I was afraid this was going to happen, as certain California politicians have been pretty determined to get this done, despite the examples set in other states. California’s new budget includes a provision often called the “Amazon tax,” which means that qualifying businesses which use affiliate marketers in the state of California are now responsible for collecting California sales tax. Amazon is the big target, hence the nickname, but other businesses will be affected as well.

And it went as it did in every other state that has passed this kind of law, with the dropping of all affiliates in the state. No new sales tax income for California, affiliate incomes drop, some planning to leave California entirely, while others are talking lawsuit. Yep, great plan, California. Thanks a bunch.

The thing that annoys me most about Amazon dropping affiliates in California is that they may have to collect sales taxes here anyhow. They have subsidiaries in California, and the law includes that sort of presence. Seems to me that California might be a good place to fight these laws.

It’s early yet, so we’ll just have to see what the reaction is long term and how any lawsuits go. California’s a big state; I don’t expect things to go quietly.

As for me, I’m glad that I didn’t get going on too many ideas for affiliate sites based on income from Amazon. I don’t think my best program will be affected by this tax, but I’m not 100% positive. Either way, I have a lot of links to locate and change, and fast, as the law goes into effect on Friday. Gotta love the reasonable notice too, guys!

The main stereotype about work at home jobs is that they’re scams. There’s good reason for this stereotype. Too many work at home opportunities of all sorts are scams. They’re far more numerous than the legitimate opportunities. This reputation becomes a problem when you start working a legitimate work at home job and everyone either assumes you’re being scammed or that you’re scamming other people. It gets old fast.

You will have to deal with people who greet your new job with a great deal of skepticism. You may not be able to cure their skepticism with anything so simple as getting your first paycheck or even working for years successfully at it. Some people are really resistant to the idea that anyone can make a legitimate living from home.

Ask Them Why

If someone keeps insisting that you’re either scamming or being scammed, ask them why they think that way. Odds are they don’t really understand what you’re doing. Sometimes you can address their specific concerns. Not everyone is going to listen or be convinced, but if you understand their side better you might be able to help them see your side.

Compare Your Work to Similar Work Outside the Home

When you talk about your work, odds are you can compare it to work other people would do from an office away from home. Work at home jobs don’t require skills that can only be used from home. Think about how you can make the work make sense to people stuck on the “at home” or “what if it’s a scam?” parts.

Talk About Your Day

Many people who work at home work as hard or harder as people in similar jobs outside the home. It’s tough balancing your home life and your job all in one building. The more  it sounds like regular work, the more familiar it may be to the skeptics.

Know That You Can’t Convince Everyone

It doesn’t matter how hard you try to convince some people that you aren’t falling for or participating in a scam, some people will never believe that your work at home job is legitimate. You have better ways to use your time than to argue the point.

You don’t have to tolerate it if they get insulting about it, of course. Focus your attention on the others around you and see if they get it. You don’t have to convince everyone, so long as you get some people who support what you’re doing and don’t act as though you’re a sucker or a criminal for the work you do.

Many families are on tight budgets these days, and that can hold particularly true for families with a stay at home mom or dad. Getting by on a smaller income is challenging at times. Most family budgets have places where you can easily save money, and other areas that are more difficult.

20 Simple Money Saving Ideas

1. Make a list before going shopping.

A shopping list is a great way to control what you spend at the store. If you can discipline yourself to sticking with the list, you can cut out those impulse purchases that add the small amounts that add up so quickly.

This idea is best combined with the next one:

2. Plan your meals for the week.

Having your meals planned out allows you to more easily make your shopping list and helps you avoid food spoilage, as you know what you’re going to use. Plan to use foods that spoil quickly earlier in the week.

This will also encourage you to eat more often at home, as you’ll know what you were planning on making. You’ll have less reason to eat out because you can’t decide what to make.

3. Buy in bulk when it makes sense.

Buying in bulk does not always make sense. Sometimes it’s one of the worst moves you can make. But when it makes sense, it’s a good money saving move. Canned goods, rice, personal care items and so forth can be cheaper if bought in bulk. Be sure you compare the price per unit (ounces, for example), so that you know for certain that you’re getting a better deal. Sometimes the bulk price difference isn’t worth having to store the extra.

4. Pay down debts.

This is especially important for any high interest rate debts such as credit cards. Interest rates really eat up your minimum payments, so the more you can pay down your credit card debts, the better off you’re going to be in the long run.

5. Avoid bank fees.

Banks love fees. They make good money off some of them. It’s to your advantage to be aware of what’s going on with your accounts so you can avoid ATM fees, overdraft fees, monthly fees and so forth.

Take a good look at your monthly statements to see when you’re getting hit with a fee by your bank. Decide if it’s worth sticking with that bank if it’s a fee you can’t avoid, or how you can avoid that fee in the future if you could have avoided it.

ING is a good choice of online bank. They also offer accounts for kids, if you’re ready to get them started.

6. Just how many phones does your family need anyhow?

Lots of families have more than one phone these days. Cell phone for mom, cell phone for dad, maybe even a cell phone for each of the kids, plus the landline phone for the house. Just how many of those do you really need?

The answer to this will vary depending on your family, but if you need to cut back on expenses, it’s worth reconsidering how many phones you have. Some families get by with no landline phone, but if it’s bundled in with your television or internet service you need to look at what you’d really save by cutting that line.

You may be able to replace some paid options with cheaper or free options. Look at the plan your cell phones are on, and make sure you have the most cost effective one for how your family uses them. Look into Skype or Google Voice for when you don’t need a cell phone. Either can be a good choice if you need a line for your home business.

7. Walk.

Do you really need to drive everywhere you go? If you’re going someplace close and the weather is right, try walking instead. It takes a little more time, but it’s healthier and cheaper to walk.

8. Use your local library.

Libraries are a great resource that many people don’t take advantage of often enough. You can get books of all sorts to read for pleasure or to learn from. You can often order in books from other branches if your local branch doesn’t have a title you’re after.

Many now also offer DVDs for rent. With Redbox and similar machines renting movies out for $1 a night, the library may not be as appealing as it once was, but it may still be a good option for movie rentals.

9. Keep your car maintained.

Cars can get expensive sometimes. Basic maintenance adds up fast, and breakdowns can be even worse. Even so, that maintenance is important, as it keeps your car running longer and more efficiently.

Some things you can handle on your own, such as keeping tires properly inflated. This helps them wear more evenly, and improves your gas mileage.

10. Sign up for free customer rewards programs.

Stores love customer rewards programs, as they give them a lot of data about your shopping habits. I don’t think the privacy lost is too big a deal, but not everyone likes sharing their shopping habits like that. In exchange, you get discounts on certain purchases. These can be quite significant.

That said, my favorite stores give you discounts without requiring the cards, but when the discount is offered, why would you skip it? You can keep some of your privacy by using a Google Voice or other number to sign up, rather than your home or cell phone number. Alternatively, get friends or family to agree on a single phone number to use, and all shop through that card.

11. Make the most of handmedowns.

If you knew how rarely I buy new children’s clothes, you might be shocked. I don’t buy them much at all, despite having three children. I get plenty of handmedowns, and that solves most of their clothing needs.

They aren’t all from family either. I’ve had friends with children give handmedowns as well. I don’t think I could add up how much handmedowns have saved. Just be sure to reciprocate as possible.

12. Wait.

If it’s not an immediate need, try waiting before you buy. This is a great way to control impluse purchases at the mall or online.

Wait at least a couple hours, but several days is better. Get past that initial reaction so you know why you want to buy that item. The less it matters, the less likely you are to even remember that you wanted the item in the first place.

13. Don’t buy your kids too many toys.

Kids will beg for just about any toy they see on television or online. Most won’t be played with all that much and won’t be worth the money they spent.

If you want your kids to be happy, spend more time with them and do things with them. Show them how to do things that don’t require so much equipment.

14. Combine errands.

Gas prices have been pretty painful of late, making it all the more important that you use your car efficiently. The more errands you can take care of in a single trip out, the less gas overall you should be using, plus it’s a more efficient use of your time.

15. Limit the video games you buy.

Kids love video games, as do many adults. The only problem is that many cost $50 a pop. They add up really fast, and when the next console comes out, you get requests for a bunch of new games plus the new console.

You may be better off renting some games rather than buying them. Save the purchases for the ones that will be played over and over. Also be aware of any subscription costs for online play.

16. Hide your credit cards and debit cards.

Only carry these cards when you need them. You’ll need the debit cards sometimes to get cash, but other times you won’t need to have them with you.

Carrying these cards leaves you more tempted to spend extra money. You can’t do that if you limit yourself to the amount of cash you need at the moment.

17. Cancel memberships you don’t need.

Sometimes memberships are well worth the money. Other times they’re a waste of money you keep paying because you swear you’re going to use it again eventually. If you’ve been promising yourself that for a long time, it’s probably time to save your money and give up the membership.

18. Swap babysitting when you need a night out.

If you don’t have willing grandparents in the area available for babysitting, swapping babysitting with friends or family members is the next best thing. Trade off taking care of each others kids so you can all get breaks without spending a fortune on the sitter.

19. Make the most of leftovers.

Many people dread leftovers, but they don’t have to be that bad. Some can be frozen so that you eat them a while after you had the meal, rather than so close that you’re tired of that meal. Others can be made into entirely new meals.

20. Learn to do basic repairs around your home.

If you have basic tool skills, there are a lot of repairs you can handle on your own around the house rather than call in a professional. Add in the resources available on the internet, and you may be able to fix things you didn’t realize you could.

3 Money Saving Ideas That Aren’t Worth It

Not every money saving idea is brilliant or worth the trouble. Here are just a few that usually aren’t worth the money saved.

1. Dropping car insurance coverage.

In many states, car insurance is required, making dropping the insurance even less worth your while, as you may have to prove you have it in order to register your car. But even if it’s not required, car insurance is worth the money it costs if you have an accident.

If you want to save money on car insurance, compare plans and make sure you have the best price for the coverage you need.

2. Buying bulk items you can’t use or store effectively.

Buying the right items in bulk is a great plan. Buying bulk items you won’t use fast enough or can’t store properly is a huge waste of money.

3. Buying the cheapest appliance with no regard for quality.

Whether it’s a blender or a washing machine, you should consider quality when buying an appliance for your home. It usually costs far more over time to buy several of the cheapest quality than one of a decent quality. You don’t necessarily have to go for top quality or the highest price, but buying appliances that do the job well and are expected to last should save you money.

Not all of the challenges of running a home business relate to the business itself. There’s also the need to keep up with family and the house. It’s a whole lot of work, and it can be exhausting. But it’s common when you’re home all day to feel obligated to handle it all. How can you do it?

Keep Your Family Involved

The first thing to do is to give up on the idea that it’s all your responsibility. If you have a work at home job or a home business, you deserve the same sort of consideration as those who work outside the home. Get everyone else in the house involved at appropriate levels, even if they work outside the home or go to school. Anyone who is physically capable of helping should have appropriate responsibilities around the house.

Make sure you count responsibilities both inside the house and outside. Mowing the lawn is just as much a part of keeping the family home going as cleaning the kitchen. Divide things up to balance personal preferences and how much each person is having to do aside from housework, such as holding down a job or going to school.

Don’t Let Messes Get a Head Start

One of the easiest ways to keep your home from being a mess is to avoid the mess in the first place. Clean up the mess of cooking as you go as much as possible. Have the kids pick up their toys as soon as they’re done with them. Get rid of clutter.

Do a Little Cleaning Every Day

For those little chores that add up to so much, keep up by doing a little bit every day. Do the sweeping and mopping, the dusting or the vacuuming. If you don’t have to do them all at once, they don’t feel quite so overwhelming.

It’s really amazing what you can get done in 15 minutes if you don’t let the messes get too far ahead. It makes doing small amounts of other types of cleaning each day practical.

Pick the Right Time for the Big Chores

Don’t let the big chores get in the way of what you need to do for your home business. Plan things out so you can handle the big cleaning projects, the laundry and so forth when they won’t keep you from having a productive day of work. They have to get done, you’re home, but do they have to be done right now or can they wait for a more convenient time?

Your house can deal with being a bit messy for a time if you have more important priorities, especially if your family relies on the income from your work. Don’t let cleaning get in the way of earning the income you need.

A lot of people think of the Better Business Bureau when they want to learn about a company. That’s why a lot of people go to their site when they aren’t sure if they’re looking at a work at home scam. The BBB has built up a lot of trust through the years as a resource for checking out any sort of business you might deal with. Shouldn’t they be a good choice to help you avoid being scammed when you’re looking for work?

Overall, I’d give them a “meh.”

It’s not that you can’t look up a company and find out they’re a scam there. You can. Sometimes. The problem is that they can’t keep up with all the scams, some scams use the names of legitimate companies, and not all complaints to the BBB mean that they’re a scam.

Scams Come, Scams Go

New work at home scams come all the time. Just as with any other resource you use for finding work at home scams, the BBB won’t know about it until they start getting complaints about it.

This is particularly true of online businesses. It takes very little to set up a website. Scams online can change names very easily with the simple switch of a domain name.

If a business is in a potentially questionable industry, the BBB may have a notation on their listing for that business when they do have a listing there. It doesn’t guarantee that it’s a scam, just that you should use caution.

Complaints Only Mean So Much

A complaint to the BBB about a business only means so much. I just checked a variety of Walmart listings there. A corporate listing had over 200 resolved complaints, while individual stores had anywhere from a few complaints to too little information for the BBB to even rate them. That’s a major company where each location does a lot of business.

You have to look at what the complaints are and see if you can determine their relevance. When it comes to working at home, some people will scream scam at the slightest provocation, such as not having success handed to them on a silver platter. Others will complain with real reason behind it. You have to figure out if there’s something you should be concerned about.

The Internet Offers a Wide Array of Resources to Check for Work at Home Scams

The other problem I have with relying on the BBB to determine if something is a work at home scam is that there’s such a wonderful range of places to check opportunities out. There are sites such as scam.com that are dedicated to discussing all kinds of scams. There are posts people make on their own sites and others when they realize they’ve been scammed, all available through a search. Focusing on one organization just isn’t enough.

Sometimes you can spot a scam just by pasting a part of your correspondence with them or a part of their ad into a search engine. Include the word “scam” and it can be very interesting what turns up. A lot of scams use the same text over and over again, and it’s not too uncommon for frustrated scam victims to post their correspondence online.

I absolutely don’t mean you should avoid checking with the BBB when you’re concerned about an online scam. They’re a resource – use them. Just remember that they aren’t your only resource.

You’re a Resource Too

Finally, remember that you are a great resource for spotting work at home scams yourself. If something feels wrong about an opportunity, think about why it feels wrong. You might just be on to something.

When you’re thinking about applying for or accepting a work at home job or joining a home business opportunity, review what you know about it and look for the signs of a scam. If you don’t get overexcited about the opportunity you can often spot the scams on your own. And when you’re still in doubt, start asking around. People on the internet will often share their opinions on the matter.