My name is Mardesia and I want to welcome you to Keeping Your Cents. You must be a glutton for punishment if you are reading my About Me page, but since you’re here – you might as well find out the nitty-gritty on who I am.
I am very much a small town girl raised in the Dirty, Dirty South. The town is small, but big on personality and we boast some pretty popular neighbors. Not 45 minutes away is New Orleans, LA home of the mighty Saints and the Superdome, the world famous French Quarter, and some of the best cuisine around. Turn your car in the other direction and you are headed to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and sandy beaches.
In 2014, we set off on a new adventure and made the scary decision to move to the MS Gulf Coast to be closer to Sonny’s parents. I won’t lie and say that it has been all smooth sailing, but we are learning to navigate new waters.
When I grow up I want to be a Photographer, Author, Inventor, Professional Crafter, World Traveler and if I could sing – a Singer, in whatever order they happen. I have so many hobbies and interests that there’s never enough time in the day to do them all. My Kindle app on my iPad is loaded up with so many books it will take me years to read them all. One day, my trusty Canon camera and I are going to see the Land of Oz, the Eiffel Tower, and the Grand Canyon.
>>Who’s MY FAMILY
I am a full-time working mother of 3 (Marlayna 19, Dalton 13, Hannah 9) who’s still trying to figure it all out.
Sonny and I at the Grand Floridian Resort in Walt Disney World
My husband and I just celebrated 16 years of marriage. The story of how we met is a bit colorful, so we’ll save that one for when I know you a bit better or if I should meet you in person.
>>What’s my BACKGROUND?
Once upon a time I went to college to be a computer programmer, but burnout and teenage know-it-all led me to quit. Years down the line after Sonny and I were married, I went back to college to earn my degree in Business Marketing and Management.
To our surprise, the very month I was set to graduate, we discovered we were expecting our third child. Once Ms. Hannah made her arrival, I had the privilege of being a Stay-at-Home mom for the next five years. After she entered Kindergarten, I began working at her school to be more involved and still get to spend every day with my girl.
These days, I’ve left the school and accepted an opportunity to become a Pharmacy Technician. Learning such diverse new things has been a challenge on this old brain, but nothing could beat the feeling of passing the PTCB at the end of 2015. My days are still full of counting, but it’s pills instead of children.
>>Why do I BLOG?
The very first blog I started was a place to chronicle our daily lives. Our new house, changes in our lives, and other celebrations in a new marriage. Then came the not so bright times. I was at home pregnant with our second child and physically unable to work due to an automobile accident. Money was very tight and I started surfing the internet looking for ways to save money. My searches brought me to several forums that talked about coupon shopping and a few online deals.
Early in our marriage, Sonny told me a little bit about his mom coupon shopping, but I didn’t really pay attention. After the accident I started paying attention and asking questions. My mother in law would let me tag along during her triple coupon shopping trips.
When most stores in the area stopped running those promotions, I had to rethink my strategy. In the beginning, my coupon shopping was limited to Winn Dixie and Walgreens. Eventually, I ventured out to CVS, Rite Aid, The Dollar Store, and Wal-Mart. I would post my shopping trips on our family blog. The deals started to be more prolific than updates on our daily life, so I decided to create a different blog.
Keeping Your Cents was born!
Sonny asks me often why I continue to blog with so many other responsibilities on my shoulders. My only answer is because I love it. I love the thrill of finding good deals and posting them here for others to hopefully find in their home town stores. I love sharing stories of my Southern Life, of being a mom, and most importantly hearing your stories. In this crazy circus of life, it’s fun connecting with other families who are doing their best to keep it together.
These days the blog has become a family affair with everybody sharing their opinions on products that arrive in our larger than average mailbox. Each of the kids (and Sonny) have their own personal wish lists of items they would like to review.
>> What will you find on Keeping Your Cents?
- Family Activities — fun things to do with the kiddos when money is tight.
- Reviews — We LOVE trying new products, visiting new places and reading future or current bestsellers.
- Recipes — There is too much good food to be eaten in the South, so I think I should share.
- Crafts — I recently purchased a Cricut Explore, so I hope to share my crafting projects with you.
- Traveling Tips — In the year to come, I am hoping to add some more information about our favorite family vacation destination: Walt Disney World!!!
- Shopping Deals — I try to post in advanced upcoming good deals and any coupons you might need to print or save.
- Giveaways — Who doesn’t like the opportunity to win something large or small?
>> Where can you MEET ME?
This year I am trying to branch out and grow my blog. What better way to do that than a Blog Conference. Budget restraints will only allow for two, but if you are attending either one, please reach out to me.
Whatever your reasons for being here today, I hope you will sit a spell on the back deck, share some Community Coffee and Beignets, while I share my latest adventure in Keeping My Cents and My Sanity.
When you do decide to venture out from the blog, come visit me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Google+“.