When both my husband and myself were laid off within the same month a few years back, it was clear a change had to be made.  We could not continue to live like we had.  We also lost the house we were living in, and had to move in with some friends who were very gracious to us.  My husband was only able to find part time work, and we ended up on food stamps. I’ve never been through a tougher time in my life.  From an emotional perspective, you could say I was as low as I could possibly get.

We were living in North Georgia at the time, a ways away from family because it was the only place we could find to stay.  After nearly half a year, it was clear my husband wasn’t going to be able to find a job there.  He was only able to find part time work the entire time, and that wasn’t covering any bills.  When my husband was called for a job interview several hours away from our location, we decided to go for it.  He was interviewed, and got the job.  So we packed up my toddler and my pregnant self to move back near family.

I decided I wanted to cloth diaper my second child so that it would not only save us money (which we needed to do), but so that it would be better for my baby-to-be and the environment.  While on DiaperSwappers.com, I found a link to a blogger that I will always have the utmost respect for: Erin from $800 Annual Budget.   I also found Hot Coupon World.  I had discovered couponing!! After reading through all of the FAQ’s and How To’s, I knew my life would never be the same.  I knew I was going to cut our grocery bill,  and get us off of food stamps.  I did.

In the midst of this, I started finding many other frugal blogs besides Erin’s.  One very special blogger wrote a blog series on “Blogging For Profit.“  We were still struggling to make ends meet with my husband’s low income, and had recently had our baby several months prior.  I knew several things at the time:

1. I needed to help support my family.
2. I could find a deal like you wouldn’t believe.
3. More people were struggling like we were/had been.
4. I could help these people like Erin and Crystal had helped me.
5. I could blog.

Thus, natucare.blogspot.com was born. But that name didn’t really work, did it?  After about a month or two with that name, I brainstormed names.  I had always been very thrifty.  Growing up, we always shopped at thrift stores, yard sales and now I was using coupons to save even more money.  TheThriftyMama.com came into existence, and it’s been a whirlwind ever since.  My site grew quickly, I was helping people, and I started generating some income for my family. I’m happy to report that we no longer need food stamps (haven’t for a while), are slowly working our way out of debts we incurred and are moving towards financial freedom.

We still have our pains and struggles, but are better because I made a choice to change how we earn, save and spend money. And I owe it all to a Heavenly Father that watches out for me, and guides me on a day to day basis.

I blog for my family.  I blog because I love it.  I blog for you, my readers.