Hey y’all! I’m Michelle, a stay-at-home Mom of two little ones, Hailey (3 years) and Junior, (1 year). When I’m not cleaning the house, changing diapers, preparing meals, or using the bathroom, I can be found blogging on scoring some fabulous deals and extreme couponing. I’m also a columnist at The Fayetteville Observer, where I write for the Saturday shopping column, “Smart Savings.” DH and I are stationed at Fort Bragg, NC, and you may have seen me at the PX or the commissary on post! I used to work in banking, where I was last a Loan Officer and Quality Control Coach at BECU in the Pacific NW. My passion is helping others save money, and I couldn’t stop once I gave up my career to stay at home with the kids!
Not only do I love blogging, but I love reading others blogs as well. You will usually spot me on a blog-hop when things aren’t too crazy, or over on the We Use Coupons forum. Aside from blogging, I absolutely love spending time with my family, and running around town with DH (when the 82nd hasn’t run him ragged). Oh, I also have a Bachelors in Psychology, do freelance web design, and also have a background in journalism – I ♥ to write. I have been a reporter for a few school papers, and used to even write books when I was in middle school. They were spin-offs from The Babysitter’s Club and The Fabulous Five, and I would spend weeks handwriting my own personal creations and sharing them with friends. Oh, how I wish I had kept those copies…!
If you’d like to know more or have any questions, suggestions, PR, reviews, and/or giveaways, just email me at michelle@militarywivessaving.com
Happy Savings,
Michelle
Thank you so much for starting this program……….We as military wives appreciate you and are thankful for your dedication to others. Saving money is of essence; especially if you are trying to tuck money away for a nest egg. Living overseas has been challenging, but rewarding; and coming upon your website has been a godsent.
With sincere thanks, Mary
Mary – I thought I had replied to you, but I guess it didn’t go through. Thank you so much for your kind words, it means a lot to me!!! I am so glad I can help!!!
Does the commissary accept expired coupons?
No, not in the states….but they do overseas!!!! Overseas, they accept them up to 6 months from the exp. date
Hi Michelle!
Thank you so much for your blog! You have helped me try to save some money here overseas…….which is extremely hard with just using the Commissary and PX! Any other tips for us overseas! I try so hard to get deals, but there are slim and I am still spending $300 on groceries a month! It is very aggravating! Thanks for your help!
Julie
Julie ~ take advantage of all the companies in the U.S. that gladly ship APO!! Some to mention are Zoolu, Hickory Farms, and Smart & Sexy Lingerie!!!
Hey there! I am Alecia with Oak Island Photography and Beach Weddings. We are doing a campaign,…………..Operation Marry Me Military
Active Military Men & Ladies can win a FREE beach wedding on Oak Island, NC.
Operation Marry Me Military (Operation MMM) is sponsored by Oak Island Photography & Weddings, Inc of Oak Island, NC. Several local vendors have teamed up to give one lucky active military bride and/or groom a completely free beach wedding for up to 50 guests! Each entry must be postmarked by July 30, 2011 and must include an application, short essay on why they should be chosen and a picture of the two. A review panel of six military affiliated people will decide the lucky winners and announce on August 15, 2011. The wedding must be held on 11-11-11 (Veteran’s Day) at 6pm.
For more info visit: http://www.operationmmm.com
If it is something you may be interested in, go to the Application tab. Thanks, Alecia
Hello,
I ran by your site from facebook and it is so awesome. I always thought the px and commissary were so expensive I usually go to wal-mart. Maybe next month i will try out the commissary on bragg. I hope i find some good deals thanks so much
Love your blog, thanks! I have a question (several actually).
I am also on WordPress, how do you get your sponsored ads onto your posts, rather than your sidebar?
Do you not use Networked Blogs or GFC? I couldn’t find either one on your blog.
I want to feature an item daily targeting the Military (like your post about the FREE photo album). Do you have 1 general place to pull that info from? I’ve been using OH.net and Military Times. Can you suggest another?
Thanks in advance!
Mike
Hi Mike!! Thanks for following me!!
I use Google Adsense to incorporate the ads within my posts – and the way I do that is to go through Thesis OpenHook – which means you would have to have Thesis. Otherwise, you will have to know CSS code/html and manually place it within your editor.
I do use Networked Blogs, but only on Facebook – I don’t advertise it. And I do have GFC – I just took it off the page to avoid clutter since it’s really not relevant, like Facebook or Twitter =)
As far as the military deals, it’s all about networking…the sites you use are great, but if you know people who know people…well, then they can help, too (like I can email you when a special deal comes up…). Otherwise, just Google the heck out of military specials/discounts… A LOT of companies have specials for military all the time, so check their websites, too (search “Military” on their page)…but that’s all I know as far as that goes
Thanks!!!
I am so glad I found your site! I have been searching and reading a lot of great blogs about couponing but this is the first I have found from a military wife’s perspective
My hubby is PCSing to Ft. Bragg in May/June, we have 2 small children, and I will be a stay at home mom once we move, so I am trying to learn all I can about couponing!
Hi Karen!! Welcome to my blog, then!! Couponing is very, very addicting!!! Its funny you are moving here in May/June – my DH is deploying and I am moving up to Ohio to stay with his parents with my two little ones in May!!! We are going to just miss each other LOL!!!
Michelle,
I am new to couponing and the military life and I love your site. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your ideas, I saved 44.00 last time I went to the commissary!
Hey!!! Thank you so much!! Congrats on your savings