Parenting Tips: How to be a work at home mom

"I can't get any writing done because the kids are in my face!"

"I can't surf the net for my cash programs because the kids always want to play a computer game."

"How do I run these transcription projects downtown with three kids in tow?"

These are the dilemmas an increasing number of parents face who work from home. The cost of childcare is prohibitive, especially for more than one child. With more children diagnosed with disorders such as autism and ADHD, parents want to be at home with their special needs children after school.

The Internet is bursting with home based business opportunities and freelance or outsourced work. It seems like a dream: regaining some of the income lost when one parent goes to work but still being able to have a stay at home parent for the kids.

For some parents, however, it seems like a nightmare after a few weeks. Children need attention but the work at home parent needs a few hours each day to work.

Here are some tips, arranged by age group.

Infants and Toddlers

* Take advantage of their earlier bedtimes to get some busy work done in the evenings.

* If your work involves the computer, you CAN learn to type with a toddler on your lap. Keep wandering hands busy with a toy, bottle or sippy cup.

* Children age 2 and up can spend short bursts of time playing near your workspace.

* Keep a few small toys or board books in a desk drawer and use them only for times when you are working so they seem like a novelty

* Join or start a cooperative playgroup in your neighborhood with at least six children where two mothers take all of the children once or twice per week for an hour or hour and a half on a rotating schedule.

Preschoolers, age 3-5

* Clear off a corner of your workspace for your preschooler to color in coloring books or draw pictures on plain paper. Many preschoolers love the idea of "working" along with a parent at their desk.

* Keep a drawer or box near your workspace with books, paper, crayons, colored pencils, clay, or other creative materials

* Keep dry cereal, juice boxes, individual sized packages of graham cracker snacks, goldfish crackers, canned fruit cups, and other nutritious snacks handy so your children can help themselves to their morning and afternoon snack

* Add variety to the day by allowing short videos or TV breaks, and try to place your workspace near a window where you can watch your child play outside in the yard while you work.

School Age 6 and up.

* After school or on weekends have your preteen sit near your workspace and do homework while you work. If you are doing "busy work" where you can work and converse at the same time, use the time to catch up on your child's day.

* If you need a block of uninterrupted time, set up an informal coop arrangement with other neighborhood parents to host playdates or video film festival afternoons on days off from school and reclaim some of the days formerly filled with wails of "I'm bored."

* Set up a housework/special time coop arrangement with your older children. If they complete certain household chores for you, thus freeing up more time for your work, you will spend "special time" with them on a certain activity of their choice: riding bicycles or inline skating, going out for ice cream or sharing an order of french fries, seeing a movie, or anything else they choose for which you are willing to treat them.

With some ingeniuity on your part, and cooperation on your children's part, working at home can work for the whole family.

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Post office tips to help a home business

Starting a home-based business can be tough. Most entrepreneurs need all the help they can get. That's why it is so important to develop a network of resources throughout your local community. Places like the post office, library, and civic or social organizations can provide great opportunities to get the word out about your products or service.

What can a post office do to help you grow your business? Here are a few helpful tips:

1. The federal post office represents one of the oldest and most reliable forms of communication in our country's history. Billions of pieces of mail are processed each year, although this number has declined slightly recently due to the rise of electronic communication via the Internet. Still, the postmaster general does a brisk business through the numerous branch offices that are open in thousands of communities around the nation. Stop in to take a look at the signage listing the many ways in which you can mail letters or packages.

2. Ask about special services that might benefit your company. For example, depending on the type of business you operate, you may be eligible for non-profit postage for mail. In addition, you need to find out the difference in price and service between bulk rate and priority mail, as well as everything in between. Your company may need a less expensive postal rate than the one you have been using. Learn more about the options, especially for mass mailings and packages that may help to cut costs.

3. Find out about special services. There may be times when you will need to send a letter by certified or registered mail. Ask what these mean and whether they are recommended for the mailing you have in mind. Overnight and express options are more services to inquire about. You can also buy postage that supports or promotes an array of causes, such as the stamp for breast cancer research.

4. Shop for supplemental supplies. Some post offices offer stationery, toys, and other promotional items that feature postal designs. You also can sometimes purchase boxes, cartons, padded envelopes, masking tape, and related supplies for sending packages or special orders. Ask about the availability of such items and if they are not there yet, find out if some might be ordered or kept in stock for customers.

5. Request a post office box for your business. These come in different sizes and cost a relatively small amount each year. You can protect your personal home privacy if you are working from your house or property when you get a post office box. The key to your box will allow you to access mail at times when the post office service window is closed, as long as the building is still open.

There may be additional services you can take advantage of as well. Stop in to see what is available. Introduce yourself and explain your company's business. Perhaps the staff can offer some helpful solutions to your mailing problems or goals.

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Unconventional Job Search Strategies: Savvy Move or Silly Stunt?

by Susan Johnston, for Yahoo! HotJobs


Given the competitive climate, some job seekers are trying unconventional methods like Twitter, blogging, and video resumes to get noticed and (hopefully) get job offers. According to the Dallas Morning News, one unemployed woman even spent $1,200 to rent a billboard promoting herself. But are these strategies a smart way to get an employer's attention or just a silly stunt?

Barry Deutsch, partner at IMPACT Hiring Solutions, and Miriam Salpeter, career action coach and owner of Keppie Careers, weighed in with their advice.

Blogging

Why you should try it: If you're a strong writer, then starting a blog can be a great way to showcase your writing skills and stand out from the crowd. "A blog is a tremendous opportunity to share what you do," says Deutsch. "One of the things that recruiters do is Google searches on candidates. Now you can start to develop a real brand around yourself." He adds that commenting on other people's blogs can also help you get noticed.

Why you shouldn't: Salpeter encourages clients who write well to consider blogging, but she stresses that "You have to have someone to edit it for you or be a strong writer. You don't want to put out a blog that is not well written. And to do a blog, you have to blog relatively frequently." If you don't have the time or skills to create your own blog, she suggests Twitter.

Using Twitter

Why you should try it: Twitter's microblogging platform is great for "building a network and creating a community of people who have an interest in you and who share information," according to Salpeter. "Obviously, the best jobs to look for on Twitter are social media jobs," she adds. "However, as Twitter becomes more and more mainstream, the usefulness for making connections expands and grows. It's about connecting with people in an informal and media-savvy way."

Why you shouldn't: Because Twitter is so friendly and informal, it's easy to let your guard down and post comments that could undermine your professionalism. "What I'm discovering is a lot of people are posting messages and describing their frustration or pain [in looking for a job], not reaching out to others or engaging in conversation," says Deutsch. Though Deutsch sees lots of potential for networking on Twitter, he cautions that you shouldn't use it as a "bulletin board for venting your frustration."

Renting a Billboard

Why you should try it: The Texas woman who rented a billboard says she got two job offers in addition to over 50 calls and emails. "I think it's very creative," says Deutsch. Of course, he adds, "The problem with that approach is now you have to invest some money to advertise."

Why you shouldn't: Some might call this approach creative, but others might see it as desperate. And as Salpeter points out, "Hiring people don't want desperate people. [Job seekers] would probably be better off finding a coach than spending money on an advertisement. Even people whose resumes are not bad could be better."

Posting Online Ads

Why you should try it: Although it's not a common strategy now, Deutsch predicts that hiring managers will see more candidates "taking out ads [and] targeting them to specific sites. Or taking out a radio spot out during drive time." Keppie points to an experiment where several recent graduates posted ads on Facebook and targeted them geographically or to a specific company. "This is something that could possibly work for a young person," she says.

Why you shouldn't: Of the five grads involved in the experiment, many of them got job leads, but so far none of them landed a job from it. Salpeter does not recommend this strategy to most candidates, because she compares an online ad to "tapping a random person on the shoulder." Instead, she recommends using social networking sites to connect in a more personal way, "as you would one-on-one."

Video Resumes

Why you should try it: Salpeter says that job seekers might consider a video resume "if you're in an industry that requires you to present on a regular basis and if you're very good at that." According to Deutsch, video resumes allow you to "engage on a personal level. It's a great chance to see how [job seekers] communicate, articulate, structure what they want to have in that video resume."

Why you shouldn't: Both experts stressed that you still need a written resume, and that video resumes must be done well to be effective. "The fact is, most people don't really look that good on video unless you have some kind of professional setup," says Salpeter. "Why would you want to send a video resume that wasn't professionally done?" She adds that not all employers have time to watch a video, so in many cases an online portfolio makes more sense.

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Home business Tips: Write a financial plan

A business plan is an important tool that will help you to focus your home based business, learn more about the competition and be realistic about the profits and expenses. Because many lenders are wary about home based businesses, a properly written plan will also help you to get a needed loan.

You will want to start with a cover page. This will have your business name, your name, address, phone number, email, and web page address. This page introduces you, so it should be exceptionally neat.

The next page is a table of contents, which will tell the page number of each of the important parts of your plan. You can include a small synopsis if you wish.

Start off with a description of the industry you are going to become a part of. Identify some of the competition, including as many as you can find that work from home. You will want to describe the basic procedures for this business and the average income of home workers. Explain how others have started and the areas they market to. This is to show a lender you know what you are getting into and to learn some things about the field yourself.

Next you will want to describe your business. What will be the exact responsibilities? How is it different from the businesses already in this field? Why is yours better? Include your pricing, your market area and any other relevant information. This area will allow you to focus your idea and think about ways you can make it better than the competition.

The next part of your business plan will discuss your goals. Write down all the goals you have for this business in one year and in five years. Make sure these are compatible with your lifestyle and family goals. Your goals should include production, profit, and amount of customers. Be realistic in the expected growth. Think about how you will handle your business if it grows faster than this. What about slower?

Now go into the details of your marketing plan. Will you use salesmen, flyers, direct mailers, TV ads, radio ads, newspaper ads, magazine ads, word of mouth, direct calling or the internet? Which ones will you rely on most? How much will you need to spend for each different type of advertising? Then you will need to discuss the results you have assumed. Do you expect five percent of the people to respond to your direct mailings, and two percent to buy your product? To come up with this number, you can try it on a test market, and interview others in similar businesses. Talk to your potential customers they may tell you of a specific niche you can fill, that will increase your profits. Learning the realistic numbers for expected respondents can be a little depressing, but it’s better to have an estimate now than count on responses that aren’t going to happen. Be creative in your advertising and you can lower your expenses a little. Maybe you will need to lower your rates in the beginning, maybe even doing some work for free just to get your name out there. Expect to put at least the first six months profits back into your business and at least half towards advertising.

The next section of your business plan is about action. This is where you describe specific things that you need to do within the next year to reach your goal. How many customers or projects do you need? According to your marketing plan what will you have to do to get that amount? Write down all the steps. How much of your time will be spent on each. If things go wrong or take longer then expected how will you overcome these minor set backs? With a step by step plan you will know what to do next, this will allow you to see the whole picture and keep your perspective through hard times.

Now you’ll need to discuss your expenses for the next year and for the next five years. Include everything your can think of, like, business license fees, logo and ad design fees, accountant, taxes, lawyers, employee wages, cost of materials, equipment, repairs, gas and driving expenses, copy rights, advertising and any other fees that go along with your specific business. Estimate a little high so that you will always have a little leeway. You can include a statement for the lender about how much you expect to save by operating this business at home rather then a rented office?

The next section will discuss how much money you’ll need to get started and how much to keep it going. Then tell the expected income followed by the gross profits. The final statement will be your net profits which if you are applying for a loan will be one of the most important parts. Now state the amount you have to invest in the business, what other sources your money is coming from and how much you need from a lending institution. Include in this section what you will do if you suddenly need a little more money. Will your business fail? (By the way, this is not an option). What is your back up plan. If you have one the lending institution will know you are prepared for nearly every situation. They should feel confident that their money is safe with you.

The last page should have your references, which can include previous employees, clients, lenders, your lawyer and your accountant. It can include positive statements these people have made showing what a wonderful business person you are.

Now you are armed with the tools you need to get a loan to start your business and the plan that will make it succeed.

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Career tips: advice for work at home

For most people, being able to work at home means possible financial security and more time with the family. First you need to decide if it's a home job or a home business you want. A home job is just like a regular job, only you get to do it from home. You will still have an employer that you will report to. A home business is all yours. You will be responsible for everything it takes to run a business.

If you are looking for a home job, there are plenty of businesses that will hire home workers but it takes time to find those jobs. Don't get discouraged if you start looking for a home job today and aren't hired by someone next week. Keep in mind when looking for a home job, that a legitimate job will tell you exactly what the job is and will never ask you for money.

If you are looking to start your own business, you have some decisions to make. Before spending money on a website, ordering a bunch of products and lists of people to mail flyers to, ask yourself some questions.

How much is in your budget for the start-up cost?

Are you willing to ship products yourself?

How much time are you willing to spend on your business?

Do you want to do this online, offline or both?

There are a few ways to go into business. You can start a business from scratch, or get into Direct Sales or MLM (Multi-Level Marketing). Once you make a decision on what way is best for you, you will need to develop a plan. Having a business plan will keep you focused on your goals.

If you are thinking of starting a business from scratch, you will need a service or product to sell. You can do some brainstorming by writing down a list of your interests and hobbies. Sometimes an idea for a business is hidden within your talents or skills. Take some time to think your list over. What services or products would you be able to offer from your list of interests?

Direct Sales companies usually have a low start up fee. The start-up costs usually include a kit on getting started in their business. They have the products or services for you to sell and you get a percentage of the sell. Getting into Direct Sales is not a job, it is a business. You are responsible for promoting your business and building your own customer base. Many people go into Direct Sales because the companies are good standing companies and their products/services have a good reputation.

Multi-Level Marketing companies also charge a fee, some are one time fees and others are monthly fees. They also have legitimate products and services you sell. With MLM, you have the chance to create a team. A team is a group of people that you have recruited into the business. The potential to make money increases when your team makes a sale. You get a percentage of their sell, along with what you make on your own. After you decide what way is right for you, decide on how you will promote your business. Direct Sale or MLM companies may offer you a free website to promote their product. If you are starting your business from scratch, you might want to consider promoting your business on a website.

Having a website, posting flyers, creating business cards, writing a press release, placing ads online and offline and buying leads are all effective ways to promote your business. One of the most proven ways is word of mouth. Once you have your business, tell everyone about it. Join message boards designed for people who work at home and start networking. Some of those message boards will let you have signature lines. Your signature line would be a link to your website. Post flyers and hand out your business cards everywhere.

Don't quit your job. It can take 2 years or more to really get a business off the ground. You might see some money coming in but most of that cash will be put back into the business to keep it alive. Set some goals and write a plan for your business. Having a good business plan will help you run a successful business. A business plan usually includes a mission statement, objectives, marketing strategies and a budget. You can check out more information about writing business plans at your local library or online.

Time management is also important in running a business. For most of us, working at home allows us to have more time with our families. If you're not managing your time well, you could be spending more time on your business than with your family. Use your time well by setting a schedule. Have certain times and/or days for each task. If your business involves crafts, set a limit to how many of your items you make a day or week. You might also try making products on demand. Run your business, don't let it run you.

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Small business tips: how to accept debit cards

As an entrepreneur, selling your product or service is a major part of business. Once you have your target’s attention and they agree to buy, one must be able to offer a variety of payment options. Long gone are the days of cash and carry, and some people don’t own any credit cards. Personal checks come with security risks, and take longer to receive the funds. But most people have a checking account, thus they have a debit card linked to that account. A debit card is convenient, because it allows the consumer freedom from carrying cash. It also allows the consumer to make a purchase and have it immediately deducted from their account. So, how does one accept debit cards?

The primary step is to obtain a merchant account. A merchant account is an account that links your business checking account with a debit card processing company. The company processes the purchase from the debit card and transfers the money into the merchant’s business account. The company may charge a transaction fee that can range from 1.5 to 3 percent of the purchase, or a flat fee. Some merchant accounts also charge a monthly fee in addition to transaction fees. Merchant accounts are offered through banks as well as independent providers. Many entrepreneurs employ the merchant account services of their business bank.

Once one has a merchant account established, one will need a debit card terminal. This is the same type of terminal used for processing credit cards. There are two ways of accepting debit cards – online or off line debit card transactions. With offline transactions the merchant swipes the customer’s card through the terminal, just like a credit card, and the customer signs the receipt. For off line processing, the debit card must have a Visa or MasterCard logo on it.

Online transactions require the merchant to swipe the card through the terminal, and the customer must enter their personal identification number on a separate PIN pad. Online processing is more economical because the merchant is charged a flat fee per transaction. Offline processing leads to a percentage charge per transaction. Terminals and PIN pads may be bought or rented from the merchant account provider.

Terminals aren’t the only option for processing debit cards. There are wireless options such as an 800 number verification service. Your merchant account provider may have an 800 number available where one can call in a debit card purchase and receive instant authorization. Only offline processing is available for this option. This option is good for mobile entrepreneurs who have limited or no access to electrical outlets to plug in terminals.

Internet businesses provide for merchant customer transactions where the two never meet. There are merchant account providers who specialize in processing payments over the Internet. An entrepreneur would link his website shopping cart to the merchant account providers system, and the transactions are processed immediately. With Internet processing only offline processing is available.

Today’s consumer has high expectations and demands of the merchants they deal with. They expect a high quality product at a competitive price with fast delivery. They also expect to be accommodated; no matter what payment option they choose. Debit cards are increasingly becoming a primary choice when making purchases. Are you ready for your customers? If not, another merchant is.

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Vacation tips for mom

Have you ever dreamed of taking a vacation just for yourself? No kids, no husband, no dog? Then you thought of all the reasons you couldn’t, such as money, children or time away from your job? Well throw that kind of thinking right out the door. You can take a vacation just for yourself. You can afford to and you deserve to have some time away.

Two years ago I decided it was time for me to take a personal vacation. I, like most mothers, work forty hours a week at a job, I care for my children, keep a clean house and keep everyone well fed and reasonably happy. So, where in all that would I find time for me? I learned that in order to find time for me I had to make time for me. I needed a vacation and I needed one with out my family. Any mother knows that a family vacation is a vacation for the children and the husband, you as a mother still end up working. Granted it’s not at your workplace but it’s still work. You still have to care for the children, you still have to cook, to do dishes and keep everyone happy. It ends up your more tired from vacation that you would have been had you worked at your job all week. You need to go back to work to rest.

Do I feel selfish, guilty for thinking this way? You bet but, I didn’t let that deter me. I deserve my time. I began planning my vacation after calling a few close friends and telling them my idea. They all excitedly told me that if I could find something cheap enough they would be more than happy to join me.

My first step was to call the local travel agents in my area. Bad idea! They gave me some wonderful vacation packages but all had huge price tags attached. I wanted a small vacation and didn’t want to have to sell my first born to afford it.

Second step, I began looking through the telephone book and calling resorts and hotels in the area I planned on vacationing at. What I found was informative as well as reasonable.

1. If you plan a vacation in off season (non-peak times) the rates are reduced by nearly half the original cost for a suite/room/cabin.

2. Most resorts/hotels have rooms that sleep up to six people, have small kitchenettes and two baths for one flat price. Split this price with several friends and the savings are incredible. What normally you couldn’t afford you now find you can easily afford.

My plan was to arrange a four day mini-vacation for under three hundred dollars. I searched the area I was interested in going to. I had certain criteria that had to be met. I wanted to spend only three hundred dollars for the entire long weekend. I wanted a resort with an indoor swimming pool, a sauna and a gym. I wanted a location not more that five hours drive from where I lived. I wanted an area with plenty of attractions. After several phone calls I decided on a beautiful resort located near the White Mountains in New Hampshire. I chose the small town of North Conway. The town offered many attractions such as outlet malls, quaint little shops; hiking, biking and walking trails all nestled at the base of the beautiful snowcapped White Mountain Range. I chose off peak time, early spring and got the best rates for lodging. The resort my friends and I stayed at offered all the amenities, swimming pool, sauna, gym and several shops and restaurants on the premise. The entire weekend cost me under my set goal of three hundred dollars and that included some shopping and all meals. We, my friends and I, had such a great time that each year in the spring they now look forward to our annual mini-vacation. This year I think we’ll try the coast. I hear it’s beautiful in the spring.

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