Work At Home Mom - Making Money At Home

7 Tips - How to Make Easy Money at Home by Finding It

2009-10-18T00:14:00.000-04:00

If you want to learn how to find easy money at home, this article will help you out a ton. Do you feel like your always running out of money before you run out of month? Well, using the tricks in this article and you may end up with enough money.

1. Got books to sell? Did you know several used books can sell for $20 to $100.Most people have a lot of books they could easily get rid of. To raise extra cash, my wife made almost $250. It took about three weeks for the books to sell, but when they did it was nice to get paid. Amazon is very easy and free to use. They only charge their 15% commission when the book sells. They also collect the money for shipping. Books that sell the best include collectibles, text books, books with increasing popularity and books that wee originally expensive.

2. Got expensive junk? If you do, you can probably sell it online through an internet retailer like eBay. Hot items on eBay include electronics, musical instruments, car parts, knives, golf clubs, antiques and most anything that was expensive to begin with

3. Get rid of bigger items things around the house by listing them on Craigslist. This works great for furniture, extra fridge, tools, and washers. Anything you think people will want or be looking for you usually sell. It is like a free classified ad or a garage sale that focuses on one thing at a time. It is also great for selling large items that you would have a hard time shipping.

4. Get rid of clothes, furniture, and anything left buy having a garage sale. Most garage sales are about location and volume. Combining with 2 or 3 families and having the garage sale near a large apartment complex or a busy intersection is a great way to make sure every thing sells. If you have to advertise it always say you have a box of free stuff available. This will get you early traffic. You can make a few hundred easy bucks in a few hours and clean out the garage at the same time!

5. Find all the loose change throughout the house. If you haven't done this for a while it yields about $40. Keeping a change draw in the laundry area can net you $200-$400 dollars a year.

6. Make and keep a budget. Use cash if you have too to keep from overspending. Write everything down. Doing this allowed us to save nearly $500 dollars in our monthly budget. Also try a backwards budget, write down everything you spend money on last month from memory, then compare it to the actual amounts spent. If you are spending more then you thing you are spending, you could probably afford to spend less.

7. Other ideas:

Clip food and restaurant coupons.

Take back new stuff that is unopened like clothes, toys and tools for in store credit.

Redeem unused gift cards.

Spencer Arnold is an expert at finding and making easy money. His website specializes on sharing the best information available on easy ways make money and How to make easy money online online, at home, or from an online business. Or Make easy money online from home.

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Earn Extra Money in a Bad Economy by Learning a Marketable Skill

2009-10-17T19:11:00.000-04:00

In today's bad economy, everyone is seeing a squeezing of his or her paycheck. You may be experiencing a cut in your hours or a lack of that yearly raise you've grown used to. Possibly you got a pay cut or even lost your job due to so many small businesses going under. Even if you still have your job and are making the same amount of money as always, with the price of food, energy, health care and just about everything else going through the roof the same amount of money just doesn't go as far as it once did. So what to do? The way our society is there will always be a certain number of products and services that will always be required no matter what. By learning one of these marketable skills, you can earn extra money and secure a future income for as long as you need one. What types of marketable skills are the most valuable in the society we live in? Well you need to focus on skills that people or businesses need and are willing to pay for even in hard times.

Consulting
This can apply to almost any type of business, hobby or interest. Whatever you are particularly knowledgeable about, you can turn into a consulting business. Just make sure you can adequately answer most questions about the subject. For example, if you love fly fishing and have been doing is since you were ten years old, you could offer lessons or simple answers for people looking to get into the sport. Have some simple business cards printed up or print them on your printer, set up a free website and place an ad on a free networking site like Craigslist. Before you know it, you'll have a consulting business and people will be considering you an expert fly fisher. You can also supplement this kind of income by writing article on your subject and sending them to site or magazines that will pay you for your submissions.

Writing For Businesses
No matter how difficult times get, businesses will not cut advertising out of their budget. Without advertising the business will surely go bankrupt. You don't even need any writing skill to write ad copy, all you have to do is practice. If an advertisement would work on you, odds are it will work on others too. You can find plenty of freelance ad copy work online but if you really want to make a living wage, you have to market yourself to local businesses through direct mail or cold calling.

Making Necessary Goods
Although mass production has all but destroyed the small family producing, some people still look for the quality of homemade items. If this is something that interests you, I would recommend finding a niche like organic beauty supplies or cherry wood furniture. Market to people who are turned off by the big discount stores like Wal-Mart or people who are back-to basic enthusiasts that like to know what their products are made from. Watch out though that your materials and supplies don't eat up all your profit.

Personal Services
There are certain services that people will resist giving up no matter how bad their financial situation is. By picking one of these services, you can make a decent amount of money on a very part time basis. Examples include haircutting and styling, manicures, photography for events, lawn care, catering, financial planning, weight loss, organizing, and entertainment (like dj services). Anyone of those skills can be used to start a side business. If you need to study or research or brush up on your skill, utilize your local library for a free education.

Jennifer Carpenter is a work at home mother of three, two teens and a preschooler. She is a writer and Internet marketer who is currently working towards financial freedom through working online. Read more about her incredible journey at http://www.livingmybigdream.com

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Get Ready For The Holidays Now

2009-10-09T18:59:00.003-04:00

Start now in your home based business getting ready for the holiday seasons. You have a few holidays coming up and you can benefit from all of them. Start early with your crafts, soaps , bath & body, sewing, baking, and more. Have fun with it and get to work. Sell your items at craft shows, online, and any where else that you can think of.

I will be writing more on this blog over the next several weeks.

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21 Items You Can Easily Sell by Mail

2009-09-20T00:18:00.000-04:00

This is intended for information and shouldn't be construed as legal advice.

In order to make money by mail, you need to have something to sell which others will want to buy. Everyone makes money by selling something of value to someone else. Some folks are content to sell "a little of themselves" one hour at a time. Others want to work for themselves and sell their own products or services to others.

Those individuals who desire to make more than just a few bucks per hour need to have their own product or service to offer to the rest of the world. This presentation was prepared for those individuals.

With the information, suggestions, and information listed in this report, you could Price It, Advertise It and Sell It!

Most of the guesswork, trial and error has been removed. This report has 21

plans and suggestions. It is NOT meant to be the "last and final authority". It is more than enough to give you a good idea, to encourage you to get started and to begin receiving money in your mail box often. You'll learn more as you go along. You'll run across other offers and maybe some better deals. The best advice is: go slow, test and try every offer that appeals to you! See what works and what doesn't. Stay with the things that produce results.

So, What can you sell to others by mail?

If you have nothing, besides yourself and your time, it is quite simple to create something to sell to others or to offer to do something for someone else that they can't or won't do for themselves.

What follows are IDEAS and TESTED PLANS (by others) which you can begin to advertise and sell to others by MAIL ORDER!

1. A Circular Mailing Business.

Sample Ad:

FAST CIRCULAR MAILING 3x6 and 5x8............... 1 cent each 8-1/2x11.................. 2 cents each 1000 8-1/2x 11............ $15.00 Minimum (200 of each kind)

This is an inexpensive and easy way to begin. Offer to mail circulars (distribute them by mail) to prospective buyers. You charge a fee for this service, by asking for a set rate per week or per month or per sheet charge. (Write and request information from other advertised offers. Ask questions that you would like answers to on starting and operating this type of business. Know what is involved and know what you are doing before you begin.) If you advertise, let other companies know how much you charge to distribute their circulars.

2. Sell Packages of Mail Order Offers.

Sample ad:

QUALITY BIG MAIL! Packed with top mail order publications, discount ad rates, money making opportunities, dealership offers. FREE mailing list, FREE Big Mail Listing and much more. Everything rushed to you first-class mail for only $2.00! Order Today!

This ad shows that one company usually charges $2.00 for their Big Mail. You can offer a "BIG MAIL" for $1.00 or $2.00... Keep all the money and have this company fill your orders for free. Write the ones you like for details. Buy other "Big Mails". Offer your own for $1.00. You make money both ways. Companies pay you to distribute their circulars... AND your customers pay you to be sent one.

Note: It is very strongly recommended that you first contact each company you are interested in doing business with prior to your placing any ads and offering any companies products to others by mail!

3. Operate a Commission Mailing Business

This is different from item 1 above, in that you are not paid a fee or collect any monies up front, to mail each circular. If you mail "Commission Circulars" for other companies, you agree to "take your cut" or commission from the orders received. This can be MUCH MORE profitable! A lot of Mail Order companies are willing to allow YOU to keep HALF the money from each order as your commission for getting the order. Usually each circular has a space for YOU to put your name on each one before you mail them out. Your name will be the only one on each. All orders will come to you. You keep your share of each order, forward the remainder onto the company that supplied that circular and they will (usually) forward the item direct to your customer for you, under your name. (This is called "dropshipping". For Mail Order sources, you place ads which ask for "Dealerships" from such companies or look for ads which ask for "Dealers Wanted".

4. Contact Sources to Sell Their Products

Sample ad:

Dealers Wanted. Moneymaking Plans & Ideas! Ideal home mailorder business. Up to 1300% profit. No inventory. We dropship. Send $2.00 for 64-page catalog. Dealer details and wholesale prices. Satisfaction guaranteed. ACT TODAY!

An ad like this one, is placed by a Mail Order company who are seeking dealers to sell their products. Write them and ask for all necessary details.

5. Sell Money-Making, Mail Order Plans

Sample Ad:

$10 Orders Filled Free! Easiest, most profitable mail order program yet. Get easy $10 cash sales and keep all the money yourself. Don't wait - send now for free details now!! Rush SASE to:

Write and ask for Dealer details, or their sales aids for Commission Mailers. You may have to buy their book (or whatever they are selling) before you can offer it to others.

6. Purchase or Type Up Your Own and Sell

Short Informative Reports.

Sample Ad:

FREE REPORT$. 38 $MONEY MAKER$. Fill YOUR pockets with $CASH$, plus FREE reprint rights. Just a LSASE.

Besides selling a various list of suppliers, you can type up short, one to four page, reports on a multitude of subjects, like "Where to Get Free Advertising", "Big Profits - Selling Information", "How to Write Profit Pulling Sales Letters and Circulars". You can type up other reports that you create for greater profits. Get reports Printed; Advertise; Sell It!

7. Type Up, Print and Sell Your Own Booklet or Directory.

A booklet of several pages in length is no more difficult than typing up a few reports and stapling them together. Look at this short booklet: It is a model for how to do it. Have this "camera ready" booklet printed, (minimum 50 each) and sell it to others. (You can give copies away, hoping for sales later on, from your ads that appear in this booklet.) You can even sell copies to other dealers and let them sell it as their own. You can advertise and sell quantities direct.

8. Offer a Name Listing Service.

Advertise that you will send your customer's name to hundreds of other Mail Order companies. Charge a small fee for this service. Once you have a few hundred names of interested, paying customers, type up their names on sheets and have copies made. Advertise these as "Names of Prospective Customers". Mail Order Dealers and other companies will pay you 3 cents, current price or MORE for each name. Sell the same names to ALL who are willing to buy them. You get PAID to accumulate names and you get PAID when you sell the names. You make money from both ends. No way you can lose on this deal! Keep advertising your listing service (charge $1 to $3 to each person to list their name). This can be a "Money Maker"!!

9. Sell Names of Mail Order Buyers by Mail.

Sample Ad:

Mailing Lists. Opportunity Seekers. Fresh Daily. On Peel & Stick Labels. These "Hot Lists" really pull. Buy direct from the source.

If you have your own names of past customers, type their names and addresses on sheets of paper or on labels. Sell them for 3 cents to 6 cents each or current prices. Or buy names from others and sell their lists to your customers. It can make money for you.

10. Start a Club and Sell Memberships To It.

What kind of club? You can start any kind of club you want. A stamp club, cooking club, pen-pal club, a writers or readers club, coupon or discount club, you name it. Each new member joining pays a fee. List all members on a roster.

11. Issue a Monthly Bulletin or Club "Newsletter"

Once you have your club going, ask for contributions of notes and news from members, including you own. Put it in a Newsletter, sell subscriptions to it. Sell it to members, for a fair monthly or yearly fee, but realize a small profit from it. Sell ad space . Members can list their wants and needs in it and it will be read by all members.

12. Offer a Typing Service.

Many people don't know how to type or even have a typewriter. Charge so much per page... $4 to $6 or more for difficult copy. Type resumes, salesletters, college papers, reports, bulletins, circulars, instructions, copywriting, newsletters, etc. It must be sharp, clean and error free. Advertise your services in local papers and/or yellow pages.

13. Offer a Card Mailing Service.

Others may be too busy or too forgetful so you do their card mailing for them... For a Fee! Arrange in writing all details to mail their birthday, anniversary, Christmas cards, etc. for them each year. They supply the names and addresses, etc. Advertise it and let others know.

14. A Mail Forwarding Service.

Forward mail for other people. This is great if you live near some well known site. Others send you their cards and letters, you then remail them from your location, but charge them up front by the letter or a straight fee.

15. An Advice/Consultation Service.

People will be happy to pay some expert for their advice. Why give away your knowledge or wisdom? Charge people to hear your advice. This is accomplished in person, fact sheet, statistical sheet or by newsletter. Financial advice, investment advice, marriage help, crafts, building, planting and so many, many other topics. Everyone of us knows something that few others know. Charge people to learn it from you.

16. Re-writing or Ads and Sales-Circulars, etc.

A great many people don't know how to put their thoughts and ideas into simple, every day sentences. If you know how to string words together, sell that ability to others. Re-write their ads and circulars, letters or reports or whatever. Advertise it. Charge by the hour, per item or by the inch.

Note: Send LSASE means that the advertiser needs your help to get more details to you quicker. He wants you to send a long self-addressed stamped envelope along with your letter.

17. Make Money With Your Computer

Sample Ad:

HOW TO GET RICH with your Microcomputer. SECRETS REVEALED. No experience necessary. Potential tax break! Invest in YOUR future. CASH IN ON THE $100 BILLION COMPUTER INDUSTRY. Order Book #XXXX.

Lots of people have their own computer and lots of people wish they could afford one. If you have one, rent it out, sell its abilities and make yours pay for itself. With local advertising and word of mouth you may find more work than you can handle. PLUS... receive a nice income doing something you enjoy. Visit your library or local book store for books or manuals regarding how to start up this type of business. Individuals, business persons, etc, need and will find your services very necessary.

18. Sell "Made to Order" Stamps by Mail.

Sample Ad:

RUBBER STAMPS. Made to order and stock rubber stamps. 3 lines $2.25 ppd. Additional lines 50 cents each. Signature stamps $7.00 ppd. 25 unmounted 1 line stamps $5.50 ppd. Catalog 50 cents.

This is a VERY needed and popular item to sell by mail. The cost is low and you make a nice profit per sale. Read and study ads you'll always find in Mail Order publications. Send for their rates along with a letter asking for ways on how to get started in this type of business.

"PPd." means the advertiser will pay all additional postage or shipping costs... And that you need not send along any extra to pay postage.

19. Sell Labels and Stickers by Mail

Sample Ad:

DESIGN LABELS. Designs created for product labels, stickers. Free details.

Again, your need to contact sources and ask for dealer details or sales aids for commission agents. Some may not want or need dealers. Some who advertise may not be the source. They may be another dealer of the source. Write and ask.

20. Start/Operate a Profitable Newsletter Home Business.

Join the smart ones who presently write simple or sophisticated styled NEWSLETTERS. If you do possess GOOD IDEAS, VALUABLE ADVICE, OPTIONS OR INFORMATION or have access to any one of these, you will find that this is all that is really needed to get you started in selling valuable information that thousands of people are looking for, and profit handsomely while doing so. Thousands of newsletters are being published covering almost any subject you can imagine. EVEN YOURS.

21. Selling Recipes.

Pick out one or several of your very best recipes. Ask Grandma or Mom to write down their very own original delicious creations. Whether from city, farm or the "old country" these unique recipes can be sold through classified ads. Rainy day money or survival money, it's there waiting for you.

Copyright 2004 by DeAnna Spencer This article may be distributed freely on the Internet as long as the resource box remains intact.

DeAnna Spencer is a virtual assistant that helps entrepreneurs run a successful business by providing affordable administrative help. She also publishes a blog for small business owners. Visit this small business resource today.

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Stay at Home Jobs For Pregnant Women

2009-09-18T12:15:00.000-04:00

Pregnant mothers may have enough stress in their life worrying about caring for the little one inside their bodies. They do not need the added stress of trying to stand on their feet eight hours a day and deal with a job. Some cannot do this due to a high risk pregnancy. Thankfully, there are many stay at home jobs that pregnant women can do in order to make money.

Some women are lucky enough to work in a position that will allow them to take their work home with them during their pregnancy. This is very beneficial; in that they will have a job to return to if they do not wish to permanently stay at home. This also requires no time or work looking for an online job, as you already have the work in front of you.

However, some pregnant women wish to stay home during and after the pregnancy. These women quit their jobs, and plan to be stay at home mommies. However, these women often need to earn some money to supplement their partner's income. Almost all stay at home jobs can be continued even after the baby arrives, if the mom chooses to stay at home.

The work you choose to do at home depends on your interests, abilities, and the effort you want to make. You can choose to work for a company doing telemarketing or appointment setting. These stay at home jobs still require you to answer to a higher authority, though you often have the flexibility of working when you want.

For ultimate freedom, most pregnant women become self-employed, offering services based on their skills. Many freelance writers, programmers, and web designers are women who are currently expecting or already have children. Choosing to work at home in this manner gives them the ability to spend time with their children, while also cutting out daycare and commuting costs.

Dustin Heath recommends that you visit http://www.SolutionsWealth.com to learn how you can start your own home-based business earning multiple streams of income with a Plug-In Profit Site - Complete Money Making Site Setup FREE!

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5 Ways to Be More Productive When Self-Employed

2009-09-17T12:09:00.002-04:00

Staying focused while at work can be a real challenge. Email, internet browsers and even coworkers are all sources of distraction. Following these simple rules will help you get more done during the day.

Writing out a task list will help keep you on track. Making out a to-do list will keep your day organized and let you prioritize the jobs that must get done. Be sure to group like tasks together and order your tasks so that you won't need to spend a lot of time needlessly driving from place to place.

Set filters on your email. Doing this once will save you time in the long run. Most email programs allow you to automatically sort incoming mail in a variety of ways. Instead of dealing with one crowded inbox you can instead focus on urgent mail and let personal correspondence wait until later, when you are less busy.

Keep a water bottle at your desk. Not only will drinking water keep you hydrated and healthy, but you will save time getting up for a drink and spend less time away from your work.

Keep your workspace neat and clean. If you can't find what you need without a protracted search it is time to organize. The less time you spend looking for materials the less distracted you will be.

Limit the amount of time you spend on non-work related websites. You don't need to keep constant track of your friend's latest update to his Facebook status. There will be plenty of time to spend surfing the web later, especially with all the time you save by following these five rules!

Anette is a business coach and mentor out of Voula, Greece. She assists serious network marketers in building a profitable online business with multiple incomes streams. Visit http://www.anettehollaender.com here for more information or to contact Anette directly.

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I will be back to writing soon! I promise!

2009-09-11T15:14:00.002-04:00

I have been sooooooo tired. I have not felt like doing anything. I have my 3 year old that I have been having to chase around and he is just getting into more and more things. I told my husband a few minutes ago that I feel like I have just put in a 12 hour shift at a factory. I am so tired. I will get back to writing soon. I have a few ideas and I am hoping that the newness of my little one having turned 3 will wear off and he will get back to being the calm, cute, little boy he used to be. Maybe. Maybe that is just wishful thinking.

We Have A Winner For The Zhu Zhu Pets!!

2009-09-01T06:57:00.003-04:00

I just went to Random.org and put in the numbers 1-82 and we have a winner.

Comment post number 41!! Which I hope I counted right, the comments are not numbered,ARGH! But the writer of that post is bigbad6976.

I will contact them this morning for their shipping info , but if they see this before I can get them they can contact me at indywahm at netzero dot com.

This has been such a great giveaway and I hope to have some other great ones in the future.

How to Break Into a Fab Job as an Event Planner

2009-08-31T17:02:00.000-04:00

A village feast to welcome home hunters in the wilds of Borneo and a glittering fund-raiser soiree at a swanky New York hotel may not sound like they have much in common, but they do have at least one similarity.

Someone, somewhere, got the ball rolling and using a little resourcefulness, creativity and sheer determination successfully pulled off a spectacular event. (Well, someone had to figure out how much food and drink was required at the feast and where the chief would sit!) That person is an event planner.

If event planning sounds like it could be your dream career, here are 7 steps to become an event planner, based on the How to Become an Event Planner by Jan L. Riddell, Carol Palmatier and Peter J. Gallanis.

1. Assess Your Skills

Before you quit your day job to become an event planner, take the time to honestly assess your current skills to ensure you have what it takes to succeed as an event planner.

Event planners must be creative and well organized, but they must also have excellent interpersonal skills. Events are about people, so successful event planners must be able to effectively listen to what clients want, develop relationships and negotiate with vendors (companies that supply products and services for events).

TIP: If you’re creative and have great people skills, but could use some help getting organized, event planning software is available to help you keep track of event details.
2. Learn How to Plan Events
Almost all events have common components such as some type of meal or refreshment, a form of entertainment or speaker, invitations or registrations, etc. The event planner is the person who pulls all of the components together.

There are excellent resources available to help you learn how to plan events and assist with each stage of event planning including how to: choose a date, decide who to invite, budget, create timeline schedules, work with vendors, and market events. If you want a formal education, many colleges offer degrees or certificates in event planning. If you would rather break into event planning without a formal education, you can quickly learn how to plan events with books such as the FabJob Guide to Become an Event Planner.

3. Get Hands-On Experience

The easiest way to learn about the steps involved is through personal experience (i.e. planning events for family and friends).

Non-profit groups are always looking for help with their fundraisers and galas, and you’ll get the double benefit of helping a worthy cause while you hone your skills. This is also an excellent way to make contacts in the community to help you land a paying job when you are ready.

You could also volunteer to organize events at your own workplace, if you have one. For example, if your company has a public relations department that is notoriously short-staffed, offer to help them out. The beauty of this plan is that you will be learning a new career while still being paid at your old job!

4. Create a Portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of samples of your work, plus any other documents that can show people why they should hire you. A portfolio helps you stand out from other applicants, and prove that you have the skills to do the job. Your portfolio might include pictures, recommendation letters and anything else that shows prospective clients and/or employers what you have done or can do.

Material for your portfolio can come from any event you have organized (such as a family reunion, birthday bash, etc.) or from ideas and themes you have for future events. Show your best work and don’t worry about giving away your great ideas. People will believe you have many more brilliant ideas that you haven’t yet divulged.

5. Get Hired as an Event Planner

Getting hired as an event planner (even if you plan on opening your own event planning business) will give you invaluable contacts and referrals for the future. Meeting and convention planners are projected to have faster than average job growth in the coming years. This is good news for the industry and for you.

Companies that hire event planners include hotels or resorts, non-profit organizations, convention centers, country clubs, and even fun destinations like theme parks!

Some people work their way into a position as their company’s event planner just by volunteering to organize internal events such as company picnics and meetings.

6. Start Your Own Event Planning Business

If the idea of being your own boss and earning up to $100,000 or more per year as an event planner sound appealing, it may be time to take the plunge and set up an event planning business. Many event planners have home-based businesses, which makes this type of business inexpensive to start. With the wealth of information available on starting a business you should be able to get your own event planning business off the ground quite easily.

When starting your own business, you should consider what types of events you want to plan. If you have a flair for the spectacular you may want to tackle proms, charity events and galas. If you prefer planning corporate events, you may choose to plan meetings, conventions, and the like.

TIP: Unsure of what type of event you’d prefer to plan? Consider interning or working for a number of companies whose specialties are quite different.
7. Develop Relationships with Vendors
You’ve probably heard the adage “it’s not what you know but who you know”. The most important relationships you will build as an event planner are with the vendors for your events. These are companies that supply products and services for events, such as caterers, florists, equipment rental companies, hotels, photographers, etc.

Learn about each one’s business by conducting informational interviews and ask about discounts they can offer you. Be polite and courteous with the owners and their staff and always follow up afterwards with some sort of acknowledgement or thank you. You can also arrange to have vendors refer clients to your event planning business.

Further Your Career

You can continue to learn and grow after you have become an event planner. One of the best ways to succeed as an event planner is to look upon every social occasion or event you attend as an opportunity to learn. Make a mental note of what worked well and what bombed. Attend tradeshows, read everything you can related to event planning, and watch for what’s hot. Seek out the advice of trendsetters and don’t be afraid to try something a little different. You may start a trend yourself!

This article is based on the FabJob Guide Click Here to Discover How to Become an Event Planner . The complete guide gives detailed advice on how you can break into a career in event planning, get hired as an event planner, or start your own event planning business. Visit Click Here to Discover How to Become an Event Planner

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Freelance Career

2009-08-26T10:03:00.003-04:00

You can start a freelance career easily in this era with your home computer. You can get paid money to stay at home and write. Easy and fun. Go Freelance: Find thousands of freelance and work-at-home jobs. Click here to start today . Freelance work is the best way to make money at home. Write when ever you get the chance and get paid for it.

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ZHU ZHU Pet Giveaway

2009-08-19T19:28:00.003-04:00

Do you know a child who would love to get a Zhu Zhu Pet and a slide with ramp??

You have until the 31st to post a comment on this post and on The first of September a winner will be chosen by random number generator and sent one!! That is so cool and easy.

My son loves his so I know that your child will love one too.

POST YOUR COMMENT!!

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My son is so HAPPY!! ZHU ZHU PETS ARRIVED!!

2009-08-18T20:15:00.006-04:00

I had forgotten that I had been chosen to review this Zhu Zhu Pets set , but when the FedEx truck brought this huge package, I was wondering what it was. Well we opened it up and my son fell in love with the Cute little Zhu Zhu Hamster before I even got it out of the box. Screams of "Open" "Open" was coming from him when he picked up each box from the huge box they came in. We got the 1 Hamster, Exercise Wheel, Surfboard, Sleep Dome, Skateboard, U-turn, Garage, and a car!! This little hamster is styling. The best part is that he moves around on his own, talks to you , and does not need to be fed or cleaned!! That is the best type of pet. Plus, I love that my son loves it. He has not stopped playing with it and watching it go around its "world" since I got it all out and put together.

My son is going to be playing with this for a long time. It is just so much fun. I was even on the floor with him playing with it. The funnest thing is when he goes into his garage from the habitat and gets in his car and zooms out the doors to go around your house!! The noises he makes are so cute. This is an awesome toy to get any kid. Great Christmas idea.

Just wanted to add a note - The ZHU ZHU Pets used to be named the Go Go Pets.

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How to Start a Gift Basket Business

2009-07-20T22:24:00.000-04:00

You've seen them in department stores, boutiques and gift shops. or possibly sent and received them yourself. They are beautiful and brimming with unique gifts and tasty treats. They are a more personalized gift than balloons, and more practical than sending flowers.

Of course we're talking about gift baskets, a hot trend in gift-giving these days. And behind the scenes, another major trend is emerging - people who choose to start a gift basket business are launching one of the fastest-growing types of businesses today.

Gift basket businesses are starting up all over the country, and with good reason. Not only is the work fun and creative, but you can also start a gift basket business easily from home, by setting up a small space where you design and build your gift baskets.

You also have unlimited potential to grow when you start a gift basket business. "I launched my [gift basket] business selling $20,000 in baskets that first holiday season. The business doubled year after year, and has continued to grow substantially," says gift basket business owner Cherie Reagor, twice named Designer of the Year by the gift basket industry.

The process for starting a gift basket business is not complicated, but you do have some important steps to follow. Here's some advice from the FabJob Guide to Become a Gift Basket Business Owner to help you take your idea to start a gift basket business from concept to reality.

1. Plan and Prepare

To start a gift basket business, you first need to learn about the gift basket industry. Study other gift basket businesses, and see what they have to offer. How many types of gift baskets do they have for sale? What items are included in them? When you know what other gift basket businesses are offering, then you can plan how your business will be similar, and what you will do differently to be unique.

To build your gift basket making skills, you can take some classes at a local craft store, buy some good how-to books, and practice making as many baskets as you can for friends and family.

2. Buy Supplies and Equipment

You don't need a large amount of supplies and equipment to start a gift basket business, but you will need some basics. A few pairs of sharp scissors will be essential, and you may also need a glue gun and wire cutters. You'll also need to purchase some cello or shrink wrap, baskets or other containers, ribbon, bows, and some decorative shred, and you'll be ready to start filling your gift baskets with goodies. Don't forget to buy shipping supplies (i.e. boxes and tape) if you will be sending your gift baskets by courier.

3. Set up Your Work Space

Decide where you will create your gift baskets, and ensure that you have adequate lighting, as well as storage for the supplies and inventory required to start a gift basket business. You'll also want to invest in a workbench or table when you can spread out supplies and make gift baskets at a comfortable height.

If you will include food items in your gift baskets, they should be stored in airtight containers with the expiration dates marked. Depending on where you live, local laws may also regulate how food items for your gift baskets must be handled and stored.

4. Buy Gift Basket Items

You'll want to purchase a nice variety of gift items to start a gift basket business. Keep your purchases versatile if you can, meaning that they can be used in more than one style of gift basket. When you first start a gift basket business, stay away from buying too many gift items that won't sell after a certain season (e.g., candy Santas), or whose shelf life may expire before you can use them up. You can order wholesale gift items at a deep discount.

Gift basket business insiders know that there are reputable businesses that will make and ship gift baskets on your behalf. All you have to do is land the orders! If your time or start-up money is limited, this can help you start a gift basket business easily and economically.

5. Market Your Gift Basket Business

When you are ready to start selling gift baskets, you'll want to let the public know. You can advertise your gift basket business, although ads may be too expensive when you first start a gift basket business. Instead, consider press releases and other low-cost marketing strategies such as referrals. Online directories and a website for your gift basket business will also help generate and increase sales. In fact, many gift basket businesses allow their clients to browse and buy gift baskets directly online.

This article is based on the FabJob Guide to Become a Gift Basket Business Owner by Jennifer James. The complete guide offers detailed step-by-step information about how you can start a gift basket business and sell gift baskets. It is available online through
Click Here to Discover How to Become a Gift Basket Business Owner

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Take Risks

2009-07-10T19:18:00.002-04:00

Graphics at pYzam.com

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Sell Your Stuff!

2009-07-04T05:39:00.002-04:00

I am always on the lookout for new places online to sell homemade items. I found Silk Fair this morning and it looks kind of neat. Registration is free. Listing items to sell is free and then there is a 3% final value fee. So that is not too bad. To find out more about selling on Silk Fair go to their FAQ page.
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FareWell To Some Icons!

2009-06-28T15:49:00.004-04:00

There are really no words needed! Just Good Bye to some amazing Talents!!

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The Top 5 Benefits of Being a Work at Home Mom

2009-06-28T15:47:00.001-04:00

So you want to be a work at home mom? This type of lifestyle is not for everyone. It is only for the non-average moms who have an entrepreneurial mind and are tired of the JOB life, which by the way, stands for Just Over Broke! If you are a mom who is ambitious, then these benefits are just for you.

1. Unlimited income potential

When you work at home, you do not have any income limits. All of the money you make is entirely based upon the value you offer. If your value is high, then you will make a lot of money. Imagine providing this same type of value at a job. Your boss will get at least 80% of your efforts. Remember, when you have a job you are usually paid by time, not by the value you provide. SO in a job, efforts are wasted.

2. You control time now

From now on you get to decide at what time you wake up in the morning, how much time you work, and how much free-time you get. It is all up to you because you have no one to answer to. You know exactly how much time you need in order to be successful. Once you control your time, you can compress it so that you can work only 2-4 hours a day.

3. Work on what you like, outsource what you hate

This is the really fantastic part for all you moms. If you do not like to handle your company's taxes, let someone else do it. If you do not like to answer all your customer emails, let someone else do it. If you do not like to write articles for your business, let someone else do it. You can focus only on the things you enjoy, and pass on all the other stuff to another person. You cannot do this with a normal job. Can you imagine being hired to do something and just hire someone else to do that work for you while keeping the profits (it would be cool though)?

4. Be your own boss

When you entitle yourself as a work at home mother, you can do whatever you feel like doing. You can take a vacation at anytime or work at home in your pyjamas. You can also decide how much to pay yourself and how much to put back into your business. Everything is up to you.

5. The Best part - Spend more time with your family

This is by far the greatest benefit of being a work at home mommy. You can spend much more time with your kids and see them grow up. You don`t have to be like the other moms you work too hard to even know that their children exist. Your family will appreciate your friendship. Working at home will bring more happiness into everyone's life.

There you go. You can clearly see that being a work at home mom is much more rewarding than being a regular "work at work" mom. Choose the road that is best for you...

All of the knowledge required to become financially independent using the internet can be found at the Maverick Money Makers club. Click here to learn more.

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What Work From Home Moms Need to Know About Scams

2009-06-12T13:22:00.001-04:00

The economy today is forcing more work from home moms to look for opportunities on the internet to help support their families. With these opportunities also comes the possibility of losing money, just when you need it the most, through online scams. Here are some guidelines on how to avoid the scams that you will encounter in your search for an online opportunity. If you keep these questions in a scam alert checklist then this should give you the confidence to try out the good programs and avoid the scams.

First of all does the ad for the system or program seem clear to you. All ads have some hype but does this ad seem unbelievable to start with and completely over the top? After you've read the ad do you feel you understand what the person is selling? Using your common sense, does this program sound like it could reasonably make money if done the way it is explained? If you feel comfortable with what is being promoted then you need some proof.

What proof is there that this program actually does what is claimed in the ad? Are there believable testimonials, and can you check out some of them for yourself? How about proof of actual earnings with this program, and is it current or a few years old? Can you find reviews of this program and more details about what it actually does? Would you be able to check it out on the internet forums? All these questions should be in your scam alert checklist along with contact information.

What contact information will you have if you have problems? Can you contact a help desk or individual if you find there is a problem of any kind? Is there an actual address that you can send a letter to if need be? Is this website connected to a larger well known company that you can reach? Finally, will your contact information be able to help you with your guarantee?

What kind of guarantee do they offer? Is it a full money back guarantee with no questions (that's the best kind) ? How long is the guarantee good for, 30-60-90-120 days? How well do they honor their guarantee, can you check their reputation out on the forums? The guarantee is a very important part of any online offer and I wouldn't consider anything without one, especially a program that wanted a lot of money upfront.

Some programs want over $400.00 before they will send you their product, you should be very comfortable that you can get your money back if need be. No one that sends in any amount of money expects that they won't get their moneys worth from the product that has been promoted to them, but a lot of things can happen. There have been times that a computer crashed during a download or something got lost in the mail or the product just didn't measure up to the advertising. There are unintentional and intentional things that can cause you to lose money. Don't be scammed be careful.

If the ad is clear on what the program is, can show proof of claims that it makes, has decent contact information with a good guarantee then it's a good place to start your research. There are other things you need to know to tell if it will work for your specific situation but it's probably not a scam. If you keep these ideas in mind when you look for real ways to make money then you should be able to find the good opportunities, and they are out there, without being taken by the scams. I hope this article helps all the work from home moms out there that are looking for real money making opportunities.

Ken lane, a retired professional photographer, works from home on online health and business topics. He has a review blog that talks about how to make money online.Download our free toolbar

Use Ingenuity To Come Up With A Home Based Business

2009-05-22T03:57:00.002-04:00

There is nothing better than starting a home based business for free! I just read this article on the Backwoods Home Magazine website and I thought that it was awesome ! Great way to make extra money and it is a free way to make extra money.
I have been thinking ever since I read it , if there are other ways out there to make extra money at home for FREE!? I was remembering some ideas to use old windows and you can sometimes get them in the trash from where people redo homes.
Use your imagination and you will find many ways to make extra money that are free to do.

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They Say Its Your Birthday!!

2009-05-17T13:08:00.002-04:00

It is my birthday ! The one day a year that I do not want to do anything!! I am just going to relax.

I will be back in a couple of days with some new tips and ideas for working at home!!

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11 Tips For Ebay Sellers

2009-05-09T11:57:00.000-04:00

11 Time Tested Principles For eBay Selling Success

Without a doubt, something separates good sellers from the not-so-hot ones. It has nothing to do with magic either- it has everything to do with sound practice...

Here are 11 principles to live by when you start your auction business. They will work wonders for you...

1. Pick Your Niche and Define Your Market

This is ground zero for your success strategy. Find your own niche. Define your market. Then you can know the type of person you’re going to be selling to and the types of product you want to sell.

You're auction sales letters will be a hundred times better if you know the person who you are writing for.

Along with being in a superior position to take advantage of repeat business, the benefits from becoming specialized are endless-

We well be getting into this a little more later.

2. Your Vision

Know where you want to go with your business and why. Every business that thrives has a soul and a purpose. What is it that you want long term? Do you want to become financially independent?

What do you want short term? Do you want to make a steady income every week? If so, how much? Give yourself something to shoot for and try to surpass it.

Remember in the beginning to keep plugging away. The toughest time is at the start. Everyone has to serve as an apprentice before they can truly master what they do.

When you're starting out be willing to absorb every ounce of helpful information your brain can hold.

3. Order is the Foundation of Every Good Thing

One of your early foundations of success is order. Strive for efficiency in every aspect of what you do. If you’re lacking in a system of organization your whole business is going to be threatened.

This not only includes keeping things in their place but things like keeping income tax and business expenditures records.

4. Serve Your Customer With a Passion

In business your customer is the only thing. You customer is far more important than any product you sell. Strive to give them quality at every level of the transaction.

With online auctions most sellers have a hard time looking past the initial sell. As far as they are concerned after the initial bid the relationship is over. That is why most of them don’t do so swell when they try to make a business of this.

Look far beyond the first sell. It is only the beginning of a long mutually beneficial relationship.

5. Become An Expert In Your Field

Become an authority in what you do, wherever you choose to go with you online auction business. If you sell CD media supplies, you want to be thought of before anyone else.

When you become an authority in your field, a whole new universe of business and opportunity is opened up to you.

I buy certain types of things on eBay from the same sellers over and over. I wouldn't dare do business with anyone else, not when they have proven themselves and their product.

You want to earn that same type of position in the minds of eBayer’s for your niche.

6. Credibility- the Key Factor in Selling

Become trustworthy. Remove every doubt about your credibility any chance you get. You can do this through presenting yourself positively through your feedback, being passionately devoted to your business and by being an expert.

By making great complete ads and from answering emails quickly.

The X factor is the critical ingredient for online sales success.

7. Harness the Power of Technology

Use you existing software of the Internet to handle repetitive tasks. This will free you up to grow your business to a level...

One of my big sticking points is leverage. Leveraging means getting everything you can, out of all you got. When you use existing tools and methods for freeing yourself from repetitive tasks, you will compress time.

That means you will get more work done with less effort... and as a result you will make more money.

8. Get Everything You Can Out of All You Have

A wiser person than myself once said, "There are only two qualities in the world, efficiency and inefficiency, and only two sorts of people: the efficient and the inefficient."

Maximize results while minimizing your expenditures. This is the essence of what it takes.

Test ads ruthlessly to get more for your advertising dollar. Look for better ways to do business. So much can be do to get better and better returns. Set an ideal up for yourself and call it, "efficiency"- if you do this you will never become stagnant in what you do...

Always search for better and better returns for the amount of resources you put in.

9. Probably the Most Important Thing: Your Sales Letter

Your sales letter is your salesman. On the net, how you're potential buyer perceives you and your product is everything.

Copywriting is the art of showing you and what you sell to your buyer in the best possible light.

It’s the most important thing you have going for you. A carefully crafted sales letter can increase you results exponentially without having to spend an extra penny.

10. Shoulder The Risk in the Transaction

Risk reversal is on of the strongest free sales tools you have at your disposal.

When you offer your bidders a satisfaction guarantee, you are telling them that you are confident that your product can deliver, and if not you are willing shoulder the risk for them by giving them their money back…

Very rarely do they ask for one unless your product is poor.

This is one of the easiest ways to increase sales; if you have a good product to begin with, don’t neglect this technique. I see many sellers who don’t offer one when they could.

It’s a must to offer one with your Dutch auctions. A strong risk-reversing offer will clinch sales that pass others by.

11. Perseverance Will See You Through Anything

Perseverance is your greatest asset of all, especially when things get rough. To me, nothing is more fulfilling than meeting challenge head on and winning out.

Anytime you run into trouble or resistance in your business, accept it as a growth opportunity that you need in order to get to higher levels or success.

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Pillows!! Examples Of Some That My Mother Sells!

2009-04-29T10:35:00.003-04:00

Here is an example of some of the pillows my mom has made and she sells them in her booth. She cannot make them fast enough. She uses antique doilies, lace, and other linens to cover them. They are really beautiful. I will have to ask her how much she sells them for. I never have asked , or if I did , I cannot remember what she says they sell for.
She can make a few in a day , then she takes them to her booth and they sell. This has been a great way to make money for her. They sell great with all of her antiques and collectibles that she also sells in her booth.
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Can You Sew??

2009-04-28T08:03:00.002-04:00

Sewing can be a great way to make some extra money. I have made a bit of money sewing cloth diapers. I sell them on ebay and other online venues. My mother sews pillows and she cannot put them in her booth at the local flea market fast enough!!
Another way to make money with sewing would be with altering and repairing clothing. A lot of people do not want to or are not able to buy new , so they are wanting to get their older items repaired or altered.
There are a ton of things that you can do , if you know how to sew. So , get out your sewing machines and get to creating and making some money!!

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Handy Man or Woman Service

2009-04-27T19:08:00.001-04:00

People are buying less new now , with the economy being so bad, and are more apt to repair what they already have. So this could be a great opp. for all of you out there that are handy. Profitable odd jobs for local householders include car repair, furniture repairing, patching up cement, simple plumbing, washing cars, sharpening lawn
mowers, garden tidying, fixing labour-saving devices, shelves, etc.
With the help of the popular manuals available anyone can give first
aid for the metal fitting and utencils in the house. It is often
possible to pick up commission through work obtained for paper hangers,
plasterers, carpenters, etc.

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Working At Home Blog

2009-04-24T04:44:00.001-04:00

i have not been writing on here as much as I would like to be. I am currently working on some ideas that I will be posting on here. Hope to have it all done and start posting by Monday!!

Be on The lookout!!

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