I was supposed to have my hair done at my fancy Dallas salon just before Christmas, 2008. In fact, my appointment was all set for 10:30, on the morning of December 12. Cut, color, style, the whole mess. I would drop about $200 that morning. But the universe had other plans for me that day.

I was called into the office (a major radio chain) for a 10:00am meeting on the last day of my maternity leave with Dean, my 2nd son. My highlights would have to wait. My “position had been eliminated”. I had just been laid off. And just like that, in the snap of a finger, my life was sent spinning. Everything was up in the air. And since no one is exactly handing out radio news anchor jobs right now, for the first time in my life, I’ve joined the ranks of the unemployed, just like millions of other hard-working Americans.

I’m Carla Marion, wife and mom to 2 super cool baby boys. I’ve never had to budget or save money a day in my life. Until now, that is. And boy what a learning experience this has been so far! (Coupons, seriously…? And I have to cook my own meals now? Lovely)

I will at times be brutally honest about this new journey but most of the time I’ll try to laugh about it all. So join me on my penny pinching adventure as my family and I learn how to make do with the money we have.