I LOVE What I Do…
I’ve had one of those days today… you know, the kinda day when you just feel down in the dumps. I am sad and that’s honestly the truth. I usually try to keep things very positive on my site, but for now… I think I’ll go ahead and speak my mind. Being honest and open always makes me feel a LOT better, so here goes…
I started this blog in the summer of 2008 for family and friends… I couldn’t contain my excitement in the deals I was getting and had to share– that’s where the blog came in. For 6 months I worked day in and day out searching for deals, posting deals, making sure deals were legit and the list goes on. I NEVER realized when I first started blogging that I could actually make money. …So overtime I finally figured this out and was excited to learn that not only could I do what I love, but I could also do it while earning some money in return! And the added and best bonus– I could do this while staying home with my kiddos!
Now… I know… I’m making this sound like a dream job, so let me tell you something you may not realize. I work entirely too much… when you don’t have an 8 to 5 job and the emails never stop rolling on in, it’s hard to know when to stop. I love what I do and I love helping others, so closing my laptop for the night without getting through those last couple emails is one of the hardest things I have to do. I also like to be on top of the deals, but sometimes staying on top of the deals is impossible and I end up being hard on myself for missing a deal. I know this sounds so little in the grand scheme of things, but Hip2Save is a huge part of my life and I take pride in what I do.
As you may have noticed, I posted a Sponsored post earlier today for Mission Tortillas. Quite a few of you seemed very upset by that post and I apologize for that. At the end of the day, I blog because I absolutely LOVE doing it (the money is an added bonus)! If you know me personally, well, you know this. I’m also very sensitive, so reading hurtful comments doesn’t sit well with me. I was tempted to delete the post altogether, but I didn’t because lots of you took the time to leave helpful comments with recipes and more.
If you read my blog daily, you should know I RARELY do sponsored posts. In fact, this was my third sponsored post since starting this blog over 2 years ago! I am very picky about the sponsored posts I choose and try to pick ones that are relevant to my site.
I appreciate my life, love my husband, have 3 amazing kids, a very supportive extended family, and an amazing blog with awesome readers! With that being said, I was pretty upset, frustrated, offended, surprised by the comments left in the sponsored post today. Now, as many of you know, I am no stranger to negative comments; however, what bothered me today and what prompted me to write this post were the comments that I had somehow changed, that Hip2Save had changed in the recent months?!
I am here to say in writing that it is still me, the same Collin, who started this blog a couple years ago. I still love finding and snagging deals, still shop with my giant coupon binder, still get excited when I score something for free, still sign up for way too many samples. I am slightly insulted that readers have accused me of changing, saying that my blog is somehow not the same. The only thing that changed recently for me was the weather; during the summer months, I dedicate much more times to my kids and inevitably a little less time on Hip2Save. If you have felt like there was less of me and my personality infused in recent posts, there likely was as I was giving more of “me” to my kids.
Hip2Save has become what it is today because of YOU, so thank you! You guys rock!
Each of you who take the time to come to my blog, leave comments, and send emails are truly my virtual friends. I know we have never met in person (well, I’ve actually met some of you!), but we all have a common interest with our passion for saving money, using coupons, finding deal etc. I feel like there’s a great community here on Hip2Save and I don’t want to lose that. Now that the summer is coming to an end, I would love for you to email me any ideas you have for the site. Would you like to see a new feature?! Do you have a post topic or video idea? Let me know!
Thanks for taking the time to read this post… I’m not the kinda person that can bottle stuff up inside, so when I’m upset, you’ll hear about it! 😉
Collin…I for one absolutely LOVE you’re blogspot! I check it each day, sometimes more than once a day! You have saved me so much money in the past, and found great deals that I would not have known about otherwise.
I have often wondered how many hours a day you must spend on the computer, away from your family.
I hope you never change ANYTHING on your blog….you are amazing! I appreciate all you do for those of us who are trying to survive in todays economy! Your blog is extremly helpful to me and I am grateful you are sharing your secrets with us! Keep up the good work!!
Collin,
I haven’t been able to check your site for a few days till this am with my cup of coffee in hand, and I was shocked to see your post. Girl, this is YOUR blog, and I just don’t know how you have enough time in your day to do what you do! I love hip2save, and and have told tons of people about your amazing site! You are entitled to have a bad day, but seeing how much you pour your heart & soul into it, well it makes me have a bad day too! KUDOS to you Collin, your ARE doing an AMAZING job, so don’t let some readers bring you down. It’s the true couponers who KNOW that your working your hiney off!
Thanks again for all you do.. so go hug your kids, kiss the hubby and enjoy a cup of coffee with me too!
Peace & happy blogging!
Maehing O
Is there a way to make a lemon logo w/ I heart sponsored posts on it? LOL!
Collin, its so nice to hear how you honestly feel! As a fellow blogger, I look up to you and think “Wow, how the heck does she have time to make her site so awesome?!!”
You do have to have thick skin as a blogger, especially w/ so many followers. You can’t please everyone. I’ll just say thanks for doing what you do!!!
Collin,
I am sorry to hear that some people can be so rude. I am new to the blogging, couponing, internet deal seeking thing and I must say … your website is the first and sometimes only one I go to. You have introduced me to quite a few ideas and free samples I never would have thought existed. I’ve saved a lot of money and with the degree of difficulty finding a job every penny counts. Thank you so much!!!!
Unfortunately, you’ll still get those rude people but I’m sure there are so many others out there that are more positive and supportive of you and what you do that they’ll outweigh the nasties any day. I am sorry for their lack of common courtesy and can only send a little prayer their way that they find something to make them happy and not sweat the small stuff.
Thank you again to all you do and to your family for sacrificing their time to help us out!
Bless you!
Collin,
I was so sad to see your post about all the negative responses you received. I want to encourage you, I think your site is amazing! I tell everyone who will listen to visit, you are always on top of things. I personally don’t feel like you ever missed a beat and I’m glad you put your kids first this summer. They are the ones that will last forever. You are an encouraging person and I apologize for those people who were rude to you. If you find a sponsor you want to support, it’s your site and you can support ’em if you want to 🙂
Collin,
I just saw this post, I have been a little behind the last few days. Please don’t let rude, idiotic people let you feel sad. You must know how many of us absolutely adore you, and feel so thankful for Hip2Save each and every time we check it and find an amazing deal, a free sample or a funny story. Your site is BY FAR the best out there, and I check a lot of them! Do what you have to do to keep your sanity. Spend time with you kids whenever you want, and never feel guilty about not posting a deal. It’s not the end of the world, your family is far more important, and decent people, good people will understand that. Keep up the amazing work!!!!!!
I just wanted to add my 2 cents, that this site is more than awesome and you clearly devote a ton of time to helping all of us. I haven’t been following you for too long, but it is still very exciting to come and see what you have posted for the day.
Thanks a million and I KNOW there are more of us who love what you do then those sad people that appearently woke up on the wrong side of the bed each day, just ignore it.