Blog Carnival

I just started a Blog Carnival and if you have written articles on your blog about frugal tips for WAHM (work at home moms) on starting a home business with little or no cost to them , than I would love for you to submit your articles here >


Deadlines are every saturday night until midnight eastern time and the Blog Carnival will be posted on here the Sunday after the deadline.

Search for more Blog Carnivals below>>>>

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Become a Freelance Writer

Suite101 Freelance Writer Application



Here is an application for you to fill out and try to become a writer for Suite101.

That would be a great gig. They have many catagories that you could write for. This might be something for you to try if you are a writer.

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Wild Women Entrepreneurs

Wild Women Enterpreneurs (The Wild WE) is a membership-based organization that encourages women to reach their full potential in business and in life. Wild WE's objective is to share the tools, ideas and networks women need to assume leadership positions, and empower women to become fun, fearless, fabulous females.

The Wild WE began in May 2005 and currently has 4000+ members Worldwide. For more information, visit us at: Wild Women Entrepreneurs

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#8 Tip For Success

HAVE A PLAN ~

No matter how flimsy it is in the beginning ,You should create a plan that includes your goals (short tern and long term), milestones, contacts, business plan, and accomplishments. This way you will have a visual of what you are working for and what you have already accomplished. It will help you see what you need to do better also.

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I'm a TOPMOMMA!!!

FIND OUT WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT BY GOING HERE!!!!

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Are you ready to be a WAHM??

Finally...you don’t have to choose between making money and making time for your family! One of the Best Decisions You Can Make to Contribute to Your Family Build a Full-Time Income and Still Be a Full-Time Mom! Your kids are #1 and now you can choose to stay at home with them and still make an income! Which one of these are you? I'm a stay-at-home mom looking for some extra income. I'm a working mom who wants to stay home with my family. If either of those describe you, Than click on the link below ~~~
FIND OUT WHICH WORK AT HOME JOB IS RIGHT FOR YOU

Also - you can use this search box to find a home based business and ideas to start your own>

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#7 Tip For Success

CHANGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES ~~

You have a choice in life to to either accept your position or to change it. If you choose to go along in your life hoping things will change for the better on their own , than you will not get very far! ALWAYS REMEMBER ~ That you have the power and the control to change your circumstances! If you are in a dead end job and have always dreamed of starting your own cookie decorating business , than change your life and get out there and do what you love! You will be a lot happier and in the long run a lot more successful. Take a leap of faith and trust that when you change your own circumstances that you will be able to do. A lot people stay in the life they are out of fear. It IS scary to try or start something new ,but it can be done! You might be afraid of what others think also. Like, family members or friends ,but it is not their life. You have to do and change what you need to change to make yourself happy. If you are wanting to start your own business (and it is scary to do that) ,Than do a little bit at a time until you reach your goal! Pretty soon you be at it full time!

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Make Money Sewing Accessories for Dogs!

I just read in a recent issue of Pet Product News that knitting sweaters for dogs is a new "HOT" item! So if you know how to knit why not try it. You might make some extra money or be able to add to it and create a whole new line of items for dogs. If you sew you could make jackets, make gourmet doggie treats, and the list can go on. I did some searching and I found a website that has a few FREE patterns for some dog clothing and accessories. CANINE CRAFTS. This could turn into a cool work at home career. In the search box below you can do a search for more pet crafts and ideas!!

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#6 Tip For Success

FOCUS ON SOMETHING YOU LIKE!

You should concetrate your efforts on to something you enjoy and this will increase your chances for succeeding. Start by making a list of things that you enjoy doing and than in a 2nd column write the skills that you have in relation to each of those items. This will help you to narrow down your choices based on skill and interest. That will get you in the right direction towards success.

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#5 Tip For Success

STOP COMPLAINING!

You might think that there is no connection between complaining and success, but there is!! When you are spending time complaining about the obstacles you are facing , you are wasting so much of your valuable time being negative that you are actually losing chances to move forward. Start thinking of challenges as opportunities and take advantage of them as a way to learn.

12 Ways To Make Money With Niches

A Niche is something that sets your business apart from others. To compete with others ,especially online, you need to create a unique niche.
Here are 12 ideas for creating niches~~

1. Your niche could be that you offer free shipping. To begin it might seem like you are not making any money this way ,but you will soon see that you have alot of repeat customers and new ones coming in everyday.

2. Your niche could be that your prices are always the lowest. Check out your competition and then always be a few cents lower.

3. Your niche could be that your products achieve results faster than others.

4. Your niche could be that you have been in business for a longer time. This gives you more credibility and your customers will trust you more.

5. Your niche could be that your item taste, smells,looks or feels better. This is really important if you are in a food business.

6. Your niche could be that your item is smaller and is lighter. People going on trips would like to take your item because it is easy to pack and tote.

7. Your niche could be that your business or product has won awards! Make sure you tell others about it and place it on your webpage.

8. Your niche could be that your item will last longer and is better made.

9. Your niche could be that your product is easier to use or your webpage is easier to use and quicker.

10. Your niche could be your products safety features.

11. Your niche could be that your product is hand made.

12. Your niche could be that you stand behind your products and offer guarantees, warranties, and / or free replacements.

#4 Tips For Success

The #4 Tip for Success is ~~~

DO NOT GIVE UP!

If you want to reach your goals and success, you need to persevere. Even when it becomes a challenge you need to keep striving to the end goal and ultimately success.
You need to have determination. If someone or something comes along that tries to steer you in different way uphold your determination with an unstoppable attitude and you will soon reach your goal of success.

Selling Your Crafts

If you plan on selling your crafts than you need to know as much as you can. Here are some great online craft magazines where you can get info , advice, craft show and fair listings, and much more.

Arts Crafts Show Business - Magazine and website for the craft artisan who sells. Includes show listings, articles, links and more: Arts Crafts Show Business



The Crafts Report - Online version of print magazine discussing all aspects of crafts business.

SAC News Monthly - Articles on craft business and promotions and reviews of craft shows: SAC News Monthly



Sunshine Artist - Online version of print magazine discussing art and crafts business. Also links to craft show locators. The Sunshine Artist

#3 Tip For Success

CREATE A BUSINESS PLAN!

If you are planning on starting a business than you HAVE to create a business plan. Even if you will not be searching for investors , your business plan will be your blueprint for success. It will have market trends, financing, competitive analysis, exit stratigies, promotional options, and everything about your goals. If you do plan on going before investors - You will have to have a business plan. It is the most important document you will have. You can also make smaller project plans that will help keep you on track towards your goal.

How to Become an Event Planner

Some of you may be wondering why learning How to Become a Party and Event Planner would be of interest to anyone. But, if have always dreamed of owning your own business and having the freedom that comes along with it, then you will definitely be interested in the event planning industry. Anyone entering into this industry has a wide range of options available to them and a huge market to tap into. You can plan birthday parties, showers, bachlorette parties, graduation, welcome home, retirement, and more!! The possibilities are endless!!

Estimated start up costs:
The start-up costs of becoming a party and event planner are relatively low but they will depend upon what services you intend offering. For most, the essential equipment includes: cell phone, laptop, business cards, Yellow Pages ad, and a good organizer of some sort. If you intend on offering catering as one of your event planning jobs, then clearly you will need a fully stocked kitchen but it is possible to outsource this function if you are coordinating the entire event. Bare bones start-up costs including a rough estimate for liability insurance would be less than $2500 if you did your homework and found some deals along the way.

Recommended experience, skills, and training:
Although college degrees are available for an event planner, most of the entrepreneurs within the industry do not have one. The majority of business owners started out in catering or business meeting planning and expanded into event planning. However, many owners have attended classes and attained certification. In addition to education, learning how to become a party and event planner includes experience in the following areas: marketing, accounting, management, and sales.

Marketing tips:
To obtain credibility as a competent event planner, it is imperative that you present a professional image at all times. All of your invoices, e-mails, business cards, and correspondence should bear your company logo and have continuity in visual presentation. You will probably see good results from joining networking groups and the local chamber of commerce. Word-of-mouth will be critical in the early phases while working with the public but you will need a completely professional image and marketing strategy to land the corporate accounts.

Creating a website and filling it with a lot of useful content will land you a high ranking in the search engines and provide you with a powerful marketing tool to help promote your business. Be sure to include a link to this website in all of your e-mails and correspondence as a cheap but effective way of driving traffic to your site. Finally, use direct mail campaigns to local businesses that include some kind of promotion or discount for using your services.

Designers Wanted!

Do you have experience with any of the following ~~
Template or PSD designs
Flash Intros or Flash Templates
Corporate ID or Logos
Buttons, Interfaces, Web Elements
Photography, Photo Elements
Than you could get a job with this company.
BoxedArt.com is seeking talented individuals in a variety of fields. We look forward to receiving an application from fresh hot talent for a variety of graphic material.

#2 Tip For Success

The #2 Tip For Success is ~~

DO NOT LOOK BACK!

Everyone has failures or mistakes from the past. You need to learn from your past and those difficult lessons, but do not dwell on the past. Simply move forward and make better ,more thougt out decisions from the lessons learned.

BloggerParty

This is something that I just found out about and think is pretty cool. You blog for points and you have an option in your account to put your google adsense links in each and every post you make to your Blogger Party account! Just blog like you usually do and make more money with your google adsense account. This is a great way to make extra Google adsense money.

My New Blog

I have gone and done it. I was holding off and am really too busy ,but I went ahead and did it yesterday. I have started a new blog!!!!
This one is called

How Does Your Garden Grow!

It is all about gardening and I will also be journaling my experience with my new much bigger garden this summer. I will be sharing tips and more, also!

Become an Antiques Dealer

This is a great and hot way to make money. If you are interested in antiques , this business is for you. Many people have earned income from scouring around neighborhood flea markets and yard sales for valuable finds, and reselling them for a handsome profit. You need to be able to learn how to distinguish which items are a steal (and which are not worth it), and how to price the bargains that you find. Your start-up phase will be devoted to scouting for more merchandise to resell. As your inventory grows, you can spend time marketing your find. You can rent a small booth at the mall or flea market every weekend. The Internet has expanded the market for antiques and collectibles business. You can open an online store or sell your finds on eBay.
Here are some resources :
Antique Guide Online

#1 Tip For Success

This is the first in a 100 day series of 100 TIPS FOR SUCCESS! Each day for the next 100 days there will be a new tip for success!

TIP #1 ~~~~~

REALIZE YOUR POTENTIAL !

For you to succeed at anything - you have to realize that you have the potential to reach your goals. Strive for success in areas where you have talent. Do not try to be a singer if you can't carry a note! That will only shatter your self confidence. If you have a talent in something than you can realize your potential in that much easier and soon reach your goal.

Huge List of Money Making Ideas!

This is just a start of some great ideas for some home businesses you could start with very little money and out of your own home.

Antiques
Architectural salvage
Bicycle repairs
Bodyguard service
Book search service
Business support service
Buying and renovating properties
Buying an existing business
Cake design
Calligraphy
Car care
Card mailing service
Careers advisor
Catering service
Children's party entertainer
Cleaning antiques
Community business
Companions agency
Complementary therapies
Contract cleaning
Counselling
Courier services
Craft work
Cultivating new plants
Dealing in art
Film making
Florist's commission work
Fortune telling
Franchising
Fund raising
Garden work Gift buying service
Greeting card design
Hairdressing
History of houses
House name and number plates
Image consultant
Importing
Indexing
Internet businesses
Introducing sidelines
Inventions
Ironing service
Magazine publishing
Mail order
Making craft kits
Management consultancy
Market stalls
Mini cab services
Multi-media design
Natural toiletry products
Nursing home
Office equipment cleaning
Office lunches
Organic food supplier
Organising conferences
Party DJ
Party planning
Personalised gifts
Personal trainer
Pet food supplier
Pet sitting and walking Picture library
Print selling
Private investigation agency
Product agent
Professional's manager or agent
Property finding service
Property maintenance
Publishers' remainders
Reconditioning equipment
Recording studio
Renovating junk furniture
Re-upholstering
Running a play group
Secondhand goods
Security work
Sell your knowledge
Speciality foods
Surplus stock
Teleworking
Themed cafes
Toy making
Tracing family trees
Training for businesses
Translation work
Voluntary group
Wedding consultant
Window boxes
Window cleaning
Window dressing
Writing

Add Your Blog Here!!

I just started a Top List for Work at Home Blogs! You can add your work at home , make money online, or business blog for FREE! Get some more traffic to your blog.
Just go HERE and add your blog!!




Click Here to Visit Top Work At Home Blogs

10 Ways For A WAHM To Have A Successful Day!

10. Pick one task that MUST get done and accomplish it First!
Be sure this is not a multi step task such as submit my advertisement to 100 sites, that could take all day. You want this one task to be something accomplished immediately so when the day falls off track due to your toddler helping themselves to the permanent markers, you know you've gotten something productive done in your business.

9. Take a 10 minute break EVERY hour.
You wouldn't believe how happy your kids will be when you take 10 minutes to fully devote to them. Set up a new game or activity, color, play tag. Get them on a roll. Your next 50 minutes of working will be filled with laughter.

8. Make snacks FUN!
Nobody likes graham crackers in a bowl everyday. A little effort into snacks can bring smiles. How about strawberries cut on a plate, cool whip with drizzled chocolate syrup. Takes less than 5 minutes and your children will WANT to sit at the table.

7. Use the Crockpot.
During morning snack time, while the kids are at the table with their fancy snack. Throw some meat in the crockpot, add some spices, put the veggies on the table or in the crock. Dinner will be ready in 15 minutes after your long day working at home.

6. Let's get Physical.
Don't forget kids have a ton of energy and you need to help them use it up. During your 10 minute breaks, be sure at least 3 of those are physically tiring activities. Besides you'll get your 30 minutes of exercise in for the day!

5. Use a Timer.
This is both for you and the kids. A large kitchen timer that counts down 50 minutes at a time. Even the littlest of toddlers will recognize the beep and realize it's Mommy time! You can set it again for 10 minutes which will remind you and your children its time for Mommy's work. This will keep your day flowing without losing track.

4. Take One day OFF a week.
Places such as museums and zoos are less crowded during the week. Take the day off, pack the kids a lunch and GO! You'll be refreshed and more productive the next day. You won't believe how many new ideas you can come up with when you walk away from the computer for more than a minute. Plus, your kids will probably go to bed early from the outing, you'll be able to check your emails in peace.

3. Don't forget your Friends.
We have many different roles to play once we become Mommy. Most of the time we forget to be a friend to our peers. Not just our other Mommy friends that we met because of our kids, but the friends that we don't talk to all the time or make playdates with. Call the friend that you only see once and a while. Have lunch and an adult conversation.

2. Take Time for Yourself
It's o.k. to read a book that doesn't talk about marketing strategies. Spend 10 extra minutes in the shower and actually dry off before you get dressed. Instead of making everyone's favorite dinner, order out your favorite meal. You'll be a better person to everyone when you take time for yourself.

1. Remember why You Choose To Stay Home!
When your frustration level is increasing, you can't get anything done, your toddler just hit delete on the article you were writing and the dog is barking....enjoy it. This is why you are home. Step away from your work, take a deep breath, take time to get the house rythym back and then worry about work. You're home to love your kids when they need it most, take advantage of the opportunity to handle challenging times, this is why you're a WAHM!

Selling Your Homemade Soaps

Most people in the United State are looking for a way to make a little extra money. One popular way to make extra money is to sell homemade products. If you are interested in selling your homemade soap then you will need to take a few simple steps.

The first thing that you will need to do if you are interested in selling your homemade soap is to develop a line of unique homemade soaps that will appeal to consumers. Your unique angle may be a special recipe, an organic recipe, a unique color scheme, or a unique soap shape.

The second thing that you will need to do if you are interested in selling your homemade soap is to develop your advertising campaign. This campaign should focus on the special features and benefits of using your handcrafted bath and body products. For example you may offer aromatherapy soap that is designed to relax or invigorate the consumer.

The third thing that you will need to do is to get your handmade body products and soaps out in front of consumers. To do this you may want to design a website with online shopping capabilities, you may rent space at a craft fair, sell on ebay, or you may try marketing your products to local specialty and gift stores.

Finally, if you want to sell your homemade soaps you will need to be able to produce your soaps in quantity without sacrificing quality. Repeat business is as important to your company’s success as new customers are. To ensure that your customers become repeat customers you will want to make sure that your soap is made from quality ingredients and you will want to make sure that you don’t alter your recipe or alter the quality of the ingredients that you use, unless it is for the better.

Here is a great ebook that you can get that has tons of info on making soaps and candles and it is only 99 cents. Art Of Manufacturing Soaps And Candles Ebook

Ebay Sellers!!!!!!!!!

Ebay sellers create money making listings. Online auctions can be a tight marketplace. Isn't it time you stood out from the crowd?

A professional looking listing is no longer a "nice to have" it is a "need to have". Let us help you maximize the potential of your auctions!

You can get templates and host your photos. You do not need to have html experience because it is all done with an online listing generator and it is also compatible with Turbolister. You also get Product & Services Reviews ,Articles, Hints & Tips ,and membership to the Sellers Community Forum.
Seller Sourcebook - The Ultimate Resource for your Online Auction Business. The great thing about this is that it is compatible with other online auction sites also.

File your taxes online!

Get paid in as little as 24 hours* with the QuickAccess tax refund loan feature. Get Online Tax Preparation and Filing TaxBrain.com
. They Support Federal and State income taxes for all 50 states. The online Tax Brain Live Chat team is here to help you prepare your income taxes online. If we incorrectly prepare your tax return we will pay the interest & penalties. It's that simple.
You can Estimate your taxes for free online at TaxBrain.com.

AGLOCO.com

I just signed up for this and you can sign up HERE. It is a free way to make some extra money!! The viewbar is slated to be released in March. I am not too sure about this and will have more information on here as it becomes available. If anyone has any info about this please use the comment link below.

Home Business Ideas

Are you looking for home business ideas? Here you can find free info about 25 Businesses You Can Start and Run From Home.
You can also find info on how to Start Your Own Business.
This is a great site full of free information and you can even save on their magazine suscription. Special Offer: Entrepreneur Magazine for only $1.33 a month

The Traffic Club

Big thanks to Coffee Time for adding me to the Traffic Club List. This is a special list of bloggers united to lend a helping hand to one another. Feel free to add blogs to the list BUT being a member comes with responsibilitly! We all want to build readership and this is a great way for us to do it.

Requirements:

1. Copy all the blogs links EXACTLY on the list and paste to your post.
2. Give a link to the site you saw this from and write about it in your own words.
3. Click on the blogs on your post once a day and visit everyone on it.
4. Add a couple of friends (No more than 3)

My Adds:

Time To Budget Your Money
Frugal Baby Tips

Mom Insider

The Originals:


Commensense Critique
Blog About Your Blog
Working At Home Mom
Echoes of Grace
Internet. Serious Business.
Jimi Morrisons Head
Pray For Mojo
Candid Quips
Pencil Thin
Simplify Every Obstacle
SEO This
Toil
"that Boy Ain't Right!"
Mustard & Catsup
Pegs Az Life
Wild Ride
Genki Desu Yo
AzDana
My Single Mom Life
Skeets Stuff
Moms With A Spine
Shadow Scope
Beautiful British Columbia
My Thoughts, Ideas & Ramblings
Sprezzaturarrd
Candid Quips
Elynns Random Life
PCDA
Reviews and More
Fire Pit
Dilly Designs
Home Biz Blogger
Figuring Myself Out
Steve Sports & Travel
Win Some Gunning Art Walk
A Green Earth
About Simple Ways
U-G-H
Owen
Ask Owen
Jimi Morrisons Head
Pray For Mojo
Internet Serious Business
A WAHM’s Blog
Penny Pinching Mom
Wanna Be A WAHM
My Home Recipe
Sqkiki’s Disney Plan
Sqkiki’s Island
Fatty’s Wife Mumbling
Dandelion Patch
Scribble On The Wall
marisashreve
Don’t Pick Up
Whatever I Feel Like
Anais Amy
Know A New Freedom
Mom & Pop Tech
Home With The Kids
Aspects Of Home Business
Green SAHM
Time For Exercise
Make Healthy Meals
Simple Kind Of Life
3 Day Mom
Geeky Speaky
Buy Me Blog
Hockey Dad
Florida Blog
Tampa-Florida Blog
Army Mom:New Jersey
My Single Mom Life
Little America

Make Money With Gift Baskets

Gift baskets are a great way to make a personal gift for family or friends. This article includes many ideas of containers and themes to help you get started on a gift basket for everyone on your list. Gift baskets can be a lot of fun for you and the recipient and don't have to cost a lot of money.

The Recipient

The first thing to consider is who you are giving the basket to:

- What do they like?
- What are their hobbies?
- What do they need?
- What do they like to eat?

Containers


The container or "basket" doesn't have to be expensive. Pick a theme (some are listed below) and find a container that goes with the theme that can hold some items or have items attached to it. You want the container and the items to go together and for everything to be usable and practical. (This is not to say that a few fun things can't be thrown in too.) Below are some of my ideas for containers but there certainly are many more possibilities.

- Baskets of all shapes and sizes
- Bowls
- Flower pots
- Watering can
- Fishing creel
- Canvas bag
- Day pack
- Waste basket
- Bucket - ice, plastic or garden
- Colander
- Plastic container
- Storage box
- Platter
- Tin

Ideas for Themes

The items that go within the gift basket should be tied together by a common theme. The themes below are gift basket recipes that can be modified to fit your needs or to get you started on developing your own themed gift basket.

College Student Gift Basket

Use a basket or usable container
- Pens and Pencils
- Printer paper and supplies
- Mouse pad
- Washcloth and hand towel
- Yummy healthy snacks
- Phone Card
- Gift certificate for a CD
- Nail Clippers
- Book light

Bath Gift Basket

Use a nice basket
- Gel eye-pack
- Epsom salts or bubble bath
- Aroma therapy oils
- Scented candles and holders
- Pumice stone
- Washcloths, scrubber or loofa sponge
- Back cleaning brush
- Relaxing music on CD or cassette
- Rubber ducky

Kids Coloring Gift Basket

Use a rubber/plastic storage box
- Assorted papers, coloring books
- Crayons or colored pencils
- Nontoxic markers
- Assorted stickers
- Paint box and brushes
- Safe scissors

Photographer's Gift Basket

Use a basket or a camera bag
- Film
- Coupons for picture developing
- Camera Filters
- Lens cleaner
- Lens cloth
- Photo print paper
- Picture frame and matte
- Picture Album

Letter Writer's Gift Basket

Use a square basket or plastic box
- Note paper or cards
- Envelopes (choose a variety of sizes)
- Letter opener
- Pen or pencil
- Personalized seal
- Sealing wax
- Return address labels
- Rubber stamps to decorate envelopes
- Stamps

Crafters Gift Basket

Use a rubber storage container
- Glue gun and glue sticks
- Acrylic paints
- Assorted brushes
- Craft knife
- Craft supplies (this will depend on the craft they do.)
- Craft patterns or how-to books
- Craft papers
- Scissors

Pasta Lover Gift Basket

Use a colander or bowl
- Package of gourmet pasta
- Tongs or pasta grabber
- Package of sun-dried tomatoes
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Fancy olives
- Spices: oregano, basil, garlic powder
- Collection of your favorite pasta recipes hand-printed on recipe cards
- Pasta cookbook
- Jar of gourmet sauce

Gardener's Gift Basket

Use a clay plant pot, bucket or watering can
- Gardening gloves
- Hand tools
- Vegetable, flower seeds
- Liquid fertilizer
- Kneeling pad
- Gardening book
- Subscription for a gardening magazine
- Plant markers
- Heavy Duty Hand Lotion

Cat Lover Gift Basket

Use a cat bowl or pet bed
- Catnip Mouse or other cat toy
- Hair ball paste
- Cat treats
- Cat Brush
- Scratching post
- Gourmet cat food

Dog Lover Gift Basket

Use a dog bowl or pet bed
- Rawhide bone
- Dog biscuits
- Squeaky toy
- Dog shampoo
- Brush
- Collar and/or leash


Dogs come in all sizes so make sure you are buying for the right size dog. Also if it is for a puppy, chewy stuff is the best.

New Home Owner Gift Basket

Use a tool box or tool tray
- Screw drivers - Slot and Phillips
- Wrench, Pliers or Vice Grip Pliers
- Hammer
- Assorted nails, tacks, screws, washers
- Gift certificate for the local hardware store
- Do-it-yourself Home Repair book
- Other assorted odds and ends like:
- super glue
- light switch covers
- light bulbs
- duct tape
- paint brushes
- knobs and handles

Guitar Player's Gift Basket

Use a basket or gig bag
- Assorted guitar picks
- Tuning pipe or electronic tuner
- Sheet music
- CDs or cassettes of great guitar players
- Guitar strings
- Capo
- Polishing rag
- Guitar polish
- Chord or lesson books

Skier or Snowboarder's Gift Basket

Use a small pack or canvas bag
- Gloves, mittens and/or warm hat
- Hot packs
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Moisturizer
- Pass to the local ski hill
- Hot chocolate
- Ski, snowboard or sled waxes

Grandparent Gift Basket

Use a basket or reusable container
- Scrapbook
- Children's artwork
- Gifts made by the kids
- Framed family pictures
- Videos of the family
- Long-distance calling card
- Candy, coffee, or tea
- Handmade Christmas ornaments
- Polar fleece lap blanket

Wine Lover's Basket

Use a wine cooling bucket
- Wine Glasses
- Cheese and Crackers
- Cork screw
- Bottle of wine

Holiday Entertainment Basket

Use a nice holiday basket
- Holiday Napkins
- Holiday Plates
- Holiday Cups
- Whole Mixed Nuts
- Nutcracker
- Cookies or baked goods
- Holiday floral picks or ornaments for decorating
- Cheese ball or Sausage stick and crackers

Fillers

Once you have obtained your items here are some fillers to put around them.
- Piece of fabric
- Shredded paper, newspaper or colored paper
- Straw
- Easter basket grass
- Tissue paper or newspaper comics
- Raffia
- Colored towels or cloth napkins
- Cedar shavings

Extra Items

For Christmas Baskets add:
- Candy canes
- Candles - scented or unscented, votive, tea lights or tapers
- Pine cones
- Cinnamon sticks tied with red ribbon
- Greenery - spruce, pine, cedar, holly
- Christmas ornaments

For any occasion add:
- Potpourri
- Hot cider, special tea bags, special coffee or cocoa mixes
- Mandarin oranges, tangerines, oranges or apples
- Unshelled nuts or packets of roasted nuts
- Wrapped candy or baked goods
- Small toys or puzzles
- Sample hand creams
- Lip gloss or Chapstick

Finishing

If you buy colored cellophane you can cover the entire container with it disguising what is inside. Tie a ribbon around the whole thing or paste a ribbon on top. Have fun!

Be sure to let us know if you have more ideas for themes and items!

---------------------------------
Your custom gift basket designs can be make for all occasions and themes, and can be a fabulous money-maker!


You'll need a solid wholesale suppliers list, know about different types of materials and how to use them, and be very knowledgeable about good design techniques. Your creativity will be your main tool.


You will want to make certain to be organized from the start, keeping careful records of money spent on supplies, and keeping your supplies themselves placed safely where you can find what you need easily.


Advertising can be done in all the traditional methods, but visuals are everything. When you have photos of your work, samples of your work, or give your baskets as gifts, everyone will be able to see what a talented gift basket designer you are, and you will begin to see those same people ordering from you.


This is really something you can have fun doing, and others will appreciate your work!

Here are some ebooks that are only 99 cents that might give you some ideas. Craft Ebooks

AHBWA - Work at Home Database

Since 1995, the American Home-Based Work Administration (AHBWA) was the first and remains the World's most utilized home-based work network. We have grown into a collaboration of the most credible sources in the home-based work industry. Over one thousand leading home-based work sources now continuously feed updated information and resources into the AHBWA Home-Based Work Forum creating the World's premier home-based work center.

Through one centralized portal AHBWA members have unlimited access to search through and apply for thousands of "certified" home-based jobs, to create, manage and distribute a professional home-based worker resume, to post unlimited home-based jobs and to search through thousands of home-based worker resumes. AHBWA members now have direct access to over 200 separate home-based job search databases (each updated daily) with a combined availability of over 500,000 current home-based jobs; the best and most cost effective home-based business plans outlined for your immediate set-up; literally thousands of home-based work directories, ebooks, forms & publications; a health care plan designed for home-based workers; home-based work tutorials and courses; government grants and loans for home-based workers; home-based work taxes, deductions, laws and much more. The complete World of working from home at your finger-tips!

Work From Home. Over 500,000 Current Positions. Start Now. Apply Online. Click Here.

A Blogging Declaration of Independence

Friends and passersby, I give you my declaration of independence from all ridiculous and counterproductive thoughts and behaviors related to blogging.

A Blogging Declaration of Independence

1. I will only write when I feel like writing. I will not allow myself to feel obligated to write a blog post or do any other blog-related activity if I don’t feel like it.

2. I will no longer stop to consider if a post will be boring to other people or use that as a deciding factor in what I write.

3. I will write from my heart and remember that my blog is about me and whatever I want to write about.

4. I will not compare myself to other bloggers.

5. I will not allow myself to feel bad if I notice that someone doesn’t come to my blog anymore.

6. I will not concern myself with comments or stat counters or other numeric devices that might have the ability to affect my mood or what I write.

7. I will not feel bad if something I care about doesn’t get a lot of feedback or comments.

8. I will always try to remember that blogging is a hobby first and foremost. When it stops being fun, I will step away and re-evaluate.

9. I will no longer feel guilty about not commenting “as much as I should” because my first responsibility is to myself and my kids. Though I love reading and connecting with other bloggers, real life needs to come first.

10. I will make an effort to not get lost in blogging. Just because I can while away an entire evening in the blogsophere with relative ease doesn’t mean I should.

11. I will not worry about losing readers if I change my focus from time to time.

12. I will be true to myself and my feelings. I will be cranky if that’s how I feel. Being a diplomat 24-7 is just exhausting and unnatural.

13. I will try really hard to fight that feeling that I am missing out on something if I’m not reading and commenting on blogs.

14. In committing myself to this declaration, I am setting myself free so that I can enjoy blogging more and stress about it less.

15. I will update and add to this declaration as necessary.

Written BY IZZYMOM

Happy Valentine's Day !

Wow! It is already Valentine's Day and of all the luck we are covered in ice , schools are closed , and the roads ! The only good thing is that with my husband home I will be able to get some work done (maybe)! I am wanting to start a new blog that is all about gardening and herbs.

I have been hearing alot about Anti-Valentine's Day! This might be a good idea for any crafting work at home moms to get ready for next Valentine's Day with some Anti stuff. Could be a real money maker! I am going to be checking into it and filling my notebook up with some ideas. Here is some more INFO about Anti-Valentine's Day!

10 Work at Home Niches You Can Use Today

One of the biggest obstacles to getting started working at home, or expanding your current home based business, is finding a profitable niche to target. Well, I have done a significant portion of the hard work for you in this article.

Below are ten niche ideas to help you start your work at home based business today.

1) Having a Collection - Many people collect things. Your work at home business could target product niches such as trading cards, coins, nick-knacks, dolls, plates, old books, glassware, comic books, stamps, or anything else you can think of that people tend to collect.

2) Attracting Men/Women - Most people want to be attractive to the opposite sex, or even the same sex in many cases. You could target product niches like flirting tips, makeovers, attractive clothing styles, perfumes, colognes, etc...

3) Saving Memories - Pretty much everyone likes to retain memories of special occasions, parties, vacations, and anything else worth looking back on. They want to maintain them and have them to show to their families and friends. Your website could target work at home niches like cameras, camcorders, photo albums, diaries, journals, etc...

4) Being a Good Parent - Most people who are parents want to be good ones. Your home based business could target product niches like parenting guides, parenting classes, anger management, stress management, or anything else associated with good parenting.

5) Saving Time - We could all use more time in our days. Your work at home based business could help people save time by promoting products like daily planners and calendars. Or you could take it further and offer instant benefit products such as laundry service, meal planning and delivery, etc...

6) Living a Long Life - Most people want to live as long as possible. You could target product niches about anti-aging medications, medical exams, fitness products, safe sex contraceptives, nutrition products, supplements, etc..

7) Being Full of Energy - Energy is something we all lack at one time or another. Energy drinks are a hot item right now. It seems a new one comes out about every week and people buy them like crazy. Your home based business could target them or other energy products like caffeine, energy inducing diet plans, sleep theory, etc...

8) Being in Fashion - Most people want to be trendy and in fashion, especially the younger generation. Your home business website could target niches about fashion information, clothing products, clothing accessories, celebrity trends, etc... aimed at people under 40. Or you could separate the niche and target all age ranges.

9) Be Intelligent/Smart - Many people prefer to be recognized as being intelligent or smart. Your home based business could target niches like increasing grade point averages, continuing education, raising IQ, increasing mind power, vocabulary, speed reading, etc...

10) Being in/Finding Love - Most people want to be in love or loved. They also seek to avoid those things that harm it. Such as getting a divorce, breaking up, etc... You could work at home while making people happier by targeting niches like relationship counseling, dating services, single bars, and other "love" products.

There you have it... ten niches you can use right now to start working at home or expand your current home based business with. Break them up, mix and match them, use them to generate other ideas, or do anything else you want with them. Just get going on making your work at home dreams come to life today. Trent Brownrigg is a successful internet marketer and home business mentor. Visit his Work at Home Based Business website at http://www.work-at-home-jobs-iowa.com and he will personally help you succeed with your own home business. Please subscribe to his “Biz Tips” Newsletter by sending a blank email to: workathomebiz@aweber.com

2 FREE estore creation sites!!

This is a great way to make money online. This is 2 of my fave estore sites .

1. Ecrater~~~ This one is awesome because you can add your own products. It is totally free and you can integrate paypal and google checkout. You can add as money products as you want. They automatically add your products to froogle when you list them.
See my ecrater store WAHM Ebooks Galore Store for an example of what one looks like.

2. Zlio This one I just found out about. It seems pretty easy to use and you choose from their items for sale and set up your store and you just pick your items from their lists to add to your store. Totally free to join and set up . You make money from commission.
See my Zilo Store WAHM Shoppe for an example of what one looks like.

How to Start A Freelance Career

How to Start a Freelance Career

Work at Home and Earn an Excellent Income

Imagine being able to work from your own home, doing a job you love, and
getting paid handsomely for doing it. Wouldn't that be great?



Well, the good news is that this is not just a fantasy. It is a prospect that is
well within your reach. Today, millions of people worldwide have established
highly-successful careers as freelance professionals. Writers, designers,
programmers and many other home-based consultants have discovered that
freelancing offers the perfect combination of freedom, creativity, flexibility
and profitability.



So do you need years of experience and fantastic qualifications to join these
lucky people? Not at all. You just need a skill that you can offer to potential
clients, and the willingness to learn how to run a home-based business.



Of course, the biggest challenge for new freelancers is finding enough work to
justify giving up a day job. How can you be sure that you will keep yourself
busy with lucrative work? This used to be a concern, but thanks to the advent of
the Internet, things are now much easier.



Now there are a number of job sites dedicated to helping freelancers find work
and stay busy. Freelance Work Exchange, for example, brings you hundreds of
fresh freelance jobs like these:



Write for Discussion Boards: $1200 per week, plus bonus

A writer is needed for an ongoing writing project. You will need to write copy
to stimulate others into joining the discussion board. The writer needs to
actively encourage regular and meaningful debate on the relevant discussion
board, with some moderating of the content. You must have solid writing skills
and good ideas.



Administer a Web Business from Home: $4000 per month

A successful e-commerce venture is seeking a part-time virtual assistant to act
as a home-based office manager. You will deal with email correspondence, update
site content and deal with general admin issues. You should have your own
computer and Internet access.



Transcribe Author's Notes: $80 per hour, flexible working

A publishing company is seeking a freelance with an eye for detail to
transcribe authors' notes and recordings for a range of ongoing projects. You
must have a good grasp of English, be able to edit content into readable form,
and be able to submit work from home by email.



You can sign up for a trial subscription for just $2.95, and get instant
access to all the projects in the jobs database. So if you would like to get
started on the road to freelance success right now, click here to sign up
today.

Blog Report Card

Blog Report Card
Strategy
1. Is there a clear target audience for the blog?
2. Is the purpose of the blog clear? What is the main point of the blog?
3. Are the themes consistent with the purpose of the blog?
4. Is the content relevant and of value (based on the purpose)? What do you read between the lines?

Structure/Style
5. Is the writing style easy to read on a webpage?
6. Is the organisational structure e.g., use of archives, categories, information about the blogger easy to navigate?
7. Does the visual design add to ease of the read?
8. Are there resouce links and a blogroll?
9. Is the relationship between the graphical design and the style of writing harmonious or conflicted?
10. Frequency: how often does the blogger post?

Credibility
11. Who is the blogger ?
12. Is the blog part of a community ?
13. Does the blogger appear to take part in other communities, offline or online?
14. Does it seem likely that the blog might be fictional?
15. Who links to the blog? Are the many links? What kinds of people/websites? (Hint: Use Technorati, Google, etc.)
16. Is discussion encouraged? Are comments enabled? Are there many comments? Are they all from the same people?
17. Would you recommend it to other readers? Perhaps you’d recommend it to some but not to everyone?
18. Will you continue to read it?


I hope this encourages comments about my blog ! I am always trying to improve it.

A couple of FREE Home Based Business

Here are a couple of free home based businesses.

Sell Noni Juice ! They have free worldwide delivery and are a great health food!
Sign up here! It is totally free to join! There are no minimums!


Sassy Bags and More - Sassy Handbags, Wallets, Diaper Bags, Accessories and More! Come by for more information on becoming a Sassy Bags and More Consultant!

Sell homemade soaps ,lotions, and other bath products.Sign up here at Funky Diva Shoppe.

Blog in a Box!!

Even if you haven't ever heard the word blog before, our toolkit makes it completely possible for you to not only create one easily, but to even earn money from it without the need to sell anything at all!


It really doesn't matter whether you use your new blog as a personal instrument of self discovery or as an additional marketing tool for your existing online business, using Blog In A Box you can create a blog that stands apart from all others, and you can do it within a matter of minutes!
This includes:
20 Pre-Built Blog Templates in Easy-To-Use HTML format complete with PSD files for easy modification to fit your needs in a variety of styles and colors all with MASTER RESALE RIGHTS ready to use immediately with Blogger™ but easy to adjust for use with any blogging software


Easy-To-Follow Instruction Guides that take you through all the "Ins" and "Outs" of blogging, How To Begin Profiting From Your Blog, and Beyond


A Full Resource List of where to blog, tutorials on blogging, more in depth information about blogs, and More


Extensive Collection of Blogging Creation Tools and Blog Enhancement Scripts.
ANYONE WHO BLOGS NEEDS THIS!!
IT IS ONLY $1.50!!!

Surveys Online

This makes some people extra money each month. Getting paid to take online surveys.
Get Paid to Take Online Surveys - Your Opinion is Worth Money!
Receive Cash for Survey offers, coupons, discounts, Gifts, Rewards and giveaways, targeted to your specific needs based on how you answer our survey.
Sign up for other great survey offers where you can get paid for providing your honest opinion.
Free $5 Signup Bonus!! Signup Today!!

Here is another great one~~ Survey Monster.

Also you can go here for a huge list of surveys that pay and pTR programs ~~ CLICK HERE

Sew Accessories & Clothing for Dogs

Dog Clothing and Accessories
Americans spend more than $30 billion annually on their pets, and big bucks can be earned by designing, making and selling designer duds for dogs. Sweaters and rain jackets are sure bets to become top sellers, but dog lovers around the globe are also buying designer doggie hats, goggles, shirts, booties, scarves and even Halloween costumes for their beloved furry friends. The criteria for getting started are minimal--design skills, sewing skills and equipment, patterns, and a bit of gumption to get out and pitch your fabulous designer fashions for mutts and pedigrees alike to pet shop retailers, especially if your ambitions are to establish wholesale accounts with chain and independent pet shop retailers. If not, there are still many ways to sell direct to dog owners. These include exhibiting and selling at pet fairs, online sales via dog-related websites, mail order sales supported by newspaper, catalog, online and magazine advertising, and establishing a doggie clothing boutique at home or in a retail storefront location. As dog owners know, word travels fast amongst dog owners, and when a great product for a pet is found, he or she is quick to spread the word to other dog owners.

Sell Candles to Make Extra Money From Home

This would be a great way to make money from home. It seems like everyone likes candles. You can get a ton of info HERE. You could make your own candles or sell for a company through their direct selling (party plan) program. Either way you do it can be a great money maker.
If you sell for a company , a great way to promote would be to go to your local beauty shops and as them if you can put one of your catalogs with some busines cards in their waiting area.

If you make candles than here is a huge ebook that is full of tips and recipes for making candles and soaps. This ebook is called Art Of Manufacturing Soaps And Candles Ebook and is only 99 cents!!!!



Get a FREE Yankee Candle

Keeping busy!

I have been so busy! I have been writing for several sites and I just joinen MYLOT the other day and am now addicted to that. I made $2.34 in just 2 days of discissions and I do not really do too many. Spent just an hour a day!! So that is pretty cool. I can see where it will not take me too long to reach the $10.00 payout.
I also just signed up for Helium , but I do not know yet how that will be going.
I had 2 articles rejected on Associated Content. But that was only because they were not long enough. So I hope to have some extra time this week to rewrite them.
I have also been getting stuff ready for the highway 50 yardsale which is not until may but I have sooooooo much stuff to go through and price that I have been doing a box a day. If I do not do it that way I will never get done!!
Plus taking care of 2 teenagers, a 5 month old baby, and a 50 year old baby ( my hubby) . Oh and taking care of 2 dogs and a few cats. Ou guinea pig died so that is one less thing,but we miss her so much ! We had her for almost 5 years.

Drive More Buyers to Your Site or Auctions

Do you have a website or sell at online auctions? Then you probalby wonder all of the time how to drive more buyers to them.
You need to make sure that potential customers can find your site easily. Place ads in the local newspaper and on any local websites.
Start a opt in email newsletter where you can keep customers updated on hostess specials, special offers for signing up to be a direct seller, etc. Also make sure it is easy for them to opt out. Not every newsletter needs to be a sales pitch. Have recipes or tidbits in it too. Make it an enjoyable read and they will forget it is an ad and only remember you. If potential customers like you they willmost likely buy from you or join your downline.
Insert your link and info in your email signatures so that with every email you send there is a small ad for your business or online auctions.
Do link exchanges with other like minded sites.
Make sure you keep your website fresh and updated.
Submit your website or online auctions links to search engines.
Have business cards made up and have your links on them.

101 Romantic ideas & BONUS!

Get ready for Valentine's day with all of these great romantic ideas!!

This ebook is only 99 cents and delivered to your email address.

No waiting on shipping.

101 Romantic Ideas & BONUS