A Review: Becoming 2011 – Creative, Purposeful, Frugal
I was fortunate to attend the “Becoming 2011 – Creative, Purposeful, Frugal”
Conference August 12 and 13 near Ashville, NC at Ridgecrest Conference Center. The speakers were Jenny Martin of SouthernSavers.com; Jen Schmidt of Balancing Beauty and Bedlam; The Nester; Angela Statzer of Button Bird Designs; and, Rachel Van Erden, mother of eleven. The conference was well planned and offered an abundance of information in three areas to Becoming our best.
The first area: “Becoming Creative” offered sessions 1 and 5, “The Philosophy of a Home” with the Nester; sessions 2 and 5, “Find, Create, Redo” with Angela; session 3, “Real Decorating for Real Women with Real Budgets” with The Nester; and session 4, “Creative Inspiration and Easy Trash to Treasure Projects” with Angela.
The second area: “Becoming Purposeful” offered sessions 2 and 3, “Creating Purposeful Moments in our Mothering: Casting a Long Term Vision” with Rachel; sessions 1 and 5, “Live the 80% off Lifestyle and Love It!” with Jen.
The third area: “Becoming Frugal” offered session 1, “The Art of Saving on Groceries” with Jenny; session 4, “Putting it All Together: The Important Stuff” with Jen; session 2, “Playing the Drugstore Game” with Jenny; and session 4, “Tricks and Tips to Saving Money Online” with Jenny.
As you can see there were five sessions throughout the day with several topics offered more than once, even then it was impossible to attend all eleven presentations. A suggestion for next year’s conference September, 20212 at Ridgecrest in NC – have handouts for each presentation at the Registration table that allows all attendees to have all the wonderful information from each topic and helps attention to remain a speaker and not on note taking! Moreover, all participating will feel they received full value for the conference.
The sponsors: Savings.com, coinstar, and Day Springs’ Blessings Unlimited provided an assortment of great items in a beautiful canvas tote from Blessings Unlimited. Also, drawings for cash prizes; 10 Kits with DVD, book, online access for ; and 15 items from Blessings Unlimited. All winners were smiling as they collected their prizes! I was not familiar with the sponsors before the conference; however, I am a firm supporter of all three NOW.
The conference was at Ridgecrest Conference Center, a secluded tranquil retreat center nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Ashville, NC. It was peaceful with rocking chairs, cool breezes, and a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A wonderful time to coupon, organize binders, learn home decor tricks, savings tips, and meet new friends! The food served by the dining hall was excellent – served cafeteria style with round dining tables to chat easily with new friends.
The time passed quickly and the conference ended with dessert, a delicious cheesecake. Saying good-bye to new friends is hard, but taking the memories and contact information was a blessing!
Mark your calendar for “Becoming 2012” September 21-22, 2012, Ridgecrest Conference Center, Ashville, NC. See you there!
“By the grace of God, I am what I am.” 1 Corinthians 15:10 KJV
