I love a good party (and by good party I mean, one where I know at least 25% of the people there). Surprisingly enough, I get really nervous meeting new people if I’m not with a few people I already know well. That’s why 5 Minutes for Mom’s 2010 Ultimate Blog Party is such a great party. I can get to know other bloggers (and more of my readers) without any of those awkward moments (I hope). This is my first Ultimate Blog Party! The 2010 Ultimate Blog Party is hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom. I was privileged to meet the sisters behind 5 Minutes for Mom at Disney’s Social Media Mom’s Conference in February. The idea behind the Ultimate Blog Party is to introduce yourself to other bloggers and get to know other bloggers as well! Make sure you visit the Ultimate Blog Party 2010. You’ll get a chance to read some other great blogs and they’re giving away prizes!
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while (or if you start reading about me and your eyes glaze over), feel free to scroll past the “all about me…blah blah blah” right to the good stuff…the $20 Target Gift Card Giveaway.
My name is Lisa and I’m 33 years old. I’ve been married to my amazing husband Fred for 5 years. Our lives have been insanely crazy during those 5 years and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Six years ago, I met my husband on eHarmony. He’s incredibly awesome and I knew I wanted to marry him within the first month of meeting him!
Five years ago, we got married and began our life of wedded bliss in warm, sunny Phoenix, Arizona.
Four years ago, we moved to warm, sunny Fort Wayne Indiana. During that year, we also met and fell in love with an 8 year old girl named Khrystyna who lived in an orphanage in Ukraine. We immediately began the process of adopting her.
Three years ago, we got our approval to travel to Ukraine to adopt Khrystyna. While in Ukraine, we met and fell in love with an 11 year old girl named Amina. Five weeks later, we were the official parents of both Amina and Khrystyna. We have been so blessed by them! I can’t even begin to imagine life without them.
Two years ago, we decided that we wanted to move closer to the school our daughters attend and so we bought a major fixer-upper and moved from Fort Wayne to Auburn. We also realized we had a ridiculous amount of debt (partly due to the adoption and partly due to not living within our means).
One year ago, I started blogging at savingmoneylivingbetter.blogspot.com as a way to stay financially accountable and as a way to share the things I was learning about saving money and paying off debt!
Three months ago, I moved to WordPress and SimplifiedSaving.com was launched. I love to share deals I find, freebies, and tips and tricks for saving money. I also like to review books and products and do giveaways. Although you will primarily find deals, reviews, and giveaways, there are also quite a few posts on weight loss and fitness since I am currently a contestant on Fort Wayne’s Smallest Winner, a weight loss competition similar to The Biggest Loser. We’re only in our second week of competition, but during the first week I lost 5.8 pounds.
I have tons more to share with you, but I know you have other things you’d like to be doing, so I’ll wrap it up!
Giveaway
As a way of saying “Thanks” for visiting and/or subscribing to Simplified Saving, I’m going to be giving away a $20 Target Gift Card.
Want to Win?
Leave me a comment! Don’t just say something boring like I want to win…Be original! Tell me something interesting about yourself (or your blog) or tell me what you’d like to see in the future on Simplified Saving.
Additional Entries: Leave a comment for each.
1. Subscribe to Simplified Saving by Email.
2. Subscribe to Simplified Saving in a Reader.
3. Follow @LisaAboutLife on Twitter.
4. Follow this blog on Google Friend Connect (in the right-hand sidebar).
5. Become a Fan of Simplified Saving on Facebook.
Winner will be chosen on April 17th at 8 pm Eastern time. This giveaway is open to US residents only.
I found you through UBP. I love the premise of your blog and really appreciate the fact that you are willing to help the rest of us. I grew up in a house where we watched what we bought, and my dad was coupon king. But I married someone who is fond of saying “need is irrelevant” when he wants something that I don’t think we need. I’m working on getting him to understand our needs and how to meet them. I’m sure your blog will help. I’m following you now.
Visiting from the UBP ! I live fairly close to ft wayne and also love saving money i’m following now. I hope you’ll stop by my site http://www.bargainfun.net
Hi Lisa! Nice to meet you. I recently tried eharmony but really didn’t have any luck. maybe I’ll try again in the future. Thanks for the giveaway!
Hi! I’m visiting from UBP! I’d love to win a Target GC. We have a blended family of 6. I have a 14yr old from a 1st marriage, a 10 & 8 yr old from my husbands 1st marriage and “ours” is 6. I have my hands full! You’ll have to come check it out here if you want to know more-LOL. There’s a post about my family and several funny posts about our 6 yr old this week! Happy to find your blog!
Bridgette
http://www.groschengoblins.com/
I subscribed to your blog by email. joeandbridge@aol.com
I follow you on Google.
I follow you on Twitter. (@joeandbridge)
I am a Facebook Fan. Thanks!
fb name: bridgette.groschen
I love that you have two girls from Ukraine! My husband visited there when he was in college, and he told me all about the orphanages there. How blessed they (and you!) are! We just had our first baby, and we are planning to adopt after she’s about 2 or so. It’s so exciting to hear others talk about this experience! So nice to read about you!
Following via Google Friend Connect!
I’m now a Facebook fan! Username: Stephanie Jones
I am following you on Twitter! Handle: asthepotter
Hi,
Stopping by from the UBP.
You have a great blog here.
Something interesting about myself, I have been married almost 22 years and we have a four and half year old who is our miracle baby.
Please stop by my blog party sometime.
Take Care.
http://misc-oceansky.blogspot.com
I’m always up for reading more about saving money. I am a homeschooling mom with 3 kids, ages 17, 13 and 10. I am just getting started with blogging, and enjoying it, but it sure does take a lot of time.
I subscribe by email
ajolly1456 at gmail dot com
I follow on google friend connect
I follow on twitter, lunaj1456
I am a facebook fan (Anne Jolly)
New follower! I can’t wait to hear more about your girls. How extrodinary that you finally got the approval for one and left with two.
Thanks for the giveaway – If I win, I will be sure to s-t-r-e-t-c-h my dollars by using COUPONS (I am an avid couponer as of 7 months ago!)
I love saving money and meeting others who do too! I saw that you are in Fort Wayne IN. I am now in New Jersey, grew up in PA but was born in Fort Wayne! I some day wanna make it back that way for a visit! Hope you stop on by to my Blog during this Awesome Blog party!
Lauren @ MidgetMomma1200budget.blogspot.com
Love your blog ….am adding it to my sidebar…This is such a fun party and I have already met some of the greatest bloggers… I am sad it is about to end. I am amazed at all the different and creative blogs. Stop by for a visit…just leave a comment on any of the last few posts on either blog and you are eligible for the GRAND PRIZE $100 GIFT BASKET! I am going to draw Friday night…..
http://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/
http://grammyababychangeseverything.blogspot.com/
Just stopping in from UBP 2010!!! Joined your following. Like the clean user friendly type of blog, and interesting to read! Thanks, @madly59 love all the saving tips you help us with!
Thanks for visiting my blog! I’m adding you to my Reader. I look forward to taking advantage of some of great deals you feature here. I’d love to win this giveaway and best of luck in mine!
I will definitely be a follower! It will take us another 4/5 years to pay off our foolish debt.
UBP party! Thanks for your Great Blog!
Visit my blog at:
http://melissaneece.blogspot.com
On This Journey of Learning (#955)
A Research blog about fertility, pregnancy, birth, newborns, natural health and more.