For the past few months I have been re-evaluating the blog and thinking about how I can integrate more of where I am in my life journey, so I thought I would take some time to let you in on the process.
I started blogging in 2009 and while many of you know me from the Living On Less Than $28,000 A Year series, my vision for the blog and my life has always been bigger. The difficulty comes because when readers “know” you for one aspect, they are usually reticent to accept you in any other context. I have struggled with this fact over the past months as my life, my purpose and our income have changed.
The Peaceful Mom tagline is “Save Money, Get Organized and Enjoy Life”, but there is a bigger picture. We are not living on less and saving money simply to have more money. We are getting our finances, homes and lives in order so that we can have the space and resources to pursue our dreams and live our true priorities. I believe strongly that we are each created with a unique message, passion and purpose that we can use creatively to change the world around us for the better.
My personal passion is to inspire and encourage you to discover YOUR purpose and to equip you with tools that enable you to live the life that YOU were created to live. If you are a mom, it’s true that your first priority and purpose is your marriage and family, but I have learned that you can love your family well and simultaneously take steps to make your life’s passion become a reality.
As I focus more on my passion and mission, I will be making a few changes to the blog.
No More Weekly Shopping Posts
The first change is that I will no longer be taking photographs of my groceries (I will still post my weekly menu). For three years I have shared my weekly shopping with you to help you see how I save money on groceries. I do want you to save money, but I just cannot take one more photo of my groceries sprawled across the counter top (and I know that some of you don’t care to see them anyway–haha!).
You can still find lots of resources to help you save in my Save Money on Groceries Series and my Save More Clip Less ebook.
New “Be More” Posts
Notice that I said “be more”, not “do more”. I am not putting pressure on anyone to add more activities to her schedule. If anything, I am encouraging you to do less so that you can focus on what is truly important.
I will continue to give you practical tools to help you order your time, your home and your finances, but I will also be sharing insights into how I am living a “more” life and I will share what I am learning so that you can come along on my journey.
More Interaction
I am working on a couple of ideas for connecting with you more such as a video course, a private Facebook group and possibly the opportunity to participate in some phone conferences centered around specific topics.
I would love to hear your feedback on these ideas and whether or not you would be interested in participating. You will also see some changes to the website as I implement new ideas.
So if you’re a regular reader, THANK YOU! You can click here to sign up for my FREE Weekly enotes so you can keep up with all the latest news (and you’ll get some cool freebies too!). If you are new, I’m glad you’re here and I look forward to hanging out with you. 🙂
Leave a comment and let me know what you think.
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Dear Kimberlee, thank you for such a post, as I read you every week, and you are a true inspiration for me. I am just in my early thirties and lost my mum 10 years ago. Your blog really helps me concentrate on what’s important- meaningful life, being more than just a part of consumer society and supporting family values. Your blog means a lot to me, really thank you.
Thank you so much for your kind words Elena! I am very glad that I can be an encouragement to you! 🙂
Kimberlee – I’m already enjoying your new “Be More” posts! Just as another reader stated, there are plenty of websites and blogs that talk about how to save money in all facets of life but I have not found a blog, yet, that really encourages spiritual and personal growth as well as you do. Thanks for reminding me on a daily basis to be a better person, to be more to myself, and to have faith!
Wow, thanks so much for the compliment Dara! I am so glad that I could encourage you. 🙂
I love your blog, and i think you are that wonderful woman from proverbious 31,indeed. I have learned a lot with you. God bless you and your family,always..
Hugs,
Sandra
Thanks so much Sandra! That is a very high compliment indeed!
Hey Kimberlee,
Thanks for all you do through your blog. It is my favorite website to check regularly. I have taken lots of your advice and followed your example for meal planning and other things.
I’m glad for ya’ll entering this new chapter in your family life. Seems like ya’ll worked hard and practiced self-discipline and are now reaping the harvest of that in many ways.
I love Aldi, too. I was so happy when we moved near one!
–Have a great week!
Thanks Suzanne! I really appreciate your encouragement.
Good for you! I look forward to whatever you’ll have in store for us to read/partake of!
I have found that I want more of the personal storiess, uplifting posts and ideas of how to be a better person more than deals. I find myself reading the “saving” posts as I still need to save money but more focused on me. I have decreased my time reading blogs and facebook to spend more time with my family and so when I do those things I like to read more thought provoking ideas than just which coupon to clip.
Although I like seeing what others buy, my OCD would keep me from taking pictures 🙂 My fridge and cupboards are almost irritatingly organized. I wish other areas of my life were as well. Maybe you could do a post now and then of deals you got that you turned into meals with recipes included and then continue with posts of how to save my sanity not just money.
thank you for being one of my favorite blogs that I read!
Thanks so much for your feedback Em. I am very glad to be one of your favorites (and I hope it stays that way). 🙂
Well your grocery pics helped me as I prepared for my new grocery shopping adventures. Thanks so much for the time you spent. Looking forward to your new changes and insights.
I will miss your pics of your groceries but I do understand what a hassle it is to not be able to quickly put everything away. I was doing that scanning thing for a while & had to scan all my groceries once I got home & it was such a hassle to have everything laid out on my kitchen table so I could scan my items for points. You sure have patience! Good luck on your new adventure! I hope it all works out the way you envision it!
P.S. I’ve always been meaning to ask you…what do you do with the little sweet peppers you have photographed on a lot of your grocery photos? Do you eat them raw or cook them? They always look so pretty & colorful in the bag when I see them & they also make me think of you!
Thanks for your encouragement Sterling Rose! We usually eat the peppers raw with ranch dressing, but I have also chopped them and added them to dishes like our Mexican Burger recipe here, or added them to salads. Aren’t they beautiful?
I love stopping by and reading your latest posts. Looking forward to the new changes that are to come! 🙂
I love your idea of looking at the big picture and evolving. We have limited time and energy that should be used for our and our families purpose. Looking forward to the changes!
I enjoy reading your blog. I can totally understand the need to cease taking pics of the groceries. I try putting mine away as fast as possible. 🙂 This is my first year homeschooling and I love your concept of being more vs doing more. I’m ready to learn more about it. Thank you for sharing with all your readers.
It is such a relief to just get them in the fridge and pantry now. 🙂
Be More!!! I love it!!!!!! You have been an inspiration to me in so many areas so looking forward to this new change. I will have to say I have missed your grocery pictures though:) Yes if it would work in my schedule( depends on the day) I would like to participate in the phone conversations!!! May God Be the Glory:)
Thanks Karen!
This is a timely posting for me. I have a loved one who is under the care of hospice and a teenage daughter who is being evaluated medically for a serious illness. Life is short and precious. I keep thinking about “To everything there is a season…” (ecclesiastes 3:1-8). I remind myself that life needs to be lived with purpose and am especially reminded of that Bible verse at this moment in my life.
I am so sorry to hear that you are dealing with these challenges Anna, but I know that God is faithful and He will enable you to do what needs to be done. Be sure to take time to take care of yourself in the midst of this stress.
I think this is awesome! I have been loving blog posts where people are just being real. Taking away all of the formalities and being real about what they can and can’t do, what is important and how it is okay to not be Superwoman. I, too, am in a phase of life where I am attempting to simplify to create more time and space to pursue my passions and God-given mission beyond my family. Now that my kids are both in school, I am getting to know me again and what those things are. Thanks for your transparency. Maybe I will just get up enough courage to blog my own journey. 🙂 Blessings.
That is great Kristi! I love my children very much, and I am sure you do too. I made many sacrifices for them, as I think we should, but there has to be a little corner for us as individuals separate from our children as well. I hope you do blog. It has been one of the ways that I discovered my passion and purpose.
All of us go through changes… I am getting ready to leave one job, possibly take another, and mostly become more “me”. This was not planned… just felt it and decided to act on my feelings. I think we know when it is time for change and thinking outside the box is nice. Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us!
Good for you Patti! Life is too short to spend long hours doing something you don’t want to do.
I always love reading your blog. I’m new at saving money and love to read your tips and tricks. The main reason for me to save money is not because I don’t have any, but because I don’t want to work so much anymore. My husband takes care of our three children during the day and I feel I’m missing out.
So I totally get the need to live a “more” live. You go girl!
Thanks Marjan! I pray that you can find a way to work less, so you can have more time with your family. Thanks for hanging around. 🙂
I love that with blogging, readers can watch you change and evolve as it should be…after all, such is life. 🙂 Love catching up on your blog and reading what you share! Thanks!
Melissa Kaylene
I have gleaned much from your blog in the year I have been following. I’m looking forward to your continued journey. Many blessings!
Kimberlee..You are beyond wonderful and you never cease to amaze me…seeing where you are today and how far you’ve come and how much you love life..and how good you are at teaching people how to use hairspray.. LOL had to throw that in!! HA..
You are truly a woman living out her passions and pleasing God with her life. It is an honor to know you my friend..you inspire me to BE more than I am…
love ya,
Mona
Thank you so much Mona! You are always such an encouragement to me. 🙂
Great move. In 2008 your tips were probably needed in that not too many other blogs were doing that. But now all these blogs are doing that exact thing but your journey to the next stage in your life is great and I look forward to reading your posts!
Thanks Catherine!
These are awesome changes! I always love reading this and your blog continually reminds me to save money, eat better, and above all rest in the Lord.
Change… embrace it. I love the new direction! Interesting, I feel like my life is going I’m this direction took. Shopping habits have changed (mostly do aldi now, nocoupons). My focus is changing, in a bloom where you are planted kind of way. Wishing you continued success!
Thanks Jennie! Yes, I think I am sticking with Aldi now too. It’s just so much simpler.
Well I love all your ideas under the more interaction. I think that would give a nice variety. But I must say I would miss your grocery pics. Always nice to see and hear what and how people are purchasing these days. I know that all varies on season and especially where in the US you live (and now add to the possible Syrian war, where gas and food prices will go is kinda scary !).
And mostly the BE more not DO more.. I had to reread that one. As a Mother (person who wears many hats) it seems like its always DO more…. Who wouldn’t want to BE more?
I know what you mean about always having more to do Loyda. I have learned to let some things go, based on the season of life that I am in because I can’t possibly do it all.
I love it! I am happy to hear your journey keep up the good work!
Thanks Kimberly! I appreciate your encouragement.