8 Years Of Doing What I Love On Canadian Budget Binder
Canadian Budget Binder first published in January 2012 but the very first blog post I wrote was published Feb 15, 2012.
It wasnt the first blog post I had published on CBB as I started with The Grocery Game Challenge and our 10-Step Mini Budgeting Series.
I chose to showcase Til Debt Do Us Coupon- Are You Using Coupons in Canada because this is what helped us to become debt-free.
As youll notice its not as detailed as my blog posts are today and much shorter in length.
Coupons have been a BIG part of our financial growth in the earlier years of our marriage and set the stage for us paying our $265,000 mortgage off in 5 years.
Not bad for a couple that wasnt earning top dollar and under the age of 40.
In fact, I was earning what minimum wage is today in 2020, $15 an hour to be exact.
So, it is possible to get rid of debt and pound away at your mortgage without earning a six-figure income each.
Blogging Is More Than Just Writing Thoughts
I had to count on my fingers how many years I had been blogging when I had realized we were starting a new year.
It has been a wonderful 8 years on Canadian Budget Binder and quite a learning experience.
One thing about blogging is you never stop learning and networking along with your readers is the key to success.
Blogging is an art and anyone who thinks they will get into blogging and earn money right away is mistaken.
There is much to learn about blogging that Id encourage anyone to do their research first.
I still have a notebook where I made scribbles and notes about designing Canadian Budget Binder.
Like anything we do in life, it takes planning and practice until you find your path.
There were many years I never earned any income from Canadian Budget Binder where I should have.
I cant look back now at my mistakes but I can go back and correct them.
Blogging As A Side-Business
Since 2019 Ive not only been working with Sara my designer to add life to my new blog update (which I love) but restructuring all of my posts.
It has taken lots of my time but it has enhanced the traffic I get to this blog which is great for added revenue.
A blog post on average takes me between 5-8 hours to write and create graphics.
It might sound shocking but when you are running a business you want to offer your readers the best of you.
My blog posts are designed around personal experiences, reader stories and questions I get via email and everyday life.
What I love about Canadian Budget Binder is that it feels like home Sandy K.
I remember the day I was chatting to a reader about her budget via email and she told me that.
To be honest I was humbled by that because thats the feeling I wanted to provide to my readers.
This was never meant to be a media outlet for Canadians rather a place where they could feel safe expressing themselves.
I wanted to help my readers understand their finances and perhaps get them on track with budgeting.
Canadian Budget Binder Financial Umbrella
In the midst of it, all came finance topics that spanned all aspects of life which falls under the umbrella of Canadian Budget Binder.
Our budget does not have just 1 category is has many categories and money affects an array of facets in our lives.
I believe this is when I decided to take Canadian Budget Binder to the next level by introducing new topic categories.
Some of the most popular blog categories revolve around relationships, parenting, frugal recipes, and real-life reader questions.
I love getting emails from all of you and working hard to find answers or at least some form of help to get you started.
As a note, before I lead you into my most popular blog posts since 2012, I want to say THANK-YOU.
Thank you for subscribing to Canadian Budget Binder and for being so loyal to this once little blog that is now bigger than I had ever imagined.
Its because of you that I get to do what I love for a hobby and thats help fellow Canadians with their finances by sharing our experiences.
I have learned so much from all of you over the years and definitely gained perspective on topics that I may have been unclear about.
Your opinions matter to me and when you dont agree with me, thats fine because I know my opinion is not the only one.
Canadian Budget Binder and Criticism
One thing Im proud of is that in 8 years Ive only had to deal with 3 battles of horrible people visiting the blog.
By horrible I mean not discussing their ideals an adult and using vulgar language in our communications.
If you know me, I dont put up with that. Delete. Thats not the environment nor the people I want reading this blog.
Im not one to argue but am open to constructive criticism and readers correcting me if Ive made an error.
I appreciate that so much.
At any time if you have a story youd like to share or perhaps a question youd like answered on the blog please email me.
I cant promise to answer every question on the blog but I will respond to you.
Top 8 Blog Posts On Canadian Budget Binder
It wouldnt be the perfect Canadian Budget Binder birthday post without sharing the top read blog posts over the past 8 years.
So lets have a look but keep in mind many of these posts were published years ago so theyve had more time to brew on the blog.
They are in no particular order but have garnered the most visits by my readers in 8 years.
- Scanning Code Of Practice (SCOP) In CanadaDid You Know?
- How Much Should My Grocery Budget Be?
- How To Make Money Fast Without Going Crazy
- Free Downloads- Money Saving Budgeting Tools
- Dollar Store Home Pregnancy Test- Do They Work?
- Canadian Law: Jury Duty In Canada Can Take Its Toll On Your Budget
- Easy Chicken Curry In A Hurry
- The Loss Of A Dog, Euthanasia Costs and Dealing With Grief
Canadian Budget Binder 8th Year Blog Birthday Contest
Below is a Rafflecopter giveaway for all of my readers to say thank-you for the past 8 years.
Please enter to win. Contest open to Canada and US residents only.
Contest ends in 5 days from the date of this blog post at 12am hurry and enter!
Enter to WIN 1 of 8 x $10 Paypal Cash awards (must have Paypal to collect prize)
Good Luck everyone.
Blog Posts You May Have Missed
Below is a recap of the blog posts Ive published over the past two weeks so you can catch up on your reading.
If you havent already subscribed to the blog make sure to add your email to my list so you get my weekly blog posts and access to my Free Budget Resources Library.
Youll get all of my Budget Binder Printables and Monthly Budget For Free.
- How to effectively track and budget travel expenses (Free Budget Binder Printable included)
- Consequences of filing a late income tax return in Canada
- Keto Chicken Cabbage Soup (Low-Carb)
- How a low-income household can affect children
Finance Post I Enjoyed Reading
My long-time blog friend Anne at Unique Gifter has all the expert gifting advice youll ever need.
I went to Anne to find out if she had any information about Valentines Day Classroom gifts.
Our sons teacher sent home a newsletter letting the parents know that we could send Valentines cards in for the kids.
She also said that we could send in treats or other little gifts but they must be for all of the kids.
Last year we made Oreo Double Stuff pops dipped in milk chocolate with red and pink heart candies sprinkled over top.
We bought the white lollipop sticks from Amazon Canada 100 for $5.99 which is reasonable.
They were a huge hit but we arent sure what we will make this year.
A few cool ideas I found were
- Personalized Bath Bombs (If you know how to make them)
- Fun Dip Valentines (kids will love this one)
- Hot Chocolate Valentines Day mugs for the teachers
- Valentines Day cards wrapped around a wood ruler
- Personalized Valentines Day tags that you can put on just about anything. I like how she has them attached to a drink pouch.
Im not sure what we will do but weve certainly found some great ideas from Annes blog.
Frugal Recipe Of The Week
Ali who blogs at Gimme Some Oven has this amazing vegetarian spin on Greek avgolemono soup Lemony Orzo Chickpea Soup that has all the winter feels.
Im a huge soup lover and like to try new recipes that I find on Pinterest that are unique such as this one.
The combination of Italian orzo pasta and chickpeas with eggs folded into a lemony broth instead of cream sounds soothing.
This is definitely going on my menu plan but first I need to buy some orzo pasta.
I also like that she offers different variations for her recipe such as using rice instead of orzo.
What I need to think about is a way to make this keto for Mrs. CBB because I know she would love it.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small white onion, peeled and diced
- 3 medium carrots, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 10cups vegetable stock
- 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup orzo*
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice, plus extra lemon slices for serving
- 2 large handfuls fresh baby spinach
- 13 tablespoons chopped fresh dill*
- sea salt and freshly-cracked black pepper
Mr. CBBs Motivational Corner
This simply means be the person you want to be without worrying about what everyone thinks of you.
It also speaks of living a life of kindness towards other people and not judging them for their choices.
Life is too short.
Home and Blog Update
Here we are 2020 and a new year of our exclusive blog and home updates for all of you.
Home Update
Weve officially had the flu pass by all of us in the house over the past week.
I dont think Ive been as sick as I have since had our son as I rarely was sick before.
Last week I had the city around to inspect the basement which I was supposed to have insulated but Im not done.
He wasnt too worried given the circumstances weve been going through in our personal life and gave me an extension.
So, you know where you will find me next doing renovations and then on to the master bathroom for a full tear-down.
Those are my goals before summer as Im planning on renovating the back deck and sunroom which is a big project for me.
Blog Update
Lots of what has been happening is behind the scenes mainly working on making the blog faster.
Were also working on getting rid of broken links (if you find any let me know please).
As mentioned before the Free Resources will have password protection soon but if you are subscribed youll get that password sent to you.
Were also updating the free resources page to make it user-friendly as its not in the best shape right now.
Youll also see The Ultimate Grocery Shopping Guide structured by post with a photo instead of a list of links.
Those are a few things that Sara is working on besides me updating old posts.
If you are not subscribed to the blog please do and youll receive my blog posts via email including my new newsletter.
Youll get advance contest notices and behind the scenes looks at what is going on in our lives at the CBB home that I wont post on the blog.
I post my newsletter via email only twice a month.
Saturday Search Term Giggles
Every week I get tens of thousands of people who visit Canadian Budget Binder because they searched online and found my blog.
Yes, I can see your search terms and sometimes they are funny, educational and worth sharing.
If you see the acronym (SIC) next to a word that means Ive copied the text exactly as it was typed in Google and it has spelling errors
- Canadian Budget Binder Pie I dont have a pie recipe but I may be making a cherry pie or pecan pie based on a Facebook Whats For Dinner pie chat we had this week.
- The only Keto cream cheese pound cake Well, wasnt that surprising as Im sure there are many more on the web.
- Why is it called Standard Code of Practice? Do you meanthe Scanning Code of Practice?
- 10lbs of cheese Haha, no idea where that came from but they landed on my blog.
- Is stealing groceries ok? Common sense is not so common.
Thats all for this week my friends, see you again in 2 weeks for the next Saturday Weekend Review!
Mr.CBB
The post Happy 8th Blog Birthday Canadian Budget Binder :The Saturday Weekend Review #297 appeared first on Canadian Budget Binder.