What is your first name?
Lep (short for Lepidoptera) - it's not the name on my birth certificate, but it's the name my spirit answers to

What are your kids’ names and ages?
M'ija is 19

How did you find Mommysavers? Have you referred anyone here? Were you referred here?
Link from another website - I don't remember which one


What does your user name mean?
It's part of my spirit name - my spirit name refers to the butterfly and the phoenix, both of which are transformation totems - I took that name after a very nasty divorce left me feeling ugly and devastated, and I rebuilt myself

Out of all the things the members here have offered in terms of advice, support, counsel and criticism, what have you personally benefited from? And do you remember specifically who the member was that offered that advice?
Lots of times, I see in someone else's question or situation a reflection of my own, and advice not necessarily intended for me helps me.


How many coupons do you use on a regular basis?
Not many - a lot of the items that I'm picky about the brand, don't often have coupons available, and the ones that I'm not picky, I can often get generic cheaper than the brand with the coupon. Every so often, I will get a register coupon that I'm able to use on my next trip, and I use preferred shopper card discounts.


What was your most recent "bargain"?
Winn-Dixie had Hormel Naturals cold cuts BOGO, which made 4 packages of those cheaper than 2 packages of the store brand.

What have you done to save money this week?
Ushered for a concert we wanted to see, so we didn't have to pony up $50 each for tickets.


What do you consider a way of life that others think is a crazy way to save?
I re-drip coffee grounds
I don't buy disposables
I use rags or a mop to clean up spills instead of paper towels
I clean with vinegar
I shop thrift stores for clothes
(I have gotten odd looks and/or comments on all of these things)


What is your favorite store in which to find bargains?
Any of several thrift stores in the area:
Goodwill
St. Vincent de Paul
Salvation Army
Here Today Gone Tomorrow

What is the best deal you ever found (even if it wasn’t at your favorite store)?
When M'ija was 10, we found her a bicycle for $10 at a thrift store.


What is your best money saving tip?
Check unit prices
Lean meat costs more, but you don't leave up to a third of it in the skillet

What is your favorite frugal meal?
Cornbread and greens

Do you enter contests? If so, what is the best prize you’ve ever won?
I do - I don't win often, but I win well - our most recent win was a few months ago - $50 on a lottery ticket
A few years ago, I won two tickets to a Jonny Lang concert and $100


If money were no object, what 3 things would you buy yourself or your family?

Decent car for M'ija
Finance M'ija's education
Endow an educational theatre company to be run by Himself


If you had $10 to spend on yourself (you and you alone) what would you buy?

I'd browse the used section of my friend's bookstore and/or the used scetion of another friend's music store

Are there words you live by? What are they?

Other than the ones in my signature? I've always thought there was much wisdom in something M'ija said when she was about 5 - "Just because something is imaginary doesn't mean it isn't real." coupled with Jane Wagner's "Reality is a collective hunch."

Sum yourself up in 1 word:
YES!

We'll raise up our glasses against evil forces, singing, "Whiskey for my men, beer for my horses!" (Toby Keith and Willie Nelson, Beer for My Horses)

When life hands you lemons, ask for tequila and salt and call me over!

Any time God closes one door, She always opens another, even though sometimes it's Hell in the hallway.

If there are no dogs in heaven, I want to go where they went. (Will Rogers)

I've got twenty-five bucks and a cracker - do you think it's enough to get us there? (Tori Amos, Silent All These Years)

From the rocking of the cradle, to the rolling of the hearse, the going up is worth the coming down. (Kris Kristofferson, The Pilgrim)

Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you can't eat it or play with it, pee on it and walk away.

__________________

It's great getting to know you better!

__________________

I always enjoy reading your posts,, nice to feel like I know you better.

I do have a question,,,, is M'ija a nickname or your daughter's actual name. I ask because I know mija is a hispanic term of endearment one of my friends uses for her daughter, but I have a sister who's actual name is Mija *pronounced My-Ju

__________________




Think big! Change the world! One A.R.K at a time.

Thanks for sharing. It was nice getting to know you a little more

__________________
Come Black Friday and Cyber Monday Shopping With Me In ONLINE BARGAINS

M'ija is not her real name - she prefers that I not use her real name when discussing her with people she doesn't know, especially online, so I honor her wishes.
M'ija (I was taught to proounce it me-ha) is simply Spanish for "my daughter."
I have a Filipina friend whose real name IS Mija, and she pronounces it Me-Ja.

__________________
When life hands you lemons, ask for tequila and salt and call me over!
Any time God closes one door, She always opens another, even though sometimes it's Hell in the hallway.
Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you can't eat it or play with it, pee on it and walk away.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, prepare to die. (Klingon proverb)
Don't point. You'll poke holes in the air and all the faeries will escape.

Congrats. on being MOTW, it was great getting to know you better!

Nice to get to know more of the ins and outs of you! HUGS!!! :-)

__________________
married 8 years to a crazy Brit, mommy to a banana, she is 5 and a pineapple who is just about 2 , mommy to 4 ~angel~ babies

Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for sharing.

__________________

Glad to see you featured this week! Thank you for sharing.

__________________
Homeschooling Mom to Daniel (13 Years), Andrew (10 Years), Stephen (8 Years) and Emily (4 Years)