thanks for putting together a very useful and insightful blog everyone can benefit from.

Don’t let the negative comments discourage you. People always have opinions…but you started the blog because you wanted to share what you learned. Just keep doing that.

I’ve enjoyed so much your very much “layman’s language” and not assuming we know all the terminology when it comes to finances. There is so much I have questions about but when I go to a high finance blog, they begin to talk “financial speak” and I get lost quickly.

I first came here because I enjoyed reading about your digging out of debt. We’ve never been in debt except when my first son was born without insurance and had to be in ICU for a couple of days. We were able to have him paid off within a year, though, and it was the best birthday present!

He got a cake and a candle (with a pic) and didn’t even realize he didn’t get anything else. We got peace of mind and a goal met. He’s 20 now and we have 4 others.

We’ve not been where you are, but I thank you for your “moments of sanity” when it comes to money. The good reminders to live within your means, turn off the tv, ignore the commercials and stay out of the stores could be reiterated daily!

I recently went to the states and couldnt’ believe the “dumb commercials” I was hearing. Things like “You can’t afford NOT to” (buy a car because of a $5000 rebate) and “buy 3 pair, save 25%”…duuh…how much did you just spend if you bought 3 pairs of shoes instead of one or none at all?

I’m living in a foreign country and really am not that exposed to commercials, so they hit me really hard when I was re-exposed to them for two weeks. I couldn’t believe the rationale!

Maybe a post dissecting the “bandwagon” philosophy and other advertising ploys would be good. Or if you did it before, rerun it.

Thanks. Keep up the good work. I’ve enjoyed the gardening posts and evalutating the cost and value, etc.

With the financial crisis and all, does that affect those ING accounts?(I’ve seriously considered starting one, but haven’t jumped yet.)

You must have helped people pay off hundreds of thousands of dollars by now. Now you just have to figure out how to get a cut of it

I’ve been reading your blog for around 2 months now and wanted to also let you know that it has helped me tremendously. Discovering your blog came at a time when I was sick of not having any money in my checking account, having a small amount of credit card debt, and having no savings to show from my paychecks. I’m a 21 year old college student but I work for my dad (family business) who is helping me with most of my living expenses until I graduate.

Since I discovered your blog I’ve learned quite a bit of useful personal finance knowledge. I recently opened an ING Direct savings account, purchased the YNAB software, and am steadily paying off my credit card debt ($264 left!). I’m over half-way there in my goal to pump $1,000 dollars into my ING savings account and I’ve set up automatic recurring deposits on my paydays. I’ve also been fortunate enough to start my 401k account at such a young age.

With the tips I’ve picked up from your blog and the action I’ve taken to start becoming more aware of my personal saving/spending habits, I feel like I’m well on my way to financial success.

Thanks,
SKM

I’ve been decluttering on a regular basis since last year and it’s made my life much more sane. (Actually I owe thanks to Flylady.com) It’s a lifestyle just like frugality. Do a little bit every day and stick with your routines, and you just may find yourself enjoying your own life.

There is a picture that was given to me last year from a student that said “100 years from now, it will not matter ~
What kind of car I drove,
What kind of house I lived in,
How much money I had,
But the world may be different because
I was important in the life of a child”.

I think this quote can be applied by inserting “a reader” at the end. Many people reflect as their life goes on and wonder what type of legacy they will leave, if they made a difference. I think by the time this post is down that you will rest easy tonight.

Thanks again JD

http://www.my5k5k.com/

I’m pretty frugal with my money (ok I’m a tight wad) but lately I’ve been spending more freely on stuff that I’ve wanted but been afraid to buy. I’m trying to embrace abundance instead of fear of losing everything. It’s working well. I still spend below my means, but I wasn’t afraid to buy the Wii and I’m looking for a new TV. I’m waiting for all the Christmas sales to kick in when I buy a 42 inch LCD.

These are just 3 out of the millions of examples I’m sure there are about how much you’ve helped people, includes myself.

Because of you, I’ve learned how to manage my money better, and control my spending habits.
Also, I started to earn money online, and I can attribute that to you as well. Thank you so much.

If there was a Nobel Prize for blogging and helping people, I would give it to you. Please keep the wonderful tips and stories coming.