OK folks, maybe I was wrong, maybe people DON’T like a contest 
Although I’ve had over 800 hits since I posted the contest, and about 250 of those repeat visitors (so folks who hopefully are regular readers) I’ve only had 3 people post ideas on how I could improve my blog.
So either I’m perfect, or you guys aren’t in a posting mood. (Or could it be the prize? Are we are all so frugal that we are afraid a $5 gift certificate to Red Lobster/Olive Garden/Bahama Breeze etc would whip us into a spending frenzy and we’d go out and spend $50 on a meal-hey, did you ever consider just taking yourself out for the soup and a salad at the Olive Garden with it instead???)
So please, take a minute and pop down to THIS POST and make a comment on how you think I could improve this blog. It can be physical layout, information provided, topics you’d like to see (or like not to see) etc etc etc. Or if you really do think I’m perfect and not a gosh darn thing should be changed, leave a comment saying that
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I think you are doing just fine. I am a regular visitor although I have never commented and I love the ideas that you have on your blog. I read every one except for the lunch box report only because I don’t have school age kids. Keep up the “perfect” work!
I like the colors. Quite soothing to the eyes. However, the right sidebar is very busy. I would try to switch to a 3 column theme or remove some items from the sidebar.
On my site, I still need to streamline the CSS, but it takes alot of time to learn, test, and commit these changes.
The banner at the top is a bit too busy, I think. With white text, I’ve found it’s best to have a solid (darker) colour background, rather than one in lighter shades that fades between colours.
I enjoy your blog, but don’t usually post comments. What I would like to see is more specific advice on living frugally. I agree that frugal and cheap are very different. I would like you to give specific advice on just how that works in your life.
For example, I am trying different things in my son’s lunch box because of your focus on Princess’ lunch box. Perhaps you could give some more home made ideas that work for you.
And though I appreciate the information about what other blogs are doing, I would love to hear what you do.
Some ideas about what I would like to hear your opinion on – what do you keep in your car that helps with remaining frugal? Can you tell me how to organize the mountain of Barbie stuff, frugally, but neatly? What is the one thing that you think some one wouldn’t think was a frugal purchase, but turns out to be the best, most money saving thing you have?
I will keep reading……
Here’s a few frugal subjects I’d be interested in. Since I’m a fairly new reader, you might have covered them in the past.
What vegetables/fruit grow easily in X area. Can you grow them at your home, or do you forage/PYO farms/CSA markets? What you can grow at home, are they in the ground or containers?
How do you lower your heating/cooling bills? Have we walked around with a candle and sealed off drafts? Insulated (including pipes)? Put reflectors in the ceiling/windows/curtains (in warm areas)? When I find the link that has a decorative curtain treatment that cuts down on heat loss in winter, I’ll link it. How many readers plugged in appliances that draw 24/7 power into power strips that can be totally turned off?
Compare cell phone plans to find out which are the better deals for families, including deposits, early cancellation fees, and especially hidden stuff like teens get into trouble for, like searching online for a phone number got my neighbor in trouble, downloading ring-tones, ect…
Flea markets, what are some good ones in your readers’ areas?
Are you or your readers members of local coops? Do their coops offer more than just locally grown veggies? Do they order bulk-grain? Pet/livestock meds? Swaps like seeds/plants or clothes?
Who raises their own livestock, or wants to?
I haven’t done a lot of the stuff I mentioned in this comment yet, but hope to soon. I have been gardening, but I need to improve a lot. We go to flea markets, but I’m not in any coops. We’ve started raising rabbits, and I really would love to try aquaponics (hydroponics combined with fish-farming). I’d also like to try growing mushrooms.
Hopefully there’s a few ideas in there for you 8^)
Curtain Treatment to Save Heat
I am a faithful reader, but have never commented. I recently, in the past year or so, became a SAHM and am trying to be frugal,yet enjoy my time at home with my kids without worrying every day about not being able to make ends meet. I bought the complete Tightwad Gazette and have read it cover to cover, but there are so many ideas and things to try,I have to admit I am a bit overwhelmed. I enjoyed reading your posts and becoming excited about something and trying it out. Thanks for all your hard work, keep it up!
I enjoy your receipes and would like some that copy (taste similalr) to foods served in restaurants