MOMdotCOM.net

U.S. Stamp Price Increases Today – Should You Invest in Forever Stamps?

2012-01-22T07:48:00.000-08:00

The price of a stamp went up a penny today to 45 cents. Mailing a post card will now cost an extra three cents, up to 32.

Forecasting ahead, it’s likey we’ll see another rate increase within the next year or so, and the question arises, is it a good idea to start investing in some “Forever” stamps?

As a MomDotCom reader, you know we are all about saving every penny, but will the potential savings be enough to bother with the investment? With online billing and the decline in personal mail, we just aren’t mailing that many letters anymore.

Let’s say you use a book of twenty stamps per month. That’s 240 stamps a year or the equivalent of a $2.40 savings if you were to purchase “Forever” stamps to use for the year (assuming stamps rise by another penny next year to 46 cents.)

Consider that you’ll be locking up over $105 in spending money per year of stamps purchased, to save less than one percent per stamp. But, if you spend more on stamps each year or ship packages regularly for business-related purposes and want to take advantage of the flat rate pre-paid Priority mail “Forever” stamps, it may be worth an investment to help you curb future costs.

What do you think?

Did you invest in “Forever” stamps prior to the rate increase?

Money Earning Idea: Turn Baking into Business

2012-01-21T20:23:00.000-08:00

Love to bake? Do friends and family rave about your baked goods or decorating skills?

You can turn that passion for food into a profitable business off and online. Here’s what you need to make it happen.

How Does an Online Bakery Make Money?

An online bakery makes money simply by selling baked goods. Like any business, it pays to specialize. You might specialize in a type of baked good or you might specialize in an event or holiday.

For example, you could become the birthday baker. Or you might make the best gluten free vegan cookies on the planet. Specialize and you can create a name for yourself It’s much easier to market a specialty.

What Do You Need to Get Started?

To start your own online bakery you’ll need:

* A business plan
* Equipment to make your product
* Photos of your baked goods to use on your website
* A website or online store (you can sell your products on sites like Foodzie.com)
* A means to accept payment and ship your product
* A marketing plan – who is your audience and how will they learn about your business?
* A computer with an internet connection

You’ll also want to investigate your local legal requirements. Do you need a sales tax certificate? Do you need to be certified by your health department? Do you need insurance?

Tips and Ideas to Market Your Online Bakery

The more people who know about your business, the busier you’ll be. (And the more money you’ll make).

#1 Social Networking – Social networking is a great way to connect with others. You can let them know about your business and your delicious products. You might even create a fan page on Facebook. On this page you can share baking tips and special promotions.

#2 A Newsletter – Email marketing is a wonderful way to stay in touch with your existing customers. It’s also a great way to gain new ones. Consider creating a newsletter. In the newsletter you can include baking tips, recipes and even review or promote baking products. (You can earn extra income by becoming an affiliate for bake ware that you like and use).

#3 Testimonials and endorsements. Oprah has launched many cookie, candy and cupcake shops. If you have testimonials or endorsements by all means use them. Post them on your website. Share them in your marketing materials. Testimonials, reviews and endorsements help build demand for your product. They also motivate others to buy.

#4 Create a loyalty program or membership program. Your best customers are the ones who buy from you often. Creating a loyalty program can increase the number of ‘best customers’ you have. For example, you might start a cookie of the month program. People pay a discounted monthly membership and receive a dozen cookies in the mail each month. #5 Partnerships. Consider partnering with other relevant businesses to cross promote. For example, if you sell gluten free vegan cookies and you know someone who sells gluten free vegan bread, you can promote each other.

The key to owning a successful online bakery is to start with a business plan. Who is your audience? What do you sell? How will you market your product? For as little as a few dollars you can have your online bakery up and running. Then you can start baking and profiting.

10 Things You Can Do Right Now to Become an Agent of Change

2012-01-19T19:05:00.000-08:00

Nope, not the change in your pocketbook (though, we think monitoring that is grand, too)... but the change that can come about when we get actively involved in bettering our world.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to being an Agent of Change but to make it easy, Lonesome George & Co. is sharing with MomDotCom readers- 10 small things you can do right now to jump-start your decision and make changes toward a better tomorrow:

1. Don't just wait for the future to happen, SHAPE it – even something as simple as turning off the water while you’re brushing your teeth can save up to 5 gallons of water every time you brush.

2. Work at understanding your SYSTEM (tribe, family, neighborhood, office, community) – carpooling not only spares the environment from unnecessary pollution, but it also gives you the opportunity to form new bonds of friendship with the people you are riding with.

3. Look for the variables within your system that INFLUENCE your surroundings – unplugging your appliances and other electronics when not in use eliminates unnecessary energy use when they are not actively serving a purpose.

4. Reduce, reuse, RECYCLE – even through the simple act of recycling one soda can, you can save enough energy to watch 3 hours of TV and in turn be responsible for creating a better future for our natural environment.

5. Learn, ADAPT and evolve – Unfortunately, there are products that have been created that cannot be recycled but you can still eliminate unnecessary use of resources by Upcycling. Upcycling is taking an unrecyclable product and turning it into a product of greater value, such as license plate purses and gum wrapper wallets.

6. Listen to nature for INSPIRATION and make better choices – take an hour out of your day to plant a tree. It connects you with nature and beautifies your yard while also offsetting carbon emissions.

7. Search for your LONESOME GEORGE and act on it – what is it in your community that is in need of your help? Join a cause or find something you’re passionate about and take action to be an active member of that group, club, or organization.

8. Be COMPASSIONATE – put yourself in someone else's shoes before giving the first word of advice – by learning a language, taking a class, or traveling, you can better appreciate different cultures, people, and their values.

9. RESPECT yourself, others and nature – be a conscious consumer and purchase products that promote shared value, that are made of organic material, or that promote a cause. You are showing the rest of the world that you have a universal respect for your world and all of mankind.

10. Accept the CHALLENGE and become and Agent of Change – listen carefully to the adventurous spirit in you to find all the resources you need to succeed – once you recognize this spirit, step up and share your knowledge. Spread the word of what you believe an Agent of Change to be among your friends, families, and colleagues.

For more information on Lonesome George & Co. and the Agents of Change initiative, visit http://www.lonesomegeorge.net/

Six Terrific Health -Related Freebies

2012-01-15T15:43:00.000-08:00

Free Pregnancy Planner
http://www.healthywomen.org/content/publication/pregnancy-planner?context=publications&context_title=publications&context_description

Free Milk Matters Coloring Book
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs_details.cfm?from=milk&pubs_id=5639

Lot of Free Brochures, Facts, Sheets and Guides for Women's Health Topics
http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/

Free Super Tracker for Healthy Diet and Physical Activity Planning
https://www.choosemyplate.gov/SuperTracker/default.aspx

Free Food Publications including Recipe Books
http://publications.usa.gov/USAPubs.php?CatID=6

And because we are a dedicated money saving and money earning website, we had to include this one...

The real, actually Free Credit Report- make it a habit to check your at the beginning of each year for your financial health!
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/credit/rights.shtm

Money Earning Ideas for Children

2012-01-14T22:04:00.000-08:00

Allowance is the obvious route, but if you'd like to help your children learn responsibility and the value of earning income or if you simply cannot afford an allowance, but still want to help your children realize their financial goals, consider the following:

Helping a Neighbor: Snow shoveling, wood stacking, helping with gardening, yard pickup or mowing, or simply watching a pet when a neighbor is away are all great jobs for kids to undertake. Check with your friends and neighbors to see if they could use a little help.

Yard Sale, Baked Goods, or Lemonade Stands: If you are planning to host a yard sale, let your children get involved by selling their gently used toys or by setting up a water/lemonade/goodie stand where they can earn a few dollars.

Tutoring: Older children can earn a few dollars by offering their educational skills to tutor younger children. Check with your school to see if they have a demand for this type of service or help your child out by advertising at the local library or on the community bulletin board.

Paper Route: Yes, it may require work on your part, but the benefits can be great for your child, not only in terms of earning some income, but learning the responsibilities of a job.

Babysitting: If you have a neighbor or trusted friend who needs babysitting services, an older child may be up to the task. Check with your county or city to see if a free babysitter course is available for your child to participate in for certification.

Dog Walker: Many people would love this service and if your child loves pets, it's a win-win scenario. You may have to help by driving your child to pick up the pet, but again, it's a great way to introduce them to work ethics and add a little funds towards their financial desires.

Do you have addition ideas? Be sure to share them in the COMMENTS section.

Are You a Good Mentor? Help Others And Earn Money Too

2012-01-13T21:28:00.000-08:00

Do you enjoy helping others? Do you find that you’re often offering guidance, advice and resources to individuals?

If this sounds like you, coaching or consulting may be in your future. It’s a great way to help others and to earn a living.

What is a Coach?
A coach is a person who helps people achieve their goals. You can be a coach in almost any specialty. For example, you might be a:

* Diet coach
* Fitness coach
* Nutrition coach
* Lifestyle coach
* Business coach
* Organization coach
* Writing coach
* Marketing coach

The list goes on and on. If you have specialized knowledge, skills or even an interest then you can become a coach in that field.

How Does a Coach Make Money?
Coaches make money in a variety of ways. The most basic is to charge an hourly rate for their coaching services. Another way is to sell coaching products. You might also create a membership site and offer various levels of coaching.

For example, as a lifestyle coach you might offer an hour of one on one coaching and access to an abundance of resources in your membership area. The next level of membership might offer five hours of one-on-one coaching, email access to you and resources in the membership area. The most expensive level might offer a home visit, three days of intense one-on-one coaching and access to the membership area.

You can set up your business to suit your niche, your audience and your business goals. You might also make money by promoting supporting products and earning an affiliate commission. Or you can create your own information products and sell them. There are many ways to earn money as a coach.

What Do You Need to Get Started?
To get started as a coach you’ll need:

* A business plan. This will outline your services and business model. It’ll identify your customer, your competition and how you plan to market your business. It’ll also identify your goals and how you plan to achieve them.

* A website. This will help you market your business. It may also be one of your primary communication tools. Here you may sell products, conduct sessions in your chat room and even collect payment for services.

* A specialty or niche. Who are you going to coach and what do you have to offer? The more specialized your niche the easier it’ll be to market your business. For example, if you’re interested in helping people lose weight you might become a diet and fitness coach for new moms.

The most expensive aspect of starting your own coaching business will be your website. However, with a little patience and a plan you can create your own website for next to nothing. You don’t have to spend thousands. You also don’t have to spend thousands on marketing either. Social networking, word of mouth and a few strategic partnerships can fill your schedule quickly.

If you enjoy helping people and you’re interested in starting your own business, consider becoming a coach. Coaches are in demand. It’s an easy business to set up. And it’s a great way to make a living.

Treasure Hunting through Attic Trash

2012-01-12T15:00:00.000-08:00

From PBS’ “Antiques Roadshow” to A&E’s “Storage Wars,” reality TV has capitalized on our fascination with discovering treasure in household junk.

It happened to historian Michael Mendoza, whose patient culling through boxes of old papers was rewarded when he found a Civil War veteran’s personal account of his experiences. The 17-page letter was so rich in detail, Mendoza (www.dentedcanenterprises.com) used it as the basis of his first novel, "Glorious Reality of War."

Mendoza owned an antiques store in 1997 when 95-year-old Alice Bowersock died in San Diego, Calif., he says. He acquired her estate: furniture, knickknacks, and stacks of boxes full of photographs, insurance policies and letters.

Most people, Mendoza notes, might trash the papers right off the bat.

“Don’t,” he says. “Toss or sell the knickknacks, and keep the paper. It can be invaluable.”

Collectors value ephemera because such paper records are unique and irreplaceable, he says, so he pored through the boxes page by page, finding birth and death records, paintings and prints, old books.

“And then I saw the letter – a documented firsthand experience of the Civil War. It was written in 1925, typed on 8½-by-14-inch paper,” Mendoza says. “Reading it, I got a real good sense of who (the writer) was.”

Charles Wesley Rickard was 64 when he wrote the letter to his daughter, Alice, who had asked him to write about his war experience.

He was a 15-year-old Iowa farm boy, he wrote, when “a great desire came over me to go to the war.
My parents were loathe to give their consent, and so I made life miserable for them until they finally gave in.”

In 1862, he enlisted as a Union fifer because he was too young to serve as a private. “I had never seen a fife before,” Rickard wrote. “But I could use a rifle, and I was bound to go as something.” When the fighting began, he was in the thick of it.

Three years later and all of 18 years old, he remembers noting how very young the new replacement troops looked.

Mendoza kept Rickard’s letter and sold off some of the memorabilia.

“I knew the value was more in presenting it as a historical fiction novel,” he says.

Finding inspiration for a novel may not equate to striking it rich for everyone, but people willing to invest time in sorting through old family papers stand to profit, Mendoza says.

“Many things are valuable on their own, like first editions of classic books,” he says. “But don’t
forget the family records. Even if you’re not into genealogy, you should save those, because once you throw them away, they’re lost to the next generation.”

Mendoza offers these tips for dealing with old paperwork:

Don’t throw it away simply because it’s damaged. Mendoza found a first-edition copy of “Gone with the Wind” that was so waterlogged, it was destroyed. “I sold it for $80,” he says, “and that was cheap.”

Put together items on the same topic to improve chances of selling to collectors. Collectors like to buy in lots, Mendoza notes. They’d rather have a whole bunch of things than just one. Among Alice Bowersock’s belongings, Mendoza found photographs and documents from her father’s time helping to build the Panama Canal. Mendoza pulled all the canal material together and sold it to a collector.

Store papers in an open zipper bag in a dry place. If the paper is very valuable, invest in bags designed for that purpose. Otherwise, zipper baggies from the grocery store do fine. Don’t seal them, though, because if there’s no air circulation, the paper might stick to the plastic.

Digitize everything. Scanning your documents and photographs allows you to study them without damaging them.
For the record – Mendoza is still going through Alice Bowersock’s boxes.

About Michael Mendoza

Michael Mendoza holds a master’s degree in American history and is an adjunct instructor for Central Texas College. He lives in Santee, Calif., and plans a sequel to “Glorious Reality of War.”

(c) Michael Mendoza. Re-printed with permission.

Top Ten Online Beauty Coupons to Beat Winter Skin Blues on a Budget

2012-01-09T09:02:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the savvy folks at CouponSherpa.com for providing this terrific list. Use these codes to bump up your winter beauty routine while sticking to your New Year's budget:

1. Elizabeth Arden Order before Feb. 2 and receive a free 9-piece deluxe gift with coupon code GIFT9, plus free shipping on orders of $40 or more.

2. FragranceNet.com Get $10 off your order before Jan. 15, plus free shipping with coupon code WINTER10.

3. Bath and Body Works Save $10 on orders of $40 or more by Jan. 15 with Bath and Body Works coupon code HELLOYELLOW.

4. Folica Take 15% off orders of $75 or more by Feb. 1 with coupon code FOLICANEWYEAR.

5. Sally Beauty Supply Get $5 off three Orly Nail Lacquers with promo code 444591 when you order by Jan. 31.

6. Ulta Take $3.50 off any $10 purchase with an Ulta printable coupon. Good through Jan. 21.

7. Drugstore.com Save $5 on two Nivea Lotions by Jan. 30.

8. Skin Store Get 20% off your purchase with coupon code NEW2012 when you order before Jan. 17.

9. VitaminWorld Take $5 off orders over $25 by Jan. 12 with coupon code TAVWNY2.

10. Yves Rocher Enjoy free shipping on all orders of $20 or more through Jan. 30 with code YRFREESHIP.

Be sure to visit couponsherpa.com for more coupon codes and also, remember to maximize your coupon savings with your eBates!

Let's Talk Box Tops - and a $25 Sams Club GC Giveaway!

2012-01-08T12:02:00.000-08:00

Do you collect Box Tops for Education for your local schools?

Even if you don't have school age children, don't toss those Tops, it's like tossing money away that could be well spent by your local school for the benefit of your community. Last year our Elementary schools were able to supplement important Physical Education programs with much needed equipment through the Box Tops for Education program, so I know first hand that this wonderful program works!

If you looking for an easy way to up your Box Top donations. Sam’s Club and Box Tops for Education want to make your life as easy as possible this new year with return-to-school deals and promotions.

When you purchase some of your favorite General Mills brands you can also earn more cash for your local school with the Sam’s Club “6 Box Tops on a Pack” promotion At least 6 Bonus Box Tops will be located on your favorite return-to-school brands such as Nature Valley Oats 'N Honey Crunchy Granola Bars, Yoplait and Progresso. So, while you stock up and save, you can help your local school earn even more funds... a very cool win-win!

And speaking of wins... here's another WIN IT! just for you:

Complete the easy-peasy Rafflecopter free entry (and any of the additional tasks for extra entries!) for your chance to win a $25 Sam's Club Gift Card from the awesome folks at General Mills.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Six FREE Kindle Books To Help You Save and Earn Money

2012-01-06T08:50:00.000-08:00

We love freebies, but love them even more when they enhance our mission to help you earn and save more more.

If you don't own a Kindle, no problem, Amazon allows you to install Kindle software for your smartphone or computer, too.

So, go on, grab these handy, FREE Kindle books (be quick, though, they are often gone in a flash!)

1) eBay 101: Selling on eBay For Part-time or Full-time Income, Beginner to PowerSeller in 90 Days

2) The Cheapskate's Guide to Grocery Savings - How to Save a Bundle at Supermarkets

3) Saving for Retirement without Living Like a Pauper or Winning the Lottery

4) Go to college without going broke: 33 ways to save your time, money and sanity

5) A Little Bit of Everything For Dummies

6) Buy and Hedge: The 5 Iron Rules for Investing Over the Long Term (Minyanville Media)

Money Resolutions: Calculate Your Retirement

2012-01-03T19:19:00.000-08:00

If 2012 is the year you get your financial house in order, you may be looking for some guideance on how to plan for the future.

Several online tools may be of use to you on helping to determine how much to set aside and how.

I'm not a financial advisor (hence why I seek out advice and help!) but I've found the following website tools to be handy for understanding options and needs for my personal financial retirement planning:

Choose To Save - Ballpark E$timate http://choosetosave.org/ballpark/
The Ballpark E$timate is an easy-to-use, two-page worksheet that helps you quickly identify approximately how much you need to save to fund a comfortable retirement.

Kiplinger - Retirement Savings Calculator http://www.kiplinger.com/tools/retirement-savings-calculator.html
The Kiplinger Retirement Savings Calculator will help you estimate the future value of your retirement savings and determine how much more you need to save each month to reach your retirement goal.

The Wall Street Journal - Smart Money Retirement Articles and Online Tools http://www.smartmoney.com/retirement/?link=SM_topnav_retirement
The Wall Street Journal Smart Money Retirement page has oodles of articles and a couple clever online tools like "The Retirement Planner" and "Retiree Assett Allocation."

How To Build A Shelf w/ Kim Moldofsky of Mom Impact

2011-12-30T21:28:00.000-08:00

This is a really simple DIY, but also some terrific insight to blogging. Thanks to the creative folks at Craftsman, I happened to attend this live event and really enjoyed meeting Kim, who is a fabulous inspiration!

How To Build A Shelf w/ Kim Moldofsky of Mom Impact at the Craftsman Experience:

Don't Ignore It. How To Manage Your Holiday Debt

2011-12-30T20:15:00.000-08:00

According to a Consumer Reports poll, six percent of us are still paying off holiday debts from 2010. That means any new purchases racked up over the past holiday season will inflate those interest charges and make paying down the old and new balances more difficult and expensive.

Consider these tips from money-saving expert Andrea Worach for balancing your holiday debt:

1. Double and Triple Up
Multiply your credit card minimum payments two or three times to reduce the amount of interest you'll end up paying. Merely meeting the minimum means you'll never see bottom.

2. Now's the Time to Negotiate
Talk to your credit card company about negotiating a better rate on interest, fees and other expenses. If your interest rate is above 15 percent and they won't negotiate, it may be time to transfer much of the balance to a lower-cost card. Just make sure you pay off the debt before the interest rate climbs again.

3. Go On a No-spend Diet
Stick those credit cards in the freezer, if you have to, but do what it takes to avoid impulse shopping sprees. Better yet, give them to a trusted friend or family member for safekeeping.

4. Get Couponing
Using coupons for necessary purchases not only saves you money, but the practice helps you make more educated purchasing decisions. You can find online and printable coupons for thousands of stores on CouponSherpa.com, or download their mobile app for instant access to coupons while you shop.

5. Stick to Cash
There's something about parting with greenbacks that makes us less likely to spend. Keep a budgeted amount on hand and stay away from the cards. Using the envelope system is expecially helpful in tracking your cash spending while working toward financial goals.

6. Cut Back on Luxuries
You've had your fun during the holidays; now it's time to get serious. Cut out the restaurants, nail salon and triple shot mocha latte until the bills are under control. Of course, too strict of an economic diet is as easy to break as a weight-loss regimen. So figure in an occasional, small splurge to keep you going.

7. Set Small Goals
Don't try to do everything at once. If paying off credit cards in three months means going hungry, you're biting off more than you can chew. Set smaller, obtainable goals and you'll appreciate the final results more. For those with multiple credit cards with high balances, try paying down one card at a time to feel that sense of accomplishment needed to push on to the next goal.

8. Meet With a Financial Planner
If you're barely treading financial water, it's time to get some assistance. A professional financial planner can help you establish a reasonable plan that won't leave you paying off debts until next Christmas. You can find a qualified guide through the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards website or you might check for non-profit assistance.

###

Andrea Woroch is a consumer and money-saving expert who has been featured among top news outlets such as Good Morning America, NBC's Today, MSNBC, New York Times, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more. She is available for in-studio, satellite or skype interviews and to write guest posts or articles.

For all media inquiries, please contact Andrea Woroch at 970-672-6085 or email andrea@kinoliinc.com

What To Do With All The Money You Saved By Spending Less This Christmas

2011-12-29T20:49:00.000-08:00

You did it! You stuck to your guns and your budget. Give yourself an big "air" high five!

In spite of shiny temptations and marketing tricks, you did Christmas on the cheap and saved yourself a ton of money. Congratulations!

Now comes the inevitable question... what do you do with all the money you saved?

If you already have a plan, bravo! Read no further and go back to browsing through MOMdotCOM.net for more ideas on how to earn and save money... but if you need some ideas or inspiration, consider the following:

If you have credit card or other debt, obviously pay that off first.

If you live paycheck to paycheck, put it in a savings account for emergencies. Once those needs have been met, the possibilities for the extra money are exciting.

You could splurge on a family trip to Disney. Now, this doesn’t mean you can waste the money and pay full price, though... you know that's not the MOMdotCOM way!

Plan your trip so you can take advantage of off-season prices. Many hotels and airlines charge a premium for travel during school breaks and colder months. Consider bringing non-perishable breakfast bars and snacks to save money on food. Search the internet; there is bound to be a blog dedicated to your vacation site with tons of information on where to get specials. You can also fund a plethora of websites offering coupons and deals on everything from car rentals and airfare to hotels and dinner.

You could be altruistic and donate the money. Non-profit organizations always need funds, especially in this economy. Toys For Tots is a charity run by the Marines and focused on giving new toys to children who wouldn’t otherwise have anything to open on Christmas morning. Your local Humane Society is another good choice. If you feel strongly, you can even use your thrifty savings to equip the Cruelty Investigation unit with much needed cameras, video equipment and first aid kits.

Instead of donating the money directly to a charity right away, you can use it as seed money. For example, challenge everyone at your place of employment, school or church to donate to a specific cause and agree to match them, dollar for dollar, up to the amount of your savings.

Lastly, you could invest the money. Your IRA or mutual fund can always use a boost. If you have children or grandchildren, you can set the money aside in a number of education savings plans, like a 529 Plan. You can put the money in traditional savings account, buy bonds or even start a CD ladder. The choices are nearly limitless; just check with your CPA on any potential tax issues.

Your goal of achieving a debt-free Christmas was a success; just make sure the money goes to good use and you'll feel rewarded again!

Whether you buy something for yourself or invest in the future, enjoy your reward and know that Christmas really can be done, and done well, on the cheap.

Surviving Holiday Gatherings

2011-12-21T16:16:00.000-08:00

Tough love author Paula Renaye shares terrific holiday survival tips with MomDotCom readers:

For those of us from families built on Debbie Downer DNA, there’s only one direction a mood can go during holiday get-togethers and that’s down.

Sure, the running negative commentary, bubble-bursting barbs and rampant self-pity were funny coming from comedian Rachel Dratch on “Saturday Night Live’s” Debbie Downer sketches. But few of us can foresee our own Negative Nancys giving us a good belly laugh.

Whether you’re the smiley face among frowners, or a bit of a Depressing Dan yourself, there are tricks you can use to keep the table talk from getting lethal, says Paula Renaye, a professional life coach and author of The Hardline Self Help Handbook, (www.hardlineselfhelp.com).

“You can take control simply by thinking about what you choose to say – or not say,” Renaye says. “If you hear yourself criticizing, judging or complaining, you’re part of the problem. Happy, self-respecting people don’t find it necessary to dump on others to make themselves feel good.

“If someone else is the problem, simply don’t give them the ammunition they need,” she says. Instead try these tactics:

• Do not say anything negative. Period. And no one-downing! One-downing is the opposite of one-upping. It’s the art of coming up with something worse when someone else talks about their problem. No matter what negative thing anyone says, or how much you agree with it or don't, resist the urge to respond with a negative. Instead ….

• Dodge, distract and detour. Turn things around with a question -- a positive one. If you need to, make a “happy list” of questions before you go, so you’ll have some at the ready. And remember, there's no law that says you have to answer a question just because someone asked it. With negative people, it’s best if you …

• Do not talk about yourself. The only reason negative people care about what you’re up to is because they want something to ridicule, brag or gossip about to make themselves look or feel good. Don’t go there. Whether you just filed bankruptcy or won a Nobel Prize, keep it to yourself. No good can come of it. None. And why do you need to chatter like a chipmunk about yourself anyway? Might want to think on that one, too. Better to find some praise for someone else than to expect someone to praise you.

• Do not share your woes. Even if you’re in a tough place and could really use a shoulder to cry on, don’t start laying your woes on a Negative Nell. Even in a weak moment, when you’ve had a terrible day, talking about it with a negative person is a bad idea. You might get a microsecond of sympathy, but that’s only so they can launch into telling you how much worse they have it. So, no talking about yourself unless you want to be the talk of the party, the family and the town.

• Do your homework and become like Teflon. Think of the times people said things that made you feel bad or made you feel the need to defend or explain yourself. If you want to avoid going down that trail again, start hacking away at the jungle of your own emotions. Get over needing anyone's approval or blessing. If you are still waiting for negative relatives to validate you, you’re in for a long wait. Don't set yourself up to be miserable. Get over it and go prepared.

About Paula Renaye

Former eggshell-walker, emotionally-bankrupt wreck and utter failure at keeping her world from falling apart, Paula Renaye uses her journey out of despair into joy as a breadcrumb trail for others. She has been a consultant for 18 years, holds a degree in financial planning with a background in journalism and psychology, and is a member of the International Association of Coaches. Paula is the multi-award-winning author of The Hardline Self Help Handbook.

'Tis The Season to Give - Suzie Orman on Generosity

2011-12-15T12:22:00.000-08:00

Likely, if you read MomDotCom, you are a frugal gal like me trying to make the most out of a tight budget. But whether is is to give of our time, information, items, or money, we all have room to be generous... and I like to think that when we give generously, we also help improve the world one gift at a time.

The winter holidays seem to bring out the gift-giver in us, which is lovely, but wouldn't it be even more lovely to hold onto that feeling throughout the year? Suzie Orman delivers and interesting speech in response to an audience member question, that certainly gave me pause for thought, but also reinforced that "spirit of giving" is important, regardless of our personal financial circumstances.

The only caveat I would add to what Suze suggests is that I strongly believe in donating not just money and certainly, not stopping the idea of giving if you do not have the financial means to do so. Remember it doesn't have to be a check you write each month... your time, your ideas, your knowledge, your talents, your possessions and so on are all valuable to those in need.

Need Extra Income? Why Not Start Your Own Home Helper Business

2011-12-13T12:01:00.000-08:00

Do you need a fresh start next year? Are you looking for ways to supplement your income? Could you use a little boost next week and might be able to run errands for others?

Many people are in need of help around their home. They need someone to help them, decorate, organize, clean or run errands. It can be a great business to start if you like helping others.

What is a Home Helper Business? A home helper business can be any number of things. You might offer errand running and scheduling services. You might clean homes or offer organization strategies. You could cook meals, shuttle children, and take care of pets.

The type of services you offer depends on your skills, interests and the needs of your potential customers.

How Does a Home Helper Make Money? As a home helper you’re likely going to charge by the hour or by the service. You might consider creating a membership program. Members could sign up for a specific number of hours each month.

Members receive a discount on their membership and you receive predictable income. Consider how you want to charge for your services. Do you want people to pay at the time of service? Or will you bill them at the end of the month?

What Do You Need to Get Started as a Home Helper? A business plan is your first step. Outline what your business is going to offer. Who are your customers? What are your goals and how will you reach them?

Spend some time researching your competition too. Position yourself to stand apart from them by offering a unique value or benefit. The second step is to decide how you’re going to market your business.

A website is strongly encouraged. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate website. A simple one page brochure site can do the trick. However, you might also consider adding useful content to your site in the form of articles or blog posts. Provide information that your customers will find helpful.

If you already have good connections in your community a brochure or postcard and word of mouth might be enough. Consider offering a referral program or loyalty program. Provide incentives to refer your services to others. And provide incentives to use your service repeatedly.

For example, after ten hours you get one hour free. You might even hand out punch cards like many coffee shops and restaurants do.

What equipment will I need? The equipment you need to get started will depend largely on the services you provide. If you’re cleaning homes then you’ll need cleaning supplies. If you’re managing small repair tasks then you’ll need tools. If you’re running errands then you’ll need a car.

You’ll most certainly need a business phone and a scheduling system, which could be as simple a setting up an answering machine message and keeping a date-book calendar.

If you enjoy helping others and are looking to start your own business consider becoming a home helper. You may have friends or neighbors who are desperately in need of your services right now!

Dumping Debt - Free Audio from Dave Ramsey

2011-12-08T18:17:00.001-08:00

As a frugalista, it's no wonder I'm a fan of Dave Ramsey. Chances are, you are, too! If so, you'll be happy to know Dave Ramsey is offering a free audio download called Dumping Debt.

In this core Financial Peace University lesson, Dave shows you how to become debt free as he walks you through the necessary steps and details of dumping debt with the Debt Snowball method.

Download today here: http://www.daveramsey.com/store/cddpromo.html?ectid=1112.2xmascard_4

Four Free Apps to Make Your Holiday Less Stressful

2011-12-08T04:48:00.001-08:00

Tired of standing in line or waiting for a parking space this holiday season? You are certainly not alone. A recent survey released by Consumer Reports reveals we dread crowds and long lines the most this holiday season.

Your smart phone may provide some relief to your stress-filled holiday, though, as there are numerous apps designed to help consumers out, including these four FREE gems:

Great Clips Online Check-In (Free) - The kids need a trim for the holiday photos but you’re stuck in yet another long line at the mall. Great Clips, the world’s largest hair salon brand, makes your holiday hair appointments quick and easy with the hair industry’s first ever online check-in. Download the app on your cell phone and put your name on a virtual waiting list. When you walk into the salon, you’re the next to go. With online check in, wait times are usually no more than five minutes! We will gladly set you up with a family using online check in. Come talk to our stylists about the holiday haircut joy of online check-in!

RedLaser (Free) - When shopping, scan an item’s UPC barcode with your cell phone and RedLaser will search through online and local retailers to help find you the best deals in your area. You can also buy directly from within the app at select stores. You can also save the barcode to create a wish list and share it through Facebook, text or email.

The Red Stamp App (Free) - Print and send Christmas cards and party invitations from your phone – through email, text, Facebook and Twitter. You choose designs, colors as well as pre-written sentiments – and personalize with photos.

PIM – Parking In Motion (Free) - Don’t search forever for a parking space. This app brings real time on-street and off-street parking information (for both street parking and garages) directly to the drivers’ navigation devices and cell phones. The free app allows you to see the selected parking availability (the % full in the area). You can buy the spot from the phone and use their ParkMe Engine that creates highly customized parking recommendations (based on an individual’s cost and convenience preferences).

Potato Corn Chili Fritters Recipe

2011-12-06T19:41:00.001-08:00

When the weather gets chilly outside, it's great to put a little heat on the table. This simple recipe will give your potato side dish a nice kick (and it's also a terrific recipe to keep around for making use of leftover mashed potatoes from holiday dinners!)

4 cups mashed potatoes
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup corn (cooked)
1 tsp finely chopped green onion or chives
pinch chili powder
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 to 1 cup flour (more or less to form consistency desired)
oil for frying

In a bowl, put the potatoes and the eggs and stir until well blended.
'
Mix in the corn, onion, and chili powder; taste and season with salt and pepper if desired.

Add flour gradually, mixing as you add until you get a dough consistency that holds its shape well enough to stick together when you press it into a spoon.

In a large heavy skillet, put enough oil in so you have about 1/2 inch; put the heat on medium-high, and heat until sizzling.

Firmly scoop a heaping tablespoon full of batter, pressing and forming with your fingers until the dough sticks together, then push off into the hot oil. Cook for about 2 or 3 minutes until golden brown, then flip gently and cook the other side for about 2 to 3 more minutes or until golden brown.

Remove to a paper towel covered cooling rack, salt if desired, and allow to cool slightly before serving.
Serve with ketchup, mustard, or other dips.

Makes about 14 to 18 fritters, depending on the size of each.

5 Ways to Spend Less and Give More This Christmas

2011-12-05T17:38:00.000-08:00

There is nothing wrong with a Fruit-of-the-month club but there are better ways to enjoy Christmas for less. In fact, many will get more satisfaction out of buying that special toy for the Toys for Tots campaign at the office than they ever do from the office secret Santa.

Here are a few suggestions on how to return Christmas to a season of simple giving and simple pleasures.

1. Serve Up Dinner: This is the most obvious choice and, probably the first one that comes to most people’s minds when thinking about how to give of themselves over the holiday season. Plan to take time to volunteer as a family at a shelter. Whether you help to prep the meal the day before or head over on Christmas Day, the shelter team and dinner guests greatly appreciate your time. Unfortunately, for many it may be their only hot meal. The experience will make your family be thankful for their dinner even more and it didn’t cost you a dime.

2. Use a Wish List: Many people do not realize that charities have a “Wish List”. This is perfect for those who want to do Christmas on the cheap but still love to shop. Instead of spending money on extravagant gifts for loved ones, ask your favorite animal shelter or children’s hospital what they want. Set a spending limit and hit the mall. In fact, sometimes actual presents mean more this time of year than cash donations. What lonely dog doesn’t deserve a new tennis ball or chew toy on Christmas morning?

3. Make a Loan: If you have never heard of Kiva.org, you might want to check it out. The concept is extraordinary; you loan a small amount of money to a family in a third world country to help them become self-sufficient. The desired microloans are varied, from a family in Mali who need money to buy seeds and fertilizer to a widow in Tajikistan who needs to buy more products to sell for a profit at the local market. It can be a meaningful gift to know that a loan of as little as $25 can be life-changing for someone else. And, the best part? When they pay the money back, you can loan it again.

4. Donate: Many people give a cash donation to their favorite charity this time of year but, in order to give more and spend less, you need to put a little more thought into it. Why not opt out of buying gifts for family and friends and donate a small amount to each of their favorite charities this Christmas? You will spend less and they will love you for it. In fact, it shows you care enough about them to know what causes they believe in.

5. Commit: Volunteering your time and donating money in lieu of family gifts is great but charities need help year round. Give yourself a present and commit to volunteering throughout the year. Maybe you could start a new family tradition; have everyone go around the table and talk about their favorite charity. Each of you can announce why you chose it and what you are committed to doing for them in the coming year.

Put Your Grocery Bill on a Diet

2011-12-02T19:49:00.000-08:00

Expert Toni House Shares Secrets with MomDotCom Readers on Bringing Home More for Less

This year, our holiday feasts will cost more than ever, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Food prices jumped a whopping 4 to 5 percent in 2011 and are expected to continue climbing next year.

But you can have your fruitcake and eat it, too, without breaking the bank, says Toni House, author of Savvy Shopping: How to Reduce Your Weekly Grocery Bill to $85 Per Week – or Less! (http://www.saveyourmoneysaveyourfamily.com/). A mom with executive-level experience in accounting and the restaurant industry, House pared the monthly grocery bill for her family of four to $250. And nobody complained.

“It takes savvy shopping,” she says. “Worried about going broke serving big holiday meals? Forget it. You can save on the Christmas trimmings and trim the 2012 household budget with planning, patience and grocery shopping ‘guardrails’ to keep your cart in line.”

House offers these tips:

• Be patient – wait for good deals. Save pricier purchases for double coupon days, and with the holidays coming up, save now so you can splurge a bit on the holiday meal. The more you rush, the less you save.

• Be detail-oriented. There is a lot of fine print involved in being a savvy shopper, from expiration dates to special offers to asterisks. Know exactly when a coupon expires, how much it’s for, how much more it will be worth on double coupon days and whether or not it’s worth the price in the first place.

• Plan ahead. Plan a menu for at least three meals in advance; combined with leftovers; that should give you five days or more of meals, depending on the meal. This puts you in control of your shopping list; and not the other way around. Instead of always playing catch-up, replacing what you’ve run out of, you buy only when it’s on the menu. Same goes for cereal, yogurt, bananas, fresh herbs and spices, etc.

• Instead of making expensive foods (meat) the centerpiece of each meal, design menus that use the most expensive foods less often. For instance, from now on at least twice a week, try using meat as more of a filler than a main dish. Instead of making spaghetti with meat balls, or sausage, or chicken breasts, make spaghetti with a meat sauce of ground turkey, ground sausage or ground chicken breakfast sausage.

• At the grocery store, buy ONLY what you can eat. That means no paper plates, toilet paper, plastic cups, Army men, toothbrushes, jar candles, greeting cards. Grocery store prices for non-food items are higher than you’ll pay almost anywhere else, so make a hard-and-fast rule and stick to it.

• Do use coupons, but only for products you actually need. Let’s say you just bought twice as many hot dog buns as you needed last week and now you’ve run across a two-for-one coupon for… more hot dog buns? Do you really have room in your freezer for all those buns?

House’s $85-a-week budget does require tossing out some pricey products your family may have grown accustomed to (brand-name cereals, pre-packaged snack cakes) and changing the way you plan meals. But there are plenty of delicious, often healthier, and less expensive substitutes.

“You are the leader of your family unit, not just at home but at the grocery store,” House says. “Your new quest to become a savvy shopper might meet with some…resistance… at first. Take the bull by the horns and lead the family in the right direction."

About Toni House

Toni House has a bachelor’s in accounting and a master’s in business administration and was most recently the senior consultant and owner of an accounting firm. How to Reduce Your Grocery Bill is her second “Savvy Shopping” book. Her first was "Save Your Money, Save Your Family." Find her money-saving blog tips at www.saveyourmoneysaveyourfamily.com.

Speak Now For Kids

2011-12-01T23:18:00.000-08:00

Speak Now for Kids is an advocacy campaign of the National Association of Children's Hospitals (N.A.C.H.) designed to engage child advocates in communicating with Congress before they cut funding for two key children's health care programs: Medicaid, which funds health care coverage for one in three children in the U.S. and the Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) program which funds pediatric residency training.

Speak today for kids by sending a send a direct message to a member of Congress on Twitter http://bit.ly/sJyUuo or or use this simple form to contact your representatives quickly and easily http://www.capwiz.com/nach/issues/alert/?alertid=56448521&type=CO

You can also give your child a voice by downloading this flier for your child to color and send to their member of Congress http://www.blogger.com/goog_354569308

Imagination is King- BK Crown Program Giveaway

2011-11-29T06:21:00.000-08:00

When you're racing around during the holiday season, it's often grab-and-go for meal time. This "extra" can have a serious impact on your pocketbook.

Burger King® offers a little reprieve for holiday wallets with the “BK™ Family Bundle." For just $9.99 your family can enjoy the which includes a WHOPPER® sandwich, WHOPPER JR.® sandwich., two small fries, two small soft drinks and a Kids Meal.* We MomDotCom-ers certainly appreciate a good value like this!

This deal keeps on giving with the introduction of the BK Crown Program fully interactive Kids Meal box. Sitting atop each box is a newly redesigned Burger King crown and inside are fun games and activities that challenge their minds, inspire their imagination and engage with the whole family.

Our favorite part about the BK Crown Program is that Burger King Corporation invites kids to tell Burger King what matters to them most. BKC has established a fund to help support the Wildlife Conservation Society, National Parks Conservation Association, DonorsChoose.org and Have It Your Way™ Foundation.

By visiting BKCrown.com, kids learn how BKC’s charitable partners make a difference. Upon entering BK Crown Codes and clicking on their favorite cause, each kid’s vote helps BK® choose which charity to give back to. Kids will also find more games, win prizes and enjoy interactive play on http://www.bkcrown.com/ (the "Earth Savers" and "Jelly Fishing Games" are quite fun)

*Limited time only. Price and participation vary. Prices higher in HI.

WIN IT!

The fun and generous folks at Burger King are going to make one (1) lucky MomDotCom.net reader's holiday even brighter with one (1) $25 BURGER KING® Crown Card* to purchase a kids meal featuring the BK CROWNTM/MC Program!

To ENTER, simply complete any or all (for extra entries) of the Rafflecopter options below. That's it, easy-peasy as always!

The Bold Truth About Christmas Spending and Debt

2011-11-28T19:20:00.000-08:00

“But, it’s Christmas.” You hear that as a viable excuse every year when someone goes overboard in their spending or buys an extravagant gift that is out of their price range.

Somehow unwise purchases are acceptable during the last month of the year. People don’t think and their financial logic flies out the window.

Unfortunately, the repetitive bad decisions will only come back to haunt them. Before you go out and splurge when you really shouldn’t, read these sobering statistics on Christmas spending and credit card debt.

Americans spend $525 billion over the holiday season

Online spending has increased 12%

Christmas spending is back to pre-recession levels

Savings have increased from 1% to 6% of income in the past several years

Sounds somewhat promising, right?

Some statistics make it appear that the economy is thriving and shoppers are out spending their hard-earned money in droves. The truth is that, yes, shoppers are out, but they are not spending their money.

At least, not money they’ve earned yet. In fact, many Americans have become accustomed to “charging” the entire holiday. Presents for the kids courtesy of Visa. Dinner for the office staff thanks to the generosity of MasterCard. Out of town flight to spend Christmas with the grandparents made possible by American Express. Before you think of those as acceptable solutions to having cash on hand this holiday season, try these next stats on for size.

The average person spends just under $1,200 over the holidays – including food, gifts and travel

At least 23% of that was paid for by credit card

6 million people borrow to pay for Christmas each year

Americans average 13 credit cards per person

When paying by credit card, people tend to spend 112% more than if paying with cash

A minimum monthly payment is usually 90% interest, 10% principal

One third of bankruptcies filed in March site overspending at Christmas

The average American spends 40% more then they earn

Americans have been trained to think that love and friendship at Christmas somehow equates to buying expensive gifts. The truth is that no one who truly loves and cares about you wants a gift from you that puts you into debt. If everyone was just honest about their credit card bills and concentrated on spending less over the holidays, January would be a lot less stressful all around.

So, what’s the solution? It is as simple as ABC. Accept that you can’t spend like Paris Hilton. Budget for the holidays like you would any other expense. Commit to spending less for Christmas each and every year. If you stick to your guns, you may even inspire a friend or family member to do the same.

Enjoy the holidays without the over-use of plastic!