July 2008 Member Profile JANE4girls

[MrsPinecone]

Name in real life: Erin

Age: 37

Home State: Texas

Marital Status: single / divorced

Kids: 3 girls, Jordan 17, Nicole 11, Alexis 9

Pets: Heidi and Rooney two wieners

In Your Own Words:

Little Known Factoid: I am super shy in real life.

Favorite Money Saving Tip: Only buy when it is on sale and you have a coupon to go with it.

Budget: $800 for the entire year, which includes all food, eating out, HBA and dog food too.

Stores I shop at: Kroger, Randalls, Target, Walgreens, CVS

Coupon Organization Method: 3 inch binder plus a small file for quick basket runs

Best Advice to Newbies: read the stickies! take is slow, just read a little each day, ask questions, play the games and post so you have PM ability


JANE4Girls's story:

Erin got into couponing after her divorce about 6 years ago. She didn't want to lower her standard of living and couponing was one way to make sure that she didn't.She didn't become hard core until about 4 years ago.

Erin joined us at HCW when shewas on a board and Shopping Diva saw that she was from Texas. She invited her to join another board, which shall remain nameless since it wasn't HCW!!! While there she ordered coupons from the fishies (our own Dori & Nemo) and those ladies had a link to our former home, the now-defunct DAGG, on their site. So she checked out DAGG and from there came to HCW.

Erin has written in her blog about her $800 budget for the YEAR! When asked how that number came about, she says "I kind of just looked at my numbers that I was spending and picked a nice even number. I had no idea if I was aiming way too high or way too low. When I started my blog, it was more of a way for me to track my spending."

JANE4girls has become famous in her own hometown for her TV segments. The reporter, Patricia Lopez, saw the story about fairydustcrissy from a link from an ABC affiliate station. From there, Patricia joined this board and put a post out that she was looking for some money savings tips. Erin responded to her post and told her to check out her blog for some money savings ideas. Then she contacted Erin about doing a story...which has turned into many.

Channel 13 News Segments:
Part 1 (http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/consumer&id=6176188)
Part 2 (http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/consumer&id=6182996)
Part 3 (http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/media?id=6185850)
Part 4 (http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/consumer&id=6225787)
Part 5 (http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/consumer&id=6266829)

JANE4girls Blog (http://jane4girls800dollarannualbudget.blogspot.com/)

[cheynesnana]

:BigHand: Congrats Erin !!!! You so deserve it !!!

[volunteer925]

Jane,

I've been reading your blog for at least two months now. You have directed me to HCW which has been a lifesaveer and helped sooo much. Thanks are not enough but know that you are appreciated and blessed. Wishing you all the best. LOVE the dogs. Saw the pics and they are cute as can be. Many warm hugs to your girls as well. :wavehi:

[ChrisLeigh]

Erin,

I'd love to see pictures of your stockpiles... will you shared?

ChrisLeigh

[Ani]

I heart you Erin! So happy to see you spotlighted. {Oh, and we miss you in chat. :D}

[twomoms]

I heart you Erin! So happy to see you spotlighted. {Oh, and we miss you in chat. :D}


Ditto! I know you are super famous, now but dont forget about the little people that were your friends way back!! LOL! You rock Erin!

[Doreen]

Erin,

I love your blog (thank you for those!) Awesome news segments!

Actually, the company my husband worked for in Kansas closed down 4 glass plants, and he has transferred to Texas. Unfortunately, the kids and I have to stay here because the possibilities of selling our house is well....not very good odds right now. If I could move to Texas where my husband works.....you would have a new best friend!:smile:

Thank you for all the info you share. You make it seem so easy!

[Ames0508]

It was your story on ABC that brought me to couponing and HCW! Such a lifesaver at this point in my life, too. TY for all that you do & share! :BigHand: I LOVE Your blog!

[timbectwo]

:thanku6: to Erin for all the great tips!!! :party77: You are AWESOME!!! :party47: You deserve this honor!!! :encourage17: Woo hoo!!!!!!!! :cheerleader: Attagirl!!! :excited1: Love the blogs!!!! :encourage7:You never cease to amaze me!!! :miscsign80: What a great inspiration to newbies everywhere! :yourock: Including me!!!! :dog77: What a cute new puppy you have, too!!! :dog32: I hope your girls are super-proud, also! :bubbles1:

[zoeys_mom]

Congrats! No wonder you are too busy to take my phone calls! :whistle:

[Cin42382]

congrats Erin!

[MamaBird06]

Erin you rock! Your blog is such an inspiration! Congrats. on your new stardom, you make us couponers proud!

[cbobylev]

Erin,

I just want to say congrats and thank you very much! You have impacted many lives! Thank you for all the time you have devoted to helping us newbies. Because of you I have been able to donate hundreds of $$$ worth of non-perishable products to Holocaust survivors and terrorist victims living in the land of Israel!!!

Cbob :wavehi:

[midlifcrisis]

:wave88:


After I saw your 'short legged Giraffe', I knew you were something special....:giggle2:

[happysoul]

Erin is a small celebrity here and everywhere. erin, I do have a question for you (up to you to answer of course), with the way you save money, are you on your way to early retirement or have you found it hard to translate your small budget into big life savings?

[Shadowchasy]

WTG ERIN.....she was my mentor when I first joined up. Thanks Erin

[cvsingkayla]

Congrats! I fowarded the tv links to all friends/families. You're such an inspiration!

[dwshrty77roc]

Congrads Erin :yourock: on such a great accomplishment. You have been such and inspiration to me and my family. I have learned so much from you. Reading your blog has helped to change the way I shop and save money. You lead me to this site and i can't thank you enough. I'm happy that you are doing something good that helps others. Hats off to you, you deserve it. :thanku6:

[Leann]

:congrats77::smileyparty::party76:

Thanks for being such an inspiration!

[JANE4girls]

Erin is a small celebrity here and everywhere. erin, I do have a question for you (up to you to answer of course), with the way you save money, are you on your way to early retirement or have you found it hard to translate your small budget into big life savings?

lets put it this way...I bought a brand new house 2 years ago with a 30 year mortgage and a 15 year mortgage (to avoid PMI). I will have the 15 year payed off in about 2 years and the 30 year in 16 years or less at the rate I am going :BigHand:

I also maximize my 401K every year with my grocery savings.

I have learned to live way below my means by being a single parent. Child support only lasts so long...if it comes, lol. I have never had credit card debt, although I use 2 credit cards all the time for the Upromise and cash back savings I get from them, I just make sure I pay them off at the end of each month.

I shop online at places that I can either get the Upromise cash back from or from places like Ebates where I get a rebate on all my purchases. It all adds up.

[happysoul]

Erin, this is what people need to hear. Most people think coupon user=struggling financially. while it can actually be the tool to make you thrive!

[zoeys_mom]

"'Erin L.' You're my hero!" (stolen and butchered quote from Ferris Bueller's Day Off-since I know you're not gonna get it, lol)

But seriously! It is awesome you are being recognized this month! You have brought so much to so many on this board for the past year alone that I know of(can't speak before that since I was off playing elsewhere) You deserve so much for all the help you have given so many and for that, I will buy you lunch for the next class!:biggrin:

[Crystalbug]

I love reading your blog. You're a real inspiration!
My dad is in Houston, watches ABC (gosh I miss ol' Marvin!) and I would love for him to learn how to coupon. He's frugal already, but I know there is so much more for him to learn, especially on early retirement monies.

[SaraW]

I just watched your segments and they were fantastic. You go girl!

[KrazyKatie]

:BigHand::BigHand::BigHand::BigHand:

Congrats!

[orb]

You are the reason that I said I can do this too,,, it takes time but oh my is it worth it!!! thanks for all your help!

[coolshopper]

Congrats I have been following your blogs for a coupole of months now . You are really an inspiration . I was wondering if you had thought about going full time doing Coupon Siminars . You are unbelievable !

[andiwb]

It was your story on ABC that brought me to couponing and HCW! Such a lifesaver at this point in my life, too. TY for all that you do & share! :BigHand: I LOVE Your blog!

It was the ABC story that also brought me to your blog, a coupon class, and ultimately here to HCW! :dance16: You are an inspiration to the newbies and your blog is a great resource. Thanks for all that you do for the Houston community.

Congrats....you deserve it.

[Robin16]

you go girl! I am working hard but not doing to good but you give me hope. Thanks:BigHand:

[deanew]

Oh how I wished I lived in the Katy area, I am up in the DFW area. If you ever have a class up here please let me know. I might just travel to Katy to attend one.

I have been following your blog for a good while now and it has helped me plan my shopping trips.
Congrats!! You are definitley an inspiration!
I can only hope that in 6 years, I will be as good as you.

[costcuttingmama]

:smile: Thank you, Erin, for sharing your tips! I am still new to the couponning world, but have high hopes one day I'll get to where you are now!

[CoupRook]

This girl is the bomb. Thanks for all your help jane4girls :)

[ShoppingDiva]

Erin rocks!! And not just at couponing and saving but as a first class friend too!

Ahhh, the good old days, huh Erin? lol It's been a long road and we've been through ALOT of stuff!

I know some of you have heard this but there are many others who haven't. In 2005 when my family was evacuated and out of our home for several weeks due to Hurricane Rita, I had the pleasure of meeting Erin and she helped out my family. She served as a delivery service for coupons that people from the board had sent to me and my family, as well as donating from her own resources. She is such a giver!! Through that, she and I developed a bond that will last forever!

We've been through some of life ups and downs together and Erin was always my "shoulder to cry on" too! Thanks chick!

So glad you are getting this well deserved recognition!

[prindcar]

AMAZING!!! You are an inspiration. I hope that I can save even 1/4 of that amt. We are already in Aug and you haven't even gone through half of your total budgeted!! WOW!!

[chanelle]

and I always thought your name was jane...
you are really inspirational! I saw your blog when I was first starting (last month) and I thought, if she can do $800 for the year, surely I can get my budget down less than the $450 a month I wasn't even sticking to! thanks so much!

[pdyer]

Just a Quick thanks for everything!!!
...I saw you on TV and decided I was obviously missing something cuz I was spending $200 a week and thinking I'm doing great.....
You spend 1/12 of what I do!!!
I knew I needed to go to your class and find out where I was getting this whole coupon thing wrong. I went I took copious notes and finally saved more then 50% at Kroger on Sunday - - - 57% actually. My new Goal is 60%
You have totally inspired me

[brooklyn's finest]

hi eveyone i'm a new commer 2 hcw but not a new commer to coupons i've been using it 4 the last 6 yrs.i ran into a nice couple at shoprite down here in bk that imformed me about this site i'm so glad they did.unfortunately there's only 1 shoprite in bk and guess what the dont double which sucks i have to travel to statenislaand. so im excited to hear from u guys maybe we can share some tips and ideas.