Hi, I'm Jordan Page! Also known as the Fun Cheap or Free Queen. And I have a story to tell. Keep scrolling to THE VERY END to check out everything that I do!
I'm Jordan Leigh Francis Page. Leigh as in “Lee”. But don't be mistaken—it is, in fact, spelled Leigh. I learned this the hard way in Kindergarten when my teacher informed me that, thanks to the cross-stitched name plaque gift hanging on my wall (since birth, mind you) I was incorrectly spelling my own middle name. Note to self: Spell check with mom-to-be before hand-making baby gifts.
I'm obviously still working through the trauma.
You might also know me as The Fun, Cheap, or Free Queen. What started out as a dinky blog to post random coupons and occasional good deals I found, turned into a “New Frugal” revolution that has pretty much knocked my socks off. And maybe even my pants, but we won't go there.
This isn't your average blog. I don't take Pinterest-perfect pictures. I don't have a crafty bone in my body. I don't love or even like cooking, but I do it for the love of my family.
In fact, if you're looking for any form of perfection, you won't find it here. I don't concentrate too hard on the blogging tricks (i.e. my posts are always waaay too long. Sorry, it's a sickness, really.), and my ultimate goal is to have my own TV show someday. I keep it down-home, back-woods, take-it-or-leave-it for REALSIES on this blog. Oh, and I definitely recommend reading the truth about how my blog makes money to better understand how things work over here.
The purpose of this blog is to help as many people as possible achieve their best life possible…and have lots of fun while doing it.
Though not a typical blogger, I am, however, your average, everyday, run-of-the-mill wife, stay-at-home-mom, and snake-avoider. No really, I super hate snakes. Like, I'll kick you in the nose and snap your elbow if you toss one at me. But otherwise, we're good.
And if you're curious… here are a few other random facts about me:
- I refuse to drink the last 1/2 inch of a drink. Water bottle, cup, glass, pitcher, or hose, I will always leave the last bit of drink in there. Why? Not sure, I'm just neurotic. But mostly because I know that's where all the floaties, back wash, and slobber hang out so I want no part of it.
- I have huge feet. I wear a solid 11 in women's (and have since I was basically 3 years old…or so it feels like to me…).
- I not-so-secretly want 12 kids. Blame it on the movie Cheaper by the Dozen (the Hilary Duff version, of course…). The loving chaos looks so warm and realistic and charming to me, I would love to have my own football team!
*Little side note: I started another blog called Shelf Cooking where I share homemade meals for your family using the ingredients you already have on-hand in your fridge, freezer, and pantry. Grab your apron and get ready to change the way you look at your food and lower your food budget for the rest of your life!
ALL ABOUT JORDAN
I grew up in a tiny town in Northern Oregon called The Dalles. Yes, THE Dalles. (Random, I know.) It was a good place to grow up but I was eager to say goodbye to a small town and hit the big city of glitz and glamour…
Provo, UT!!
…crickets…
I went to Brigham Young University (Go Cougs!) and had the time of my life. My major was technically Recreation Management and Youth Leadership with a Recreational Therapy emphasis…but let's call it like it is; I basically graduated Summa Cum Laude in “Social Studies” (aka dating and friends).
I met my better half at a mutual friend's house my sophomore year. It was “ooh-you're-kinda-cute” at first sight…until I realized I was taller than him in heels and he realized I was only 19 and all sorts of immature. Wah Waaaaaah.
We promptly put each other in the friend zone and had a blast, until he went and ruined everything and formed a crush on me while I was working in Leprosy colonies in India one summer and accidentally showed him that I had a little ounce of substance to me. Darn it all…
It didn't take long for me to fall pretty hard for him too, so it was not even 1 year later I hung up my “commitment-issues” hat and got hitched in 2007 at the ripe ol' age of 21…and 1 month.
Bubba is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. He is the kindest, happiest, most positive, and most self-controlled person I've ever met. And he's also a killer athlete and entrepreneur which makes him all the hotter. Not to mention he dances and raps, so can you blame me for being obsessed with him?
We still laugh and have fun together every day, which makes all the inevitable, hard, downright crappy life and marriage-y stuff feel a little like Disneyland—even the long lines and annoying crowds are entertaining, and certainly worth the ride.
Isn't he the best?
Oh, and just to set the record straight, you can call him Bubba. It's not some creepy pet name or anything. Though his birth certificate says Brandt Hutchings Page, he's been “Bubba” since the day he was born. Heck, even his high school diploma and business cards say Bubba, so it's legit, I promise.
Moving on…
JORDAN'S FAMILY
We settled in inner-city Salt Lake City in a cute 2-bedroom townhome, where I worked with at-risk youth and my hubby quit his job to start a company, Launch Leads (more on that later). We had our first baby just before our 3rd anniversary and after that, they just kept on coming!
- January 26, 2010: Enter our bright, sensitive, rule-follower, Brandtsen Hutchings Page (“Hutch”) – baby #1 – named after his daddy who was named after his Grandpa.
- July 29, 2011: 18 months nearly-to-the-day later, enter sparkly, dramatic and sassy, Miss Priya Jean – baby #2, named after a gorgeous little girl I worked with in India, and my Grandma Jean Francis.
- February 25, 2013: 19 months nearly-to-the-day later, enter our sweet, happy, hilarious wild and crazy dude, Beck Avon – baby #3, named after Bubba's grandpa Beckstead and my grandpa Avon.
- November 23, 2014: 21 months later (again, almost to the day), enter sweet, dream-of-a-baby #4, Daivy Kaye
- May 4th, 2016: and yes another 19 months later, our beautiful Mory June (baby #5, if anybody is counting) came straight from Heaven.
- September 26th, 2018: McEwan Fisher joined ranks as baby #6!
- AND 8. March 8th, 2020: The long-awaited TWINS Joss and Devereux were born just 17 months later! Babies #7 and #8 are happy and healthy!
Yes, they were all planned. Yes, we might just be a touch crazy. But hey, can you blame us?
We have absolutely fallen in LOVE with Utah and have an amazing life here. We have since settled, in our dream home, in the suburbs of Draper, UT. This is where we spend our days having dance parties in our kitchen (no, for real…check out #PageDanceParty on Instagram. You won't regret it.), hosting gathering after gathering after gathering at our house, and changing loooootttsss of diapers!
I am obsessed with motherhood. Addicted to it, really (but don't worry, I'm successfully fighting the urge to be the next OctoMom…so far…). I feel that in a world where children are often times viewed as a burden that slows us down or hinders us from “bigger” things, I find no greater joy than being a mom and raising these precious little people to be the best big people ever…and find no job in the whole world as important. *sentimental tear*
Our journey started when our financial situation hit rock-bottom when I was pregnant with Hutch, Bubba quit his job to start Launch, and we lost all our money to a home that we built and decided not to buy (more on that HERE). But my favorite part is that our journey has no end. There is no “end point” to frugality. It's an ever-changing, always evolving lifestyle that keeps you on your toes, and teaches you how to be truly, undeniably, incomparably, unapologetically HAPPY—regardless of how hard life gets.
So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the Fun Cheap or Free ride. I hope it's a good one, and I hope you can feel that I pour every ounce of who I am into every word I type. I hope you find inspiration here, in one form or another. I hope you take that ounce of inspiration and plant it in your own homes and hearts to let it grow into an amazing path that leads to a life of absolute bliss. Thanks for becoming an official Freeb (aka my new virtual BFF), and welcome to the FCF family!
HOW JORDAN'S BUSINESS GREW
In 2010, we hardly had money to pay our bills. We had $10,000 debt on just one credit card (about $15K total) and $0 balance in our savings accounts. Literally. (Read about Our Debt Story HERE.) I was a new SAHMom and my husband, Bubba, had a new business and wasn't bringing home much of a paycheck (if anything). We looked at each other and decided we wanted a better life for ourselves; for our children. We decided we wanted to stop getting by and start getting ahead. We set firm goals and worked our tails off. We sacrificed lots of good things, having faith that it would lead to great things.
And it has.
With good old-fashioned elbow grease and a scholarship into the school of the Hard Knocks, we were able to get out of debt in just one year. We worked harder and over the next year we built up a cushy savings. We worked even harder for 18 more months and snagged a killer deal of a short sale that we fixed up and sold for a grundle.
And now…just a few years after our financial disaster…we wake up every morning in our 8,600 sq ft dream home, on 1.5 acres, in a fabulous neighborhood (that we got for pennies on the dollar, of course).
And no, we aren't rich, haven't won the lottery, and no one has ever given us money. Ever.
HOW I BECAME THE FUN, CHEAP, OR FREE QUEEN
During our F.D (Financial Disaster) I found a gaping void online in terms of finding someone I could relate to; someone who knew what it felt like to have 5 babies in 6 years and feel the stress of choosing between new socks or an extra box of cereal. Sure, I could learn how to pay off my house and put money into a (non-existent) 401K, or find coupons to clip that I had no interest in clipping. But how do I know how much to pay for groceries? Or how to look classy, feel beautiful, and stay fashionable on an actual budget? Or how to talk about money without wanting to kill each other? Or where to start when your finances are on the brink of disaster?
I rolled up my sleeves and figured it out myself.
I immersed myself in the world of what I call Family Finance; the real deal, meat and potatoes, grit and dirt reality of how a family spends money…and how to do it the right way. We created terms. Programs. Principles. Rules. Standards. And most importantly, a new way of living.
It worked. And fast.
Along the way, we learned the value of being scrappy and entrepreneurial. We realized the world wasn't going to hand us any success in life; it was going to have to be earned through hand-to-hand combat. 5 businesses, 2 houses, 8 kids, and thousands of posts worth of trial and error later, we take pride in being a direct result of the truth that you CAN live the life of your dreams, on any budget.
Being frugal is not about giving up everything you love, but rather learning to get everything you love – the smart way. It's not just about scraping by, pinching pennies, or clipping coupons. Sure, that helps. But to me, “FRUGAL” is a lifestyle. It's a mindset. It's a way of living that teaches you to stop saying, “we CAN'T afford it”, and instead say “HOW can we afford it?”. This mindset, the new frugal mindset, has led us to have more, do more, and live more now than ever before. The incredible life we live is because of how frugal we are, not in spite of it.
Jordan Page
THIS, FOLKS, IS THE NEW FRUGAL
Fun Cheap or Free was born! I started the FunCheapOrFree.com we know today in February 2011 to share our progress, success, and tips with others. It took off like a wild fire in the prairie. Just as Rachael Ray became a cooking pro by…well…cooking, I quickly became a go-to everyday finance and frugal living expert that TV shows, friends, newspapers, magazines, and even my own family turned to for advice and hope. I became known as the “Fun Cheap or Free Queen”. Check out my As Seen On page to see some of my favorite segments!
P.S., I love Rach and love being on her show. We're basically soul sisters.
I focused on learning all there is to learn about family finance and frugal living, and won't let anything stand in my way when it comes to sharing it with you.
BUDGET BOOT CAMP IS HERE!!
After years of running a successful blog, being featured on incredible shows, in magazines, selling out of basically every conference and class I throw, I finally decided to listen to my Freebs and give them what they wanted – a program with ALL my best information, in ONE PLACE, that is EASY to follow, and FUN to use. I committed that this would be the year! After months of all-nighters, lots of caffeine, and over 16 straight hours in front of a camera, reading a teleprompter until my eyes hurt, Budget Boot Camp was born.
Almost immediately the comments, emails, and success stories came pouring in, and I find no greater joy than celebrating small (and large) financial victories with my Freebs.
To find out more about Budget Boot Camp, check it out HERE!
It's my mission to bring the new definition of frugal to the world and prove that it's not the drab, miserly, miserable “frugal” of yesterday. No, sir. It's fun. Hip. Sassy. Organized. Beautiful. And, believe it or not, simpler than you ever imagined.
So pull up a chair, grab yourself a snack and a snuggie, and kiss your mama's “frugal” goodbye. You're in for the ride of your life because…
…Frugal just got a facelift.
LET'S CHAT PRODUCTIVITY
After my first program took off, one of the most common questions I have been asked by my online audience was “how do you do it all?” For years I laughed off the question with some form of “oh, I don’t do it all. You should see my garage! It’s a disaster!” reply. I searched high and low for effective and affordable productivity resources and eventually decided it was time for another program to share all my productivity secrets!
However, in time, the questions not only continued to pour in, but they got more and more pleading: “I’m overwhelmed.” “I’m depressed.” “My anxiety is through the roof.” “I don’t think I can have any more kids even though I want to, because my life is too chaotic….” The tone changed, so mine changed.
You can do it all… just not all at once. The real secret comes down to doing what you need to do more efficiently, so you can do what you want to do, more frequently. Going to bed fulfilled at the end of the night; THAT is the power of productivity.
Jordan Page
I have since made it my mission to help women feel LESS overwhelmed, LESS overworked, and MORE satisfied with their lives. I have spent years analyzing productivity, time management, organization, and defining how I was able to “do all that I was doing”—running 6 businesses, supporting an entrepreneur husband with his endeavors, running a household, church duties, maintaining an active social life, traveling, hosting and throwing parties and events regularly, all while staying home with eight kids age 10 and under.
PRODUCTIVITY BOOT CAMP IS HERE!!
To find out more about Productivity Boot Camp, check it out HERE!
PLANNERS BY JORDAN PAGE
In addition to these amazing programs, I've created one-of-a-kind planners to help you Whip Your Wallet Into Shape AND Do Life Better with the block schedule! Check these babies out!
The companion to my proven Budget Boot Camp program which has helped hundreds of thousands of families accomplish their financial goals, on any income! Set goals, organize your finances, build up savings, pay off debt, and track spending. Turn your financial world upside down—for the better!
The Productivity Planner is the companion to my innovative Productivity Boot Camp program. Say BUH BYE to that state of overwhelm – for good! – without giving up the things that mean the most to you! Kick overwhelm out of your life, forever with this step-by-step guide to getting more done!
It's been a wild ride, and I'm so thankful for each and every one of YOU! 😉
- Want to send me something? Send to: 12180 s 300e #1028 Draper, UT 84020
- See all the places FCF has been featured HERE.
- Head shots by Chelsea Peterson Photography
- Family photos by Lizzyography
So glad you're here! XOXO,
HeyJordan. You are just so awesome. I first heard about you on Extreme Cheapskates and have been a fan ever since. I watch all of your videos. They are all great and have helped me so much. I use so many of your helpful hints. Even the Millennial Moms videos are super helpful and I’m not a mom (yet). Just wanted to say thank you for all of the videos and time you dedicate to help others improve their lives.
Aw Kelly you are the sweetest! Thank you so much!! XO
I have a question on your blocking schedule so far I jot down what you had going for that one day on your recent YouTube video about being on lockdown for the coronavirus and your schedule is actually working for me and I liked it but my question is on the weekends when there is no school do you still schedule in the school block on the weekends and following that red or what do you substitute in that spot?
We usually try to do any extra housework on Saturdays. So if there’s anything that needs to be done, like cleaning out the garage or a certain room in the house, we’ll focus on that during that time. If absolutely nothing needs to be done, then we’ll do a family activity together! Sundays are for church and family.
Can You start this journey in any stage in your life? I want to go back to school for a better job, but don’t want to stress out and work full time. We have 4 kids planning on more and my husband is a pharmacist. I worry about creating more debt.
Hi Jordan! Love your channel! It’s the first I watched on YouTube!
At some point you recommended a microdermabrasion tool. I have watched nearly all of your videos but I’d like to buy it and forget the name. Do you happen to remember the one I’m talking about?
Keep the videos coming. Especially the Q & A’s. Love to listen when I’m cleaning!
It’s called a PMD!
Awesome testimony of what can happen if you not only dream but take action. Those actions have brought you great reward! God bless you and your family!
Thank you so much!
I’m feeling really frustrated right now. I have joined your BBC and PBC but don’t do social media. I’m just trying to take control of this crazy thing called motherhood. Anyway. I’m bouncing into BBC right now but I want to find an app that I can take a picture of my receipts and medical bills for tracking for next year’s tax purposes. We do not have our own business and I feel like everything I find is for small businesses. I’m really struggling finding this. I looked into mint… downloaded it but…. not being very techy.. it doesn’t look like what I want. I looked into quick books, but that too, didn’t appear to be what I’m looking for. I started searching the app store to no avail. Have you found something like this, or am I off dreaming up some great app that needs to be created?
Hi Lynn! That is such a pain point! I know of a few apps. Can you clarify that you want it for personal use? Will you email [email protected] and she is going to talk to you about these things because I would love to find out what you are looking for and maybe we can help you look. We are going on a company trip starting today so we will be offline but will be back to talk asap. We will be busy brainstorming all the things we have planned for you all in 2019. 🙂
Hi! I just discovered you while bingeing YouTube (the “how we get our kids to behave” video, 11 minutes in and I can’t wait to binge all your videos!) After the question, “having kids while in debt” I thought you might be perfect to ask my burning question: when to start having them.
A little background on us: just got married last summer, bought our house in December, both started our first “adult” jobs last year (benefits and 401k, the works). Also, we have 6 bank accounts (can’t wait to watch your video on that!) but very little in savings so far. As of right now, we don’t even feel comfortable spending money on hobbies, or going out any. We also both work 40+ hours per week, and spend an hour or 2 a day driving to/from work.
We both want kids, but can’t even call ourselves stable financially, yet, but getting there. Here’s the kicker: we’re both 34. Obviously we are waiting a little bit to start our family, to be a little more secure (we’ve both always been firm believers in “if you wait till you’re READY, you’ll never have kids”) we are both feeling the pressure of time/age.
Do you have any advice for a couple who are starting life together a lot older than many others, and want to have kids? We are both torn on wanting to start before 40, but also still feeling like we haven’t had “us” time, or time to have our own fun together before kids happen.
Sorry for such a long post! Thank you for being out there, I am so glad I found you! 🙂
Hi Colleen, I’m so glad that you’re loving my videos so far! Your question is a tough one to answer. I understand that you want to have your “us” time and enjoy each other before kids, but just because you have kids doesn’t mean that you still can’t have that crucial couple time! We have 6 kids and we still make sure that we get our special “us” time a few times a year. If you’re worried about your age being an issue then maybe you should talk to your doctor about it? And we always pray a lot before we decide that it’s time to try to get pregnant again! I hope that this helps you a little! 🙂
Hi, I saw you mention in a video (I don’t know which one) on YouTube that you were going to be selling a new planner/diary. It looked amazing and I would like to buy one… Where can I find it? Ps: I think you’re amazing. x
You can find them HERE. They are sold out at the moment, but we’ll be getting more in stock soon! So make sure that you get on the email list so that you’ll get an email when they’re back in stock! 🙂
Hi Jordan,
I recently started watching (and subscribed to) your YouTube channel. I wanted to tell you that although I am a single (divorced a long time ago) older woman (in my 6th decade), without children, I truly enjoy your videos and have learned a lot already from you. Even though I’m not exactly your target audience (moms), I still get a lot out of what you share. I’m in a lot of debt and working my way out, which is how I found your YouTube videos. I’m looking to be more frugal and more intentional in my spending and life choices so that I can have a successful retirement in the future. Do you think you could expand your suggestions and recommendations, or provide some additional guidance, for women in my position? I signed up for your newsletter and am looking forward to learning more! You’re amazing and fun too! I really enjoy your videos and love your spirit. Thank you!
Hi! We do our best to take into account everyone’s situations, but we share from our daily experience! The good thing is that everything we share can be adapted to your own situation. If you’re wanting even more detailed information that you can customize to your life, then you definitely should check out Budget Boot Camp! We have a great Facebook group that you gain access to once you purchase the program. There are a lot of users in there who have done the program from all different walks of life. They’re a great resource to have, along with the program, of course! 😉 Thanks for following along on our journey! 🙂
I think it’s time for a little family info updating 😉
You are so right! It’s definitely time to update that page! 🙂
Hi, Jordan!
First of all, I love you so much. I’ve been following you for forever, and I’m sure you don’t remember me, but I had commented on one of your Instagram posts about how I am a mother of 2 under 2, working 4 jobs and going through immigration as my husband is from Ecuador. I am 22 years old. I’m wondering if there’s a way I can write you a letter? I’m so eager to talk with you or for you to read what I have to say but I understand you are so busy, and probably don’t have time for a silly fan like me! But I am willing to do whatever it takes to have my story be heard. If writing you a letter is an option, please let me know how I could send you one 🙂 With so much love , ~Mikala <3
You can send it to 12180 s 300e #1028 Draper, UT 84020 🙂
Hi,
How to I get copies of your inventory sheets. I would like to start there.
I am looking forward to exploring EVERYTHING!
Thanks,
Jenny
Yay! You can grab them from this post.
Hey Jordan, I’ve been following you for a couple months now and really enjoy your content! I studied the same exact thing you did in school… My major was Therapeutic Recreation, with a minor in Youth Development! I think you’re the first person I’ve heard of that also did that 🙂 What, if anything, do you incorporate in your day to day life that you learned from your education?
Just discovered you and I like a lot of your tips. I’m a single mom of 4 and always looking to free up time from endless cleaning and laundry.
I have a question about e-cloth. I’ve looked them up but I can’t find what makes them disinfectants. I’m highly allergic to the norwex cloths and don’t want to buy an e-cloth if the are the same. Currently I make my own wipes with microfiber cloths and vinegar. It works but I’m willing to try anything that’s faster and easier.
Thank you for the great tips.
Surviving as a Mom of Boys
I’m not really sure, you’d have to get in contact with e-cloth to see if they have the same ingredients or not. I hope they don’t because they’re amazing! 4 boys must be fun and crazy! 😉 If you’re not already doing this, my biggest tip for you would be to have those sweet boys help you out with the cleaning and laundry. Make them some clipboards (tips for that here), assign them some cleaning zones in the house (tips for that here) and have them get to work! 🙂
Hiya! I’m old enough to be your mom and my kids are grown, but somehow I really appreciate your videos and messages. Without being noted as a creeper, there is a part of my goofy-mother’s-heart that identifies with many of your stories/life events. And, having said that, I can just express my gratitude to you. As women, we just plain are not one, two, or even three dimensional. Just a shame that you don’t inhabit my community. I’d suggest we hangout, in spite of the age difference. Best wishes to your family. Take care💕
Awww you are so sweet! XOXO
Yay for The Dalles!!! We lived there for two years (2000/2001) when our children were young and I have a lot of nostalgic memories.
Thank you for all the money saving and food preparation tips! Your enthusiasm is contagious!!!
I love how calm and patient you are with your kids. Your kids are some of the best behaved kids I’ve ever seen. Thank you for making me a believer that this is all possible, you have changed my life and my husband and I are talking about having another baby. I’ve learned to dream thanks to you, truly a game changer.
You are so sweet! Congratulations on your new baby! XOXO
Where can I find a post about “Meat”
I watched a video of your freezers and it said you bought a cow with …. budget. I don’t know what part of the budget meat should be. Trying to get to the $100 a week $400 a month. We are in Logan. I think our prices are probably similar. I want to do a 1/4 cow , but don’t know where that comes from.
It would come out of your Regular Family Savings Account since it would be a pre-planned expense.
I love this video. I’ve got a question: What about the “big box” stores, such as Sam’s Costco or any of those other things and buy pet foods and a (soda) package.
So glad you loved it! Check out all of our Costco posts here.
Hello Jordan, my wife a mother of 9 loves your posts so much she has me watching them. I find them quite amusing, we have been married 5 years now and she has always wanted to write and illustrate children’s books I have encouraged her to fulfil her dreams and she has wrote two she would like to gift you them would you like them and also a colouring journal. If you would like these I noted you gave your address in a previous post is it still 12180S 300E Draper? by the way the Draper Temple is beautiful our Temple is the Preston England Temple look forward to hearing from you Allen
Yes, That is the correct address. Thank you for thinking of us!
On your Easy, Homemade Bread Recipe, is it 2 1/2 teaspoons of yeast or 2 1/2 Tablespoons of yeast? Same with the salt. Is it 2 teaspoons of salt or 2 Tablespoons of salt.
Hi! The recipe is referring to teaspoons for both the yeast and the salt.
Hi Jordan, I just saw your video on your vein surgery for your right leg, that was unbelievable, wondering if those veins came back or if you had other problems with unsightly veins on the right leg ? Thank!