Multiple Streams of Income

I am always preaching multiple streams of income... that is because it is the way Smart Moms make additional income, no matter if they stay at home, work from home, or work away from the home. I am amazed and delighted at the ways to earn some additional income at home. If you believe that any money is good money... don't you? then you will see the benefit in earning a small amount of money over time.

This past month, I received a check from a direct sales company for less than $20- I don't not have home parties or promote the products, beyond talking about what I use and love. I got a small check just for telling others a way to get great products from home. I also found a vitamin company that pays $20 for each referral that makes a purchase. All I had to do was to tell people about a great product and send them the information. I sent three emails this week. Hopefully, those three will purchase (but not yet). Also this week, someone clicked on an ad from my blog and made a purchase from a company many people purchase from and I earned $7 for the referral. Now, earning $30-$50 a week is not going to make me a millionaire, but it is a little more money to pay some bills, purchase some stock, or buy something for fun.

If you want to learn more about small ways to earn money over time, not instant get rich quick schemes, join our newsletter or or Smart Moms Forum. And if you see any ads you are interested in, click on them and help us earn that little bit of additional income!

20 FREE PRINTS + NEW low price – 9 cent prints everyday at Snapfish!

Thankful Tuesday's

Today Lilly and I made chocolate chip cookies. Something that we both enjoy making and eating together! But instead of using a regular mixer, today we used our "new to us" Kitchen Aid Mixer. I've been wanting a Kitchen Aid for years now, but never took the financial plunge! A month ago I was talking to my mom about it when she mentioned that her boss had one and hated it. Since her boss was going to toss it anyway (the horror!) she just gave it to me!!! I know, can you believe it?!?!

I've got to tell you, the mixer made all the difference. I could pour some ingredients in, let it mix on it's own while I was measuring and grabbing other ingredients! It cut down on time and was so nice and easy!!

So today, I am thankful for my Kitchen Aid Mixer!!! It's simple, I know, but at least I am thankful:)

Smart Moms Contest – Win $25 gift certificate.

Hello all of you Smart WAHM’s out there. The Smart Moms team hit our business goal a few days ago of 200 members on our fabulous forum. We want to see that double by the 4th of July and we need your help.

Building a network where we all can learn from and support each others business through sales is a major business goal of ours. We are running a contest for new members. Here is what we suggest, tell all your online WAHM friends about our forum and have them reference you as they register on the forum.

We are looking for contributing members and not just “lookie-lous”. We want to spread the word through Craig’s List Marketing.
Pop on over to our forum and check it out!

Get Organized in 2008 – part 2

So last Monday I posted my reading list for 2008 and I’m actually almost done with one of the books!

This past week I’ve been focusing on getting my house keeping in order and on a good system. So far so good but we shall see as the year progresses and a newborn joins the family in March. Here’s what I’ve been doing for my weekly/monthly house keeping plan. It may seem like a lot but broken into smaller chunks, actually takes less time than you’d think. Plus, staying on top of cleaning requires less elbow grease! When I was cleaning as needed, it was more stressful and a lot more work. I can’t physically do what I did, being 8 months pregnant, so this plan is much more manageable. Hopefully, it will inspire you to come up with a plan that works for you! I printed a copy of my agenda and have it on the tack board above my desk so I see it every day.

Weekly To Do's:

Monday:
Clean girl’s rooms
Laundry – 1-2 loads
Pick up dry-cleaning
Clean Kitchen

Tuesday:
Work in office/ clean, crafts etc…
Run errands
Clean Kitchen

Wednesday:
Clean Master Bedroom
Clean 3 bathrooms
Clean Kitchen
Laundry - wash all sheets and towels

Thursday:
Clean Living/Dining/Desk area
Laundry 1-2 loads
Clean Kitchen

Friday:
Help hubby at office, 9am-11am
Drop Dry Cleaning
Clean Kitchen

Saturday:
Outside cleaning as needed – front patio, back porch, windows etc…
Clean Kitchen

Sunday:
Iron clothes for week if needed
Meal Plan and Grocery store
Clean Kitchen

Monthly To Do's:

Week 1 – change air filter and vacuum air conditioner closet
Week 2 – pay bills, get cars washed
Week 3 – clean refrigerator
Week 4 – mop floors, write monthly organizational tips for smartmoms-smartbusiness.com

The Kindle- A Time Saving Tool

I just read about the Kindle, Amazon's new wireless reading device. They are so popular, they cannot keep up with production! This is a must have for busy moms on the go. You get a readable book page on a hand-held device, with downloads in less than 1 minute. You can even download the cookbook Deceptively Delicious, The New York Times, and over 90,000 other books.

Here is the Amazon product description:

Product Overview

• Revolutionary electronic-paper display provides a sharp, high-resolution screen that looks and reads like real paper.
• Simple to use: no computer, no cables, no syncing.
• Wireless connectivity enables you to shop the Kindle Store directly from your Kindle—whether you’re in the back of a taxi, at the airport, or in bed.
• Buy a book and it is auto-delivered wirelessly in less than one minute.
• More than 90,000 books available, including more than 90 of 112 current New York Times® Best Sellers.
• New York Times® Best Sellers and all New Releases $9.99, unless marked otherwise.
• Free book samples. Download and read first chapters for free before you decide to buy.
• Top U.S. newspapers including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post; top magazines including TIME, Atlantic Monthly, and Forbes—all auto-delivered wirelessly.
• Top international newspapers from France, Germany, and Ireland; Le Monde, Frankfurter Allgemeine, and The Irish Times—all auto-delivered wirelessly.
• More than 250 top blogs from the worlds of business, technology, sports, entertainment, and politics, including BoingBoing, Slashdot, TechCrunch, ESPN's Bill Simmons, The Onion, Michelle Malkin, and The Huffington Post—all updated wirelessly throughout the day.
• Lighter and thinner than a typical paperback; weighs only 10.3 ounces.
• Holds over 200 titles.
• Long battery life. Leave wireless on and recharge approximately every other day. Turn wireless off and read for a week or more before recharging. Fully recharges in 2 hours.
• Unlike WiFi, Kindle utilizes the same high-speed data network (EVDO) as advanced cell phones—so you never have to locate a hotspot.
• No monthly wireless bills, service plans, or commitments—we take care of the wireless delivery so you can simply click, buy, and read.
• Includes free wireless access to the planet's most exhaustive and up-to-date encyclopedia—Wikipedia.org.
• Email your Word documents and pictures (.JPG, .GIF, .BMP, .PNG) to Kindle for easy on-the-go viewing.
• Included in the box: Kindle wireless reader, Book cover, Power adapter, USB 2.0 cable

Definitely something to check into!