About Me
Hello! My name is Cassie Howard. People also call me Mrs January.Contrary to popular belief, my last name is not ‘January’. I chose the name MrsJanuary for my website because all of the good names were taken! I was born in January, so I just stuck a ‘Mrs’ in front of that and called it a day.
I am a wife to Richard and a mom to our 2 1/2 year old son Elliott. We are frugal homebodies that enjoy spending time together as a family, without spending alot of money.
How We Went From Reckless To Frugal:
When I was twenty two, I owed the government almost $10,000 in taxes (I was self employed at the time, and hadn’t paid taxes all year, so this amout it what I owed come tax time). I had also maxed out my credit card at $10,000. Not to mention I just bought an $8,000 car because my first one had died on me.I was terrible with money back then. I would buy whatever I wanted, even if I didn’t have the cash to buy it. That’s what credit cards are for, right? So, without much thought, I sold my company (I was a model and owned my own modeling agency). The whole thing – even the rights to my own photos. If I wasn’t $28,000 in debt, I would not have done that. However, I WAS in debt. My rent was due and I didn’t have the money to pay it because I had to pay the government and Visa. Selling the company seemed like my only option at the time.
I made just over $20,000 by selling my company. I immediately paid off my credit card and the government – and from that moment on, I was careful with my spending.
In November 2008 I found out I was pregnant. That’s when we knew we really had to step it in terms of cutting back and saving money. Richard had a fantastic job with great pay and benefits, and I did a few side jobs while my tummy grew larger and larger.
I am a huge fan of coupons, deal hunting and freebies. This all started back when I had just sold my modeling agency and was trying to cut backon groceries.
Now, a few years after I found and fell in love with couponing, we have a very large stockpile. It is so great to be able to shop in our own home, instead of having to go to the store when we run out of something and paying full price for it.
My life is better because I found coupons. I’m now a very frugal person. I try to get a deal on EVERYTHING. I shop around, I wait for sales. I’m a more patient person. I’m a happier person.
A few random tidbits about me:
1. I’m a bit OCD when it comes to organization.
2. I hate mushrooms.
3. I love animals. We have 3 cats and 2 dogs right now.
4. I really do not like clipping coupons at all.
5. I love to try new recipes.
6. I think everyone should use coupons.
7. I actually enjoy cleaning.
8. I make a decent amount of money every month by buying used items at a discount and then selling them on Ebay, Kijiji and Craigslist.
9. I write a letter to my son every month.
10. I tend to hibernate in the winter.
