First of all, thank you all so much for your concern. When I logged into my email and FB page, I was touched by all the messages and emails of concern about my well-being. I deeply apologize for giving any of you cause for worry; there have been no personal or family tragedies.
So, where have I been?
To be honest, I completely burned out. I’ve been running this blog for 7 years now, and I kind of thought I would run it forever. But a series of events led me to a breaking point where I just had to walk away.
Despite having an AMAZING team, the amount of work I needed to do every day to run this site became more than I could physically keep up with. I’m a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom, and my family is my number one priority. My husband is working full-time and going to school part-time, which means he is gone for most of the day. My kids are now in 4th and 6th grades, so the amount of homeschool work has increased quite a bit as well.
Trying to keep our home running smoothly with my husband gone most of the time, keeping up with my kids schooling, and trying to run a website full-time (even part-time!) was enough to keep me so stressed out that I lost a very unhealthy amount of weight over the past year. I felt so drained ALL the time and it was beginning to really affect my health.
I was also being led to teach a weekly class in our homeschool community. I knew I needed and wanted to do this, but adding that one little thing was like the straw that broke the camels back. It would be impossible to do it all. And I am someone who hates admitting that I can’t do it all. But I can’t. I had to be realistic for the sake of my family and my health.
So, in a moment of stress-induced panic, I quit. Even though I knew it had to be done, it was so incredibly hard. I love this website and the wonderful community of readers here. And I’m so sorry this note is long overdue, it was difficult to find the words to explain this decision.
All of that said, Couponing 101 is not going away completely. I’m not removing the website; all of my tutorials, recipes, and couponing tips are still here and will remain here (I even plan on reorganizing the site a bit so that these older posts are easier to find). I just won’t be sharing constant updates on deals and coupons like I did before. I still plan to post occasionally, when there is an exceptional deal, or a tip or idea I need to get off my chest (kind of like how I did things in the very beginning, when I first started blogging). I know it won’t be the same, and most of you won’t stick around, but this is the only way I can keep the blog going and still keep my sanity.
Thank you all SO MUCH for reading. I am so incredibly thankful for all of you who have been with me for years; I appreciate you more than I can even express. ♡
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View Comments
You have it backwards. Thank YOU!
I'm glad everything is fine! Sometimes in life we have to make choices we don't really like. I want to say I have enjoyed & learn a lot from your site. I will check back time to time. I do miss you and your information.
was wondering what happened to you glad everything okay. i do miss you but you do what you have to do
It takes courage to write about your short comings. Your family and taking care of yourself comes first. You had to reprioritize which is ok. Life happens and if you have to readjust your followers will have to as well. I have been a long time subscriber and I'm not going anywhere. Your website is wonderful and I looking forward to the reorganization.
Thank you so much for understanding! ♡♡♡
I'm so glad to see an update and that you are doing well. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the posts as I have been tuned in since 2010 during a time where I really needed to cut back on expenses. I have learned so much from you and have changed completely how I look at purchases because of your help. You will be missed, but I look forward to any future information you provide. Bless you and your family.
Thank you so much for understanding and for sticking with me all these years! ♡♡♡
Glad you are well! Prayers for you and your family
Thank you! ♡
I understand the stress life brings & your health has to come first. You need to be there for your babies.
It is always hard to realize we can no longer be superwoman & do it all. Been there, so I know too well.
Suggestion for your coupon database; maybe put a link directing people to another's blogger database. This will take a lot off the table for you & allow you to blog great information etc.
Feel better
Thank you so much for understanding! ♡♡♡
why are there no items listed for recent coupons for Wal=mart.. those shown are for July... we are in Nov 2015... just wondering... is there a more update
Awesome news. Glad everything is OK. Family is the #1 priority. I love your website and look forward to seeing your updates :)
Thank you so much for understanding! ♡
Just happy to know that you and yours are okay.
Thank you! ♡