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The Editor's Desk - From Beneath the Clutter
Feature Article - How to stay motivated while working at home
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Guest Article - Stop! Don't Pass Up That Yard Sale!
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Phew! Finished a big project finally! I now have a bookstore on this site. It's powered by Amazon.com, so shopping at it gets you the same products and prices as shopping at the main Amazon site, but if you happen to feel like supporting this site, yes, I do get commission.
What I would like to do to add to the value of the store is get tips from other moms on what products they have found useful. I would like to start a section just for that, so I need your input. If you want to contribute, go to the Suggestions Page and tell me about your favorite products. If I decide to post your suggestion, it will be with a link to your website, if you want. I want this bookstore to be very useful to parents, both with and without home businesses.
And now I had better get going. I have a sad little girl this morning for some reason.
Don't forget, you can contribute your articles or tips anytime for consideration. Just use the contact form.
You decided to work at home for a reason. Maybe you wanted more time with your family, or maybe you have a disability that keeps you from working outside the home. But as loneliness sets in, it can be hard to keep going, and reminding yourself why you work at home just isn’t always enough.
The first thing you will always need to remember is to get out of the house regularly. You can feel trapped if you do nothing but stay home all day. On your days off or when you have time, get out and do something. It doesn’t have to be anything special. If you’ve had too much time with the kids, get someone to watch them and head out with your friends.
In this same vein, take enough time off from working at home. Don’t feel like you have to be on call 24/7. Turn off the computer and get some good family time. Emails can wait and your voicemail can handle most calls.
Is the clutter in your home office getting to you? It might be time to get organized. Take an hour or two or more and get rid of the clutter. File all those papers and reshelf your reference books and binders. Find where all the pens are hiding and put them where they belong.
Do the same for your computer files. Take a look at all those free ebooks you downloaded and decide if you are really EVER going to read them. You’ll probably get rid of most of them. Make sure your files are organized into folders and subfolders so that you can find them quickly. Clean the desktop on your computer screen if it is too hard to find things there.
If you own your business, try not to spend an excessive amount of time on discussion boards and so forth. It’s probably not as productive as working on other aspects of your business. Leave them for when your work is done.
If you are not on some sort of a schedule already, try making one. It can be pretty flexible, but try to set aside regular work hours and play hours. You don’t want to overdo your work hours even when you’re just getting started, but spending too little time working at home won’t help your motivation either.
Avoid negativity from friends and family who just don’t understand how you can make a living working at home. You know you can do it, but it’s hard being told day after day that you need to get a “real job.” When you’re discouraged about your progress, talk to someone who believes you’re doing the right thing. It is very easy to focus only on the fact that it’s hard to get work done at home and your business isn’t earning that much, but it is far more satisfying to look back and see how much progress you have made.
Finally, remember that when you are working at home, whether for yourself or an employer, in a very real sense you are your own boss. There’s no one standing behind you telling you to get to work (unless you have a bossy toddler), so do what it takes to keep yourself moving and on schedule.
Stephanie Foster is the owner of Home with the Kids, a resource that knows that there's more to staying home with your family than just business. From money saving tips to parenting and marriage tips, to work at home jobs and businesses, you can get information and support here. You can visit the site at http://www.homewiththekids.com.
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In some areas they are called garage sales, or rummage sales. Sometimes they are called yard sales. In Britain, they have what they call "car-boot" sales.
Whatever the name, it is a fun part of a frugal lifestyle. Here are some of the ways I have found to save money by shopping yard sales.
Expecting your first child? Yard sales can be a great place to stock up on necessities. Everything from cribs to rocking chairs to bumper pads, blankets and clothing can be bought at much less than new prices.
Of course, you must use your good judgement as to safety and cleanliness issues.
If you have small children, be on the lookout for clothes in the next size your child will need. We all know how quickly children outgrow their clothes!
Clothes for older children can be picked up for a song, too.
Are your older children picky about brand names? Do what I did--I told mine to think of these clothes as brand new, they've just already been washed a few times!
Found just the shirt or dress you need, but it has a stain on it? Here's a pre-soak trick to try: Dissolve 1/2 cup of dry dishwasher soap in about a gallon of warm water. Add your garment and keep it submerged for 24 hours or up to 3 days. Do remember to test the fabric first.
Big money can be saved by buying toys and books for Christmas and birthday gifts at yard sales. Many sales will have brand new toys and games in the box at a greatly reduced price. If the boxes are not sealed, always be sure to check carefully and make sure all the pieces are included.
Toys to be repaired or refurbished are a big money-saver. Are your children ready for a bike? You'll finds lots of outgrown bikes at yard sales that just need a little cleaning up or maybe a coat of paint.
If you are a reader, as I am, you can save big bucks by buying books for next to nothing at yard sales. Even if you don't find a book you want to read yourself, if a book is very cheap, buy it and trade it for credit at the used bookstore!
Joke gifts for adults are another item to look for. Buying in the spring or summer means you aren't running around in December trying to find something suitable for that office Christmas party.
Always watch for gift wrapping supplies. Use your imagination! Grab that partial roll of wallpaper with border to match. Wrap a gift in the wallpaper and wrap a length of border around it; no need for ribbon or a bow!
Sometimes, you will even find actual wrapping paper and ribbon for sale at a yard sale. Never pass up a bargain.
Do you have a young adult going off to college next fall? Or one moving into his first apartment? Help out by looking for small appliances, sets of glasses, flatware, pots and pans or utensils. Then they won't be raiding your home for whatever they need!
Does your family love to work jigsaw puzzles? New puzzles can be pretty pricey--so just visit the yard sales. I've bought puzzles for as little as 50 cents and very seldom have I bought one that had any pieces missing.
"One man's trash is another man's treasure" is certainly true at yard sales. Some people just do not have the imagination to see the many uses of different items. Money-saving opportunities abound for those who are able to see potential in unlikely objects.
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Cyndi Roberts is the editor of "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another" bi-weekly newsletter, bringing you creative, practical tips to help you with budgeting, cooking, shopping, parenting and much more as you strive to "live the Good Life... on a budget". To subscribe visit the "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another" website at http://www.cynroberts.com
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