When I started Surviving and Thriving back in 2010 my life was very, very different. I’d recently gotten a university degree (at age 52 – better late than really late) and was making a living as a full-time writer for MSN Money plus an every-other-week staff writer at Get Rich Slowly. I freelanced for other publications as well, and traveled a lot.
Now I live in Anchorage, Alaska with the love of my life and am back to freelancing full-time because MSN Money fired all its writers on the same day back in autumn 2013.
Earlier this year I started an online course called Write A Blog People Will Read* and also hung out my shingle as a writing coach.
Tired? You bet.
Grateful? Indescribably so.
Although this is coming a bit late for a Thanksgiving column, here’s what I’m grateful for, professionally speaking:
- The chance to making a living as a writer
- The chance to help others with my words
- The chance to build a community here at this site
The community aspect is what’s making me feel guilty about having maintained radio silence for so long lately. Ten days between posts is doubleplusungood, especially since I should be thanking you all: Recently this blog passed the two million pageviews mark.
Prizes, prizes, prizes
My weekly(ish) giveaways are one way that I show gratitude to my readers. In honor of those two million page views, I’d like to show a little more gratitude than usual.
Were it possible to stage a $2 million giveaway, I’d do it. Since I’m a small business owner, however, I’ve got to stay within a sensible budget. So here’s what’s up for grabs:
- One $50 Amazon gift card
- Two $25 Amazon gift cards
- Three $10 Amazon gift cards
Seriously, I wish it could be more. In the meantime, you can enter up to six ways for your chance at a gift card:
- Leave a comment below
- Subscribe via e-mail or Feedburner
- Sign up to follow Surviving and Thriving on Twitter or Facebook
- Sign up for my writing-focused newsletter (go to WriteABlogPeopleWillRead.com/blog and look on the right-hand side of the page)
If you do any (or all!) of these things, please leave separate, additional comments to get credit for each entry.
The deadline to enter is 7 p.m. PDT Tuesday, Dec. 8. If I don’t hear back from the winners by 7 p.m. PDT Wednesday, Dec. 9, I’ll have the random number generator pull another name.
*This link explains a little more about the course. If you’re interested in taking it, here’s the link. And if $147 is not in the budget right now, e-mail me at SurvivingAndThriving (at) live (dot) com and convince me to give you a discount.
Hope you had a great holiday and best wishes for those ahead. I am grateful to get to read your articles you post. Please know you are truly appreciated. Take care.
I follow via email
and facebook too.
Happy Thanksgiving Donna! I am thankful for your articles!
Email
Facebook
Thanks for the chance :-). Keep up the great work.
Thank you for the giveaway! I am so grateful that I found your blog and have gotten so many great money saving ideas.
I subscribe via email.
I follow you on Facebook.
Sweet giveaway!
Also i subscribe to your rss feed
Thanks for your generosity, not only with your giveaways, but with your words of financial wisdom!! I follow you on Facebook….
and email.
It’s fun to look back occasionally and see the curves in the road we’ve travelled. I’m glad you’re sharing your journey with us!
I am subscribed via Feedburner
I follow via Facebook too
I love your mails!
and facebook
and Write a…
Wow, this is a generous giveaway. Thank you!
I follow on facebook.
I hope you had a beautiful Thanksgiving Day with your family, and thank you for this great giveaway.
I truly enjoy reading your emails when they arrive in my inbox. Thank you. 🙂
I subscribe to your email, chrt.lamb@gmail.com
I follow you on Twitter, @mis4mosqueteros.
I follow you on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1097276573615742&id=120414841301925&comment_id=1097343736942359&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D
I signed up to receive your newsletter, chrt.lamb@gmail.com
Thank you. 🙂
i follow on Facebook.
I follow on email.
Two million…..how wonderful for you!
I’ve loved going along in your life with you…
I subscribe by e-mail…
and follow you via Facebook.
Donna, if my name is drawn, I will be out of town Dec. 2-9…will try to check e-mail, but could you cut me some slack if I don’t respond promptly?
Belated Happy Thanksgiving and congratulations on hitting the two million mark!
Thanks for the giveaway – I can always find something I need on Amazon.
I follow via email also
Your success is well deserved! You provide useful information in a fun way that grabs a readers interest. Congratulations!
e-mail subscriber
feedburner sunscriber
following on twitter: someluckydog
following on facebook
WriteABlogPeopleWillRead.com subscriber, same e-mail
Amazon gift cards are always welcome. I just placed a $50+ order there for grandchild gifts-getting ahead on their spring bdays.
follow you via email – great blog – thanks for the opportunity…
I’m thankful you and your writing!
I subscribe to your email list.
I follow you on Facebook.
I follow you on Twitter.
I subscribe via e-mail. Glad things are going well for you, Donna!
Happy Thanksgiving! Awesome gift card giveaway! Thanks!
I follow on FB
I follow on Twitter
Donna, you are a blessing! I have so appreciated your honesty and suggestions over the years. Your words have positively impacted my life, my family. Thank you!
I subscribe to your email list.
I follow by email. thanks
I subscribe via email.
I found you via GRS and have been reading your work since. Thanks so much for writing with humor and common sense,and for keeping the “this is the way or you are stupid” scolding out of your writing. I stopped reading most other sites when I found yours. Ask Liz Weston is the exception.
2 millions views!! Congratulations!!
I follow you via email. Thanks for the great giveaway!
Thanks for all the valuable information you share with us
I would read this even without the giveaway! Your blog and life inspires me
Congrats on the 2 million page views! I enjoy being a follower and reading your blog. Thank you for the generous giveaway!
I am an email subscriber
I follow on twitter
I follow on facebook
I love your blog Donna, thanks for writin.
I follow on Facebook.
Donna, I follow you via email. I’m thankful that I found you this past year, I’ve needed to hear your common sense and inspirational approach to finances, and well, LIFE. After working for the past 20 years to help two daughters through undergrad and post grad, it was finally time to ramp up saving for retirement and also enjoy the little wiggle room that my income provided me and my husband. Unfortunately I was laid off 14 months ago and haven’t been able to find another job. It’s been an adjustment. I was surprised at how it has affected me emotionally. I still get the blues occasionally but your words help me to remember that we are all more than our job titles and salaries. Even though money is tight, we have everything we need, and we’ve always been frugal. But it’s fun to hear how you and your readers get creative to save and stretch your dollars. Thanks for keeping me grounded, and for helping keep the panic at bay : )
Wow….2 million viewings…that is impressive. Can’t believe it’s been over 5 years …. where did the time go? Every once in a while I come upon the short videos on the net of you picking the stones out of beans you were preparing in the little apartment or of your visits to “Value Village”….”classics”. It seems like a life-time ago. Thanks for the opportunity and Happy Holidays!
I also Subscribe to your blog
I’m signed up for the newsletter.
I subscribe on email and love your simple life and how you share!!!
Leaving my comment too. Happy Thanksgiving! The amazon card would be awesome. I learned about a neat pressure cooker on Amazon, so I’m aiming for a pressure cooker and cookbook for the holidays, or a a self gift/investment if its not a gift. Super fast cooking, great nutrition retention – cooks most beans in under 30 minutes from dry. I’ve always thought I was wasting money on canned beans – love the possibilities!
Happy Holidays to you! Thank you for the great giveaway!! 🙂
I am already an email subscriber.
I am following on Twitter @crazygirl24
Happy Holidays and thanks for the giveaway offer!
I subscribe via email too.
I follow you on Facebook also.
Yay prizes!
I already follow you through email 🙂
I’ll be grateful if I win one of these prizes!
I also subscribe by e-mail!
Your’re an inspiration!
Thanks for writing about your experiences and journey.
I appreciate that I can follow you on email. THANKS
I think I’ve been a reader of your blog for close to five years. Nice to see a fellow Alaskan!
I really love your blog. It has certainly help make a difference in my life.
Congratulations on reaching the two million mark and Happy Holidays! I have learned much from your experiences, but mostly you showed me that its not important to spend a lot, but to spend it wisely. Thank you!
Don’t really want the gift cards — just want to say congrats!!
Thanks for the GREAT giveaway!! I hope I win! I follow you online
I also subscribe to your writing blog.
Look forward to your posts. Still think MSN was dumb to fire everybody. I enjoyed that part of their site and miss it. Happy Thanksgiving.
Susan
A group of us migrated from the old MSN money boards to a new board in Dec 2010:
http://ymam.proboards.com/
Come join in.
Ready to shop on Cyber Monday,so bring it on Donna,hope you had a Happy thanksgiving….
Thanks for writing, always excited to see your articles in my inbox! You also keep me connected to my home state!
Thanks for your generosity!
I follow on FB
Always enjoy your articles.
I already follow you on FB.
I also subscribe via email.
And I subscribe with RSS feed/Feedburner, too.
I also follow your blog on Feedly.
i love your site. i just signed up for email as well.
What an amazing giveaway. I love reading your work. I signed up for the writing blog newsletter. I am looking forward to exploring the site.
What a nice giveaway!
I get your emails
I follow you on twitter-grandmasreading
I follow you on facebook
Great giveaway. Thank you!
I subscribe
I follow you on Facebook
Email, Facebook and Twitter, love your blog!
Congrats on 2 million views!!! And thanks so much Donna for such a generous giveaway!!! 🙂
I also subscribe via email. 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway!
Thank you, Donna! Always look forward to new content.
I follow on Twitter as well: papa_was_arodeo
I was going to wait until next Saturday to say this, but, what the heck, I’ll say it now. Happy birthday to you, me, Walt Disney and all the other Dec. 5th babies out there.
Have always loved your posts! Merry Christmas to you and DF!!
Here’s to another 5 years and another 2 million.
I follow on Facebook.
And I subscribe via email!
And I follow on Twitter too 🙂
Donna,
Congrats on all the views, very well deserved!!
I really enjoy your posts as I feel we are on the same wavelength. We currently have a family member who is “between” homes staying with us. I am encouraging her to read your blog and change her money habits.
Thanks for all the great articles and humor!!
I enjoy reading your columns because it keeps me cognizant of the importance of gratefulness and frugality. Thank you
Thanks for the giveaway, Donna!
I follow on Twitter
and Facebook
and the blog newsletter!
Well, I’ve never won anything, but there is always a first time.
Congrats on the page views. Happy whatever holiday you choose!
I first started reading your articles back when you were at MSN Money. I was happy when you started this site, you have a very unique writing style.
Facebook also 🙂
I follow you on Facebook.
I also subscribe via e-mail.
I follow you on facebook
I subscribe! Awesome giveaway!
I follow on twitter
Since my husband’s job was just eliminated, this would be a blessing!
I follow via email
Congratulations on all your hard work and success.
I subscribe via email.
Happy Belated Thanksgiving to you!
It’s never too late to give thanks for all the blessings in our lives, and I have always admired your positiveness whether you are facing feast or famine in your life.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I follow by email.
I follow you on facebook.
I follow you on facebook.
I follow on twitter
I’ve read your blog for quite a while now,really enjoy it.
I get your emails
I follow you on FB
Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for my husband working hard everyday so I can stay home to raise our son. Thanks for the tips to help us survive and thrive on one income!
I am subscribed by email.
I follow you on Facebook.
I am also subscribed to your writing email newsletter.
Thanks for the chance to win! Love the website.
What a wonderful giveaway! I subscribe through your email newletter.
I also subscribe to your write a blog newsletter. I am crossing my fingers and toes!
Thanks for a great giveaway! Merry Christmas!
I subscribe via email! I love reading your newsletter!
Keep up the good work! Would love an Amazon gift card.
I follow you on Twitter! 🙂
I “like” you on Facebook!
I follow you on email.
I signed up for the newsletter on your writing blog! 🙂
Congratulations on the 2 million mark! (And, a double raspberry on MSN for cutting you loose.) Write on! 😀
Well, they cut everybody loose so I don’t take it too personally. Still: Thanks!
I read your blog, it’s on my favorites page. I don’t twitter or facebook, can’t stand them. Have been reading your blog for years.
Congratulations. Love your blog!
I subscribe via email.
I like you on Facebook.
I would love to win one of the giftcards
I am happy to read your posts, no matter how far apart they are! I would love to enter the giveaway, please.
Also, I subscribe by email…
…and follow you on Facebook! Thank you for the opportunity to win a gift card!
Hi Donna,
Don’t do Facebook, but I’m a fan and LONGTIME reader of your writing, also a lover of Alaska. Visitied in 2013 and will again. Maybe next time I can catch the Turnagain Arm Pit BBQ!
When you plan your visit, let me know in advance. Maybe we can eat ribs together.
I follow via email and I absolutely love your blog. I love hearing about your life and I love your tips and ideas regarding money and frugality. Many you continue for many many years to come.
Here’s to more success and fulfillment in 2016! And thanks for the chance to win some fun money! 🙂
I love reading your tips and suggestions about frugality. They provide me with many ideas. I was a freelance writer, and enjoyed it immensely, but the recession changed everything, so I am back to a “regular” job now, and about to enter nursing school next month. I enjoy following you via e-mail. Thanks for the help. I would love to win a gift card! Thank you for offering your readers a chance to win!
Thank you for the giveaway. Been reading you from the MSN days and really enjoy your blog.
You continue to be an inspiration
We are thankful for all the work you do and the articles you write!
Donna,
Congrats on your 2 million views. Three years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I came home that day to find a package of something I had won from you. It made my day. Surviving and Thriving…still. Thank you for passing all your knowledge onto us readers.
So glad you’re still with us! And so glad that I helped, even a smidgen.
I am an email subscriber.
I follow you on Facebook.
I receive your emails.
I subscribe
Hi. Thanks for posting. I enjoy following both you and your daughter’s blogs.
and I subscribe to your rss.
I don’t think I would have made it this far without your friendship and support 🙂
Just in time for Christmas! Thank you!
Also a Twitter follower 🙂
and a subscriber via email!
Thanks for the giveaway
I follow you on FB
I subscribe by email
I follow on Twitter @drmomoftwo
Great giveaway.
I follow by email.
Thanks for the chance to win.
Follow you on Facebook.
I subscribe via email.
I loveyour blogx
I so admire what you’ve accomplished. I love your blog and your sound advice.
I follow you on Facebook. I love your blog and never get tired of your writing.
I follow you by email also. I am reminded when I read your posts that I probably could be more frugal.
Thank you!
Facebook too.
I’ve been reading your work since that fateful night shift where I discovered your very first MSN article. I’ve kept reading and love your style! Learned a few things along the way and I’m glad you’re still writing.
Congratulations Donna–that is a huge number. Here’s to the next million!
I think your break is well deserved! Congrats on your mile mark because I am hoping that you continue for many years and hit that 5 million mark. Your words have inspired me and many others….Thanks for making a difference!
Congrats on the 2 million! Well deserved 🙂
Also Facebook fan
I’d love to win any of the prizes! Please enter me, and thank you for the opportunity!
I subscribe to your writing newsletter! And I highly recommend it.
Okay, *now* I’m following you on Twitter! I thought I was before, but for some reason it didn’t take when I tried before, and then I searched and followed the wrong account…
Donna,
Congratulations on 2 million. If you had a dollar for every…
But anyway I love your blog:)
Take care,
Cathy
Write a blog reader
Two Million. That’s the best.
I signed up for your e-mail list for Write a Blog People Will Read.
I follow you on Facebook.
I subscribe to your e-mail list for Surviving and Thriving. Love it!
Ps also leaving a comment
PPS also FOLLOW YOU ON FACEBOOK.
I love this site and I love your writing.
Have been receiving these posts via email and have learned a great deal! Thanks!
Ooh, ooh, me please! Now go snuggle with your honey.
I am thankful that you are writing this blog and have really enjoyed reading it over the years! Keep up the great work!!!!
Wow. So many entries. Just signed up to follow you on Facebook. Sorry I haven’t done it earlier
Congratulations, Donna! So very well-earned.
Naturally I still follow you on Twitter.
And I surely do subscribe on feedly 🙂
Congrats on the 2 million mark! I have been following you since seeing a video interview with you on (I think) MSN. I really appreciate you inviting us all along for your journey – it’s been a good trip 🙂
I follow by email.
Happy belated Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas to you and the love of your life!
Subscribe by email
Follow on Twitter
Like on Facebook
I already subscribe to your WriteABlogPeopleWillRead.com/blog
Congratulations on 2 million!
Congratulations on your 2 million views! I am grateful that you write and give us a peek into your life, along with frugal advice.
I also subscribe to the “write a blog people will read” newsletter.
Love your site – congrats on the 2 million view mark!
Love your give-aways, but would read you without any, too. I’m sure you will hit 3 million before too long!
Oooh! I’d like to win! Pretty please, random number generator!
And I follow on the Facebook!
I also follow on twitter!
Read you every day (or every new post)
Read every post!
Subscribe via email.
Also on Facebook.
Happy Thanksgiving! I am grateful to have found you through Get Rich Slowly and have been following you ever since. Thank you for the opportunity to enter your latest give-away!
I receive your posts via email.
And on FaceBook! Thank you again!
Thanks for the work you are doing!
Congrats on such a milestone! Merry Christmas!
I follow you on Twitter (@BettyJ30)
I subscribe to your emails.
I also subscribe to your WriteABlogPeopleWillRead emails.
Congratulations! Does Hallmark have a line of cards for such milestones? 🙂
I subscribe to (and read!) your Surviving and Thriving emails!
So much to be thankful for! What a great give away.
Lots of blessings to be thankfui for! Appreciate the give away.
I follow you on Twitter. @PearlMom
I subscribe to WriteABlogPeopleWillRead.
love your blog
follow you on facebook
Wow! If we only had a buck for every pageview, eh? Or even, say, a nickel…
Congratulations on hitting 2 million!
I subscribe via feed burner.
I follow on Twitter.
I receive your newsletter.
I’d love to win one of these. It would help with Christmas shopping!
I also subscribe to your newsletter. Thanks for these great giveaways, Donna.
Love your blog and Merry Christmas!!!!!
I have enjoyed reading your posts for many years. Would be thrilled to win one of the gift cards.
What a milestone! Congratulations.
always interesting.
Congrats on 2 million views. Wow!
Love your column, keep writing the way you do.
2 million!! Impressive. Congrats!
Followed Surviving and Thriving on FB
Subscribed to Write A Blog People Will Read
I subscribe to the writer’s newsletter
I am an e-mail subscriber.
I follow your blog.
I follow on facebook
I subscribe on feedburner
I follow on twitter
I follow by email
I love your contests!!! Hoping to win this time!
congrats!! i really like your blog and i enjoy reading it/learning from it.
i’m subscribed via email
i follow you on twitter @oshkoshbgosh321
i follow/like you on facebook
i’m signed up for the newsletter
I started reading your things on GRS and then sort of backtracked to your earlier money pieces from there. To this day I still re read some of those pieces for inspiration and, I suppose, a feeling of “someone else has been there”.
(Subscribed via email already 🙂 )
You give advice without preaching, with a voice that speaks from experience. Personal finance blogs can be so “yeah, we’ve heard that before”, but when you’re reading one by someone living in Alaska after what seems like totally reinventing herself midlife it’s sort impossible to get the same old feeling you get with the other blogs.
(I’m already following you on Facebook.)
Anyway, kudos to you on the readership accomplishment. I hope you’ll continue putting out more content. It’s great!
(I’m already subscribed to your “write a blog” newsletter.)
Congrats! That’s exciting! So many people!!
I subscribe to the newsletter (and saw your email about it)
I follow on fb & twitter
I follow on email and your web site. Dec 8 is my birthday and it would be awesome to win.
Reading your blog has been a blessing to me. They are both entertaining and informative. I also love your daughters blog. Hope you both have a good Christmas.
Thanks for all your hard work !!!!
I follow you on f/b…
I also follow your blog ..
Also follow Write a blog people will read ..Thanks….
I get emails
I read your blog “surviving and thriving”
I read your “how to blog” blog as well.
and I follow you on Facebook. Aren’t I the groupie!
I look forward to eventually making a living as a writer!
I follow your Twitter feed.
I subscribe to your Facebook page.
I receive email from your mailing list.
Donna – That’s fantastic! I am so glad your blog is thriving, as is your career. I’ve enjoyed following you on your blog and Twitter, love your insights, writing style and wicked sense of humor. I am sure the next two million pageviews are right around the corner!
I look forward to your newsletter in my box. Practical advice is what you give.
I’m entering through the newsletter
I follow Surviving and Thriving on Facebook
and I follow you on Twitter
I subscribe to your newsletter
I read your blog also
Congratulations!
Congrats, Donna! I’m not surprised that you’ve hit that incredible benchmark. Here’s to the next 2M!
I love your newsletter and that’s how I found out about this giveaway. In the unlikely chance I win a prize, please throw it back in the hat and give it to someone else. If I win a second time, then it was meant for me and I’ll keep it!
Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Thank you for the giveaway, and congratulations!
I subscribe via email.
I follow you on Facebook.
I signed up for your writing newsletter.
I have been enjoying your writing since MSN Money.
Congratulations! You have reason to celebrate. I enjoy reading your blog posts.
I subscribe via email.
I am signed up for your writing focused newsletter.
I’ve been following quite awhile. Would love to win an amazon gc!
Congratulations on passing 2 million page views! I follow you on email.
I subscribe to your newsletter.
Hi Donna, this is great! Here’s my comment.
I follow you at @survivngthrivng (I’m @saidchelsea).
I’ve already been signed up to your newsletter.
Doing something you love, helping others, fostering a supportive community — you rock, Donna! Congratulations on your two milion milestone!
I get your emails
I follow your tweets (moeyshay)
I subscribe to your writing blog newsletter
I’m just seeing this for the first time. (Thanks FaceBook) Congratulations on your success Donna. I would love to win a gift card.
I get your emails though I’m going to have to check and see what’s happened to them.
I love this
Follow on facebook
Subscribe via email
I follow you on FB!
And I follow you on the Twitter!
I often come back to your site to look something up from your archives, though, and I really appreciate that they are here.
Just signed up to get your writing posts by email.
Great Giveaway!!!
Email and Facebook.