2009 Year in Review and Goals for the Future

I wanted to take a minute and do a post about my last year and my goals for 2010. I am not really one for New Year's Resolutions, but I do believe in having attainable goals and I would like to share with you my blogging goals for this coming year.

Let's start with 2009. I became acquainted with the saving and couponing world relatively early in the year when I started reading a couple of money-saving blogs. By May-July I was using lots of coupons and noticing a huge savings at the grocery store. I was also beginning to use the internet to earn money and by August I decided it was time to write about my experiences and share what I was doing with the world. Hence, The Fabule$$ly Frugal Mom blog was born!

One thing I wish I would have done but didn't was keep track of exactly how much I saved in 2009 using coupons and sales, alas, I don't have even a hint of an idea of what that number was, but I know that it was substantial! I did however, keep track of what I earned through various outlets on the internet. I did this not only for my own tracking purposes but for tax purposes as well!

2009 Internet Earnings:

Online Survey Companies: $240.30
This total only includes the money I have physically received. There are several accounts that I have money in but have not earned enough to cash out yet. I know that there is at least another $50 in survey money ready to be redeemed! I have also gotten to test at least 10 different new products and gotten paid to do it! Learn more about how I make money taking online surveys HERE.

Swagbucks: $95 worth of gift cards to Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and Starbucks.
To sign up for SwagBucks and start earning points today, go HERE.

Magazines.com: $20
I have earned this money only for being a subscriber of their e-newsletters. To learn more, read my post HERE.

Prescription Transfers: $90
Did you know that pharmacies often issue coupons for free gift cards when you transfer a prescription to their store? I have a prescription that I fill monthly, and since May I have taken this same prescription to at least 5 different pharmacies and received gift cards! For example, Rite Aid often has coupons for a free $25 gift card for a transfer, my co-pay is only $5 so I just earned $20!

Blog/Affiliates: $100 + Free Products
By starting this blog and adding ads to my sidebar and a couple of other affiliates I have already earned a little money. One of my goals for 2010 is to increase this earning through affiliates. If you have a passion about ANYTHING, consider starting a blog and writing about your passion!

Ebay/Etsy: Approx. $1,000
I have been a crafty kinda gal since I can remember. If you make something, consider opening an Etsy store. This is an outlet for crafters to sell their wares online for only a small fee. It is also a great outlet for meeting other artists locally. I also do a little re-selling on eBay as a hobby and it has been somewhat lucrative this year!

My internet workings are by no means a stable source of income, however, this extra money this year has helped us out greatly! Add this up with my store savings and we are sitting at about $3,000 saved and earned! In September Naomi and I started working part time at a daycare and that has gained us a little income as well. It feels good to be able to help out a little with the household expenses, even though it isn't much!

My 2010 Blog Goals!

I have to say, I am having a great time writing my little blog! I don't have a huge amount of readers yet, however, one of my goals for 2010 is to increase that number.

Here are a few others:

- Do a monthly savings/earnings post which will include what I am saving at the grocery store using coupons and also what I am earning.
- Do a monthly "What Came for Free in My Mailbox" post with a photo and list of all the free stuff I received the past month.
- Re-Start "The Weekly Dinner Challenge" posts!
- Streamline my blog and get a new look!
- Write a few more How-To posts to help people who are new to the world of super-saving.
- Do more reviews and giveaways, hopefully one a month at least.

I would love to hear any suggestions you may have for making this blog a better place or anything you would like to see more of in 2010! I would love to have a Q&A section as well, so if you have any questions about the things I write about, please feel free to comment or email me at FabulesslyFrugalMom@hotmail.com!

As always, thanks for reading and I hope you continue to come back often!