FYI about Email Subscriptions & Shabbat & Missing Deals

Just a quick FYI about email subscriptions.

I’ve gotten a couple of questions from those of you who are email subscribers about why there is an email from Kosher on a Budget sent on Shabbat morning.

I wanted to clear this issue up, so no one feels the need to send me a not-very-nice email in the future!

If you subscribe to other blogs, you probably already know this, but here goes: KOAB’s email subscription is TOTALLY automated on my end. A long time ago, I chose a time frame for my emails to be sent – every morning between 7 and 9 central time.

Now, every single day, that email gets sent from some Google computer (NOT from me, NOT from my computer!) with a compilation of posts from the past 24 hours.

For what it’s worth, I did try to figure out a way to send them after Shabbat, but it wasn’t doable. If it went out motzei Shabbat, that meant it also went out when it was already Shabbat on Friday (since the emails are automated and get sent at the same time everyday).

Plus, motzei Shabbat in Kansas City is still Shabbat in California. Which is kind of the conundrum of time zones.

(I assume this goes without saying, but just in case, I am obviously not posting ON Shabbat.)

I have consulted with both my rabbi and a social media expert from YU and both have said that automated emails are fine. The possible issue – as some of you have noted – is marit ayin.  But hopefully now that I’ve explained how this works, that won’t even be an issue anymore!

If you are uncomfortable with the fact that the email is delivered on Shabbat (even though I have nothing to do with it and presumably you’re not checking email on Shabbat anyway ;-)), then I totally understand if you don’t want to receive emails from KOAB. You can feel free to unsubscribe by clicking the “Unsubscribe” button at the bottom of any of the emails you get from KOAB.

Another question I’ve gotten a lot is: “I signed up for your emails, but now I am missing out on deals, since they are expired by the time I get your email.”

Unfortunately that can happen with emails. That’s because the emails you get today have been written anytime in the last 24 hours. So, if I post on Sunday about a one-day only deal or a hot sale at Amazon, you unfortunately won’t read about it until Monday morning – if the only way you stay in touch with KOAB is through emails.

Fortunately, there are lots of ways to stay in touch with Kosher on a Budget beyond the email subscription (although I do love that many of you subscribe and hope you will continue to do so!).

  • You can sign up for my RSS feed, and follow KOAB in Google reader, or the reader of your choice.
  • You can“like” KOAB on Facebook and get updates in your newsfeed – then if there’s a must-not-miss deal, you won’t miss it!
  • You can follow KOAB on Twitter to get all the newest and latest on the blog (and other inane thoughts I share in 140 characters or less ;-))
  • You can visit kosheronabudget.com anytime you want and read through new and old posts at your leisure!

Hopefully that clears up any lingering questions about email subscriptions, but please chime if it doesn’t.

Keep reading and commenting – however works best for you!

Comments

  1. Mara, I am so impressed with your work to help others.
    Thank you.
    Best regards,
    Miriam

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