The Frugal Cottage Turns 4!

Happy Birthday to The Frugal Cottage! I cannot believe I have managed to keep something going consistently for so long. The only other thing I’ve managed to do for this long other than blogging is learning the piano 🙂 I started this blog way back on 1st June 2014 and here we are, four years later!

 

I am still constantly amazed that people want to read what I post here and are interested in our story about early retirement. There are so many personal finance blogs out there to read, yet you choose to come and read mine. Thank you so much! As I continue to write about personal finance and our journey, the more and more I truly believe that we are doing the right thing, and hopefully inspiring others along the way. Sometimes the journey will be difficult and challenging at times, but we’re all here plodding along 🙂

 

I am so grateful for all of you that take the time to comment on posts, to offer more advice and insight, and to cheer me along as well. Thank you also for those of you who tell me I’m being too critical or harsh on myself, as it is difficult to see how much you’ve achieved sometimes when you still have so far to go. I hope that I am continuing to show that anyone can do what we are trying to achieve. Anyone can save more, live the life you want on a budget, and enjoy living a more simple life.

 

One of the things that I am most proud of achieving in the second year of running this blog is the fact that I am now definitely a dividend investor. I opened a stocks and shares ISA  with Hargreaves Lansdown and am now receiving regular dividend income which is creating another income stream which will continue to build. I love writing my monthly dividend income updates to show how slow and steady can truly win the race, in the end. Although some months we don’t receive a lot, overall it continues to grow. I’m secretly hoping we’ll get near the £1,000 by the end of 2018, but we shall see 🙂

 

I’m also proud of the fact that I’ve been a couple of TV shows! On BBC Breakfast and Channel 4, no less 🙂 I’ve also been part of various radio shows and in newspaper and magazines too. When I type that, I can’t believe some of the things I get to do just because I ramble about money on here. I truly am grateful for the opportunities it has given me 🙂

 

The top 10 posts on The Frugal Cottage over the past year have been:

1. 5 Simple Living Blogs You Should Be Reading
2. How To Start Meal Planning When You Don’t Know Where To Start
3. Frugal Foods To Buy To Keep Your Grocery Costs Down
4. Dividend Income
5. 5 Easy Ways To Spend Less
6. How To Save Money – My Money Saving Tips!
7. Portfolio
8. How To Do Christmas Dinner On A Budget
9. Recommendations
10. How To Have A No Spend Month

 

I have some things in the pipeline for year 5; I’m currently in the beginning stages of a site redesign, which I’m really excited about. It’ll be nice to have a fresh, clean look around here! I’m also doing some side work as a Pinterest VA which I’m hoping to grow this year. I also have another couple of things in the works, which I’m hoping to share soon. All exciting things!

 

I’m also looking forward to see where we as a family go in the next year; as we navigate being a family of four! 🙂

 

I want to thank everyone who has visited, left a comment, followed me on any social media platform, sent emails or general encouragement. I absolutely love blogging, and I am looking forward to seeing what the next year brings me and my family. I hope that I can share more knowledge so you can live the life you want to live, on a budget.

 

Here’s to Year 5!

 

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