Shasta Walton Faithfully Frugal and Free Blogger An Interview

Shasta shares about bargains, discounts and free items on her blog. She also writes honest product reviews especially those for children.

Tell me about your Blog –

Faithfully Frugal And Free is my way of giving back. I love to help people save money and find free stuff! It makes my heart glad to see mom’s saving money and getting products they would normally buy for a fraction of the price. If I can help just one person change their shopping habits by shopping sales and using coupons then I would be overjoyed!

My blog also focuses on product reviews. I love to share my opinions with both consumers and companies and help spread the word about products I love! When I share a product review it is honest and from the heart. I would never recommend a product I would not use myself.

Lastly Faithfully Frugal and Free is a chance for women to connect and share what they are doing to save money and how they feel about products as well! I love to see comments from my readers, these are the readers that make writing my blog so enjoyable! After all we are all in this together!

What was your first blog?

My first blog is actually no longer online. It was a personal blog about my children. I used this blog to post pictures and document the changes they experienced so that our families could feel like they were not missing out on so much. Being a Coast Guard family we have always lived pretty far away from home and this was the best way at the time to keep everyone up to date!

What is the biggest tip you would give to product reviewers?

Keep it honest, simple, and personal! Finding a reviewer you can trust makes all the difference! I also love hearing about how a product was personally used and helpful to the reviewer! Being able to relate to the reviewer makes me feel like I can relate to the product as well!

Are you contacted by advertisers or do you contact them or both?

I have contacted companies when they offer a product I find intriguing and would like to know more about. For example, if I stumble upon a blogger who owns her own jewelry business and she offers unique and charming pieces and her business is relatively small I will ask if she may be interested in having her products reviewed. I have also been contacted by companies who are interested in being reviewed before they launch a new sale.

What is your favorite product that you have reviewed?

My favorite review at this point would have to be Zoodles.com a safe browser gaming service for children. It came just at the right time for our family! We were having a few issues with our boys playing games online when I was offered the opportunity to review this site. It has given my children the freedom to play games online without having to rely on me and I have peace-of-mind knowing their little eyes and minds are safe online!

What do advertisers do that you wish they wouldn’t/ do that you like?

I love it when an ad is funny! Laughter is the best medicine! I also appreciate family friendly advertisers. My biggest pet peeve in advertising would have to be that which may further distort a teenage girls body image!

What do bloggers do that you wish they wouldn’t/do that you like?

I think the only thing I have really come across while blogging that disturbs me is the idea that they web isn’t big enough for a blog similar to their own. I love to read many different kinds of blogs but there is a certain style I find appealing and I believe that is true for most of us. So to form a sort of competition with others in your own blogging “category” seems pretty foolish. I try to live by the idea that we really are all in this together and should seek to help each other grow our blogs and reading communities.

What advertiser would you like to work with given a chance?

Nintendo, my boys are all about gaming right now and nothing is more fun for me as a mom than sharing a reviewing opportunity with my children. Want an honest opinion? Ask a child!

Where do you see growth in the blogging field?

I see a continuing growth among women and mom bloggers! We are so good at networking a building communities. I think this kind of “sharing” just comes naturally to us and our lives are all so different and interesting! It’s the true reality show!

What is one thing about you that not many people know?

I am petrified of frogs! I always have been! I cannot remember ever having a traumatic experience with a frog but if you want to see me run, scream, or cry (which I hope you don’t) come near me with a frog!

What’s your favorite book?

This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti

What is on your iPod?

Casting Crowns, Skillet, Taylor Swift, Barlowgirl, Third Day and so many more!

What are your contact details?

http://www.faithfullyfrugal-and-free.com

keepinitcheap@(nospam)hotmail.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Faithfully-Frugal-And-Free/225387562305

How do you prefer to communicate?

Email, I check it often through out the day!

Who would you recommend, and why?

http://www.iheartpublix.com She is amazing, so helpful and cares so much for others!

http://not-so-superwoman.blogspot.com/ All I can say is be prepared to laugh! She is honest and funny!

http://www.prizey.net/ Who doesn’t love to win a giveaway now and then? I also love that they give bloggers a place to share our giveaways!

http://blogfriendlypr.com/?page_id=412 Great resource for product review bloggers.

http://www.christianwomenonline.net/issue/ Great place of fellowship and an amazing and inspiring blog roll!

What is one thing people can do for you?

Help others! You can also become a fan, follower, and help me spread the word about my blog so I can continue to help as many people as possible!

Thank you very much for allowing me to be a part of this!

ConnieFoggles