Making Sense Of Cents

Learn how to make extra money, how to save money, how to start a blog, and more.

JOIN OVER 300,000
MONTHLY READERS!
  • HOME
  • BLOG
  • Make Money
    • best online jobs
    • passive income ideas
    • paid online surveys
    • How To Make $100 A Day
    • 80 side job ideas
    • More Extra Income Ideas
  • SAVE MONEY
    • Free Amazon Gift Cards
    • 16 Alternatives To Cable TV
    • best rewards credit cards
    • How I Paid Off My $40,000 Student Loans
    • More Money Tips
  • Categories
    • Income Reports
    • How To Save Money
    • Extra Income Ideas
    • Blogging Tips
    • Career Advice
    • College
    • Pay Off Debt
    • Retirement
    • Self-Employment Tips
    • Travel
  • BLOG COURSES
    • AFFILIATE MARKETING COURSE
    • MAKING SENSE OF SPONSORED POSTS
    • HOW TO START A BLOG
  • Contact
    • About
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Recommendations

2 Year Blogiversary and iPad+Cash Giveaway

Last Updated: August 9, 2022 BY Michelle Schroeder-Gardner - 282 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.

260 shares
  • Facebook17
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

2 Year Blogiversary and iPad+Cash GiveawayHey everyone! This week marks two years of blogging for me. I first started blogging two years ago on August 10, 2011. You can find that post here (it’s weird for me to read that post!).

When I first started my blog, I’m not going to lie, I was a complete mess. I probably did everything on a “bad blogger” list and then some more.

I quickly became addicted, and have made tons of awesome friends. The list could go on and on about how many bloggers I love.  There are so many bloggers that I would love to list right now, but I tried that and the list had well over 50 blogs and just looked crazy.

 

Oh, how life has changed.

In the past 2 years, my life has changed drastically. Back in August of 2011, I was working full-time in the same job I have now, I was a full-time Finance MBA student, and we didn’t have much money. I had tons of student loan debt also.

Neither W nor I had any side jobs, and our income was much lower than what it is now. Housing in our budget was somewhere around 30% of our take home pay, whereas now it is much, much lower than that. Food was also a budget killer for us…

We spent lots of money on things that we did not need. We were not saving. We ate out every single day, and most of the time multiples times each day. We did not have a budget.

More personal: the passing of my father and the many family issues I was going through were tearing me apart. I had to start raising my sister and I was not ready. Everything, even 3 years later after he passed, was still reminding me of my father and I would break down everywhere I went.

And that’s when I started to blog. It was a great outlet for me, and still is. Things are getting better, and are great in the financial area. In my personal life, W and I have been together for over 7 years, and we couldn’t be better.

My sister is like my child now (oh hey Lexy!) and it has been awesome watching her grow into an awesome young lady. I have begun talking to my dad’s side of the family, even though it is difficult as I am sure that I am a sad reminder.

We never thought that our lives would be like the way they are today. We have also come to realize that we can’t let money dictate our lives, and that we need to enjoy the little things. I also plan on pursuing what I love instead of stability, which brings great risks but also much more excitement and happiness.

I never thought that my student loans would be gone, and especially not so soon. << STILL shocks me.

Blogging and personal finance blogging drastically changed my life, and for the better. I definitely recommend that others should start their own blog as well.

 

I’m no longer anonymous.

For almost my entire blogging journey, I was anonymous. Not entirely anonymous though. But, as of a couple of months ago, the cat is out of the bag. W told a couple of people and then EVERYONE started to have questions, so now I am no longer anonymous.

It has been different, and it is still a little scary since I feel like I have no privacy now.  Oh well though, I am fine with being a more open person.

 

You are all awesome.

Without all of you awesome bloggers and readers, I don’t know where I would be. I receive numerous emails everyday, that range widely in topics. Many of you have emailed me about family issues, such as losing a parent(s) and your life changing dramatically. I really appreciate these emails and it helps make me stronger. Some of you email me with questions, such as about student loans or fixing your budget. I love all the emails that I receive.

I love receiving emails, comments, tweets and so on. Who doesn’t? I love getting feedback from you all. I love publishing Reader Question posts. I love talking about whatever I want to on my blog. I love it all!

I want to thank all of you for reading. I hope that you continue to enjoy what I write for years and years to come.

Miscellaneous – Diversified Finances and $50 SwagBucks Giveaway

Also, I published a new post on What Not To Do When Leaving Your Job and I provided some real life examples of how some people are crazy when they quit. Check it out and tell me your craziest story! Diversified Finances has been going great, and I’m really glad that I started a second blog for myself to detail my switch to pursuing my passion.

Lastly, before we get to the big giveaway, SwagBucks during the month of August is offering any referral of mine (old or new) that earns at least 50 Swag Bucks in total from any combination of Shop, Search, Watch, Play Answer or Discover (all the different ways to earn SBs) to be automatically entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card from the SwagBucks’ Rewards Store.

Here’s a sign-up code for those of you who might be new to SwagBucks, for anyone that hasn’t signed up but wants to be part of the giveaway:  MAKINGSENSE70 — will give anyone who signs up 70 SB instantly when they redeem this code upon registration.  Make sure when you sign up, you click on the text “I have a sign up code” (it can be small and hard to see, but definitely look for it) to put in the code. It’s live now through Aug 31st. This $50 gift card giveaway is ONLY available to Making Sense of Cents readers who click on my referral link as that’s how the lovely people at SwagBucks are tracking the entries. Thanks SwagBucks!

It was also My Money Design’s 2 year Blogiversary the other day as well, so give MMD some love!

Related Posts

  • Blogging Changed My Life – Could It Change Yours?Blogging Changed My Life – Could It Change Yours?
  • Why I’m Happy I Made The Decision To Leave My High Paying And Secure Job For BloggingWhy I’m Happy I Made The Decision To Leave My High Paying And Secure Job For Blogging
  • $15,151 in March – My Monthly Online Income Report Plus Traffic Stats$15,151 in March – My Monthly Online Income Report Plus Traffic Stats
  • $14,534 November Income – My Monthly Online Income Report$14,534 November Income – My Monthly Online Income Report
  • $14,136 in October Income – My Monthly Online Income Report$14,136 in October Income – My Monthly Online Income Report
  • How I Make Working From Home Work For MeHow I Make Working From Home Work For Me
260 shares
  • Facebook17
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

282 Comments
Filed Under: Blog, Life Tagged With: Blog, Life

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. Gary @ Save Money & Live Better says

    August 18, 2013 at 11:40 pm

    Congrats on two years of blogging! I really enjoy your posts, and aspire to be where you are one day. 😀

    Cheers!
    -Gary

    Reply
  2. Mystica says

    August 19, 2013 at 2:13 am

    I’d like to gift this to my son who has just graduated.

    Reply
  3. Barbara says

    August 19, 2013 at 4:25 am

    I’ll save it for christmas!!!

    Reply
  4. Karin says

    August 19, 2013 at 6:04 am

    Congratulations,I would probably put it in a badget,and save it

    Reply
  5. Amy Heffernan says

    August 19, 2013 at 7:43 am

    My # 1 financial tip is to SAVE SAVE SAVE! I would save 70% of this morning and use the rest for bills. Thanks.

    Reply
  6. Julienne says

    August 19, 2013 at 9:47 am

    My #1 financial tip is to make a change jar with a goal. Ours is a “travel fund.” It makes saving change fun and its amazing how fast all those quarters and dimes add up!

    Reply
  7. GARY CURRY says

    August 19, 2013 at 9:56 am

    I would like this

    Reply
  8. Ana Lara says

    August 19, 2013 at 10:08 am

    If I win I would use the Ipad for my college or save it for Christmas!!

    Reply
  9. Breanna says

    August 19, 2013 at 10:18 am

    I would put the money towards paying off student loans. Financial responsibility at its best 🙂

    Reply
  10. PC says

    August 19, 2013 at 10:29 am

    I would save it or use it to add to my capital.

    Reply
  11. Joyce Broome says

    August 19, 2013 at 11:18 am

    reading your emails really help me

    Reply
  12. nachiketa says

    August 19, 2013 at 1:07 pm

    will get a new watch 😀

    Reply
  13. Debra Holloway says

    August 19, 2013 at 2:21 pm

    If I were lucky enough to win this money I would pay a bill off that I have.

    Reply
  14. Stefanie McMullen says

    August 19, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    If I were to win, I would definitely put the money to good use! We need to pay down a credit card some because of some unexpected, expensive car work that needed to be done. I also have baby number 4 on the way so it’s quite possible that it would go to some much needed baby items!

    Thanks for the great tips and great contest!

    Reply
  15. Vera Kusuma says

    August 19, 2013 at 2:36 pm

    Congratulation!
    Thank you for the giveaway.I have just started with blogging and will learn more..

    Reply
  16. Vera Kusuma says

    August 19, 2013 at 2:38 pm

    Congratulation!
    Thank you for the giveaway. I have just started Blogging and will learn more

    Reply
  17. Beanybopp says

    August 19, 2013 at 3:03 pm

    If I won the money, I would put it back for our son’s booster seat 🙂

    Reply
  18. Lisa Ehrman says

    August 19, 2013 at 3:31 pm

    Use the money for wedding supplies for my child’s wedding.

    Reply
  19. Victor C says

    August 19, 2013 at 4:27 pm

    Ipad would be very handy! Ha!

    Reply
  20. Sahil Tiwari says

    August 19, 2013 at 6:43 pm

    I pad or cash anything would help me expand my freelancing

    Reply
  21. Cheryl says

    August 19, 2013 at 6:58 pm

    We don’t buy anything on credit.

    Reply
  22. Elizabeth K says

    August 19, 2013 at 7:08 pm

    Really like your Blog and Happy Anniversary!!! I would use the prize money for xmas gifts

    Reply
  23. Katie G says

    August 19, 2013 at 7:12 pm

    Another great year for MSOC!! LOVE reading your new posts and applying what I learn to my life. My financial tip would be to stand your ground when family and friends are pressuring you to spend money, when you are trying to achieve your goals (ie – paying off student loans). It’s hard (and sometimes you give in), but in the end it is soo worth it! Cheap outings are always a compromise. 🙂

    Reply
  24. john lamano says

    August 19, 2013 at 7:20 pm

    i will save it and invest it.

    Reply
  25. M.Clark says

    August 19, 2013 at 7:27 pm

    If I won, I would put the cash towards the purchase of a new laptop.

    Reply
  26. Rayshawn Shallow says

    August 19, 2013 at 8:06 pm

    I will buy some groceries

    Reply
  27. Christina says

    August 19, 2013 at 8:28 pm

    If I won I would use the money to splurge on something I really want and haven’t been able to buy.

    Reply
  28. samantha s says

    August 19, 2013 at 9:51 pm

    If I won the cash, I would use it to pay off some debt.

    Reply
  29. Evelyn Chuter says

    August 19, 2013 at 10:51 pm

    I would begin but paying off some of my bill.

    Reply
  30. Sandy says

    August 19, 2013 at 11:58 pm

    I would use the money towards bills. I’m not great with tips but I always try to not use my credit card unless I have the money right there and then to pay it off. It prevents getting into trouble. I know sometimes if you have to you have to but it’s something I at least try to do.

    Reply
  31. Abdulkader says

    August 20, 2013 at 1:35 am

    first congrats to you guys for the 2nd anniversary. Get Paid What You’re Worth and Spend Less Than You Earn. Contribute to a Retirement Plan. Have a Savings Plan.Invest!.Maximize Your Employment Benefits.Review Your Insurance Coverages.Update Your Will. Keep Good Records.this are some of my financial tips.hope u like it. & awesome giveaway.

    Reply
  32. Gianna says

    August 20, 2013 at 3:57 am

    Happy anniversary! Great giveaway! Thank you!

    Reply
  33. Dimana says

    August 20, 2013 at 5:09 am

    I will invest the money in a business idea I have in my mind. If I win an iPad I will use it to further develop my business idea 🙂

    Reply
  34. Kimberly Camille Tiu says

    August 20, 2013 at 5:14 am

    I would splurge on clothes or buy a new camera

    Reply
  35. Karen M. says

    August 20, 2013 at 5:34 am

    the cash will be going to my son’s college fund.

    Reply
  36. Kelly Maxwell says

    August 20, 2013 at 5:40 am

    I would love to win this for my daughter, who just had my first grandson!!

    Reply
  37. JC says

    August 20, 2013 at 6:47 am

    I would use the ipad for college and the money to help pay rent.

    Reply
  38. sherry butcher says

    August 20, 2013 at 6:57 am

    If I won I’d get the laptop computer I’m trying to save for but the home keeps needing repairs so I’m not getting the money together.

    Reply
  39. Peggy Hopkins says

    August 20, 2013 at 7:27 am

    This tip is something that I wish had been taught to me: Don’t buy things, or stuff. I was told all my life that you need this, or you need that when in actuality, I didn’t, and still don’t need any of it. Yeah, it was used once or twice, but it’s all been sitting around for years wasting away. I’m preparing to move to a much smaller residence and my mind is blow away by how much money I spent on stuff and how much it’s actually worth now. I’ve thought often over the last couple of months, if I had invested the 10’s of thousands of dollars I spend on all this stuff I could live comfortably the rest of my life without needing to work, but I didn’t and I can’t change it now, so the only option I have is to give it away, or thow it away and make sure that I never make those mistakes again.

    Reply
  40. cecille says

    August 20, 2013 at 9:00 am

    I would love the ipad but the money I would spend to build my own house.

    Reply
  41. lola says

    August 20, 2013 at 10:04 am

    my financial tip would be when i am not sure about buying something, i wont buy it, I go home and if next day i still want it, i will go and pick it up.

    I save quite a lot of money!

    lola

    Reply
  42. Cara Daymude says

    August 20, 2013 at 10:34 am

    Congrats on your 2 year anniversary of your blog 🙂 If I win I’d Take all cash & save it towards a car or my teeth or maybe even my tax fund i wanna start so I can have $ saved to enter Bigger sweeps I can’t afford the taxes on.

    Reply
  43. Amber D says

    August 20, 2013 at 11:53 am

    I would give the Ipad to my fiance, his broke last year!

    Reply
  44. Jane says

    August 20, 2013 at 12:59 pm

    I will save up the money for emergency situations.

    Reply
  45. CipBtRO says

    August 20, 2013 at 3:00 pm

    I’m saving for a new laptop

    Reply
  46. Rachel Salerno says

    August 20, 2013 at 4:02 pm

    Well I hope I win this for my daughter! She is going to be homeschooled and could really use this to learn on. Thanks!
    -Rachel

    Reply
  47. Craig W says

    August 20, 2013 at 4:45 pm

    Savings Secret #1=before anything else, take 10% of any and all income and place in an interest bearing account and “forget about it!”

    Reply
  48. Karla Sceviour says

    August 20, 2013 at 5:05 pm

    If I won,I would put it towards our home renovations.

    Reply
  49. Supersparklekitty says

    August 20, 2013 at 6:03 pm

    I would like to win the IPAD mini for my husband.If I won the cash,I would save it for Christmas presents.

    Reply
  50. Cláudia Martinho says

    August 20, 2013 at 6:38 pm

    Congrats on the 2 Year Blogiversary!
    I would save most of the money for an emergency and buy a gift for my nephew.
    thank you 🙂

    Reply
  51. Mia Dentice Carey says

    August 20, 2013 at 6:53 pm

    I would use the gift card for my son’s birthday or Christmas present(s).
    My number one tip is if you don’t have the money don’t buy it…if it’s something you REALLY need then pay it off ASAP!

    Reply
  52. M.Clark says

    August 20, 2013 at 7:17 pm

    If I won I would use the cash towards the purchase of a new laptop.

    Reply
  53. Judy says

    August 20, 2013 at 9:37 pm

    I would use the money to pay off my college loans!

    Reply
  54. Holly Storm-Burge says

    August 20, 2013 at 9:49 pm

    If I won, I would choose the cash and put it away for nursing school expenses. Thanks!!!!

    Reply
  55. Monalisa says

    August 20, 2013 at 11:34 pm

    Just stumbled on your blog, and am loving it. You just got a fan here.

    Reply
  56. Arlene Whitfield says

    August 21, 2013 at 12:17 am

    If I won, I would get my kids some much need clothing for the next school year and some household items. Thanks so much for the chance!

    Reply
  57. jeri boss says

    August 21, 2013 at 2:09 am

    i would use for christmas

    Reply
  58. Nicole Sinnott says

    August 21, 2013 at 10:47 am

    I would use everyday for school n all.

    Reply
  59. Stephanie S. says

    August 21, 2013 at 1:43 pm

    I won the cash, I would use it for an emergency fund. If I won the ipad, I would use it for almost everything and share it with my son to help him learn.

    Reply
  60. Shirley Carr says

    August 21, 2013 at 2:45 pm

    I would buy myself something new and decroate my bathroom.

    Reply
  61. Kimberly Guerrero says

    August 21, 2013 at 5:51 pm

    If I win I am going shopping for school and the iPad mini will just come very handy for school.

    Reply
  62. Barendd says

    August 21, 2013 at 7:07 pm

    saving for a new house

    Reply
  63. Faye Mc says

    August 21, 2013 at 9:06 pm

    Pay yourself first is my financial tip.

    Reply
  64. bogdan mohora says

    August 21, 2013 at 11:59 pm

    If I win , I will keep the mini ipad and the money for better times to spend on it.

    Reply
  65. Nicole says

    August 22, 2013 at 2:02 am

    Best tip; track your spending on your own and fully understand where your money goes.

    Reply
  66. Adriane says

    August 22, 2013 at 2:14 am

    I’d pay it on my credit card

    Reply
  67. Joan says

    August 22, 2013 at 2:21 am

    Saving for baby’s baptism 🙂

    Reply
  68. Kathleen says

    August 22, 2013 at 2:56 am

    Congratulations on your Blog Anniversary! I just stumbled onto your blog and sadly to say, I’m not very savings savvy. I hope to spend some time on here and maybe learn a thing or two. If I win the iPad Mini, I will be thrilled! And if I win the $150, I will add $150 of my own to that and start a new savings plan to see how far and how much I can make with it, according to your blog’s advice. If I win the $100, well… just keepin’ it real! I’ll have a night out on the town. (I live in a VERY small town and it doesn’t take much! LOL)

    Reply
  69. violette says

    August 22, 2013 at 11:12 am

    i´ll probably buy a gift to my best friend on birthday and buy some shoes cause rainy days are comming and i have just flipflops 😀

    Reply
  70. Iris says

    August 22, 2013 at 12:11 pm

    Cut down on Starbucks to save money 🙂

    Reply
  71. Cynthia Sizemore says

    August 22, 2013 at 1:16 pm

    if I win this prize I will buy my son some new jeans,have someone design my blog,and buy something for my grandbaby due in February.

    Reply
  72. Bex Smith says

    August 22, 2013 at 2:36 pm

    Congratulations on two years! I would put the money towards my wedding and mortgage 🙂

    Reply
  73. Brandi Price says

    August 22, 2013 at 2:39 pm

    I would keep it for Christmas gifts!

    Reply
  74. krsz says

    August 22, 2013 at 4:20 pm

    I’ll probably save the money for college.

    Reply
  75. MPaula says

    August 22, 2013 at 5:00 pm

    Pay off credit cards in full every month OR cut up the card!

    Reply
« Older Comments
Newer Comments »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Making Sense of Cents welcome page photo
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.

As Seen On

as seen on
How To Start A Blog
making sense of affiliate marketing for bloggers
My Monthly Online Income Reports
My Student Loans Are Gone - How I Paid Off $38,000 In Student Loans
How To Prevent Financial Fraud From Happening To You
Buying a House at 20 (How I did it)
How To Make Money Blogging Picture
How To Save 50% Or More Of Your Income Picture
How I Graduated From College In 2.5 Years With 2 Degrees AND Saved $37,500
75+ Ways To Make Extra Money

 

HOME
ABOUT
CONTACT
FREE FB GROUP

PRIVACY POLICY
TERMS OF USE
DISCLAIMER / EARNINGS DISCLAIMER
Copyright © 2011 - 2023. All Rights Reserved.

© 2023 Making Sense of Cents
Design by Swoon & Co. Creative