Cash for the Holidays (and more...)

The calendar may not acknowledge it yet but it is fall.  Labor Day is done.  The kids are back in school.   Halloween displays are taking over the stores.  If it is fall, that means that the winter holiday season is not far behind.  Have you saved money for the shopping onslaught that is about to begin?  If not, do you have a plan?

It's at this time of year that many people turn to direct sales for a boost to their household income.  And why not, try direct sales?  It's a fun way to make some money and receive discounts on your favorite products. 

Have you noticed that the media is touting the importance of direct sales as a viable income option as well?  I've known that direct sales can help you make (and save) money for years!

In these hard economic times, if you are considering joining a direct sales company here are some things to consider before getting started:

1.  What are your passions?  Think about what products you love to use.  Do you like to cook?  Love fashion accessories?  Do you use organic products?  Is made in the USA important to you?  Whatever you choose to sell, it should fit your personality.  You need to be comfortable talking about the products as well as be comfortable using them.  There are direct sales companies to fit every personality and passion.  You just need to look for them.

2.  What are you hoping to accomplish?  Decide what you want to make of your new direct sales business.  Do you want to make money?  Do you just want a discount on products?  Joining a direct sales company doesn't need to mean that you are changing your life.  Most people who are involved with direct sales just do it for the discount!  That's OK!!  If you are looking to make some money, I suggest that you look for companies that don't have many consultants in your area.  It will be easier to book shows and get new customers.

3.  How much are you willing to invest?  In most cases, you will need to put out some money to become a part of a direct sales company.  Kits can range from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars.  But, the direct sales investment is not just money.  It is also time.  How much time do you have to put into your new business?  You will get out of it what you put into it.  If you just want the discount for yourself, no time investment needed except to make sure you maintain your active status.  If you want to build a business, you will need to do much more!  Decide where you are on the business spectrum and how much time you need to take out of your schedule to accomplish it.

4.  Once you have answered these three basic questions, check out the Direct Sales Association.  They have a search engine that will help you find the company that is right for you.  (Of course, I'd be happy to talk to you about any of the companies that I work with!)

Direct sales is a great alternative when looking for an income boost.  What other job gets you a discount on products that you love, do you "party" while you work and you meet new people?

If you decide to go for it, good luck in your venture.  If you aren't the consultant type, please support those of us who are!  Book or attend a party.  Do some shopping.  Not only will you be getting some great products, but you will be helping someone local support their family and save for the holidays!

Remembering and Explaining 9/11

On September 11, 2001, I went to work as usual not thinking much of the day.  By the time I went home earlier that morning, I had felt a fear like I had never felt before.  I spent the next few days glued to the TV, sleeping very little.  I watched the skies for planes.  I didn't even know anyone in the towers, at the Pentagon on on Flight 93 but I was still afraid.  I can't imagine with those to a connection to the tragedy went through.  To this day I can't think of that morning without getting goosebumps and my hair standing on end.  Ten years later, I am still uncomfortable seeing images of that day on television or the Internet.  I pray that my children will never have to experience a day like that in their lifetime.

With all of the exposure that the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 is receiving, my children are beginning to ask questions.  Actually, the questions started with the death of Osama bin Laden when my 5 year old asked who he was.  To say that he was a very bad man didn't seem to cut it, but it was all I could come up with.  As the day approaches and more media time is dedicated to the tragedy, more questions seem to arise.  I work hard not to give too much information but to relay the importance of the date.  I don't have all the answers.  I don't even know if the answers I give are the right ones.  But, I am doing my best to give honest, thoughtful answers to all of my children's questions.

I think it is fitting that the 10th anniversary is on a Sunday.  It gives us all a chance to gather at a place of worship, remember the fallen, give thanks that we have come through and pray for peace in our world.  Even if you are not religious, or believe in a religion that doesn't come together on Sundays, use the date as an opportunity to gather with those that you love and give thanks for them.  Surround yourself with love so that the memories of the day ten years ago can be shared and our collective healing can continue.

As my children get older, I will share more of the story with them.  For now, I want them to know that they are loved and to feel safe in that love.

Purging Plastic

My oldest son had a "Lunchable" the other day for lunch.  At the end of the meal, we were left with a plastic garbage mountain from all of the packaging that was used in that one little item - around the sandwich parts, drink, snack, etc.  It seemed a bit extreme to have that much trash generated from one place.  It got me to thinking about how much trash, especially plastic, my family throws away or recycles.  What I discovered was pretty shocking.  Take a second and look around your house.  Then come back here and keep reading....  Don't worry.  I'll wait.

Do you know how much plastic your family throws away in a day?  In a week?  If you think you know how much plastic your family throws away (or recycles) take a look at The Plastic Trash Challenge at http://myplasticfreelife.com/showyourplastic/.  This website challenges families to track their plastic usage in an effort to be more conscious of what they are using and begin to reduce what and where they can.

You can watch as different households track their plastic usage for weeks at a time, taking pictures of their trash along the way.  To watch the piles of plastic go down each week as households make conscious efforts to reduce their plastic is very eye-opening.

If I had more time, I think this would be a really interesting experiment for my household.  I think the kids (and my husband and I) could learn a lot.  But, since I am Mom of All Trades and am already stretched a little too thin, I'm doing my own abbreviated version.  Here's what I discovered initially and the steps that I am taking to make a change.  Maybe these ideas will work for you too.  It's not a giant change but I truly believe that if we all make some small changes, we can make a big difference!

Sandwich Bags - My husband takes his lunch to work with him everyday.  He is a creature of habit, so there is always a sandwich and snack packed in two plastic sandwich bags.  My oldest son is in kindergarten and he needs a snack everyday as well.  Together that was going to be a minimum of three plastic bags per day, five days a week generated from our house.  That seems like a lot of sandwich bags!

For my husband, we have made the switch to reusable plastic sandwich and snack bags like these (shown above) from Celadon Road.  They work great and hold a ton of food for a hungry husband!  With a velcro closure and heavy-duty plastic that wipes clean, they are easy to use.  He's pretty trust-worthy too so I know they will come home each night to be reused the next day.

For my son, we are using a small Tupperware container for him to carry his snack to and from school.  Am I afraid that he will lose it?  Maybe.  However, with this plastic reduction exercise, I am trying to teach him responsibility.  He is in charge of that container.  We fill it each morning with the snack of his choice, he puts it in his backpack and takes it to school.  When he gets home, he gets the container out and brings it to the kitchen to be wiped out and then the process starts again.  So far, this has worked for the first few days of school.  It takes 20 days to make a habit, but I think this one will stick.

Have more than a snack to send to school?  Check out this amazing kids lunch pack (also sold by Celadon Road).  Each unique kit comes with a recycled cotton sack, cloth napkin, food-grade stainless steel beverage bottle, a food kozy and two food-grade stainless steel food containers.  Worried about this coming home at the end of the day?  Label it with stickers that say, "HEY MAX - This comes home!!"  (Of course, you will want to take out MAX and insert your own child's name.)  Don't forget to label the container and the lids as well.

Grocery Store Bags -As a consultant for Thirty-One, I am surrounded by bags everyday.  So why is it that I have so many plastic grocery bags around the house?  I even have re-useable grocery bags just waiting to be re-used.  If you look around your house, I bet you have reusable bags as well, but do you always remember to take them to the store?  I certainly don't.  So since I have the solution already in my home, I am switching how I handle the bags.  Took a removable command hook and put it on the back of my front door.  There, I am hanging my re-useable bags so they are right by the door when I leave for the store.  I am keeping them all in a Thirty-One Thermal Market Bag, which is large enough to carry the grocery bags plus will help to keep my cold food at the correct temperature as I am running errands.  Hopefully, this will be the reminder that I need to reduce my plastic grocery bag usage.

Ice Cream Cones - This one is the tastiest idea for today.  When you go out for ice cream, get a cone.  No bowl or spoon to throw away!

Would love to hear some more ideas on how to reduce your plastic usage!!  Happy recycling!!


Check out http://plasticfreeguide.com/ for more ideas on how you can reduce your plastic consumption or to join the challenge.

Here's a Great Deal - (Practically) FREE Stickers!!

Has bribing your kid with stickers ceased to work? Don’t worry, your persuasion skills aren’t gone, you just need better ammo.

There's a great deal on www.savemore.com for some awesome, custom stickers.  With today’s deal, pay $14 for $28 or $19 for $40 toward customized stickers and labels from StickerYou.com. The inventive online site allows you to create and purchase your own custom, high-quality vinyl stickers and labels. You can choose from a selection of images on the site, or upload your own logo or picture. Animals, cars and art – there are plenty of ammunition, um we mean sticker, options to choose from.

If bribery isn’t your thing, StickerYou.com is also great for businesses and adults. Create labels for mail, CDs or home organization. You can even design your very own bumper sticker for a good laugh or to get your business’ logo out there. So, take advantage of today’s deal and get a sticker or label that’s just right for you.

PLUS - Click through on this link www.savemore.com and you'll receive a FREE $10 credit on your account.  That means you'll get $28 worth of stickers for just $4.  If stickers aren't your thing, then check out their other great deals on Savemore.com and use the $10 on them.  Happy shopping!

My Drug of Choice

Hello.  I am Mom of All Trades and I am an addict.  My drug of choice - consignment and bargain shopping.  If you don't know the joy of a great consignment store I urge you to seek one out.  If you are a bargain shopper, there is nothing like finding a brand-new Talbot Kids' sweater on the dollar rack - at least I enjoy it!

One of my favorite local shops is The Little People's Shoppe in Lansdale, PA.  There is a great selection of baby and kids' clothing, plus equipment, furniture and toys.  There are a lot of name brand items, so you know you are getting a great deal every time you go there.  Their sale racks make the bargains even better!  50% off consignment price and a $1-rack will keep more money in your pocket at the end of the back-to-school shopping blitz. You can check out the Little People's Shoppe for yourself at http://littlepeoplesshoppe.com/.

Don't have a consignment store near you?  How about a Mothers' Market or consignment sale?  Many areas have one-day or weekend long events where moms can get great deals on just about anything for their family.

Our area has a series of big consignment sales coming up.  One of the largest sales is a series called The Clothing Tree, LLC, a local consignment event company specializing in children’s and teen’s clothing, is hosting its sixth annual series of Consignment Event in September and October in three locations across the Upper Bucks County and Lehigh Valley area.  This sale will feature items for the fall and winter seasons.

This year's sales are scheduled as follows:
September 9-12 - Rodeway Inn and Conference Center, Allentown
September 23-26 - Benner Hall, Quakertown
October 21-24 - Leithsville Fire Company, Hellertown

Each sale includes presales for volunteers and first-time moms, special discount days and more!  For more information or to register as a shopper or consigner, visit www.TheClothingTree.com, email info@TheClothingTree.com or call 1-888-703-TREE.

Consignment sales like this one are a great service to the local community in many ways.  In these difficult economic times, consignment sales offer great bargains for families on everything that they need for their children.  Shoppers can receive clothing, toys, equipment and furniture at bargain prices - an average of 75% off retail costs.  In addition, those that consign with the sale can earn money on items that their family has already gently-used, creating "found money" throughout their homes and adding much needed cash to their pockets.

Even the local thrift store can be a great place for bargain hunting.  Our local Salvation Army has a half-price day every Wednesday and when I go, I can always come out with something and not just for the kids, but for my husband and I as well.

No thrift stores, either?  How about checking out yard sales and looking for a bargain?  It's new to you, right?  Just look in the classified section of the paper and see what is listed.  Most yard sales will list the type of items that they  have for sale, which will really help you narrow down which ones to attend.

Good luck bargain shoppers!  Can't wait to hear what bargains you have picked up!

FREE Make-your-own Mini-Robot Doll

One of my favorite websites to browse is Spoonflower.com.  It is a collection of custom-designed fabrics in just about every theme you can imagine.  The site has a weekly contest challenging artists to come up with patterns centered around a chosen theme.  I am in no way an artist, but I love to see what creative people are able to do when told to make a fabric pattern around themes like breakfast, time travel, circuses and sharks. 

On Thursday, August 18th beginning at Noon through Noon on Friday, August 19th you can get a free swatch of any fabric in the Spoonflower collection.  Can't find anything that you like?  Feel free to upload your own design and get a swatch of that.

Since there isn't much that you can do with an 8"x8" piece of fabric, I went searching for a deal - and found one!  You can order a Mini-Robot Doll which fits perfectly in the swatch.  Just follow the included instructions and you can make your own doll.  You even get to pick your choice of colors.  This will make a great rainy day project for my little artist!

For more information or to place your order for a free swatch, visit www.spoonflower.com. 

New Year - New Calendar

I don't know about you, but my year doesn't start in January.  It starts in August with the back-to-school rush.  And so it is at this time of year that I purchase my organizing calendar.  I am definitely a pen-and-paper girl when it comes to schedules.  While I try to "go green" in other areas, this is one where a few trees are going to have to be sacrificed.

So, I find myself standing in the planner aisle at Staples with the high school and college students, studying all the different choices of time management assistance.  What I really need is to be split into three separate people to accomplish all that is needed.  Since that isn't possible, a good planner to keep me organized is the next best thing.

This year I have gone with a Day Runner Weekly/Monthly Planning Calendar.  It has a week on a two-page spread and a big column for everyday, there is plenty of room to coordinate all five household members' schedules.  Between work for my husband, my numerous work and sales initiatives, the kids in two different schools and extra-curricular schedules for all three of them, there is a lot to keep straight and this calendar has room for everything.

One thing that I have learned is to only write in pencil in my family planner.  You never know when you are going to have to make an adjustment and last year it usually happened right after I had written something in pen.  I got lucky at Staples and found a $5-pack of mechanical pencils which ends up being FREE after an Easy Rebate.  The pencils are by Cadoozles and you get 10 pencils in the pack.  Not a bad deal!

As for the sacrificed trees, maybe this is the last year for a paper calendar.  My new Day Runner had an advertisement for a free family scheduling calendar at  www.meadcal.com.  Why a paper calendar would point me to a FREE service that helps me track my appointments, grocery shopping, party planning and more I'm not sure.  But maybe I can make a change and the trees will be happy with me after all!