Yesterday I gave you tips on how to find an array of money-saving blogs that appeal to you as well as how to efficiently keep up with them all. But now that you are gaining an overload of knowledge, where do you begin using this information to start saving your family money?
Inspiration or intimidation?
Whenever I find a new great blog that I am excited to learn from, I always struggle with an initial period of complete intimidation. Successful blogs succeed because the author is good at what they do. Usually they are experienced in their techniques and have trialed and errorred their way to expert status. What they do works for them and that is why they want to share it with you.
Recognize that the initial feeling of intimidation is actually great motivation. If you did not think that the techniques offered on the blog were better than what you currently do, then you would have no reason to read more and learn from them. Take that intimidation and turn it into inspiration. Realize that you can succeed in the area of frugal living just as much as the author of the blog you are reading. You, too, can become an expert after your own series of trials and errors.
As you sort through the vast amount of information consistently streaming into your feed reader, do not get discouraged. Do not despair. See the areas in which you want to become better and learn from those have been there.
Trial and error
Every family has their own techniques for saving money. No technique is better than any other. It all comes down to what works for you and your family. The only way to determine what will work for you is to try.
As you read through the many tips offered, pick one or two that sound simple and appealing to you and give them a shot. It may be a new frugal recipe, a coupon-clipping technique, or a menu plan attempt. Do not try to do everything at once. You are looking for a lifestyle change and that comes in baby steps. Try a couple of new ideas every week or month and see what works for you. If you find a blog consistently offers advice that does not fit your lifestyle, then unsubscribe from their RSS feed and move onto the next one which may prove more helpful.
Try not to get overwhelmed. If something excites you, go for it! If something intimidates you, think baby steps to tackle it. If something turns you off, unsubscribe from it. Do not be afraid to fail. Do not be afraid to try.
Stick with it
I know a handful of people who read a few blog posts, revamp their entire grocery strategy and hope it works. Often times they get frustrated, do not see much savings, and give up on taking advice from bloggers. A major factor in the growing success of blogs is our ever-changing society. If you read some posts one day and then do not come back to it for months, you will fall behind all the latest money-saving strategies.
Rather than just reading a few things, implementing them and walking away, I recommend staying up-to-date on your blog reading. By reading regularly, you will constantly be re-assessing your strategies to fit your everchanging goals and lifestyle. Even if you sit down once a week for thirty minutes, you may pick up a handful of new ides to help save you even more money. There is no ceiling to how much you can learn.
Take it one step further
After you have been reading blogs for a while, trying new techniques, learning your own tricks, and completely reinventing your frugal lifestyle, you may want to take it one step further and actually start your own blog. Even if you just keep a daily or weekly journal of new strategies you have implemented or what you plan on cooking for the week, keeping your own blog and making your frugal journey public may help hold you accountable and encourage your personal success.
You do not need to be perfect nor do you need to have any expert credentials to begin a blog. There are many people out there looking for new ideas and your ideas may be just what they need.
If you do decide to take that extra step and give blogging a try, I recommend Wordpress.com. It is a wonderful site that offers you a free user-friendly platform to begin your blog. Also, check out the ProBlogger's Guide to Your First Week of Blogging for advice on beginning a blog and tips on making that blog a success.
Get reading
So go on, create your feed reader account, check out blogrolls and link-ups, subscribe and start getting the latest advice on how to improve your budget and cut costs in this difficult economy. And if you decide to start a blog to hold yourself accountable, please let me know about it! I am always looking for the next best thing!
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