Money Saving Mom

Becoming a Work-At-Home Mom: Learning Through Failure (Part 3)

2009-11-20T07:57:47-06:00

Last time in our Becoming a Work-at-Home Mom series I shared how I had to stop working as a mother's helper due to my pregnancy and while that was a huge cut in our income, it also was what lit a fire in my belly to learn everything I possibly could as fast as I could about earning money from home.

I began with small things, like taking surveys, mystery shopping, getting paid to read emails. Once I became proficient in those, I started scratching my brain for more ideas.

One idea I had was to teach creative writing classes out of our home. I'd always loved writing and thought that probably homeschool moms would jump at the opportunity to enroll their children in creative writing classes--especially if they were very inexpensively priced.

I spent hours writing up advertisements to place in homeschool newsletters and had visions of at least 40 children signing up. I excitedly strategized how I could break the classes up and handle a large number of children and I eagerly calculated numbers and was expecting a good earning potential from these classes. All in all, I was stoked.

Problem was, instead of 40 children signing up as I'd hoped, only 4 signed up. So much for my big plans!

Needless to say, the turn out was very disappointing to me. I thought God had clearly directed me to do these classes and I was confident He was going to bring dozens and dozens of children to them. I worried about how on earth we were going to pay our bills since my big idea had pretty much totally flopped. I wanted to quit and throw my hands up in despair. But I couldn't because I'd already made a commitment to teach these children--all 4 of them--and I had to see it through.

When I look back at those classes and the measly four sign-ups, I realize that not only did that experience prepare me for some greater failures I'd have on down the road, it also taught me that it's okay if things don't turn out like we are expecting. We can still carry on and do our best whether we have four students or forty students or 400 students. Whatever the outcome of our efforts, what matters most is that we give it our best.

I've slowly learned over the past few years that failure of some kind is inevitable when you have your business or are trying to start working from home. Everything just isn't going to turn out exactly like you expected. In fact, much of the time, things will be a lot harder and a lot less successful than you planned or hoped or dreamed.

Contrary to what I thought in the beginning, I've come to realize that failure is my friend. I've learned much more through failure than I have through success.

The creative writing classes were only the start of my flopped endeavors and learning through failure. Next time, I'll tell you about a much bigger work-at-home failure and how it turned out to be one of the best things which ever happened to me.

To be continued...

Del Taco: Buy One Taco, Get One Free

2009-11-19T21:44:36-06:00

Use this coupon at Del Taco to get a free Big Fat Chicken Taco when you buy another Big Fat Chicken Taco. This coupon expires January 5, 2010.

Thanks, Coupon Cravings!

Free sample of True Lemon, True Orange, True Lime

2009-11-19T16:55:53-06:00

This sample has been around ever since I first started blogging. It's still available and it's a good one so when Heather emailed it to me today, I thought I should mention it again for those of you who haven't requested it.

Free Philosophy Gingerbread Foaming Shower Gel sample

2009-11-19T15:48:19-06:00

Sign up here as a fan of Philosophy on Facebook then click on the blue button that says "Go To Application" and you'll be able to fill out a form to get a free sample of Gingerbread Foaming Shower Gel from Philosophy.

Thanks, Moms By Heart!

100 Free custom Holiday Photo Cards from SeeHere: Have you gotten yours yet?

2009-11-19T11:21:22-06:00

Guess what arrived via FedEx yesterday? Our Christmas photo cards from SeeHere--all 100 of them, including envelopes.

Guess how much I paid for them? $0.00

Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Not even a penny for shipping.

Y'all need to go jump on this deal, if you haven't already, as it's only good through November 30, 2009. If you're not planning to send out Christmas cards this year, you could use these as gift tags. Or use the codes to create birth announcements. Or come up with another creative idea for these totally free photo cards!

Here's how to get 100 custom photo cards with envelopes for free:

::Just go here to set up an account with SeeHere (or login if you already have an account) and then upload and create your photo card. Mine took me about 30 minutes to put together--but that's because I had to wade through photos and figure out which ones to use!

::After you've set up your photo card, be sure to save it. Then put 50 photo cards in your cart and go to the checkout and use coupon code newbaby and you'll get all 50 free with free shipping.

::Log back in and click on your saved items and order another 50 photo cards this time using the coupon code from Freebies4Mom here. Again, you should get 50 more free photo cards with free shipping.

And that's it! Mine arrived within 3 business days of ordering via FedEx. I was thoroughly impressed, to say the least!

Need some custom address labels to go with the photo cards? Order 140 here for only $3 shipped.

Thanksgiving on a Budget: Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash and Almond Pecan Pie

2009-11-19T10:55:02-06:00

I hope you're hungry today because Erin from $5 Dinners is showing us how to make Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash and Almond Pecan Pie.

And lest you think you can't make things like that on a budget, be sure to check out her ingredient price breakdowns and suggestions for getting more expensive ingredients at great prices.

Free Degree, Hellman's, Caress, Pond's, Always Infinity, 2010 calendar

2009-11-19T10:40:09-06:00

Go here to request a free sample from Degree, Hellman's, Caress, and Pond's. (Thanks, Mojo Savings!)

More freebies:

Free Oriental Trading Company 2010 calendar (with money-saving offers--Thanks, The Freebie Blogger!)

Free sample of Always Infinity (Thanks, Mojo Savings!)

$1.50/1 Wet Ones coupon = $0.38 at Walmart, $0.49 at Target

2009-11-19T10:21:56-06:00

Take the Wet Ones Pledge here to stop germs and you'll be able print a coupon for $1.50/1 any Wet Ones (excludes trial size). The canisters of are reportedly $1.88 at Walmart and price cut to $1.99 at Target so they should only be $0.38 to $0.49 after the coupon.

Thanks, Thrifty Jenny!

Free sample issue of The Home Educating Family magazine

2009-11-19T10:15:18-06:00

Go here and a pop-up box should come up offering you a completely free sample issue of the new homeschooling magazine, The Home Educating Family.

Thanks, The Homeschool Jungle!

Don't miss a Black Friday Deal!

2009-11-19T10:02:28-06:00

Want to discuss Black Friday deals with other bargain shoppers or find out about some of the hottest ones available? Click on the link above to go to the special Black Friday section of the AFullCup.com forums.

HOT! $2/1 Healthy Choice Frozen Meal coupon reset

2009-11-19T09:52:48-06:00

The very hot printable coupon here for $2/1 Healthy Choice Frozen Meal has been reset (or at least it was for me!). You should be able to print each coupon twice per computer.

The Healthy Choice Frozen Meals are often on sale for $2 or less at many different stores making them free or more-than-free after this coupon.

Thanks, Clipping Makes Cents!

Free sample of UnderJams

2009-11-19T09:20:44-06:00

Go here to request a free sample of UnderJams.

Thanks, Mojo Savings!

$1/1 Puffs Ultra Soft and Strong coupon

2009-11-19T09:00:25-06:00

Go here to request a $1/1 Puffs Ultra Soft and Strong coupon by mail. This should make for some very inexpensive or free Puffs when paired with a sale.

Thanks, Mrs. Buys More!

$0.50/1 Ro*Tel coupon reset

2009-11-19T08:49:17-06:00

The $0.50/1 Ro*Tel coupon has been reset and you should be able to print it again. Go here and wait for the header to show an ad for a $0.50/1 coupon. You should be able to print it twice per computer.

If your store doubles coupons, pair this with a sale and it should make for free or almost-free Ro*Tel after this coupon.

Thanks, Thrifty Jenny!

Monthly Financial Check-up

2009-11-18T09:51:08-06:00

It's November and guess what that means? It's time for our monthly financial check-up. How did you do in October?

I've been waiting with bated breath to be able to post our monthly financial update because this is another huge milestone for us. And I finally get to share...

We began October at 69% of our house savings goal and we ended the month at 75%!

While it looks like we're likely not quite going to make our goal of being at 100% by the end of 2009, it is incredibly exciting for us to be at 75%!

It is hard to go against the grain, to live counter-culturally, to be self-disciplined.

It's hard to forgo instant gratification and stop comparing yourself with the "Jones's".

It's hard when you're the only one packing a lunch, driving an old car, wearing thrift store clothes, and clipping coupons.

It's hard when you see other people just going out and buying whatever they want whenever they want it when you're barely able to afford paying $17 for groceries that week but you're committed to paying 100% cash for everything.

None of where we are today has happened by taking the easy road. It's the result of God's grace and enabling, it's the result of our parents' wise examples and training, it's the result of a strong work ethic instilled in us from the time we were youngsters, it's the result of setting big goals and sticking with those goals day in and day out--even when we felt like giving up.

When I look at that 75% house savings number in our bank account, I know that it is worth it to choose to do hard things. We've learned so many valuable lessons along the way, our struggles have matured us, our victories have emboldened us.

And we know beyond any shadow of a doubt, that making short-term sacrifices to achieve long-term goals is every bit worth it.

(If you're new here, be sure to check out this post where I explain in detail why we've committed to this "crazy" idea to pay 100% down on a home. )

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How did you do in October? Whether or not you posted financial goals for 2009, please take a moment to post about your financial successes and/or failures in October and, if you'd like, the areas you hope to improve in November. Then, come back here and leave your link below. If you don't have a blog or would rather share anonymously, feel free to leave your update in a comment. Let's all keep each other accountable to be better stewards of our resources!