Uncategorized

Couponing 101 Update

First of all, thank you all so much for your concern. When I logged into my email and FB page, I was touched by all the messages and emails of concern about my well-being. I deeply apologize for giving any of you cause for worry; there have been no personal or family tragedies.

So, where have I been?

To be honest, I completely burned out. I’ve been running this blog for 7 years now, and I kind of thought I would run it forever. But a series of events led me to a breaking point where I just had to walk away.

Despite having an AMAZING team, the amount of work I needed to do every day to run this site became more than I could physically keep up with. I’m a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom, and my family is my number one priority. My husband is working full-time and going to school part-time, which means he is gone for most of the day. My kids are now in 4th and 6th grades, so the amount of homeschool work has increased quite a bit as well.

Trying to keep our home running smoothly with my husband gone most of the time, keeping up with my kids schooling, and trying to run a website full-time (even part-time!) was enough to keep me so stressed out that I lost a very unhealthy amount of weight over the past year. I felt so drained ALL the time and it was beginning to really affect my health.

I was also being led to teach a weekly class in our homeschool community. I knew I needed and wanted to do this, but adding that one little thing was like the straw that broke the camels back. It would be impossible to do it all. And I am someone who hates admitting that I can’t do it all. But I can’t. I had to be realistic for the sake of my family and my health.

So, in a moment of stress-induced panic, I quit. Even though I knew it had to be done, it was so incredibly hard. I love this website and the wonderful community of readers here. And I’m so sorry this note is long overdue, it was difficult to find the words to explain this decision.

All of that said, Couponing 101 is not going away completely. I’m not removing the website; all of my tutorials, recipes, and couponing tips are still here and will remain here (I even plan on reorganizing the site a bit so that these older posts are easier to find). I just won’t be sharing constant updates on deals and coupons like I did before. I still plan to post occasionally, when there is an exceptional deal, or a tip or idea I need to get off my chest (kind of like how I did things in the very beginning, when I first started blogging). I know it won’t be the same, and most of you won’t stick around, but this is the only way I can keep the blog going and still keep my sanity.

Thank you all SO MUCH for reading. I am so incredibly thankful for all of you who have been with me for years; I appreciate you more than I can even express. ♡

    38 Comments

  1. I’m glad everything is fine! Sometimes in life we have to make choices we don’t really like. I want to say I have enjoyed & learn a lot from your site. I will check back time to time. I do miss you and your information.

    Reply

  2. It takes courage to write about your short comings. Your family and taking care of yourself comes first. You had to reprioritize which is ok. Life happens and if you have to readjust your followers will have to as well. I have been a long time subscriber and I’m not going anywhere. Your website is wonderful and I looking forward to the reorganization.

    Reply

  3. I’m so glad to see an update and that you are doing well. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the posts as I have been tuned in since 2010 during a time where I really needed to cut back on expenses. I have learned so much from you and have changed completely how I look at purchases because of your help. You will be missed, but I look forward to any future information you provide. Bless you and your family.

    Reply

  4. I understand the stress life brings & your health has to come first. You need to be there for your babies.
    It is always hard to realize we can no longer be superwoman & do it all. Been there, so I know too well.
    Suggestion for your coupon database; maybe put a link directing people to another’s blogger database. This will take a lot off the table for you & allow you to blog great information etc.

    Feel better

    Reply

  5. why are there no items listed for recent coupons for Wal=mart.. those shown are for July… we are in Nov 2015… just wondering… is there a more update

    Reply

  6. I’m just so glad you and your family are ok. Thank you for all of your work that you have freely given us. I hope you the best! I’m still going to following you, this is where it all started for me. Thank you again.

    Reply

  7. Your email mentioned your husband was doing college work. Is he aware of ‘credit by examination’ ? MANY colleges accept CLEP, and/or DSST, and/or Excelsior College: Examinations Community, an/or Thomas Edison State College credit exams (TECEP’s). Should your husband want to explore more info, or if any here, please feel free to contact me. I have gained many hours of college credit by way of credit exams.

    Reply

  8. Thank you for sharing that you are your family are well. While I understand your reasons to cut back, it is so incredibly sad. Your blog is so different than the others and I will miss the posts about free taco cabana or panda. While you had moment of stress-induced panic, I have been searching for alternative sites and there are NONE like yours. It truly was my number ONE.

    Reply

    • Thank you so much Kris, that means so much to me! There are many wonderful deal blogs out there, I’m sure you will find another that will suit you. 🙂 Thank you so much for understanding! ♡

      Reply

  9. Thank you for everything you have done, and all the great deals! I’ve gleaned a lot of deals from you and I appreciate it! One day life may slow down and you can “come back” fully, but it’s good you recognized you can’t do it all (as we women all think we always can). Your family IS and always should be first (as a mom of older grown children I know that). Stay well and enjoy your family and you life! Thanks!

    Reply

  10. Thanks so much for all you have done Stephanie! It was through your website where I learned to coupon about 6 years ago! It is good to hear from you – and I completely understand the priorities of family and health. Those come first. 🙂 I’ll be looking forward to anything you post in the future and I’m still enjoying those Chocolate Butterhorns and Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins you posted a long time ago.

    Reply

  11. I have been following your website for a few years and really appreciate it. The coupon database is very useful … it’s my go-to site whenever I want to find a coupon for something. Thank you!

    Reply

  12. Your priorities needed to be adjusted for this phase of your life. Family and healthis #1. Thank you for leaving everything here for us. I will appreciate your occasional updates as you are able.

    Reply

Post a Comment

ABOUT COUPONING101

Couponing101.com is a free resource for all who are interested in learning more about couponing and saving money.  Couponing 101 offers a variety of money-saving strategies that encourage and motivate readers to get creative and explore different savings techniques.

CONNECT & FOLLOW

POPULAR POSTS