I’ve struggled with whether or not to share this information with you or not, but a few people mentioned to me that they didn’t know this about Passionate Penny Pincher, so here goes . . .
I started Passionate Penny Pincher (well, Publix Penny Pincher initially), as a way to share deals and encourage folks to donate to local food pantries, but also as a way to earn money for our kid’s college funds. When I prayed about starting this site, I felt God clearly saying He was okay with it (always nice to know, right?), as long as one half of any proceeds from the site were donated towards mission work. I remember mulling that one over in my head, then courageously tossing Him up a nice counter-offer including a 75/25 split. (Can you guess how I planned to split it? And yup, I could almost hear Him laughing too!)
Well, almost a year into this crazy blogging thing, I’ve donated one half of all profits from this site to the Tatum Family, missionaries from our church who’ve opened an orphanage in Costa Rica. There have been many days when I’ve added up my “hourly” rate and been thoroughly depressed at my whopping one dollar per hour earnings (really, what am I thinking???) It never fails though, that on that very same day I get an encouraging email from one of you, or someone writes something nice on the PPP Facebook page, or I meet a reader in Publix, so I keep typing another day. I’m slowly (ever……….sooooooo………s…….l……o……w……l……y……) seeing the benefits of these oodles of hours of labor pay off, and each month I’m a little more excited by the tiny additions to our kid’s college savings accounts. But I am overwhelmingly excited about what our family is now able to give each month beyond our tithe towards help children in another country.
I share this with you all not in any way to boast or brag or anything. (Trust me, if God hadn’t clearly said it I clearly wouldn’t be doing it!) All I’m doing is what I think (I hope!) I’m supposed to be doing, and I love doing something for others outside my little nest. It does however take a LOT of time from my crazy busy family. I struggle daily with whether or not I’m in the right “season” of my life to keep this up. I look at my Reagan (she’s still just three) who pulls on my leg a zillion times each day while I glare into the computer screen and wonder if this is worth it. I see zillions of other fabulous money saving blogs out there and wonder why on earth anyone could need one more? Then I stay up at night, hoping to catch up, and type something someone will actually want to read, and wonder . . . whatever happened to sleeping? (I do so miss sleeping, but I am slowing down a bit!) And then I realize that it won’t be long until that baby of mine is four, and then heading off to school with her big brother and sister, and it’s going to be awfully lonely around here . . . so maybe hanging out with you all each day will help ease those difficult first few mornings of kindergarten!
The reason I’m sharing this with you is so that you know what I know. I read money saving blogs for years before getting into this and had no idea why so many sweet mommy bloggers did all this work for us! Well, believe it or not there are lots of big businesses out there that want you as a consumer to buy from them! So they are so generous and pay (*desperately frugal*) housewives like me to encourage folks to use their products. When you print a coupon from Coupons.com, Red Plum, or Smart Source, companies like Proctor & Gamble, Kraft, and Betty Crocker give us a tiny payout. And, if there’s an amazing deal offered from other companies like Picaboo, Groupon, or even Amazon
So there you have it! If there’s a blog out there that you love, support it! Print your coupons from it, order your Picaboo books from it , and even start Swagging through it! All those penny-pinching-blogging-ladies (and a few gentleman. . . ) work very hard to earn your readership and support. If you frequent a site and it provides you just the information you’re looking for, support them (they work for it!!!) And, if you enjoy Passionate Penny Pincher (I really hope you do!), I’d love for you to support this site too! Each time you do that, not only are you supporting deals on this site, you’re also helping a family from right here in America bless children in Costa Rica.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Tatum Family or making a donation directly to their mission, visit Mission Costa Rica.
Thanks Laurie! We really appreciate all that you do. May God bless you and your family as you bless others
Very well said and you’ve made me feel a little better. My son and I pulled up to church last night for our fellowship dinner before his choir practice – and we toted in 4 loaded grocery bags of items to put in the pantry. I’ve actually been buying more for others than me and/or my 6 year old. He begrudging said, “Mommy, why to you keep going to the store to get all this stuff to give away?” I told him that God has blessed us and with mommy’s couponing, we’re able to give and it feels good – all the while, I muttered under my breath and I know God heard – “because Mommy is ADDICTED to this mess…”
I also stay up late to get things/coupons lined up – and why? Where is the time I used to have?! Pooh, it’s close to the “what did I USE to do with my time” we all ask when we become first time parents… Now, a single divorced mother who works full-time, has a side business and week to week custody – add the couponing addiction. Up late at night and having to get up early to get ready for work. Tired I am and I continue to pray for God to HELP ME with this. See me through it and let good come out of it, but to please stop this insanity. Then I can’t tell when I’m weary or God is speaking to tell me to keep on… The other day I was resolved to toss the green advantage flyer earlier this week and it isn’t even expired yet. (And, yes, I KNOW better to toss anything that hasn’t really expired yet.) And I remember, teary eyed, looking up and talking to God, “Ok, Lord, you see what this is doing to me. I’ll see what you have me do…”
Lo and behold the next day I happened upon a Sundown Q while looking for another Q. Well, I decided to print it – I knew there was that flyer Q I used the other day to donate some folic acid. Alright, I’ll get some more. By the time that day and the next were up, I have enough Qs now to buy 12 Sundown items with all the coupons. I kept seeing the Sundown coupons almost everywhere I went.
I”m still weary and want “my life” back. I hope and pray this slows down some and I’ve been told it does – I’m just not there yet. I often wonder, why I am spending 2-3 hours A NIGHT printing, cutting, searching coupons – for trips where literally 80-90% of my purchase goes to the pantry. A single mom and a child who is with this mom every other week don’t NEED that much, and when I only have to pay a FEW dollars and get SO MUCH, I have a hard time resisting. It’s gotten so bad that I actually am a little giddy when there are a couple of things in the pile that we may keep at home. I can NOT believe I am doing this – week after week going to this store and that – coming out with $20, $40, $60 or whatever worth of goods and paying a few dollars. It takes TIME and TIME and I am missing it.
I will NOT stop doing this – what I am continually praying for is HELP – help me to stop being so addicted to this to where I’m neglecting other things that need to get done when my son goes to bed or when I get home from work – and really getting to bed way too late. 1am last night, 11pm the 2 nights before – 11pm not too shabby. But, 1am?! Come on!
Through it all I’m seeking God and trying to find the work/life/coupon/exercise balance and it’s a struggle right now. Hopefully in another month or so I can say it’s calmed down. Like an employee told me – “Debbie, I started out just taking care of my family. You’ve started out trying to take care of you and everybody else.” So, instead of GROWING into it, I’ve jumped feet first into it and need some balance.
Laurie,
Great post – know that I support you all the way! I am so proud of you and the work that you are doing. No one will ever know the work that goes on behind the scenes when you run your own business, however the biggest payoff of all is the smile you see when you have made a difference in someone’s day. I firmly believe you are doing that for more people than you know, in addition to following your heart with prayerful consideration. Congratulations to you!
Laurie,
I have been saving money since a friend recommended your site to me early this year. It has been a blessing to me. And I really have been convicted to share the savings with those in need by both donating to our church’s food pantry, and also by using my stockpiled groceries to make meals for others. So, thanks for the encouragement to see how God can use this work for His glory!
I have never posted here before, however, I do visit frequently. I just want to say how much I admire what you do #1 for the Lord and #2 for your family. You are an inspiration to myself and others. Oh and by the way, my daughter’s name is Reagan too. God Bless!
Maybe I have said this .. maybe I haven’t. I don’t remember. But back last January, I was looking for a job, trying to homeschool my daughter, figure out how we are going to make ends meet. A friend sent me a couponing class. I was in disbelief. But I said to my husband, (the cost of the class was 15 dollars), even if she can save me 5 dollars a month, we will pay for the class and save another 45 dollars in a years time. After a bit, that might add up! Well I went to that class, and left in disgust. I still believed that couponing was a fraud. There was no way that was going to work, and I just wasted my 15 dollars. Gah!
Well, some little birdie kept telling me to keep looking at it. And I started googling and reading blogs and doing more research on coupons. Well I came across your blog, Laurie, and your Mission Minded Deals is what made it all click for me. Soup was on sale that week. and I had a few coupons for the soup. So I went into the store and came out with exactly what your blog said I would.
If it wasn’t for you Laurie, I wouldn’t have been able to stay home with my daughters. I wouldn’t have been able to put my daughter into private school. I wouldn’t be able to work through my debt. I totally understand if you want time to spend with Reagan and your other 2 children! But I also wanted you to know, through your blog, you have touched many more people than you can possibly know!
You are truly a blessing to me! And I hope you find peace between the blog and your family life!
Thanks so much for your comments – you have no idea how much they mean to me! Jen – I had no idea, and I’m thrilled that you’re able to stay home – you made my day!
Missy – love that your little girl’s name is Reagan! We thought we were so clever with Reagan Elizabeth, and a neighbor three houses down used the same name just three months after our Reagan was born!
Debbie . . . I have SOOOOOOO been there. A few years ago I took Asbury’s $100 Kingdom Challenge and felt like my eyeballs fell out looking for deals (and I wasn’t working at all, well, except for taking care of my kiddos . . . .) I also often question why I can hand over 14 tubes of toothpaste to others but only keep one for ourselves. I HIGHLY encourage you to know that God doesn’t want you worn out over this! Just last week I threw away UN-EXPIRED COUPONS *GASP* ! I realized I wasn’t keeping it together, and that if I missed one amazing deal God would surely bring on another one. If you can, I really encourage you to only focus on one or two stores, and Pmaybe set a limit. (I’ve even made myself start turning the computer off between 10 & 10:30 most nights – I just realized I couldn’t keep it up!) Please be kind to yourself! I’ve seen all the bargains you’ve grabbed and you’re doing great, but be sweet to yourself too
Also, after doing this for several years I promise that the deals really do come around again . . . I promise! So if you miss some don’t stress – an even better deal may come your way!
Thanks so much for your encouragement guys – I really appreciate it so much, and I really do love doing it, I just have got to work on that whole balance thing (ughhhhhhh!)
Laurie thanks so much for sharing and explaining. I’ve always wondered how bloggers “worked” and now I know. Still not sure it’s very profitable to you but please know how much you are blessing others with your work. I appreciate you and will always support you!
When my daughter was born I quit my job to stay at home. Before coupons I would go to thrift store shops and garage sales. I kept thinking that’s how it has to be. I would spend at least three days a week or more trying to find the bargain and waste lots of time and gas. I was almost ready to give up and head back to work until I stumbled on your website. Now I spend a few hours a week on three different sites. I get almost everything brand new for cheaper than I was buying used items and its delivered to the door. I have been using food coupons for a little over a month now and wow I am saving a ton of money and time. I have over 60 cans of soup and I am proud of it because I got them so cheap. I am now able to stay at home and even babysit for a littler extra money. I can now feed my kids good food for less than a dollar a day. Its so hard to make it on one income these days and some times I felt like we were being punished for being middle class. I would see people in front of me at the grocery with a cart full of grocery and they would pay with food stamps and I would be so jealous. Well my cart is full now and I can afford it all on my own. Its a good feeling. I keep telling people how they can do it too thanks to sights like this one that have taught me. I have tried to inspire others to coupon and have manged to get a few people on board. I feel a major since of accomplishment when I save our family money and feel very blessed to raise my own children with our daycare. With out people like you I would be lost. Thanks a bunch. Remember your rewards are made in Heaven not on Earth.
First of all, thank you so much for taking time away from you precious family to pass on all the wonderful information you have provided to my family. I’m sure that it really must take a lot of dedication for you to do this. God has given you such a wonderful way to spread His word. These sacrifices that you make now will never go without there “reward”. God bless you.
You have no idea how many people you have blessed with this blog. Continue to seek God in this and follow you heart – He will let you know when it is time to stop.
Laurie,
I discovered your blog a few weeks and you have become my favorite couponing/deal finding blog. I love supporting a site run by someone that I have a lot in common with and who uses it as a way to do good work for The Kingdom. Thank you so much for all your hard work and dedication and for being such a blessing to all of us who enjoy your blog.
Laurie,
You know what a fan I am because first you were a personal friend and I know I’ve told you before but now you are my daily dose of inspiration, side-splitting laughter (because you aren’t afraid to be real about messy closets and poop and whatever other untidy things come our way in the world of motherhood), admiration and money saving DEALS that allow my family to live a little differently that we could otherwise! I took a job a year ago making a WHOLE lot less than I used to FOR MY FAMILY and because God told me to
so I feel like my PPP work is my second job! I love it so much that my girls get to eat all those “fancy snacks” (and I NEVER EVER have to buy anything store brand anymore because your deals are way cheaper!) watch free release movies on Friday night, use the best toiletries, always have their very own tube of toothpaste, eat great food that comes from your recipe inspirations….I’m not even kidding you….you inspire me to be a better homemaker because that is my first love but sometimes we are tired and need a little inspiration to get off the couch or computer , get to cleaning on that 5 minute challenge, or just get it together and do something cute for our family! 
Again, just know what you do is making a huge difference in so many lives. BECAUSE OF YOU….we donated 3 holiday food boxes last year for FREE and this year we will do 5. Five families – a holiday meal – because of YOU! Can you visualize…..20-25 people sitting down to Christmas dinner with the best of everything????? From goldfish to all name brand products, FANCY cookies and I am able to fill those boxes to the brim with toothpaste and deodorant and candy and little toys for the kidos and all those wonderful goodies for 20-25 people. In my mind, that is HUGE if you think of filling your home with 25 people for a meal. I love what you do and inspire me to do….I just had to take the time to tell you!
Me again, also don’t forget to be on the look out for deals for my food boxes, remember all the ones you sent my way last year….stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes???
You guys are way too sweet – and I appreciate you all so much (I can’t believe you all take time out of your day to read this stuff, but I’m still typing today!)
Lana – I’m starting to stress a little over the food boxes . . . surely this next month is going to bring us lots of free potatoes & stuffing and cranberry sauce – it really is all so based on the time of year, and we’re not quite there yet! Let’s all say a little prayer (is it wrong to pray for a deal?) that Publix (or Kroger or Walmart or SOMEWHERE!) will start sharing some bargains . . .they’ve gotta be coming (and don’t worry, I’m watching!)
I am a stay at home mommy of a 14 month old and I am new to couponing. I stumbled accross your site about 2 weeks ago and I check it everyday!
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Just wanted to say “THANK YOU!” I so appreciate the hard work you put into your site! I think it is awesome that you are supporting the missions. Thank you for inspiring me!
Laurie,
Thank you for your site and all you do to share the deals! I am new to couponing and work at a non-profit. I love what I do and knew going into the career that it would mean sacrifices. I’m use to using the cheap shampoo, shopping at aldi, etc – its never bothered me.
A few weeks ago I saw a deal on Herbal Essence Shampoo at CVS after spending only a few cents on the name brand shampoo I walked out of the store thinking “I never have to use the cheap stuff again!!!” it was such a great feeling knowing that I spent less on the stuff I wanted than I would have on the cheap stuff!
I’m now able to even donate items to our urban church – which I’ve never had in the budget before and been able to do!! I’m only a couple weeks in, but I already have 5 P&G Items for them that I spent $1.07 on … its almost $15 worth of items … and they deserve the good stuff too
Thank you!!!
Thanks so much for sharing! Back when I had a “real” job, I worked in a home for troubled girls and in youth ministry, so we got used to living on all generic stuff. I am still amazed that I now spend so much less on so much more!!! I’m so glad that couponing has allowed you to enjoy abundance (because Herbal Essences are just abundance!)
, and are able to give to others in need. I love that!!! Thanks so much for letting me know.
wow. thanks for sharing! it really helped me. sometimes I wonder why I am even blogging…but I so badly want to help people…and hope that someday maybe by the time my youngest is in kindergarten, that the blog can pay for their Christian education. But I am wondering the same things that you wonder….I think that is awesome that your blog supports a missionary family. I am going to go like you on facebook now. hope you will check me out…I am so new at this…thanks for being open and honest!
God bless !
Hi Steph! Blogging is so fun, but undoubtedly more work than I ever realized. While I love doing it, I think being able to give in a way that we couldn’t have done before is really what keeps me going each day (some days I’d just love a day off . . . to not even think about it!) I feel incredibly blessed to have some amazing readers and support, and it really is worth it now . . . it’s just taken awhile to get here!) Hang in there, and remember that you’re providing such a service to those in your area (which is huge – while there are some amazing “mega-bloggers” out there, I think people love finding someone in their own community who’s committed to sharing deals that work in their hometowns.) Blessings!
I love that you donate 50% to the orphanage efforts! I went on the website: worth of web (I just googled “worth of website” and many come up) and it says the following about your site:
Estimated website worth: $108,011 (Annual Earnings: $ 45,720) <– So good to hear you donate 50% to the mission/children! Thank you! The rest of the specs (stats) are below. Pretty cool!
Daily Visits: 18,346
Daily Pageviews: 84,391
Daily Revenue: $ 127
Monthly Visits: 550,375
Monthly Pageviews: 2,531,727
Monthly Revenue: $ 3,810
Yearly Visits: 6,604,505
Yearly Pageviews: 30,380,721
Annual Earnings: $ 45,720
Thanks again!
I wish that website was right and I earned that much (or had that many pageviews!) I’m not there yet (not even close especially after expenses), but would love to be one of these days ~ Thanks for your encouragement… it does feel fantastic to be able to give and I feel incredibly blessed to have the opportunity!