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Real Mom
Profile
07.19.2006
 Name: Jean
Age: 28
Home: Baltimore, MD
Family's Names and Ages:
Clay 26
Jade 5 months
Occupation:
Programmer
Real Estate Investor
If I had a day to myself...:
Sleep in til noon, browse the web, then get
ready for the dinner... ha!
Money Saving Tips:
Learn lots and lots of tips about coupons.
It all started, gee, I guess before having a
baby. I bought this
1000 Best Baby Bargains book
and learned many, many ways to save money on baby
stuff. I got great tips and purchased some
All-in-one cloth diapers and used baby
furniture. It saved me thousands of dollars.
After having baby, I started to wonder, "Are there
other books talking about saving money in
general? Like groceries, travel, dinning,
clothing, etc, things I buy on regular basis?" I
didn't really find many resources. Then I joined
this Mommysavers web site suggested by the book.
I guess one thing led to another. I clicked a
few links and read a few articles. Then I bought
a few books such as
Tightwad Gazette,
Tiptionary, and super coupons system, etc. I
started to read weekly advertise from local
grocers and subscribe to Sunday paper for
coupons. Yet, I started to save lots and lots of
money.
It seems not long ago I would just buy anything
and everything from the grocery store. I feel
going to grocery or home stores (like Walmart)
is time for me to unleash my craving to shop.
Since I was making most food at home and buying
most clothes from Goodwill, I thought I was
doing all right. However, the grocery bill each
trip would run between $150 to $250. (My husband
wasn't thrilled by the bill, but we thought that's
the way it is. It would be cheaper than eating
out.)
Then I discoverd Aldi. That helps. Then, I
discovered reading weekly advertising. That
really helped. I started to chop grocery bill in
half or more. I only bought the best deal from
each store during my work lunch hour. Each time
it costs me about $20 - $25 or so and it can
last me more than a week! Now I am collecting
coupons to combine with those sales and
hopefully to chop the bills even further.
It started to apply in everything, I guess. The
attitude of saving money and making the most out
of what you have. I started to drink water
(instead of getting a coke from the vending
machine) and I prepare 3 meals religiously
during the week. And we were excited to bring
our coupons to eat out. Virtually, we hardly pay
full price for anything!
I keep a log on a erasable white board stating
how much money I spent and saved. It gets fun
just to see the list adds up. I wrote a check to
our saving account from the money we saved that
month. And I can't wait to see the coupons
coming. This is like a challenge to see just how
far I can go on saving money.
You don't have to be broke or in financial
trouble to do this. In fact, having this
attitude would enable you to accomplish many
important things in life, such as paying bills
off, having reserve fund aside, paying your
mortgage off early, travel, or invest more in
retirement.
I feel great! Really. I have been exposed to how
to make money in real estate and save money in
daily life. I think I am on the right vehicle to
arrive our goals. Well, we are happy now. Both
still go to work. We like our jobs. I need a job
to get me off the bed and stay in shape (away
from my pantry).
Hopefully I get to be a cool mom to Jade.
Although she is only 5 month old now. I hope to
teach her value of money and ability to make the
most out of everything.
Thank you Mommysavers! Your book and web site
really changed my life! I wouldn't have learned
it without you.
Bargain Hunting Strategies:
Local grocery stores such as Stop Shop and Save.
Or any good deals I see in the weekly
advertising. Aldi is for things I need now and
are not on sale anywhere.
Products we can't live without:
Lipton ice tea bags and sugar. My husband and I
must drink our home made ice tea ever day!
In the Kitchen: Basil Lemon Chicken
Some fresh basil leaves from garden
Some boneless chicken thighs (chopped into
pieces you like)
Some lemon juice
Salt and paper to taste
Tear clean basil leaves apart and soak in lemon
juice.
Heat butter. When it is hot, put the chicken
then stir fry it til the skin turns white.
Pour in the basil/lemon mixture
Add salt and pepper.
Til the chicken is cooked. You would be
surprised how nice it tastes!
Organization:
I sort coupons in alphabetic order and put them
in my purse.
It is easier to find them this way.
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