for most of the day and I realized I can't light any candles or light our stove without one!  He saved the day!  Anyway....

I wanted to take a quick moment to point out some new things on this blog.  First of all, I added tabs to stand-alone pages right under my header.   I am organizing a lot of "how-to" information there.  Please be patient!  It should be mostly complete in a couple weeks!  I am also revamping what is going on in my sidebars so they aren't so cluttered.  I have been asked to be an affiliate for a few new companies, so check out those links (pictures on the left) to see some great deals they are offering!

I also joined a network of blogging women called The Secret is in the Sauce or SITS.  I am excited to learn more about blogging and networking!  If you are new to blogging or looking to grow your blog, check it out!  I have a button on the right hand side of the page.  I'm linking up to It's a Hodge Podge Life from SITS as I continue learning!  Check out her cool page!

I have a quick beg - please let me know how this new format is working for you!  Feel free to leave a comment or email me through the address listed in my ABOUT page.  I'd love to know what information would be helpful to have.  This blog is transitioning from just listing deals to TEACHING about how to shop and save money and manage household finances.  I'd love input so I can work toward what would be most helpful to YOU!

Big Changes A-Comin'

I have spent this past month really examining my reasons for blogging.  I've been evaluating my strengths and weaknesses and my loves and desires in the bloggy world. 

This blog's image will be changing a bit over the next month.  More than the overall look, the content will be changing as well.  I have realized that my passion just isn't passing on every single fabulous deal.  My passion isn't posting scenarios for saving money at stores.  Plenty of other bloggers do that much more effectively than I do.  My passion lies with teaching.

This blog will still feature great deals.  I will still post freebies and cheapies and great offers.  I will still post ways to earn money from home.  Rather than spend my time and energy (which is quickly dwindling with baby #2 on the way) posting detailed lists of sales at each store plus scenarios matching up coupons and sales, I will spend my time and energy teaching.

I will be teaching about:

• how to find coupons
• how to use coupons by the rules
• how to save money various ways
• how to make money from home
• how to stretch the budget farther than its been stretched before
• how to get started with bargain shopping at various stores
• how to take advantage of specific sales and deals
• how to make money blogging
• any other topics that are on my heart or that readers request!

Why the change?  I have spent much of my life as a teacher and it is just in my blood.    I also am passionate about using the resources God has given us wisely.  EVERYTHING we have is His, not ours.  We are simply stewards.  I want to be the best steward I can be.  I want to share ways to be a better steward with others.

I encourage you to stick with me during this transition.  I hope to offer more ways to give feedback so that I can teach what you, the readers, would like to learn in regards to saving money.  For now, please feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email at penguinelk at yahoo.com with any questions, concerns, and comments you may have.  I really appreciate any input.

Blog Goals

I want to do a quick post to explain some of the abrupt transitions in topics in this blog. I do not want this blog to be completely about money. I want it to be about things that are close to my heart. My desire is to grow in my walk with the Lord and strive to be more like the Proverbs 31 woman:

The Wife of Noble Character

¹⁰ A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

¹² She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

¹³ She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

²² She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

²⁹ "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

³¹ Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

I don't want this blog to focus just on getting money for worldly concerns but various topics that are extensions of this passage: character, frugality, hard work, mothering, inner beauty, wisdom, strength, patience, organization. I just wanted to be clear!