Dec 17 2008
Yesterday I mentioned 4 Google services that can be used to help ease the costs of running a business. Each service comes with its own set of benefits. While some businesses won’t need one service, another might depend on it completely.
To continue from where we left off, here are some more Google services that you can use to save money in your business:
Dec 16 2008
It has long since been known that Google is one of the big hitters when it comes to search engines but they offer so much more. For businesses with a low budget or that are just getting started, Google also offers a handful of services which can help people fill their needs without the price tag.
The most obvious thing that Google has going for it is the ability to keep your files under your account, online. Computers crash and important files get lost, however, you can get away with reaching important files from any computer when you have them saved off-site.
Dec 15 2008
I have a Policy Council meeting tonight. As I was thinking about the reading I need to do so I can be somewhat aware of what we’ll be voting on tonight, the topic for this post hit me. As mompreneurs, it’s not unusual to find ourselves having to balance a schedule which keeps us working or handling something that has to do with our child’s schooling. For many women that might be homeschooling or, like in my case, staying active in the public school system.
Dec 09 2008
I think it is about time for another day of rest… although this time it isn’t much rest. 
The next time you take a day off to spend it with your family, attempt to juggle! You regularly juggle your business and family life, why not spend some time with your family to learn how to juggle for real? If you have a teacher within your community, take the family for a lesson and see what you can do. However, if not, you can also buy books and movies which will show you those tricks to juggling.
Nothing creates a feeling of closeness like spending time with your family in an attempt to learn something new. Although juggling is just one idea, it gives you a chance to stand and work at something that continues to be fun try after try. This is also an activity that can keep your older children interacting with any of your younger ones if you have a family made up of a wide age span.
Even if you think juggling won’t be much fun, just give it a moment of your time. Watch your kids come to life with you as everyone starts tossing and dropping items all over the house.
Photo Credit: backpackphotography
Dec 08 2008
The day I started working from home was the day I realized I would have to take extra special care of my computer. It had become my lifeline and the only way I could connect to earn an income. No computer would mean no income.
If you find yourself in the same position, that can only mean one thing: you must do everything you can to ensure the longest life out of your computer!
Some of the simplest steps can help ensure the longest life from your machine. Here are a few ideas for you:
Dec 02 2008
The other day I was thinking about this exact question, “When should I put my business on hold?” I took a vacation from most work, and it was wonderful. During that week I regained some sense of me and enjoyment for what I do. I also learned how boring it is when I am not working. But my question goes deeper than that. At what point should you stop the growth of your business so you can concentrate on family?
Dec 01 2008
So you have a wonderful bundle of joy and when you work with your little one in your office, it’s not so bad. Well, at least it’s not so bad until they start crawling and trying to walk, then it gets dangerous. If you’ve already reached that stage, then you have already realized the importance of baby-proofing.
It is amazing how much one little baby can get into, but they can and it’s not always safe. Here are some ideas to help you be prepared:
Nov 25 2008
There is a lot of argument on both sides of the topic, but the reality is that you can be just as busy as, if not busier than, you would be in an office, when you work from home.
In an office you don’t have children asking you questions while you try to finish some task, at home you do.
Even if you started working from home to save on daycare, quiet is an essential piece to getting work done. However, you don’t need daycare to get that peace you require.
At a moment when you’re on a deadline or your business simply requires you to finish up a few extra things before the day is over, hiring a regular ‘friend’ to stop by and spend time with your kids can really help. Maybe this hired friend will play a game with your kids, or they’ll try out a new craft. If it’s a nice day, maybe they will keep an eye on your kids while they play outside. Depending on how many kids you have, $20 could easily get you at least 2 hours of someone else playing with them to keep them entertained.
Of course, just about every mom alive has felt that feeling of “mommy guilt” at least once. Don’t let that set in because you have someone that stops in on occasion to keep your children entertained. Instead, once the time is up, get up and go do something with your children. Whether they’re still working on a fun craft, or they are just playing with toys, get in there and join them!
Photo Credit: Ed Yourdon
Nov 21 2008
With it being Friday, I thought it would be nice to end the week with another addition to the Day Of Rest series. Today’s day of rest idea:
Learning A New Language
But why should you learn a new language?
If learning a new language sounds more like work than fun to you, maybe you should find some other route to go. However, if you are open to giving it a try - you should!!! For this day of rest, spend an hour or two going over some of the basic words and lessons related to the language of your choice. If you enjoy yourself, turn this learning hour into something you can do a few days a week.
Every mompreneur needs time for herself. Running a business and taking care of the children can put a lot of strain on you. If learning a new language is a hobby you think you’d enjoy, run with it! Sit down with that how-to book or those how-to tapes. Speak along with the taped voice. Butcher the pronunciation of a word if you feel like it. Enjoy yourself, educate yourself, and you’ll find that this time really has been put to good use.
Photo Credit: LivingOS
Nov 20 2008
Too many people believe education ends after school. Who actually uses all that algebra stuff anyway? Well, besides scientists.
However, that is not true. Okay, so you may not find yourself tuning into algebra lessons from your past but math is a huge part of every day life. When you have that knowledge on hand, you’ll be able to withdrawal from your memory bank as needed.
No matter how willing (or unwilling) you might be to learning new things, I would bet you’re learning something new every day. Life is filled with lessons, a small event can teach you a little something new. Much of this education goes unnoticed.
How does this tie into business and mompreneurism?
