Here are 25 wise ways to invest your time in order to save some money:

1. Learn to bake your own bread. If you do not already cook from scratch, learning how to bake your own bread is the easiest first step to get you on your way. Also, the fact that the results are so satisfying doesn’t hurt either. Once you feel the confidence boost from baking your own loaf of bread it becomes easier to attempt the next thing on your cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money list.
2. Research all purchases. Spending money is sometimes an inevitability, but spending and frugality are not necessarily counter-intuitive. It is possible to spend frugally by researching all purchases to guarantee that you are getting both the best product possible and the best price possible.
3. Use the internet to search for coupons and coupon codes. Going along with tip #2, do not buy anything online without doing an internet search for a coupon code first. Simply type the name of the product you are purchasing, or the company you are purchasing from, and the words “coupon code” into your favorite search engine. You might be pleasantly surprised. Similarly, there are countless blogs out there that compile all of  the grocery coupons available to print online. They are definitely a worthwhile stop before heading out to the grocery store.
4. Make your own clothes. This is a tough one, and it may only be for the die-hard frugal lifers, but there’s no question that it is a skill that will save you money.
5. Menu plan and use a master grocery list. Menu planning and creating and using a master grocery list takes time, especially if it is a new idea to you. However, if keeping your grocery budget low is important to you, it may just be the best 20 minutes of time you can spend. A menu plan helps you focus on what you truly need to purchase versus what you already have on hand and it allows you to take advantage of the weekly sales. A master grocery list keeps you focused at the store. If you use a list that is set up according to your store’s layout, you can avoid unnecessary aisles and temptations.
6. Create a price book. A price book works hand-in-hand with a master grocery list. By listing the regular prices of products you usually buy at the stores you usually shop at, you can tell at a glance where you should shop based on your needs for the week. If you do not feel like spending hours walking up and down the aisles, there is an easier way to create a price book. Save all your receipts for groceries at your regular stores for a few weeks. Then, using your receipts, mark down the regular prices on a price sheet. There are many blank price book forms that you can find online.
7. Freezer cook. Freezer cooking doesn’t have to mean doing a large once-a-month cooking marathon. It can be as simple as making doubles of some of your favorite meals - one to eat right away and one to go in the freezer. Having meals on hand in the freezer reduces the need for take-out.
8. Make your own laundry detergent. The process may seem tedious at first. However, once you realize that you’re spending only pennies to wash your clothes every week, the tedium will not matter.
9. Learn to re-create convenience foods. Convenience foods are often the costliest items at the grocery store. Most of them can be recreated from scratch though. Bisquick, canned soups, and macaroni and cheese are just a few of the items that are easily duplicated for a fraction of the original cost.
10. Mend your clothes. If you mend a small hole before it becomes a large one, the time investment is minimal. Yet for that minimal investment, you prolong the usability and life of the item. Darning holes in socks is another quick fix if done in a timely manner.
11. Use proper stain management techniques. A stain that is caught quickly and treated properly usually will wash out. Don’t let your clothes end up as rags just because you hoped a stain would wash out on its own.
12. Change all of your light bulbs. Swap out regular incandescent light bulbs for CFL light bulbs. They last longer and require just a fraction of the energy to light your home.
13. Sort through all hand-me-downs, thrift stores, and garage sales. Many treasures lie hidden in the piles of clothes from these three sources. It may take perseverance, but the result is usually well worth the extra effort.
14. Plant a garden. Gardening is a great way to beat the rising costs of produce. It also allows you to eat seasonally and to practice whichever gardening techniques you prefer. An organic tomato from your own garden costs virtually nothing.
15. Can your excess. Whether you grow a garden or not, take advantage of excess produce throughout the growing and harvesting months. By learning to can, you can stock your pantry with chemical-free, fresh-tasting goodness to last until the next year. You also reduce the need to throw away any produce that is verging on spoilage.
16. Visit used book stores and library book sales. There are usually many gems hidden among the shelves if you are willing to take the time and look. These places are also a great way to begin exploring the large, but profitable, world of reselling books on Amazon, half-price books, or many of the other websites out there.
    
17. Track all expenses and purchases. Commit to a certain number of days and then record every single bit of money spent during that time. This is a great way to get a clear picture of where your money is really going and see where you can cut back.
    
18. Research frugality. Many people write on frugality. There are shelves of books at the library dedicated to the subject and scores of similar websites and blogs. If you want to live more frugally, do some homework and turn to the trusted-advice of those that already live that way.
    
19. Learn a free or low-cost hobby to replace a more expensive one. Hobbies are fantastic things, and often can be frugal when you turn creations into gifts or decorations. However, some hobbies are just plain expensive. If you are really trying to cut back, see if you can find an equally filling, but less costly, substitute.
    
20. Check for drafts throughout your house. Feel around window sills and door frames to see if you notice cold air blowing in at all. If you do, use caulk to fill in the small spaces or rolls of cloth (as simple as a rolled-up towel works) to cover larger spaces, such as the bottom of a door frame. If you have to purchase the caulk, it is an investment that will pay for itself almost immediately when your heating bill goes down.
    
21. Clear out the clutter. If you are constantly having to buy new things because you “lost” something, stop losing things! The easiest way to do that is to get rid of unnecessary clutter and organize what remains.
    
22. Maintain your car properly. Taking good care of your car helps prolong its life, ensures maximum gas mileage, and helps to avoid costly repairs in the future. Most simple car maintenance tasks can even be done on your own if you’re willing to learn how and take the time to put that knowledge to work.
    
23. Walk instead of drive. Even when gas prices are not outrageously high, walking is a very frugal option. If the weather is friendly and the destination is close enough, leave the car at home. The savings add up quickly.
    
24. Examine all luxuries. Many of the everyday things in our lives are truly not necessities. Examine all of the little luxuries in your life and cut back wherever possible. Some things to consider: internet, cable tv, home phone or cell phone (in many cases, you really don’t need both), gym memberships, movie rentals, dining out, etcetera.
    
25. Set up a good filing system. A filing system that is set up properly ensures four things: 1) you’ll never lose your warranties on appliances, 2) you’ll never lose owners manuals that could have saved you money on repairs, 3) you’ll never pay a bill late because you forgot about it or lost it, and 4) you’ll never miss a tax-deduction.

Spend a little bit of time now to save money in the future. It’s the frugal thing to do!

There are many reasons why you should organize your home.

• It makes it easier to clean

• It makes it easier to find what you are looking for

• It makes it easier to rearrange

• It makes you feel better when you have someone come over unexpectedly

Those are just a few of the reasons why an organized home is great.

Now, you may ask how do you get your home organized. This article will show you how to do it and keep it that way forever.

• Plastic tubs

The first thing you need to do is go to Walmart and pick up some plastic tubs with lids. You will need the large ones with handles on them. I would start out with at least six. You may need more, but that will be a good start.

You can use these for a number of things. They are very good for holiday decorations, clothes, toys, and important papers. They store one on top of the other and you can use a sharpie and write on them.

• File cabinets

If you have bills that you need to keep copies of, important papers that need to be kept, or files that need to be stored a file cabinet may be right for you. There are a few types of cabinets to choose from. They have two draw and four draw cabinets or horizontal cabinets. These are easy to store in a spare room or laundry room.

• Shredding

Do you have papers that you don’t need but contain personal information that could cause personal problems if someone where to get a hold of it? Shredding these documents will protect you and will clean up your home so you don’t have loose papers and envelopes all over.

• Toy box

When you have children, a toy box is a must. To keep a bedroom or toy room tidy and clean, you need to have the toys put away. When you have a toy box, you will have a place for everything. The toys will be easy to find and when they are put away you won’t worry about stepping on them in the middle of the night when you go to check on them.

• Mail

If you put your mail in one place and go through it on a daily basis, you won’t have piles of it all over the place. If you have a desk in the kitchen or a basket on the counter for your bills, that would be perfect. When you get those irritating credit card applications in the mail, immediately shred them so they are gone right away. Not only will this keep them all in one place, but it will also keep things looking very nice.

When you follow these simple tips, you will have a nice and organized home. Everything will have a place and it will be easy to find. Once you get all of these things completed and your home looks great, make sure you stick to it on a daily or weekly basis so you don’t lose the organization.

]]> http://showmomthemoney.com/5-ways-to-organize-your-home/feed/ http://showmomthemoney.com/15-free-ways-to-promote-your-direct-sales-business/ http://showmomthemoney.com/15-free-ways-to-promote-your-direct-sales-business/#comments Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:17:52 +0000 Annette Yen http://showmomthemoney.com/?p=947 When you’re first starting your direct sales business or even after you’ve established yourself you want to focus on getting the word out and maintaining momentum.  Obviously you can invest in some paid advertisements, but there are some great ways to get the word out about your business that don’t cost anything but a little bit of your time.

Let’s take a look:

1. Sizzle Cards - Create business sized card flyers on your computer or use VistaPrint’s free business cards and advertise yourself with them.  These cards aren’t your typical business card with just your name, business name, email and phone, but like a 30 second commercial in print on a snazzy card that you can give to any and everyone you see.  Print a simple coupon on the reverse side to increase your chances of someone calling you to redeem it!

2.  Flyers - put up flyers 1/4 page flyers any and everywhere you can (ask first).  Think through your target market and ask to leave a stack at the front desk, cash register or on a bulletin board.  As above, adding some type of “action” incentive or coupon will increase the chances of that flyer not ending up in the circular file somewhere!

3.  Press Releases - spend some time crafting a press release about you and what you can offer to the community.  Don’t make it a sales letter - the press is looking for relevant news stories, so stick to news or how you and your product might relate to what’s going on in the world today.

4.  Articles - This, in my opinion, is the best way to market yourself for no cost at all.  Write articles and publish them locally as well as submit them to internet article directories.  Establish yourself as an expert in your field and refer them to your website for more information and specials.

5.  Seminars - Offer to be a speaker at local seminars and business meetings - again, keeping it news worthy and not all about sales.  For instance, if you’re in a food oriented direct sales business, offer to do a seminar on entertaining with food, or healthy holiday entertaining, etc.

6.  Park District events - Similar to above, offer to teach a class through your local park district.  They’ll print your information in their community guide that is sent to everyone in your local area which furthers your status as an expert in your field.

7.  Online forums - actively participate in online forums that relate to your niche market.  Again, don’t just give a sales pitch but be helpful and involved.  This can be done with just a little time each day and can be very effective if done well.

8.  Commenting on blogs - search for blogs that target your market as well and comment on the blog entries. No sales pitches here either -this is all about getting your name out there and branding you, not about other people thinking you are spamming your business, product or opportunity everywhere.

9.  Local networking groups - Get involved in local networking groups and your chamber of commerce. Most networking groups will allow you to visit at least once for free and may charge a fee in the future.

10.  Referrals - referrals are the backbone of any good business so make sure you’re asking your current customers to recommend you to their friends and family. Make it easy by giving them sizzle cards or other things to pass on to their contacts or better yet, reward your customers for the referrals they send you.

11. Partner up - work with another direct sales representative in a complementary but not competing business and work to promote each other with each event and party that you do.

12.  Drawing box - put up “prize drawing” boxes at local restaurants where people can enter and win a free prize from you.  This will help you build your local mailing list and get your name out as well.

13.  Volunteer - volunteer at local fundraising events and offer to throw in a coupon or something as a door prize if you’re able.

14.  Wear logo clothing - if you receive some type of “uniform” shirt or logo wear from your company as part of your starter kit, wear it often!  If not, create a name tag or button to wear around.  Don’t be shy!

15.  Return address labels - add your business website or business email to your return address labels and use those for everything you mail out from now on.  Or invest in a simple self-inking stamp that has the same information so you can stamp all over the envelope!

This is just the tip of the iceberg of ways to get your name out and start letting people know you are in business and ready to serve!

Sometimes it seems like we go through so much time, effort and money to find a new customer.  If we sat down and figured out how much that customer cost us, it would be scary. It is especially scary if that customer only shops one time.  So what is obvious is that the development of that customer is an important part to our advertising budget and to their shopping happiness.

So how can we find and create the perfect customer? And what can you do to keep that customer once they have found you? 

1. Don’t be stingy on your advertising dollars but make sure you are spending them properly.
2. Use door to door advertising especially if you have things like mini mailers, flyers or postcards with samples.
3. Let the advertising work.  Don’t stop an ad or a method until you have tried it for at least 3-4 months or 3-4 touches
4. Know that this is all about relationship building.   So be friendly, kind and have the tools available to get key information like important dates, likes and dislikes on products, how often they would like to be contacted.
5. Add to your mailing list and have 1-2 touches per month with tips and assorted information.
6. Customer service calls after product delivery is critical.  Check on use of the product to make sure they know how to use it.
7. Have a sale once in a while on items you know your customer wants and needs
8. Make returns easy.  Nothing more to say on that.
9. Make ordering easy.  Don’t place restrictions on placing an order.  If you are in a party plan business, have certain days in the month that you place an order for your refill customers or non party customers.  Always invite sales anytime.
10. Make wish list forms available.  This can be for Christmas, Birthdays, Bridal Registery, Baby Registery, or whatever your business needs. 
11. Have automatic refill shipping available.  If you client has used the same item over and over, estimate when they will be needing it again and automatically place that order before they run out.
12. KISS or Keep It Simple Sweetie.  Don’t confuse your customer with difficult shipping, fees, returns or too much information.  We know that info overload can cause a customer to walk away.  They want to be in control.

Returning customers are an important factor and by making sure you are accessible and letting your customer know that you are easy to do business with, you can develop a great relationship that is long lasting and profitable. 

In truth, 1992 may not seem particularly “vintage” with respect to clothing and hairstyles, but certainly in the credit market, 1992 feels like a century ago.  I wondered how the 1992 world of debt relief differed from the 2008 version, what with the collapse in the credit industry.  Certainly, the “tight credit” economy today is a much more complicated arena than the “loose credit” economy of 1992.  Therefore, credit card debt relief circa 2008 has to have different strategies than credit card debt relief circa 1992. Yes?  No.

Surprisingly, the process of getting and keeping your credit card debt in control hasn’t changed significantly in the past 16 years. We lived in a vastly different economic climate in the 90’s than we do today. Credit was King.  So then, why hasn’t getting out of debt changed to reflect the credit market conditions of today? 

The tenets of credit card debt relief remain the same for all these years because basic financial strategies never change.  Spend less than you earn and save the rest.  When credit cards became the norm for everyday spending, we entered a new “credit poor” world.  And, after some years, we are all suffering.  I suspect that in 1992 an article about debt relief didn’t get as much readership as, perhaps, the clothing and hairstyle articles.   Today is a very different story.  Today when people thumb their way through a magazine, they are looking for some help designing their future financial stability, and not their clothes.

Then what are the basic strategies for a family like yours to get rid of their credit card debt for once and for all?  Briefly outlined, here they are, just like they were 16 years ago:

1) Cut-Up, Burn-Up, Shred-Up, or Blow-Up Those Credit Cards.

Painful as this is, Get Rid Of Those Credit Cards!  I don’t know how many people try to pay off their credit card debt while clinging to their credit cards!  Why don’t you try to lose weight while clinging to that donut.  It makes as much sense.  If it wasn’t a crucial step, it wouldn’t be The Number One Step, now would it.  Begin with those ridiculously high-interest department store credit cards, and destroy them all.  Yes, all of them.  They’ve offered you 10% off your next purchase; figure out what the interest on that so-called “savings” is going to cost you.  Not very pretty, is it.

Now lay out your major credit cards, then stop.  You’ll need to keep just one major credit card, meaning a Visa, Master Card, American Express, and the like, for the purpose of booking flights, hotel rooms, and any emergencies.  Of those major credit cards, which has the lowest interest rate, no annual fee, sky-miles, and other special incentives?  Keep that ONE card and destroy the others.  If you can’t trust yourself with one major credit card, do what the financial experts do:  put it on ice.  Literally, put it in water and freeze it.  If you need to book a flight or have emergency maintenance done on your car, thaw it out and you’re set.  Sort of eliminates impulse buying, doesn’t it. 

2) Do the Household Money Math.

Take a good, long, honest look at your income.  How much money do you bring into your house each month, after taxes of course.  Now, map out your monthly household expenses that keep your family sheltered, clothed, schooled, and fed. Don’t forget gas for the car, insurance, medical needs, and anything you need to live.  Be sure to include every expense so you don’t find yourself dipping into your “debt reduction fund” later for incidentals that you should have planned for.  It’s better to plan a bit heavy on the expenses column because you’d rather have a few extra dollars to pay on your credit card debt than come up short. 

Now you have your so-called “disposable income” which is what you need to know before you take your next step.  This is the actual money you have each month to apply to your credit card debt.  Take out your last month’s credit card statements and review the total on each credit card statement.  Decide if there are any “local” store credit cards in which you would like to maintain good customer standing.  Prioritize your credit cards and divide up your disposable income between them.  That is the amount you are able to pay each month on each credit card.  Write that figure down and make thorough notes on each statement about what you can pay and cannot pay, such as the late fees or over-charges, or 18% interest.  Now, you are ready for the next step. Take a deep breath.

3) It’s Time to Call Your Creditors.

This is probably the most unnerving step for most people.  However, you cannot avoid this unpleasant step because it is necessary if you want to achieve your goal of credit card freedom.  It’s unrealistic to think that you can just make monthly payments on a credit card with high interest rates and gain any ground toward paying it off.  If you have already tried this you know what happens.  The interest escalates and your little payment gets swallowed right up, not even making a dent in the principle.  It’s discouraging to say the least, and impossible.

You’ve already gone through the last month’s statements from all your credit cards when you divided up your disposable income.  Review your initial notes and make any adjustments you think you may need on each of last month’s credit card statements.  You want a good solid dollar amount that you can pay each month figured out on each credit card statement before you make your calls. Remember, you will also be asking for a lower interest rate and a reversal of any late fees or over-charge fees that you may have incurred as this is the only way you will be able to send that amount each month.

Calling the credit card company’s customer service number is a heart-pounding experience for most people.  As a former customer service employee, let me tell you that the person you are talking to is nothing more, and nothing less,  than an employee.  He or she is paid to do a job for a company. Now, go ahead and call the first credit card customer service number.  When you get a real person, tell them  that you want to pay off your credit card, but cannot afford to make the monthly payments as they are currently set.  You may want to practice this line several times; even writing it down: “I want to pay off my credit card, but I can’t afford to make the monthly payments as they are right now.”   Then you will tell them how much you can afford to send them each month, but you’ll need late fees and over-charges reversed.  Then ask for a reduced interest rate, and let them know that this is the only way you will be able to send them money each and every month until it’s paid off.  You may not get everything you wish on the first call.  They may reverse the late fees, but not the over-charges.  They may not come down as far as you want them to on the interest.  Do what you can.  The most important thing here is for you to do your homework first.  Know what you can pay each month, and negotiate the rest.  Keep in mind that you can call them again as your situation changes and you want to renegotiate.

If you have received letters offering you a one time payoff for a particular credit card, ask the credit card company customer service employee if it is a legitimate offer.  If it is legitimate and if you have the money, you may want to consider that as an option.  One note though, the difference between the debt you owe and your actual one-time payoff to satisfy the debt may be subject to income tax. Check your state and  federal guidelines before you decide.  It may still be a viable option, but you want to be prepared at tax time.

Back in 1992 when credit was easy, you may not have gotten very far in negotiating with the credit card companies.  In 2008 we have a whole new economic scene out there.  These credit card companies are living and dying by whether or not they can get YOUR payment each and every month.  They WILL negotiate, but you need to be firm and do your homework.

4) Sacrifice, Sacrifice, Sacrifice.

Don’t you just love it when you get your income tax refund or a bonus at work? It’s so fun having some “found money” to spend any way you please, isn’t it?  Not anymore. I hate to be a Scrooge here, but somebody has to watch out for your frivolous ways.  That’s how you got here in the first place.  Now that you have a plan, every extra penny you have MUST be used to pay down your debt if you expect your plan to work.  Any time you spend that extra money that fell into your lap on something other than paying off your debt, you have just also tacked interest on it.  Think about it.  If it doesn’t go to paying down your debt, the principle you owe on your credit cards didn’t get any smaller, so you are paying interest on that money. How many times is that same money going be spent when you pay interest to a credit card company because you still have a balance with them?  Ouch!  You’ll get a faster return on that found money when you use it to pay down your credit card debt. 

5) Stick With Your Plan.

This may very likely be your financial plan for a long, long time, depending on the amount of credit card debt you have.  We’ve all seen the commercials; “How I Got Out Of Debt In Six Months”, and we know that is simply not true.  It took you some time to get in this mess, perhaps years, and it will take you some time to get out.  After about the six month mark, you may feel a little restless and want to spend a bit of your hard earned cash.  You may even see your credit card balances drop within a sort of “comfort level” for you after awhile. Before you decide to splurge, take a look back in time, browse through your credit card statements, and tell me what incredibly important item you see on any statement.  Now, add up the interest you’re paying every month and tell me again if any of those items you purchased were so valuable that you were, and are, willing to pay two, three, or four times their value.  Well, that’s what just one little indiscriminate spending spree will cost you in the end.  The trick is, if you get comfortable with your money, pay even more down on your debt.  Your freedom will come that much quicker. Be smart and stick to your guns.

6) Give Your Income a Boost.

This is an area of debt relief that is seldom approached.  Partly because not everyone is able to easily supplement their income with another job.  That’s understood.  But, just raising the issue of more income is a reasonable step.  There are many variables to increasing your income.  If you feel worked-to-the-bone every day, it’s hard to imagine how you could earn additional money.  Where will you find the time?  Or energy?  If you fall into this category, this option may not be for you; but wait.  Are you being honest?  Are there things you can, and would, give up to earn more money?  Do you currently volunteer for a group that you could beg off of for awhile so you can pick up a temporary second job?  Do you rush home from work to make meals for the family when someone else could get things started so you could put in some overtime?  Can your household adjust to a different schedule so you could pick up extra money in a shift differential?  How about some temporary work just over the Holidays, like gift wrapping?  Are you a clever baker?  Could you make and sell cookies at your local grocery store?  Could you tutor students after school?  Does an office building in your neighborhood need a weekend cleaning person?  Are you currently making something that other people would buy?  Take a look at your schedule.  If you knew that you could do something to make extra money, and you knew that it was temporary, would you do it?  I believe it’s something worth considering.

7)  Carefully, Very Carefully, Check Out Debt Consultants.

The one thing that has changed since 1992 is the use of credit card debt consultants. There are hoards of companies out there today trying to sell you the light at the end of the proverbial debt tunnel.  But be careful, the light could be an oncoming train, because not all debt consultants are what they appear to be.  If you decide to look into using a debt consultant, interview as many as you possibly can.  Ask direct questions, don’t beat around the bush.  Ask how much of your money they are going to keep before they pay your creditors.  If a debt consultant says things to you like, “don’t worry about that” and “it will be okay”, start worrying about that because it won’t be okay. Listen to your gut, ask people who have worked with a consultant for a recommendation, and check the Better Business Bureau. It will cost you more to hire a third party debt consulting company than it does to negotiate directly with the credit card companies.  Consider first checking into non-profit debt consulting groups.  Your own bank may even have consultants free of charge.  Here again, you must do your homework thoroughly.  You don’t want the solution to be worse than the problem!

Back to the 1992 credit card market versus the 2008 credit card market.  As they say, The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same.  Handling your money comes down to the same sound economic advice that it has for centuries, and yes, your grandparents were right – Don’t spend more than you have, and save a little each week.

Are you ready to get rid of your credit card debt?  Now, of course, credit was too easy for too many people for far too many years.  We all fell into that, so don’t beat yourself up about it.  But, do you want the credit card companies to continue to reap the benefits of that soft market when you’re struggling to meet your monthly bills?  Many of us find ourselves with the difficult and long drawn-out task of getting ourselves out of debt, and staying out of debt.  The methods outlined here are pretty basic; the same now as they were back a decade or more ago.  We know they are tried and true.  We know that if you develop a good financial plan and stick to it you will accomplish your goal of credit card freedom.  Okay, now everyone, nose to the grindstone and hang in there!

1. I am not an octopus!  Wearing my baby enabled me to have free hands to answer the phone, type up a proposal and comfort my baby simultaneously.
2. Babywearing also left a hand free to grab the two or five year old running around the house, before they fell and hit their head.
3. Wearing my youngest allowed me to push the double stroller that held my two older boys while I ran through the office supply store because my printer was out of ink.
4. Maybe the makers of Motrin don’t realize, but some babies won’t sleep or stop crying unless being held.  I have never been able to stand listening to a child cry just because they want to be held.  Wearing my baby allowed me to hold them and still accomplish the things that needed to be done.
5. Don’t you know that babywearing allows you to make faces at your sweet child while sitting on a conference call?
6. Having the 17 lb baby in a sling is much easier on my back than heaving him onto my hip ever was!
7. As mamas, even as WAH ones, we still are hard on ourselves.  Admit it, you are.  So, being able to keep your baby/toddler close to your chest and still doing what you do to make a living is very freeing (from a guilt standpoint).
8. Wearing your baby hides the spit up stains on your shirt, especially if you strategically place the shoulder strap.  Hey, you never know where you might run into your next client, customer, employer!
9. Having a hand free for the cup of (insert your caffeinated beverage here) that keeps us conscious to get through our day.
10. If you are in direct sales or any type of business that requires lugging products around, you can load your car and soothe your child at the same time!
11. You are sending a message to the world that your priorities are in order- children before career.
12. But, you are also sending the important message to our daughters (and nieces, students, etc) that women can be successful at all the roles they play, with a little innovation.
13. This is not why (at least not why I wore my babies) but, especially with the dawn of sites selling the wares of WAHM’s  like Etsy and Ebay, you can find slings and other baby carriers that are actually fashionable and match your outfit.  Just a plus for me
14. Leaves hands free to (fill in the blank with whatever you try to accomplish in a day as a mom, wife, career woman, daughter, sister, friend, did I mention mom?)
15. Don’t hate me, but the longer I wore my babies, especially the youngest with whom I gained 56 lbs, the longer I had to lose the belly flubber.  Too bad, you can’t wear them when they’re eleven.

In all seriousness, baby wearing is a matter of personal choice and for me, it was a pleasure and something I miss now that my kiddos are older.  But, for heaven’s sake, while we all could have written a better ad campaign for this company, we should probably cut the company a little slack since many a mommy has been spared discomfort from carpal tunnel, c-sections, temper tantrum induced headaches and many more aches and pains by popping a Motrin or two.  Now, on to the next controversy

Do you feel like your home is unorganized, unready for Holiday entertaining? Since becoming a WAHM, I find it hard sometimes to put down the laptop and pick up the clutter around my house! I am always thinking about the next article I need/want to write, the 300 items in my Google Reader, the 90 unread items in my inbox, the bills I need to enter in my web bill pay, the budget I need to balance, the Holiday shopping I need to do, the grocery shopping I need to do, the newest giveaway I need to blog and Tweet about…you get the idea and probably suffer the same thing if you are a WAHM.

So, how can we, as WAHM’s, quickly and easily get our homes in order for the Holidays? Here are 10 easy things to do each day until Thanksgiving.  I know if I can do them, so can you!

1.       11 days until Thanksgiving- Organize cluttered closets.  I had two closets that were driving me crazy, so I organized them today. I already feel like my house is cleaner…lol.

2.       10 days until Thanksgiving-Rearrange some interior decorations, like pictures, knick knacks, even furniture.  I’m thinking that some items in one room will look better in another and vice-versa, so I’m going to have hubby and son help me rearrange some things. (Of course they will all get dusted as we move them!) This will give the house a fresh, new look.

3.       9 days until Thanksgiving-Clean off the front porch (or other cluttery area). The main entrance to our home is an enclosed front porch and of course it gets cluttered up very easily.  There’s ten thousand pairs of shoes out there (slight exaggeration) from summer, golf clubs, swim mats, etc. that need to go out to the shed.

4.       8 days until Thanksgiving-Clean all bathrooms, then touch up over the next week, that way you don’t have to do a major cleaning just before the big day.

5.       7 days until Thanksgiving-Get all laundry done. Then do one load a day (if applicable) until Thanksgiving. This way you’re not trying to get it all done at once the day before Thanksgiving, and you will be able to relax Friday after Thanksgiving.

6.       6 days until Thanksgiving-Make sure all your Holiday dishes are clean and ready for entertaining. If you set a big spread, go ahead and start getting your table ready now with your fall and Thanksgiving decorations.

7.       5 days until Thanksgiving-Dust everything in the house. I hate dusting, but if I only have that to do for one day, it’s not so bad. Plus when everything is dusted, I feel like the house is so much cleaner.

8.       4 days until Thanksgiving-Pick up any clutter that has accumulated over the past few days and beyond. Throw away any unwanted mail, magazines, papers, etc. File the important papers, put your bills in their place (I have an ‘in’ box I use); clean off any messy areas like tables and countertops.

9.       3 days until Thanksgiving-Vacuum the entire house and mop all tile floors. Use a carpet deodorizer to give your house a fresh scent.

10.   2 days until Thanksgiving-Give your house a once over. If you’ve done all the things above, it should be quick and easy.

11.   The day before Thanksgiving-Set up any extra tables you’re going to use for guests, finalize your decorations around the house and on the table.

If you follow these steps now, you’re home will be fresh and ready for company! And hopefully the only cleaning you will over the long weekend will be your left over dishes!

Happy Thanksgiving!

1. Take an inventory of your Christmas decorations now. This way you will know exactly what you have and what you need.
2. Get out your address book and start going through the list. Edit or delete addresses as necessary for your Christmas cards.
3. Buy Christmas cards.
4. If you haven’t already, set up a budget for Christmas, including decorations, cards, postage, packaging and shipping charges, and of course gift giving.
5. Start making your Christmas lists. I have each of my kids make a list of the things they would like. They know they don’t get all the things on their lists, but it gives me an idea of what they need and want. I have them put it in order according to most wanted or needed to least wanted.
6. Plan your Holiday menus. If the Holidays are celebrated at your home and you do the majority of the cooking, make a plan for each Holiday meal.  If possible, have the guests each bring a dish saving you time and energy preparing.
7. Start your Holiday meal shopping by purchasing those items that are on sale now and will keep until the Holidays, i.e. anything you can freeze or that is canned. Look in your local shopping guide for sale items or on-line coupon sites like http://coupons.com
8. If you are having a hard time getting into the Holiday Spirit, play some Christmas music or watch a Christmas movie classic.
9. Start purchasing your Christmas decorations, according to your budget.  If you pick up an item or two each week or pay period, it will keep you from spending a large chunk of money in one shopping trip.
10. Inventory your baking ingredients. When you are doing your regular grocery shopping you can pick up an item or two you may need for your Holiday baking.
11. If you need extra money for the Holidays, pick up a part time job.  Lots of places hire extra people just for the Holidays.
12. To help save money during the Holidays, get creative! Pull out your favorite craft projects and hand make gifts. If you knit or crochet, make a blanket, scarf or hat for someone. Everyone loves hand made gifts and they are usually a lot cheaper than buying.
13. Don’t forget to put your kids Christmas play, choir concert or band concert on the calendar! Be sure to let the relatives know too.
14. Holiday parties? Put them on the calendar as well.
15. If you need a Holiday party dress or outfit, start looking for one on sale now.  You can usually get away with wearing the same outfit to all your parties. If not, to save money, change up your outfit by accessorizing with a scarf, shrug or shawl.
16. Plan a day to write out your Christmas cards then sit down and do it.
17. If you prefer, send out a Christmas letter to update your friends and family.
18. If you are traveling for the Holidays, plan out your trip; i.e. budget for food, gas, lodging, etc.
19. Make a plan B if the weather gets too bad and you have to cancel or reschedule your travel plans.
20. If you have 3 different homes to visit on Thanksgiving or Christmas (my daughter and husband have our home, his parent’s home and my ex-husband’s home) arrange those schedules now. There will probably always be a conflict, but if you plan ahead, you can probably get it worked out so just about everyone will be happy.
21. Get your family involved in a charitable cause this Christmas.  Perhaps instead of exchanging gifts, you as a family decide to help those in need. You can contact your local food pantry, shelter, church or United Way.
22. While making Christmas cookies with your kids, make up a platter for your neighbors and friends.
23. A great way to save money, is to make up “service cards” for family, friends, neighbors and co-workers.  i.e. shoveling the sidewalk or driveway (if you have snow), cleaning the entire house, doing the dishes for a week or month, dusting (I hate dusting so this would be a great gift for me!), giving a back rub or foot massage.
24. To save time and money, purchase gift cards on line.  Everyone I know, loves to get gift cards from their favorite stores.  It doesn’t have to be a huge monetary amount either. Lots of time they get more than one!
25. Last but not least, start wrapping the gifts as soon as you get them! Don’t wait till Christmas Eve to do your wrapping!

I hope these few tips will help ease you into the Holidays, or at least give you an idea or two to get started!

Happy Holidays everyone!

1. Make sure everything in your home has a home of its own.  Things are much more likely to get put away if everyone knows where the item belongs.
2. Have everyone do a sweep of the house before bed to collect any of their belongings and take them to their room.
3. When you get out of the shower, wipe it down to reduce soap scum accumulation.
4. While the kids are playing in the tub, clean the sink, mirrors and toilet in the bathroom (you’re in there anyway)
5. Keep a hand vacuum easily accessible to clean up messes as they occur.
6. Let your children help- even little ones can put away their own toys, use a duster, etc.
7. Keep a basket or bin near the stairs to hold items that need to go up/down.  Make it a habit of emptying the basket on certain days or even better each time you use the steps.
8. Fold laundry as you take it out of the dryer.
9. Rinse off dishes as you use them and place them in the dishwasher.  Then when you have a full load, all you have to do is turn on the dishwasher instead of facing a sink full of dirty dishes at the end of an exhausting day.
10. Make certain rooms toy free zones or make the rule that only one toy at a time can be brought in the area.  Especially for entry ways or rooms you may have clients come in, this is a way to keep down the clutter and have a presentable space for unexpected guests.
11. Keep cleaning wipes in the kitchen and the bathroom so that you can give the counters a quick wipedown when you have a minute.
12. Have a place for shoes near the front door.  Whether it be a bench that opens for storage, a coat closet, a shoe rack or a basket, have a place where shoes can accumulate without being tripping hazards.  In addition, this will make the mad dash out of the house much easier for the child who can never find their shoes!
13. Buy furniture with built in storage.  Use a dresser to hold craft supplies, an ottoman that opens to hold magazines, etc.
14. Speaking of magazines, only keep the current month’s issue.  Tear out the articles that interest you and throw the rest of the magazine away.  Better yet, give it to someone else and access the articles/recipes/tips you liked online.
15. Resist the urge to purchase more stuff.  If you are already having trouble keeping up with the items you already have in your home, you don’t need more to keep clean and keep track of.
16. Enlist help, whether it be a cleaning lady twice a month or delegating chores to your spouse or older child.  You are not responsible for keeping the whole house clean on your own. (or at least you shouldn’t be
17. Encourage each child to use the same cup all day.  Am I the only one that tires of washing cups?
18. Make your bed every morning.  It will make your room look nice and could even encourage you to clean up the rest of the bedroom.
19. When you touch an item- put it away.  Don’t pick it up and move it somewhere else that is still not where it belongs.  Don’t defer- just go to where it belongs and put it away!
20. Accept the fact that you can’t be Martha Stewart, Supermom, CEO Extraordinaire and Trophy Wife all at once.  In fact, you don’t need to be any of the above.  Just be you.  And if you’re okay with a few dust bunnies in exchange for more time with your kiddos that is ok!  In fact, it is one of the perks of being a WAHM!

1. Set aside time each day to file papers.  Avoid allowing paper to accumulate.  Remember, piles are not your friend!
2. Keep an extra printer cartridge on hand, as well as other office supplies to avoid not having the item you need to complete a project.
3. Work when you are at your best.
4. Turn off email alerts, Twitter and other distractions when you are trying to accomplish a task.  Multi-tasking is a gift but it is not conducive to turning out quality work.
5. Have a dependable back-up plan.  If you are working on a deadline than have someone you can call to help you out with the kids if one becomes sick.  Often, this can be a swap type situation with another WAHM.
6. Be selective about the things you commit your time to.  People often assume that because you work from home you are available for every volunteer event, PTA committee and playgroup.  And, it is tempting since you make your own schedule to succumb to the desire to be involved in everything.  But, you can only be spread so thin before both your parenting and your career will suffer.
7. Schedule your work time, play time, house cleaning time, etc.  If it isn’t on your radar screen, there is a good chance it will not get done.
8. Cut yourself some slack!  You will not get everything done all the time.  Sometimes work will have to come first, most of the time your kids and significant other will need to come first.  In the end, it will balance out.
9. Take care of you.  Being all things to all people can leave a mama stressed and tired.  Do things that rejuvenate you- get a manicure, go for a run, treat yourself to a latte.  Whatever takes care of you- make time for it!
10. Pat yourself on the back.  WAHM’s have their feet in both worlds, the SAHM world and the career world, without the benefit of separating the two.  Work never leaves because your work is at home and it is hard not to look at all the laundry and dishes when your office is across from the kitchen.  Give yourself credit for all the things you accomplish on a daily basis and remember there is always tomorrow for the things that still need to be done.