Blogger Behind the Blog {Much More With Less}

Here’s this week’s instalment of Blogger Behind the Blog where I interview a blogger all about their reasons for blogging and what it means to them. This week I’m joined by Faith from Much More With Less.

Here’s Faith with more about her blogging life:

Where did your blog name come from?

I was racking my brains for a blog name about living on a low budget, but still having a good time. I’m also keen to make the most of limited resources, consume less and live a simpler, more sustainable life. Much More With Less seemed to bring all those elements together.

When did you start your blog and why?

I actually started my blog back in 2013 to raise money for UNICEF. I took part in the Live Below the Line charity challenge, where you feed yourself for £1 a day for 5 days, raising awareness of global poverty. Later it got picked up by the Sunday Times and the Mirror, and I enjoyed blogging so much I continued to write about budget food. I expanded into managing money after we moved to the country.

What did you do before you blogged?

I was on maternity leave, had given up my office job as a journalist, but still had the itch to write.

What was your first post?

“Feeding yourself for £1 a day?”, at the start of the Life Below the Line challenge.

What inspires you to blog?

I love writing, and I’m passionate about helping people make the most of their money.

What post has had the best response, which post are you most proud of and which post did you enjoy writing the most?

One post that really got picked up was at New Year – how small changes made a big difference during 2016, when all our cost savings and extra earnings totted up to £9,000.

I think I’m most proud of my post with “10 lessons I’d like to teach my daughter about money”, written for International Women’s Day. I stand by that post as some great advice I wish I could transmit to many more people than my daughter.

For the post I enjoyed writing the most, it’s a toss up between the marmalade making (which went wrong), the first day of a diet (which went wrong) and my top tips about a village-showing winning Victoria Sponge (never realised I cared enough to write 35 points about cake)

Have any of your posts not had the response that you expected?

The comment with a top tip on frugal contraception was a tad unexpected. Especially from my sister.

Where do you see your blog in a year’s time?

So many plans – expanding the posts with useful content on money matters, start vlogging, get my head round Pinterest, work with some companies I really believe in, world domination, the whole shebang. Realistically, add extra content and create a community around managing money, potentially as a Facebook group.

What is your favourite thing about blogging?

The joy of writing a good post, whether it’s entertaining, useful, or ideally both. Then forcing my husband to read it and saying “which bit? which bit?” every time he laughs.

…and your least favourite?

Not having enough time to write all the posts I’d like to. And I’m not the biggest fan of the techy side.

What’s the best blog post you have ever read?

Jack Monroe’s Hunger Hurts. It was one of my main motivations to take part in Live Below the Line, and it’s still a heart-wrenching post.

What blog do you love to read and why?

The Frugalwoods over in the US – I may think I’m frugal, but I learn so much from Mr and Mrs Frugalwoods, Frugal Baby and Frugal Hound.

Do you do anything differently now to when you started blogging?

So much! Still love the writing, but I’ve had to learn about using social media from Instagram to Facebook and Twitter, plus affiliate links, ethical anguish about sponsored posts and the mysteries of SEO.

Is blogging what you expected it to be?

It continues to amaze me that anyone other than my mother reads my blog. I love the comments from returning readers, and the sense of community it creates. Also, I hadn’t expected the amazing support from fellow bloggers.

What’s been your favourite blog collaboration to date?

I love the #5frugalthings linky every Friday with Cass at The Diary of a Frugal Family, Emma’s Savvy Savings and Becky at Family Budgeting

Are there any brands you would love to work with, why?

I’m keen to work with brands whose products I genuinely use, and whose businesses I genuinely believe in, so brands like The National Trust, English Heritage, TopCashback and Morrisons.

I should really say some amazing holiday or handbag company, shouldn’t I?

Have you had any blogging fails so far?

It took me YEARS to finally make the switch from a free blogspot blog to my very own self-hosted domain. Glad to have made the switch at long last.

What is your biggest blogging hope, dream or ambition?

Money is so powerful. It can set you free, or destroy lives with debt. If I can help people make the most of their money, to avoid debt and realise their dreams, that would be amazing.

What do you do when you’re not blogging?

Juggling my two children, husband, chaotic house, overgrown garden and freelance work as a personal finance journalist. Gin helps.

and lastly, tell us all a random fact about yourself

I’ve spent years not driving. Recently had to brace myself to have refresher lessons and get back out there. Beware fellow road users.

Now that you know all about Faith from Much More With Less, make sure you go and read her blog. You can follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – thanks so much Faith for being involved!