Nix9to5

Finding Writing Jobs for WAHMs

// September 12th, 2011 // 2 Comments » // Opportunities, Work at Home

Since I’ve become a freelance writer working from home, there are two main questions I get about my job:

1. What’s that?
2. How can I do that?

To be a freelance writer, you must have a strong grasp of grammar, spelling, vocabulary–in other words, you have to be a good writer.  You must have an engaging voice and be able to adapt your writing style to the needs of the client.  If you can’t write, don’t like to write, or don’t know how to wield a semicolon, then perhaps writing is not going to be an effective moneymaker for you.  You may think that editors can catch your errors and “fix” your writing, but in a freelance gig, your clients are paying you to do it right.  If they wanted to run everything by an editor, they’d have an intern do all their writing for free.

If you are a good writer, the next step is finding someone who will pay you to write. (more…)

Transitioning to Working from Home

// May 10th, 2011 // No Comments » // Opportunities, Organization, Time Management, Work at Home

In yesterday’s post about the resources available at WAHM.com, I mentioned the difficulty of the transition period between working outside the home and working from home.  Later in the day, I came across an article on Money Saving Mom about that exact topic:  “How to Transition to Working at Home.”

The article was a guest post written by Heather of Work at Home Market, a WAHM resource with which I was unfamiliar until this article, but which I will be checking out in more detail soon.

In “How to Transition to Working at Home,” Heather writes of how, when she got married, she and her husband decided she would quit working outside the home after six months.   Heather’s experience is different from mine in several ways–the most important of which, in my opinion, is that Heather made the transition before she had children.  When I finally decided enough was enough and that I could no longer leave my Bear every day, I had to overlap my “outside job” and my new work at home jobs while caring for an infant (whom I was still nursing!) in the hours between the end of the regular work day and the baby’s bedtime.

For any moms looking to make this change, know this before you start:  It.  Is.  Exhausting. (more…)

WAHM Resource – WAHM.com

// May 9th, 2011 // No Comments » // Opportunities, Organization, Time Management, Work at Home

The other day after Mother’s Day Out, Bear and I stopped by a little playground to enjoy the nice weather and sunshine.  While there, I spent a little time talking to the mother of one of Bear’s classmates.  She is a former teacher who quit work to become a SAHM, but was very interested when I said I work from home.  I think a lot of people are intrigued by the thought of working from home, considering it the best of both worlds–the ability to stay home with your children while still earning a paycheck.

Being a WAHM has a unique set of challenges–just like being a stay at home mom has it’s own benefits and drawbacks, and just like working outside the home has pros and cons.  I do think that, for our family, my being a work at home mom is the best possible solution. We simply can not afford to live on one paycheck, and working outside the home was killing me–I couldn’t stand not being home with my Bear!

For most people–including me–it is difficult to figure out how to find legitimate work you can do from home, or how to find work that pays well enough.  There are, however, several options available, depending on your education and skills.  Not everyone can be a copywriter, not everyone can be an online tutor, not everyone has the magic eBay touch . . . but there is a wealth of opportunity if you are committed to thinking creatively, willing to try new things, and dedicated to the hard work necessary during the transition.

One of the best resources I found for job listings, employment ideas, and even daily living resources for work at home moms (or those striving to become work at home moms) is WAHM.com.  A lot of the resources and articles on this site are good for all mothers,  not just those working from home.  With recipes, parenting tips, job advice, and more, WAHM.com is an excellent resource for time-starved mommies.  Check them out and let me know what you think.

MooLaLa: $10 for $50 Worth of Photo Books and More from Mixbooks

// March 11th, 2011 // No Comments » // Deals, Money Matters, Opportunities

A while back I told you about a new deal site that would be coming soon–MooLaLa.  Well, MooLaLa is finally here and publishing deals–in fact, they have been for a little while, but I’ve just been a little slow about bringing them to you.  Today’s deal from MooLaLa is really good and saves you 80%.  Get $50 worth of photo books, announcements, baby books, and more for only $10 from Mixbook.

The great deals aren’t the only reason to sign up with MooLaLa.  They also have a fantastic referral program.  With most deal sites, you get a credit to the site when someone you refer makes his or her first purchase.  With MooLaLa, though, you get paid commission on every purchase one of your referrals makes.  In fact, you even get paid commission on the purchases you make!  It gets better, though.  Not only do you make commission on your purchases and you referrals purchases, you get commission on THEIR referrals, too!

Here’s how MooLaLa describes their PayMatrix referral program:

The Moolala PayMatrix is an exciting rewards program where you can earn money by simply referring your friends to Moolala.

To start with, we’ll pay you 2% of the deal value on any purchase you make. Then, if you refer friends, we’ll pay you 2% of the deal value your friends buy. But it doesn’t stop there. You’ll also receive 2% on any deal your friends’ friends purchase, and your friends’ friends’ friends purchase, and your friends’ friends’ friends’ friends purchase. It’s a 2% 5-level rewards system. And these aren’t one-time referral fees. As long as people in your PayMatrix are buying deals, we’ll keep paying you – forever.

What a great way to earn something as you help your friends get great deals, too!

Interested in signing up for MooLaLa to take advantage of their fantastic deals and/or referral program?  Just sign up here.

Don’t Forget the Thirty-One Gifts Giveaway!

// March 10th, 2011 // 1 Comment » // Deals, Life in General, Opportunities

If you haven’t entered the Nix9to5 giveaway for a $25 gift certificate to Thirty-One Gifts, there’s still time!  The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm CST on Friday, March 11, 2011.  Visit the Thirty One Giveaway post to enter.

Save Money and Make Money with MooLaLa!!

// January 13th, 2011 // 1 Comment » // Deals, Money Matters, Opportunities, Work at Home

MooLaLa is a new deal site that, much like similar sites, saves you 50-90% on products, services, and entertainment in your area.  There is one big difference, though.   Most deal sites allow you to earn a referral fee in which you earn credit toward the site for the first purchase one of your referral makes, or they allow you to get your deal free if a specified number of friends purchase the same deal.  However, with MooLaLa, you make ACTUAL COMMISSION on your purchases, every purchase of friends you refer, AND every purchase of friends they refer!!  This “PayMatrix” continues up to five levels.

To get great deals and earn commission on those deals, sign up for MooLaLa.

Thanks to Simple Saving Savvy for the heads-up!

A Penny for Your Thoughts

// December 9th, 2010 // No Comments » // Money Matters, Opportunities, Work at Home

Back when I first started Nix9to5, I told you about how I was completing online surveys to earn a little extra cash, or at the very least, free samples.  These surveys were not instrumental in earning me enough money to become a work-at-home mom, but they did get me thinking out of the box on things that I could do to earn money.

Right now, one of those survey companies I told you about before is looking for new people to join their community.  With SurveySavvy, you can earn cash for completing surveys, many of which are only a few minutes long.  While I haven’t become rich taking surveys, I have had no problems (with spyware or whatever), and have even earned a little bit of money.

Join SurveySavvy to start earning cash for your opinion.

What’s Cheap Today?

// December 9th, 2010 // No Comments » // Deals, Money Matters, Opportunities

You may remember that while I was stumbling around looking for work-at-home job opportunities and money-making and money-saving strategies, I came across BzzAgent.  As a BzzAgent, I get to sample new products and services, and then tell you all about them. 

One of my most recent BzzCampaigns asked me to check out CheapToday.com.  CheapToday is a deal site in which “power shoppers” scour the internet and post the best deals they come across.  Basically, you can look on this site to find the answer to “What’s cheap today?”

Cyber Monday at Usborne Books and More!

// November 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // Deals, Money Matters, Opportunities, Work at Home

One of the things I’ve done to be able to work from home is to become a consultant with Usborne Books & More.  This is a great company to work with, and being a consultant has enabled me to build a beautiful library for the Bear!  I’ll tell you more about my Usborne experience soon, but for now,  I didn’t want you to miss out on the great Cyber Monday deals on books for babies, toddlers, children, and young adults.  Usborne books are of terrific quality and great for homeschooling as well:  The Pioneer Woman raves about Usborne!

Click here for my eShow to see the great Cyber Monday deals at Usborne.  Interested in setting up your own eShow to earn free books?  Let me know, and we’ll get you started.  All you have to do is send a link to your family and friends and sit back and relax.  They will shop online, and you’ll reap the benefits–no vacuuming required.

Bzz Campaign: Lifelock

// August 4th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Life in General, Money Matters, Opportunities

A few months ago, I became a BzzAgent.  BzzAgent is a word-of-mouth marketing network, which means companies rely on BzzAgents to try their products and tell people about them.  BzzAgents are expected to tell the truth about the products and services they try–even if they don’t like the product.

As a BzzAgent, I’ve been able to try full size samples of Cover Girl products, and I have received samples and coupons for got2b hair products.  My most recent BzzCampain is for Lifelock.  Lifelock is an identity theft protection service.  You may have seen their commercials, where the president of the company stands in front of a semi-truck driving around with his social security number painted on the trailer.  Anyway, as a BzzAgent, I get a Lifelock trial in return for telling you what I think of the service.

I just signed up for my trial yesterday, and so far, no one has stolen my identity.  Of course, no one stole my identity prior to my enrollment with Lifelock, either, so I don’t really know yet how well it works.  One cool thing about Lifelock, though, is that it immediately removed my name from mailing lists for pre-approved credit card offers.  I’m pretty excited about that.  I hate junk mail, and I particularly hate junk mail that includes my personal information!

While its too early for me to decide whether Lifelock is worth the fee to renew when my trial is up, they do seem to be off to a good start.

Stay tuned for my BzzAgent review of L’Oreal Paris Collagen Micro-Pulse eye treatment!  If you’re interested in becoming a BzzAgent yourself, click here to join.