Being financially savvy is more than just a responsibility for Carrie Loper. This OKC mom of four (son Gavin is 6, twins Garret and Grant are 5 and daughter Grace is 3) is on a mission to share how couponing and being financially smart has changed her family’s life and can do the same for others. From couponing tips on her popular Coupon Closet blog (www.couponcloset.net) to fast and frugal recipes on her Eating on a Dime site (www.eatingonadime.com), the 30-year-old works to help local moms become saavy shoppers and save money, all while maintaining a normal life. Read more about what makes this frugalista mom tick.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about helping others to save money and have a financially smart family.
How has motherhood changed you?
I now consider myself to be more self-less. My children have taught me what real love is—a love that is hard to describe.
How do you banish stress?
I really like to run and I am trying to get back into it. In addition, writing helps with my stress. If I write it down, it leaves my head.
What inspires you?
My children.
Along with your job as a mom, what do you do?
Through my blogs, I show people how couponing and living within our means has changed my family’s life. I now teach others how to do the same thing through my blogs and free local coupon classes.
What do you like most about your job?
I love helping others. I love hearing stories about moms becoming stay at home moms because of Coupon Closet. I love hearing that families are paying off their cars, paying off debt and being able to pay high adoption fees using cash and not a loan because of coupons.
What is on your wish list?
We adopted our daughter this past summer, and I hope for more adoptions in the future. I hope to write a book some day. I am working on some ebooks, but I really want to get a book published.
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my husband and my children. They are my rock and my biggest cheerleaders. We have also been foster parents for three years. We currently do not have any foster children, but plan to either foster more children or adopt.
How do you find balance in your life?
Balance is something that I still struggle with. I have found that if I schedule everything in my life, then I am more likely to have balance. We now have family game night. That way, we are guaranteed one night a week to just enjoy each other.
Advice for other moms?
Set goals and write them down. If you want to get something done, then write it down. Before you know it, they will all be done and you will have more time left in your day.
Where are you from originally? What brought you to Oklahoma?
I was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, but my family moved when I was 18 months old. I was raised in Kingfisher and have lived in Oklahoma ever since.
What’s the biggest challenge in your life?
My biggest challenge is to find time to just take care of myself—getting enough sleep, having some quiet time, etc.
How do you help others?
I teach free couponing classes on a regular basis to help others learn how to save money. We also take donations of toiletry items at all coupon classes to donate to Citizens Caring for Children (www.citizencaringforchildren.org) to help children in foster care.
What is your parenting style?
My number one goal with parenting is to teach my children. I am always looking for help with parenting and I am always trying to be better.
Favorite quote or advice about motherhood?
“Be happy for this moment, this moment is your life” – Omar Khayyam. My husband and I had bracelets made to constantly remind us of this.
Quick Facts About Carrie
- What are five words that describe you? Passionate, determined, frugal, loving, stubborn.
- What can’t you live without? Internet and my computer! Since I am blogging all the time, I love how I can reach others just with a click
- What’s your favorite TV show? My all time favorite would be Seinfeld.
- What’s your favorite meal to cook for dinner? Anything in the crockpot. We have made some amazing dinners in the crockpot.
- What’s your guilty pleasure? Chocolate. If you have a candy bar for me, then I am your best friend.
Brooke Barnett is the Assistant Editor of MetroFamily Magazine.
