Nix9to5

The Work at Home Business is Booming!

// June 30th, 2010 // 4 Comments » // Opportunities, Work at Home

It has been a big couple of days for me on the work-at-home front.  Yesterday, I had one client add 4 articles per month to my workload and got a new client who wants 2-3 articles per month–with the potential of adding more.  Today, another client asked if I would be able to double my work load with him (going from 30 to 60 articles per month!).  With all of the extra projects coming in, that means I can significantly reduce my scheduled shifts with Smarthinking–which means I can make more money in less time with more flexibility.

The timing is perfect, because I was just about to have a month off of Smarthinking for the second summer session, and I have not yet put in my requested schedule for the fall semester.

It is also perfect timing because I was just in the very beginning stages of a panic attack because my regularly scheduled paychecks with a set and reliable dollar amount will stop arriving soon.  Now I can breathe a little easier.

Just think–six months ago, I didn’t think this was possible.  Even two months ago I wasn’t convinced.  Now, it’s working out even better than I imagined it could.

Oh, and I also realized this week that I’m a “professional writer.”  How cool is that?!

WAHM Tip #3: Get Organized

// June 30th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Balance, Life in General, Time Management, Work at Home

This has been a big week for Nix9to5, but you wouldn’t know it from the blog.  That’s because I just haven’t had time to keep the site updated.  Between scheduled tutoring shifts, copywriting deadlines, and squeezing in a mini-vacation, I’m behind on just about everything.   I also managed to get a new writing assignment for one client, and I added a new client altogether!  That’s great, because the closer I get to losing my school paycheck, the closer I am to a full-on panic attack that we’ll never be able to afford my being a WAHM.

It’s really too bad that the blog has been neglected, because just this week, I got a TON of new readers from south of the border (that’s Texas, too all of you who don’t live in Oklahoma), and they are probably wondering why they should read a blog that never has anything new to say.

So WAHM Tip #3 is to make sure you get your time organized.   The problem is that I’m not quite sure how to do that.  Readers, how do you manage to get everything (or at least some things) done?  I’d love to hear your tips for time management, whether you are a work at home mom, stay at home mom, or working mom.  Post your comments below or send me a note through the Nix9to5 contact form.  I’ll compile your tips and put them in a post that gives your great ideas for budgeting time.

For now, I have a little Bear pulling on my shirt saying, “Mommy read it,” so I’d better go have a little story time.  Have a great day!

Today’s Groupon: $29 for a 1-Hour Massage!

// June 30th, 2010 // No Comments » // Life in General, Money Matters

Ooooh, my muscles are practically begging me for this one.  With this Groupon you get 55% off of a massage–only $29 for a full hour of pampering!  Here’s what Groupon has to say about this one: (more…)

I’m back!

// June 27th, 2010 // No Comments » // Life in General

We had a good time at the lake, and I came back a little tanner than I left, but not sunburned.  I’m pretty sure the Bear didn’t miss me a bit since he had his grandma here to play with him and spoil him.  Bear and his Bila have a good time together.

While we were gone, my shipment from Sowell Honey Farm arrived.  Yes, the creamed cinnamon honey is everything I dreamed it would be.  What’s more, my shipment came with samples!  Now I’m already hooked on the things I didn’t order, so I’m going to have to buy some more stuff.  That Kelly is one smart girl!  If you haven’t already, head over and check her out.  Also, thanks to Kelly for sending some great Texas readers to Nix9to5.

One last note before I crawl into bed and ease my aching water sports muscles.  Some of my friends really notice when I haven’t posted in a while.  If you miss Nix9to5 when I miss a few posts, head over and check me out on Facebook.  Sometimes, I get status updates in there while the longer posts are missing here.

Up next for the week:  getting caught up on work, doing piles of post-vacation laundry, and packing for a trip to Hot Husband’s 20 year (gulp) reunion!

Nix9to5 is on vacation.

// June 24th, 2010 // No Comments » // Life in General

In the morning, I’m leaving with Hot Husband and some friends for a weekend lake trip.  I won’t be back until sometime Sunday, so in the meantime, picture me lounging on a pontoon boat and relaxing.  It would be perfectly acceptable to take a little creative liberty and picture me tan and thin.

I’m pretty nervous about the trip.  Besides having to appear in a bathing suit in public, I’ll also be leaving the Bear at home for two nights and the better part of three days.  In all his 19-1/2 months, I’ve left him for two nights TOTAL and they weren’t in a row.

Wish me luck!

Oh, honey!

// June 22nd, 2010 // 3 Comments » // Life in General, Work at Home

Recently, I ran across an old friend on my Nix9to5 Facebook fan page.  As I was checking out her profile, I saw that she had a website link.  I headed over to Sowell Honey Farm and saw just what she’s been up to since I last saw her eleventy-seven years ago.  Talk about a work at home mom!

They have “100% pure raw Texas honey” and beeswax lip balm and lotion bars.  They also sell soap.  Now, I’m a sucker for some Burt’s Bees, but if my own real life friend is making something that cool, you can bet I’m kissing Burt goodbye–with my Sowell Honey Farm beeswax lip balm-softened lips. 

Over course, I’ve ordered some lotion and soap and–check this out–Cinnamon Creamed Honey.  Oh, my heavens.  Doesn’t that sound like the best stuff ever?  As soon as it gets here, I’ll eat copious amounts of it (you know, for research) and let you know if it is as wonderful as it sounds.

Sometime soon, I’ll be asking Kelly how she manages to balance a family and bees and honey and skin products and chickens and pigs and goats and herbs . . .

And here I thought I was busy!

Anyway, head over to Sowell Honey Farm and see what you think.

More Grocery Adventures

// June 22nd, 2010 // No Comments » // Couponing

My good friend Charla over at Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom is thinking of converting to Crazy-Coupon-Lady-ism.  Today she sent me an email asking what I bought today, and since I already have it typed up, here’s the list.  For a grand total of $20.99, I bought:

V-8 Fusion (bottle) – .50
V-8 Fusion (6 pack) – Free
1/2 dozen eggs – .09
1 dozen eggs – Free
Chuck steak (1.28 lb) – $1.30
Pork sirloin chops (1.24 lb) – $2.77
Bacon wrapped filet (5 oz) – $1
Quaker oats – Free
South Beach bars – Free
Oscar Mayer Deli Creations sandwich – 0.49
2 Yakisoba ramen noodles – Free
Xtra laundry detergent – .50
Freschetta frozen pizza – $1.99
2 Borden Singles Sensations – Free
Del Monty Fruit Chillers cups – Free
8 Yoplait yogurts – .37 each
6 Yoplait yogurts – .36 each (I had a coupon for .40/6 and one for .50/8–they are different coupons, so both double)
Ronzoni Smart Taste pasta – Free
Yo Baby yogurt – $3.79 (not on sale, and very spendy!)

Total:  $20.99

Also, at CVS, I got a big bottle of Coppertone baby sunscreen (reg. $10.79), a box of 6 protein bars (usually $1.89 individually; the box is $8.99), and 3 individual protein bars for $3.14.

Happy Fathers’ Day!

// June 20th, 2010 // No Comments » // Family

I made $5 buying all this stuff:

// June 20th, 2010 // No Comments » // Couponing, Money Matters

Total Out-of-Pocket:  $27
Total Register Rewards and Extra Care Bucks: $32
Net:  $5

Want to learn how you can score deals like this?  Head over to Simple Saving Savvy.  Not in OKC?  Try Frugal Coupon Living.

I’m telling you, it’s not the money I’m earning that is allowing me to be a work at home mom.  It’s the money I’m saving.

Car Seat Safety Checks

// June 18th, 2010 // No Comments » // Children and Babies

I’m a stickler for car seat safety.  We went downtown to the EMSA station to get the infant car seat checked when Bear was newborn, and I’m going to keep him rear-facing as long as I can (that’s a soapbox for another day).  We haven’t had the installation checked on his convertible car seat yet, but tomorrow, we’ll be able to take care of that.

The Children’s Center in Bethany will have licensed technicians from The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center available for car seat safety checks from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 19.  They will also be giving free car seats to those who meet assistance requirements.

The Children’s Center is located at 6800 NW 39 Expressway.  If you are in or around Oklahoma City, drop by tomorrow and make sure your child’s seat is properly installed!