October was a good start rebooting to my online income

Since I had surgery October 8th I have been going through so many things mentally and I miss working from home. I know it will take some time to build back up to what I was earning, a couple of thousand a month, but it is worth the work.

October has only had a few small things going towards my online income, but every little step makes a difference. Here is a few things I did in October:

Blog Posts:

Live on less Money than what you Earn

As a single mom I tend to be looking everywhere for financial advice, money saving tips, and other money saving advice. I have learned that one of the biggest mistakes that people make with their personal finances is spending more than you earn. Even before I was a single mom, I did the same thing. I have learned that one of the biggest mistakes that people make with their finances is spending more money than they earn. Some people are trying to keep up with their friends and others just think that they can't stop spending. I have even noticed some parents spending more than they earn because they do not want to let their children down, believe me the kids will understand when they are put in the same situation.

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Financial Ebooks

I have been writing small articles and financial tips for about 10 years now. I also went to school for business and received my degree in 2015. As a single mom I have found numerous ways of saving and making money in about every aspect of my life. I have decided to share my experiences in more detail through books. So far I only have 4 simple Ebooks about finances, but I do plan on having many more in the near future. If you would like to take a look, please do. These are just the beginning, and I am learning more about writing Ebooks with every one I publish. I have set the prices below $3 on the first few books until I can write the finance books in more elaboration.

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How to Feed a large Family on a Budget

Feeding a large family can be a task in itself, but it is even harder when you have to feed a large family on a budget. There are a lot of ways for you to cut your grocery bill, and save money. Here are a few things that you can do to feed a large family on a budget.

Begin by clipping coupons, or take advantage of online sites that offer coupons. You can use these coupons to receive merchandise for a big savings, or even at times free. You can save even more if you shop at grocery stores that offer to double or triple your coupons. Coupons have been a very big part to help feed my family on a budget.

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Saving Money on Groceries

Saving money is a big thing for most families in today’s economy. Groceries tend to be one of our biggest expenses, and saving money on groceries can make a big difference in our family’s budget. There are some very simple things that anyone can do to save money when grocery shopping.

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Hubpages

I have not submitted much on Hubpages, I have just been going through and updating articles. I have included backlinks to some of my blog posts which has been great. On one post I had close to a thousand views in a day. I have not seen that in a long time on anything I have submitted or posted. I am sure it is because I have not put in the effort though. 

Here are a my top three hubs for October:

Direct Sales tax Deductions

Preparing Dinner for Later 

Financial Planning Steps for a Single Mom


The month of October did not really see an income, but I see what is coming and what I am setting my mind to. The success is in my hands, and I am the one responsible for making a real online income.



 

I am Back Focusing on my Home Business

It has been a long time since i have really focused on my home business. I have to say its because I work about 60+ hours a week and I now have a 14 month old and my son that is 8. It has been a struggle to really push my home business in addition to everything else. I have had a realization that I cannot keep pushing so much at my current job. I love my job, but I love my kids more.

Over the last few years I have put more emphasis on my career than I have anything else. I know that is not the best thing to do as a mom, but that job has done a lot for my family. It has helped me purchase two vehicles over the last few years and a home. I am hoping soon I will be able to purchase another home and use one as a vacation rental since I have a front door view of Pikes Peak.

My plan of action is to stop working a full time job within the next three years. I want to be able to work from home and spend more time with the kids. I feel like I have missed out on so much of my sons life because of my working so much, and I do not want to do that to my daughter too. Now I cannot say I have the entire plan put together, but I hope I will soon. Up until now I have not told anyone what I am thinking, but it is time for me to do something else with my life.

Finally Graduating! (Hopefully)

For those that have been following me on here, as well as the other numerous sites that I work on, you know how crazy my life has been the last few years. Since I started school in August of 2012 I have been going non stop. Working full time at a convenience store (with the exception of a couple of months I took off do to injury) going to school full time (on average 15 credit hours each semester with the exception of 1 that I took 12 credit hours), and being a single mom of my amazing little boy.
In April my boyfriend died to carbon monoxide poisoning, and then last month my sister passed away from numerous health conditions. My sister left my mom and I to raise her 3 amazing kids.

With all of this going on, I am up for graduation next month. I only need this one class to get my Associates of Applied Science with an emphasis in management, and I am pretty sure I will pass. With the tremendous stress I have been under, I have had some difficulties. I am to the point of passing the class will be good enough for me. The class is statics, and it is very difficult. I held a 3.3 GPA throughout the last couple of years, this class will drop that GPA. Especially since it is the second time I have taken it, but that is ok. I have come a long way, and I am proud of this accomplishment.

This is one thing I have worked harder than I could have ever imagined to achieve, and I am seeing it through. I did not quit, and I can show other single moms that it can be done. If it is important to you, you can do anything.

Helping a Family in Need

If you have time I ask that you please read my recent hub. Helping a family in Need. It is a very personal story about recent things happening, including the loss of my sister.

When can I work from home Exclusively?

There are hundreds of people trying to make a full time income from home, but we are all faced with the question, "When can I work at home exclusively?" If you are one of those people asking this question then you know you have a lot to consider before you can take that step. No matter if you are do freelance work, have a direct sales business, or have started another business from your home, you will have to consider the same things before quitting your full time job. There are things that you can do so that you know when you and your family are ready for you to work from home exclusively.

How much do I need to make before working from home exclusively?
Each person will need to earn a different amount of money each month to work at home exclusively, so you will need to determine how much you need. This amount is not necessarily what you are earning from your full time job, but what you need to make it work financially so that you can. There are three simple steps that will help you determine this amount.
First, make a budget for your home and business expenses. You want to combine both of them because you are trying to ensure your ability to pay both your business and home expenses.
Then, determine what your necessary expenses are for your home and business. We all have expenses in our homes that we do not necessarily have to have. If you are serious about wanting to work at home exclusively you will want to consider giving up some things. So decide on what expenses you have to pay.
Finally, calculate exactly what you need to make so that you can work from home exclusively. In some situations you can break this amount down into sales, projects, or daily earnings. That way you can keep track.

These steps will give you the amount you want to earn each month from home, but you can also find ways to offset your home and business expenses so that you can work at home exclusively.

How can I offset my expenses so that I can work from home exclusively?
There are a few things that you can do to offset your expenses in your home and your business. Offsetting your expenses is simply determining ways to save money or reduce your expenses, so that you do not have to earn as much when you first begin to work from home exclusively. I am going to give you a few things that can help you, but you can determine other ways as well.
Begin by looking around your house for things you no longer need. I believe that everyone has some things that they do not need, we just avoid getting rid of these items for one reason or another. Well, instead of allowing these items to sit around your home use them to help offset your expenses. You can have a yard sale or sell them online.
Now look into recycling in your area. There are places that will pay a good price for scrap metals, aluminum, cardboard, paper, and more. Different states have different recycling guidelines, so find out what you can sell in your area. At one time, in my former state of residence, I was making about $20 to $30 a month on recycling. That amount can make a huge difference for you when you are trying to work from home exclusively.
Expand your home earning potential. This does not necessarily mean trying to earn a full time income in another area, but try to discover more ways to earn money from your home. There are a lot of areas that you may want to consider if you do not already earn in these areas; freelance, direct sales, online surveys, eBay as a business, crafts, childcare, house or pet sitting, etc. You do not have to try and earn a large income in these areas; just earn enough to offset your expenses so that you can work from home exclusively.

How will I know when I can work from home exclusively?
After you have determined how much you will need to earn from home, and found ways to offset your expenses, you will be able to set a goal on when you will start working from home exclusively. The final decision will be up to you and the needs of your family. Each person will have a different goal, but knowing the goal will allow you to determine when you can work from home exclusively.


Helpful Articles:

 How to Make Extra Money for Maternity Leave
How to Make Home Business Goals

RIP Robin Williams

Robins Williams was found dead in his home today, August 11, 2014. The news brought me to tears. This man has made millions laugh for years, and was hiding so much pain behind the laughter. It is remarkable how he has had such an impact on other peoples lives, and still suffered so much.

I remember watching Mork and Mindy when I was really small. Robin Williams would always make me laugh. Through the years I have watched hundreds of Williams' movies; Good Morning Vietnam, Popeye, Dead Poets Society, Mrs. Doubtfire, Hook, 9 Months, Jack, Good Will Hunting, Jumanji, Night at the Museum 1 & 2 just to name a few. I also loved hearing his voice in Alladin and Happy Feet. Every movie I have ever watched with Robin Williams in it, funny or serious, always had a meaning to it. They would open my eyes and make me look at situations in a different way.

I knew he had problems in the past with addiction, but I always saw the positive about Williams in the media. He supported many charities and always seemed to have the best outlook on life. I feel so sad for him to know that he was suffering so much inside. He worried more about making others laugh then he did about his own happiness. I will always admire Robin Williams and see him as a true genius when it came to his acting. He will always be remembered in my family and I know my family will not be the only one.

My prayers are with everyone effected by this complete tragedy.

Tips to Help Pass Online Courses

Taking college courses online tends to intimidate a lot of people, and I used to be one of them. There is a fear of not knowing what is ahead, or worrying about failing. Taking your college courses online is not as hard as you may think, as long as you have knowledge of computers. Taking steps to ensure your success can help you pass your online college courses.

Purchase Your Books a Couple of Weeks Prior to Classes:
 
Since I have been taking online courses I have noticed how many people are unprepared, waiting until after classes begin to purchase books. The ones that have procrastinated have gotten behind in class. Books are a necessity to online college courses, and having them the first day of class is a benifit. Contact your school and find out when you are able to get your class books. Get them as soon as you can. I do not recommend that you open any that are not returnable if opened unless you are sure that is the book required for your college course; you do not want to have wasted money on a book you do not need.

Things You Will Need for your Online Courses:
 
There are a lot of things that you will need for your online courses that you may or may not know about. I learned in a short time that you need a few things to help you study and pass your online courses. These are the things that I recommend having, and some common uses for the items:

• Highlighters: Keep the highlighters handy at all times. Use them to read and annotate your college course books, or to mark things that you want to remember. These have been the most used item on my list. It helps me remember the details, which will help you pass your online courses.
• Notebooks: One notebook for each subject makes it easy to take notes, and do your work for each class. It gives you a way to keep each class organized, without getting them confused.
• Three Ring Binders: I find it best to have at least one three ring binder to keep all of the printed papers in such as; syllabus, readings, copies of papers you have written, and class schedules. I have the binders that have the inserts on the front; this is where I put my weekly schedule.
• Pens: Pens are a necessity to take notes and do work.
• Pencils: I have found it more convenient to take notes, work math problems, and mark in my books with pencils so that I can erase any mistakes that I have made.
• Whiteout: Whiteout is great for the mistakes that we do make with pens, and I have found that I needed it quite a bit.
• Red Pen: Red pens are great for marking corrections that you want to make on your papers, or making special notes in your college course texts.
• Printer and Ink: Since you are taking all of your classes online, having a printer is necessary. It is easier to read certain things on paper rather than on a screen, and you want to have a copy of you syllabus and class schedule available for quick reference. It will also give you backups of all of your work in case something happens to your computer.
• Flash Drive: I have known of a few people to lose all of their work due to computer errors, using a flash drive can save all of your school work. Having your work readily available will help you pass your online courses.

I have found that all of these things help you pass your online college courses, but you may be able to find more things that are helpful in your situation. These things alone will not make your pass your courses, but they have all helped me quite a bit.

Make a Schedule of your Online College Course:
 
I have two schedules that I use to keep track of my online college courses; one for long-term projects, and one I take time to make weekly. The weekly one has been the one that has helped me the most. Each Friday I take the time to ensure I have finished all of my projects for the week, and schedule out my days for the following week. Using a schedule will help you pass your online courses by simply ensuring you turn in your work on time.

Take Time to Learn the Online Course Site:
 
Each online college course may have a different site that you go to each day to do your work. Take time during the first week to look on the site, and learn everything you can. This will give you a chance to ask your instructor questions about the site if you need to.

Syllabus:
 
The syllabus is very important when taking online college courses; it tells you everything that you need to do to pass the course. Each syllabus for each online college course is different.

Take advantage of the Professors Help:
 
Most of the professors will have times when you can contact them through chats, lectures online or even going to the school during their office hours. They may even offer free tutoring for their students. If any of this is offered, take advantage of it. The professors want you to pass your online college courses, so let them help you.

Turn in ALL Your Online College Course Work on Time:
 
You will not pass your online college course if you do not turn in your work on time. There are things that are more important than others, but all of it goes towards passing the course and your knowledge of the online college course.

Do Not Get Behind:
 
No matter if you are 18 or 80, if you are taking online college courses you should be responsible enough to do everything on time. If you allow yourself to get behind with one small project, you will have a hard time catching back up. Getting behind could prevent you from passing your online college course. To pass you need to stay on track with everything.

Read Your Text Books:
 
Being you will not go to classes, your book is your key to passing the online course. Even if there are certain chapters that you have not been assigned, take the time to read through them. The teacher may want you to take the initiative to learn things on your own, so learning your text book can help you pass your online college course.

Do not be Mistaken, Online Courses are not EASY!

 
Before I began to take online courses I was under the impression that online courses may be easier than going to classes, I was sorely mistaken. Online courses are for individuals that are self-motivated, organized, and can schedule there time wisely. If these statements do not describe you, do not try to take online courses. You will also have to have quite a bit of computer knowledge. If you do not know a lot about computers, do not take an online college course.

All of these tips would have helped me a lot if I would have found them prior to starting classes, so I am hoping they may be able to help someone else pass their online college courses. Take the time to get everything that is required for your course, schedule your time, ask for help and learn exactly what is required for your online college course. If you can do this, you will pass your online college course.

Myths About Online College Courses