About
Who is Happy Money Saver?
I am that happy lady standing in line at the store checkout lane with my fistful of coupons in hand. The cashier rolls her eyes. The people behind me in line roll their eyes. Then later when I walk in the door at home with 20+ boxes of cereal in my arms my husband rolls his eyes. But I just smile and know its all worth it when I look at the savings at the bottom of my receipt!
Hello, my name is Karrie and I am blessed to be a mom of four wild and amazing children. My accountant husband and I live in the Pacific Northwest. Here are a few things I am passionate about:
- My love for the Lord: I am constantly amazed at how much he blesses my life.
-My children: Monica, Micah, Grace + Liam
-My husband Matt who is my biggest Happy Money Saver fan!
-Living a thrifty life
-Chocolate
-Hiking
-Laughing
-Being Happy + Having Fun
My Frugal Journey
My dream was to be a stay at home mother of my 4 kids. However, even with my hard-working wonderful accountant husband, having 4 children on one-income often left us struggling financially to make ends meet. We were living payday to payday, found ourselves in debt and felt like we would never get out of that cycle. I lived as thrifty as I could, trying to make money a little here or there by offering daycare or working part-time, but I can remember praying a lot for help.
One day a friend of mine told me she was a couponer and scored tons of items for FREE! I was intrigued. She taught me some basic couponing strategies and I tried them out at the stores. To say the least I was hooked. The savings were just so amazing. I didn’t even realize that it was possible to get things for FREE or cheap!
After about 6 months of slowly learning and couponing as much as I could I started to notice my monthly budget for food & toiletries had been cut in half! Plus I had food bursting from my pantry shelves and was able to have a nice food storage built up for a rainy day. I am able to give freely now to others in need with my excess as well. With the money I saved I was able to become a full time stay-at-home mommy. I realize that couponing and living a thrifty life was the answer to my prayer and continues to be a great blessing the Lord has given to me.
Why did I start this blog?
I was passionate about couponing and saving money, and you know what they say..do something you are passionate about! So I decided to start a blog to post the deals I was doing to share them with my many family members and friends. I fell in love with blogging about the deals, and I found that sharing and helping others brings a lot of joy and happiness to me. My blog has just taken off with thanks to the many wonderful readers who spread the word. My goal is to help families and individuals save money, give back and realize that they can make a great difference in their families and communities.
My Crazy Wild Adorable Bunch
{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }
Karrie-I love the new site, much easier to read, and it’s also very relaxed and not so in-your-face. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again. I really appreciate all the work you put into this for all of us. I check this blog several times a day (not so sure I should be admitting what an addict I am) and you never disappoint. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Glad you’ve found a solution “here” to solve some of your online problems. I hope this is just as successful and more than fistfulofcoupons.com. I’m a big fan of yours and always tell my friends about your site. Best of luck and thanks for all of your ideas.
Karrie- Great new site! Very simple and informative.
I had to chuckle at the reason you needed to change your name. It always amazes me how some people tend to spell beautiful or plentiful with two L’s instead of one. I wish you luck with your new site and thank you for all that you do for us, your faithful followers.
Aha, faithful, another of those single L words. =)
Karrie – New site is a great idea for all those reasons. I’ll follow you anywhere though because of the great deals I’ve gotten. You have created a monster in me – my family are the ones that roll their eyes when I say, “Wait, I might have a coupon for that…”
That cracks me up. My whole family (immediate and extended) knows I have a coupon for that and this, and probably that other thing too. The other night, I saved them $20 on their $100 dinner out. They were happy. Ever since I’ve been couponing, my pantry shelves have been filled, fridge is brimming, and clothes are nicer. It’s nice to be able to save on all the mundane things so we can afford to splurge on the other things without worrying so much. Wahoo Monster Couponing!
I love the new site… it is much more user friendly. I was one of the many who misspelled it the first time, but thankfully I found it because I LOVE saving money!
Thank you for all the work you do.
i LOVE this new site!! and also, i love to see your family photo too! it just makes me smile and cheer me up!
i’d like to say thank you so much for your hard work and sharing this GREAT deals with coupons. i’m really really really glad that i got to know about this from my friends AND you! yes, i took your couponing class couple months(?) ago. since then, i could able to have a plan to trip to my hometown(japan). if it happens, this is going to be a great gift to me and my family at there. so, i really REALLY appreciate you.
My email has changed to cmstoker@frontier.com. I could not find a place on you page to change this so I went this route. I hope to continue to get good information from you. Thanks for all the time you put into helping the rest of us save bucks.
Melissa
EMailing you now Melissa.
hey Ilove your site it personalises you very well. I’m not sure if you remember me I met you at the mail stop place while you were printing new business card prior to the mall display you were going to be attending. I would like you to contact me back so I can discuss about advertisement for my company as we had discussed before. I think I’m ready to do it now. My business number is 509-492-1750. Please give me a call and hopefully we can get together and talk some business.
Thank You
Sandra Stanton
I was wondering if you still do the coupon classes? If so are you having a class anytime soon? I would love to attend one. Thank you for all of your hard work.
I tell everyone about your site. My daughter lives in Spokane and wants to know if you have a clone for the Spokane area?
Thanks for all your hard work that makes mine easier.
Nancy
May seem like a really stupid question, but I’m brand new @ this. If I go to a grocery store that price matches, do I just show them the different items on sale in the other stores ad? It seems like that’d take forever @ checkout!
I love, love, love your websight. You have amazing tips on here.
Thanks a ton!
Hello Kassie, Yes that is exactly right. You would need to show them every deal in the price-matched ad. It CAN take awhile..so if you have the time it can be worth it.
But if not, then just pick like 1-2 stores and do your deals there. Happy savings!
Amazing site and so awesome what you do! Will definately keep it in my favorites!
Karrie – Didn’t know if you knew about this…
If you live in Franklin County, Franklin PUD will install energy-efficient CFLs directly into your home at no cost to you. I did this weekend and I love the lights! Here is the website that I went to sign up at http://www.simplestepsnw.com/utility/franklin
Or you can set up an appt. with Monica at 430-3633.
Karrie,
I signed up for 4 Sunday papers through you and now they need to be renewed. Do you know how I can still get the rate of $1 per paper? Thanks!
Unfortunately the Tricity Herald is no longer offering a great deal to subscribers through me. You could always call and see what is available?
Where is the location of your couponing classes? I think you may be in the TriCities? I’m in Spokane…do you do anything in my area?
Hi Karrie,
I absolutely love your blog and just recently got into couponing myself. I just started my own blog called Not So Suzy Homemaker (notsosuzyhomemaker.blogspot.com) and just thought I’d let you know I’ve linked my readers to yours as I’ve found it really helpful so far! Thanks for sharing your tips and look forward to seeing some great deals in 2011!
Anissa, for now my coupon classes are located in the Tric-Cities, WA area..but I do plan on taking my “show on the road” someday!
Karrie,
There are reports of doublers in the normal ad running Wed through Sun. Hoping you put together your Big Ole Doublers. Love the ideas!
Karrie – Your blog is one that I look at daily and reccommend to others. Now I have a question. Is there a specific day that you do your “diaper roundup”? I have a friend who cares for her granddaughter and would like some help. I thought of your articles, but not being a “Nana” myself
couldn’t come up with the specifics. If you know of any other NW blogger who have similar articles, I would love to pass the info on to her. Keep up the good work!
Karrie,
I’ve signed up for your advance coupon class on Friday, January 21st at 6:00 p.m. However, I will not be able to attend. I wanted you to know in case you have a waiting list. Please let me know if you will need me to pay for the class because of the late cancellation.
I can be reached at 509-947-2804 should you need a faster response. I only read email a couple times a week.
Thank you for the opportunity and I hope to be able to attend your class in the future.
Connie Bodeau
FYI regarding your Nutella post: Here is a GREAT idea – graham cracker, Nutella, marshmallow creme = instant s’more!
Enjoy.
Hey Karrie,
I have a question for you…… I have been to three of your beginner courses and I am still feeling like I spend too much. We are a family of four and I watch 3 more kids during the day. I am spending $600 each month and feel like I am running out of money each month. I shop albertsons every week. winco every 4-6 weeks. sometimes fiesta, yokes and rite aide. costco once a month. we get four papers every week. i can’t think of any other information that would be helpful to share. what am i doing wrong?
You might want to consider taking my advanced coupon class Anna. We go over how to be a more-extreme couponer and more ways to save money couponing. Until then I am happy to answer any questions you might have.
I get the Sunday paper only mostly for the coupons and sale ads but I always have coupons that I never use. I cut them out and keep them, but if there is anybody in the Yakima area that could use them they are welcome to them. Just email me and I will make arrangements for you to get them. I would love to share them with anyone who can get some use out of them.
Sorry about 2 comments in a row but I was responding to a comment from above. In Yakima, you can get the Yakima Herald paper, Sunday only, delivered for $20 per year. Since the paper is $1.50 each from the box this is a great deal.
Hope to make it to one of your classes. I live in Yakima, but I think your class would be well worth the trip. We are a family of 8 so your money saving tips are greatly appreciated. Thank you!
I have a question for you…… I have been to three of your beginner courses and I am still feeling like I spend too much. We are a family of four and I watch 3 more kids during the day. I am spending $600 each month and feel like I am running out of money each month. I shop albertsons every week. winco every 4-6 weeks. sometimes fiesta, yokes and rite aide. costco once a month. we get four papers every week. i can’t think of any other information that would be helpful to share. what am i doing wrong?
+1
I like the look of your new blog as you say it is..The tri-cities sure looks healthy and happy, dry? snowing sometimes? not much rain, here in the ‘couv it has been over 300 days of mostly cloudy, rain like the Lord was on his way, now some nice days, but only 1 not 2 days then back to more clouds..I learn a lot from your blog, with 4 children you must be a marathon mom, wonderful family, enjoy the new look of your wonderful helpful blog, I have couponed for nearly 37 years of my 37 and 1/2 marriage, it pays off a lot, one can live on little if one is resourceful and watches what they buy with coupons..have a great summer! mrs. Elli from the ‘couv vancouver, wa!!!!!
You know you’ve made it when your husband reminds you to check for a coupon before buying something!
I agree!! I also have my 8 year old cutting coupons and he asks the same coupon question, too. He spotted a newspaper recyle bin and aked if he could dig in it for coupons!! I love getting the family involved and interested.
Thank you first of all you have done on here for all of us. YOU teach well taught me a lot. I have 4 full grown children and 8 grand kids and I’m Blessed very well. I have my grand babies around so often that I needed to spend the extra to get them all the extra snacks while at Nana’s so now I spend so much less and when you are on SS that is a fix budget. I appreciate the extra Knowledge on how to save money and to get things for my grand babies you are a blessing
Thank you
Hi! I just found your site. I live in Connell, so all my shopping is done in Tri-Cities. I have only been couponing for a couple of months and I coud use some serious help!! When and where are your classes? I am also a stay at home mom. I have 5 kids, one of which was just born last month. I now have 3 boys and 2 girls. I have a mini stockpile, but I really need to increase!! Do you live in Tri Cities? If so, do we have any stores that double or triple coupons regularly, except Albertson’s 3 coupons? I would love to get your advice on local businesses if you do live here. Thanks!! Also, anyone else reading this, please feel free to email me if you have any advice or ideas for me. I am also up for some join shopping trips or preparing for one if anyone is interested in showing me the ropes!! Anyone reading this from Connell?? bickah@ymail.com
Hi Christy,
Welcome to couponing! In the Tri-Cities Albies is the only store that doubles in our area. I am working on some coupon classes for Sept and October and should have them announced later this week. I would love to have you come and learn all the basics! Happy savings!
I cant figure out how safeway doubles work and where you get them I see you write to use them please help. Ps Live in richland,wa
Hello, my name is Tara and i need help please. i do not no how to get start.there is so much and i do not no were to start. please help me. thank you
I am using your 2012 Savings Tracker and after I input one of the stores and the amount saved, etc. I checked on the YTD summary page and there is nothing for that store? I looked at the formula and I couldn’t figure it out. Are you going to supply updates for this if needed?
Hi Karrie,
I just wanted to say I understand what u r going through I to am a at home Wondermom but to 3. And I started couponing around August I was doing good but with one income it’s kind of hard when a deal comes around and I don’t have the funds to go get the deals. But as long as my kids have clothes on their backs and food in their bellies we r blessed. Love the blog keep it coming!!
Love your blog
Expecting our 4th baby in 8 weeks (2 boys and 2 girls like you 
) And feel I am in the same boat as you were!! It is definatly time to start couponing again…thanks for the inspiration!!
Karrie,
I am recently new to couponing. My oldest daughter ,whom is fairly new to it also, decided to get me involved in it since my husbsand was inflicted with a serious illness last November which is still ongoing and the medical bills continue to pile up. I Just wanted to take the time to thank you for taking the time to put this blog out there to help bennefit others such as myself and family. God Bless and take care of you and yours. Sincerly Laurel