Questions for Jolon Hull, creator of savvychicsavings.com.Have you always been frugal?
No. it's kind of a learned skill, and I've actually never used a coupon in my life before May of 2009. It's not necessarily something that's second nature to everyone, so I guess once you learn the strategies and discover where to find coupons, it starts to become a habit.
What's the difference between being "cheap" and being "frugal"?
I prefer quality goods that will last a long time as opposed to buying cheap goods that are poorly made. For example, I enjoy eating at local restaurants using a 50 percent off voucher, versus a fast food value menu.
What made you want to start saving?
I love a particular brand of razors, and they're very expensive, so my cousin gave me a razor that she had gotten for $1 using coupons and a sale at the store. Once she showed me that, I had to dive in and find out everything I could.
How did your blog, savvychicsavings.com, start?
I think that was part of the obsession with saving and the amount that I was saving — I kept telling everyone I knew about it. I figured that I needed to create a blog to spread my voice wider and further and find people who were looking for that information.
When did you start the blog?
In September of 2009.
Where do you find these savings?
I find the deals all over the Internet ... I'm also out there, living my life and trying to find deals for things that I use and things that I want. So, I try to filter through all that and put it in a cohesive format so that everyone can use it. I don't like spam, and some deals don't turn out the way that they're advertised, so I try to put things that are relevant for my audience.
You have a full-time job at Dan's Excavating Service. Where do you find time to do research and blogging?
It's a lot of late nights — two and three in the morning. But, it's a passion of mine and with the economy in West Michigan, and just because we're more of a frugal community anyway, I feel like it's worth it.
How many hours a week do you spend on your blog?
Upwards to 20 or 25 hours.
Do you have tips for someone who wants to start being frugal?
I do most of my shopping online, so if you simply use a cash back website every time you shop online, you're getting cash back on your purchase. That will add up, and you'll get that back as cash.
Can you recall your greatest deal?
One month I got $780 worth of national brand products for free with coupons and rebates.
Where is your favorite place in West Michigan to be frugal?
I have so many. Lately, I've been using a lot of Local First coupons. Another one is Rosa's Closet in East Grand Rapids.
Interview conducted, condensed and edited by Lindsay Patton-Carson. Photo by Ryan P.
