Over the years, I've heard many references to this book. While talking to a friend recently, she mentioned she had it and I just had to borrow the book! The information can easily be applied to relationships with all people we meet, not just spouses. Here are some great quotes I pulled yesterday that we need to remind ourselves of daily!
"I'm amazed by how many individuals mess up every new day with yesterday. They insist on bringing into today the failures of yesterday and in doing so, they pollute a potentially wonderful day."
"The best thing we can do with the failures of the past is to let them be history."
"We cannot erase the past, but we can accept it as history. We can choose to live today free from the failures of yesterday."
Have a wonderful day!
-Melissa
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
THE Womans Planner
Too bad I already have a calendar for this year because I found this fabulous calendar by Chaos Simplified! Yes, I still use a paper calendar. For me, it is easier to use and I can flip around and see more at a quick glance. Check out the details and pictures I snagged off their website! It has some really fantastic features!
The unique format
It's what completely sets it apart You no longer have to make the big decision each year, 'week at a glance' or 'month at a glance'. The half pages allow you for both options all at the same time.
the financial page - split into 2 pay periods in order to plan out at which point in the month will work to spread out the expenses within the income. Now includes a space to track Fixed and Variable expenses to keep on budget.
the social page
Here's how the 'New' half page format works -
Your 'weekly view' is always on top each month and the 'month view' is always on the bottom. The new format is due to the new pocket dividers in between each month. Why the half page format? This completely eliminates the 'month at view' drawback of having not enough space to plan and the 'week at a view' drawback of turning the page for the next week and realizing you totally forgot that you were supposed to have 4 dozen cookies at the school for Monday!
Use the month to jot down quick what is going on and then use the week section to record the details.
Do you love it? They also have an adorable planner for girls too!
I will be bookmarking this for next year!
-Melissa
The Womans Planner
Introducing the 2011 Womans Day Planner . . . Life Planner
Not only is this designed to simplify your days, it's now got your whole life under control!
The Features
- 3" fold over page marker - so you won't lose your place
- A newly designed monthly 'budget page' complete with fixed and variable expenses
- the keep it all together 'social planning' page
- the same amazing half page format to keep you sane
- birthdays at a glance page
- yearly finance/budget page
- household appliance tracking
- wish lists for everything your wishin' on
- xmas planning
- a page to keep track of what your saving for
- contacts
- notes
- the most incredible extra - pocket dividers in between each month to hold all those bills, cards, school notes etc.
The unique format
It's what completely sets it apart You no longer have to make the big decision each year, 'week at a glance' or 'month at a glance'. The half pages allow you for both options all at the same time.
the financial page - split into 2 pay periods in order to plan out at which point in the month will work to spread out the expenses within the income. Now includes a space to track Fixed and Variable expenses to keep on budget.
the social page
- My Goals for . . . A spot to record your goals for the month for; me, family, household and finances.
- family notes - which could be used for homeschool lesson plans, what is going on for each family member for the month.
- What's happening this month, What's ahead for next month.
- Things on my mind - a chance to take a minute with a scripture to uplift and encourage.
- Important dates - record them and buy the cards ahead of time.
Here's how the 'New' half page format works -
Your 'weekly view' is always on top each month and the 'month view' is always on the bottom. The new format is due to the new pocket dividers in between each month. Why the half page format? This completely eliminates the 'month at view' drawback of having not enough space to plan and the 'week at a view' drawback of turning the page for the next week and realizing you totally forgot that you were supposed to have 4 dozen cookies at the school for Monday!
Use the month to jot down quick what is going on and then use the week section to record the details.
Do you love it? They also have an adorable planner for girls too!
I will be bookmarking this for next year!
-Melissa
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Avoiding the Post Office is Easy
Frequent trips to the post office are a big part of many businesses. Before kids, repeated trips to the post office were inconvenient. But these days two babies, a large stroller, and a tiny post office just don't work out well! During the holidays, post offices are so packed and I want to completely avoid them! Here are some easy ways to mail from home!
1. Use an online source. Stamps.com offers USPS-approved postage that you can print and mail from home. Click the link below for their current offer.
2. Use a scale to weigh materials at home. Enter the information into the USPS website and affix pre-purchased stamps. Here is what I do:
Mailing from home will save you time and can expedite delivery to your customer! It is a great way to mail out catalogs, product, fliers, pamphlets, and postcards to customers without waiting until your next post office trip or having to make repeated special trips.
-Melissa
1. Use an online source. Stamps.com offers USPS-approved postage that you can print and mail from home. Click the link below for their current offer.
2. Use a scale to weigh materials at home. Enter the information into the USPS website and affix pre-purchased stamps. Here is what I do:
- Buy a scale to weigh packages at home. You can find them at Staples, Office Depot, Sam's Club or order them online.
- Purchase letter envelopes, manila envelopes, and bubble envelopes in bulk. I find them significantly cheaper at Sam's Club. You can also grab several flat rate envelopes and boxes free-of-charge from the post office or their online store to keep on hand.
- Stock up on stamps in a variety of amounts by purchasing them from your local post office, your mail carrier, or from the United States Postal Service website. To purchase from you carrier, request a "Stamp Purchase Order" envelope (mine is orange). You write your order and contact information on the front, enclose a check, place it in your mailbox with the flag up, and in 1-2 days your carrier will deliver the requested stamps with a receipt at no additional charge.
- When you are ready to mail an item, fill your envelope or box and complete the address information. Weigh your package using your scale. Visit this USPS postage rate calculator site to enter the destination, type of package, and weight to calculate mailing options. Be sure to carefully read details to select the appropriate shipping method. The final screen will tell you how much postage to affix to your package based on which option you choose.
- You can place packages under 13 ounces with postage paid in stamps in your mailbox for pick up. You can also arrange for Carrier Pick-Up if the package won't fit. Click the link for more information on how to pay for postage on items more than 13 ounces so they can still be mailed from home with "carrier pick up."
Mailing from home will save you time and can expedite delivery to your customer! It is a great way to mail out catalogs, product, fliers, pamphlets, and postcards to customers without waiting until your next post office trip or having to make repeated special trips.
-Melissa
Friday, January 21, 2011
Do-It-Yourself Photo, Website & Blog Resources
When starting this blog, my expense budget was $0!!! I wanted it to look clean and professional but with no experience and only basic computer skills, I needed some help to figure things out. Trial and error definitely is a learning strategy but I didn't want to spend a ton of time making mistakes. A blog I follow had a New Years post about creating a new look for her blog. By following her tips, tutorials, and using links from this post, I edited the photos and made the header on this page. I created a "button" and am working on building a code that people can use to add my button to their page. You will find her posts and links helpful to:
http://samstermommy.blogspot.com/2011/01/happy-new-blog.html
Two of the best blogs Natasha refers to are Sneaky Momma Blog Design and Beautiful Blog Designs. Sneaky Momma has a list of her tutorials on the right sidebar. Click on Beautiful Blog Designs and you are taken directly to a list of her tutorials. I refer to these sites often when updating my blog or looking for a new feature!
Picnik is a fabulous site that I discovered last fall. I LOVE this site! You can upload and edit photos for free. The Samster Mommy blog has a link for a tutorial on how to use some of the free and advanced editing options on the Picnik site. I was really excited when I saw information on Picnik in this blog!
Give your blogs and websites more pizazz for free! If you don't have one, maybe now that you know how easy it is, you can start one! Enjoy!
-Melissa
- Edit personal photos to make them look more professional.
- Update your blog by changing the look or adding new features.
- Update your website using ideas from these sites. Create a "button" or ad that people can add to their page to link their readers directly to yours.
http://samstermommy.blogspot.com/2011/01/happy-new-blog.html
Two of the best blogs Natasha refers to are Sneaky Momma Blog Design and Beautiful Blog Designs. Sneaky Momma has a list of her tutorials on the right sidebar. Click on Beautiful Blog Designs and you are taken directly to a list of her tutorials. I refer to these sites often when updating my blog or looking for a new feature!
Picnik is a fabulous site that I discovered last fall. I LOVE this site! You can upload and edit photos for free. The Samster Mommy blog has a link for a tutorial on how to use some of the free and advanced editing options on the Picnik site. I was really excited when I saw information on Picnik in this blog!
Give your blogs and websites more pizazz for free! If you don't have one, maybe now that you know how easy it is, you can start one! Enjoy!
-Melissa
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Climbing Out of a Rut
In a rut? We all go through them personally and professionally! Nothing goes your way and everything you touch falls apart. You may be unmotivated or can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. If another person asks you to do something or another thing goes wrong, you feel you might just snap. Maybe, business has stagnated or sales have dropped. You might have faced some really serious trials.
So goes the leader... so goes the group. You are a role model for others: your family, your community, perhaps for other business owners in your organization; your attitude affects others. When mom is in a rut, the rest of the family is likely to follow suit. In business, John Maxwell calls this "The Law of the Lid." People within an organization tend to perform below the standards or example set by the leader.
At the conference I recently attended, I asked around to find out how other ladies pull themselves out of a rut. Most answered that they pray. While I agree this is a critical step, I kept wondering what had to change in order to snap out of it. Then it came to me... it's all about our perspective.
A trainer within our organization is known for her thoughts on "the pit." She says, "When you are in "the pit", don't decorate it!" Don't plan to stay there long enough to throw a pity party or make it a home!
Our frame of mind, the tape that is playing through our thoughts-our internal voice, the attitude of our thoughts... affect how we see and respond to everything! So if we find ourselves in a rut, what should we do?
Get a fresh perspective!
- Pray- as was the most common answer I got in my poll! Look for assistance from the One who controls it all. Ask for change and direction.
- Stand back and take a fresh look at your situation. Where do you see negativity? If you need help viewing your situation, ask someone who knows you well to help.
- Choose to change your thinking and your attitude.
- Identify activities and actions that need a change. If you keep doing the same things, getting the same results- change what you are doing!
- Look for the positives daily and focus on those.
- Associate with positive people.
- Refuse to let the actions of others control you.
"Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you... We are in charge of our ATTITUDES." (Charles Swindoll)
Happy New Year!
-Melissa
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Maximize Your Savings!
Last week I featured a guest post from CPA, Dawn Pettiglio. She has another great tip for us this week.
Maximize your savings!
If you have a spouse who receives a regular paycheck (usually required to offset the uneven flow of income for work-at-home moms) - your spouse just had a cut in his/her social security tax. A person whose gross income is $1,000 per week is receiving an extra $20 per week in his/her paycheck.
If you increase the 401(k) contribution to put that extra money into your retirement savings, you will maximize your tax savings. Self employed people had their Self Employment tax cut from 12.4% to 10.4% - you can put that savings into your retirement account.
Just be careful not to exceed the maximum contribution limits.
Dawn Pettiglio, CPA, from Bradford, New Hampshire. grayd@mcttelecom.com
Just be careful not to exceed the maximum contribution limits.
Dawn Pettiglio, CPA, from Bradford, New Hampshire. grayd@mcttelecom.com
Monday, January 10, 2011
Continuing Education
During my teaching days, I'd dread inservice days or after school workshops. Over the weekend I attended an amazing two-day conference organized by the home office of my direct sales company. They work hard to provide superior training opportunities and it is such a blessing. I've certainly learned to appreciate educational opportunities much more and the value they offer for me personally and professionally. Do you take advantage of "continuing education" opportunities?
Why should you?
When I first started my business in 2003 I knew nothing about the industry or what it would take to be successful. Regardless of what kind of education or experience you have, there is always more to be learned from others. If you think you know it all than you have the most to learn!
For me trainings:
Where Do You Find Training Opportunities?
Contact your home office if you are part of a Direct Sales company. Our home office puts on conferences twice a year- a national event in the summer and regional conferences in the winter. Check your distributor website for online training videos. Link up with successful people in your organization to see if they host their own websites. They may offer local trainings, video trainings, or conference calls. My area is fortunate to have many leaders who hold monthly local meetings and organize mini conferences in the spring and fall.
If you do not have access to many of these resources, you can self-educate by reading. I link to books at the bottom of some posts and you can visit my "Book List" page for recommendations. If you like a particular author, check their website to see if they offer email subscriptions or seminars.
Join a networking group. You can learn a lot by talking with successful business owners and most groups host guest speakers. Other professionals can offer additional information on community resources that can assist you in growing your business.
The internet is teaming with motivational speakers and business gurus who have free email subscriptions and You Tube videos. Just be sure to find ones recommended by sources you trust. Be sure the advice you are receiving matches your business ethics and takes your business in the best direction.
How often should you attend?
I've always been told that you should attend at least one event a month. If you are in a leadership position, helping others to grow a business requires filling yourself up more frequently!
After my experience this weekend, I feel refreshed and lighter. The burdens of last year are fading and the excitement for the possibilities this year holds is brighter. Both professionally and personally, I feel replenished. I strongly encourage you to make a commitment to your business to attend regular trainings or seek out a means of "continuing education".
Wishing many blessings for you, your family, and your business in the New Year!
~Melissa
Why should you?
When I first started my business in 2003 I knew nothing about the industry or what it would take to be successful. Regardless of what kind of education or experience you have, there is always more to be learned from others. If you think you know it all than you have the most to learn!
For me trainings:
- Motivate me to be my best, get outside my comfort zone, not give up, and work harder
- Teach me about the quality of my product and how to market it effectively
- Model superior customer service and business etiquette
- Provide organizational tools and strategies
- Show me how to make a difference in the lives of others
- Encourage my faith
- Recognize me for my accomplishments and cheer me on
- Excite me about what I'm doing
- Repurpose and refocus the direction of my business
Where Do You Find Training Opportunities?
Contact your home office if you are part of a Direct Sales company. Our home office puts on conferences twice a year- a national event in the summer and regional conferences in the winter. Check your distributor website for online training videos. Link up with successful people in your organization to see if they host their own websites. They may offer local trainings, video trainings, or conference calls. My area is fortunate to have many leaders who hold monthly local meetings and organize mini conferences in the spring and fall.
If you do not have access to many of these resources, you can self-educate by reading. I link to books at the bottom of some posts and you can visit my "Book List" page for recommendations. If you like a particular author, check their website to see if they offer email subscriptions or seminars.
Join a networking group. You can learn a lot by talking with successful business owners and most groups host guest speakers. Other professionals can offer additional information on community resources that can assist you in growing your business.
The internet is teaming with motivational speakers and business gurus who have free email subscriptions and You Tube videos. Just be sure to find ones recommended by sources you trust. Be sure the advice you are receiving matches your business ethics and takes your business in the best direction.
How often should you attend?
I've always been told that you should attend at least one event a month. If you are in a leadership position, helping others to grow a business requires filling yourself up more frequently!
After my experience this weekend, I feel refreshed and lighter. The burdens of last year are fading and the excitement for the possibilities this year holds is brighter. Both professionally and personally, I feel replenished. I strongly encourage you to make a commitment to your business to attend regular trainings or seek out a means of "continuing education".
Wishing many blessings for you, your family, and your business in the New Year!
~Melissa
Friday, January 7, 2011
Audit Risk
With January here, we should all be preparing to file our taxes. Dawn Pettiglio is a CPA who helps me file my taxes electronically each year. I asked her to share some tax tips with us. Thank you, Dawn, for being my first guest and for sharing your knowledge!
The IRS audits only about 1% of all individual tax returns annually. The agency doesn’t have enough personnel and resources to examine each and every tax return filed during a year. So the odds are pretty low that your return will be picked for an audit. And of course, the only reason filers should worry about an audit is if they are cheating on their taxes.
Audit Risks
- Failure to report all your income.
- Claiming the home buyer credit – 100% of these returns are reviewed.
- Large charitable deductions compared to your income, especially if they are non-cash contributions
- Home office deduction
- Business meals and entertainment
- Claiming 100% business use of a vehicle
- Consistent losses on a businesses
- Your business has a high use of cash
- Foreign bank account
- Numerous large cash transactions (near or over $10,000)
- Math errors
- Deductions are larger than average taxpayers
Dawn Pettiglio, CPA, from Bradford, New Hampshire. grayd@mcttelecom.com
Sunday, January 2, 2011
An App to Organize Financials
As I was reading the Parade insert from our newspaper this morning, I came across the information for an Iphone/Ipad app called Pageonce in one of the articles. It looks like a great organizational tool! Here are some of the features as listed on the Itunes website.
Description
Pageonce automatically organizes and tracks your money and bills. See your banks, credit cards, bills and investment accounts in one simple place. Control where your money goes and get important real-time alerts and reminders about your accounts. You can even track your frequent flyer miles, rewards, mobile minutes, text and data usage. Pageonce is safe and secure, and was chosen by over 3 million people to simplify their daily financial lives.
Key features of Pageonce:
• Track all your money and bills in one place
• Receive bill due date reminders
• Get important account notifications
• Protect your account with real-time alerts
• Monitor credit card & bank transactions
• View detailed bill & account statements
• Track your investment portfolio
• Track frequent flyer miles and rewards
• Track mobile minutes, text and data usage
• Add an unlimited number of accounts
• Safe and secure - trusted by over 3 million people
• Enjoy well deserved financial peace of mind
Key features of Pageonce:
• Track all your money and bills in one place
• Receive bill due date reminders
• Get important account notifications
• Protect your account with real-time alerts
• Monitor credit card & bank transactions
• View detailed bill & account statements
• Track your investment portfolio
• Track frequent flyer miles and rewards
• Track mobile minutes, text and data usage
• Add an unlimited number of accounts
• Safe and secure - trusted by over 3 million people
• Enjoy well deserved financial peace of mind
My cell is from the archaic era and isn't compatible with apps. Perhaps my New Year's Resolution should be to upgrade. If you try out this app, I'd love to hear what you think! It looks like a fabulous tool! Do you know of a similar website or any other app with similar features? If so, please share!
Happy New Year!
~Melissa
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