Redesign on a Dime

Welcome to the new look RMDM!

I’ve been toying around with the idea of revamping the blog from the free theme I’ve had since I launched in November 2008, but had been avoiding it mostly because I saw lots of dollar signs.  Personally, I don’t have enough knowledge of html, css or php to do anything of any consequence that would have enhanced the look and feel of my blog, so I always knew I’d need some help to get the site where I’d like it to be.

So, after doing a lot of research and pouring through just about every free theme I could find out there, I finally buckled under the pressure of wanting to do something and purchased the Thesis theme on Friday.  After uploading it to my host I spent my weekend tweaking the design and googling for tips on how I could make the theme more mine.

A dozen or so code break downs later I managed to get the site looking pretty good – at least in my not so humble opinion .  Other than the cost of purchasing Thesis I did everything else myself.  I still have a few things I’d like to do (not including getting a logo or banner made), but until I’m more comfortable playing with css and php files they will have to wait.

Normally in this space on Mondays I provide some links to some other blogs you should check out, and in keeping with the frugal theme, I have a few sites that are aimed at helping you save money.

Ever since I met my wife I have become quite fond of coupons.  Generally she finds them and gives them to me since I do most of the shopping.  However, since coming across Coupon Dad I have found some good ones with his help.

We have a rule in our household if we can’t pay cash, we don’t buy it.  Like Frugal Dad, I hate debt in all forms, including mortgages despite the fact that I made a good living in my previous life as a mortgage broker.  Sure, they provide some tax advantages, however, I’d gladly pay higher income taxes over making a mortgage payment each month.  Guess I should start playing that ‘education’ lottery they have here in North Carolina.

And then we have a few blogs that are big on giveaways and other promotions.  They have lots of interesting stuff for both parents and kids.  Check out Buck’s Blog and Look What Mom Found…and Dad Too to see what they are offering, because free is always the best price.