Work At Home Mom's Blog Space

A Few Time Saving Tips For Busy Parents

2006-11-05T16:28:00.000-05:00

Time is a precious commodity and those who learn to use theirs wisely will always be ahead of the game. First the bad news, the one thing you can’t do is add more hours to your day. No matter what, it’s just not going to happen. The good news, you can do certain things to make every precious minute count and in turn leave you with more free time.

Plan ahead – Don’t go anywhere without a list. Especially if you have the kids with you, you’re more likely to forget something without a list.
Another shopping time saving tidbit - try to go shopping in the evenings when there are less people in the store. Why waste an hour fighting the crowds when you can be done in 30 minutes. Better yet, do your shopping online.
Meal Plan – Plan meals for the upcoming week and write your shopping list according to the meals. Make sure you stick the meal plan on the fridge so you can know what foods need to be thawed daily, etc. This will save you a lot of time and money.
Buy in Bulk – If you have the space plan ahead and buy things in bulk. You’ll save money and precious time by not having to go to the supermarket so often.
Pay Your Bills Electronically – If you can do this then you should. You will save a lot of time by not having to write out and mail checks. If you really can’t or choose not to do this, then set up a work station and keep your checkbook, stamp, envelopes, pens close at hand. You can also have a calendar with all your important dates and appointments written on there. Go a step further and have an inbox for mail and papers that need to be files. You’ll never waste time looking for these things again.
Don’t Let The Housework Pile Up – There’s nothing worst than spending your weekends cleaning. If you do a little bit each day you won’t ever need to spend a whole day cleaning. For example, do a load of laundry daily rather than letting it all pile up for Saturday, same thing with the vacuuming and other tasks. Once the weekend comes around the house should be fairly organized. You may just have to give the bathroom and kitchen a good clean, leaving you with plenty of time to enjoy your family.
Organize Your Life – Spend a little time organizing your house, the time spent doing this will save you a lot of time and hassle in return. Have a set place for everything. For example, have a place near the front door where you can hang your keys and purse. Don’t forget items like umbrellas, hats, gloves and scarves for those rainy or cold days. Set up storage for the kids toys or all magazines and books.

Work At Home Scams...Be Informed!

2006-11-03T16:49:00.000-05:00

Recently I lost money and a lot of time dealing with an online company that turned out to be fraudulent. Initially I don't think this particular opportunity was meant to be a scam, but things sure did sky rocket into that. I have composed a list of sites and articles I feel would be helpful to the Work At Home parents out there. It really does pay to do your research, even with being informed it's difficult to know every scam or scam artist out there, but it does pay to get all the information you can and check with the appopriate places for fraudulent behavior from the company or person you are looking into.

Better Business Bureau - Even if the company is not a member of the BBB they will be listed there if complaints have been received against them
Article on Internet Fraud
Article on Ebay Auction Fraud
FBI - Internet/Cyberspace Division
Internet Scam Busters.org - Internet ScamBusters Helps You Protect Yourself From Clever Scams -- Online and Offline...

This is just a brief list of resources to check out if you are weary on any internet activity whether it be work at home opportunities, auction scams, phishing, spam, identity theft, etc.

If you have any resources to share, please leave a comment with the source you would like to share.

Microsoft Office Live BETA - Great FREE Resource

2006-11-03T12:39:00.000-05:00

I stumbled upon a new resource I wanted to share with those of you who haven't heard of it yet, Microsoft Office Live. Not only does MSOL Basic include an easy to use website builder tool, you are provided with free web hosting and a FREE domain name. The domain name bonus really got my attention. You actually get your own domain name, not a subdomain. I recently created my shopping site DQ Delights using Microsoft Office Live. Very simple to use, however if you want to use any of your own HTML the free, basic version does not allow you to this. I found this to be the only big drawback of the program.

The Basic Version includes:

Easy to use website design tool
FREE domain name and web hosting
5 personalized email accounts to match your website
Create an unlimited amount of webpages (30 mb. storage)
10 gb. bandwidth
Online customer support
No set-up or hidden fees
Daily Back-ups
Easy upload of images and documents to use on your website
Traffic reports/analysis available

If the basic version provides everything you need, go ahead and give it a try. In the past when it has come to free websites, I shied away from them due to not being provided with your own domain name. Now their is a program that allows you to benefit from their free services, yet still gives you the professional appearance of your own domain name.

250 FREE Business Cards

2006-09-04T21:28:00.000-04:00

WOW! Now here is a resource that I am always thankful someone shared with me. Both my husband and I use Vista Print for all our business printing needs.

Such as (just to name a few):

Business Cards & Business Card Magnets
Postcards
Calendars
Notepads
Stationery
Invitations for Business and Personal
Return Address Labels

Whatever your printing needs are business or personal, check out Vista Print. You won't believe their monthly specials!

Get FREE business cards for your business or personal use! Youll receive 250 premium quality, full-color business cards an $85 value. Easy online design! Click here.

ProWealthSolutions

2006-08-25T21:30:00.000-04:00

ProWealthSolutions is a brand new online marketing system that is simple and POWERFUL. Its ‘automatic’ features help ordinary people earn serious income in their spare time from home with an AWESOME system. PWS has a goal to help a million people build successful home based businesses with their unique system.

Believe it or not, they actually show you how your personal downline network is building, even before you officially join. The sooner you visit and become a FREE Pre-enrollee, the sooner they begin placing people below you — anyone of which could mean immediate income for your family. Literally hundreds of people who join after you, would be making you money. It's HOT! The more people on your downline who buy product and use the simple system to build their business below you, the more money you can make in no time at ALL. Remember, it’s FREE. Check it out and when you see people being placed below you can either lock in your position and get paid on them, or forfeit your spot and they will leap frog above you. Either way is fine, just be sure to check it out: http://dquagliato.ProWealthResults.com

Public Domains - FREE Content

2006-08-17T11:35:00.000-04:00

With Blogging and Article Writing being two important things to do if you are in Internet Marketing, constant flow of content is very important. Search Engines love original content, because of this I refrain from copying articles that have rights entitling you to do so. However, I find Public Domains a great way to get the creative juices flowing and when I need a little boost on creative ideas to write about.

Check out this website to find listings for FREE Public Domain Books and Etexts Free Public Domain Books

Got Zip - Geoaffilate Concept

2006-08-11T17:02:00.000-04:00

I am so excited to share this fantastic opportunity with you! My husband and I read up on the opportunity after receiving an email promoting the Got-Zip.com page. The concept is quite exciting....

Earn Commissions on the Sales of 1000's of Products.
Over 100 Brand Name Vendors!
Earn a Revenue Share on all non-trackable revenue.
No Sponsoring or Promotion Required.
Get Links in the ZipLinks Directory and Ad-Serving Program
Your link exposed to every visitor from your Territory.
Get free domain hosting on County and State Accounts.
Multiple Program Barters
Subscribers work together so that we all earn more.
Got-Zip levels the playing field with Super Affiliates.
Be a part of something truly unique.

I really appreciate this fact....ABSOLUTELY NO SELLING!! Goodbye To Cold Calling!

After reading the Got-Zip ebook I decided it was worth it to give a try, especially with the 100% Satisfaction Guarantee! Definetly a must read to get an indepth explanation of this potentially powerful opportunity!! Go to http://got-zip.com to download the ebook and to get additional information. You may want to hurry almost all states are gone and residents benefits the most from having their residential counties and zip codes.

Book Review - "The Adsense Code" by Joel Comm

2006-08-02T13:37:00.000-04:00

A few months back I had purchased Joel Comm's "The Adsense Code". I've been catching up on my reading and recently finished it. Excellent read, great adsense and traffic tips, ways to keep updated on the latest adsense news/tips and so much more. I have read many media items on Adsense and this truly was the best.

The AdSense Code

Gourmet To Go Home Business - FREE To Join

2006-08-01T15:14:00.000-04:00

WOW! It's been a while. I do promise to update alot in the next few days, I have a bunch of information, recommendations and so much more to share. I recently had back surgery and it has been extremely hectic preparing the house, setting up people to help out with the kids, etc. I'm still recovering, but getting back into the work mode. Afterall, I have 4 weeks of recovery...Not much I can do, but sit here with the laptop and work. I love that fact, being able to catch up and sharing some neat products I have come across..

Today I wanted to share with you a Home Business Opportunity that is FREE to join, Gourmet To Go! If you love to cook, enjoy good food and looking to build a home business this may be what you are looking for.

Gourmet To Go offers a variety of products to help you get meals made in minutes! Enjoy delicious soups, meals, breads, dips, desserts and more. There is even a sugar free line for those who suffer from diabetes or who are watching their weight. All mixes are handmade and most contain no preservatives or msg. Add one or two ingredients and you're ready for dinner! Gourmet to Go also makes great gifts. Gift Baskets can be created for any occasion.

Gourmet To Go offers Distributors:

NO start up fees
35-40% commission
FREE website & training
10% commission on recruits
Contests
And So Much More!!

I recently tasted several of the products and they are YUMMY!! Whether you are looking for a new business opportunity or love good food that is easy to make check out the Gourmet To Go website http://www.gourmetmixes.net/. Under referring distributor, you would put my name, Dawn Quagliato. Any questions regarding products or opportunity feel free to e-mail me at mailto:careersathome@gmail.com.

Emily's Stuff A Friend Birthday Party

2006-05-26T15:51:00.000-04:00

Emily's B-day Party

My youngest child, Emily finally turned 3 on May 21st. I say finally because it seems like she was 2 forever. Believe me I didn't mind, wish I could keep her little forever.

Since she is still at the age where she doesn't have a huge list of friends to invite, so we had a family get together. Since I only planned the party 2 weeks in advance, we had a small turn out. Totally fine with me. The biggest hit of the party for her was stuffing ducks and then dressing them in bathrobes and matching slippers. Too cute!! Since there were only 5 kids, it wasn't to hectic and I got the chance to sit back and watch them have fun stuffing their ducks. Was I ever glad to have joined Stuff a Friend and it was as fun as everyone has bragged about. I do have to say the animals are way cuter in person! The whole day went great we had wonderful weather, food was good, she received a full summer wadrobe and most importantly she went to bed with a huge smile on her face.

Feel free to check out how you can have a Stuff a Friend Party. The kids will have a blast!!

Have A Party and Let the Kids Stuff With Their BEAR Hands

Marketing Tips For Offline Advertising

2006-05-01T22:07:00.000-04:00

Some Marketing tips that have worked well for me, as well as some suggestions provided by some of my Business partners. Have a tip of your own? Leave a comment and share it with us.

Leave Business Cards everywhere you can possibly think of.
Include a Business Card when mailing out your bills. Someone has to open that envelope.
Lead Boxes. Decorate a box with a flyer, add a slot for prospects to put in their Business Card or provide a piece of paper and pen for them to fill out their contact information. Offer a raffle of your products and have a monthly drawing. Great Places to leave lead boxes: Pizza Parlors, Laundromats, Diners, Restaurants, Gyms, etc.
Give out samples of your products in baggies. Attach Business Card.
Give out gift baskets as gifts or welcome to the neighborhood gifts. Include some of your products you know they will fall in love with. Include your business card.
Leave colorful flyers at local stores, convenience stores, etc. Use colored paper, instead of colored ink. Much cheaper than constantly replacing your color ink cartridges.
Find craft/wellness shows or whatever pertains to your product/business and purchase a table. Have available products to show, business cards, any kind of literature pertaining to your products/business.
Local area cable television channel. Inquire about advertising, your ad could reach 1000s of people.
Inquire on advertising in your local publications (Moneysaver, Pennysaver, Community Coupon Books etc.) Advertising in some of these publications can be very affordable and your audience could potentially be huge!
Leave a Business Card Holder with your Business Cards in them at the front desk of doctor's offices, gyms, or whever you can think of. Of course ask permission first.
Get your business information printed up on pens or pencils.
Have car magnets made for your car.
Place booster ads in the back up of high school yearbooks, dance recital programs, local youth sporting team end of year booklets, etc.
Place an ad in your local church's weekly bulletin.

There are so many different ways to advertise your business offline, be creative and you never know what you can come up with. I think it is really important to reach out to your local community.

2006-04-27T12:00:00.000-04:00

Message Boards and Forums: Free Advertising

Free advertising on the internet can be a wonderful thing with consistent effort. I think most people would agree that advertising using free message boards/forums is a great way to get the word out about your Home Business, however it is just one way that should be followed with several other lead generating resources (i.e. paid online advertising, business cards, lead purchases, flyers, etc) Next entry will be on offline/online tips and suggestions that generate leads. As with anything else money needs to be spent to make money!

I have composed a list of Message Boards/Forums that have produced leads for me. Besides my daily routine of posting, I also devote some time during the week to search for new sites to advertise on. I search for new advertsing places using yahoo.com, google and various other search engines. The options are endless and so many new sites are generated on a daily basis. I truly believe it is a matter of being at the right place at the right time, so remember to stay consistent if you plan on using Free Advertising.

Message Boards/Forums I Advertise For Free On
http://wahm.com - Work At Home Mother Online Magazine
http://bbs.babycenter.com/board/baby/babywork/11336 - Baby Center, Job Referrals
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-pphomebiz - Ivillage - Home Biz
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-wfhomeopps - Ivilage - Work From Home Job Opportunities
http://www.freeadvertisingforum.com/showthread.php?p=344518#post344518 - Free Advertising Forum
http://babiesonline.infopop.cc/groupee/forums/a/frm/f/6026039854
http://directsellingopportunities.com/community_forums?msgbrd=22 - Direct Selling Opportunities
http://familyfirst.hyperboards.com/index.php - Sassy's Familys First Boards
http://www.jobvertise.com/members/wahclassifieds3
moneymakergroup.com/Index.php?showforum=14 - Money Maker Group
http://pub35.bravenet.com/classified/show.php?usernum=2951747223&cp=2 -
Monthly Advertising
http://www.onlinebasedhomebusiness.com/ffa/ - Free Link Submitter
http://adv-marketing.com/marketing/orderclassified.htm- Weekly Ad
http://208.56.204.160/Motherstalk/index.php?s=d20668da8a29189326658330cfcfd21d&showforum=3 - Mothers Work At Home
http://www.homewiththekids.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=9589#9589 -
Home with the Kids
www.wahmforums.com - WAHMForums.com
http://selfstartersweeklytips.com/forum/ - Self Starters Weekly Tips

This is a partial list of the boards I have had success in generating leads. If you are new to owning your own Home Business, this list is a good start. Most of the links will take you directly to the appopriate board to advertise on. First you will need to register to most of these sites, second be sure to read the rules and regulations on each board. These boards have so many more advantages then just advertising. Browse the boards to look for topics of interest to you and even drop in to introduce yourself. Message Boards and Forums are great ways to network and to get some great tips/resources, as well as share your own tips/resources. I have received so many great tips on Message Boards. It is definetly worth it to take some time and read posts that may be of interest to you. You Never know what you will learn.

Another great source for free advertising is on yahoo, MSN and google groups. Search groups for appopriate places to advertise.

Create Junk Mail Account (yahoo, hotmail or any free account) if you haven’t done so already
Join each group individually
Be sure when you are signing up to join each group, to choose the option to just read the messages on the board or a daily digest vs. being e-mailed all posts. This saves on e-mail space.
Once you create an account, you will receive an e-mail. In the e-mail they will give you the correct address to e-mail the group. Or you could post individually (I don’t recommend this, to time consuming).
Save the e-mail address to your contacts. Create groups so you can send one ad to each group (i.e. yahoo groups, MSN groups)
E-mail groups once a day, around the same time daily

2006-04-24T21:00:00.000-04:00

Pros and Cons of Working From Home

With soaring gas prices, it's no wonder that many American workers are dreaming about eliminating their commutes and working from home. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 20 million Americans work from home, a far greater number than a generation ago. It is predicted within the next 10 years more than 45% people will either be working from home or involved in a home based business. WOW! A little less than half us will say goodbye to alarm clocks, rush hour traffic, daycare providers and so on.

As in every thing else there are pros and cons to working from home, I truly believe it is a mixed blessing. For me the pros have much outweighed the cons.

Pros:

Freedom and flexibility.
There is no commute. AWESOME! No one likes rush hour traffic and constantly rising gas prices.
No Dress Code. You can work in shorts/t-shirts or even PJS. My personal opinion, I work better when I am dressed and ready to start a new day. However, it is nice to have a lazy morning and to be able to crawl up on the couch with my laptop.
No one looks over your shoulder.
You can write off a portion of your home office expenses on your taxes.
If you are married or have children at home, this type of work situation could be especially convenient for you.
The children factor: No childcare costs, never missing any important milestones in their lives, not having to worry about calling out sick when they are sick. I could probaly go on forever just on the benefits of being home with your children, I think you get the point though.

Cons:

You must be self disciplined and self motivated.
No outside pressure to be busy.
You must be entirely self-motivated.
You can never escape the office and go home, because you are already there.
There is a danger of putting in too many hours or overworking. As improbable as this might sound, imagine that it's 11 p.m. and you suddenly have a panic attack about work. It's all too easy to go into your home office and work until 1 a.m. Or it could go the other way around if not self motivated and you are not putting in the required hours to reach your goals.
If you're a social butterfly who looks forward to connecting with colleagues in person every day, then the loneliness and isolation of working from home probably isn't for you. Many people want and need the personal connections and stimulation that come from working closely with other people on a daily basis. The only lunch dates you may get is with you child eating PB&J sandwiches :-)!

It all comes down to which choice fits better in your lifestyle. Working from home is not an option for everyone. For the right individual it can a very rewarding experience!