Budget Barbie is not my 'real' name. The name stems from an inside joke among friends over 11 years ago about how I was the original "housewife Barbie".

I started my recipe site and used my nickname for the site. When I started my frugal shopping and household projects and decorating site I made a joke to my family during dinner that I was now going to be the "Budget Barbie" and a light bulb went off in my head and the name for my new site was born.

Who Am I? I'm currently a 38 year old housewife who in a previous life whose most recent job involved hobnobbing with state and city officials and 'gray suits' on a semi-regular basis at meetings, Expo's and business luncheons and the rest of the time helping local businesses to network, expand their business and expand their marketing potential. Now I'm an extremely happy and content - albeit too-busy - wife to my high school sweetheart and Mom to three awesome kids (17, 16 and 12).