5 Questions With: Cent-Savvy

Posted February 17, 2010, 11:44 am in 5 Questions With


Cent-savvy is a couponing queen. She shares her secrets to success on cent-savvy.ecrater.com, and also here on GrowingBolder.com! We could all stand to save a little cash, so we decided to learn more about this money maven and her passion, in this installment of 5 Questions With.


1. Everyone wants to save money, but not everyone makes it a passion like you! How did you get started, and why is couponing so important?

I had always been a sale and coupon shopper. I learned that from my Mother. With a family of 4, I was spending $800-$900 a month on groceries/toiletries/paper products. In 2009, when writing out my yearly goals I wanted to decrease that amount. My husband was skeptical since I already did the coupon thing, but I knew I could do it. I did some research, kicked it into high gear, and by December I was spending less than $400 a month and have a huge stockpile of things. I never buy generic, my freezer is full and so is my pantry. In these tough economic times, saving money is essential. It does take some planning, especially at first, but anyone can save money using coupons.

2. What's the number one question people have for you, or your best advice for someone who is just getting started?

The number one question I get is how do you save so much money? My best advice is get the Wednesday and Sunday paper. Wednesday is when the grocery ads are in there and Sunday is where you will find the coupons. The Internet is also a great place to get printable coupons. Sit down with the grocery ads and circle the items that you need. Then go online to one of the sites like http://hotcouponworld.com and find the coupon match ups. They do it all for you!

3. Who are your role models, both personally and professionally? How have they inspired you to keep Growing Bolder?

My role models are my parents. Dad worked in the steel mill, Mom stayed at home with the 3 kids. I remember seeing her sitting at the kitchen table with the grocery ads, making out her shopping list, matching up her coupons. Mom was great at saving money. They inspire me to be a better parent and wife. They have been married 59 years and my husband and I are going on 22.

4. What are the goals you hope to achieve in the next 5, 10, 15 years?

One of my goals for this year is to grow my business to help others save money. I also work full-time and have been here 27 years, so hopefully in 15 years I’ll be retired! I want to be living in a cabin in Tennessee, travel with my husband, enjoying the grandkids, and being the best that I can be.

5. Money aside (if you can!) -- what would be your top pick for a meal? At home or in a restaurant? What's on the menu?

Italian! First start out with a nice salad, then a big plate of gnocchi, and of course, something chocolate for dessert.

To learn more about Cent-Savvy's workshops, check out her profile on Growing Bolder and her Cent-Savvy Web site here! And for more great interviews in our 5 Questions With series, click here.


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