Update: This giveaway has ended.
Where We’ve Been
I’ve been feeling pretty sentimental this week.
Seven years ago, I tiptoed out into the world of blogging, unsure if a single person would care to read what I have to say (except for my Mom, of course). But, after the bitter discouragement of unemployment led me to discover a passion for couponing, freebie finding and creatively stretching our dollars, I realized that I couldn’t NOT share my learnings with the world. I also wondered if maybe, just maybe, I could help supplement our income with this thing called blogging.
So, with the help of a friend over the course of a couple months, I pieced together my vision for my very own money-saving blog. My husband and I brainstormed ideas for the blogs’ name. I typed away on our personal computer in our little garage apartment for hours upon hours using our dial-up connection (my apologies to anyone who tried to call me during those months!). I researched the ins and outs of blogging and tried to imagine new ways that I could help my readers stretch their dollars.
And I hoped.
I hoped that this little bud of a desire could blossom into the dream that was growing in my heart.
Then, seven years ago (on April 19th), Cha-Ching on a Shoestring was born.
What a journey it has been!
Within a couple months, my little blog began to receive media attention, first from news outlets in our home of upstate New York and then later in our new home in Pennsylvania and eventually even nationally. Since we were in the midst of the recession, our story resonated deeply with many who were experiencing unemployment and tightened budgets. Before long, thousands of others joined my Mom and became readers and money-saving ninjas.
And the journey continues! Over the course of the past 7 years, I’ve been grateful for the opportunity to bring along others to help with the blog like the amazing Nicole, my dear friends Heidi and Elizabeth and the delightful Dollar Store Diva (aka MOM). We’ve added tips about organizing, living simply, cooking and giving on a budget. I’ve shared my passion for simplifying Christmas in my very first eBook. And while the focus of the blog has changed some from those early days, we are still all about saving money around here!
What’s New
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been busy envisioning a new design for this site with the help of the talented and delightful Sharon. Since the site is about so much more than just couponing now, we wanted it to reflect all the ways we’ve discovered to live LARGE on a limited budget over the past years and will continue to do so as we journey together.
I am so thrilled with the new look that I want to celebrate!
So I decided to give away gift certificates to two of the stores that are Cha-Ching readers’ favorite ways to save: Amazon and Target.
$25 Amazon Gift Card and $25 Target Gift Card Giveaway!
One lucky Cha-Ching on a Shoestring reader will win BOTH a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a $25 Target Gift Card.
Here’s how to enter:
You have up to three possible methods of entry:
- Leave a comment on this post letting me know how Cha-Ching on a Shoestring has helped you live LARGE on a limited budget.
- Click here to subscribe to Cha-Ching on a Shoestring by e-mail and leave a comment below letting me know you subscribed. If you are already a subscriber, simply let me know in a comment.
- Click here to share this post on Facebook. Simply click ‘Share’ to post it on your Facebook wall. Leave a comment on this post letting me know that you did.
Note: Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this post to leave your comments. (Or CLICK HERE to do so.) By leaving a separate comment for each entry you will have a greater chance of winning! E-mail responses will not be considered as an entry in the giveaway.
This giveaway ends at 10:00 a.m. EST on Sunday, April 17, 2016. I will randomly select the winning comment. Winner will be notified by email and listed on this site.
Disclaimer: This giveaway is sponsored by ME because I am a big fan of you guys!
Kaley, Everyday when I look through your postings on Cha-Ching on a Shoestring for all the super deals and free items, I think of some quotes from Zig Ziglar, the following are fitting for you and what you do everyday for everybody who has joined your blog.
“You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”
“Among the things you can give and still keep are your word, a smile, and a grateful heart.”
“If you can dream it, then you can achieve it. You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want”
“Take one cup of love, two cups of loyalty, three cups of forgiveness, four quarts of faith and one barrel of laughter. Take love and loyalty and mix them thoroughly with faith; blend with tenderness, kindness and understanding. Add friendship and hope. Sprinkle abundantly with laughter. Bake it with sunshine. Wrap it regularly with lots of hugs. Serve generous helpings daily.”
Hi, I’m a happy subscriber.
Thank you
Love all your posts, especially helped by how to earn money via swagbucks and checkout 51. Also love $ store diva, The Merry Little Christmas Project, your humor, and your genuine humility :-).
Thanks for all the work you do to help us!
I’ve been an email subscriber for years and love all your tips!
Already an email subscriber.
Thanks for all you share.
Shared on Facebook
Already a subscriber. I love your emails
I love Cha-Ching on a Shoestring! It has helped me save money by the posts for stores in my local area that I shop at! Unlike other blogs that are out West and don’t apply locally because we don’t have the same food stores. Also If I have a question Kaley and or her helpers are very quick to respond! Keep up the GREAT work!
Already an email subscriber. Although my children are grown, you always have deals that can apply to me. Thanks.
Already an email subscriber! 🙂
I am already a subscriber.
I started to follow you shortly before my son was born, and he is now 5! You’ve helped our family save lots – thank you!!
I have thoroughly enjoyed your site, especially the Amazon deals, very helpful! Congratulations on your anniversary!
I am already an email subscriber
I get almost all of my Christmas and birthday gifts for family and friends when I see special deals on your blog. Thank you!
Congradulations on 7 years of hard work for us, your readers. I’ve been married 54 yrs. and have done couponing,rebates,etc; but I always seem to learn something new from you.Thank You.See you can teach an old dog new tricks and savings.I told my daughter and granddaughters about your blog and they save alot too.Good Luck on many more years of spreading the word of getting alot for pennies.
Thank you so much for helping me to stretch my dollars farther.
Love ya!!
Congratulations!
I subscribe to your emails.
Thanks so much for your blog! I have learned so much and saved a bunch!
Cha-Ching on a Shoestring has helped me live LARGE on a limited budget, so thank you so much for sharing all of you knowledge and tips. I am subscribed and follow on Facebook and I always share your post cause they are so helpful.