This week, Erin and Marya, the two fab, 40-something interns on the MTN resources page, talked to Shynea Hunter in our weekly Buzz a Mom conversation. This busy, young mom runs two websites–Penny Pinching Diva and Mornings with Mom–and has four young boys.
Can you tell us about yourself and your family?
I would love to tell you about my family. I am a SAHM to four boys. They are 7, 6, 1, and five months. So I am a busy mommy, but I love it and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I am also engaged to my fiance of almost three years. I am the survivor of an abusive relationship, so I am very appreciative of the relationship that I have with my fiance.
I have tried couponing off and on but can never stick with it because I find it really stressful for some reason. Can you share some tips on making couponing easier?
Couponing doesn’t have to be stressful at all. When I first started couponing, I was clipping every coupon in every insert and it was so time consuming. Now I don’t do that anymore. On Sunday when I get my coupon inserts, I write the date on the outside of them and file them away in a file box. There are so many websites online that have coupon databases that give you which insert the coupon was in and what date the insert was in the paper. It has transformed my way of couponing. Now, I make out my grocery list each week. I log onto the coupon database and search to see if a coupon was released for a particular item and then I go to that insert and cut out that one coupon. I only clip what I need. Nothing more. CouponMom.com and AFullcup.com have great coupon databases.
You are a busy lady with four kids under the age of 7, running Penny Pinching Diva and Mornings with Mom. How do you get it all done? Can you share some time management tips?
I am not expert at time management. There are those buy days where I am stressed out and I don’t know how I will ever get everything done. I also work on it during my two youngest sons’ nap times. I always schedule my website work around my family’s schedule. That is the the easiest thing for me to do. There are days when dinner is a little late, but those days are few and far between. My main tip would be to always put your family first. Work around their schedule. Late nights are the best 
What is your best money-saving idea from Penny Pinching Diva?
I think my best money saving tip would be to stockpile. I have only been stockpiling since about October, but it has been the best thing that I have done for my family. I find our favorites on sale; I combine that sale with a coupon and then I buy extra for the new few weeks. That way when we run out, I can go to my stockpile instead of having to go to the store and pay full price for it.
You’ve created a comprehensive list of how to save money at CVS Pharmacies. What can moms expect to buy at CVS (besides make up and cosmetics), to make this practical?
CVS is a great store to buy all of your family’s hygienic items. From shampoo to deodorant to diapers to toothpaste, you can find all of these items inexpensively at CVS when they are on sale.
What gave you the courage and inner strength to walk away from an abusive marriage, with no resources and such young kids? Are you hearing from other moms inspired by your story?
My kids gave me the courage. I could no longer allow them to see me in an abusive relationship. I didn’t want them to grow up and think that it was okay to treat women like that. I knew I deserved better, but I knew they deserved better too. I am surprised by the response that Mornings with Mom has gotten. I have received a few e-mails from other women who have gone t hrough an abusive relationship or who have had family members in an abusive relationship.
