Working Mom's Reality Check

2012 Resolutions Contest

2011-12-29T21:30:29Z

New Year's Resolution Contest

Great News!

It's time to take a look at your accomplishments. Your blessings and the fruits of your labors. Time to give yourself an "Atta-girl" if for no other reason than to prevent you from dismissing the great things you've already done in the past year. It's also the time to decide if there are any areas in your life you'd like to improve. This can be a time of great expectancy and optimism.

But how this is "great news?"

We're going to give four randomly selected people a gift. We have a $25 Amazon gift card* to give to four of the people who post a comment here that meets the criteria below: http://www.sabrinaomalone.com between now and January 1, 2012. (*Void where prohibited)

Keep in mind, there are no right or wrong answers. And no one will be judged on what they've done or not done. This is a POSITIVE, affirming and edifying exercise.

The criteria:

1. list three of your accomplishments in 2011.
2. list at least three resolutions for 2012.
(That's it.)

Taking the time to write down the things you accomplished in 2011 and setting goals for 2012 will cause you to put a little more thought into it than usual. It will also provide an opportunity for you to think back on your successes and be encouraged by them. (A very important motivational tactic that gets overlooked - particularly for busy working moms.) That's an oversight we can correct right now.

The idea for this exercise came up over the Christmas break, when I had the chance to sit down with a laser-focused, accomplished, professional analytical thinker with a proven track record for problem-solving. He's the most goal-achieving person I know.

Seriously.

He's an MBA.
A mechanical engineer.
An electrical engineer.
Who supervises other engineers
For one of the largest power companies in the world.

This individual is all about results. He also happens to be my younger brother, Jason.

[Proud big sister moment here...]

Anyhow, I asked him what he thought of the fact that I have this tendency to recycle my New Year's Resolutions year after year. I was discouraged by my lack of progress and was wondering whether or not I've been approaching self-improvement all wrong.

His response was astonishing.

He replied: "Brina, that's not necessarily a bad thing."

What?

How could the most goal-oriented, high-achieving person I know say such a thing?

"It's all about the long range view."

He continued: "If you were setting goals that could be fully achieved and mastered within a one-year time frame, you'd probably be setting your sights too low. The fact that you're resolving things that will have a significant impact on the rest of your life is an indication that they should be recycled, continued and expanded upon year after year. The goal should be to reach a higher level of mastery for related or inter-dependent resolutions as the years progress.

[Whew... wasn't that like a breath of fresh air to make me feel good?]

This was a radically different way of thinking about incomplete goals or resolutions for me. Jason's perspective is reminiscent of the Biblical concept of grace, which completes love while transcending righteousness and forgiveness.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9

Remember, God is not through with us yet! We're still a work in progress, so of course there are areas that still need improvement. We may not be where we want to be - but we're further along in the process than we were before!

To give you a specific example of my own resolutions, last year I resolved the following:

To get in shape
To read the Bible cover to cover
To rebuild our savings

My results:

I got into (and back out of) of "almost-shape."
I read through the Bible -(not cover-to-cover)
And began saving for retirement again

Tempting though it is to dwell upon where I fell short, there is a more excellent way to look back on these results. By accepting God's grace, and by recognizing the value of the effort put forth. By recognizing the fruits of what has already been begun. Consequently, I have the privilege of making my 2012 resolutions build upon last year's. For 2012 I resolve to:

Run a 5k mini-marathon
Read the Bible cover to cover (in Spanish)
Max out our 401k

And according to my brother, (the expert) the fact that my new goals are eerily reminiscent of my last ones is more than okay... it could even be sign that I'm on the right track. So please share your accomplishments and resolutions with us. It will also help us know what's really important to working moms for 2012 and we'll have a better idea of how to help you meet your goals in the coming New Year.

Oh, and have a Happy and Blessed New Year!

Webroot Antivirus + Spy Sweeper 75% off!

2011-03-17T17:54:00Z

HOW I PERSONALLY BEAT PC VIRUSES & SPYWARE MYSELF

Who hasn’t had personal experience with computer viruses or spyware?

These are red flags that indicate a problem:

The computer runs slowly. (Really, really slowly.)
Excessive pop-up windows
A new homepage appears on the browser
Random error messages
Unexpected toolbars, browser helpers & bookmarks
Screens “freezing up” or "crashing" - requiring a restart or just unplugging the whole computer (over & over again.)

Obviously this is a total waste of time. But worse is the fact that viruses and spyware can take over a PC, invade privacy and force people to either buy a new computer or pay a professional to fix their old one. (And heaven help you if your computer gets infected with a virus or spyware specifically designed to collect passwords or credit card information!)

But there is good news.

I’ve personally fixed at least a half dozen computers myself using Webroot Antivirus with Spy Sweeper. In fact, I tested Avast and Norton versus Webroot - Webroot caught and fixed everything the others left behind! And now, when you order through the following link until March 31, 2011 you’ll get Webroot Antivirus + Spy Sweeper for $9.95 - instead of the regular rate of $39.95! (And I’ll get credit for referring you.) That’s a 75% off deal - tailor made for busy, money minded moms. Exclusive Get 75% OFF WEBROOT ANTIVIRUS HERE

Even if you already have antivirus/antispyware protection on your computer, consider doing a scan - just to see if Webroot picks up something your current software may have missed.

Once the scan is complete, you’ll see a status report which will tell you the results of your PC along with the relative risk of damage of each item found.

Now anyone can beat PC Viruses & Spyware - easily, cheaply and quickly.

Cheap Heating Oil

2011-02-02T11:00:00Z

With all this cold weather and a record number of blizzards, too many families are spending a fortune keeping their homes warm.

Many heating oil companies require a minimum order of 150 gallons before they’ll even deliver to a residence. (At $3 per/gallon that’s $450) I hope and pray you never run out of oil when you’re also running low on money!

What can you do?
If it happens, don't panic. A little known fact is that home heating oil and diesel fuel are both #2 fuel oil. You can substitute the diesel fuel oil you find at gas stations for home heating oil and your furnace will be just fine.

Here's How
So if you don’t have enough money for a 100+ gallon delivery of heating oil, you can safely heat your home with a few gallons of diesel. But beware, it'll will cost you more per gallon because diesel fuel is taxed to cover road maintenance. And if you’re heating a big house or it’s so cold that your furnace is working double-time, you’ll be making frequent trips to the gas station getting 5 gallons at a time. But that's better than being in a house with no heat or running space heaters 24/7.

Ounce of Prevention
Lastly, make sure you’ve sealed up drafts in your house. I got a thermal leak detector to find hidden cold spots in our house. (Disclosure, if you order through this this link I’ll get credit for referring you.) As soon as it came out of the box, my kids wanted a turn using it. They loved sleuthing around the house looking for cold spots and coming up with ideas to block drafts. They declared themselves “Cold Spies.”

Who would’ve thought that staying warm and finding new ways to save money on heating oil would also be so much fun?

Career Changes after 40

2011-02-01T18:15:00Z

Sabrina O'Malone (after 40)

Aging out of my Career
I could feel it in my bones - I was getting too old to do the job I had loved for over a decade. Back pain was my constant companion. (I was even on a first-name basis with my chiropractor.) It was becoming harder and harder for me to carry around supplies and do the associated travel. Just trying to stay alert during late sales meetings was even a challenge. It was time to move on.

Stay-at-Home Mom becomes a Working Mom
At the peak of the Great Recession, at the age of 42, one of my friends (a newly divorced stay-at-home mom) desperately needed a job. She had a college degree, but very little work experience. For months, she sent out resumes with no success. She finally took a retail sales job with low pay, no benefits, requiring hours on her feet working nights and weekends. Not too family-friendly, but it was a job.

High-paying Career versus a Family Friendly Job
One of my relatives left a high-pressure career in the financial sector to become an elementary school teacher. She earned her Masters in Education with honors and even had connections within the school districts, but teachers were being laid off due to budget cuts - not hired when she started applying for a job. Hundreds of resume’s and phone calls later, she’s very grateful just to be an on-call substitute teacher. No benefits, no guaranteed schedule, but it’s within her field, and it’s a paycheck.

Have you taken a Career Test?
May I suggest that before you quit your day job or start sending out resume’s, consider taking a career test? Taking an assessment of your strengths, weaknesses and the potential job market makes sense before you embark upon a major life change. Here’s a free online career test I took myself: http://www.careerfitter.com/free_test/Careerbuilder/

BONUS
Because times are hard, I called the company and they agreed to give the first 10 moms to enter promo code "workingmom" here the complete test, their results, the hot jobs 2010 information along with the declining jobs information free!

Angel Food Ministries vs. The Grocery Store

2011-01-19T15:48:00Z

Every once in a while, I’m almost speechless.

This is one of those times.

I decided to see how much it would cost at the grocery store for everything in the January 2011 “Bountiful Blessings Box” from Angel Food Ministries. I made it a point to select as close to the same-size items as possible, and I deliberately tried to get the cheapest, most on-sale items available.

The results are astonishing.

Below is an actual screenshot I took from the Peapod (Stop & Shop) website with comparable food. For $119.59 you could get all this:

Or you could save $78.59 and get all this at an Angel Food pickup location for $41.00:

And this is just for one box of food! Can you imagine the savings if you ordered a month’s worth of Angel Food? I can think of no better time to try Angel Food Ministries than now. Especially if you’re trying to get ahead financially. Or if your New Year’s resolution was to save more money. And if you’re seriously tight on cash, ordering Angel Food might just be the answer to your prayers.

Keep in mind, it does take some advance planning to order Angel Food. Online ordering for this month closes 11:59 pm EST on Sunday, January 23, 2011 (six days before you pickup your food.) And you’ll need to pick it up (or send someone else to pick it up for you) during a relatively small timeframe at your pickup location on Saturday, January 29, 2011. You can order online here www.angelfoodministries.com or at a local pickup site.

Bottom line
If you’ve got mouth’s to feed, and have felt the pinch of the economy, it’s time to feed your family for a WHOLE LOT LESS whenever you possibly can.

Disclosure: We are not affiliated with Peapod, Stop and Shop nor Angel Food Ministries. This blog is independently owned and the opinions expressed here are my own. We receive no compensation to write reviews. We could potentially receive Angel Food Boxes through the "Angel Food Ministries Refer a Friend " promotion.

Learn and Master Piano Review

2010-12-14T17:17:00Z

Disclosure: This is a professional review. I received a sample copy of the piano course. When you order through this link, you will receive a $100 discount and I will get credit for referring you.

Life is hectic - Learning Piano Doesn't Have to Be

Life can be particularly hectic when you’ve got a child or two (or six) to raise. Add a full-time job and all too often, you want things for your kids that you either don’t have the time for or really can’t afford.

For us, piano lessons kind of fell into this category. I’ve read the studies about how playing the piano helps children increase their math skills, SAT scores, increase their focus and more. And I couldn’t help but notice how cool it is when someone can just sit down at a piano and make music. But before I could sign my kids up for piano lessons there were two major obstacles to overcome.

First, we didn’t have a piano. We were planning to get a cheap piano by ordering one online, but it turns out, often people are looking to get rid of pianos they aren’t using anymore. We found someone in our church had inherited an upright piano that was now just taking up space in her house. She was willing to give it away to anyone who would come and take it. So we looked in the phone book and hired a piano mover to pick it up, bring it to our house and tune it. Getting that heavy upright moved and tuned ended up costing a more than it would have to just buy a new one online, but still...

We felt so blessed!

Second, even though my husband took years of piano lessons (and he can still play a bit) he didn’t exactly feel up to the challenge of teaching the kids piano himself. And I certainly couldn’t teach them what I’d never learned. Consequently we began looking for a local piano teacher. We found a nice lady who teaches piano, but she’s booked solid. Her only openings are during times that wouldn’t work well for us. Not to mention that piano lessons are expensive - especially when multiplied by six.

At a business conference, I was lamenting this fact when someone from Learn and Master overheard me and said he’d send me a promotional copy of Learn and Master Piano to put to the test.

Well, what do you know, the guy was right! After just a few months of playing along with the DVD's, my oldest daughter (she's 11) can now sit down at the piano and play “When the Saints Go Marching In” and other songs. She's already getting pretty good at playing uncomplicated sheet music by sight.

The best part is We don’t have to drive her anywhere because she has private lessons with an accomplished teacher ready and waiting whenever there's a convenient time for a piano lesson.

So if you're trying to figure out what to give to someone who already has everything, this is a perfect time because there’s a Learn and Master Piano Coupon. You’ll save $100 when you order through this link (and I’ll get credit for referring you.) It’s never been easier to give the gift of music or to afford private lessons for someone you know and love. (BONUS: The Learn and Master Piano Course comes in a nice, big, easy-to-gift wrap box.)

Mama Mio "Get Waisted" Review

2010-12-13T20:35:00Z

[Gasp!] "Mommy, your tummy is getting so SKINNY!”

[Enter coupon code "WORKINGMOM" and save an extra 15% off your order + get free 1-2 Day Shipping.]

"Mommy, your tummy is getting so SKINNY!" Yesterday, my 8 year old daughter, actually said these words to me. That’s when I realized it’s probably time to let other Moms in on my secret.

It all started due to my tendency towards goal-setting. My 2010 New Years Resolutions were:

I’d save up enough money to have a 3-month cash reserve.
I’d read the Bible cover to cover
I’d get into shape enough to do a Valerie Bertinelli-style bikini photo shoot.

(Admittedly, these are lofty, lofty goals for a woman my age who has had 6 kids within 12 years.)

By the time October rolled around, it was crunch time. I could probably finish the Bible (I’m on the book of Mark now) and if I positively scrimped on everything - (and if I defined “3-month cash reserve” as “lean, mean, rice & beans months”) I could probably swing that too. However...this tummy...and the rest of me...frankly, all the exercise, starvation or trick airbrushes in the world couldn’t fix that in time.

I started thinking of how great it would be if I could just smooth on some kind of cream that would MELT the fat off of my worst places. Particularly my stomach and these “roll things” on my rib cage that appear if I bend the wrong way (meaning if I bend at all.)

So I did some research and decided to put Mama Mio’s “Get Waisted ” to the test. Naturally, my husband laughed at the idea, and particularly found it amusing when I went running to the door to greet the UPS deliveryman with my new cream. To say he was skeptical is an understatement. He thought the most fat I'd burn was from the exertion of running to answer the door to get it!

To be honest with you, I was starting to think he was probably right and that I had gotten swept away by hype when I decided to order it. So I decided to give Mama Mio Get Waisted an especially stringent, difficult study design. I would completely stop exercising for the 30 day testing time period, and I would not to eat or drink anything marketed as "diet" or "low cal" or "low carb" for 30 days.

Baseline
At the beginning of this test:

Lands End size 14 jeans snugly fit me (with the tummy rolling over in a muffin-top.)
Size 12 was skin-tight - as in, “pull-up-the-zipper-with-an-unbreakable-Goody-comb” tight.
Size 10 barely made it up my thighs.
And size 8 - well, I didn’t even try any 8’s.

How I used it
I put it on twice a day for 30 days. In the morning & before bed. I used two pumps on my abs, and one pump on each side (by the rolls) for every application. However keep in mind, the instructions say just two pumps once a day. However somehow, my container of Get Waisted still lasted the full month, even with me using 4 times the recommended amount.

My 30-Day Results
Size 14 is too loose and I now need a belt!
Size 12 fits nicely - without a muffin top.
Size 10 is still tight on my thighs and produces a muffin top look.
And I still haven’t tried any 8’s.

Conclusion
Apparently there can be no other explanation as to why my stomach has gotten flatter and my rolls are almost gone other than Mama Mio’s Get Waisted works. I ordered another tube so I can keep using it just to see how skinny I can get with minimal exercise and dieting. And after my daughter's declaration about my tummy getting so "skinny" (within earshot of my husband) he's wondering if he should try some too!

Be forewarned, Get Waisted is expensive, ($56 per tube retail.) However, you can get it cheaper when you order through this link then enter coupon code WORKINGMOM - which will save you an extra 15% off your order. (You’ll also get free 1-2 day shipping and I'll get credit for referring you.)

Stay tuned for my bikini photo shoot pictures - I still have a few days before the end of 2010!

Living Large on a Shoestring Budget

2010-12-10T16:49:00Z

How to Live Rich - Even When You're Not

I get a lot of email from people who are hanging on by a thread. I mean desperate people. They’re worried about food, keeping their electricity on and keeping a roof over their heads. Despite the fact that economists are saying: “The Recession is Over” too many people are still struggling - and even those who aren’t seem worried.

If this describes someone you know & love, (or you’re kind of worried about yourself) let me tell you what I’d tell my own sister, brother or best friend. Keep in mind, I’m no financial counselor or expert, I’m no theologian or minister either. I’m just an ordinary working mom with six kids who has learned how to make a dollar (and how to keep one too.)

So if you’re trying to dig yourself out of a hole, or want to get ahead, these are some of the best ways I know to have and keep money.

Count your Blessings - Thank God for the blessings you already have. Even though it’s tempting to feel “less thankful” when you’re at rock bottom, that’s when you need a thankful heart most. Here’s why: when you fix your mind on things that are lovely, good, noble, just, true, excellent and praiseworthy it puts you in a frame of mind to solve problems. Frankly, if you’re broke and it’s bothering you; then actually solving the problem needs to be a higher priority than worrying about it. When you deliberately think of (and name) the wonderful things that God has done for you, you’ll notice a gradual, more productive and positive shift in your thinking. Wasting your energy dwelling on what’s wrong will make you neither richer nor happier. Instead, praise the Lord for what’s right. And ask God to give you hope for your future. Take control of your thoughts and focus on your blessings. Count them, name them and thank the Lord for them. http://www.workingmom.com/aboutpraystation.htm
Save – No matter how small the amount. Get in the habit of keeping aside some money you simply will not spend. What makes or breaks you is whether you will choose to discipline yourself during those times when you’ve “got the money for” small non-necessities. Instead of buying them, temporarily save that money to build up an emergency fund. Gut Check: if you found a twenty dollar bill right now; what would you do with it? If you’d probably get takeout, use it for gas or buy some groceries; then with all due respect, your tendency to spend whatever you have (or even find) is keeping you broke. For now, steel yourself to tuck money away. The small choices you make when you’ve got a few dollars at your disposal directly impact how much money you’ll have when emergencies arise. (And oh, emergencies will arise.) So temporarily deny yourself non-necessities until you build up some cash to weather unexpected expenses. This is an all-important secret to breaking the poverty cycle. Practice the art of having money in the bank that you will not spend, and the art of having money in your pocket that you won’t spend either. www.ally.com/online-savings-account/index.html
Get Healthy – Do whatever is within your control to be as healthy as you can be. I understand that lack of time, money or physical limitations leave a lot of people hard-pressed to work out or eat right on a regular basis. But keep this in mind, if you end up hospitalized, or have to take time off work for illness or disability, it will cost you a small fortune. Start taking the stairs instead of elevators, park the car further away, when you find yourself bored at home, take a quick walk around your neighborhood. Basically, make it your business to move around as much as you are able. Second, eat like your life depends on it. (And it does, you know) I personally understand how difficult this is; but if you plan on having more money; do what you can to be as well as you can be.
Quit Smoking*- From a pure dollars and cents perspective, the biggest expense isn’t even the cost of the cigarettes. Add in: higher rates for life insurance, higher rates for health insurance, lower resale value for your home or car, lost money from using more sick time, and emerging employment restrictions and smoking wastes more of your money than it’s worth. If you really want to live like you’re rich (even on a poor girl’s income) then suffer through the withdrawal, quit smoking and steer clear of situations that tempt you to smoke again. http://whyquit.com/pr/053106.htm l
Quit Drinking**- And I say this with the greatest sensitivity possible. Drinking alcohol is an expensive way to quench thirst and it’s an expensive way to relax. Aside from the higher cost of an alcoholic drink, there is the added expense of: reduced productivity, health implications, relational problems and all the associated problems that can arise from driving somewhere after a drink or two. Drinking alcohol just won’t make you richer. If this is a problem for you or someone in your family, consider this: http://www.aa.org/lang/en/subpage.cfm?page=71
Buy Used – And cars are just the beginning! Furniture, kitchen supplies etcetera are so much more affordable when you buy used. Always start by checking out http://www.ebay.com and http://www.Craigslist.com before you make a purchase.
Cook Dinner - If you want to be richer, then you need to see takeout or eating at a restaurant as a periodic treat; not a vital part of nutritional sustenance. Do the math: for $31 you could get a pretty good meal at a restaurant or maybe Chinese takeout for your family. Or for that same $31 you could feed your entire family for a WEEK with Angel Food Ministries!
Eat Angel Food - This will save you so much money. And it will safeguard against the fear of running out of food before your next paycheck. To make things easier, Angel Food Ministries now has online ordering and operates in most States. There are no income restrictions, so even if your income is actually pretty high, you can still use them. Their “Signature Food Box” has at LEAST $65 worth of restaurant-quality food for $31. (They also accept food stamps.) Imagine how much money you will save if you start feeding your entire family for just $4.50 per day!
Save leftovers for lunches - When you are putting away your leftovers from dinner, put them directly into little lunch-sized containers. Then it’ll be easy to pack a lunch. Just grab a container, add a water bottle and a piece of fruit. Not even school lunches or cheap fast-food restaurants will save you as much cash as packing your leftovers for lunch. Furthermore, it’ll taste better and help your whole family maintain better health and weight. We use these: Lunch Containers
Clip Grocery Coupons - Even if you get the newspaper, (and especially if you don’t) check out the free printable grocery coupons online. http://www.workingmom.com/coupons.html
Get Your House in Order - You need to know exactly much income you have coming in versus expenses going out. If you frequently run out of money, then it’s safe to say you are running at a deficit. Your next step is to know how much it is. We use this budgeting spreadsheet: http://www.crown.org/pamphlets/pdfs/FamilyBudgeting.pdf When it comes to knowing your income versus expenses, ignorance IS NOT bliss. Being ignorant will leave you “Surprised there’s more week left at the end of your money.” So figure out the exact amount you need to make ends meet. Then you have two options: increase your income and/or reduce your expenses. (I recommend you make an effort to do both.) But remember it’s almost always easier to save a dollar than to make one.
Quit Using Credit Cards - It’s been said over and over again. But they are such a waste of money. Instead of helping you get out of a hole; they are a shovel that digs you in deeper. If you want to have more money, absolutely stop buying things on credit. It’s the interest and the impulse purchasing that just about kills you. It’s nearly impossible to save up a sizable emergency fund or savings if a lot of your income goes to interest for things you didn’t even need in the first place. I don’t care what the experts say about building a credit history, I’ve found that cutting up and canceling credit cards (and just using debit cards or cash instead) are the best way to build up savings.
Never buy lottery tickets. Never - It’s called the “Poor man’s tax” for a reason. The people who tend to have (and keep) their money just don’t play the lotto. You are more than 99.999% likely to be throwing your money out of the window with every purchase. This is a bad, bad investment. Buying lottery tickets, scratch-off’s or any other gambling does not get you rich quick. It is a surefire way to slowly stay broke.
Avoid check cashing places or payday loans - Avoid them like the plague. Being impatient or just failing to plan for the future wastes so much money! Payday loan/Check-Cashing/Pawnshop businesses make a fortune off people who live paycheck to paycheck. It’s people who don’t (or won’t) plan ahead for emergencies who keep them in business. Why make them rich? Instead, make yourself richer by avoiding fast-cash or rapid refund places.
Get rid of your land line or get rid of your cell phone- Do you actually need both?
Get rid of cable or satellite - You can watch most shows online for free nowadays. (And with fewer commercials.) Try www.hulu.com or the official network websites for the shows you like.
Move to a Lower Cost of Living Area - When you fill in your budget, if your housing costs, state and local taxes take up the majority of your income, then it’s time to do some soul-searching and seriously consider making a move. There are places in this country that simply cost more to live in than they are worth. (You might be in one of them.) This tool is pretty eye opening in revealing the cost of living in one place versus another: cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costofliving/costofliving.html
Start Giving - I know it sounds counterproductive to build wealth by giving any of your money away - especially when you are so close to the poorhouse yourself. But it’s one of the wisest things you can do. Here’s why, if you continue to go about your life focused on solving your own problems; you will lose perspective. Without it, two things happen: you risk falling short of being a blessing to people you could actually help. The other is you risk becoming so consumed with yourself that you fail to see bigger picture solutions -even to your own problems. Added bonus, God has promised to open His storehouse for you when you give. (It’s the only place in the Bible where He invites you to test Him.) “Navel gazing” or failing to see past the tip of your nose doesn’t help you, nor does it help anyone else. I like the Trockosi Freedom Fund. For more information check out: Innetworkusa.org
Watch the way you drive. You can increase your gas mileage 25% -in the car you’re already driving by using a few easy hyper-miling tips and tricks. Saving Gas’ These tips can reduce the amount of money you spend on gas.
Do not break the law- No, Seriously -It takes up valuable time, energy and money when you are even suspected of breaking any kind of law. Even if you end up “winning” you still lose all that time, energy and money it took to defend yourself. Don’t put yourself in situations where you even hang around people who tend to break (or skirt) the law. If you’ve got hopes, dreams and wishes for a future that don’t include things like jail time or losing your license, then this tip is key. Don’t break the law - and don’t even hang around people who do.

Totally Desperate for a Fast-Buck, like Right Now?
   1.   Return past purchases - Look around your home for things you’ve bought that you could live without. Then look for the receipts and take them back. Home Improvement supplies in particular can give you a substantial infusion of cash. Even if you can’t find the receipt, many stores will still give you store credit. Look at everything you currently own with an eye for it’s return potential.
   2.   List stuff you can’t return on Ebay, Amazon or Craigslist - Take a few pictures of your items with your cell phone camera (or use a digital camera if it’s handy) and upload them with a brief description onto all three of these sites. Set the prices lower than comparable listings, and include a “Buy it Now” option.
    3. Sell your blood plasma - You can earn up to $50 per week. Do a quick search online to find out where the nearest paid plasma donation sites are in your area. Google: “plasma+donation+[your area]” Then check out the websites or call them for more details. On your first visit, expect to fill out a tremendous amount of paper work, and bring as much of your ID and medical information as you have. If you pass their criteria, it should take about an hour to donate your plasma and at the end you will be paid either in cash or with a rechargeable debit card. It’s not the most glamorous thing to do, but it is a way to be a blessing to others by providing lifesaving, desperately needed plasma while earning a few dollars at the same time.
    4. Seek emergency assistance- Google “emergency+assistance+programs+[Your State]” there may be state and local programs you know nothing about that help people in situations like yours. Also contact local churches, explaining your situation asking them to pray for you and whether they are set up to provide emergency assistance.

HEADS UP

Did you notice I only listed four tips listed that generate fast-money?
Did you notice that I put them last?

If the main thing on your mind right now is:

“How can I get my hands on some fast-money - the sooner, the better?” Then this last tip is especially for you:

• If you don’t change the things you do when you HAVE a few dollars, then all too soon, you will be broke again when another crisis hits. (Then you’ll be really stuck.) It is the first 20 tips that have the potential to help you live large even on small money. Do yourself a favor and start solving more than just each new immediate crisis. Make changes to how you think, spend, budget and save. Those are the secrets to living large on a shoestring budget!
Sources:
*Smoking Costs: http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/deals/get-rich-quit-smoking-20596/
**Drinking Costs:http://meriter.staywellsolutionsonline.com/interactivetools/calculators/41,CostOfDrinkingCalc
Related Articles: http://workingmom.com/newsletters/ways-to-save-money.html

The Gold Rush of 2010

2010-12-09T17:37:00Z

Cash for Gold - Is it a Scam or a Windfall?

Perhaps you’ve heard that the price of gold hit an all-time high. Maybe you’re thinking “So what? I’m thinking more about keeping a roof over my head than investing in precious metals.”

Well, think again.

This is a true story. One of my relatives found herself in the unenviable situation of being completely broke, running low on gas with payday still 3 days away. In desperation, she got the idea to take her old jewelry to the Gold Rush kiosk in the mall.

She got over $300 in cash! (More than enough for gas.) So she told her aunt about it, she took hers there and got over $1000! In my family, news like this travels fast, so I gathered up 3 mismatched earrings, 2 busted necklaces, a ring & a too small baby bracelet, took it to the Gold Rush kiosk near me and got $268.38!

There’s a simple explanation why they’re paying so much. The weight of five quarters equals an ounce. With gold valued near $1400 per ounce the weight of 10k, 14k or 18k gold jewelry can add up quickly.

But there’s a sad part to this story. Another relative took her old gold to a nice-looking, local store with a “We Buy Gold” sign, instead of driving all the way to a mall kiosk. Based on how much we got, she had hoped for several thousand dollars. But she walked out of there with just $100 - which was better than nothing, but a far cry from what she expected.

So if you’re kind of desperate for money yourself right now, you might consider converting some of your unused gold into cash at a reputable kiosk or getting several different quotes before you sell it.

Angel Food Ministries

2010-12-08T19:39:00Z

Putting Food on the Table

Angel Food Ministries

Start Stretching a Dollar
After rent or mortgage payments, the biggest expense for the average family is food. And in this uncertain economy - especially with the Holidays approaching, many family budgets are going to have to stretch like never before.

How do you afford all those kids?
I get this question a lot. Of course I clip coupons, watch for sales and buy in bulk as much as possible. But by far my biggest secret to feeding a family of 8 is ordering Angel Food Ministries food boxes every month. If you aren’t familiar with them, they’re a non-profit food distribution organization with pick up locations in 45 States . They provide consumers with fresh, quality, name-brand food - at a fraction of the retail price. There are no clubs to join, no applications or paperwork to fill out, nor income requirements. The menu changes every month, so a wide variety of food is available. I order online , but people also order in person at a local pickup site or call (888) 819-3745.

Getting out of the Hole
Frankly, if you’re worried about paying your bills let alone affording Christmas gifts, this might provide the breathing room you were hoping for. And December has some particularly special boxes . (I’m ordering the Bountiful Blessings Boxes and the Assorted Christmas Fruit Boxes - 46 pieces of gift-basket quality fruit for $26 is hard to beat!)

Order Deadline
This month’s online ordering deadline is December 12th, and the food will be distributed Saturday, December 18th. (Check with your local site for their pick up time.) It’s easy to save big. Just pick up your already boxed food and take it home.

For complete details check out the Angel Food website at www.angelfoodministries.com . Let me know what you think.

50 Ways I Save Money

2009-09-07T18:17:00Z

50 Ways I Save Money

“How on earth do you do it?”

I get this question a lot. As a full-time working mom with six children, I suppose it begs the question. “How can you afford to feed, clothe, educate, and keep a roof over that many heads?”

I’ve put together “50 Ways I Save Money” to answer this question. These are some of my tried and true methods to cut corners and save - without eroding or impinging on a sense of freedom and joy within our family. As a word to the wise, being frugal is not the same as being a miser. If your motivation to save is based on fear or greed, I suggest you do some soul-searching. When trusting God to take care of your needs doesn’t come easily to you, consider the lilies of the field and the birds of the air. God takes care of them, and you are even more valuable to Him than they are, so you’ll be taken care of too!

With that in mind, if you want to be better prepared to weather economic storms, (or simply want to stop living paycheck to paycheck) then I hope and pray that my family’s best practices will be a blessing to you and yours.

Every other day is a “buy nothing” day – it automatically cuts impulse purchases in half
Never buy anything from a vending machine. Ever.
Use Ziploc’s filled with snacks (bought in bulk) instead
Use Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (they last longer & cut the electric bill)
Better yet, use natural sunlight instead of turning on a light
Get organized – seriously organized. Being disorganized wastes hard-earned money on late fees, overdraft charges & over the limit fees. Set up a system to pay bills on time. In 2009, U.S. banks will collect $38 BILLION in overdraft penalties.
Shop Online and use the Free Shipping options. (Saves gas, $ and time)
Google “store name + coupon” before buying anything – for online shopping or before leaving home to shop at a regular store
Turn off & unplug unused appliances
Make lunches at home
Pay bills online (saves time, stamps, ink & paper)
Drive the most fuel-efficient vehicle whenever possible
When a grocery item is a “loss leader” stock up and get a rain check for more
Use free printable grocery coupons at the grocery store – take advantage of double or triple coupon policies
Buy generic if it’s cheaper than name brand
Open a high interest savings account at an online virtual bank
Set up an automatic withdrawal that goes straight to the savings account
Use the local library for books and DVD’s
Use a water filter instead of bottled water
No cable or satellite
Use Paypal Debit (but sign for purchases) to get 1% cash back
Never order soft drinks at restaurants. Order water with lemon & use the sugar packets or Splenda at the table to make lemonade. (It’s free & healthier)
Periodically evaluate the cell phone plan and switch to the most cost-effective one
Started using Charlie’s Soap Powder for laundry – 13 cents per load for a hypoallergenic, non-toxic, completely biodegradable detergent/fabric softener
Lowered our phone/internet bill $30/month by bundling them with the same company
Buy items like toilet paper, napkins and tissues in bulk online
Make my own (organic) bread with a bread machine. Total cost is $.50 per loaf.
Turn off unnecessary lights. (Including the kitchen light at night)
Get motion sensor “dawn to dusk” outdoor lights (cuts the electric bill & increases home security)
Avoid using air fresheners or night lights that must remain plugged in (burns electricity & they’re expensive)
We don’t turn the heat on at the first hint of cool weather – we put on sweatshirts
We don’t turn on the air conditioner as soon as it starts getting warm either; we use the ceiling fans first
Get a programmable thermostat that automatically turns down the heat or air conditioner at night & during the workday when no one is at home.
When we’re out of town, we turn the air conditioning units completely off.
If at all possible, I go grocery shopping ALONE. Studies show that moms spend more money at the store with children (or husbands) in tow.
We shred our own cheese, chop our own lettuce and freeze our own dinners. Prepackaged convenience foods are a “no-no” unless the sale price is lower.
Drive gently. Watch the RPM’s and try and keep them low. Stepping on the gas to unnecessarily accelerate makes the engine rev high – and wastes up to ten times the gas than when the car is idling.
When pumping gas, before I swipe my card, I squeeze the nozzle into my vehicle. About a cup of gas usually comes out, left in the handle from the last person fueling. Then I fuel as normal. When I’m done, I get my receipt, and then squeeze the nozzle again, and get another free cup of gas.
We stock up on whole organic chicken when it’s on sale. I oven-bake them then cut them into portions suitable for dinner and sandwiches for lunches.
Then I save the bones to make chicken noodle soup or chicken & rice.
Use the crock pot to make soups out of leftovers from the fridge
Wash our clothes in cold water (saves the oil or gas cost to heat the hot water)
Hang dry as much as possible
Run the dryer during off-peak electric hours. (Rates per kwh are lower on weekends and from 10pm through 6am M-F in many areas.)
We gratefully accept hand-me-down clothes from friends & family
Annually donate the clothes we don’t need, get a receipt and take the tax write off
We buy low-mileage used vehicles instead of new ones. We haven’t had car payments in over fifteen years
Joined Samaritan Ministries as a low-cost alternative to regular health insurance
Print out a copy of the $4 Prescription list from Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens, etc. and ask our Dr.’s to prescribe those medications when possible.
Get as much fresh produce as you can from a home garden or local farms. It’s cheaper, (sometimes even free) and it’s fresher.

And that’s my list. Tell us how you save money by leaving a comment on my blog: http://www.sabrinaomalone.com. We will randomly choose one of the comments to receive a $50 Visa Gift card!*
*Void where prohibited.

Surviving a Recession

2008-12-18T02:37:00Z

“Mommy…are we poor?”

One of my kids asked me that recently. So I blurted out a flip: “Yup. We sure are!” Fortunately, Big Dan was within earshot, and sensed there was more to this question than a casual inquiry. After a brief chuckle, he explained that I was kidding. He continued “We have a home, more than enough food to eat, and we have each other.” Then he concluded with, “No, sweetheart, we’re not poor. We’re rich.” (Sure wish I had said that…) The fact that we even had this conversation proves that anxiety about the economy has gotten to the point where six-year-olds are starting to be concerned.

This led me to wonder how the recession is affecting our working moms. I’d really like to hear from you. In fact, we’ll randomly select one of the comments about this subject to receive a $50 Visa gift card!*

I’m sure a lot of you are scared - so am I. It’s distressing when even the experts are reluctant to venture a guess as to how this will end. However, there is someone who knows what’s coming. Better still, you have rock-solid assurance that you’ll be taken care of:

ASSURANCE

“Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” –Jesus of Nazareth recorded in the book of Matthew Chapter 6 verses 26-34.

PEACE

So rest assured, God is not going to abandon you.
Take heart.
Don't fear.
By God’s grace, you will get through this.

Worrying, stressing and panicking won’t improve your current situation. Obsessing over what they say on the nightly news will only erode your peace and joy. Jesus said: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." –Recorded in the book of John Chapter 16 verse 33.

Why don’t you just take him at his word this time?
If you’re concerned about your future, then this is the time to pray -and pray hard.
Seek God.
Worship well.
Be grateful for what you already have.
Count your blessings.
Get your spending under control.
Do not incur new debt.
Don't borrow.
Write out a plan or budget to pay your bills.

A “How to Get out of Debt Class” was recently offered at our church. I'm wondering if I ought to share the fundamentals of it for the January Newsletter. It may be good timing in light of the temptation to overspend during the holidays. All five of my children have ideas about things they want this Christmas, and all totaled, they could easily put us back several thousand dollars.

THE QUANDARY

While I don’t want to disappoint them by failing to deliver gifts they’re hoping for and dreaming of, I also don’t want to jeopardize our financial stability. (Especially not for toys and trinkets that they’ll be bored with by New Years.) So is it possible (or even realistic) to somehow give good gifts while preparing to survive a recession? Yes, it is. But the key is to stretch every dollar.

According to Pastor Richard Pfeil, in an economic downturn one of the best things you can do is "skinny up." Reduce spending. Focus on the essentials. Work together with your family on this. Don’t buy what you don’t need right now. Don’t borrow. And don't pay someone else by outsourcing things you could do yourself. Consider trading skills and bartering if you can.

While I realize that this is not a macroeconomic solution for the world’s economy…it sure sounds like a family-specific solution to make it through the hard times of a recession or impending depression.

EXAMPLES
So we’ll be giving homemade (organic) Christmas cookies this year. These will be for friends, relatives and business associates. I do make an effort to package them beautifully (and if I must say so myself) they’re delicious. Moreover, it’s something we can afford. However it will cost me time, some effort and planning. But in just one day, I can shop for the ingredients, bake them, package them, and mail them out. I’ll have gifts for everybody but my immediate family for less than fifty dollars.

We will also be planting our first vegetable garden this spring. (Pray for us, I’m no farmer.)

So would you let me know how you are doing? Would you let me know if you’ve already made adjustments (or plan to) so you can survive the recession or impending depression? Remember, we will randomly select one of the comments to receive a $50 Visa gift card.* Your comments and experiences will help WorkingMom.com to monitor the situation accurately, to respond appropriately and to develop new tools to better meet your needs.

Working Moms in Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand have told me that they’d like printable online grocery coupons too. So for 2009, we are actively looking to establish partnerships with the leading coupon distributors in your countries. Please let us know the names of the companies that put the traditional, paper coupons in your area’s leading newspapers. Then we can take it from there.

And just because I’ve always rather enjoyed going against the grain, WorkingMom is going to do something totally different from most of the other companies sending you emails this time of year. As you may have gathered, I’m basically telling you NOT to spend if you don’t have to. Plus I’m going to make it easier for you to save.

RESOURCES
If you are already feeling the pinch from the recession, you might want to consider Angel Food Ministries if you live in the US. They provide name brand, restaurant quality food at approximately half the price it costs in the grocery store. This is a unique outreach that is already available in 35 states. There are no fees to join, no income restrictions, no applications or anything. We ordered two boxes of food last month. We saved a bundle, and this month we’re ordering again. (For those of you who don’t know, I’m expecting our sixth child in May…this’ll make us a family of 8 - please pray for us!) So as you can imagine I’m pretty motivated to be frugal. If you’re just as eager to save where you can, take a look at the Angel Food Ministries website for more details.

Another hot tip to surviving the recession is to start using online printable grocery coupons every time you go to the grocery store. You can really save a lot when there’s an in-store sale + your shopper’s card discount + double coupons. And get in the habit of shopping with a grocery list, it’ll help you stay focused amidst the temptations and distractions in the store. A list will remind you what you really came for.

Lastly, if you are having serious trouble paying your bills and keeping things afloat, we recommend you contact Crown Financial Ministries and make use of the resources and counseling available on their website. And don’t be too proud to talk with the pastor at your local church. Aside from the spiritual and emotional help, there may also be tangible help available to those who need it.

Blessings,

Sabrina O’Malone

*Void where prohibited.

Sabrina O'Malone

http://www.sabrinaomalone.com/

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Turning 40 - Hitting the Big "Four-Oh"

2008-07-29T11:31:00Z

TriLASTIN SR - Getting Rid of Stretch Marks

Turning 40

I just finished writing a comprehensive review about TriLASTIN for the July Newsletter. It's definitely a lighter topic than my usual, "what is the meaning of life" kinds of fare. But the way in which this came onto my radar is what brings it within the scope of the WorkingMom motto. I'll explain:

You see, I graduated high school in 1986. And 2008 is the year we all turn forty. I'm from a small town, the kind where everybody knew everybody else -and their older brother. You could literally walk from one end of town to the other and on every block there was at least one home where you could knock on the door, stop in and call home if it was getting dark, too cold or too hot.

I'm still close to many of the people I grew up. And I noticed that as we're all hitting the big "Four-Oh" some of us are taking it harder than others. But the thing we all have in common is that we're taking inventory of what we've done so far, and what we'd like to do with the rest of our lives.

Which leads me to the stretch mark cream, Trilastin. You see, one of these friends decided that for her fortieth birthday she was going to be fit, healthy, stronger than ever, and would concentrate on maximizing her physical and external appearance. (To be candid with you, at first I thought her goals were kind of shallow.) Fortunately, God gave me the good sense not to criticize her. And as it turns out, she had set attainable goals that inspired her -even if they weren't particularly inspiring (or even attainable) for me.

So as part of her physical health and external appearance Odyssey she began to regularly go to the gym, started to eat organic (mostly vegetarian), and came across TriLASTIN SR.

Frankly, I may not be able to resist a good steak, and I may not have the discipline to go to the gym as often as I should, but I can certainly could put on lotion to get rid of my stretch marks! So I tried it and wrote the following review about the experience.

What do you think? Feel free to leave your comments on my blog:

Sabrina O'Malone
Sabrina's Blog

Girlfriend's Guide to Overcoming Adversity

2007-11-21T12:53:00Z

I have three friends in the midst of some seriously tough situations. I pray for these women regularly, and a few days ago, I decided to do some research on the subject of successfully overcoming adversity –simply as a labor of love for them. I ended up compiling what I hoped was an encouraging, inspiring message. When it was done, I realized that there are lots more people facing adversity than my friends. So here it is - Sabrina’s lovingly created “Girlfriend’s Guide to Overcoming Adversity” (With a little help from Pastor Richard!)

KITCHEN TABLE WISDOM

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how hard things were. She didn't know how she was going to make it and felt like giving up. As soon she solved one problem, it seemed a new one took its place. She was tired of fighting and struggling. Her mother took her to the kitchen.

She filled three pots with water.

In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and in the last one, she placed ground coffee beans.

She let them boil without saying a word. After a little while, she turned off the burners.

She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled some coffee into in a cup.

Turning to her daughter, she said "Tell me what you see."

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee." she replied.

She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She noted that they were very soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the egg was hard-boiled. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma.

The daughter finally asked, "Mom, what’s your point?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity -boiling water- but each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it became weak and nearly disintegrated.
The egg had been delicate. A thin outer shell was the only protection for its liquid interior. The egg hardened on the inside after being subjected to boiling water.
However, the coffee was unique. The coffee changed the water.

Which are you? When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you like a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

Like the carrot, did you start out strong only to become weak and nearly fall apart because of pain and adversity?

Like the egg, did you start out delicate, but toughened up and grew hardened after facing the heat of a trial? Did you once have a fluid, resilient spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, do you now have a hardened heart? Does your “shell” look the same, but the inside is totally different?

Or are you like the coffee bean? Coffee subjected to hot water becomes something wonderful. Only then does coffee fully release its fragrance and flavor. If adversity affects you like hot water affects coffee, then when things are at their worst, you are at your best. You change the very situations that cause you pain.

Ironically, each of my friends had a response similar to one of the food illustrations. One didn’t respond to it at all. The other sent me a sweet email message thanking me for being strong for her when she was weak. The last one also thanked me for the message, and then forwarded it to almost everyone in her address book!

So when the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest exactly how can you elevate to the level of a coffee bean? Pastor Richard Pfeil has wisdom on this subject that far exceeds my own. The rest of this message on overcoming adversity comes from him.

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Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. -James 1:2-5

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James says "when tests and challenges come at you from all sides...." Because the fact is that you are going to face times of trials. James was an intensely strong believer. His faith was not shaken by the reality of trials. Trials did not cause him to deny God at all. James knows it's not God's fault. Yet so often God is the first person we all blame when adversity comes.

It is common for us to blame God. But think of Jesus on the cross. If God was really to blame for adversity, then God had cause to be mad at himself! What we hear from Jesus on the cross is a cry of anguish, a feeling of being alone, but he still had faith because he said, "Into your hands I commit my spirit."

A father took his daughter to the doctor to get an injection - knowing the experience would be painful. The daughter knew her father loved her, yet he was the one who brought her to her tormentors. Nevertheless, with love in the father's heart, holding his daughter, she clung to him, receiving the painful shot. She cried, "Daddy, Daddy, no." But she clung to him nonetheless. This is a good posture for us to remember in adversity. We should always cling to the Father because he loves us and knows what's best for us.

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS

One thing that trips us up when we experience hard times is that deep down, we don't expect them to happen. The first statement we make is, "I can't believe this is happening to me." We are so often caught off guard by financial down-turns and yet common sense tells us that in the history of our economy, there is a seven-year cycle of ups and downs. Throughout humanity, industries have come and gone, times change, and people need to prepare for this.

People are crushed by the loss of loved ones. It is okay to experience grief - which is an expression of love, but it is not okay to be destroyed. History tells us that everyone dies. Billions of people have lived on this earth and died, and it is something that we need to prepare for.

Some people are confused by illness and the process of aging and the frailty that accompanies it. Yet, we all age. None of us ever grows younger.

What we need is a realistic expectation of life. We need to understand and accept the Biblical view that the world is fallen and we will experience adversity. May God give us the grace to accept it and to prepare ourselves to see adversity simply as hurdles in life to jump over.

ASSIGNING BLAME

Another thing that trips people up about adversity is that we draw this parallel between life and God. We think that everything that happens in life is because of God. We ask, "Why, God, did you let this happen to me? God, where are you? Don't you care? Aren't you in control?"

Don’t misunderstand God's sovereignty as him being a puppet king. He is not that at all. He has divine oversight and sees all, but he does not control all. He knows everything. Life is real and dynamic. It is not determined. God's purposes are determined, but not every moment.

If you are going to get angry and point fingers; then point at the right object - life. Get angry at life, shake it up! This isn't God's best, this isn't his intention. Pray as the church prayed historically, "Come, Lord Jesus." Ask God, "Lord, what can I learn from these experiences? Give me your strength to endure. Help me to pray your will." It is important to pray God's will-pray for healing, pray for restoration, pray for redemption, but also pray for strength.

CHOOSE JOY

James says, "Consider it pure joy...." Now, that's an odd phrase. Literally, this means "Fix it in your mind that when you face adversity, you will respond with joy." Loosely translated, this means “Be happy, laugh, sing, dance.” The image is of a person determined to stay positive, determined that adversity will not defeat them, determined to believe the best.

Decide in your heart that you will not be defeated, disillusioned, crushed or perplexed.
Decide in your heart that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
You do not need to fear the future because you know who holds the future in his hands.
You need to know that God's purpose is to make you the head -and not the tail.
You know that He holds the keys to hell, death and the grave.
Know that He is with you and that He loves you.
And as a result, consider it pure joy.

Because in the wisdom of God, beyond the fact that we have a God to call upon who is watching over us, joy is the only emotion that will help us get through adversity. Think of all the emotions that you could experience: anger, anxiety, denial, depression, doubt, stressing-out, or just trying to bear all of life's burdens on your shoulders. None of them help you. They only deplete your energy and pull you farther down than you were before! Only joy will help you walk through adversity and make you successful in spite of it.

LESSONS FROM THE GYM

The Bible verse above alludes to learning patience from adversity. Another way to translate this would be endurance or staying power. Patience is what the trucker needed when he decided to drive around the barrier to save a few minutes. Because he lacked patience, he lost his life. The Apostle Paul writes that adversity brings character, and James concludes by saying adversity, if you allow it, will complete you and make you mature, strong, -as strong as iron. How? Because adversity is the gym of our interior selves. It is the only way we develop as a person.

We know how to develop physically. We know that when training, the only way to get strong and fit is through some kind of resistance. Just as resistance is health to our body, adversity is the gym that develops character. It is not popular to say this -because in our culture we have learned that adversity is something to avoid. Even Christians try to pray away adversity in life.

PASTOR – PATIENT - PATIENCE

"I remember driving into Pittsburgh early one morning to go to surgery. I got up a little later than I intended so I was buzzing down the highway. (Why is it that when you are most in need of some speed, there is always someone slow in front of you?)

There was no way to get around the person in front of me. The longer I drove, the more I wanted to shout at the person in front of me to go faster –but it didn't happen.

A few miles down the road, I began to say, 'God, you know I have to get to the hospital. You know I have to be there for surgery. Do something! Don't you care?'

A few more miles down the road, I fell into despair and thought, "I'm not going to get there in time. I might as well pack my bags. I'm in trouble now."

Then after a few more miles, I finally became humble and said things like, 'God, please. I'm begging you to remove them. Make them turn at the next exit.' But God never did - because he wanted me in that situation. At that moment, he wanted to teach me to be patient. Somewhere later in my life, I will need to have patience."

When we pray ourselves out of adversity, we are praying ourselves out of God's gym. God wants to develop some things in our life because he knows that down the road we are going to need these things to survive. Don't be so quick to pray yourself out of adversity. It may be God's workshop to build into you something that you will need later on.

MONOPOLIZING JOY

Don't short-cut God when you experience adversity. Ask him, "Lord, what do you want to teach me?" Use it as an opportunity to grow. Do as Charles and Esther Darrow did -they accepted adversity as part of life and refused to allow it to steal their joy. They worked through it, and God helped them. They learned through the situation, and they kept laughing.

Back in 1932 Charles Darrow was out of a job, broke, and his wife Esther was expecting a baby. Although he was a heating engineer, there were no jobs available and Charles and Esther were just barely subsisting on the few odd jobs he could get as a handyman. Things were bleak. Fate didn't reckon with the courage of this man and his wife, however. They laughed at it, literally.

In the evenings, to take their minds off their troubles, they played a little game in which they could pretend they were millionaires, recalling pleasant vacations in nearby Atlantic City. They reconstructed the area adjoining the boardwalk. Darrow carved hotels and houses out of small pieces of wood, and they called the game “Monopoly.” He patented it and copyrighted it, and three years later, the game was marketed by Parker Brothers, and the Darrows became millionaires! They allowed adversity to make them instead of break them.

When you face adversity, are you going to allow it to break you or make you? It's your choice. I’ll be praying for you.

Love,

Sabrina O’Malone

Work at Home -The Inside Scoop

2007-08-04T10:41:00Z

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,
      Because the LORD has anointed Me
      To preach good tidings to the poor;
      He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
      To proclaim liberty to the captives,
      And the opening of the prison to those who are bound” Isaiah 61:1

I only scratched the surface in the original Work at Home Exposé. There’s a root issue or main point I need to address.

THE ISSUE:

Don’t be surprised if emotional upheaval, anxiety and fears suddenly emerge when you contemplate a major life change.

§ Could you really use some good news?

§ Are you brokenhearted?

§ Do you know what it’s like to be poor?

§ Would you like to be set free?

If so, then please re-read the verse above and take it to heart. And if this doesn’t particularly apply to you; then consider how it might benefit someone you know.

I started thinking about this because my friends and family have been asking questions since we released the Work at Home Exposé. Happy (and not-so-happy) working moms, working dads and stay-at-home moms all wanted the inside scoop. Evidently, the Work at Home article raised as many questions as it answered.

THE QUESTIONS:

So…how much do you and Big Dan make online?
How many hours a week do you work?
Can you teach me how or just tell me what to do?

I’m sure other people were wondering the same thing -but didn’t feel they knew me well enough to ask.

THE ANSWERS:

How much do we make? -By God's grace, the internet brings in more than we need to comfortably support our family of seven.
How many hours per week do we work online? -Anywhere from 15 to 35.
Will I teach you how or just tell you what to do? –I’ll do even better; I tell you what I did:

Spiritually:

1. I prayed –a lot. Silently, out loud, in song, and in my heart. Prayer became my standard response to solving problems.

2. I listened to uplifting music –exclusively. The positive lyrics in Contemporary Christian music kept me full of hope and joy.

3. I worshipped –regularly. Not out of obligation, but of necessity. It was a healing balm to be encouraged and taught every week.

4. I read the Bible –for myself. The concordance guided me to find what God has to say about every situation.

Professionally:

1. I joined Scam Free Zone Private Member's site

2. I read the Blueprint for Success on my computer.

3. I did the Writing Cash tutorial

4. And I started paying closer attention to Eric’s Tips.

These things quickly took me from “wishing I had a clue online” to “making a living online.” In hindsight, I can see how valuable it was that I started with prayer, but I really should have started learning about internet marketing shortly thereafter. (For the record, Big Dan and I spent three years burning through our life savings before we even started learning about affiliate or internet marketing.)

BLACK BOX WARNING

If you tend to be gullible, greedy, lazy, or are in desperate financial straits, do NOT buy ANYTHING related to any work at home opportunity. Don’t purchase anything, don’t invest in anything; don’t join; order or reserve anything that costs you money. “Get rich quick opportunities” will only break your heart. First, remediate the above mentioned traits; then tackle working at home.

So here’s the bottom line of the lessons I learned about working at home on the internet:

Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing -But don’t let fear keep you out of the pasture!
Educate yourself over a period of time about websites and the internet. Your own education should never be delegated to someone else. You must understand "how, why and where" you make a living online. Do not “outsource” your own wisdom.

THE GOOD NEWS

§ You don’t need special equipment. (Your PC or laptop will do.)

§ You don’t need to become a programmer,

§ You don’t need to become webmaster

§ You don’t need to become Search Engine specialist.

With just a rudimentary understanding of internet marketing, HTML and SEO even a tech-challenged person like me learned enough to turn a profit. (If you don’t know what HTML and SEO means; don’t despair –neither did I in the beginning!)

ENCOURAGEMENT

Working mom, if you’ve been longing to find a way to earn a living while working from home, be brave! Don’t sell yourself short, and don’t give up on your dreams. You’re raising a child, keeping up a home and holding down a job. That’s proof you’ve got potential!

§ Know what your goals are. –See the Vision Article

§ Begin working towards achieving them. –See the Work at Home Exposé

§ Become knowledgeable & wise. –Pray hard and start learning.

Remember, Jesus said “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33

Helpful Resources: The Scam Free Zone Private Members; Blueprint for Success; Writing Cash; Eric’s Tips; Go Daddy Coupons