Applicant #26: Jennifer Clarke

Jennifer Clarke is a mom from Tacoma.

My video application:

Find me online:

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A bit about me:

Hello, my name is Jennifer Clarke. Like most women, I wear many hats. Let me describe how I got to wearing the hats I have on right now.

I grew up in sunny Arizona. After getting a degree in Education in 1999, I started teaching elementary school. Three years later, my husband and I welcomed our first child into this world. It was a pivotal point in our lives. We decided that I would stay home with him. Two years later, we had our first daughter. Our family was progressing just as we'd hoped, although we soon found it necessary for me to supplement our income. Trying to stay home as much as possible, I started working for an online coupon company. I was responsible for customer service, creating weekly newsletters, teaching seminars some evenings, and running Expo booths on weekends. Most of it I could do from home, which was nice. After a while, I ventured out on my own and created my own site, which explains about couponing and has a blog about saving money. It is still active, as I stay plugged in to what's going on in AZ. You can view the blog at http://www.azgroceryguru.com/blog/ .

My enthusiasm in my presentations soon caught the eye of the media. I started doing guest TV and radio spots to teach people about couponing and saving money in tough times. In 2008 I became Channel 5's Grocery Guru. I loved that job! It didn't matter that I had to get up at 4am....I was always upbeat and ready to go!

In Spring of 2010, we packed up the family and moved to Tacoma, Washington, for my husband's job. By that time we had added 2 more children, 3 dogs, and a lizard to the mix, so it was quite the adventure. I think Washington is beautiful and this move has been positive.

Since my children were of preschool age and above when we moved here, I started investigating schools. A Montessori school in Burien captured my attention. They happened to be looking for a part time teacher, so I applied and got the job. I love the school. Now all my kids can go with me to work everyday!

In the afternoon you can often find me and the kids in the forest that is right by our house. They love to collect blackberries and snails. On the weekends we have been exploring Washington. Zoos, Pike's Market, Argosy Tour, the Space Needle, aquariums, the Children's Museum....we have been doing it all! I think the kids like the International Fountain the best.

So, that's the many hats of Jennifer Clarke. Wife, mother, teacher, friend, neighbor, daughter...and hopefully I can soon put on my Verity Mom cap as well!

My blog post:

Our Spooky Family

As soon as October 1st arrives, a giddy feeling seems to come over my family. The countdown to Halloween (and in my husband's mind, Thanksgiving) officially starts. Out come the strings of bright orange lights, the spider soap-pump, fake spiderwebs, and bowls of disappearing candy corn. This year has been no different. My children talk about their potential costumes everyday. Oddly enough, it's not the allure of candy that causes them to count the days to Halloween. Rather, it's the dressing up and decorations that they like the most.

Like many of you, we are on a slender budget. Brand-new costumes plus accessories are not an option this year. So last week we sat down as a family and made a list. My three year old, Courtney, will be a cow. That adorable costume has been in the family for years. My other daughter, Kelly, will be a rock star, using sparkly clothing she already has, plus a wig I will buy her at Target. I'll let her use my make-up on Halloween night, which will make her ecstatic. However, the boys have worn through all the costumes in the toy chest....what to do now?

It was my eight year old son, Larry, who suggested trying Goodwill. So yesterday we checked it out. Perfect suggestion. Larry ended up getting a Star Wars costume that actually makes him sound like Darth Vader. For my younger son, Ryan, we found a pirate costume complete with a sword. Fifteen dollars later, my whole family was set.

However, I did not anticipate eating dinner every October night with a cow, a rock star, Darth Vader, and a pirate. Anybody who might drive by our big picture window at night would get a humorous view. Especially when they see the large green parrot serving mashed potatoes.... Hey, it was on sale!!!

Jennifer