Why Being a "Cheap Mom" is Actually a Superpower (and Why I'm Done Apologizing for It)

Real talk: I am so tired of people looking at my coupon stockpile like I’ve lost my mind. Or worse, like I’m "obsessed" with being cheap. You know the look—the one where someone sees the 12 bottles of Tide in my laundry room and asks, "Do you really need that much detergent?"

Actually, yes. I do. Because my kids treat their clothes like they're competing in a mud-wrestling tournament every single day. But that’s not the point.

The point is that we need to stop acting like being "cheap" is a personality flaw and start realizing that being frugal is a freaking superpower. And honestly? It’s time to debunk the biggest myth in the deal-hunting world: that couponing is for people who are "struggling."

The "Struggling" Stigma is Trash

There’s this weird, outdated idea that you only clip coupons or hunt for freebies if you’re one paycheck away from disaster. Can we just bury that already? It’s 2026. Everything—and I mean everything—is more expensive than it was five minutes ago. Sticking to a budget isn't a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of intelligence.

When I started Woman Freebies, I was pregnant and, yeah, I was freaking out about money. But as I got better at this, I realized that the thrill of the hunt wasn't just about surviving. It was about winning. Why would I pay $35 for a box of diapers when I can pay $12 by spending five minutes on my phone? That’s not being cheap. That’s being a savvy manager of my household’s finances.

If you were running a business and your CFO told you, "Hey, we can save 60% on our overhead by clicking these three buttons," you’d give them a raise. But when a mom does it for her family, people call her "thrifty" with a side of pity. No thanks.

Frugal ≠ Cheap (There's a Massive Difference)

Let’s get the definitions straight, because this drives me crazy. Cheap is when you try to get out of paying your fair share, or you buy the absolute lowest quality item just to save a buck, even if it breaks in two days. Cheap is exhausting. Cheap is actually expensive in the long run.

Frugal is about value. It’s about being intentional. Being frugal means I buy the good diapers—the ones that actually hold in a blowout (IYKYK)—but I refuse to pay full price for them. It means I wait for the Target Gift Card deals, I stack the manufacturer coupons, and I use my RedCard. I get the premium product for the generic price. That’s the goal.

The Myth of "It Takes Too Much Time"

This is the second myth I want to drop-kick into the sun. People tell me all the time, "Jessica, I’d love to save money, but I just don't have the time to do what you do."

Listen, I have two kids, a house to run, and a blog to manage. I am not sitting at my kitchen table with a pair of scissors for eight hours a day like it’s 1995. Extreme couponing on TV was mostly fake, you guys. Real life couponing happens on your phone while you’re waiting in the school pickup line or sitting on the couch after the kids finally (finally!) go to sleep.

If you have time to scroll Instagram for 20 minutes, you have time to check the Target Circle app. It’s not a time issue; it’s a habit issue. And once you see that first $40 come off your total at the register? That dopamine hit is better than any TikTok scroll, I promise.

Why the "Mini-Stockpile" is Actually Mental Health Care

People laugh at my "stockpile," but you know what’s not funny? Running out of diapers at 10 PM on a Tuesday and having to drag two crying kids to a convenience store to pay $20 for a 10-pack. That’s stress. That’s chaos.

My stockpile isn't about hoarding. It’s about peace of mind. When I see that I have a three-month supply of toothpaste, soap, and wipes that I got for 75% off, I’m not just looking at "stuff." I’m looking at a buffer. If my car breaks down or one of the kids needs a surprise trip to the doctor, I know I don’t have to worry about the grocery budget that week because my pantry is already working for me.

The Real Reason I Do This

Honestly? I do this because I want to change the conversation. I want moms to feel proud when they walk out of a store having saved $100. I want it to be a badge of honor. We are the CEOs of our homes, and every dollar we save is a dollar we can put toward a college fund, a family vacation, or—let’s be real—a much-needed spa day.

So, the next time someone gives you a side-eye for using three different apps at the checkout, just smile. You’re not being "cheap." You’re being the smartest person in the room.

What do you guys think? Have you ever felt that "cheap mom" stigma? Or are you loud and proud about your coupon stacks? Let me know in the comments—I really want to hear your stories!

Stay savvy,

Jessica