Today’s Inspirational Quote & How to Maximize God’s Given Talents

Here’s today’s inspirational quote:

         “If you think your teacher is tough, wait until you get a boss. He doesn’t have tenure.”

                                                                 BILL GATES

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Also, I wanted to mention here one lady by the name of Mollie, whose email I received a couple of days ago. Like the rest of us, she is also looking for ways to ‘better her life.’

She is making use of her talents by being a gospel singer and pianist. She needs votes to win a Gospel talent contest at  www.libertyassociates.net. When you get to the home page-read the part that says Vote now and click the link. Go to the senior section, scroll and you will see her name-Mollie Jackson.  Click on it and it should load the video (although the video is short , you can hear her nice voice).

So go ahead and vote for her. Let’s support her, woman-to-woman!

The Holidays Are Almost Here!

The Holidays Are Almost Here. Take a break from working!

As soon as the Labor Day weekend and the ‘Ber months roll in, it is time to think about those holiday gifts for Thanksgiving and whatever holiday you celebrate in December. I for one am already making my list- from my kids’ pre-school teachers to my family-in-law. I love giving gifts to people. I would like to give a gift – even a small token – to all the people who I’ve met over the course of the year.

Aside from keeping the spirit of gift-giving alive, it also bolsters my social and business networking. And I prefer to make my purchases now than rush later because now I have the time to scour the internet and the local stores for deals/discounts.

For instance, I love sites like Couponchief.com where you can find coupons for bigname brands like Bestbuy.com, Blue Nile, Target, Zappos.com, Gap.com, & Staples. And for the business-minded work-at-home mom (what a mouthful!), they also have coupons for credit card/banking services and office supply.

I also like the fact that you can search for coupons by category or by store and even customize your experience with MyChief where you can sign up for E-mail alerts and the newsletter.

So off I go coupon a-hunting!

New Deals For [Startup] Moms!

JUST IN!

* Combine your passion and cool tools found at http://wahm.sitesell.com/eweb2.html to build your own profitable website like these work-at-home moms. Try a proven way of generating income online.

* Create a FREE online store with Zlio: As good as having your own virtual store. Start your own shop for free and earn commissions each time you sell a product selected from thousands of the internet’s top merchants without having to worry about deliveries or customer service. The potential? You can create “niche” stores catering to a particular group of people.

Setting up the store is easy: the interface for picking products is nice, clean and easy with templates that you can customize. You have complete control over the categories of products in your stores, and can assign each product to any category you want. If you are serious about making money online, this online shop site may be worth a look.

* Get a free online business listing. Get more customers. Showcase your crafts, products or service for Free! I tried this one and I liked the very easy way you can set up a business blog, a customer forum, etc…Here’s a look at my free listing….

* Get your FREE Prescription Card Good for ONE YEAR & Save at all major pharmacies: http://www.deliveringonthepromise.com/MT

* Protect your PC from being hijacked – Norton AntiBot

* Webroot Spy Sweeper – Now $24.95!

* Join Upromise and earn up to 8% of your bill in college savings rewards when you dine out at any of over 8,000 participating restaurants (Rebates too for groceries and online shopping!)

*

BOOKS & MAGAZINE RESOURCES:

1. Special Discount Offer: Save $10 on books to help you start your own business

2. 25 Businesses YOU Can Start and Run From Home

3. Free Book Bundles from Entrepreneur Magazine

4. Top 20 Part-Time Businesses to Start

5. Start Your Own Business Book

THE INTERNET & ONLINE MARKETING:

6. Broadband Essentials from RealNetworks: Protect Your PC & Maximize Your Broadband Connection.

7. Yahoo! Sponsored Search connects businesses and customers online. Sign up and get a $25 credit.

8. Register your domain at Yahoo! Only $1.99/1st yr.

9. Interested in starting an online store? Yahoo! makes it easy – 35% off for a limited time!

10. Start Selling on Ebay!

HOMEBUSINESS SUPPLIES:

11. Inkjet cartridges for Lexmark, HP, Epson, Compaq, Canon and other printers… Up to 75% OFF!

12. Get FREE business cards for your business or personal use — an $85 FREE gift. Top quality! Full color!

HEALTH/MEDICAL BENEFITS PLAN FOR SMALL BUSINESS:

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HOMEBUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES:

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OTHER MOM PRODUCTS:
16. 2007 CuteKid of the Year. Submit your Toddlers photos. Free Membership and chance to Win. www.TheCuteKid.com

17. Pregnant and uninsured or underinsured? Worried about medical expenses? Try our medical benefits plan. All ongoing medical problems accepted including PREGNANCY. Save Up To 50% on medical care. Lab, physical therapy, imaging centers, hearing services, diabetic supplies included. Also Includes Dental, Prescription, Vision & Chiropractic benefits. 100% satisfaction guarantee!

18. Dental Benefits Plan – Up to 80% discount on Dental Services, including orthodontics (braces) and cosmetic dentistry. Also includes Vision, Prescription and Chiropractic benefits at no extra charge.

19. SAVE NOW on ALL your Favorite Magazines. Ongoing promotion: A Special Opportunity for New Visitors to MagazineCity – Free Magazines!

20. Save $10 off any purchase of $40 or more at Perfume Emporium. Use code CD1972.

21. Bra: Maternity, nursing, athletic and more. Great name brands including plus sizes and fashion. Hurry over and get your bra today.

22. 85% off DKNY, CK, & POLO plus FREE Shipping!

23. 60 minute trial of on demand tutoring for $5- see our subjects.

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25. Watch Full-Length Movies Online with SuperPass.

Unique & Affordable Father’s Day Gifts (for June 17th)

It’s that time of the year again. And whether we like it or not, we can’t help but feel the pressure to give ‘the man of the house’ -whether our husband or our dad – something for Father’s Day (FD).

Don’t be bitter just because your hubby didn’t give you anything for Mother’s Day (MD) :( This time, you’ve got to lead by example. Treat him like a king on FD (take pictures as proof – men are notorious for their short-term memory) and when MD comes along next year, subtly remind him of what you did this year by showing him the pics.

As for my hubby, I and the kids will be cooking him breakfast in bed and then we’ll leave him alone for the day so he can snooze and rest. He works hard the rest of the week, you know. And then cap it off with a nighttime full-body massage.

For the gift, that’s where I’m having a hard time. I want it to be unique and meaningful. I want the gift to ’speak’ to him about how good a dad he is and that he can even be better!

I guess the buzz word in online shopping today is personalization - making something personal and unique. Generic products are now passe.

* CafePress and Zazzle! (which offer free shipping)for instance let you design your own graphics & text and have those printed on any product you choose at their store. Hmm… what about a shirt with our kids’ picture embossed on it…

* What about a Beer Making Kit from Mr. Beer.

* Or a professionally framed, authentic autographed jerseys, from COLLECTIBLES OF THE GAME.

* Or an art piece from the World’s largest selection of fine art prints.

* If your hubby/dad is like mine who hates to read a printed book, an audiobook is an excellent way to ‘read’ even when he’s on the go or stuck in traffic. What about gifting him with an unlimited book or audiobook gift rental?

* Does he like to read magazines? What about a Gift Certificate to an online Men’s Magazines store?

* To prevent our men from getting lost, we should get each one a can’t-live-without GPS.

* If you’re feeling a little more extravagant, jewelry is always an excellent gift. Try Harris Michael’s line of men’s jewelry. They have items below $50 and currently have a promotional discount of 18% off + FREE SHIPPING +$5 donated for kids.

* What about a Grand Canyon Tour from Las Vegas.

* Or a golf cruise perhaps?

* If you just want to stick to the traditional tie, at least get a designer tie from Raffaello .

Here are some more ideas on how to treat our hubby on this special day:

* Have a movie marathon treat. Gather all of your husband’s favorite movies and watch these with him.

* Love his game. You can challenge him to a one-on-one.

* Hand-wash his car for him. It shows that you also care for the things he values.

* Cook his favorite (healthy) meal and encourage him to stay healthy.

* Go for a run or walk together.

* Organize a dinner date under a clear sky. Set up a candle-lit dinner in your backyard or roof top with delicious food and a bottle of fine wine.

There’s only a week to go. Got to go get the gift.

May 25 is National Missing Children’s Day

As moms, we get so overwhelmed with our daily lives at home (and making money) that we forget what’s happening out there.

For instance, did anybody remember that May 25 is National Missing Children’s Day?

This is a cause that I would like to support and promote because I feel for parents who lose a kid to an abductor. Our kids should be safe. Isn’t it alarming that we have come to a point where we need to tell our 3-year old “not to talk to strangers”?

The Polly Klaas Foundation, which is working for the safety of all children, is giving away free child safety kits  and Internet safety kits.

We all need to go and get one. Tell other moms (and dads too).

moms

Moms: Your idea could be worth $20,000 from Whirlpool brand!

I got this email from Whirlpool before Mother’s Day and was meaning to post it in here but as usual I got sidetracked…

“Happy Mother’s Day!

In honor of this year’s special day, you are invited to enter the third annual Whirlpool Brand Mother of Invention Grant Program, recognizing moms with creative inventions, innovative business plans or service ideas. Whirlpool brand understands that moms constantly take on new challenges and come up with creative solutions everyday – each year this program helps a few really innovative moms take their dreams to the next level.

This year, it could be you.  Do you have a brilliant idea you put on the backburner waiting for the right time, a little more money or just a little more gumption to forge ahead? Now is the time to turn those ideas into the successful venture you always knew it could be!

To participate, simply fill out an entry form available on www.whirlpool.com/moms or at designated retailers by answering questions that detail your unique idea, the inspiration behind it and its real world applications.

The 2007 Whirlpool Brand Mother of Invention Grant Program is seeking entries that:

Create a solution to an unmet consumer need
Are unique in the current marketplace
Could be a viable business
Have an interesting story around the creation.

Applicants have the chance to win:

Grand Prize: $20,000 grant, Whirlpool(R) Duet(R) or Cabrio(TM) washer and dryer pair, a Whirlpool(R) Fabric Freshener and a $3,000 stipend for a new home office.
First Prize: (2) $7,000 grant, a Whirlpool Gold(R) PowerScour(TM) dishwasher and a Whirlpool(R) Duet Sport(TM) washer and dryer pair.
Second Prize: (2) $5,000 grant and a Whirlpool(R) Duet Sport(TM) washer and dryer pair.

In addition to receiving grant money and Whirlpool product prizes, all winners will attend a business boot camp led by Whirlpool brand experts.

Now is the time to get your ideas rolling! Enter or spread the word to friends, family or colleagues. Moms interested in applying for the 2007 Whirlpool Brand Mother of Invention Grant are encouraged to visit www.whirlpool.com/moms starting May 13, 2007. The program closes on July 30, 2007.”

I submitted a business idea last year. But the deserving moms who won had concrete products – complete with prototypes/samples. I guess the judges are more into ‘mom inventions’ than business plans.

For my effort, I got a nice Certificate of Participation and a sense of validation.

moms

A Marketplace For Moms

I often wonder if there’s a place where moms can help each other by buying from and promoting each other?

A case in point: I need business cards. Wouldn’t it be great to buy it online from a mom-preneur than go to the big guys, i.e. Office Depot?

I know that a box of business cards won’t make any mom rich but think of the ‘critical mass’ that we could achieve…

For Laughs

We take our mom (or dad) roles too seriously. The daily family grind just drives us plain crazy. Multiply that by the number of kids you have….

So to lighten up the load and in anticipation of Mothers’ Day here’s a site chock-full of parenting jokes like:

THINGS I LEARNED FROM MY CHILDREN 

Legos will pass through the digestive tract of a four year old. Duplos will not.

Play Dough and Microwave should never be used in the same sentence.

No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you still can’t walk on water.

from humormatters.com

Now let me go back to thinking about how to make money/start a business online  – while the kids are still sleeping. If only I can concentrate on just one thing…

Try Products for Free!

I just stumbled recently on a cool site that lets women try products for free. The catch? You have to give an honest feedback/comment, of course. http://www.shespeaks.com/home

Kit for New Parents

Here’s a site that gives away free “Parenting Kits” for new parents in California, full of  ”advice and useful tips first-time parents need to best prepare for the joys and challenges that lie ahead…”  http://www.ccfc.ca.gov/kit/index.htm