Mashup Mom in 2017 -- and beyond
Please take a few minutes to read about changes to Mashup Mom, now and into the New Year -- I'd like to take a moment to explain why I'm making these changes, and what to expect. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and for being a part of the Mashup Mom community! I truly do feel thankful, grateful, and blessed for all of you.
Mashup Mom turns 8 in January 2017
Call this a belated seven year itch...
It's been a crazy 8 years, and those of you who have stuck around since 2009 have been through some pretty significant changes in the art of couponing since then. While we still see the occasional great deal, these are fewer and further between -- and they're not, by and large, deals I'm picking up myself any longer.
The changes you'll see on Mashup Mom over this coming year largely reflect the changes in my own shopping patterns and interests. Where 5 years ago I might have trekked to three different Walgreens to clean up on a Register Rewards deal, now I'm more likely just to keep us stocked with toothpaste and toiletries by visiting CVS every 2-3 weeks to roll ECB. Where 5 years ago it was fun to play the grocery game between Jewel and Dominick's, now I'm more likely to hit ALDI and Pete's Market without coupons and call it a day. Where 5 years ago I'd stockpile with high value coupons and cyclical sales + promos, now I'm more likely to stock up on household basics with Amazon's subscribe & save and be grateful for deliveries to my door at decent prices.
When I'm more excited about $.59 avocados at ALDI than free toothpaste at CVS, I'm not necessarily the right person to keep telling you about free toothpaste. It's making less sense to keep talking about chasing after an ever shrinking number of deals, and moving to talking about how to shop and live frugally as an overall lifestyle is much more interesting to me. There's an opportunity cost to anything we do, and all that time spent chasing deals is time we no longer have available to spend with our families, with friends, on hobbies.
I hope you stick around on the journey towards reclaiming some of that time.
You've probably already noticed some changes lately
Sorry about that...
I apologize for starting the changeover and moving around menu items before writing up an explanation and announcement. I know that resulted in Who Moved my Cheese moments for some of you, and that wasn't my intention. Please be aware that you will be seeing more changes to the menus and sidebar as these evolve to reflect the shift in content on the site.
Hope you're enjoying the newer features
The weekly ALDI meal plan, Work-at-Home Saturday, and other newer features will continue into 2017. Older features, such as Frugal Homemade, will also be making a more regular comeback.
What you will see on Mashup Mom in the New Year
Moving forward, Mashup Mom will focus on frugal living rather than strictly couponing and deals
What does that mean? Here's what you'll see more of:
- Meal planning
- Frugal homemade how-tos
- Make it or buy it?
- Recipes
- Healthier eating on a budget
- Frugal living tips
- Fitting frugality into a busy lifestyle
- Chickens and bees and gardening and organizing
- Thrifting
- Book reviews
With a sprinkling of Amazon deals, because I enjoy them so, as well as a roundup of some of the day's best deals each morning. 😉 Overall: You'll see more longer posts, more reflection, and more "evergreen" tips and topics as opposed to one time deals.
Time to evolve or fade away
I was recently going through some old PowerPoint slides from talks I use to give to librarians... way back in a different lifetime... 🙂 I ran across this "Perfect is the enemy of the good" slide, and it pretty much sums up the last year of this site. I've been waiting to make changes until I could get everything "just right," but life doesn't work that way. The evolution of Mashup Mom in the New Year will be a process, and I don't expect it will look exactly the same by the end of 2017 as it will at the beginning. I look forward to making this journey with you!
What you won't see on Mashup Mom in the New Year
Matchups are going away
The biggest change here: This is the last day for matchups on Mashup Mom.
Where can I find matchups now?
- Find CVS matchups at Hip 2 Save.
- Find Jewel matchups on Jill Cataldo's site.
- Find Meijer matchups at The Shopper's Apprentice.
- Find Menards matchups at Jill Cataldo or The Shopper's Apprentice (see above).
- Find Target matchups at Totally Target.
- Find Walgreens matchups at Wild for Wags.
One shot deal posts are largely going away
One shot deals are by their nature ephemeral, and Mashup Mom will be focusing more on evergreen topics in the new year.
Where can I find deals now?
- You'll find a little roundup of some of the best deals in the Morning Mashup post every day.
- You'll find additional deals, including some of the one shot deals that used to appear here as separate posts, in the Hot Deals group on Facebook.
I understand that some of you are not Facebook fans, and I respect that. This is the easiest way, however, for me to continue providing some deal content (and for you to share deals and photos) as we move into the New Year, and to build on the nascent community in the group. I hope to see more of you over there to continue the community that's grown up around Mashup Mom.
Yes, this is a shift in direction
Time to face the strange ch-ch-changes...
I truly do hope that many of you stick around through these changes -- I'm excited about bringing you new content and features in the New Year, and I treasure the community you've helped build over at Mashup Mom. Thanks for listening, and now: Onward!
I'll still be here! Thank you for all you do. I'm with you - I don't have time/interest to run all over town trying to catch a deal. I like to stick with CVS and Aldi to get the best prices, without all the hassle. Love your recipes:)
Congrats Rachel, and my life sounds similar with the shift in couponing. I am looking forward to your new changes and blessings on that in the New Year! I love your recipes so I am glad those are sticking around! HAPPY 2017!
Rachel.
I think the changes you have made are wonderful and achieve greater efficiency, and I absolutely LOVE your topics. You are still delivering the matchups, plus a whole lot more valuable content because let's face it: It's all about saving money, wherever and whenever you can, not just on groceries. Like today: I saw your post on the storage boxes from Target. That was absolutely on point because I have a whole Christmas mother lode of things to store, and a $40 Target giftcard I got for Christmas allowed me to buy 10 of those 20 gallon boxes for like $6 +change after my giftcard! It was a great article because I come to your blog to check out what deals I could get by searching, and that deal is what came up when I checked storage! Lots of the couponing matchups are not as lucrative as they used to be thanks to Extreme Couponers and the subsequent tightening by P & G and others. Old school couponers will brag that they could find stuff, yeah, yeah, ok but it's not what it used to be. The deals are getting more an more electronic. Anyway. very refreshing and cool that you bring alternative ways to make and save money in ALL areas. Keep up the great work, Rachel!
Thank you for what you do and for what you will do with the new changes.
Looking forward to the new and improved Mashup Mom!
Hi Rachel, I have been around since the early mashup days and I think the new direction is great! Like you, my shopping habits switched several years back and chasing that one or two deals all over town just stopped making sense. I am excited to see what 2017 brings!
Hi Rachel - another thank you for what you do. The changes you are making here are already what I've made IRL. I could hit as many stores/deals as I wanted to during the evenings in 2007/2008 with no kids and/or a newborn, but now evenings and weekends are full of their activities and my shopping has to be primarily whole foods due to the allergies they have. I've been coming back now that you've had the Aldi meal match-ups and I'm looking forward to the remaining changes. Everyone may not be happy, but you may find new followers looking for exactly what you are offering. Here's to 2017!
I feel bad now about the changes , not knowing what to expect after all these years! Especially being one of the older couponers ! its kind of taking the joy out of lets look and see whats going on new on MUM every few hours !
you made it fun and so easy for me to understand the best ways to make purchases . You practically drove me to the store and put everything in my cart (:
If it wasn't for Jill in the beginning that taught me all about this super way of shopping ,and then I found your column right after she also made a major changes ! which I disliked ,and then somehow I found a silly coupon club named called mashupmom !!
Was thrilled you even made it bigger & better ,all this came from a radio station that my daughter heard one day years ago and Jill was doing her sales pitch on coupons !If this allows you more time with family ,great reason for modifying ,being 80 and no grand kids makes you wish you could have slowed the time down . so good luck in your new vision . hope it still keeps me moving don't want my brain to start slowing down . Thanks for the excitement Joan
If I may say, YOU are an amazing 80 year old !!! I have enjoyed your input on this site and find you quick as a whip !!! May you keep sharing on this site....
Thanks Don ,didn't know anyone was paying attention to me (:
Joan is the best. I love her stories too. I hope I'm as active as her 30 years from now when I'm 80. I too really miss Jill's old message boards, but you can blame that squarely on Google & smart devices for ruining things. I'm not going to bash anything, cause we don't know what the new vision is for this site. It's always been ever evolving...
-Mark
Yes Mark I missed that the most too,we were all so anxious to help each other out ,or tell stories on our experiences we had doing something brand new to us ! We were like Little kids getting free candy (: those were the good old days .
Did you ever make it to our first coupon picnic with Jill ?
I've gone to a several of hers over the years & dragged my wife along this year, since she's almost as cheap... I mean frugal, as I am... Actually, I finally made it to Jill's part 2 class earlier this year for the 1st time.
Many of my stalker friends on facebook want me to do another financial class. I cover couponing, not as well as Jill in hers, but I go into saving on everything else, not just shopping, but everything from utilities, insurance, how to buy gas & when to gas up, gift cards, thrifting, vacationing, car rentals & airfare, etc... I guess I need to do another since I haven't done one in over a year.
-Mark
Thanks for last several years of fun. You'll still be on my 'favorites' list.
For some reason I feel like I am loosing a home. Upset.
I agree!
ITA. I love the matchups for Walgreens and CVS. However, I appreciate the fact that Rachel has given me links to other sources for that information.
As far as changing direction for the site, I have to respect that. Nothing stays the same forever..... and I understand the need to take the site in the direction that better reflects Rachel's own life.
But, for some of us, it will take awhile to adjust.
Find joy in what you have achieved and in what you will do. Life changes and I look forward to seeing how MUM will evolve. Your blog has helped me become a better shopper and I am grateful for that and am sure that the new format will continue to be helpful.
I'm in the same place as you - it's just not worth the several hours a week anymore to save a few $$. I look forward to the new direction!
I too no longer go all over. I find it fair for CVS and rarely to go to Walgreens and the store I frequent most is Aldi. I do shop at Target but rarely enter Jewel. Like the new changes & features!
I totally understand the shift, as I too made the shift a few years ago. The game has changed and it's not as fun anymore. But I have always appreciated your write ups ESPECIALLY you daily "whatcha looking for" threads in a December. I will still be here cheering you on and look forward to your new direction!
I am pretty sad about this. I usually check mashupmom at least twice a day to see what new couponing deals there are. Honestly, the matchups are the MAIN reason I visit your site. I understand that they are a lot of work though. I definitely won't be visiting as much without matchups on your site. 🙁
Me too, I recommended your blog to others wanting to save with coupons . I will miss the match ups and not visit the site very often
Same here. This site has always been my first go-to site several times a day for coupon match ups, and I would send others here all the time. While I will still check in every now and again to see what's going on here, it will not be nearly as often. ?
Completely agree! The Mashup is the main reason I am on this site several times a day. I probably won't stop by as often, which I'm sure isn't that big of a deal to anyone here, but it is the truth. Are you changing the name of your website then? While I do look at all of the posts you put here, the Mashups are by FAR the reason I come here so often.
Kudos !!! This is music to my ears!!!
I look forward to your new posts. Thanks for all you did in the past. I was not following all the matchups so this will not affect me in the way it does some other people. I also think coupons will go away at some point.
Thank you for all of the time spent for us! My shopping habits have changed drastically- I rarely print a coupon anymore and have been fortunate to find a stockpiler to buy household products from. I like the Amazon deals and frugal living tips and I'm glad you're on Facebook. Time is limited these days and having that quick source is great. Happy 2017!
I understand and agree:
there are an ever shrinking number of deals these days.
Moving to talking about how to shop more strategically and live frugally as an overall lifestyle makes sense.
I am one of your followers who doesn't do Facebook so I hope you'll keep us emailers in mind going forward.
Thanks,
I completely understand and will definitely still hang out here and on Facebook. I'm really interested in the Healthier Eating on a Budget, Gardening, Organizing, Book Reviews, Recipes, and many of the other topics you listed. I do have to admit I miss your "Top 5 Best Deals" at Tony's and Ultra and the Marianos matchups. Do you know anyone who does matchups for these stores? Thanks for all you do!
I'm sorry, I do not. The only people I'm aware of that are still doing local matchups at all are Jill Cataldo (Meijer, Jewel, Menards) and The Shopper's Apprentice (Meijer, Menards). Chicago is a really hard market because there are so many chains and grocery options.
I'm sure you'll be glad to not have to sit down and go through the ads to write the matchups. It sounds like a good transition for the blog, although it has been helpful getting the deal updates. Best wishes to you in the new year and to the new focus of your blog.
Do you know where I can find matchups now for Ultra? Thank you Rachel for the Ultra matchups in the past.
Sorry, I don't -- I don't think anyone else has ever done Ultra.
Still here and staying... But if you get rid of "Hot Deals..." facebook group, I'll be sunk. I owe my new fitibt charge HR to your post. So does my daughter, my mother, my father and my sister. Thank you.
You are funny.
Glad it's useful! I have no current plans to get rid of the Hot Deals group, and will continue posting some of the deals like the Fitbit one as I see them. 🙂
Pretty much how my shopping habits have changed as well. Still after a good deal but more just buying at a decent price with a coupon and calling it a day. The good old days are over. Still will follow your blog =D
Sounds good to me Rachel, count me in.
I'm thankful for all of the deals and laughs and recipes and tips you have provided here. I think you're smart and interesting and you've managed to keep everyone so civilized on this site. I look forward to the changes and hope you are even more successful as you move on to new adventures. I soooooo dislike facebook, but, I hope to hang around because I think it's going to be fun, so, I guess I will have to take another look at it and try to like it.
I found your website when I was at my lowest point, and it taught me many valuable skills and helped my family greatly. I will take them with me into adulthood no matter what my income level will be. Recently I have been feeling sad that I don't coupon as much as I did in 2011, but the deals have been going away and if you are calling it quits then I don't feel so bad about me doing it too.
Thank you and good luck in your new endeavors.
You have my full support with the changes. I agree with you that the deals ain't what they used to be. This is your blog. You do what you want with it. You'll lose some people, but I think you'll keep a lot, too, and gain new ones. We all have a right to do what we want with our lives...and blogs. If someone doesn't like the changes, they can go elsewhere. That's their right.
I have not been checking your site as much over the last 2 years as I have made a similar shift much sooner. As I read your plan for 2017 I thought, "Count me in!" Looking forward to reading your posts on a regular basis. Wishing you much success in the coming year!!
Quoting David Bowie is always a gold star idea. I'm totally on board as MUM turns to face the strange cha cha cha changes.
I value the concept of opportunity cost. I've been feeling the same way you expressed for quite some time; I haven't gotten a newspaper for the coupons in probably 8 months. In its heyday, couponing in Jewel-Land was arguably worth the time, since money saved (and much money unspent) is worth more than income earned, taxed by the IRS, then spent + taxed at point of sale.
But manufacturers and retailers have cha cha cha changed. The scales have tipped in the other direction and I'm glad to see MUM moving away from crappy Jewel deals that aren't worth the time, and moving towards frugal lifestyle choices that have a more lucrative opportunity cost for suburban families.
Thanks for keeping your finger on the pulse of good sense.
I'm sad to see this blog going in other directions. It was fun while it lasted. I always enjoyed reading Rachel's posts as well as comments from countless readers, and I tried to give back as much as I took, both by posting comments and by clicking thru affiliate and coupon links which helped keep this blog going.
I realize this blog takes it's toll on Rachel's time and energy. But I would be happy to see two features return, maybe changed a little so they wouldn't take up that much of Rachel's time:
1. Store deals. For Jewel, maybe title it JEWEL SALE WEEK OF 12/28/16 - 1/3/17, and just post a link to the weekly ad. Readers could then comment on sale items, finds, or follow up on someone else's comment. Same with Meijer, CVS, etc.
1. Reader deals. Maybe just title it READER DEALS 12/27/16.. Readers could then comment about other local deals they find (freebies or great deals, restaurant deals, other store deals, etc. Some deals might duplicate Facebook Hot Deals, but would be a service for those who don't use Facebook or are reluctant to sign up for MUM Hot Deals group on Facebook.
Wishing Rachel and all readers a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Ok, this is creepy.
I like this idea!
I totally agree. I don't do Facebook, and I don't understand why this would be creepy?
I like this idea, too.
I'm on board with Feelgood's suggestion. There is no place now left where you could post deals associated with a weekly ad like Ultra, Aldi, etc & see all the deals & matchups & things. Social media is not set up for blog type message boards. Too many creeps on Facebook. Instagram sucks. Twitter is worthless for doing this. For the local stores we have Jill's blog for Jewel. The rest, we are now kind of lost. I'm hoping for Mariano's to start using all of Kroger's deals so we have a lot of Kroger sites out there. The really good blogs out there focus on a singular national chain/store. So I'd recommend using those.
-Mark
Sounds like you should start your own blog, SSMark.
Yes Mark I agree with Lucky ! and we could all help you .I am near Tony's &Mariano's (: so when do we start??
links to ads would be most helpful
Totally on-board with your changes! I know I used to be big into couponing but I'm in a different season of life now, my kids are getting older and their schedules more demanding, my freelance business continues to be very busy, we moved to Wisconsin and live a bit further out so getting to stores takes longer, and with the deals not being what they once were, couponing has taken a back seat. I much prefer to go to one store, like Meijer, get what I need for a fair price, and move on. I still occasionally use coupons and I still like to find good deals but it's not the end-all. There is also much more to frugal living and saving money then using coupons and I'm glad to see you'll be diving into those topics. Thanks, Rachel, for all your hard work over the years! Look forward to seeing where the blog goes next.
Thanks Debbie! If you'd like to share more about your freelance business, I'm looking for people to share their stories for work-at-home Saturday, too. 🙂
http://www.mashupmom.com/work-home-bring-side-income-featured-mashup-mom/
I won't miss the coupon/match up info as I haven't done coupons in a long time, but I WILL really miss the other deals you posted. I found so many great deals on gifts and other items we needed through your posts, and I was already really sad this holiday season when it was clear you weren't going to be posting as much of that stuff. This is no criticism of you--you gotta do what you gotta do!--just a loyal reader saying what she thinks. I will try to check in more to the group on FB, though I'm actually trying to cut back on FB for my own sanity lately, and their stupid algorithms don't make seeing what you want to see as easy as it should be.
Good luck with the changes!
Facebook lets you control the notifications you see from groups -- look in the top right of the groups for options. That's the reason I'm mainly using the group instead of a page. Hope that helps! 🙂
I will continue to follow the blog and will be looking forward to the new site. My shopping habits have changed as well, and I find myself shopping more frequently at Aldi and rarely at Jewel. I hope there is one change you don't make--don't stop the Lucy posts and pictures! And I also hope you continue to post the "Reader Deals." Good luck and Happy New Year!
I knew this place was going downhill when you started featuring MLM's as "businesses." (What a slap in the face to actual women business owners.) Without the match ups, there's not much left here. "Frugal living" tips are a dime a dozen.
If you have a non-direct sales home business you'd like to talk about, I'm sure we'd all be happy to hear tips. The form is open 🙂
http://www.mashupmom.com/work-home-bring-side-income-featured-mashup-mom/
I have to agree. I loved to pop onto your site to see the Jewel & CVS matchups. I was so sad to see you feature a pyramid schemes as a way to make money. Since I became a mom 15 years ago, I have been inundated with invites to these "parties". Bugging your friends to buy things they don't need a double and triple the price is not a legit way to make money. You've lost a fan.
I'm sorry to see you both go. Direct sales is not my thing (there are bloggers who make very good money turning their sites into vehicles for these types of businesses, but that's just not me) -- however, what's also not my thing is putting down women who are working hard to support their families.
I'm hoping to feature a number of different types of work to show the variety of options available in Work-at-Home Saturday posts. The fact that these particular businesses were featured first reflects the initial responses I received and the number of people doing this type of work.
Doing something else? Why not tell us about it, and give readers here another option.
I, like so many people, have basically stopped selling on eBay (& Amazon), cause it's been ruined by Chinese dumping & USPS shipping costs had increased several years ago. I can't compete anymore with that. I am a shooting yellow star (former powerseller). Started selling in 1998. Total to date Transactions: 22,090 & Sales $322,859.35 ... Seller ID on both sites is SSMark1 ... From 2003-2004 a large majority of my side/hobby biz was reselling gift cards, video games, CDs & DVDs, & sports memorabilia... I really enjoyed it. 1/3 of my sales were to people outside of the US. My average item was about $15 that I'd sell. After costs & fees, about 30% was profit. I'd love to teach people how to make money on that Saturday series Rachel has, but now we have offer up & apps. So different than the old days. I remember Christy wrote something about selling on eBay years ago on this blog, but that's when I was still working on Coupons.Com, and there would have been a conflict of interest so I haven't really posted on this site until Rachel made some slight changes earlier this year. But I remember I really wanted to add so much to Christy's write up. eBay & Amazon are wonderful. The fees have become higher, PayPal was bought by eBay & eBay turned them more evil, etc... The money business with changes to shipping, etc. Right now, I have many items, I'd love to sell on eBay & Amazon, so maybe I'll get that going again.
So if someone is really good at CraigsListing, Facebook Garages Sales, OfferUp, or any other app, I think a cool Saturday topic would be that on how to get rid of stuff around that house & turn it into cash. I think we all would rather do that, than just have it sit there.
-Mark
I'd be very interested in it.
My mom busted her butt for 30 years supporting our family with her Tupperware business. If you don't think women are hard working at these jobs, you are ignorant. Pyramid schemes are illegal because there is no goods exhanged, just someone taking your money. MLM is completely different and you should do some research about it because that is where the shift is taking place. I'd rather pay a little more for quality and have the money go into my friends and family's pocket than into a CEO's million dollar pockets. Rachel will lose people but gain people who support other business women.
Best of luck in your new direction! I've been an avid reader since 2010 and will continue to be a MashupMom reader. I've been enjoying the new morning summary posts and have always loved hearing about your backyard chickens and trying your new recipes. Your personality and interests have always shown through on the blog, making it more interesting than just great "deals". I appreciate all the deals you've brought me over the last 6+ years, but it makes sense to change.
For me couponing is no longer a productive use of time and Causes me stress that's not justifiable.. I really enjoy your Amazon and aldi posts, and random deals for nonfood items. I know many enjoy your recipes, they're not practical for me because I try to focus on healthier options. Good luck on your new adventure, I think it's a smart move. I do hope you stay true to your self and don't try to copy the other organizing, recipe, etc. blogs I don't think it will sound like the real Rachel!! Thanks for all you've done for us!
I have mixed thoughts on this. Matchups were the main reason why I read your blog for the past four years. Our family shopping patterns also evolved during the same time span. For example, I delegated CVS shopping with CVS card and coupons to my son who will continue to have community outings on Thursdays at his school. I am very thankful to Rachel as this blog helped me develop my own shopping, price matching, and couponing strategies regarding savings on meat, bread, pasta and grains, dairy, produce, and non-food necessities. However, I am not an Amazon subscribe & save shopper. And I am not likely to work from home. It looks like I will check this blog with the proposed content less often.
I wish everyone happy New Year!
Thank you for what you've done for years!!!
Matchups were also my favorite part of your blog. I agree that couponing is not what it used to be. CVS is the only place I use them. I grocery shop at Aldi. I guess Ill just be jumping around the other sites to find what I'm looking for. I really have enjoyed your blog, thank you for all you have done. I will of course still be checking in for Amazon deals!!
Like. Like. Like. Like. ? ? ? ?.......
I have noticed the same trends you mentioned. The days of going to three or four grocery stores to glean loss leaders seem to be over. I too, am shopping at Aldi's mostly. I also occasionally shop at Trader Joe's, Costco and Amazon's subscribe and save. I would rather spend time with my family than chase after 20 free toothpastes. Thank you for all your doing to help us save money and remember what's most important our time with others.
I do believe I found you on CW back in its heyday, and yours is the only blog I've continually followed daily since. My habits have changed, too. I use to run around for hours some days getting the hot deals. My couponing has tapered off dramatically the last couple of years too. 6 months ago I moved 1200 miles to where I no longer have a Jewel, Ultra, or Meijers, but I still followed you mainly for Amazon and CVS plus whatever random deals I would see. In some ways you were like an old friend. I've probably bought 2 to 3 newpapers with coupon inserts in the 6 months since my move. I don't know how I feel about the change to the site - but I understand it. My best wishes to you as you move in this new direction.
43,000,000 people are still on food stamps. 42,000,000 are considered living in poverty in the US. Health care & taxes are still sucking the life out of people working part-time jobs who the government says are no longer part of the unemployment statistics. Most families are still getting squeezed. That being said.
Stores work on thinner margins, more than ever before. Digital coupon is taking over. Policies have changed. The cashier informed me at Tony's last night, they might not take internet printables in 2017 & there is a meeting on it this week, especially black & white printed coupons. Walgreens accepting only 2 similar coupons or the register beeps. CVS changing it's policy 4 months ago. Target adjusting coupons & gift cards. Jewel not training cashier properly. Stores working closer with the companies they sell products for & coordinating sales & coupons better, making it harder for match-ups. Coupons with shorter expiration dates. It's just all getting harder to shop & more time & effort is now needed. I'm not saying you can't get deals, but it's a lot of extra work. I will miss your Butera, Tony's, Caputos matchups the most. You'd catch a lot of other deals for the major stores other blogs would miss. In the not too distant past when you'd post coupons & have people switch the zip codes, I avoided posting her due to conflicts with my employer. But after you pretty much stopped doing that, I was glad to participate & share. I've been a lurker for years to the local blogs of yours, Jills, Alli's, & Chris's. There are nice blogs of national chains, but you had the best for the smaller stores in the West & NW suburbs. Thanks for all you've done. I'm sure many like me will have to step it up a bit to find the deals at the smaller local chains. And many thanks to people like Feelgood & Jane, & the rest on here who've contributed, without everyone on here, we'd all have missed 1000s of deals we all would have otherwise have missed.
To many families, every penny really does count. It all adds up. Many coupon to save for things like college. I loved those scenes in the Eddie Murphy movie Mr. Church about couponing & sent the kid to college with couponing funds!
I'm also assuming your blog became a more of a burden at times trying to keep up & interfering with family functions as most entrepreneurs encounter. Kudos to you for making your more in tune with what you enjoy. We only get one life. Enjoy it!!!
At least we can still read about the new path MUM is on & still read about Mr. & Mrs. G, JHG (or is is HSG now? I lost track), # Mr. 8...and the chickens! Love it!!!
Just wanted to say thank you & there really is no way to repay you for what you've done & helped all of your readers.
-Mark
Thanks for taking the time to write all that out, Mark -- and thanks to everyone else for the kind words!
Wow- I'm still trying to process this new announcement. This blog has really become a habit for me....and since saving money is such a great habit to have, I am going to have withdrawal! I know we can all still match up our deals on our own, it was just so much better when we had this place to share what we found. I'm sure you were reading posts from the other jane along with mine Mark, we both have been posting quite a bit for sometime now! MUM is not the only place I make a pest of myself! Rachels is just the BEST one in my opinion. It still will be! A couple years ago when Rachel was looking for an assistant, my friends told me I should do it because they know how dedicated (and obsessive!) I am about couponing. I told them I do it because it is fun for me and a hobby of sorts. If I did it for a "job" like Rachel does, I may not feel the same way. If there are deadlines and demands to meet, that is called "work".....and my husband and I are RETIRED! I hate change but fully understand it. We can still all share our cooking and gardening tips and if we want more on the other stuff, we can get on Facebook. I will miss all of the regular posters on here though, it just isn't the same on other blogs (too complicated) That is the beauty of having your own blog though. You can try new things and see what works. Have fun doing it, because that way it doesn't really seem like work!
*and PLEASE KEEP THE CAT PICTURES posing next to your hauls on the tabletop coming!!!??? I would rather see that than a store matchup sometimes!
I'm a workaholic. Retirement is a ways off with being only 50. I coupon to keep current (as well as the deals). When you work in the industry, you want to keep on top of what going on in the stores & make things better for the retails you work with. I will try & keep up on facebook, but will use Jill's for the Jewel matchups for sure. (I like posting on her blog, even though there is no notifications under each matchup when someone posts a new entry). Her old message board rocked! And the ones on the side will roll off after a few posts. Maybe Christy on TheShopperApprentice.com (hint hint) will resurrect her matchups from other stores like Butera... Which the 1400 E. Algonquin (next to the post office) store is closing soon. Christy & Jill hit the some of the same stores since they live in the same area, which kinda is great if you live far NW burbs, you get double coverage. I'm still going to look on MUM for those eBay gift card deals, since I don't search every day. Gift card deals make every purchase with them just that much better.
Facebook. That's for old people as my nephew says. All the kids are on IG.
-Mark
Good for you to write about what inspires you! I'm sure you will provide plenty of helpful tips for living frugal! I look forward to Ewing the new content and hope you will consider some with organic and natural foods and household products as that is the direction my family has gone towards in the past couple of years! Health first!
Good luck to you in the new year. I always came to your site to print through coupons.com so I could support the site. Will you still have this feature? I can go back to Jill's site and try to figure out where to print but your site was so much easier. "So long, and thanks for all the fish." ? I mean deals. ? I will still come check it out in the new year.
Yes, I will keep the link to print coupons. The menus will be rearranged a bit more, but I'll do a post on where everything has moved to and it should be pretty clear where to find. 🙂
Beautifully said Mark ,you always did have a gift for words .
Joan
Thanks! 🙂
Amazon Oddity - OMG I hope and wish this has ran its useful life. I love all you do but fail to see the value in that, especially daily.... Anyone else feel this way?
Yes, agree Don 100%
I also agree!
Blogs are not free.
Many blogs are sources of income to people who could be making much more in the real world, but decided to stay home, and raise a family, & maybe enjoy life a bit more.
Amazon has taken over the world.
And pays for referral traffic, especially when you buy higher priced items.
I'd have every other post about something on Amazon from mid Oct - early Jan if I had time for a blog.
I love the reviews on things like the Banana Slicer, TSA Lego Set, etc...
Or some of these odd ball items Rachel posts.
One of my older laptops freezes up from some of the annoying ads that are many blogs, but it was another device I could get more prints from. Printing coupons does not pay as much as it used to to bloggers. Many companies cut back on what they used to pay bloggers to advertise.
The world evolves.
Things change.
Be thankful for what you've saved over the years.
& without people like Rachel, & the rest, we all would be financially worse off since we've all saved a bunch!
-Mark
I enjoy Amazon Oddity. I have never bought one but I get a chuckle every time. It's great to start my day with a laugh!
Sorry, Don -- Amazon Oddities stay because *I* get a kick out of them, and have fun picking something funny each night to post in the morning. From comments on those posts, I think enough others do that it's worth keeping. 🙂
I had no idea the number of folks enjoying that post..... maybe since I never see likes or comments on that post..... eh, what do I know..... fair enough
I heart Amazon Oddities! It doesn't mean I always post on them. But I usually at least click the link.
I think this will be a great change. I've been following your page for just about all eight years, and I've changed my couponing in many of the ways you have, so I'm looking forward to the "new" mashup mom! Thank you for what you do!
I will definitely miss the matchups, esp. for jewel, CVS & Wags/ We all have limited time, so probably won't be spending as much time here as before. I dislike having to go to several different websites to get the same info that I was getting here. I have been coming here daily or more frequently for a long time. Will have to see how this works out for me. Love you Rachel!
If you go to CVS on Sunday morning to shop will you still post your trip to the blog?
Yes please!!! Happy New Year:)
Rachel, you have built such a great community with this blog. I have been so thankful for years, for all the help you have given us. I was never one who could go to 20 stores or buy lots and lots of one item, but still benefited so much from “Mum.” Your humor, friendliness, organization, and ease of use, just made this the best place to be. I’m hoping that you might keep tabs for “Print coupons” and even “Reader Deals,” but I know you have to do what works for your new vision. I’ll miss the Jewel and CVS matchups as well. Anyway, kudos to you, for creating this place when you needed to, and now creating something new again. You are the best.
Congratulations on changing course, it takes courage to do something new. Couponing has indeed changed dramatically in the last several years and we need to change along with it.
You've saved my family countless dollars these last few years and helped me learn the "art" of saving. My hat is off to you and I wish you all great success!
I have been following you for years now and feel you have followed the times and needs perfectly! I also changed the way I shop and added Goodwill to the mix. I LOVE amazon oddities! I have ordered several and am always thankful for the giggle. I appreciate the recipes and frugal lifestyle advice. You are an important part of my day and I thank you!
I'm liking Aldis and Pete's as well. Yesterday Aldi had fresh boneless skinless chicken on sale for about .80 cents per pound. It is very hard to find boneless skinless chicken breasts any place that cheap. They had great dates and it was only for Tuesdays meat sale. With their double back guarantee there is nothing to lose. Pete's is a great place to buy smoked turkey wings, drummettes, any smoked meats for soup, stews, etc, often on sale for .99 cents per pound. The manufacturers are too stingy with their printable coupons, they could at least let you print 2 per month on the same computer. Nope two and you're done especially if its a bricks or coupons.com coupon. I'd rather shop at a place that has great deals to begin with, coupons aren't needed.
I am VERY sad! You were my favorite couponing site and I will truly miss you! Thank you for the years of deals. The store matchups/Reader Deals were why I visited your site several times a day. I'm not big on Facebook and will have to look into your Hot Deals group. Your new site sounds interesting and I wish you good luck on your new direction.
Here's another Chicagoland couponing site: Couponing For 4
I want to take a moment and thank you for all you have done in making me a more frugal shopper! I love couponing! It's me against the store mentality 🙂 I will continue your blog...because I so enjoy your quirky sense of humor 😉
DITTO!
Rachel, you have been a continuous blessing and mentor. I have been only couponing for 18 months and you were my first, and constant mentor. However, my shopping habits and priorities have changes as well. I respect and admire your decision and new direction. I hope to hear more from you about Amazon deals, Aldi's & Petes. I wish you the very best in your new ventures, AND I will be cheering you on! On another note, what are your thoughts about Krazy Coupon Lady, worth following?
I'm definitely staying put during your switch to a new format and beyond.
Your blog is the best! Your content is always interesting and fun, no matter what the subject matter!
You have a gift; thanks for sharing : )
Rachel, thank you for teaching me how to stack coupons and sales to save money on groceries and health and beauty items. Recently, I was thinking about letting my Sunday newspaper subscription lapse because I just don't use the coupons anymore and can't keep up with reading the paper. In addition, I don't keep up with reading couponing blogs as much as I used to because the savings aren't as large as they used to be. Good luck and I'll be around to support the changes in the future!
Thank you Rachel, you've helped my family so much over the past 8 years. I enjoy your posts and agree the deals are not there, other things like family are more important. Being careful with your spending and being thrifty are the way to go. Thank you again for your hard work, looking forward to the new changes.
I totally agree with you as I have stopped running to the stores for all the "deals". Most of the time you are just spending money as in I have a $10 coupon but you have to spend $30 to use it so I now have a drawer full of my favorite Jockey undies!! Many of these sites are just about shopping - yes, all those good deals- and they encourage you to spend money. I am looking forward to your new concepts and writings. May 2017 be filled with health and happiness for you and all your readers.
That is EXACTLY the reason I had my financial 360 classes. I covered a ton of stuff in 2 hours. I really need to do another. I did them free (never charging for my appearance). I made them fun, & passed out a bunch of cool stuff in addition to guides, so you could focus on me & not be writing everything down. Someday when I have time again I supposed...
Time is one thing I don't have enough of, even if I am a pretty organized person.
I'm one of those people who get mad when I see others waste money & waste opportunity.
Especially when shopping, & you see someone buying a ton of stuff at full price.
If enough people are willing pay full price, chances are that store will have less sales & keep prices higher making more profit.
Less opportunity for the rest of us...
-Mark
Thank you, Rachel, for all you do. I am one who doesn't take change well. That's my little problem, though. I understand that change is constantly happening and that the change of focus is something you want to do for yourself. To be honest, my couponing habits have changed also and I'm not rushing out to grab a deal unless it is something I really need or use constantly. But your shift of focus catches my attention because I am interested also in the new articles you will be posting about. I enjoyed reading about your chickens and would like to get some of my own, unfortunately they are not allowed in my town. And you mentioned bees. Are you beekeeping? I'm interested in hearing about that. I'm also a gardener, so I love hearing about the veggies you have used in your recipes. So, different focus but still lots of great things to read about in the new year. You go girl!
I guess I have been tracking with you all along and didn't realize we were on the same page with so many topics! (My comment on book reviews the other day was prophetic! LOL!) I have enjoyed this site for more than coupons and match ups the last 8 years. Your wit and humor along with interesting reviews and topics has brought me back year after year, day after day. I look forward to your new format and have enjoyed the journey here tremendously. I am looking forward to 2017 and the new content . You are a blessing to me and my family, Rachel. Thank you!
You're the best, Rachel! Your tips and tricks helped my family during some tough financial times. Once those great grocery deals started to dry up I, too, stopped running around on Sunday mornings. Like you, I find myself doing Amazon - a reasonable price and shipped to my door is better for me. I do like those Amazon oddities (where else can you find a Sylvia Plath finger puppet?) and will continue to read your posts throughout the new year. Congratulations on taking this next next step in the evolution of Mashup Mom!
Thank you so much for all your time, energy, & tips over the years! Happy New Year!
Thanks, Rachel! I've enjoyed your blog for several years now, and will continue to do so. You run a useful blog that encourages readers to interact and share with one another - I've learned from you and other readers.
I've also noticed the downward trend of deals available. While it is disappointing, I try to stay positive and thankful I got so many great deals while they were still available. After all, nothing is guaranteed. Instead of saying "no fair" I focus on the fact that I learned valuable skills and apply them every time I shop. My kids have also benefited from this logic, as I have passed on my coupon/deal-seeking knowledge to them.
Thanks again for your hard work, and your straightforward note about changing content is much appreciated.
Happy New Year!
I will REALLY miss your Jewel and CVS match-ups. I've been using your website to help my family save money almost since you started it. Couponing is not what it use to be, but we still have to buy groceries and household products, and I now shop mainly at Jewel, Aldi (produce) and CVS. Your match-ups saved me so much time! Please know that I appreciate all your efforts over the years. You always found a way to make things fun and easy to read. I wish you well in your new endeavors Rachel. And yes, I will continue to follow your website; I look forward to watching it grow into its new direction.
I was wondering if you could put at the top of your blog where you have the go to features, titles, or headings (I'm sorry...I don't know what you call it) a title for the go to places for Hip 2 Save - CVS, Totally Target - Target, etc. Or can you tell me how to find these sites? I don't know how to find these sites otherwise. I still like looking at what the deals are and deciding if I want to do them or not. I've always known how to find simple deals but you've taught me how to find even more or to find them better. I'm going to miss going to one blog to find it but I guess we'll get used to doing it different. Thank you!
I'll have to see how I like your site from now on. I don't do Amazon or the recipes as we have our own way of cooking and eating. I sure have enjoyed your site in the past and how funny you are! I do understand you want more family time and it is your blog so you can do what you want. Since you live in the Chicago area and I live in Central IL, I do have to be selective on what you post because your items don't match what we have here.
Each of those is linked in the post above where I give alternative suggestions for matchups. Just click and bookmark. 🙂
Rachel,Best of luck to you in your further endeavors. I'm disappointed that you're discontinuing the match-ups. Sorry,but I love chasing deals and beating retailers at their own game. Food tastes better when it's heavily discounted or free. 🙂 You've saved me a lot of money over the years and I am forever grateful. Unfortunately the new path here will be of little interest to me.
You still rock Rachel. We all evolve and if we don't, survival of the fittest! I'm with you...stopped running around a LONG time ago. Target, Aldi, Jewel, Amazon, and CVS get my money. I hardly hit anywhere else. Life is too dang short. I'd rather be reading a book or spending time w/my family, when I have cherished free time.
PS Belated Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year!
All things evolve and change over time! I would still love to see a "Reader Deals" post, where people can add their great deals daily. That's always been one of my favorite features, and I love to post to that (I'm not a Facebook user). Just my 2 cents!
Me too! 😀