Today we’re going to hear from my buddy Tiffany over at Zeal for a Deal. She has a very touching story that I think is really appropriate to this time of year – it can get really easy to get caught up in ‘holiday fever’ and spend all our time thinking about the deals we can get for ourselves, but Tiffany’s story reminds us that we should always recognize and be thankful for what we have and do what we can to help others!
I’ve had a very blessed life…A loving husband, a wonderful son, and an exciting career. I remember looking at friends going through tough times and thinking “I’m so lucky nothing bad has ever happened in our family”. All that changed with a phone call. I can’t remember if it was the hospital, the police department, a man or a woman…it’s all really just a blur. I just remember the person on the other end telling me my husband had been in an accident. I remember asking over and over “Is he OK? Is he OK?”, and finally hearing “No.” He had been very badly injured and I rushed with my 8 week old son to the hospital. He died before we got there.
When you’re grieving plenty goes through your mind. One day I remember being so thankful for my career because I wouldn’t be a single mom worrying how I’d pay the bills. My income has provided everything we’ve needed over the years.
I also remember the amazing friends and family that refused to let me be lonely. Every day for many months someone called to check on me. I wanted to repay them for all their kindness, but how? Nothing would ever be enough to repay them for helping me when I was down.
I came to the realization that I may not be able to repay my friends and family for all they’d done for me, but I could pay it forward! I’ve always been someone who believes in giving back and I’ve tried to raise my son the same way. We’ve volunteered at an assisted living home teaching arts and crafts, filled Christmas boxes for needy children, sponsored a child in Chile, donated to school can drives, and made cookies for neighbors and firemen.
When my son was in 3rd grade I decided that while I had no choice but to work, it was increasingly more important to me to be home when he got off the bus to help with homework, cook dinner, and just be a mom. I organized my finances and made a plan to find a job with flexible hours, knowing that it would come with a large decrease in pay. I was so lucky to find that job with great coworkers who understand my priorities. I’ve enjoyed being home in the afternoons with my son and the ability to help out with some school activities. Less income meant I really had to get creative to find fun things for us to do. It became my mission to find free events to attend and I have to tell you…we’ve been busy!! There are way more free things out there to do than we have time for!
Less money also meant cutting back on my grocery bill. I only bought when things were on sale, and sometimes used a coupon. I was pretty proud of my plan. That is until January of this year when a friend told me about IHeartPublix. Once I found Michelle’s site, I couldn’t believe how much money I could save. The first month I spent my normal grocery budget, but ended up with 3 times the food. And so my stockpiling began! My son thought I was crazy until things like fruit roll-ups and toaster strudels started coming home in my grocery bags (things I’d rarely bought because the price was too prohibitive)!
There were plenty of coupons I wasn’t using, so I decided to spend $3 each week buying a few things for my local food bank. I still remember that feeling of thankfulness that I wasn’t a single mom struggling to provide for my child. I can’t imagine how helpless a mom in that situation feels. So here’s how I can help, even on my limited budget! For $3, matching coupons and sales, I can get $18-25 worth of groceries for families in need.
As the economy dipped, friends started looking to me for news on free activities and great grocery sales. Emailing each new find to people started to get pretty time consuming. So in June I started a blog…a one-stop spot for all my friends to learn of my finds. I included my $3 grocery deals for the food bank. The word spread, and the positive response from so many people has been overwhelming. My conservative estimate is that since June we’ve collectively donated over $100,000 worth of groceries to food banks!! Giving feels so good!
Thanks so much for sharing with us today, Tiffany!
Just a note: we will not have a Reader’s Spotlight next Thursday since I’m sure you will all be busy enjoying your holiday! The Reader’s Spotlight will resume on Thursday, December 2. Please let me know if you have a story, tips, or anything else that you’d like to share in your own Reader Spotlight – email me at contactiheartpublix@gmail.com with your idea or your completed post.
I try to remember everyday that tomorrow is not guaranteed- though probably not your goal thank you for my reminder today! God bless you for paying it forward!
wow Tiffany. You are an inspiration to us all. Thank you for sharing 🙂
You really have such a great atitude in spite of your loss. I found a lump in my breast this week and am going to the doctor’s office today about it. I hope stories like this will give me strength should it be the worst. I’m not lying, I’m scared out of my mind! But, thank you for your example of strength and endurance in spite of hardship and being thankful for everything in our lives we take foregranted.
Priscila: I know that it is hard. A few years ago I found one and had to go the round of doctors, gyno, mammogram, 2nd mammogram, ultrasound and then finally biopsy. It turned out to be nothing other than a fibroid. The doctor told me that something like 80 or 90% of lumps turn out to be nothing. Of course, it depends on your age. And even if it turns out to be the worst you have caught it and can treat it.
Thank you for the encouragement Cejay. My appointment is with my gyno at 3:45… I’m very young to have breast cancer. But my mom is a breast cancer survivor, so I already have to be careful because of family history. I want them to do all those tests, everything that can be done. I don’t want to be one of those people who relies on “Well it’s very rare at your age…” so we’ll call it a fibroid without ever looking into it! Nope, not me.
Again, thanks for sharing your experience.
Priscila-I hope everything goes well for you today. I know medical
issues can be so scary and hopefully you receive some good news today.
Priscila, I’ve been thinking about you all day. I hope your doctor appointment went well. I truly believe the saying “God only gives us what we can handle”. Of course there’s the second half to that…”I just wish he didn’t trust me so much!”. Stay strong and believe that no matter what news you get, it will all be OK.
Tiffany: Well, my ultrasound is on Tuesday but my doctor sounded optimistic. She thinks it’s fibroids, but wanted to make sure because of my family history.
And it’s interesting how that works. God has more trust in us than we do. We truly underestimate ourselves so much. Thank you for the reminder!
My mom and dad were killed a few years ago because someone ran a red light and hit their car. I vividly remember getting that same phone call from the hospital. It forever changed my life. I think it is wonderful that you worked your way through it AND able to give to others so freely and graciously. What an inspiration you are to your son and others!
What an inspirational story. God bless you and your son this holiday season Tiffany. You have a wonderful heart.
Oh my goodness Tiffany, what an amazing story and testimony. It would have been so easy for you to feel sorry for yourself. I was so touched by your story. It makes me want to go out there and do something for people. I can totally use your $3 a week deals to help with our pantry. Maybe I can even share those with others at my church. Thank you for putting some great ideas out there so others can pay it forward. God bless.
Jenny
I always check your site for the Kroger and Publix donation suggetions (I budget $3.00 too for donations) Thank you.
Tiffany – thank you for sharing. Michelle – you’re right, it’s a great time for the reminder.
Wow – inspiring in a real ‘I can do that too’ kind of way.
WOW, what an inspiration. My department colects for food drives during the Holidays and each year we are asked to donate items. After readind your post each week. I thought it would be a good idea to let my department know about your site so that tose who feel they can not afford to bring in items can look here and actually see that YES you can afford to donate items to the food drive. We are going to try and put this in place for our Christmas food drive to see how much food we can collect.
thank you
I love reading these stories. It it amazing what people have gone thrown and still find the heart to give. I have found that when you give it all to God he blesses you 100 times over! Such an inspiring story! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Tiffany! I love your $3 posts and have tried to do those deals every sale to build up my stock for donations. I’m glad to hear your story behind all of this.
Hi Everybody! Thanks so much for all your nice words! You’ve made me feel very special today 🙂 For those of you who follow Change for a Change, and those of you who mentioned passing it along to others….thank you! The holidays are a perfect time to motivate people to give. And when you see how easy it can be (and how affordable!), hopefully you’ll continue to donate all year long. The food banks are always in need.
Thanks for helping me make a Change!