Today, we get to meet Jody S., another familiar name from the comment section here.
1. Tell us a little about yourself
My name is Jody, and I’m in my 40s. My husband is a pastor of a small, rural church in the western part of Maryland, and we live in a parsonage with a most beautiful view of hills and ridges (I can see three states!).
We have 7 children (ages 5-16), and, yes, I homeschool all of them.
We also have some animals that belong to us (currently, an outside cat and chickens), but many other animals hang out for fun sometimes (deer, turkeys, bear, and once even an emu).
Our household now also includes my father who moved in last week.
2. How long have you been reading The Frugal Girl?
I am not certain, but I think I started reading The Frugal Girl about the same time I started my blog (2014).
Originally I thought, “Hey, I can do this for some extra income,” but I soon realized I don’t have what it takes to do what Kristen does.
I blog when I have time or want to, but I keep reading TFG faithfully.
3. How did you get interested in saving money?
My first year out of college, I was teaching 8th grade in a public school. There wasn’t much left after paying bills, and I resented paying rent for an apartment because I thought I was throwing money away. I wanted to save up for a down payment on a house.
Back then, I don’t think I was strong-willed with regards to money and spending, but I did save a little and avoid credit card debt. When I quit teaching to marry a man who was still in seminary full-time, I knew I’d have to get serious about saving.
And then, about one month after the wedding, the all-day morning sickness set in, and it became clear I wouldn’t be finding a paying job anytime soon. My husband was not a spender, and I learned a lot from him.
4.What’s the “why” behind your money-saving efforts?
With one income and many children, we have to be careful with our spending habits. When my husband retires, we will not own a home because part of my husband’s compensation for his work is the parsonage we live in.
We live carefully to save for retirement so that we might have a place to live and to provide what our children need now (no, we do not have college saving plans for our children).
5. What’s your best frugal win?
I’m not the kind of frugal person who budgets and keeps track of numbers because I don’t have the extra time and because, if I do have the time, I want to read a book instead.
I do have an Etsy shop to earn a little extra money, and once I bought a closet full of vintage puzzles at an online auction for $7. There were over 50 puzzles, and I’ve sold most of them for at least $10 each.
6. What’s a dumb money mistake you’ve made?
I think the biggest mistake I made was right out of college. I was driving my 1980 Buick Century, and it was not reliable. I had been stranded multiple times, both in the middle of nowhere and on the side of busy interstates. I decided that I was not going to be late for my first job and that I needed a new car.
So I drove Big Blue into a Honda dealership and drove out with a brand new Civic and a loan with 9.75% interest.
I didn’t shop around. I didn’t find a reliable used car. I just wanted a car that worked every time I turned the key in the ignition.
7. What’s one thing you splurge on?
We splurge on vacation for our family. We can’t do a “staycation” because we live right next to the church, and my husband does need a break from work. If we stay, he works. It always happens that way.
We do not normally do the most extravagant holidays– we usually rent a place, cook our own meals, and go to attractions that have no admission price.
However, we really went all-out on our “Big Trip Out West” a few years ago (many hotel stays and restaurant meals), but I do not regret it one bit because our children were able to see so much of the country and meet my long-distance family.
8. What’s one thing you aren’t remotely tempted to splurge on?
Jewelry.
9. If $1000 was dropped into your lap today, what would you do with it?
It would either be invested or be spent on braces for one of my children.
10. Share a frugal tip with other Frugal Girl readers
I’m not sure if this qualifies as a tip, but remember that frugality isn’t only money. You really have to figure out what your priorities are and focus on them.
Sometimes saving time and energy is just as important as saving money. The stress of ALWAYS counting pennies can really rob you of your focus on your priorities.
For example, I could save more money by shopping around more and checking every price, but then I would be neglecting my children by not giving them the time they need.
I could save money by not going crazy at super-cheap book sales, but then I would be missing an opportunity to have education always at my children’s fingertips (and that is a priority for me).
If you want a real tip that’s less philosophical, don’t ignore auctions–online (local auction houses) or in-person ones. We have found so many items we needed so cheaply!
If you are patient, you can find what you need for the right price.
__________________
Jody, thank you so much for participating! It was so fun to learn more about you and to get a peek into your life.
Readers, if you want to get to know Jody more, check out her blog at Spice of Life Mom, and follow her on Instagram.
And of course, feel free to leave her any questions or comments here; I’m sure she’ll be popping into the comments. 
___________________
P.S. I realized that so far, all the readers that have sent me submissions have been moms around my age or younger.
But I promise we are going to have variety; coming up, we’ll have a a dad featured. And a reader in her 60s. Aaaand one of my readers in her eighties has also promised to fill out the questions.
So. If you don’t happen to be a mom in your 30s and 40s, hang in there. You’ll get to meet some readers like you coming up!
Profesora H-B says
These are such a fun feature! If you need a childless couple in their late 30s/early 40s, I’m your gal!
JEG says
Jody, How do you get so much garden produce? We really just recently got more serious about gardening. One year we had a very successful “trash” garden. Seeds grew from our mulch in the raised beds.
Jody S. says
We don’t always get that much. But we do have a large garden, and I plant A LOT of squash. But this year we had enough green beans for maybe half a meal (instead of canning enough to last the year) because we had frequent bunny visitors. We canned some tomatoes, but not enough because I’ve learned none of the roma style tomatoes (no matter what we do) escape blossom-end rot in our soil/rocks. Some years are better than others. I didn’t post the pictures of the failures because I don’t always take pictures– and the pretty squash make me happy.
Jem says
What a beautiful place you live in! And your family looks lovely. Thank you for sharing your life with us: especially in these times it is nice to live vicariously for a few minutes.
Jody S. says
Sharing is no problem for me; I’m one who normally over-shares. I’m learning to be a little more tight-lipped now that I have children because they are not all so open (you’ll notice there are not 7 kids in that photo).
Grandma Bev says
Enjoyed this read, thanks. It is amazing what people ‘want’ for crafts, etc.
Jody S. says
There are definitely lots of people out there more creative than I am coming up with ideas!
Vicki Frederick says
Well, I want to hear more about the toilet paper tubes ☺️ – like who buys them, for what purpose, and how much you charge for them. Your comments about priorities are right on the money, no pun intended. All the best to you.
Jody S. says
Thank you for your kind wishes. Lots of people buy them (for pet treats and crafts for kids and crafts for adults), and I currently charge $3.75 for 30 rolls (but I always throw in an extra or two). The expensive part for the customer is always the shipping.
a curious reader says
I want to say thank you for starting this series. It’s fascinating to “meet” so many TFG readers who lead lives so different from my own. And of course it’s always nice to know the person behind the comments!
Jody, your life looks so idyllic and serene. I love the photos of the scenery around your house (I can only imagine how quiet it must be out there) and the one of your kids making cookies. I love that your older son participates, and he looks quite focussed too :-). Your husband’s beard is a sight to behold!!
Jody S. says
Dear Curious,
Life is great when “normal” happens, but it rarely does. There is no serene with 7 children (ages 16 and under). Life is never boring, but I don’t remember the last time “serene” happened. My children are LOUD.
Looks can be deceiving.
And my husband’s beard never fails to receive comments. Men give him the best compliments and are quite envious. I know a lot of women don’t like facial hair, but I love beards on men. .. the wilder the better
It must be my hillbilly blood.
The best beard story happened in Frankenmuth, Michigan, when a little girl from Florida was enjoying her first-ever snow while there. We walked out of a store, the little girl saw him, and her face lit up and she exclaimed, “Santa!”
priskill says
Aw what a beautiful view and love the cookies and cookie decorators! So nice to hear about your life and family. And that is amazing that you can sell TP rolls
Jody S. says
Thank you. It is fun figuring out what people will buy.
Cathy in NJ says
Jody,
Loved reading about you and your family.
Jody S. says
Thank you for reading
Bee says
Jody, I also love an auction. They are amazing places to find all sorts of things, and they are so much fun. I have a Wagner Cast Iron #8 Skillet that I bought 20 years ago for $5 at an auction. I use it nearly every single day.
Jody S. says
We’ve been looking for one of the good and old cast iron pans, but they are so expensive now! We have a lot of cast iron; I love mine.
Jane says
I just want to thank Jody for her creativity in selling toilet paper rolls, as well as paper towel rolls and egg cartons (I looked her up on Etsy)! Your creative selling effort is also very environmentally friendly! I am impressed!
And thank you, Kristen, for featuring Jody on your blog, so we could be introduced to her!
Jody S. says
My Oma and Opa had so little trash because they re-used and re-purposed so much. I think that rubbed off on me a bit.
Ruth T says
It was fun to read about you, Jody! You live in a beautiful land!
My MIL used to live near a place that had food auctions and it was amazing what she could pick up there. I was pretty intimidated there one time I went along, but assume that comfort grows with practice.
Thanks for doing the interview!
Jody S. says
I’ve not ever been to a food auction, but I really do enjoy the atmosphere of an in-person one. It’s a social thing.
James says
This is for the readers of The frugal girl. It is not directed toward no one it is simply posted to help. If you’re trying to be on a budget or you’re trying to be on a tight budget I recommend the nostalgia egg cooker cook 7 eggs at a time very very low cost very very helpful. I did purchase mine at the famous big box store locally very very satisfied it has been a huge help for food and for savings
Julie says
Thanks for sharing, Jody!
Jody S. says
You’re welcome. This has been fun!
Sarah says
This was lovely! I like this reader feature.
Jody S. says
I do, too. I can’t wait to see who’s up next.
Katy in Africa says
Looooved reading this!
Jody S. says
Thank you. That makes me feel special
Jenn says
So I have to ask, why in the world do customers on Etsy buy toilet paper rolls?? My husband is a minister as well and we are almost empty nesters with our last in college. We lived in parsonages for a number of years; we just turned 59. We bought a fixer upper about 6 years ago and sold it last month at a profit that will allow us to put a down payment on a home where we have recently relocated. Housing is more expensive here, so our money won’t go as far, but we hope to buy a reasonable home and fix it up. We plan to pay it off with a 15 year loan; we obviously won’t be retiring at 65. We also paid off some debt with the sale of our home and hope to stay mostly debt-free except for our mortgage going forward. We are putting as much as we can into investments for retirement; we started investing later than we should have since we were trying to make ends meet on one income while I homeschooled for 17 years. I try to be frugal; I am very happy to finally live near 3 Aldi stores after following Kristen’s blog for about 10 years and being jealous of her amazing savings there :)! I appreciate reading how others are creatively saving and spending frugally. I agree that we each have to prioritize what is important to us and to work toward those goals.
Jody S. says
We have a lot of similarities it seems (especially the one income for homeschooling).
I don’t know all the reasons my customers need tp tubes, but some use them for pet treats, quilling, making ornaments, etc. Several teachers have bought tubes for class craft/science projects. I think a non-profit bought some for a big decorating project maybe.
Debbie says
Yes, I’ve searched for so many toilet paper rolls through my 40 years of teaching Kinders! What a great idea!
Molly F. C. says
Nice to meet you, Jody! Do you live near Cumberland, MD? That is such a pretty town. We have a second home in WV, a very frugal home because it was built entirely, and now shared, by family. Is not fancy but we love it. We have to travel thru Cumberland when we go there.
Jody S. says
Yes, our dentist is in Cumberland. My kids love all the church steeples there. And I love driving east on I-68 and coming over the hill (at night) and seeing all the lights. . . the WTBO radio lights, especially.
Suz says
BTW, I can relate to the unreliable car dilemma. I have many memories of popping the hood to my unresponsive Chevette and pulling from my pocket the obligatory piece of wire that you always had to carry when you drove it, so that you could make contact between two particular spots in the gerry-rigged engine that sometimes didn’t connect right. Total temptation to just get something that turns on reliably!
OK plus I meant to ask.. Where did that crazy emu come from??
Jody S. says
I’m so glad I’m not the only one (alone on the side of the road).
About the emu. . . I called around and found an emu farm maybe around 30 miles from here. This emu had escaped and managed to stay alive through the winter. That was a hoot, let me tell you!
Stef says
Jody and others with braces-age children…
We were thankful to be able to participate in a reduced cost braces program for one of our children. Participation is based on income and family size, among other things. It was such a blessing!
The two non-profit programs I’m familiar with are smiles change lives and smile for a lifetime. Both have websites explaining their programs. Maybe that would help someone…
Steph says
My daughter used to work for Smiles Change Lives. They do ask for a small payment from the family, but the bulk of the cost is handled by them. It really is a great program!
Jody S. says
Thanks for the tip; I’ll have to check those out.
Kara says
Jody was so kind to message me when I first opened my Etsy shop. Thanks for the encouragement, Jody! I’m saving the pockets of old jeans that I repurpose, so that I can sell them as a lot, as you suggested.
It looks beautiful where you live. Thank you for sharing.
Jody S. says
My goal (if I ever have the time) is to have all vintage and repurposed on my Etsy shop. I love making old things useful again. I love your shop and Instagram; I love seeing the things you make.
Kara says
Thank you! I always smile when I see your name!
Battra92 says
Seven kids sounds so chaotic! I had a hard time growing up as one of 5 and sometimes my only child is more than I can handle.
I’m impressed at the flipping of puzzles. I do know of one person who bought up a bunch during quarantine, did them all and sold them when he was done with them, thus recouping most of his money. I’m not a puzzle guy myself but a lot of people are really into them.
Jody S. says
Well, I think only children could be difficult sometimes because they don’t have playmates to entertain them; they need the parents more. My children help out so much– with chores, yes, but also by just being friends to each other. But it is chaotic, but mostly pleasant chaos for me.
I have children who aren’t puzzle kids, too, but several of us had a lot of fun putting together all those puzzles. I’ve really enjoyed learning about vintage puzzles and puzzle crafts through selling them. (That holds true for the other vintage items I’ve sold.)
Maureen says
These are great. I love that you are sharing your blog and having people remind us what life is all about. You are bringing more cheerfulness all around!
Jody S. says
I love to see how different we all are.
BJS says
Jody, I loved reading about your life. My favorite picture is the one of your kids! They look dear. And western Maryland is beautifully scenic.
I’ve also greatly enjoyed all of the the previous readers’ biographies, and look forward to future ones. Thanks for doing this, Kristen.
Jody S. says
Thank you. My children are dear to me, for sure. And I can tell you that I have been thankful more than once every single day for the opportunity to live in a place with such a view. (Can you believe we had no choice whatsoever in where we moved? How lucky am I?!) If you are a lover of the great outdoors, you should plan a trip in western Maryland– lots of trails, lots of history.
Kris says
Jody, I am right there with you on the need to be physically distanced from where you live and work in order to have a refreshing vacation. How marvelous that you were able to go out west. We’ve done that and it’s not a cheap trip so I can imagine how challenging it would be for your large family.
Like other commenters, I think you live in a beautiful area. Your lineup of antique chairs is charming, especially with the gourds on them.
Jody S. says
Those chairs all came in a lot at an auction. We were bidding on it for a shelf that was in the lot. After we won it, somebody came up to us and bought a couple of the chairs for about half the cost we paid. Those chairs were an unintended purchase, but we found a good place for them. And all those squash were there “curing” because deer or other critters would eat them if they weren’t on the porch. (All my decorating is accidental– just not a skill I have!)
Madeline says
I am 67and I thoroughly enjoy your blog! I don’t have grandkids so I like reading about other people’s kids and grandkids..I like to stay “in touch” with young people! My husband and I always have lived frugally and it helped us to retire early! I have always found being cautious and mindful with money to be like a hobby, not a burden. I never get bored reading about how others are doing the same! Our frugal ways have followed us into retirement. When we both worked we had 2 cars.Now we share one. We are experts at finding free entertainment and having hobbies that do not cost much. A love of nature keeps us out on the nature trails and parks. And the three towns around us all have free concerts in the Spring, usually outdoors where you can bring a picnic! We do splurge on vacations here and there.But not with Covid! So,being frugal THIS year is even easier! Thanks for sharing your days here!!
Jody S. says
I do find frugal ways to be fun like a hobby, too. (Maybe I’d think differently if I were truly hungry or in need of a place to lay my head.)
JD says
Your view from your porch is AWESOME.
Nice to meet you, Jody! I have a few ministers of music and pastors in my family, so I know something about the frugality required in that situation. It looks like you are doing very well.
It sounds like you have a house full of love and kids, there! But I have to say, selling toilet paper tubes is the winner! I would never have thought that anyone would buy those, but you must have a very creative and “outside the box” mind, Jody. Way to go!
Jody S. says
JD- I don’t mind washing dishes nearly so much with that as my view
Once I stumbled upon something somebody was selling that I considered trash. I was floored. But it made me wonder, so I kept looking up things I normally toss to see if selling was a possibility.
Bobi says
I have no children but I’ve always admired women who can organize and handle such a large household. Looks like you’ve definitely got it all together, Jody!
Jody S. says
Oh, Bobi, looks can be deceiving. I do try really hard, but I never have it all together. I have to remind myself (in this age of pinterest and instagram) that it is never so perfect as it looks online; I just have to be content with the best I can manage.
Anna chan says
I love the emu, it reminds me of the book, “the Silver Star”
Jody S. says
You’ve made me curious; I’ll have to check that out. Who wrote it?
Anna says
It was by Jeannette Walls, she also wrote the Glass castle, it’s autobiographical. When you read bith books, it’s clear how they are related.
Liz B. says
I’ll need to look for the Silver Star! Jeannette Walls also wrote a book called Half Broke Horses, which is about her (amazing) grandmother.
Cindi says
Sounds like you’ve done a great job, Jodi.
My husband and I always tell each other that if we wait long enough, we will find what we are looking for at a bargain price. This has proved true over and over again. I have found everything from a replacement top for a glass chicken to a buffalo rug at bargain prices over the years because I was willing to wait. (I know the rug is a weird one but I had always wanted one and a neighbor who was selling out offered me one very cheap just last week!) The top for the chicken was to replace a piece of carnival glass I’d broken. I got it for free when I told the woman at the garage sale my story.
Jody S. says
I love hearing garage sale stories! (I love yard sales.) Patience is a virtue that is rewarded. Eventually
Lisa says
I hope WilliamB agrees to an interview as well. He has awesome comments.
Jody S. says
We definitely need the men represented!
Kathryn K. says
Second on WilliamB being a great reader to profile.
Ruby says
This proves how lacking my education in geography has been: I always think of the sea coast when Maryland is mentioned and had no idea there is a mountainous area. What a beautiful place!
Your home and family are lovely. The cookie decorating looks like such great fun.
Jody S. says
I think Maryland has several different areas. . . eastern shore, the cities/suburbs, and mountain Maryland. Maybe more?
While I’ve always loved decorating cookies (before kids), Kristen’s cookie contest inspires and motivates me to make it happen with my own children (because decorating/making cookies with 7 children is NOT all fun or easy).
K D says
I love that you sold toilet paper tubes, what a creative idea for turning trash into treasure. We save ours for our daughter’s gerbil. He gnaws through them like crazy and makes a big mess.
Jody S. says
I’ve had several customers who make pet treats out of them! I was surprised.
kristin @ going country says
Wait. Jody, is that your garden in the foreground of the photo with the pallet-shed? If it is, I am SO IMPRESSED with how clean and symmetrical it is. You must spend a TON of time on it.
Jody S. says
It is our garden, but it only appears symmetrical. And all those green things growing? That’s grass and brambles and other things that cause us to spend a TON of time in it. Until the buckwheat we seed grows up and takes over and we just let it go wild and crazy. Our biggest crop is rocks.
And deer and bunnies.
Suz says
Oh, plus your bumper crop of multi-colored pumpkins and squash – beautiful!
Your whole area looks incredibly beautiful (and cold right now!). Your kids must have fun!
Jody says
While the winter pic is not from this year, it is cold here right now! (And beautiful.)
My pumpkins and squash are my favorites. I save the seeds from year to year; I love to see what they look like after cross-breeding. If my husband wants to buy me a gift in the fall, he just looks for an odd-shaped squash somewhere. (I do avoid gourds because I want edible squash.)