{"id":41466,"date":"2020-02-08T07:52:03","date_gmt":"2020-02-08T12:52:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianbudgetbinder.com\/?p=41466"},"modified":"2025-01-06T12:17:05","modified_gmt":"2025-01-06T12:17:05","slug":"happy-8th-blog-birthday-canadian-budget-binder-the-saturday-weekend-review-297","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digitalskyweb.co\/canadianbudgetbinder.com\/2020\/02\/08\/happy-8th-blog-birthday-canadian-budget-binder-the-saturday-weekend-review-297\/","title":{"rendered":"Happy 8th Blog Birthday Canadian Budget Binder :The Saturday Weekend Review #297"},"content":{"rendered":"

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8 Years Of Doing What I Love On Canadian Budget Binder<\/h2>\n

Canadian Budget Binder first published in January 2012<\/strong> but the very first blog post I wrote was published Feb 15, 2012<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

It wasn’t the first blog post I had published on CBB as I started with The Grocery Game Challenge<\/strong> and our 10-Step Mini<\/strong> Budgeting Series.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

I chose to showcase Til Debt Do Us Coupon- Are You Using Coupons in Canada<\/strong><\/a> because this is what helped us to become debt-free.<\/p>\n

As you’ll notice it’s not as detailed as my blog posts are today and much shorter in length.<\/p>\n

Coupons have been a BIG part of our financial growth in the earlier years of our marriage and set the stage for us paying our $265,000 mortgage off in 5 years.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Not bad for a couple that wasn’t earning top dollar and under the age of 40.<\/p>\n

In fact, I was earning what minimum wage is today in 2020, $15 an hour to be exact.<\/p>\n

So, it is possible to get rid of debt and pound away at your mortgage without earning a six-figure income each.<\/p>\n

Blogging Is More Than Just Writing Thoughts<\/h2>\n

I had to count on my fingers how many years I had been blogging when I had realized we were starting a new year.<\/p>\n

It has been a wonderful 8 years on Canadian Budget Binder and quite a learning experience.<\/p>\n

One thing about blogging is you never stop learning and networking along with your readers is the key to success.<\/p>\n

Blogging is an art and anyone who thinks they will get into blogging and earn money right away is mistaken.<\/p>\n

There is much to learn about blogging that I’d encourage anyone to do their research first.<\/p>\n

I still have a notebook where I made scribbles and notes about designing Canadian Budget Binder.<\/p>\n

Like anything we do in life, it takes planning and practice until you find your path.<\/p>\n

There were many years I never earned any income from Canadian Budget Binder where I should have.<\/p>\n

I can’t look back now at my mistakes but I can go back and correct them.<\/p>\n

Blogging As A Side-Business<\/h2>\n

Since 2019 I’ve not only been working with Sara my designer to add life to my new blog update (which I love) but restructuring all of my posts.<\/p>\n

It has taken lots of my time but it has enhanced the traffic I get to this blog which is great for added revenue.<\/p>\n

A blog post on average takes me between 5-8 hours<\/strong> to write and create graphics.<\/p>\n

It might sound shocking but when you are running a business you want to offer your readers the best of you.<\/p>\n

My blog posts are designed around personal experiences, reader stories and questions I get via email and everyday life.<\/p>\n

What I love about Canadian Budget Binder is that it feels like home – Sandy K.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I remember the day I was chatting to a reader about her budget via email and she told me that.<\/p>\n

To be honest I was humbled by that because that’s the feeling I wanted to provide to my readers.<\/p>\n

This was never meant to be a media outlet for Canadians rather a place where they could feel safe expressing themselves.<\/p>\n

I wanted to help my readers understand their finances and perhaps get them on track with budgeting.<\/p>\n

Canadian Budget Binder Financial Umbrella<\/h2>\n

In the midst of it, all came finance topics that spanned all aspects of life which falls under the umbrella of Canadian Budget Binder.<\/p>\n

Our budget does not have just 1 category is has many categories and money affects an array of facets in our lives.<\/p>\n

I believe this is when I decided to take Canadian Budget Binder to the next level by introducing new topic categories.<\/p>\n

Some of the most popular blog categories revolve around relationships, parenting, frugal recipes, and real-life reader questions.<\/p>\n

I love getting emails from all of you and working hard to find answers or at least some form of help to get you started.<\/p>\n

As a note, before I lead you into my most popular blog posts since 2012, I want to say THANK-YOU.<\/p>\n

Thank you for subscribing to Canadian Budget Binder and for being so loyal to this once little blog that is now bigger than I had ever imagined.<\/p>\n

It’s because of you that I get to do what I love for a hobby and that’s help fellow Canadians with their finances by sharing our experiences.<\/p>\n

I have learned so much from all of you over the years and definitely gained perspective on topics that I may have been unclear about.<\/p>\n

Your opinions matter to me and when you don’t agree with me, that’s fine because I know my opinion is not the only one.<\/p>\n

Canadian Budget Binder and Criticism<\/h2>\n

One thing I’m proud of is that in 8 years I’ve only had to deal with 3 battles of horrible people visiting the blog.<\/p>\n

By horrible I mean not discussing their ideals an adult and using vulgar language in our communications.<\/p>\n

If you know me, I don’t put up with that. Delete. That’s not the environment nor the people I want reading this blog.<\/p>\n

I’m not one to argue but am open to constructive criticism and readers correcting me if I’ve made an error.<\/p>\n

I appreciate that so much.<\/p>\n

At any time if you have a story you’d like to share or perhaps a question you’d like answered on the blog please email me.<\/p>\n

I can’t promise to answer every question on the blog but I will respond to you.<\/p>\n

Top 8 Blog Posts On Canadian Budget Binder<\/h2>\n

\"Happy-8th-Birthday-Canadian-Budget-Binder\"It wouldn’t be the perfect Canadian Budget Binder birthday post without sharing the top read blog posts over the past 8 years.<\/p>\n

So let’s have a look but keep in mind many of these posts were published years ago so they’ve had more time to brew on the blog.<\/p>\n

They are in no particular order but have garnered the most visits by my readers in 8 years.<\/p>\n

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  1. Scanning Code Of Practice (SCOP) In Canada…Did You Know?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
  2. How Much Should My Grocery Budget Be?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
  3. How To Make Money Fast Without Going Crazy<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Free Downloads- Money Saving Budgeting Tools<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Dollar Store Home Pregnancy Test- Do They Work?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Canadian Law: Jury Duty In Canada Can Take Its Toll On Your Budget<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
  7. Easy Chicken Curry In A Hurry<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n
  8. The Loss Of A Dog, Euthanasia Costs and Dealing With Grief<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Canadian Budget Binder 8th Year Blog Birthday Contest<\/h2>\n

    \"Happy-birthday-canadian-budget-binder\"<\/p>\n

    Below is a Rafflecopter giveaway for all of my readers to say thank-you for the past 8 years.<\/p>\n

    Please enter to win. Contest open to Canada and US residents only.<\/p>\n

    Contest ends in 5 days from the date of this blog post at 12am… hurry and enter!<\/p>\n

    Enter to WIN 1 of 8 x $10 Paypal Cash awards<\/strong><\/a> (must have Paypal to collect prize)
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