The Power of Change: A Frugal Move to Wise Bread

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I have a new home on the Internet — Wisebread.com — and the move is part of my frugal strategy. Quite simply, as a long-time frugal blogger, I’ve hit the conservation and delete button. I’m saving my energy and getting greater mileage from my online presence.

Here's what I've learned:

Join a Co-op

Community efforts and joint projects can increase our professional and personal accounts. For instance, as a shopper I participate in an organic co-op that saves money because the cost of a large shipment of organic fruits and vegetables is shared by a large group. We share the expense; we share the discount. My family also plans to participate in a community garden in which we’ll share the labor and the harvest.

Likewise, as a writer, I participated in 10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget, a Wise Bread project that was shared by about 40 writers. As consumers, we can save money by sharing tools, babysitters, clothing and books.

The Lesson: Group efforts and co-ops are frugal uses of time and money.

Specialize

As the founder of the Frugal Duchess blog, I was a one-woman shop, responsible for writing, editing, formatting, designing, ad sales, marketing and networking. That’s a lot of hats for one person to wear, especially given the other roles in my life: mother of three, syndicated newspaper columnist, in-house writer for a large nonprofit, poet and author of The Frugal Duchess: How to Live Well and Save. Those duties exhausted me, and I struggled under daily and hourly pressures to update my blog with great content. But as part of the Wise Bread team, I can specialize in the task that I do best: writing and reporting. It’s a better use of my time, and specialization will free up time and energy for other professional and creative opportunities.

The Lesson: To earn more, sometimes you have to do less.

Networking

In addition to my Frugal Duchess newspaper column, I have teamed up with Myscha Theriualt, another Wise Bread blogger to write an internationally frugal travel column from McClatchy Tribune news service, which is being picked up by a number of well-known newspapers (online and print). Our joint efforts have led to additional networking opportunities. In business, art and friendship, networking is a valuable tool that provides introduction, resources and education.

The Lesson: Networking cuts through the red tape that can tie up money, time and other resources.

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Financial Samurai's picture

Given Wise Bread has such an established infrastructure, it would be wise to relocate permanently if you are properly compensated.

That goes double if you're already super busy in your personal life!

Keigu,

Financial Samurai
"Slicing Through Money's Mysteries"

Frugal Duchess's picture

 

Your comment is so thoughtful and on target! I really admire the quality of work offered by the blogging team at Wise Bread  and the excellent  behind-the-scenes infrascture provided by the management team.

It was hard to let go of my solo-blogging efforts, but I am so glad that I have made the switch!!!

Thanks so much for your supportive comment. It means so much to me!

Take Care,

Sharon

 Sharon is the author of The Frugal Duchess: How to Live Well and Save Money.

Myscha Theriault's picture

Welcome officially, Sharon. It is so super cool to have you on board. You're going to have a blast.

You can also follow me on Twitter and Trek Hound.

Frugal Duchess's picture

 

Thanks for the official welcome!  It's an honor to work with you, Will, Lynn, Linsey and the other members of the Wise Bread team.

Thanks for helping me to get settled at my new online home.

Sharon is the author of The Frugal Duchess: How to Live Well and Save Money.

Guest's picture
Kelly

As a mom of 4, and a blogger I think this a fabulous idea! I love that you are being frugal with your time. I'm learning to do the same, and I'm sure it will lead to a more balanced life for both of us.

Guest's picture
Guest

I just discovered the Frugal Duchess blog and signed up for email. Was that in vain???/

I wish you well in your new location - is there an email version? Don't use Twitter often, so that's no go.

Cheers!

Guest's picture
Guest

I just discovered the Frugal Duchess blog and signed up for email. Was that in vain???/

I wish you well in your new location - is there an email version? Don't use Twitter often, so that's no go.

Cheers!

Guest's picture

I have been making as much use of networking as I can this year and it's working wonders.... I love my blog though so not sure how I could ever merge or abandon it but stranger things have happened :).

Thanks,
Forest.