About Mary Hunt

Mary Hunt

Mary Hunt

With many years of successful entrepreneurial experience under her belt, Mary Hunt felt ready to take public her credo, “Bringing dignity to the art of living below your means.” As creator and editor of Debt-Proof Living (formerly Cheapskate Monthly), a monthly newsletter that premiered in January 1992 to overwhelming success, Mary has combined her expertise in business with a message that over-spenders and those burdened with debt seem ready to hear.

Debt-Proof Living continues to expand its consumer influence and subscriber base, most notably through its electronic family of subscribers via its website, www.debtproofliving.com. The website attracts more than 8 million hits a month and features Mary’s constant themes of financial responsibility, empowerment and hope.

In the fall of 2005, Mary joined the editorial team at Woman’s Day magazine (20 million readers), as WD’s money guru and contributing editor. Her column, Your Money, first appeared in the January 2006 issue and can be found in every issue of the magazine.

2006 also saw Mary’s national platform expand as she stepped into the role of AOL’s newest Money Coach. As a member of AOL’s self-help coaching staff of experts, Mary teaches AOL’s audience of more than 112 million unique users how to use their resources wisely and manage their households responsibly. Mary’s online video workshops, book excerpts and extensive coaching are free and available at www.coaches.com.

Mary also can be seen every weekday in hundreds of newspapers across the country in her Everyday Cheapskate  column. Distriubted by Creators Syndicate, Mary’s column features household tips, money-saving strategies, reader questions and recipes. Debuting in January 2003, Everyday Cheapskate has been embraced by consumers unsure about the economy and looking to tighten their financial belts.

In October 2007, DPL Press Inc. will release Mary's 17th book, Debt-Proof the Holidays. With the 2005 release of Live Your Life For Half The Price (DPL Press) and the re-release of her 1999 bestseller, Debt-Proof Living (DPL Press), Mary continues her role to educate and equip consumers.

Prior to devoting herself full time to her writing and speaking projects, Mary co-founded the highly regarded and very profitable industrial real estate brokerage and property management firm, Hunt Industrial Properties.

Mary is a longtime resident of Southern California, first as a student and graduate of The Master’s College in Los Angeles and, along with her husband, as a resident in Orange County for the past 35 years.

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On Saving Money and Spreading Manure Jul 16, 2026

As you may know, the mission of this column is to discover ways to save time and money every day. You help me by sending me your great tips, tricks and ideas; I help you by boiling it all down here. That answers what the column is for, but why should... Read More

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Excellent Solutions for Your 7 Biggest Clutter Problems Jul 15, 2026

I have a theory that most of us would be more than willing to let go of the stuff that's cluttering our homes if we knew these things would serve a worthwhile cause or help someone else. And I know too well the conflict. It's nearly impossible for m... Read More

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Saving Time Gives Peace of Mind Jul 14, 2026

Any time I can eliminate or lower my stress level when traveling, I'm a happy camper. I am always on the lookout for travel tips and tricks. Now I can't wait for my next flight so I can try today's first great reader tip! ARRIVALS FOR DEPARTURES Dear... Read More

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Homemade Ice Packs, Cold Packs and Other Summer Wins Jul 13, 2026

Summer has a way of making us appreciate cold things: cold drinks, cold watermelon, cold air conditioning and, sometimes, cold relief for a headache, a sore muscle, a bee sting or a lunch that's trying to survive a long afternoon in the car. Many of ... Read More