About Me
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Melissa is a mom of 2 and savings specialist who enjoys getting a good deal. She uses her site as a ministry to help moms fight the rising costs of the economy by showing them ways to cut costs through couponing, shopping for sales and frugal tips. She believes that couponing is a privilege not a right and works closely with manufacturers and retail stores to bring couponing to a level that is beneficial to both. Melissa also enjoys working on Social Media campaigns for major brands. She believes in creating a personal relationship between the brand and their consumers. She is very much into taking the corporate out of the brand and bringing it down to the level where consumers can feel comfortable interacting and taking the brand seriously. Melissa has been married to her husband Daniel a.k.a. The Consumer King for almost 17 years and her family is very much involved in her blog.Melissa is a Savings.com Deal Pro and All You Magazine Savings Star.
My Story:
I am 37 years old and I just celebrated 17 years of marriage with my husband on October 7th. I have 2 children & 2 dogs,. We live in Edmond,Oklahoma. I have also been a member of Edmond Road Baptist Church for over 30 years where I participate in the music ministry. I was a stay at home for 12 years and started my site to help friends and family learn how to save money. It was a great hobby for me and it felt great being able to contribute to my family.
In 1996 my daughter was born and the Dr’s told us she had a 50/50 chance of living. After spending a week in NICU we were able to bring her home.At that time our insurance did not cover pregnancy and on top of that we had the expensive bills from the NICU Unit. I was a nervous wreck on what we were going to do.
In 2005 my husband was rushed to the emergency room on Easter morning and was later diagnosed with a degenerative disease called “ankylosing spondylitis”. Our life was totally about to change. Since there is no cure for this disease we have spent lots of hours in and out of the hospital, several surgeries and more meds than I can count on my fingers. My once small time hobby of pinching a few pennies here and cutting a few coupons there turned into a necessity. The Remicade infusions that he takes are $8,000 every 6 weeks. This is just one of his many meds .Without insurance it would be a scary situation. My mom has has Klippel-Feil Syndrome which she has had from birth. Basically she has fusion of the last 2 cervical and all of the thoracic vertebrae which causes Scoliosis. The last 3 ribs in front are also fused. She also has a splitting of the Spinal Cord in the cervical area about 1 to 2 cm. In 2009 my mom got very sick and had to go on disability. In Jan. of 2010 we made the decision to have my mom move in with us.(2011 My mom is now living in her own apt.)This has been a struggle both financially and emotionally for our entire family.
In 2011 our home was taken by a flood and we lost pretty much everything and had to start over.But I have a strong Christian faith and God has helped us get through this tremendously. He has helped me see that there are many families out there struggling just like us and has blessed me with the ability help teach others about my frugalness. That’s when my hobby became a ministry.
In 1996 Morestealsanddeals.com was formed which is now called ConsumerQueen.com. The original purpose of the website was to help other families struggling and in very similar situations like us feel good about being able to contribute so much just by clipping a few coupons. ConsumerQueen.com has grown extensively over the past several years with thousands of members across the United States. While members get great deals and awesome savings on things that their families use every day, many members “pay it forward” by donating some of the name brand items that they receive for free or at a very low cost to local churches and shelters. ConsumerQueen.com has been and always will be a free site for all who wish to register. Deals are broken down by store and explained so people new to couponing and those who have years of experience can all understand every deal. Every member is encouraged to post deals and to brag about their shopping adventures. We are now teach our members how to save money in certain areas so they can spoil themselves in others. With our money saving tips you can feel good about indulging in life’s riches.
I think my eyes were really opened up about couponing the day I walked out of a local Albertsons towing 3 grocery carts behind me that totaled $1880 and I only paid $19. I was able to provide enough groceries for my family and had plenty left over to donate to my church as well as the battered women’s shelter. Now this was one of my more extreme shopping trips but still to this day I am able to usually save 50 to 75% off my grocery bill if not more. I have been invited to do interviews with several local TV stations and newspapers. I currently do “The Deals of the Week” on the Jack and Ron morning show on Kiss 98.9FM every Wed. morning as well as All About You which is taped and aired Wed. nights. We have also been featured on the Today Show as well as newspaper and magazine articles.We are looking to expand our media exposure as we feel the more people we can reach the more people we can help.
It’s not about how much money “I” can save, it’s about how many more people can we reach and help! Anyone can be a “Coupon Queen” it just takes a little bit of dedication and self discipline. Now that I am working full time I do struggle with not being able to do as much shopping as I use to but feel good knowing that I am still helping others. One day I hope to find a job working from home, making the same salary I am now and still have the insurance benefits. I now work for Fast Fixin as their Internet Marketing Manager full time and still run my blog.
Below are a few links you may want to check out:
Our Media Page: (Interviews etc).
Help Keep our site free by printing your coupons here. We get credit for each coupon printed!
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I think your site is FABULOUS and deserving of the “Fabulous Blog Award”.
I choose you as 1 of 5 sites that I adore and think is deserving of such an award.
You can see my post and your award at:
http://alwaysknitalways.blogspot.com/2009/01/in-blogging-world-bloggers-give-out.html
A Huge Fan!
Christine
I think your site is FABULOUS and deserving of the “Fabulous Blog Award”.
I choose you as 1 of 5 sites that I adore and think is deserving of such an award.
You can see my post and your award at:
http://alwaysknitalways.blogspot.com/2009/01/in-blogging-world-bloggers-give-out.html
A Huge Fan!
Christine
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Hi Melissa,
I am new to your website & it is awesome! I also saw the Coupon Ministry on YouTube & am interested in starting something like it in my area. I live in Katy TX and have used coupons for about months. I cannot seem to save more than 50% yet. Anyway can you give me info and any suggestions for starting a Coupon Ministry please
Thank you
Rosa
Hi Melissa,
I am new to your website & it is awesome! I also saw the Coupon Ministry on YouTube & am interested in starting something like it in my area. I live in Katy TX and have used coupons for about months. I cannot seem to save more than 50% yet. Anyway can you give me info and any suggestions for starting a Coupon Ministry please
Thank you
Rosa
Melissa, I registered with you along time ago and now I am trying to logon to your site and it tells me my e-mail address is already used.Can you help me?Gail Walters
Melissa, I registered with you along time ago and now I am trying to logon to your site and it tells me my e-mail address is already used.Can you help me?Gail Walters
I think that this is wonderful. I have recently gotten separated from my husband after 10 years of marriage and we were together 17 years. We have a 5 year old son and we remain very best friends. I bought my own home and the next week got laid off from my job. I have been constantly working for work since November, i was lucky to have a few months worth savings to help me get through. I think it is so wonderful you are doing this.
I think that this is wonderful. I have recently gotten separated from my husband after 10 years of marriage and we were together 17 years. We have a 5 year old son and we remain very best friends. I bought my own home and the next week got laid off from my job. I have been constantly working for work since November, i was lucky to have a few months worth savings to help me get through. I think it is so wonderful you are doing this.
Melissa, your site is really great! I can’t wait to start saving. Thank you for providing this ministry.
Melissa, your site is really great! I can’t wait to start saving. Thank you for providing this ministry.
The name is perfect…you are a queen!!
Thanks veryy muchhhhh for the page..
God bless u and your family!!
The name is perfect…you are a queen!!
Thanks veryy muchhhhh for the page..
God bless u and your family!!
Melissa,
OH MY!! I just found your blog from Wise Bread and am writing a blog about really good personal finance blogs and their twitter followers for the site I work on call BillSavings.
I read your ‘About Me’ and was AMAZED when you told me about your husband and his ankylosing spondylitis! My jaw dropped b/c my father has had it since he was in his early 20′s (now 65). I just want to tell you that I can relate as I have a family member with the same condition.
Anyway, I will be adding your blog to the list and will let you know when it’s posted!
Thanks for your site and take care,
Victoria Edwards
SEO/Social Media for BillSavings.com
Melissa,
OH MY!! I just found your blog from Wise Bread and am writing a blog about really good personal finance blogs and their twitter followers for the site I work on call BillSavings.
I read your ‘About Me’ and was AMAZED when you told me about your husband and his ankylosing spondylitis! My jaw dropped b/c my father has had it since he was in his early 20′s (now 65). I just want to tell you that I can relate as I have a family member with the same condition.
Anyway, I will be adding your blog to the list and will let you know when it’s posted!
Thanks for your site and take care,
Victoria Edwards
SEO/Social Media for BillSavings.com
I have stumble onto this site & I think it was the Lord who got me hear. This is great I am having to learn about how to use the site & more. I have used coupons & use them some still now but I live where they dont have triple coupons much so I hope to learn more. I love the ideal to pay it forward. I know the Church could use some of the stuff & we have so many lose their homes to fires around here & this wouold be a Blessing for these people.
You are a Blessing I will enjoy this site
Renee
I have stumble onto this site & I think it was the Lord who got me hear. This is great I am having to learn about how to use the site & more. I have used coupons & use them some still now but I live where they dont have triple coupons much so I hope to learn more. I love the ideal to pay it forward. I know the Church could use some of the stuff & we have so many lose their homes to fires around here & this wouold be a Blessing for these people.
You are a Blessing I will enjoy this site
Renee
I just found out about your website through the news. They had a little segment about this site last week. I can not remember what channel, but I thank them for giving us your info. I am always looking for a good deal. Thanks for taking the time & energy to create this site to help all the MOM’s out there that are looking to save MONEY.
jessie
I just found out about your website through the news. They had a little segment about this site last week. I can not remember what channel, but I thank them for giving us your info. I am always looking for a good deal. Thanks for taking the time & energy to create this site to help all the MOM’s out there that are looking to save MONEY.
jessie
I am very interested in learning how to do this! I am also a christian.
I am very interested in learning how to do this! I am also a christian.
Hi Melissa,
Your site is certainly interesting. I am from Naples, Fl, and spend summers in N.Y. The Naples Daily News wrote a great article about you and your site. I am happy to be a member. Thank You for making this possible. Dee111
Hi Melissa,
Your site is certainly interesting. I am from Naples, Fl, and spend summers in N.Y. The Naples Daily News wrote a great article about you and your site. I am happy to be a member. Thank You for making this possible. Dee111
On Friday, I met my daughter at a local (in Florida) “Panera” Restaurant to have a light dinner. As I was ordering our food, I thougth I would order one of their cinnamon bagels to take home to my husband. He loves them! I was asked if I would like cream cheese with that. I said yes, the plain flavor would be fine. These are small containers of cream cheese – enough for one bagel. After I paid and was waiting for our food I noticed an extra charge for a $1.00 at the end of my ticket. It was for the tiny container of cream cheese. She did not inform me that there would be a charge for the cream cheese. The bagel only cost a little over a dollar ( I think $1.16). I asked that the cancel the cream cheese and refund my dollar and tax. It wasn’t so much that I couldn’t afford the cream cheese, but it was the principal of how they did it. Just wanted to let other know that if you visit Panera ask them what the charges are for the extras! I wonder how many people don’t check their receipts until after they are home and have spread that expensive cheese. This is no way to get me to return to their establishment. I know the economy is tough, but don’t take it out on us consumers in this manner.
Signed,
No longer a “Panera” fan.
On Friday, I met my daughter at a local (in Florida) “Panera” Restaurant to have a light dinner. As I was ordering our food, I thougth I would order one of their cinnamon bagels to take home to my husband. He loves them! I was asked if I would like cream cheese with that. I said yes, the plain flavor would be fine. These are small containers of cream cheese – enough for one bagel. After I paid and was waiting for our food I noticed an extra charge for a $1.00 at the end of my ticket. It was for the tiny container of cream cheese. She did not inform me that there would be a charge for the cream cheese. The bagel only cost a little over a dollar ( I think $1.16). I asked that the cancel the cream cheese and refund my dollar and tax. It wasn’t so much that I couldn’t afford the cream cheese, but it was the principal of how they did it. Just wanted to let other know that if you visit Panera ask them what the charges are for the extras! I wonder how many people don’t check their receipts until after they are home and have spread that expensive cheese. This is no way to get me to return to their establishment. I know the economy is tough, but don’t take it out on us consumers in this manner.
Signed,
No longer a “Panera” fan.
Your blog was referred in the “The Frugal Family” section in the Des Moines Register and I had to check it out. Too cool!
Your blog was referred in the “The Frugal Family” section in the Des Moines Register and I had to check it out. Too cool!
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Good to see a great Oklahoman doing great things for other people. Thanks so much for a wonderful site. I just happened to stumble accross it and I love it!
Good to see a great Oklahoman doing great things for other people. Thanks so much for a wonderful site. I just happened to stumble accross it and I love it!
Your story is AMAZING and God has blessed u and your family and in return your are blessing others!!! Thats awesome in a world of such negative and times getting so tough! However i just have one question, Im so upset bc my local stores do not give any catalinas at the register and only one double coupons! Is there anyway that u could help me try to understand how to save when i only have coupons from the sunday paper and the internet!!!???? I save alot but my out of pocket is still alot bc i dont have those tickets that everyone pays and talks about!!! Thanx Trisha
Your story is AMAZING and God has blessed u and your family and in return your are blessing others!!! Thats awesome in a world of such negative and times getting so tough! However i just have one question, Im so upset bc my local stores do not give any catalinas at the register and only one double coupons! Is there anyway that u could help me try to understand how to save when i only have coupons from the sunday paper and the internet!!!???? I save alot but my out of pocket is still alot bc i dont have those tickets that everyone pays and talks about!!! Thanx Trisha
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An absolute honor to meet you and your hubby at DisneySMMOms! I see from your “About Me” page that you’ve been charged with the task of reminding others just how good God can be, and just how much we can stay positive amidst major hurdles when we remember that we have the option of looking to our Higher Source to keep us sane.
An absolute honor to meet you and your hubby at DisneySMMOms! I see from your “About Me” page that you’ve been charged with the task of reminding others just how good God can be, and just how much we can stay positive amidst major hurdles when we remember that we have the option of looking to our Higher Source to keep us sane.
Amazing! Thank you for everything!
Melissa
This is all so impressive and I honor and congratulate you for all you've done and are doing. Kathleen and I are very excited to have you and your gang coming to the Little Ponderosa this weekend and we will follow you on Twitter and the blogs.
best regards,
Richard Corbin, The Little Ponderosa B&B
ITLT Ventures, LLC, Real Estate Investors
Wow….thank you for sharing your story. I was especially touched by your husband’s and mother’s strength and your commitment as a family.
My own daughter was diagnosed as terminal (cancer) and has since passed away. She was 11. I know at the end of the day it’s not about things, it’s about love and memories. That’s what we have.
I am hoping to learn from you. Like I said somewhere, you must have a PHd in savings by now. Before Olivia was ill, I was very middle class suburbia. Now I drive a 17 year old car and rent a condo. We have little…but my son and I – we have each other and that’s key.
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hijack your blog. I just wanted to say I’m glad to have met you here and can relate to some of what you write.
Hey Gloria,
What major stores do you have there?
Where can I find Puffs coupons.
They are usually found in the Proctor & Gamble Sunday paper coupon inserts. There is a $.25 off 3 Puffs or one 3-pk in the P&G coupon insert that came out in the April 3rd Sunday Paper.
Dear Consumerqueen,
Your site is one of the best sites out there!!!!!! THANK YOU!
Also, Is there any way you can place more coupons in PDF format PLEASE! That would be extremly awesome!
Hi Janet, we don’t have control over whether a coupon is PDF or not. The manufacturer’s decide that. I will tell you that most won’t do PDF’s because a lot of couponers take advantage and print more than their share and the coupons get used up very quickly leaving none for other people to print. Many more manufacturer’s are stopping the PDF coupons so eventually there probably won’t be any:(
Thank you. I understand why manufacturer’s don’t usually use the PDF format. I have learned so much from your site. It’s informative with the latest updated prices with great match up deals and step by step explanations. You get right to the point and it’s been easy to follow your instructions. I’ve been spreading your name around like melted butter on a roasted corn on the cob! Thanks again for all the hard work you do for us! I really appreciate a great deal!
Thank you so much!!
I can’t wait to be part of your group with saving money using coupons. I recently lost my job. With two sons and four pets I am always looking for ways to save money. Thank you very much for creating this website and for sharing all the information. We all greatly appreciate it!
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