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About The Thrifty Nifty Mommy Team

About Janessa Solem, Professional Parenting Blogger

Janessa Solem and family
Photo credit: Say Cheek Photography

I live in the great state of West Virginia (about 90 minutes from Washington DC/Baltimore) with my husband and 7 adorable children. I started Thrifty Nifty Mommy in 2010 as a place to provide quality product reviews and recommendations for moms like me, and have been a professional mom blogger and professional review blogger ever since.

While you can still find product reviews on this site today, with 7 children, there’s always a story to tell, so you’ll also find a lot of posts written about my life as a (larger than normal) family, parenting articles, organizational posts, recipes, and more.

I live for spending quality time with my family. They are my world! I don’t believe that having a couple of children means you still can’t have a fun life with lots of adventure! I’m also passionate about living life to it’s fullest, while maintaining a budget, natural childbirth (all four of my children were born at home), travel, and good food.

In the evenings (once it’s quiet and the kids are in bed) you can find me watching reruns of my favorite shows or a good movie with my husband. I’d like to start exercising more this year…I’ve been saying that for a while though, so we’ll see if it actually happens!

Janessa Solem’s Family

It all started back in 2002 when I was just 16. I met my husband at church, we fell in love, married each other in 2005, then had our first child in March 2010 (it’s a girl!). I quit my job in banking to stay home with our sweet Maggie and started blogging as a way to stay in touch with the outside world. Since then, we’ve added five more precious children to the mix: Jacob in May 2012, Zellene in June 2014, and Gideon in February 2016. I miscarried our 5th child in June of 2017 but am happy to announce that our rainbow baby (a sweet little boy) arrived in June 2018. His name is Aram and he’s greatly loved by our family. Then there’s Killian, born in April 2020, and finally, my youngest son, Matthias, who was born in August 2022.

Oh, we also have a Saint Bernard named Liberty, two cats named Gandolf the Grey and Mrs. Proudfoot, a baby turtle, and three hermit crabs. There’s always a lot happening in our house!

As this blog has grown, my husband, Orin, has taken on the role of helping me write reviews and respond to emails. He’s my go-to guy for all men’s products, gadgets, apps, and tech items, video games, tools, and other manly things. He has a great sense of humor that you’ll see coming through in his writing. He collects watches, enjoys a great action movie,  and is currently restoring a ’67 Ford Mustang.

If you’re a brand and would like to collaborate with me and my family, or one of the other writers on my team, please email Janessa Solem at thriftyniftymommy@yahoo.com or click here to find out more about collaborations.

Meet the Other Writers at Thrifty Nifty Mommy

A few years ago I decided to add some additional writers to the Thrifty Nifty Mommy family. Miranda and Holly have been embraced by the readers of Thrifty Nifty Mommy. I love them and I know you’ll love them too!

Meet Miranda Welle, Professional Review Blogger

Welle Family Pictures Oct. 2023 (3)

Hello. My name is Miranda and I have been writing professionally for Thrifty Nifty Mommy since 2017, however, I’ve been blogging since 2013.

I turned 40 in 2023….how can that be?! My husband and I celebrated our 20-year anniversary this year and currently have six great kids (currently ages 1-18).

family -- PatPat Matching Pajamas - Christmas 2023

I homeschool all five of our (schoolaged) children as well as help my husband around our family dairy farm when time allows. Along with our dairy cows, replacement heifers, and baby calves, we currently have a ton of cats and some chickens. Farm life keeps us happily busy!

While I don’t really consider myself to have many hobbies, per se’, I do enjoy spending time with my family, playing games with our children, reading (especially Karen Kingsbury novels), cooking (you’ll love my Salted Caramel Billionaire Bars recipe and my SUPER EASY but so yummy! Old Fashion Homemade Cinnamon Rolls), and volunteering at church.

Fall Favorites From Feltman Brothers
Our little Ruby brought our count to 3 girls and 3 boys!

I love reviewing anything useful for my family and finding new products that I’ve never heard of before. I also enjoy finding great deals but have learned there are plenty of times you have to invest in high-quality products that will stand the test of time as well.  You can reach me personally at mirandareviews@gmail.com. Please put ‘TNM’ or ‘Thrifty Nifty Mommy’ in the subject line.

Meet Holly Arnold, Professional Mom Blogger & Daycare Owner

Hi! My name is Holly and I have been writing for Thrifty Nifty Mommy since January 2021. I am 30 years old and my husband Zack and I will be celebrating our 8th Anniversary in July 2023. We have two children, Olivia (a 4-year-old girl) & Boyd (a 1-year-old boy.)

Alongside writing for the blog, I am a home daycare provider currently taking care of 10 children. Things I enjoy doing are spending time with family, hosting game nights, going for walks, camping, and doing artsy projects.

I love reviewing fun new products but I also love exposing new brands and companies to our readers! You’ve got a company you created with love and I want to help expand your reach. You can reach me personally at tnm.hollyreviews@gmail.com.

Jennifer Atkinson

Tuesday 28th of June 2022

Hi, I am trying to get in touch with Janessa S. however the email address I have did not go through.

Can you please have Janessa S. reach out to me via email?

Janessa

Thursday 30th of June 2022

You can email me at thriftyniftymommy@yahoo.com

Peggy Nunn

Monday 24th of May 2021

Looks like your family picture needs updating to add that last bundle of joy.

Cathy Jarolin

Saturday 25th of June 2016

You Have a Beautiful Family! Best Wishes to You and Your Family Always~ <3