Get To Know Your Local Bloggers – Frugal Makes Cents

*Go here to read more about my “Get To Know Your Local Bloggers” series*

This weeks first local blogger to be featured is Precious from Frugal Makes Cents.

Blog address – www.FrugalMakesCents.Blogspot.com

My Quick Review: If you have been reading my blog for any length of time then you will know that I am a HUGE “fan” of Precious and her site, Frugal Makes Cents!  I can say without a doubt that Frugal Makes Cents is my favorite website out there.  Why do I love it so?  Not only does Precious have several years of experience with frugality and coupon use but she jam packs every blog post with useful and practical ideas on how you can save money in your every day life.  I am someone that doesn’t like to be told what to do and Precious is the perfect teacher for me because instead of saying “do this” she says “this is what I do/did”.  She then leaves it up to you if you choose to take her “lessons” and apply it to your every day life.  I think what sets her site apart from the rest (IMO) is that you can feel the love that she has for others especially her family and it is apparent that they come first.  Another favorite of mine are her shopping trip pictures and breakdowns.  Unless you are someone that likes to spend your money without thinking then I am quite confident that you will enjoy Frugal Makes Cents!   Precious  has much more to offer but I will let you hear about it in her own words…..

What is your name? Precious

Where are you located? Buffalo area

Do you work outside of the home?  We are retired more than 10 years now. I only worked a few years( part time – 1 and ½ years and full  time – 6 years) while my kids were in private junior high and high school and to help pay for college. Otherwise, I was a stay at home mom.

Do you have any children and/or pets? A cat; two grown sons and a granddaughter and grandson.

What are some of your favorite things to do when you aren’t blogging? I love to cook, read, watch movies, sightsee, make gift baskets and other gifts, and play with my grandchildren.

Why did you start your blog? To share my experiences in being frugal in our lifestyle so that we could retire early; hoping to help just one person on their quest to being frugal and retiring early with no debt.

What is your favorite part about blogging? Sharing my experiences and hearing what others are doing via comments.  

Approximately how many times do you post a week? I try for 3-5 times a week. Some busier weeks may be 3. 

Do you have any special features on your blog? My Money Saving Challenge which will be continued for the year 2012 

What do you think is your “specialty” when it comes to your blog content?  We are just early retirees who have lived a wonderful life and continue to do so because of our frugality. 

I am curious to hear about your spending and saving habits!  We spend as little as possible in order to keep as much of our retirement funds as possible. When your income is fixed you have to account for any increases in spending or for inflation yourself. No one is going to give you that extra money that is needed; no raises here. You have to take care of yourself. We try to keep about 40% of what we could spend each month to account for inflation over the years.  

Do you use coupons on every shopping trip?  Absolutely, except when I shop at Aldi’s. They do not take coupons. 

What is your favorite item to find a coupon for?  Meat

What is your best deal that you ever got?  30 Ham steaks for free at  Super Target in AZ in 2008. Target put out a $2.00 off any Archer Farms ham coupon

Do you have a set grocery budget each month?  Yes, I  just set it at $ 160. a month.

On average how much do you save on your grocery bill?   I am not sure because I really am not  tracking it but I would say 75% to 85% except when I need meat.  This is an ongoing challenge for me to spend as little as possible. 

What is your favorite store to shop at for deals?   I really don’t have a favorite. I am a cherry picker. 

If you could pass on one tip to people trying to save money, what would it be?  Never try to keep up with the “Joneses”. They are most likely not in the financial shape that you think they are. Spend and save according to your family’s needs not someone else’s.  

Do you have a favorite frugal recipe?  Bacon, Macaroni Goulash which is a family recipe of my grandmother’s.

What is the most frugal thing that you do?  All of the things I don’t spend money on is the most frugal thing I do.  

What are some of your favorite money saving websites aside from your own? This one of course. J  Making My Own Luck, The Prudent Homemaker, and  many more that are listed on my blog.

GIVEAWAY:
1. Subscribe to Frugal Makes Cents via Google Friend Connect (on the right side of her blog) OR if you don’t use Google friend connect then just leave a relevant comment and then follow steps 2 and 3 below.
2. Leave a comment on one of her blog posts saying something similar to “Mom’s Coupon Affair sent me”
3. Leave a comment on THIS post letting me know that you did everything required in step 1 & 2 to enter.

The Giveaway will last until Thursday, December 22nd @ 11:59 PM EST.  The winner of this coupon giveaway will receive an envelope of coupons.  The amount of coupons that will be won depends on the amount of people that enter the giveaway.  I will start each envelope off with 15 coupons and one coupon will be added for every person that enters!

**Keep an eye out this Thursday for our next local blogger,Tricia’s Frugal Finds!**

Previous local blogger interviews: WNY Deals And To-Do’s, Crazy About Savin, Reality Couponing In Rochester, Deals Is The Deal, Mindfully Frugal Mom, Our REAL Deal