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Tracie Fobes

Tracie Fobes is blessed with an amazing husband, Tim, and 3 amazing children...who, as of the date of this post are: Emma - 4 1/2; Garrett - 2 and Charlotte - 11 months. In November 2007, the Fobes’ decided to get completely out of debt. Part of that was to re-evaluate how they were spending money and establish a tight budget. As a result, Tracie needed to do what she could to stretch dollars. Once she noticed the number of resources out there and how much time she spent to compile savings lists, she decided to help other families not only in the KC metro area, but also around the country. Tracie doesn't mind that others benefit from her hard work. Hearing that people are saving heaps of money and getting great deals makes it ALL worth it! Read Tracie’s blog and you too can become a PENNY PINCHER!

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• Our Journey to Financial Freedom - Part II

  published: 9/2/2010 7:00:00 AM

  So last week, I shared how our financial makeover began.  I left off by sharing that I had to begin a quest on how I could save money on our weekly grocery bill.

  I had always used coupons.  I would save $0.25 here and $2.00 there.  So, I wasn't a true "couponer."  I knew that I could do better.  I knew I could save more - but how?  I couldn't find the deals nor the coupons I ...

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• Our Journey to Financial Freedom - Part I

  published: 8/26/2010 7:00:00 AM

  This morning, I becan to recall about how my husband and I have been working so hard on becoming financially stable over the past 30 months.  I recalled where we had been, what we’ve accomplished thus far as well as where we have yet to go.  It made me remember how encouraging it was to read stories about real people – just like my husband and I – and what they had accomplished.  In doing so, I realized ...

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• Get All of the On-Line Offers While Keeping Your Personal Data Protected

  published: 8/19/2010 7:00:00 AM

  It seems lately that more and more companies are joining the printable coupon or Facebook freebie bandwagon.  I have seen comments that people state “Ugh – they want to access my personal information”  or  “ I didn’t want to download that application.”  Well, it is simple to get the coupons you want, but keep your personal information safe – both at the same time!  Here are some tips that can keep you safe when getting ...

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  by: Tracie Fobes

• Saving Money Doesn't Take a Vacation When You Do

  published: 8/12/2010 7:57:34 AM

  I recently had the chance to travel to New York City to attend a national blogging conference.   Now, I rarely travel – unless you count my 5 minute drive down the road to hit my local Target store.  And somehow, I imagine that probably doesn’t count. 

   

  Of course, being penny pincher, I did what I could to save money.  Here are a few travel tips that are quick and easy to help you save ...

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  by: Tracie Fobes

• Back to School Shopping Doesn't Have to Break the Bank

  published: 8/5/2010 7:00:00 AM

  Can you believe that school starts so soon?!?  Financing back to school items can be stressful for a lot of families. Supplies, clothes, shoes, lunches.....where does it end?  How will we make ends meet?  Here are a few tips to help you save on your back to school purchases.

  INVENTORY:  Keep in mind that a new school year does not mean that you need new supplies.  Check out the crayons – do you still have the number required ...

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• Is Couponing Worth It?

  published: 7/29/2010 7:00:00 AM

  There was recently an article posted on Yahoo Finance titled: 8 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Use Coupons.  If you are someone who never uses coupons, these could be some of your reasons why you don't.  Of course, those of us who use coupons disagreew with most, if not all, of thsi article.  I of course find that I disagree more than agree with her.  I'll go through each point she makes to tell you why I disagree. ...

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• An Empty Mailbox Is a Good Thing

  published: 7/22/2010 7:00:00 AM

  If you are like me, you pick up your mail to find a mound of trash or junk mail and usually - nothing else!  One part of being frugal is not to waste.  This includes not wasting money, but also in other areas of your life.  Paper mail is already weighing upon our natural resources, so if I can help at all (no matter how small it may seem), it makes me feel good to ...

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• It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

  published: 7/15/2010 7:00:00 AM

  Well....maybe not REALLY like Christmas or the holidays.  But, it is on my mind.  When you check out the calendar, you'll notice that we are closing in on 5 months until the holidays will be here.  Are you ready?  No - I don't mean decor.  I mean - is your WALLET ready?  If not, here are some easy ways to make the holidays a little less taxing on your budget.

  Make Your List & Check ...

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• Am I Frugal.....or Just Cheap?

  published: 7/8/2010 7:00:00 AM

  Many of us have recently joined the Frugal Revolution.  We are learning how to NOT be a “throw it away” society.  We know how to stretch our dollars, find deals and make do with what we have.  There are still, however, those who still are cheap.

  Some claim that cheap and frugal are interchangeable terms.  That couldn't be farther from the truth.   They are completely different.  Sadly, this has led to many frugal shoppers getting a ...

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• Tips to Save at the Grocery Store

  published: 7/1/2010 7:00:00 AM

  Let's face it, you have to eat.  Your family needs to eat.  However, you actually can follow a few tips to help save even more money when you shop.  

  Shop coupons with sales.  This is the most obvious and actually where I come in.  It is simple to do to check the weekly ad and use any coupons you have to really save even more.  I provide the matchups to help you do this.  ...

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• Peer Into Your Crystal Ball

  published: 6/24/2010 7:00:00 AM

  It seems like every time you turn around, something needs replace or repaired.  Our minivan recently needed new tires.  Our pickup may need to be replaced in a few years.  The house needs painting soon.  The list goes on and one. 

  The good thing (if you can call these repairs good) is that we already know that we will have to pay for these repairs/items.  So, we will be prepared for them when they come.  ...

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• Go Ahead. SPLURGE!

  published: 6/17/2010 7:00:00 AM

  On June 7th, we celebrated our 7^th wedding anniversary.  Now, we usually are very low key when it comes to things like this - being frugal minded like I am.  So, it is normally dinner in, giving one another a loving card and watching our wedding video.  Well, this year, we recalled how WONDERFUL the past seven years have been, but did so in a way we’ve never before.

  We hired a sitter and went out ...

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• WAIT!? Didn't I Already Pay That Bill?

  published: 6/10/2010 7:00:00 AM

  I am sure it has happened to may of us.  You check that telephone bill to see the words "PAST DUE" at the bottom.  You just KNOW you paid it, and check your bank account.  Sure enough, you forgot to pay it.  So of course, you now owe the original amount PLUS a late fee.  GRRRR!!!!!

  Keeping track of your bills can help save you time, money and stress!  So, what can you do to help yourself ...

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• Shaving Money Off Of Your Utility Bills

  published: 6/3/2010 7:00:00 AM

  It is simple enough to find ways to save on the items you purchase at retailers such as grocery stores and drug stores.  Did you know you can even save on your utilities?  By making a few changes to your lifestyle, you can easily reign in some extra money at the end of the month.

  TELEPHONE

  The next time you get your telephone bill, take a look at the services you are paying for vs. ...

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• Cash Really Is King

  published: 5/27/2010 7:00:00 AM

  Our family started our Total Money Makeover journey in November, 2007.  The one thing that we first learned about was that paying for cash for as many things as possible was the way to go.  This was, of course, a new way of thinking.  After all, we had our debit card, which was "essentially" cash, right?  Well, after much praying and hard work, we have ceased using credit altogether, rarely use our debit card and ...

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