Columnists

Chelsea Ehrke
Who I Am: Hey there, Frugal Foodies! I'm Chelsea Ehrke. I grew up in Seattle, studied Political Science at UCLA, and got engaged to my college sweetheart before finally settling down in sunny San Diego. It didn't take long for me to realize that I was relatively clueless about cooking, money management, and a number of other things required for domestic bliss. Apparently, Top Ramen is no longer considered an acceptable breakfast once you leave...

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Gayle Lynn Falkenthal
Hi there smart shoppers! My name is Gayle Lynn Falkenthal. As human beings we love the thrill of the hunt. In prehistoric times, being a successful hunter-gatherer meant survival. So it's only natural that so many gals, like you and I, love shopping. I spent many blissful hours in my favorite stores "at the mall" as a sweet young thing finding the perfect item or scoring a blow-out bargain.. But other priorities like building a career, paying...

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Kristine Valenzuela

Hi Bargain Mamas! I am Kristine Valenzuela. Born a California girl, I grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia for most of my life until relocating to sunny San Diego almost 15 years ago. I waited until later in life to finish my business management degree at University of Phoenix while working full time and having a small child to care for. Crazy? Yes. Rewarding? Completely! I'm a mom to two insanely cute girls: Stephanie, 13, and Sophie,...

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Sandra Fong Young
Welcome to The Mom Market! I am Sandra (Sandy) Fong Young, a public relations/marketing communications consultant and freelance writer. I am forever a California girl, originally from Sacramento and currently residing in Alpine. A UC San Diego graduate with a communications major and literature/writing minor, I have spent my professional career learning how to market to various demographics, the most powerful of which is The Mom Market. The...

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Theresa Layne
Greetings to my budget-minded mamas!!! My name is Theresa Layne and I am and always will be 100% certifiably a drama queen. Don't worry, I always keep it for the stage! I am a professional actress, theater arts professor and mother of two beautiful boys. With 20+ years of theater performance experience, 10 of which I have here in San Diego, I know a thing or two about how to attend the theater on a budget. Each month I will introduce some of...

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