Melissa Hurst traded her dream of teaching in the classroom for teaching penny-pinching tips and tricks through her blog, Saving Cents with Sense.

How was Saving Cents with Sense born?

I started the blog almost exactly year ago, on Jan 30, 2009. I really just started it because I had been following a lot of deal blogs and frugal bloggers but I couldn’t find any based in Arizona that dealt with the stores and deals here. We have a lot of good stuff here in Arizona. That’s why I started it but I didn’t expect it to grow like this. 

I know there are some services where you can pay for this information but I never wanted to charge. I know there are lots of moms who can't stay at home and don't have time to go through all of the ads and coupons and everything. My blog is a one-stop shop. I post all the deals with coupon matchups and also a lot of online deals. A perfect example is The Children's Place; last week they had adult fleece jackets for $3.99. You can’t beat that! My goal is to find busy moms and dads great deals at the grocery store, the drugstore, restaurants, free zoo and museum days… anything I can.

How old are your kids?

My oldest is 4½ and my youngest is going to be 21 months. Both boys. Gotta love the boys. It's so much fun. My oldest is having a field trip at the zoo tomorrow and I get to go with him. It's Mommy and Luke day. I’m looking forward to that one-on-one time.

What are the perks of being a famous mega-blogger?

I get to do some really cool things! When PF Chang’s introduced their kids menu I got to go take my 4-year-old, try it out and meet the head chef. It was great talk to him and hear that they really do want to be family friendly and will customize your order however you need. It was great to hear you can always add more veggies.

I got to go to the new Sea Life Aquarium opening ceremony to see what it's going to be like and they are going to include me as they have more ceremonies this summer.

Even though the site is free, you still make money, right?

I do. One of biggest ways to make money is people printing coupons from my site. Not all are that way but I am affiliated with some coupons sites. It wasn't long until I started to make something. My first check came in March and it was for something like $10. It was exciting to see every penny because it was something that I created and did on my own. It started to be a legit, fulltime job around July or August. That still isn't bad, considering I started at the end of January.

In April I worked with Sesame Street Live. They contacted me offering to give a discount to my readers. About then I found that companies want to work with bloggers. I had no idea. I thought I would have to reach out to them but it was easier than I thought. Don't get me wrong — I put a lot of hard work into the site — but I like to write and I like to help people and that's what I get to do.

Is this your dream job?

In October I took a part-time job teaching at local college and loved it but I realized that even though that had been my dream job, what I really wanted to do was this. Today was my last day at the college. I gave my notice and finished the semester then I said what I want to do is my blog, my business. I love the contact, the networking and I love being able to be home with my kids. We got a nanny while I was teaching and that was great because I didn't want to send the kids to daycare but it was hard being away...especially with the youngest because I'd just always been with him. I love having the flexibility to go on a field trip or stay home with a sick kid or go to the zoo in the middle of the day. I really, really enjoy that.

What advice would you give a business mom who is just getting started?

I would say, it’s a little cliché, but dream big. Look for what you have passion for and pursue it. I have a passion for helping people and teaching. I'm not teaching what I thought I'd be teaching but instead I'm teaching what I know about saving money and finding deals. I've always had a passion for this. I never thought I was someone who would own a business but the fact that I did it means that a lot of other people can do it if they have the passion and drive for it.

To learn more or to contact Melissa, visit savingsensewithsense.net.