Meet a NY Reader | Corrine
1. Tell us a little about yourself
My name is Corrine and I am 36 years old. I live with my husband, 7-year-old son, 3-year-old daughter, and 2 cats (one is a tuxedo, like Kristen's, and the other is a snowshoe Siamese).
My husband and I have been married for 11 years. We got married on an antique boat in Seattle, and we eloped after only knowing each other for 6 months!
We live in the Finger Lakes region of New York. My husband works full-time as a mechanical engineer. I hold a Master's degree in social work and am also a certified lactation counselor. I work full-time as a social worker for a large health care system. I have been been in my position for 16 years and for the past 2 years I have been working as a supervisor on the team, which consists of about 10 people.
My job is very stressful emotionally, as a main part of our job is responding to individuals experiencing mental health crises. Although my job is stressful, it offers great benefits and a pension, I can work from home if needed, and my teammates are wonderful people.
As a family, we love to hike and camp. We purchased a small pop-up camper this past summer, but before that, we camped in a tent. We live in an area with amazing state and county parks and we also live very close to Lake Ontario and the other Finger Lakes, which have awesome beaches.
I love to keep a vegetable garden, tap our maple trees in spring, take walks in our neighborhood, pick fruit at local farms in the summer, and visit our awesome public market. We live simply, but I feel my life is luxurious.
2. How long have you been reading The Frugal Girl?
I think it has been almost 8 years. I believe I found your blog when I was on maternity leave with my son.
I only started commenting a few years ago though. I have really enjoyed reading your blog daily; I love the positivity and sense of community. I especially enjoy the Five Frugal Things posts.
3. How did you get interested in saving money?
My mom and dad both experienced poverty as children.
My mom is an expert thrift shopper and, for many years, has worked a lucrative side hustle selling thrifted items on eBay. My dad was a minimalist (he died of lung cancer 6 years ago), which I think he learned from his time in the Marine Corps. My parents were always very upfront about their financial situation and being responsible financially.
4. What's the "why" behind your money-saving efforts?
I think it is something I learned growing up, but my career also plays a big role in these efforts.
I witness extreme social and emotional suffering on a daily basis, so I feel it is my responsibility to our society to spend respectfully. I feel my spending and savings are important for our environment, and I also hope to teach my children financial responsibility.
5.What's your best frugal win?
I took so many Advanced Placement classes in high school that I had a year's worth of college credits. I attended a state school for my Bachelor's Degree, which I then completed in 3 years. This saved me $12,000.
I then attended a state school for graduate school. New York state offers loan forgiveness for social workers who work in certain areas; it's a lottery system, but I ended winning $26,000 in loan forgiveness my 2nd year out of graduate school! So, I have been very fortunate to not have any college loans.
6. What's a dumb money mistake you've made?
I purchased a used car while I was in graduate school and it started to have mechanical issues after 10 years of owning it. Instead of fixing it, our friend who manages a car dealership talked us into leasing a brand new car. Luckily, the lease was only for 2 years and the payment was low ($250/month).
Now we both own used cars without loans. You live and you learn!
7. What's one thing you splurge on?
We recently hired a housekeeper to come twice a month. This is not frugal, but it has saved me so much time each week. Time with my family is my most valued commodity. Life is too short!
I also always "splurge" on the best health insurance policy my employer offers.
8. What's one thing you aren't remotely tempted to splurge on?
A big house!
Our home is small (1,200 square feet) for 4 people and 2 animals. But, we own it outright and it is less for us to clean and maintain. I think as Americans we are taught that we need to buy the biggest home we can mortgage, but this can be risky financially.
I am also not tempted to buy expensive makeup, clothes, purses, shoes, or jewelry. Most of my clothes, shoes, and purses I have gotten from Buy Nothing for free.
9. If $1000 was dropped into your lap today, what would you do with it?
This is a boring answer, but probably put it in my children's 529 accounts.
10. Share a frugal tip with other Frugal Girl readers
There are so many, but I think it is important to question societal views on money and spending. I think breaking free of materialism, as much as we can, can be so freeing both financially and emotionally.
11. Is there anything unique about frugal living in your area?
Our community places a lot of importance on being environmentally conscious and on living sustainably. Many of our neighbors, although we live in a suburb, raise chickens, keep bees, have compost bins, have solar panels, and have large vegetable gardens.
We also have a nationally ranked Public Market that is open year-round. I feel lucky to live where I do.
__________
Corrine, thanks so much for sharing! I have never been to the Finger Lakes region of NY, but it looks beautiful! Do you guys have really cold winters up there?
I think it's so awesome that you won the loan forgiveness lottery; what an amazing blessing. And I love that you are using your career to do something that makes such a difference for people.
It is great to read from you Corrine! The countryside where you live is breathtaking.
I am the sibling of someone with severe mental health issues, be it on another continent, and it always moves me to hear of and from people who work with very vulnerable people like that. A big thank you on behalf of "relatives of"! That you find your work stressful does not surprise me. Did you decide to become a lactation counselor also to be part of a more hopeful part in people's lives?
J from NL
@J NL,
Hello! Thank you so much for the reply. Having a family member with a mental health issue is so difficult. I am certain your support is so valued by your family member.
My specialty is working with pregnant and parenting women. I trained as a lactation counselor, as breastfeeding is a well-researched way to prevent Post Partum Depression and othe social-emotions concerns in moms and children. Also, I think social workers are great at teaching and communicating, which is important in breastfeeding education!
Wonderful to read about your life, Corrinne. My sister and mother (now retired) are also social workers, which has given me some insight into how difficult but so important the profession is.
We have camped in the Finger Lake area at the Taughannock Falls State Park, and I would love to visit the region again. Also in the winter time, I have wanted to explore what cross country adventures there are available.
@Kristina, hello!! We camped at Taughannock Falls twice this summer. It's one of our favorite spots, especially in the Fall!
Hi Corrine! I recognize your lake, because I used to live north of you on the same lake. It is a beautiful part of the country, for sure. I miss the falls there most of all.
@kristin @ going country,
Awesome! Yes, our lakes in this area of NY are so lovely!
What a inspiring post! It takes a special person to help the individuals and families of those suffering with mental illness. Thank you for the work you do.
I also agree that often the simplest things and experiences often feel like a luxury. Living well is about more than money or things.
@Bee, yes, I totally agree. I think it is easy to get wrapped up in ultimate luxury in our society.
Another wonderful interview. I am so moved by the wisdom of the "younger" readers. I love that this forum is available to such a wide range of people.
I can especially relate to the big house comment. Some of the newer homes not that far from us are ridiculous. It's wonderful you own your home and I agree it is a lot less to clean and maintain a smaller home.
@K D, there are some very large homes in our area too. I always think about how much time it must take to clean those homes! Less is more, in my opinion.
The Finger Lakes are an interesting region from a historical perspective (particularly during the construction of the Erie Canal and the Second Great Awakening.) I've not spent too much time out that way but I'd argue that for my money rural upstate NY is some of the most beautiful country on Earth.
Congrats on owning your home outright! I know people will tell you that's a mistake or something and that you should be enriching the usurers of the world or taking advantage of the unsustainable low interest rates offered by the Feds. Personally I'm in the home stretch of my mortgage and could pay it off but I'm just letting it run its course.
@Battra92, yes, the jury is out on whether to pay off your mortgage or not. In our situation, it made complete financial sense.
The Erie Canal is very close to our home! My husband and I actually rode our bikes along the Erie Canal, over 4 days, staying at B&B's one summer. The history of the Erie Canal is fascinating!
Hey Corrine! Thanks for giving our area such a wonderful review (I'm just down the Thruway at the eastern end of the Finger Lakes). I think the many beautiful state and local parks in our area are an important frugal resource. We definitely have four seasons here, which increases our variety of outdoor experiences. Upstate New York has a much more reasonable COL in general, as compared to downstate and many other areas of the country. I live in a neighborhood which sounds similar to yours - less peer pressure to keep up with those Joneses!
@Kristin, I think you and I must be in the same Upstate neck of the woods. (We're talking about the city that has the minor-league basketball team with the party-school university attached, right?) And I recall from an earlier exchange that Corrine is near the city formerly famous for Kodak.
I agree with you both about the beauty of our part of the state and the recreational opportunities that the parks provide. I hope to spend more time exploring the parks as I move into the next phase of my life.
I've sung the praises of my neighborhood many times, but I too have an excellent one. And we also have a fine Regional Market in our city; I'm there most weekends.
Finally, Corrine, I too doff my hat to you in honor of your work. I telecommuted for 36 years as a copyeditor for a small NYC-based publishing company that produces mainly mental health texts for mental health professionals. I used to get a mild version of vicarious trauma just from reading some of those books; I can't imagine actually being on the front lines.
@A. Marie, I think we've discussed this over at the Non-Consumer Advocate, and we figured out we're from more or less the same neighborhood in that city with the party school whose mascot is a fruit that is definitely not native to a city which averages over 100" of snow per year!
I don't get to the Regional Market as much as I would like to. It's such a wonderful resource for all sorts of products. I'll be buying some holiday gifts there soon.
I feel lonely. No one is frugal in the Hamptons, where I live. 🙁
(joking, obvs) Love from downstate.
Ha, I can only imagine!
@Kristin, I'm with you ladies....go orange! Small world!
@A. Marie, our area really is wonderful!
Thank you for the kid words.
@Kristin, good point! Living in a neighborhood like mine does reduce the desire to "live large". Our area is absolutely wonderful and I feel lucky to live here.
@Kristin, Now I know where it is!!! The Regional Market is the BOMB and I have yet to find another one like it. Loved the Market, especially in the fall. And that town averages 120" of snow. I moved to the Capital area from there and they only average 64" - half the amount. I'm in Florida now. LOL
Do you miss the colder weather? Or do you love the year-round summer you have in Florida?
Hello Neighbour! (I'm across the border in Southwestern Ontario)
Your area is very beautiful! We were on the way back from New Jersey some years ago and wanted to see how Corningware was made in Corning, but we couldn't get a room there, so ended up driving closer to home before getting a hotel. Then we didn't feel like backtracking, so kept on going to get home. But we were wowed by the scenery of those Finger Lakes! It's been on my bucket list to go back and spend some time, and go see the Glass Museum in Corning, finally.
You've got a full life - thanks for sharing. God bless!
@Ingrid, thank you! Hoping you can make it back to our area again.
Thanks for sharing, Corrine! I love your comment about breaking free of materialism!
@Julie, breakfing free of materialism is definitely not 100% possible in our society, but I try!
What gorgeous countryside!
It's so nice to meet you, and I appreciate your efforts to spend consciously and be wise with resources. I'm sure your kids will learn your ways and be a new generation of frugal souls.
And it is awesome that you already own your home!
@JD, thank you! Hoping my kiddos are "learning what they live".
Hi Corrine,
Beautiful post. You are very wise. Sorry for the loss of your dad. Thanks for sharing. You are very blessed.
@Anita Isaac, thank you for your condolences and kind words. He is greatly missed.
Thanks for sharing. You always think of New York as busy bustling place. But to hear and see the country pictures give you calm scene.
It's funny how those of us who are outside of New York state tend to think that New York State IS New York City. But there's an awful lot that's not the city!
@Nora, we are about 6 hours from NYC. Interestingly, I have never even visited NYC. We live in a much smaller city with lots of awesome nature nearby!
@Kristen, yes, there really is!!
Nice to meet you! I have always loved the name CORRINE! I also “ splurge” on the top insurance that my job offers. It hurts a little sometimes but has always helped out in the END!
@Stephanie, thank you. I pronounce it "Corr-in", but I think with that pronunciation my parents actually spelled it wrong. LOL!
Good health insurance is certainly a luxury in our society, especially if it's affordable, which mine is. I wish it was an option for all of our citizens.
Thanks for sharing, Corrine! Your pictures make we want to go take a quick hike while there are still some warmish temps and leaves to scuff through. I love hearing about everyone's pets - I'd never heard of snowshoe Siamese and my brain immediately came up with a picture of a pretty Siamese cat with big flat feet. Luckily I googled and now I know they have white boots!
@Suz, yes!! She is a blue-eyed Siamese with white paws. She definitely has the personality of a Siamese!
Get out there and take a hike while you can!
Wow! I sure do love reading all these reader profiles. Thanks, Kristen. I learn something good from each one!
Thank you, Corrine, for making a difference in so many people's lives. You also have a lot of knowledge, experiences, and common sense that make your life and your choices things to admire. Your sensibility is what my husband and I are trying to nurture in our nieces and nephews and other younger people we are close to.
My favorite line from your profile is: "We live simply, but I feel my life is luxurious." That is a wonderful goal! It's not about having a lot of "stuff;" it's about feeling your life is full. Many thanks for another wonderful reader share!
@NancyB, thank you so much!!!
Welcome, Corrine, and as everyone else says, thank you so much for the work you do. It's so important. The older I get, the more I appreciate people who do the really hard work in society. I would say I couldn't do it myself, but maybe that's a cop-out--I'm not sure.
The Finger Lakes is lovely and your kids are adorable!
@Rose, thank you Rose. My kiddos are awesome and luckily love to hike and camp.
Corrine, I really enjoyed your post and the pictures of your precious family. So much of what you said really resonated with me - living a simple yet luxurious life, spending respectfully in light of so much suffering, honoring the environment, and questioning societal views around money. Kudos on crafting a beautiful, mindful life for your family and those around you!
@MB in MN, thank you so much! It's nice to meet you.
I just want to "second" buying the best insurance policy you can, especially through an employer. We always went the cheap route - we can use that money more during the month than on insurance because we probably won't need it. If you ever have something happen or want to do more than the bare essentials for your health, you will be so happy to have a better policy.
Dh went through a stroke - 7 days in the hospital and two years later a 6 bypass surgery with 23 days in the hospital and I can promise you will notice the difference.
@Jennifer, yes, I see so many people go in to serious medical debt. Sometimes just to keep themselves alive. Unfortunately, good health insurance is not available to everyone in America. Hoping your husband is doing well now!
Hi Corinne,
Thanks for sharing! New York really is a beautiful state, and the Finger Lakes region is especially so.
I agree about breaking free of materialism. It can be tough but it is so worth it if you want to enjoy true happiness.
Hi Corrinne, thanks for sharing your story. You live in a beautiful part of the world! I've never heard of a tuition loan forgiveness lotto. Congratulations on winning! Its great that you and your husband are on the same page. What a difference that makes over a lifetime.
@Elaine N, yes, I am certainly lucky to be married to someone with similar ideals. It also helps that he is an amazing cook and great at home improvements. He's a keeper, for sure.
This loan forgiveness program is specific to New York State. They offer a couple different loan forgiveness for certain careers. I was very lucky to win it!
The finger lakes region is very beautiful indeed. Lots to do and see for those who love nature.
@Natasha, yes it really is!
I loved hearing about your life in beautiful Upstate NY -- it sounds like you and your family really take advantage of all the good stuff! I can imagine that your job is very draining -- thank goodness you work with fine people and can work from home sometimes. This lovely statement just resonated with me:
" We live simply, but I feel my life is luxurious." It is so nice to meet you!
@priskill, nice to meet you!
My job is stressful, but my co-workers and patients are great.
Interesting. So great that your area is so conscientious about living in an environmentally friendly way. One slightly more frugal option for the question about getting $1000 dropped in your lap: put it in a Roth IRA instead of in a 529 account. College financial aid packages look at 529s, take it all, and then calculate your expected contribution on top of that. If you put it in a Roth IRA, it's hidden from the financial aid process but you can withdraw it for education. Even better, if you don't need it all for your kids for college, it's there for your retirement! We have friends who saved in 529s and had one kid who ended up not going to college and another who went to a state school and they didn't need everything they had in the 529s! Other friends ended up having to pay a lot even though they had three kids in college at the same time--just because they had so much in their 529s, the schools expected them to be able to more than they would have otherwise.
@Jo, thanks for the advice. We max out our IRA's every year already. So our 529 accounts for our kids are only contributed to once our 401K's and IRA's are maxed out yearly. The 529 in our state has great tax benefits, so for us it makes sense financially to contribute to these accounts. Even if our children do not end up going to college, the penalty will be less than the tax advantage and interest we have earned over such a long period of time. Definitely not one size fits all though!
Thank you all for the kind words and support!!
Kristen,
Our area is so beautiful and I am lucky to live here. Our winters are very cold and long. We get a ton of lake effect snow! I have lived here my whole life though, so it doesn't bother me too much. I like to remember how much less yardwork I have to do in the winter and how much less my cats shed too! Spring, Summer, and Fall are then very special because we wait so long for nice weather. Also, my kids love the snow. So we are frequently outside in the snow playing, sledding, or hiking. Hiking in the snow is one of my favorite things. It's so peaceful and quite.
Just reading this today. I lived for 8 years in the Finger Lakes Region of NY and aside from the mega amounts of snow, it is one of the most beautiful places in the country. Summer and Fall are spectacular. Winter, however, you can have! Altho my grand daughter is in Western NY and I do miss her. Thank you technology!!!
It was nice to meet you Corrine and reminisce about my time living there.
@Maureen, nice to meet you too!!
Winter is definitely not as great as summer, but still has so much to offer.
I have just loved all these reader posts.
Great to read about your life! I have never been to that area- the northeast and northwest corners of our country are the two parts I’ve never visited. Now I want to, more than ever!
It’s admirable that you and your husband have a healthy and happy partnership, which started so quickly! How did you know? Did you “just know”? None of my beeswax, of course!
I was a long-time OB nurse and later worked with pregnant and new families who had serious problems of various types. It could be shocking, painful, and frustrating, but also heart-warming. I felt like it was a way to try to help babies, parents, other kids, etc. and maybe our whole community.
@Jenny, my husband and I always say we wished we got married sooner. I think when you know, you know. He is a great person and I am lucky to have him.
Thank you for all you do as a nurse. My area of specialty as a social worker is OB/GYN. I love working with pregnant and parenting women.
Hoping you can visit NY in the future. It has so much to offer!