A little about me…
Since starting this blog, I have yet to tell any of you really anything about me, so if you’re interested keep on reading!
I’m a young mom to 3 adorable kiddos, 2 boys and a girl! I also have one amazing husband who serves in the Marine Corps and does his best to provide for us, his family, every single day! We are a typical American family, struggling with our finances and the challenges that come with raising 3 children in today’s world.
My frugal journey started about 2 1/2 years ago. Since having our first child so young… well to say the least, we weren’t quite prepared with the financial struggles that were to come. In all honesty, our focus was way more on materialistic things, making sure our kiddos looked adorable and well, making sure we did too. Going out to buy new clothes was always on the top of our list, driving flashy cars and working to make it look on the outside that our life was perfect. The sad truth was that we had starting digging a hole, a hole that was going to be very difficult to get out of. I was so depressed on the inside, but I just ignored that feeling and pushed it to the side by purchasing more and pretending. Soon enough our credit card debt was out of control. A vicious cycle formed that we couldn’t seem to find a way out of! The more depressed I became, the more I spent.
I look back on those years of my life and really can’t believe that was me. At the same time, though, I’m glad it happened. It was definitely a blessing in disguise. I learned so much, so many life lessons that I never would have otherwise. The important stuff in my life now is far from nice clothes and flashy cars. What’s really important are the people I surround myself with not the “things”! My kids have taught me so much about what’s important, about really loving and about understanding what life is really all about.
So why did I start this blog?
At first I started this blog to actually help myself be more accountable. By writing stuff down I was motivated to take the necessary steps I needed to start my frugal journey. Once I got going, I realized how much fun saving money can be. Not only is it fun to watch your savings account grow and your debt diminish, but it’s also exciting when you get your family involved and really teach your kids the value of a $1! I feel so empowered now and confident… and well that’s why I love this blog! I want all my readers to feel great about what they’re doing for their families and themselves! Saving money in my opinion is the same as making money. As a stay at home mom, I now know how amazing it feels to actually realize that your contributing to your family in so many ways… using coupons, being a frugal shopper and learning how to budget your money are all ways we’re doing just that!
Why name my blog Hip2Save?
I’m hip (well, working on it) and I love to save and why shouldn’t it be Hip to Save!? 
Couponing should NOT be frowned upon! I want to show everyone… especially the younger generation that saving money and using coupons is HIP!
137 Readers Commented to “A little about me…”
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Shawn says:
Collin, I love your blog and it has been such a money saver for me! Thank you for taking the time to do this, you are an inspiration to this mom!!!
Susan says:
Just found your blog a couple weeks ago and love it. Am learning lots! You do a great job making it easy to learn.
David Weaver says:
OUTSTANDING !!!!!!!!!!!……….SEMPER FI, m’aam !!!!!!!
I am an ex-US Navy Corpsman, and served with those fine Gentlemen as a Field Medical Service Corpsman for 6 wonderful years (1stMarDiv). You are doing a wonderful thing.
I found your blog today, and as a husband of a VERY frugal wife, as well as having a wonderful 15-year-old daughter, my wife and I welcome you and your blog into our lives. I stand at YOUR service as well. You have MY undying support and respect.
Keep up the good work, M’aam……….I, WE, appreciate it.
OOOOHHRUUUUH !
Angel Hall says:
I found your blog via the Clipsy Chicks and I literally live on it! I follow all your deals and have saaved alot of money over the last 2 weeks following you. Your ideas are awesome and you are always updated your blog. Thanks for taking your time to help ME SAVE MONEY!
Carrie says:
I just became a fan of yours on Facebook!! I really love your site!!
Alyssa says:
I’ve been following your blog since the summer and LOVE it! Where are you located? I haven’t been able to figure it out and sometimes the deals you post for some stores aren’t available to me in Portland Oregon. Thanks for all of your hard work!!
Wanda says:
OOh, someone told me about your site & it’s so neat. Would u please place me on your mailing list for coupons? Thanks abunch!
Anonymous says:
my sisters and I all check ur site daily! My sister’s husband is in the mairne corps and we are in the army! love you
Angela R. says:
I did my first “Hip2Save Shopping Trip”. I went to Walgreens & purchased 40.48 worth of product for only 15.92 inc.tax!! I was soo happy needless to say. Your blog is the best and I am a Hip2Saver for life!!!
Heather says:
I stumbled upon your blog just a few days ago & I’m already addicted. I check back here multiple times a day to see if you’ve added any new deals. I’ve already cashed in on a few of the deals you have listed! Yay! I’m new to the whole “coupon cutting” thing so I definitely could use some tips. I am a SAHM to my 4 kids & have decided to start spending more wisely & try to save as much money as I can! Your blog is a real blessing! Keep up the wonderful job you are doing!
One more thing, after the kiddos went to bed last night I stayed up searching your blog & watching your videos. You give such helpful information & you make it seem so fun. I was laughing at some of your videos because you seem like such a down-to-earth person! 
Anonymous says:
Thank you so much for your blog! I am a Navy wife and my husband and I are soon to be parents of a baby from Korea. With our little boy soon to arrive, I’ve immersed myself into the world of shopping for diapers, formula, baby care items and toys and have appreciated reading all your advice! Baby stuff can be so expensive and using coupons, sales and rebates together has really made a difference with how much I spend.
Hurray for the art of a good deal!
Shaina says:
Hi Collin – I came across your blog a few days ago and its great! You have some great finds! I have been a savvy shopper for a little over three years now (more so this past year after we had our first baby). My husband served 4 yrs in the Navy and is now in the Army Reserves so saving money went to the top of our list. You can still look cute and spend less! I recently started blogging because my friends and co workers were always amazed at the killer deals I found. Now I can share them with everyone, and your right it really is liberating! Keep up the great work!
Stasha Ford says:
Collin,
I love the Clearance Craziness video. I love that you had the lemons in several seens but never once mentioned them. You are soooo funny.
Kate says:
Hip 2 Save is always open on my computer! And just a quick side note, I’ve been making lemonade for years. You crack me up and I look forward to Mondays.
Jillian says:
Thank you for taking time out of your day and out of your life in general to help all of us learn the ropes of couponing and saving!! I appreciate you and your website more than you’ll ever know!!!
Keep up the great work!!
Susan says:
Thank you so much for all the time and effort you put into your website and helping all of us save money. I found this website about two months ago. As a single mom, every dollar counts and you have helped me out so much!
I’m starting to get all my freebies in the mail and my mom is amazed. I’ve saved so much shopping at Rite Aid (I loved watching my total go from $60 to $35 last time I shopped there!!!) and CVS. I NEVER used to shop there because I didn’t believe they had such great deals. I’m using double coupons at Target and saving much much more than I ever thought.
I love your videos. Thank you for putting yourself out there and helping show all of us how to be frugal.
Linda says:
Wow! This is truly an amazing site. I have used coupons for years but not very effectively. I can say that I am now in that same place you were when you started your saving adventure. Your candid story really hits home. Your videos are great. I am a very visual person and being able to see you while you’re talking about couponing and your methods really helps me. Thank you so much. I am completely inspired to change my life one deal at a time!
jennifer says:
Thanks so much for such a great website!! it is so well laid out and easy to use! From one marine wife to another, thanks!!
Lisa says:
Thank you for allowing us into your life by being so brutaly honest as you told us “a little about me…”. I’m in the position that you were 2.5 years ago. I appreciate your tips and all of your hard work in making this blog every day. You are a very unselfish woman with your time to help out so many like this! Thanks Collin!
Alyssa says:
Ok I’ve really been trying to figure it out but with no luck. What state are you located in Collin????
deAnne says:
Hey Collin!
I love your website and tell everyone about it! My 20 year old son is in the Marines and he and his wife live in Jacksonville, NC! oooooorah!
Jody says:
I LOVE your webstie and check it multiple times a day. While we have always been very careful with our money, we’ve been thru 2 lay-offs in the last 4 years. I used to use coupons when we were first married, but stopped when my kids were little because I found it hard enough to just get my shopping done and get out of the store with little ones. My boys are now 10 and 12, and I started seriously couponing last January during lay-off #2. My husband found a great job in August, but I will never revert to my old shopping ways again. I joke that I could have Bill Gates’ money and I would still save money whenever possible. Thank you for all your information! You are darling!!!!
Lenia says:
Just started to follow of the advise you so cheerfully give on your blog! I’m now in the crazy collecting stage where I am shopping multiple times for things! I’m getting addicted to watch those number drop and I hand in my coupons. I visit your site several times a day just to look for new deals! Thanks for having a place for us smart shoppers can go before the money leaves our pockets!
devon aiken says:
hey collin, its devon {babysitter} i have been on here a bunch laytely, deff used the free pic album made one of Ruby {the baby} the send to Aaron in afghan. i have been telling friends in NY about your site! i love the changed layout, hope all is well! miss you and the kids
Kimberly says:
I am new to this world of coupons. I never used to even care if something was on sale. I recently had my 3rd child and decided to stay home. It isn’t easy since we have huge credit card debt. I wanted to say thank you for your blog, it truly is an answer to prayer! I used to make fun of my mom for driving to 3 different stores just to save a buck, but now thanks to you, I’m just like her! Thanks so much!!
jenna says:
oh you are awesome, I think you are wise to do what you do. I actually follow you everyday and my family thinks i am crazy with all the couponing. The only thing I say is well You are sure not paying my bills are you so yeah I am going to save anyway I can. Keep up the good work.
Annmarie says:
Collin –
I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate what you are doing and your web site. I never used to coupon until about two years ago when both my husband and I were cut income. Still both working but cut income significantly. I went to couponing and was saving but I still felt I was not saving enough. I happened upon your site a few months ago and have never saved so much in the whole time I have been couponing as I have is these past few months. Several trips to the store have even resulted in everything being FREE! This has helped out our family significantly. I am having fun with my new found hobby of saving money. I have told so many people about your site. I am addicted! My DH says/jokes that now if I can just find a new SUV for 93% off I can pick the color!!!
Keep up the good work you are doing here on your web site.
Thanks
Annmarie
amanda tallent says:
hey I just wanna congrats to you for all the hard work you put into helping us learn to save money!! I am also a military wife and mom of 4 boys, so I understand that every penny counts for something and to make every penny count! It all adds up! I have snagged so many great deals over the past year and it’s all because of you and your website. Every where I go I tell people about your stie and how you can help sort out thier mess of coupons!!! All my friends here at fort eustis ,va knows how much I save on groceries and all my house hold needs!!! I have twins 3 yr ols boys one which has cerebal palsy! So it hard being a military spouse. I just wanted to thank you for everything you and your family has done for my family!!!! Amanda Tallent
Tina says:
i was just introduced to couponing and your site this week and am totally amazed by all the deals/freebies you’ve been posting. i’m a new mom and have been looking for ways to help my family save for more important things down the road and your site will help us to do just that. thank you for sharing these savings with others and helping to relieve the burden of finances on so many families!
teresa longstreet says:
hey collin. i have been couponing for a few months now and love it. your site is such a big help. i don’t know how you find time to do it. i seem to take forever to just keep my coupons clipped, filed and thinned out. but i love watching my amounts go down. i have seen my bill go from 100 to 46, and at target it went from 170 to 106, still learning and loving it. keep up the good work.
gina says:
I recently went to CVS and my entire order came to 26 cents after coupons. I still had (2) 75 cent coupons left to use and the cashier said she couldn’t redem them because her drawer would be short. Should I have purchased additional items to cover the 75 cents,or did they owe me money for my coupons? I don’t understand how to purchase something and it be a money maker if they can’t give you credit for your coupons once you have maxed out your limit. Do you understand what I’m asking? Help!
Pru says:
I learned of your blog from a girl who I met in Kroger, in Virginia. We were both “coupon shopping.” It was fun talking to someone else who truly appreciates the art of shopping with coupons. I hope your blog has plenty of good information. Thanks.
Bobbie Szemborski says:
would love 2 know all on how 2 use coupons more often on most items very interesting ty
Becky says:
I have a picture for you to post. How can I send it to you?
Andy Lee says:
I’ve always been the kind of person who had a taste for nice, pretty and weird things. I never had the budget to keep up though. I have worked hard for everything I bought instead of relying on someone else to do it for me. [Thank god for that]. I’m only 23 and was one of those people who would get irritated waiting in a long line for the cashier to scan every coupon but now im so0o0o0o in love with it! I think i get too bored too fast and just being online ordering free products or getting a steal on daily things keeps me satisfied!
Gabrielle Lemond says:
I was introduced to your blog by a friend 2 weeks ago. This is amazing! I am single and struggling to operate a household on a now limited salary. Clipping Sunday coupons only yielded mediocre results. Since your site, I am beginning to see my way out of a dark financial situation. I have spread the word on my FaceBook page and everyone is enjoying the savings you provide. Thank you so much for what you are doing to help us “average” Americans. Peace and Blessings to you and your family for the sacrafices your husband is making for our Country.