Featured Newbie Blogger – Life’s Cheap Thrills @LifesCheap

She's in another time zone and we BOTH had internet connection issues…but now it's time talk to my wonderful cohost for the Newbie Blog Hop – it's Christine "Tin" from Life's Cheap Thrills!!

Each week at the Newbie Blog Hop, we choose a Featured Newbie to interview and get to know a little better. This week we skipped the draw and decided to feature our own picks (teehee!!). We each have a different feature so after you read here, head over there!!

Now onto the interview!!

Tell me a little bit about yourself and your family.

I’m Christine, 22 years old from the Philippines where it’s sunny every day (thanks, Glee!). I am a nurse by profession but have not been practicing for months. When my dad died last year I decided to stay home and help my mom with our family business. I have two younger brothers, both are still going to school.

Do you have more than one blog? If so, tell me about them!

I have a “more personal” blog where I write anything under the sun. It’s more of an online diary. My last entry was on February 2011 and I plan not to update until I’m ready to explain why I have been away without being so emotional.

How long have you been blogging?

I started my first blog in September 2007 so this year I’m turning 5 years old as a blogger.

However, Life's Cheap Thrills is only about 4 months old so I’m technically new to all these money making strategies, giveaways, affiliations, and whatnot. BUT, I’m learning and that’s what’s important.

Why did you start blogging? Is this also why you continue blogging?

I have to admit I started LCT to make money. I’ve stopped working so I’ve been looking for ways to earn dough at the comfort of my home. Is this why I continue blogging? One of the reasons, yes. My blog is four months old and I honestly don’t think I have earned more than a hundred bucks over the past four months but I aim to make more and more as days go by. The main reason though is the connection I make with my readers and the friendship I create with other my bloggers. It’s so nice to know that there are people who appreciate what you do and there are bloggers who support you.

Who does your blog appeal to? Is this who you thought would be your target audience?

Women in general. I thought it would appeal to anybody who's into saving but I guess most women, if not all, are into "cheap things."

What direction do you see your blog going in the future?

I want to believe my blog would be big in the future and I would be influential to my readers.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced so far with your blog?

It's keeping up with the reviews and giveaway events. There were times that I got sick of everything, shut off my computer, and watched DVDs instead. PMS, maybe.

What do you love about blogging?

I love that I'm able to express myself through blogging. I am usually quiet and blogging enables me to let out some things that I keep inside. I hate that I haven't been able to do just that with my blog. Also, I love that just by reading blogs you get to know more about a person and learn from them. Plus, I get to win on some giveaways I enter!

What do you NOT love about blogging?

It's addicting but tiring.

What types of product reviews and giveaways do you feature?

I accept variety of products to review and/or giveaway so long as they're not sex related. Most giveaways are cash because it's hard to pitch for items when you live outside the US.

What was your favorite product to review?

I have 3 books from Viva Editions sitting on my desk waiting to be reviewed. I feel like they're going to be my favorites.

What advice do you have for those wanting to get into this or up the value of their giveaways?

Just focus on increasing your followings first. Page views, ranks, and other stats are important as well because all companies, big or small, cares for how much exposure you can give to their products.

Besides your blog, how else can people find you? Which method is your favorite/least favorite?

You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and sometimes on YouTube (not posting but watching videos of my favourite YouTube artists. Ha!).

Share your top 3 favorite posts from your blog.

..more of "memorable"..

Life's Cheap Thrills' Blog Launch Giveaway – first post, first giveaway! I was so happy about it having 1000+ entries!

Lovable Labels Review – first review I did! I was so thrilled I took a lot of pictures.

Forget the Resolutions Giveaway Hop – most number of entries I've gotten so far!

Share your top 3 favorite blogs to read and why.

These blogs are not in the review and giveaway genre but they serve as my “escape” when things get crazy and I just want to breathe:

Color Me Katie – this blog is so laid back it never fails to make me smile and feel good. I wish I had Katie's personality.

New Dress A Day – 365 days. 365 items of clothing. 365 dollars. The project has ended but sewing still continues.

The Beauty Department – beauty tips and tutorials

Do you have any bloggers that you consider to be mentors? The owners of the following blogs aren't really my mentors but their tutorials and tips have helped me a lot when I was still starting:

Simply Stacie

Makobi Scribe

Social Junkie

Do you have a weekly, daily, or monthly Blog Hop or Meme that people should join in? Tell me about it and share an info link.

I don’t but I have an ongoing giveaway linky that I update every Monday. Come link-up!

How do you find time to blog?

I have all the time in the world but I mentioned once in the Newbie Blog Facebook Group that my blogging schedule depends on my mom’s mood and schedule. I’m online when she’s at work then I go offline when she gets home so we can talk about how her day went. She hates being ignored.

What else would you like us to know?

Thanks for this opp!

What is your best advice for a Newbie Blogger?

As a new blogger, it's normal to feel overwhelmed when you're around big blogs. Find people on the same boat as you just like my friends in the Newbie Group. Grow together. Also, get tips from experienced bloggers. They are usually nice!

I just love, Love, LOVE Christine for all the help she's given in the NBH group and she's such a fantastic cohost!!

If you are a newbie or feel like a newbie, you are all welcome to join us on the Newbie Blog Hop and Newbie Blog Hop Facebook Group.