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How’s your holiday shopping going? And let me know what I should be doing differently with my blog.

Last Updated: December 8, 2014 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 29 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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A very long time ago I had a post about my holiday fund.  It has changed some. Our limit is around $10 to $15 per kid in his family instead of $30, because that was too much since there’s so many kids.

We spend more on the adults in the family. I’m not sure what I’m going to get my mom, but I’m getting my sister either a camera or a laptop (yes I’m a great sister).  I have an extremely small family, so I like to get my mom and sister something nice, because it’s mainly just the 3 of us. And without me, they wouldn’t really get any presents at all.

I’ve bought some Christmas things. But not nearly the amount of presents that I wish I was at. I have maybe 3 people done with, and probably around 10 more to go.

I haven’t really bought anything for the BF yet. I’m such a horrible girlfriend! I never know what to get him. I usually just get clothes for him, but I feel like I should be more creative this year and get him something AWESOME.

How’s your shopping going?

Also, I’ve realized that my blog is kind of all over the place now. Finance, home, life, clothes, food. Is that bugging anyone? Do I seem completely unorganized? Do you prefer it this way or no? Tell me what you think! I don’t mind if you put it in an Anonymous comment either so that I won’t know who you are.

I forgot to also ask this. Does anyone hate the fact that I blog anonymously? Would you prefer if you knew what I looked like or does that not matter? I didn’t want to get to detailed with who I am exactly and where I live, just because I blog about personal things with my family problems also and because I talk about money. But I’m starting to not care as much anymore.

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29 Comments
Filed Under: Budget Tagged With: Holidays

About Michelle Schroeder-Gardner

Michelle is the founder of Making Sense of Cents, a blog about personal finance and traveling. She discusses how her business has evolved in her side income series. She paid off $40,000 in student loans by the age of 24 mainly due to her freelancing side hustles. Click here to learn more about starting a blog!

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    December 8, 2011 at 4:12 am

    I don't have a problem with the blog having a wide scope. It gives a good sense of your personality and it makes it easier to feel like I'm connecting with the person behind the blog, so to speak.I do have a little bit of a problem when you spend a lot of time piggy-backing on other people's blogs, by referencing another post and then just summarizing it. I don't really feel like you add enough new content to it or put a different enough spin on the topic to really warrant getting credit for it. I would rather see you just post those responses as comments on the original blog, and then do a quick blog round-up every week of posts that made you think, with a couple sentences in response to each one. I've basically stopped reading any posts you do that are like that, and I won't click over to them from my RSS reader or comment. I do sometimes click over to the original post if the topic seems interesting.

    Reply
  2. Michelle P says

    December 8, 2011 at 4:42 am

    Thanks! I feel like my blog might be becoming too wide and seem crazy, but I also felt like before, my blog was not personable at all.And also, are you referencing the Good Bad Ugly posts, Weekly Money Check-ups, etc, or just the factual articles that I talk about such as with the eating bugs? Or maybe all? I guess I never really thought about it. I will definitely keep in mind that I should add more. I don't usually just summarize the article. Usually I just credit them for giving me the idea to talk about it on my blog. Thank you, I really appreciate the honesty because I will change. I never really thought about this before.

    Reply
  3. Bryallen says

    December 8, 2011 at 4:43 am

    I also like the wider scope. It's nice to get a bit of everything because your blog isn't about just one topic in particular! 🙂

    Reply
  4. Michelle P says

    December 8, 2011 at 4:44 am

    Thanks Bryallen. I was afraid that people would stop reading if the blog became too wide.

    Reply
  5. Michelle P says

    December 8, 2011 at 4:54 am

    Oops Anonymous, I forgot to make it clear about the comment I made earlier. When I said "I don't usually just summarize the article. Usually I just credit them for giving me the idea to talk about it on my blog. "I was talking about the articles that I get from Yahoo or something. I have been thinking about this for a little bit though (since you commented) and I agree with you. I have been lazy lately with posts, and I just went through previous posts and realized that it probably does seem like I piggy back a lot. Sorry to everyone for this. Hopefully people who have these blogs aren't mad at me.

    Reply
  6. Tanner says

    December 8, 2011 at 4:57 am

    I also enjoy reading about different topics. It's neat to get the know the person behind the name! My holiday shopping is going. And I'm hoping to be done with it by tonight! We'll see.

    Reply
  7. Michelle P says

    December 8, 2011 at 5:07 am

    Thanks Tanner! Hopefully I'm not boring you too much with all of the girly stuff lately 🙂

    Reply
  8. Stephanie says

    December 8, 2011 at 5:08 am

    I have no problem with your blog having a wide scope, it makes it interesting!Holiday shopping… meh. I wanted to wait until I was done with my craft shows so I could use that money for shopping, so I feel really behind, I've only picked up a handful of gifts. But I'm going to be doing some shopping Saturday, so hopefully I'll check a lot of people off my list then!!

    Reply
  9. Michelle P says

    December 8, 2011 at 5:13 am

    I'm with you Stephanie, I haven't gotten nearly enough yet. I hope your craft shows are going well!

    Reply
  10. shoppingtosaving says

    December 8, 2011 at 5:37 am

    Michelle – I like knowing more about you. I have to admit, my blog has turned into a mish mash of everything when it first started off as a personal finance blog. However the personal part of personal finance includes personality so I think it's fine that you are broadening your topics to include your life. I like learning more about you!My holiday shopping is going nowhere. I hope to do it all this weekend. >.<

    Reply
  11. McVal says

    December 8, 2011 at 5:59 am

    I love random stuff! It's fun getting to know someone a little bit more. I started my blog thinking I'd just be talking sewing, but it's turned into my life blog and diary. My husband uses it when he's writing the Christmas letter so he can review the year.

    Reply
  12. Michelle P says

    December 8, 2011 at 6:00 am

    I'm really happy that everyone likes the random stuff. I will definitely keep on doing that. I felt like before I was hiding myself!

    Reply
  13. Whitney & Devin says

    December 8, 2011 at 6:02 am

    I think random is just fine! Its your blog so talk about what you want to! XO

    Reply
  14. Out My window says

    December 8, 2011 at 6:14 am

    What Christmas shopping? That will be for the frantic 3 days I have after the last show closes. Yes December 19th-24th. Oh that is 5 days, see what I mean. I like your blog all over.Mine is all over also. I also would stay with the unknown as you can get yourself into trouble with friends, family and colleagues if you go public. But it is really up to your comfort level.

    Reply
  15. Michelle P says

    December 8, 2011 at 6:17 am

    Thanks. I'm thinking I will most likely stay unknown because I would hate it if my family found this blog.

    Reply
  16. Jackie @ EatLove&amp says

    December 8, 2011 at 6:48 am

    I think writing post about differet topics makes the blog much more exciting. I'm new to your blog and at times I try to find new things to talk about. It's ok to show who you are but at a personal matter then do whats best. This year we're just buying for the kids (my nephews and nieces) of course I'm slurging on my daughter but as for the adults nothing this year from us. We're kind of tight on our money.Jackie

    Reply
  17. Melissa Blake says

    December 8, 2011 at 7:21 am

    Umm, well, considering I haven't done any shopping, I'd say I'm not doing very well!

    Reply
  18. Tiffany says

    December 8, 2011 at 7:26 am

    This is my shopping weekend! I've made my lists and now it's time to get it done! That candy cane is adorable!

    Reply
  19. Occupy Style says

    December 8, 2011 at 7:49 am

    don't mind at all that you blog anonymously! i do as well…except for sharing my first name 🙂 xo ellie

    Reply
  20. lowcarbhighstyle says

    December 8, 2011 at 7:57 am

    I'm slowly getting through presents, my husband is hard to shop for too! I think it is totally up to you on being anonymous, share with us what you are comfortable with.

    Reply
  21. working.for.money says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:22 am

    Shopping is done…. thank you Amazon. Random blogging is fine. It's better than trying to stick to a narrow subject and then bailing out when the subject matter dries up.

    Reply
  22. Holly says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:42 am

    I really like your blog! I think it's great that you talk about everything, finance, life, school, food, life. 🙂 I enjoy reading your blog! 🙂

    Reply
  23. slugmama says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:57 am

    A broad field of topics is fine by me….but then again I started out as a frugal/couponing blog and look at me now.lolDo what you want, it's your blog! 😉

    Reply
  24. Sammyleia says

    December 9, 2011 at 1:18 am

    I found your blog via My Pretty Pennies via My 1/2 Dozen Daily. I'm a new blogger myself and think that your blog is just great as it is:)I blog anonymously too as I'd also hate my family to discover my blog, so I totally understand that. Just keep doing what you're doing, it's great 🙂

    Reply
  25. Sammyleia says

    December 9, 2011 at 1:20 am

    I forgot to add that my Christmas shopping is nearly finished but I've done HUGE damage to my credit card, and vow to be more thrifty and oranized next year!

    Reply
  26. Mia says

    December 9, 2011 at 5:22 am

    You ARE a great sister. =) I am in a similar situation but I don't know what to get my mom and boyfriend yet either. =/

    Reply
  27. Michelle P says

    December 9, 2011 at 8:35 am

    Thanks Sammyleia! I'm glad someone else feels the same way about blogging anonymously.Thanks Mia!

    Reply
  28. Cait says

    December 9, 2011 at 1:29 pm

    I love the wide variety of topics on your blog. There's always something relatable then. 🙂

    Reply
  29. Cait says

    December 9, 2011 at 1:31 pm

    Oh, and I don't care if you blog anonymously or not! It doesn't change my "relationship" with you, as a reader. So just do whatever is best for you.

    Reply

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Hello and welcome!
My name is Michelle and I'm the author/owner of Making Sense of Cents. Learning how to save money and make more money changed my life. It allowed me to pay off $40,000 in student loans, start my own business, and I now travel full-time.

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