Awesome eBay Selling Ebook Giveaway

With so many Amercian's losing their jobs this wonderful lady, Suzanne Wells, is giving away an awesome freebie! It is this really great ebook called "Stay at Home Mom's Guide to Successful eBay Selling". The best part is she's giving it away for free as part of a Good Karma Experiment on Facebook. It is similar to Pay It Forward.

Click here for the link:
http://ebaysellingcoach.blogspot.com/2009/01/paying-it-forward-free-book-for-moms.html

HMAH Tip #10 Save Time with A Gadget You Already Own

Since 82% of Americans have a cell phone, this tip applies to almost everyone.

Cell phones, nowadays, have lots and lots of features that can make your life easier*. Some of the basic features include voice mail, call waiting, built-in camera, alarm, memo/notes/to-do list, and calculator. Here's how these basic features can help you save time, save money and your sanity.

First of all is the voice mail feature. This is no longer just for your home (land-line) phone anymore. If you are shopping at the checkout line and someone calls you can easily send them to voice mail at the click of a button. Then return their call when it's more convenient for you.

Another feature that is popular on land-line phones is call waiting. You're on the phone with your sister and the school nurse from your daughter's school is trying to reach you. Good thing you have call waiting. My phone will beep and display a message on the screen during the call asking whether I want to take the call or not. It's peace of mind that you won't miss those important calls.

The built-in camera is probably the most fun feature. Taking pictures of your family and friends is the most common use. Another way to use the built-in camera is to take pictures of items you are considering buying. For example; buying a dress, furniture, painting, etc. to get someone else's opinion or to coordinate the item your current decor.

My favorite feature is the alarm. Some phones allow you to set alarms at a certain time each day every day or on specific days. Personally, I set my alarm to go off a couple minutes before I need to get my kids off the bus. It reminds me to get my coat on and head out to the bus stop. This way I know my kids will be safe and they aren't walking home alone.

Most phones include a voice memo or to-do list feature. t allows you to record a voice message to yourself or type in a note to yourself. This is a helpful when trying to remember your grocery list or the row you parked in. Save yourself time hunting around for your vehicle or making multiple trips to the store for items you forgot.

Finally, and the most useful is the calculator. This is a big money saver when shopping. Use it to figure out sale prices (ex. 30% off or 4 for $5) and to compare price per unit. Sometimes the larger size packages aren't the best deal after all. It can also be used to keep a running total of all the items in your cart to insure you don't go over your budget.

Your phone is a handy, little gadget you carry with you anyways, start using it to it's fullest. Start using all the features, so you can save time, and save money.

* Please note that each phone is a little different and refer to your owners manual for a full listing of your specific phone's features. These are basic features that a majority of phones have.

Reference:
Tuesday November 13, 2007
U.S. Cell-Phone Penetration Tops 82 Percent
http://www.gearlog.com/2007/11/us_cellphone_penetration_tops.php

HMAH Tip #9 One More Awesome Use for Calendar

Here is one final use for your calendar/day planner. I promise :)

Now, Organize Your Medical Life!

Use your day planner to get your health life in order, by using it as a food diary, exercise log or medical journal. Since you will access your planner each day to keep track of appointments already, this is the perfect place to note all the other pertinent information regarding your health.

Whether you are on a diet or not, your calendar is the perfect place to record your food diary. Make sure to include your daily calorie, carbohydrate, fiber and sodium intake. Keeping a food diary could help you and your doctors figure out food allergies, causes for headaches, and any other medical problems that could possibly arise.

Write down what exercises you've done and for how long. Regardless of which exercise you do. Right down the time of day and how many minutes. Include how easy the workout was, for example were you nearly breaking a sweat or working your bottom off.

Another major benefit of using a day planner or calendar is having a place to keep track of your medical statistics. This is key for those people with diabetes or high blood pressure. Each time you test your sugar or take your pressure, write it down in your calendar.

There are so many benefits to keeping healthy and using a planner or calendar of any kind is an easy tool to use to help maintain those benefits.

HMAH Tip #8 Baby's First Steps

Another great use for your calendar, day planner, etc. is as a memories keeper.

Record your child's first steps, first day at school, first hair cut, lost their first tooth or just the funny things your children say or do.

It's a place to write your personal journal entries. Write notes to yourself or just details about your day. Ex. Dr.'s appt.: Dr. Doe said to start stretching my back more to avoid injury.

What about your home business successes or ideas? Maybe you want to remember to research the latest marketing techniques or the name of the latest book to boost your business. Well, write them all down in one spot, so you can refer to them often.

Just another way to put your calendar to use.

HMAH Tip #7 Keep it All Together

Keep it all together!

Get yourself a day planner, calendar, etc. It doesn't matter what kind. You could use a small 2 year planner, a dollar store planner, or go all out with a name brand day planner. It really doesn't matter. You just need to find one you would actually use.

Now the important point - put everything on this one calendar. Put all your appointments, meetings, kid's appointments, soccer games, practices, school PTA meetings and also your home biz work in the same planner. This way you can look at your planner and know what everyone has to do that specific day or any day in the near future.

Another important detail. Carry it with you! You'll save time because you can give an answer right then and there instead of saying "let me check my schedule".

HMAH Tip #6 Great Way to Remove Smells from Clothes

Have you ever been to a bar and the next day your clothes and coat smelled of smoke?
Ever leave the clothes in the washer too long and they start to smell a little musty?

Well, this is a really cheap and easy fix that can quickly get rid of the smells from your clothes and linens. Simply add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to your wash during the rinse cycle. An entire bottle of white vinegar costs on average $1.50. It helps remove soap residue that can dull black clothes and all keeps your colors bright. It's easy just use your laundry detergent as usual and dry as normal.

There you go a cost effective, easy way to keep your clothes and linens looking new and smelling fresh.

Beginners Get Fit With Wii Fit

Copyright 2009 Kimberly Shavatt

With 2/3 of Americans considered obese, the Wii Fit is an excellent tool to get people moving. It is perfect for people just starting an exercise regime, embarrassed to attend weekly meetings, or too busy to go to the gym a couple times a week.

It's Fun
First of all, the Wii Fit is fun. Seriously, try not to laugh when your Mii (your character) is getting hit in the head with a stuffed panda head or soccer shoe. Plus, when was the last time you saw your Aunt Sue hula hoop? What about your kids trying to balance on one foot without falling?

Makes You Sweat
You may be thinking, "Can I really get a decent workout with a video game?". Well the answer is yes! You get easily break a sweat while hula hooping for 3 minutes straight or jogging around on the Wii Fit Island. There is also boxing and step aerobics mini games.

Easy to Use
It is easy to use at any age. Whether your 5 or 75. The game records your weight, BMI, tracks how many minutes you've been training, when you worked out last, and even provides motivational tips. There are easy to follow demos or directions for every game. All you need to do is pick and chose which mini games you want to try.

Variety of Games
All games help improve your balance, flexibility and strength - something almost every American could improve on. There are yoga moves, strength training, aerobics, and balance games. Almost anything you could do in a gym you can do on your Wii Fit including boxing, step aerobics, jogging, yoga, and lots, lots more.

Better than a Gym
The absolutely best reason Wii Fit is perfect for beginners is you can use it in the privacy of your own home. No need to pay for expensive gym memberships and then drive there a couple times a week. You don't have to feel self-conscience working out in front of others. There's no big, bulky equipment to buy. Plus, no meetings with embarrassing weigh-ins.

Wii Fit has all the elements to get you started with an exercise regime. It will make you sweat and get your heart pumping. It has a variety of games to choose from, so you won't lose interest fast. You won't need to travel to a gym or pay those pricey monthly dues because it can be done in the comfort of your home. Best of all, it's fun and easy to use.

HMAH Tip #5 Cheap Way to Clean Windows

Today's tip is to use rubbing alcohol to clean your windows and mirrors. It's both cheaper and works just as good as the more expensive glass cleaners.

First go to any Dollar Store or your grocery store and buy a plain bottle of rubbing alcohol and an empty squirt bottle. Fill the squirt bottle with the alcohol and start cleaning. Both items together will cost about $2 which is much less than the almost $4 for Windex or similar items.

In addition to costing less rubbing alcohol also works just as good as the name brand window cleaners. Just spray onto your windows or mirrors and wipe off. Plus, no streaks. It works great with paper towels, rags or even newspaper.

This is just another way to save a little bit of money and keep your house clean.

HMAH Tip #4 - What Do I Do With All These Receipts?

Starbucks $8 Target $35 Exxon $25

What if . . . I need to return that shirt I bought last Thursday because it doesn't fit? Where did I put the receipt???


There is a really easy way to find any receipt or bill in under 5 minutes.

All you need it a 13 pocket accordian file that is easily for sale at any office supply store or almost any department store. Once you purchase the accordian file label the sections January - December and the last pocket is for taxes or medical forms. Now the easy part, take each receipt write the amount in your checkbook and than file it under that month in your file. Done!

This also works with bills. As you pay them, put the bill (minus the payment slip you send with the check) in the appropriate month.

Another benefit of keeping your receipts and bills organized this way is to help you at tax time. You can use the last pocket for all your donation receipts, w2, 1099 forms, etc. If you put these forms in the pocket as you receive them, they will all be in one place when tax time comes.

Now, whenever you need to find a receipt or bill all you need to do is look under the month you made the purchase.

HMAH Tip #3 - Never Grocery Shop When You're Hungry

This tip applies to all ages. Never go grocery shopping when you're hungry. Whether your an adult or child going grocery shopping hungry can be detrimental to your budget. It's a proven fact - when you shop hungry you add more items to your cart than were on your list. Since you're hungry and surrounded by food - it all looks delicious and you end up buying more.

If you happen to be shopping with a child, make sure they aren't hungry either. This will help them from be less cranky and/or whiny. Another trick is to bring along something to keep them busy, so you can focus more of your time on shopping.

As a rule of thumb, make sure you have a meal or at least light snack prior to your trip. At the very least chew a stick of gum or suck on a piece of hard candy.

HMAH Tip #2 - Shop from Grocery Store Sale Ads

Plan your meals around that week's grocery store sales ads.

If you favorite store has a sale on ground beef and noodles then make sure to include spaghetti for dinner one day that week. Don't stop there though what about hamburgers with gravy and noodles another day. Let your imagination run wild. Plus, if the item is one your family eats often, pick up extra.

Here are a couple tips:

* Don't forget sale ads for stores you don't shop regularly.

* Pay close attention to lost leaders and items you family buys frequently.

* Make sure you look over all sale ads with great care. They will jog your memory about items you are out of or running low on.

* For even more savings combine sales with coupons.

Feel free to print out a menu planner/grocery list by clicking the link below.

http://helpingmomsathome.com/MembersOnly/menuplanner.html

Helping Moms At Home Tip

Always shop from a list and be sure to stick to it!

Really, you can save some major cash just by sticking a list. Here's a really simple example of how planning ahead and making a shopping list can save you big money.

Say you have a habit of picking up a bottle of soda at $1.25 a day from a convenience store. Those sodas can add up to $6.25 a week, $25 a month or $300 a year. Now, that may not seem like a lot at the time, but you can purchase them from the grocery store on sale for 4 pkgs. for $12 that comes out to $3 for a 6-pack of sodas. It could save you $144 a year. Think about all the ways you could spend that extra $144, and I'm not even asking you to quit drinking your sodas.

Little changes add up to a lot over time.

Great Find at KB Toy Store

I found this plastic sled at KB Toys for $1.49 originally $5.99. While it would work just fine as a sled, I plan to use it for collecting leaves in the fall. If you've ever had to rake leaves by yourself you know it's a little difficult to hold a lawn and leaf bag open and put leaves inside at the same time. Well, a friend let me borrow his plastic sled this fall and here's what he told me.

Unroll the sled a little and slip it into the lawn and leaf bag. Make as large of a circle as you can with the sled and use clips to hold it in position. The sled holds the bag upright and open. Simply drop the leaves in and pull the sled out when the bag is full.

It sounds really simple and it is, but it cut my raking time in half. Try it and see for yourself.

Keep the Heat in with Door Stoppers

Since most of the country has been hit with a major cold spell, I wanted to show a very easy way to keep some of that heat in your home.

To make one for your home. Simply measure the width of your door or window. Now cut a piece of fabric to the width of your door or window by 5" high. Fold the fabric in half length wise with the right sides together. Sew with a straight stitch or by machine along the long edge. Leaving the end open. Turn right side out and stuff with pillow stuffing or rice. Hand sew up the remaining open end.

Another option to going out and buying fabric is to recycle old fabric from old sheets, blankets, jeans or any other material you no longer need.

New Law to Ban Homemade Toys & Kid's Books!!!

This came from www.change.org website.
To get more information visit the site at http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commisions' Website for FAQ
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/faq/faq.html


A Proposal From the handmadetoyalliance.org

In 2007, large toy manufacturers who outsource their production to China and other developing countries violated the public's trust. They were selling toys containing dangerously high lead content, unsafe small parts, and chemicals that made kids sick.

The United States Congress rightly recognized that the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) lacked the authority and staffing to prevent dangerous toys from being imported into the US. So, they passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) in August 2008. Among other things, the CPSIA bans lead and phthalates in children's products, mandates third party testing and certification, and requires manufacturers of all goods for children under the age of 12, to permanently label each item with a date and batch number.

All of these changes will be fairly easy for large, multinational companies to comply with. Large manufacturers who make thousands of units of each item have very little incremental cost to pay for testing and updating their systems to include batch labels. Small businesses however, will likely be driven out of business by the costs of mandatory testing, to the tune of as much as $4,000 or more per item. And the few larger manufacturers who still employ workers in the United States face increased costs to comply with the CPSIA, even though American-made toys had nothing to do with the toy safety problems of 2007.

Anyone who produces or sells any of the following new or used items will be required to comply with the law: toys, books, clothing, art, educational supplies, materials for the learning disabled, bicycles, and more. Any uncertified item intended for children under the age of 12 will be considered contraband after February 10, 2009. It will be illegal to sell or give these items away to charities, and the government will require their destruction or permanent disposal, resulting in millions of tons of unnecessary waste, and placing an enormous strain on our landfills.

There is a clear disconnect between the sweeping nature of this law, and the narrow range of products that were problematic in 2007. The CPSIA applies standards that were put in place in reaction to the sale of toys contaminated with lead paint and toxic plastics. Rather than focus on these materials, this law places a guilty until proven innocent mentality on all children's product producers by imposing mandatory testing and certification, and in the process will kill an entire industry.

Thriving small businesses are crucial to the financial health of our nation. Let's amend the CPSIA so that all businesses large and small are able to comply and survive!


While I understand testing for lead and other dangerous chemicals is very important. I feel there must be a way to keep our children safe and not put our small business out of business.

Happy New Year 2009!

Like most people I write out my New Year's Resolutions each year. However, I'm usually able to stick with my goals unlike most people who quit 2 weeks to 2 months into the year. How do I do it? Well, it's not rocket science.

First, put your goals/resolutions in writing. Write your goals like they have already happened. More importantly write SMART goals.
S - Specific or simple
M - measurable and meaningful
A - action-oriented, attainable and appropriate
R - realistic and relevant
T - time-based and track able

Next, review these goals often. Each week as you're planning out the week ahead, plan a small step or two that you can take that would move you toward reaching your goal. For example, if you want to lose 20lb in 2009, plan to walk for 15 minutes 2-3 days this week. Then up the amount of time each week or so.

Finally, remember slow and steady wins the race! Many people try to jump in with both feet - going all out. Such as working out 5 days a week for 1 hr a day when you never exercised before, trying not to eat any food when you live off take out, or quit smoking cold turkey. Everyone can use some help and support. It's better to reach your goal a little slower than you wanted than to never reach your goal at all.

What are you waiting for? Today is a new day. A new beginning.

Remember, be specific with your resolutions. Review your goals often, and most importantly slow and steady really does win the race! Follow these simple techniques and you are sure to stick with your resolutions.