Marrying at age 17 helped me hone my financial skills in a hurry. I've always shopped for bargains on everything from groceries to travel - even my house was a foreclosure; so being debt-free was a passionate goal that my husband Larry (with whom I'll celebrate our 40th anniversary on February 27th) and I realized quite a number of years ago.
Friends and friends of friends have always asked me for advice on where and how to find the best deals, yet it wasn't until 1997 that I realized that very thing was my calling. That's the year I received a life-changing phone call from my friend Cheryl Tolar who was the director of women's ministry at her church. "Judy," she said, "I know you can squeeze a nickel better than anyone else I know. Would you speak to our ladies' group about how they can stretch their dollars?"
The church marquee promoted the event and, by what I firmly believe was divine appointment, a Birmingham (AL) TV crew showed up and then aired about 30 seconds of my presentation on the evening news - The Bargainomics (Bargainomics is trademarked) Lady was born! Speaking invitations began pouring in and I soon had my own radio program and, later, a regular guest spot on a Montgomery TV station. Encouraged to compile my money-saving ideas, my first book was published in 2003 and I've written 2 more since then. For years now, I've had my own segment on Fox-6 TV in Birmingham, on both their morning show, "Good Day Alabama," and the midday news, plus a high traffic website, www.Bargainomics.com.
Yesterday I was out shopping with a friend; a lady who recognized me from my TV segments stopped me and, with tears in her eyes, said, "May I hug you? I want you to know how much you've ministered to me. You've shown me that I don't have to feel inferior because I can't afford to pay top dollar for everything I buy."
That young lady gave me the highest compliment I could ever receive. Bargainomics has changed my life and given me an incredible opportunity to help others.
NEXT IN THE REINVENTION STORY CONTEST: A GREAT FEELING
