I enjoy finding deals so you don’t have to, but really, just because it’s fun.

I’m a lifelong marathon shopper, make-up enthusiast and big bag carrier (no really, since preschool). I have a love/hate relationship with bangs (there is no classy way to grow them out!), stilettos and pop music.

As a native of Dickenson County (where the nearest mall was a two-hour drive), the world of online shopping and researching became a quickly learned skill. I give all deal-seeking and shopaholic credit to my mother — the woman who would enthusiastically and untiringly drive six hours in one day simply to shop and browse.

Recently, I’ve discovered my father also has a few shopaholic tendencies, but his lean more on the aluminum racing jack side (he’s wanted one for a while, I have no idea why, but waited for a coupon!).

My latest obsessions are meal-planning, couponing and flash sales (Internet-only, major-percentage-off sales that only last for about two days).

Before becoming a mom in 2008 I didn’t really think much about planning my shopping according to what we actually needed, not just wanted. So, with all that adult responsibility stuff came looking for the best deals in grocery, beauty, clothing and entertainment. The thought has even crossed my mind to start canning in the summer to stock up for the out-of-season months.

I’m all about saving money, eating healthy, eating local and taking advantage of the deals that are right in front of us all.

As a full-time working mom and wife, it’s important to me to be a good steward of our income and of our time as a family, too. I’m not the type of couponer who never pays for toothpaste, but I am the kind who never pays full price.

That’s why I’m a Shoptimist.