Welcome to another Mom-Bliss Interview! Here, I feature awesome readers of this blog, who are motivated moms from around the globe! From business owners to bloggers, this feature is meant to inspire you to create your own bliss, a life that works for you. Today, my guest is the wonderful Cheryl Goodman, a Filipina wife, mom and blogger from Seattle, Washington, and the lady behind the successful deals blog, The Frugal Fil-Am, and the mom blog The Frugal Nanay. 

Please tell us the story behind your blog/business.

I am a stay-at-home (and very soon, homeschooling!) mom to 3-year-old twin girls. I am the blogger behind The Frugal Nanay and The Frugal Fil-Am (formerly The Frugal Pinoy). I created The Frugal Nanay to document our journey as a family toward a frugal, intentional, minimalist lifestyle.  The Frugal Fil-Am houses the deals, which serve both the U.S. based Pinoys and those who are at home, in the Philippines. The Frugal Nanay explores the journey of motherhood, through savings and frugal living.

Both blogs were born when we adjusted from being a 1 income family with twins in a 2 income world.

My blogs are really for moms who love to learn where the latest deals are, and those who are wanting to learn how to be resourceful and creative money managers. They’re also for moms who would like to live less stressfully, and who want to focus more on things that really matter.

Tell us: What is a typical day is like for you as a mom blogger?

I spend most of my day taking care, playing with and teaching my almost-3 year old twin girls and managing of our home. Mornings are specifically for my girls as they are my bffs in our frugal explorations. I work on the blogs typically sometime in any of these 3 times: early morning, during naptimes or after they go to bed.

I am working towards staying within the time margins I have set for each area of my life. I used to always say “yes” to everything but its impossible to be there for everything and everyone. i am finding that i am happier when my priorities and intentions are aligned.

How about the hubby? How do you make sure you two have enough time for each other?

We have weekly date nights and monthly date days. That’s just for me and him sans kids. (We have family in the area who can watch the girls). My husband works four days off for 3 days, so weekends are our fam-jams! Date nights, they’re still frugal! We eat at new restos using deals I find online, free outdoor movies, we go to museums and local tours in our area, we talk and work on marriage curriculum (i.e. marriagetoday.com).

How do you think Filipino moms can be more frugal in their lifestyle?

Truth be told, bring frugal is not being cheap really, it’s more about intentional living. We save the big bucks for a big time cruise or a trip to Paris paid in cash (instead of credit cards). I guess it’s about beginning with the end in mind. Create the total picture and then work on the baby steps: That’s being intentional.

Living well is indeed possible even with less. — Cheryl, The Frugal Nanay

When I was still living in the Philippines, I actually grew up in a family where money then seemed to flow endlessly. I went to a great university back there in Manila, afforded all the brands.

Now that I have my little twos, I really want them to grow up more responsibly. Also, my husband and I wanted to live well in a 1-income home to be able to homeschool our kids, and not struggle financially. It’s doable!

Here are some tips I can share:

• You don’t need a lot, of things, stuff. But, allow yourself lots of space.
• Purge, buy less or better yet, do not buy but DIY.
• Keep a price book and note what something typically goes for and what is the lowest price you can pay for an item.
• Be open to trying other brands.
• Know what you can do without. For instance: We eat organic ,but we gave up cable. Going back, it’s deciding as a family what truly matters and focusing daily decisions to support that.
• Learn skills that you can use that can allow you to live well even on one income. Get health insurance coverage. 

Get to know more about Cheryl!

Blog/Website: frugalfilam.com; thefrugalnanay.com

Twitter: @thefrugalpinoy; @thefrugalnanay

Facebook Fan Page: The Frugal Pinoy; The Frugal Nanay