About the Woman behind SavingMoneySmarts.com
Stage fright! Where to begin? eeek...
How do I tell the story about the woman behind this money saving site? I guess I'll start at the beginning.
My name is Kerry Keyes and I grew up in the suburbs of Montreal. My family was far from being financially rich, but my sister and I never went without!
My Pop worked hard everyday of his life (still does!) to make sure that us girls had the opportunity to experience family vacations and private education.
My Mom stayed at home and penny-pinched (a trait handed down from my frugal Baba (Polish Grandmother).
The Cheeky Girl
Growing up, I shunned my mother's thrifty ways. I was embarrassed by the fact that she purchased many of our "luxuries" at garage sales. I defiantly announced on more then one occasion "When I grow up, I will have MATCHING dishes!".
Shame on me! What did I know?
That poor stinkin' attitude is what led me down a very dark road. By the age of 18, I became obsessed with proving that I had money. Oh, the ego plays mean tricks!
By 24 years old, I was over $24,000 in debt. Not a very comfortable feeling at all. In fact, it was downright frightening!
I had a newborn baby girl. Her father and I were having problems and although I was up to my eyeballs in debt, I keep spending as if somehow in search of something to fill the void I felt in my heart.
"This isn't how it was supposed to turn out!" I would complain to myself each night before bed.
Turning Point
Desperate for inner and financial peace, I started reading "Simple Abundance" by Sarah Ban Breathnach.
I couldn't tell you which page actually jolted me to change my life, as the entire work of writing art moved me on so many levels- but I will say this: I am forever grateful to Sarah.
The wheels were in motion. I got a new job. I saw a trustee to assist me with a consumer proposal. I started saving my money and with a broken heart, I left the father of my child.
A New Chapter Begins...
Things were looking up. I started to put the pieces of my life back together.
I threw myself into work and started making some decent money. I paid only cash for things that were needed and reflected before making larger purchases.
I started some savings goals so that I could take my daughter to Disney World and eventually... buy a house!
I rediscovered my friends and even started building a website!
Historically, I made mistakes in terms of money management, but I've learned from them. People who save money can be referred to as penny-pinchers, cheap, frugal or tightwads.
I am none of those.
As you can see I really like to spend money (or should I say "My Ego really likes to spend money" ?).
Does that make me a hypocrite to have a site all about saving money? I don't think so.
I believe I am quite well placed in sharing information on how to get the best bang for the buck. Why? Because if you're going to spend, then you need to know how to save!
Now in my spare time, I enjoy reading, going to garage sales (God Bless my Mother xo) and spending time with my daughter - typical money saving Mama stuff.
Simply put, my goal for this site is to provide quality information on saving money and help others keep their hard earned money where it belongs- in their pockets.
My promise to you is that I will infuse this site with quality free money saving tips and tricks that will help inspire you along your journey.
Still curious to know more about my journey?
Kerry
Save Money!
Quotes to Ponder
"Creditors have better memories than debtors." -Benjamin Franklin
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