Come join me in making motherhood simpler, more affordable, and a little more joyful.
Meet CheRI marie
Mother of two beautiful daughters, writer, artist, and founder of Thrifty Mama Life.
Thrifty Mama Life was born out of one simple idea: to help moms like you live beautifully within your means. That means…
• Saving money on the everyday things.
• Spending wisely on the big purchases that truly matter.
• Letting go of the guilt and comparison.
My Promise to Readers:
When you’re here, you’ll get practical, honest advice — no schemes, no shame, just real solutions from one mom to another. Whether it’s a budget-friendly party idea, a meal planning hack, or an honest review of an IKEA couch, my goal is to help you feel empowered and confident with your choices.
I started this space as a young mom trying to make ends meet, stretch every dollar, and still create a life that felt rich in meaning (even if my bank account wasn’t). I know what it’s like to feel the pressure of wanting to give your family everything — without going into debt or living in constant stress.
Now I get to be in community with so many incredible women and mothers from all different walks of life. I'm not a financial advisor, professional shopper nor chef. Everything I share here is something I've found to be helpful in my own motherhood journey, in hopes that it gives a little calm to another mama out there.
Jump to:
core vales
Q&A
featured blog
Core Values Here
01 Empowerment Over Shame
I believe that living on a budget is not a failure — it’s a form of strength.
Money limits don’t define you; your creativity and choices do.
02 Presence Over Perfection
I believe in showing up for our families and ourselves, even when things aren’t Pinterest-perfect.
Frugal doesn’t mean less than. It means making the most of what matters.
03 Resourcefulness Over Consumerism
I value using what we have, finding creative solutions, and making thoughtful purchases.
The most meaningful moments rarely come from things you can buy.
04 Community Over Comparison
We’re in this together — cheering each other on instead of competing.
There’s no one “right” way to be a thrifty mama.
05 Intentionality Over Impulse
We teach and model pausing, planning, and spending on purpose.
Every dollar is a decision, and every decision can align with your values.
more about
Cheri
Binge watches:
Dark dramas or Friends reruns - no inbetween
Beverage of choice:
An oatmilk iced latte with caramel + cinnamon
hidden talent:
Wordle! Word games are my first love
favorite dessert:
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream
most often found:
Curating my next favorite playlist
Chris
Handsome husband to Jo (who is, in fact, writing this bio) and our studio manager, Chris is a numbers geek who thrives on spreadsheets and Dr. Pepper. We'd be completely lost without him!
Meet Joanna ⟶
Binge watches:
All the Star Wars movies once a year
Beverage of choice:
Dr. Pepper
hidden talent:
I can lick my elbow. Does that count?
favorite dessert:
Anything with peanut butter!
most often found:
Tinkering with old film cameras
