Just like a home needs an occasional updating, so does a blog or website.  I love how bright this design is, and felt it would bring a little levity, optimism and just plain ol’ light to someone who may be a bit bleary eyed after a long night of nightmares, feedings, or colic.  On the other hand, it may be a motivator to someone with a short deadline, or someone who may feel like no one else understands their work from home plight.

I do understand and here’s to you - the work from home mom/parent - so prop open those eyelids and let’s all get to work!

Have a dose of SUNSHINE on me!

What’s your prime clutter area(s)?  Well for me, my desks are it!  I can clutter a desk faster than a baby can fill a diaper – so you know how fast that is!  But one of my secret weapons is an easy file system and some great office tools.

Here’s one:

Instead of using manila folders within hanging file folders, I purchased the accordion A-Z and 1-30 folders.  They work awesome!  I did an inventory and wrote down all of the subjects of each of the folders I had.  If I needed to consolidate I did that, if I needed to purge I did that too and the result was a list of things to file, like: Telephone Bills (1), Biz Credit Card (2), Cell Phone Bill (3), etc.

I then made a master list to match my accordion folders and put the items in the order I felt made the most sense.  I have two A-Z folders and three 1-30 folders and they hold everything neatly and orderly.  All five lists are on a single sheet and I have three (3) copies so they’re easy to find for filing.  Each list has room for additions and I update my list via computer once or twice a year.

I have one for household bills, another for biz stuff (accounting/computer info), one for just writing stuff (ideas) etc., and the last for family specific items.  It then got the expandable folders for ALL of my manuals - appliance, electronics, and furniture specific items.  It’s such a cinch to find a manual, or anything else – makes me wish I’d done it years ago!

There is no single answer for s successful filing system.  The key is to develop a system that’s easy enough to actually use and helps you keep your work area ready for you to use it!

So, what’s your secret filing weapon?

I’m not complaining.  Oh no!  I’m merely stating the facts that I know every work from home mom can relate to.   I want you to know that although you may feel like it – you’re not alone!

This has led me to today’s revelation - I need to find myself a wife/mom too!  Why should the husbands and kids have all the benefits!

Kidding aside - Enjoy it – time passes much too quickly.

It’s a heck of a time to be starting, building or growing a home-based business when you have to dole out funds.  As the economy is continuing to take its toll, us work from home parents have got to watch our dollars and cents, every and any place we can. Since we can’t sell the kids (I tried, but the Dad wouldn’t let me!), the one of the next best ways is to watch the office expenses. Printer ink one day, binder clips the next, those cute little colored markers right by checkout, (and don’t even get me started with all of the electronics) all add up! So imagine my delight when I received an email from Office Max! Office Max is typically my favorite local office supply spot. (Okay, I’ll confess – Office Max is like my own personal Cheers – you know, the place where everybody knows my name!), but I digress! Anyway, they are shredding their prices and sent a wonderful link to products that have been reduced by 50%+! So I figured I’d share the wealth – though not literally, so don’t get too excited!

http://www.officemax.com/catalog/category.jsp?catId=cat1430032&EDID=BW81ZC-9ZX1P-VLKC0P-OJCQX8-LJYRC-v1&cm_mmc=Email-_-promo-_-wk14mp-_-Hero_PriceShred_CTA

Happy Savings! Now’s a good time to stock up if you need something.

Happy April Fools Day! And for you die-hard pessimists - This is NOT a joke.

However, no one outside of the situation can decide if working from home will be a good fit for your family, but some advance planning and research can help, and is strongly recommended.  Determine the type of business that you want to start.  Perhaps you can you do some consultant work for your present employer so that you don’t have to start from scratch?  Also, if your household is used to a two-person income, then making the adjustment to a one or one and a half income while business grows, can have a serious impact.

Begin by preparing a budget to determine if it is feasible to make the switch.  Remember that gas usage, professional clothing budgets, day care expenses, etc. will probably go down, but the cost to start a home-based business, setting-up a home office, and the amount of time it will take to generate an income will also have to be calculated into the budget.

If you have time, give starting your business extra serious thought.  It’s an awesome experience, but requires hard work and dedication.  There are often numerous peaks and valleys throughout the process, but it’s an awesome ride and a wonderful way to make your mark your way.