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?!

What’s the Bzz?

// May 19th, 2010 // 4 Comments » // Couponing, Life in General, Opportunities

I signed up to be a BzzAgent a while back, which is not a way to make money, but it is a way to get to try products for free.  I recently got my first BzzCampaign, which means I got a product to try and report to my friends on what I think about it.

I received a full-size Cover Girl Shine Blast lip gloss and Smoky Shadow Blast eye shadow duo.  The lip gloss is bright pink in the tube, and while I thought it would be way too bright (but would be a fantastic toenail polish color for summer) it was actually quite sheer and pretty.  Like all lip glosses, though, it didn’t last particularly long.  Still, it is something I would probably buy again.

For the eyeshadow, I got Smoky Shadow Blast in Silver Sky.  Looking at the shadow in its packaging, it looks like dark, dark purple and charcoal–almost black.  However, when I put it on, I was surprised at how light and sheer it was.  I actually had to apply more than I thought I would, because it was so pale and shimmery.  It’s not my usual look, but I liked it a lot, and I think it will be a very nice look for spring and summer–very feminine.  My one problem with the shadow stick was that it broke right away.  It’s still usable, but I just hate it when my makeup breaks, whether it is a broken lipstick or a shattered blush.

Now let’s make this blog interactive.  Head over to Cover Girl Blast’s homepage and check it out.  Post a comment here or on my Facebook page telling me what you think of it and/or which color of shadow or lip gloss you are most likely to try.  I have several two more $2 off coupons to give to readers who comment while supplies last.

(By the way, some Cover Girl products are BOGO at CVS this week, so if you hurry, you could get a great deal!)

What have I done?!

// April 20th, 2010 // 3 Comments » // Balance, Opportunities, Time Management, Work at Home

After a weekend out of town, I came back to find an email saying that there were immediate openings scoring for Pearson.  I thought that this email was in response to the paperwork I’d already submitted for the scoring I’m going to do in May, and I clicked the “accept” button, thinking I was just continuing the process.

Nope.

I signed up for a new project that began immediately.  As in yesterday.  I began the training yesterday and finished it today, and actually began scoring today.  This will require an extra 20-30 hours of my time for the next two weeks, which will be difficult, to say the least.

To make it worse?

Hot Husband is going on a motorcycle trip this week and will be gone Thursday through Sunday, so there will be no one keeping an eye on the Bear while I work.  Which means all work has to be done after Bear goes to bed.  That’s going to make for some long nights (and some short blog posts).

The silver lining in all of this is that I’ll have another check to go into savings to help build that cushion in case I am able to stay home.

When I start to get overwhelmed and exhausted, I just keep telling myself that I’m doing it for Bear.

Wish me luck!

I thought I had a big mouth, but . . .

// April 12th, 2010 // No Comments » // Opportunities, Work at Home

. . . I seem to have bitten off more than I can chew.

I mentioned before that I would be doing some at-home scoring for Pearson in May.  It is temporary work, and the assignment will last approximately two weeks.  The job requires that I work 20 hours per week, and recommends 30 hours in order to get the required number of assessments scored within the time frame.  Now, I’m not sure where I’ll find an extra 20-30 hours per week, but I figure for two weeks, I can make it happen.  Who needs sleep anyway, right?

Well, today I was looking over the job requirements again, and I realized that there are only specific hours available.  For example, on the weekend, the online scoring system is only available from 9-5.  That just made finding 20-30 hours a week a lot harder, since I figured starting work at 8pm after Bear goes to bed.  Hmm.  I guess Hot Husband is going to have to pretty much take over on weekends while I’m scoring.

The hardest thing so far about trying to work from home is that I have to actually start working from home while I still have a full-time job away from home.  I’m feeling a little overextended, but it will be worth it in the long run.  I’m getting opportunities, and I’m padding my savings account for any shortcomings there may be.

In the meantime, while I was lying in bed recuperating today, I managed to send out three more resumes, so maybe something good will come of that.  Wish me luck!

Work at Home job leads

// April 9th, 2010 // No Comments » // Opportunities, Work at Home

I’m going to keep this pretty short tonight, because I have a lot of (paid) writing to do, and I need to revamp my resume to try to get a few more (paid) writing jobs.  Before I do that, I’m going to share with you one of the places I go look for work-at-home job listings.

WAHM.com is “the online magazine for work-at-home moms.”  WAHM.com has relevant articles, including work-at-home options, time management strategies, work/life balance, recipes, and tax tips for the self-employed or independent contractor.  I haven’t spent a lot of (any) time reading the articles, though.  I spend most of my time reading the job listings and browsing the forum for other job openings or ideas.  In fact, I found two possibilities from the WAHM.com job postings today–the ones for which I need to update my resume.  I’m not going to tell you which ones, because I don’t want you stealing my jobs.

The forum is a great resource not only for getting ideas, but also finding out about different companies.  For example, I thought about applying for one particular company–one of the online question-answering sites you’ve probably seen commercials for–until I saw employees posting in their forum that they weren’t getting paid on time.  You’ll read about companies that are cutting hours and companies that pay well and offer plenty of work.  It helps to know which ones are legitimate and which ones are a waste of time.

If you are thinking about trying to work from home, or even just adding a little supplemental income, browse the forum topics.  You’ll be amazed at the number of different types of things you can do from home.

I’m off to polish my resume and do a little copywriting.  Don’t be jealous of my rock-star Friday nights.

And the winner is . . .

// April 8th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Children and Babies, Life in General, Opportunities, Work at Home

ME!

Recently, I entered a contest on Simple Saving Savvy to win a giveaway from Ruffles and Fringe.  Despite the fact that I never win anything, I somehow managed to win this time.

I went to Nicole’s Ruffles and Fringe Etsy shop to pick out my prize, and chose this charcoal grey headband:

Cute, huh?  I usually don’t wear anything in my hair, nor do I generally adorn myself with big flowers, but I thought it was pretty and figured if I didn’t like it when it arrived, I’d give it to my nieces to fight over.

Well, it came today, and it really is pretty.  Still, I’m not sure if it is my style or not, so I tried it on for Hot Husband and asked him what he thought.

He looked at me, tilted his head, and said, “I don’t know.  It kind of looks like Ally Sheedy.”

I have to admit, it made me laugh.

Still, I think it’s cute, and I am not sure if I can relinquish it to the nieces or not.  While I’m deciding, head on over to Ruffles and Fringe and check out the other headbands, necklaces, earrings, and scarves Nicole makes.

While I’m on the subject of Etsy, I think if you are a crafty kind of person, it might be a good work-at-home option for you.  I am not nearly as talented as I sometimes imagine myself to be (the words, “Oh, I could totally make that,” have often ended in disaster), so I don’t think an Etsy shop would do me much good, but I have a couple of crafty, talented, creative friends (and one crafty, talented, creative sister) who really ought to look into it.  I also have a friend who needs to hurry up and let me promote her on my blog (Hootiemomma, I’m looking in your direction).

Oops.  I just promoted it.  Totally an accident, Hootiemomma–seriously.

Second Chance, Better than the First

// April 6th, 2010 // No Comments » // Money Matters, Opportunities, Work at Home

You may remember that a few weeks ago, I missed a deadline to submit my resume to be a grant reviewer for a U.S. Department of Education grant.  It would have been two grueling weeks of work, but it would have paid about $750.

Well, today I got an email inviting me to be a grant reviewer for a new Dept. of Ed. grant.  This one looks as if it will have similar requirements of the reviewer (two grueling weeks), but it will pay $1000.  Also, it is during the summer, so I wouldn’t be trying to do it on top of my full time job.

Schweet!

Now, if I can just remember to get my resume in before the deadline.

Consistent, reliable copywriting

// March 31st, 2010 // No Comments » // Opportunities, Work at Home

No, that’s not an ad for my copywriting business, even though I am, of course, consistent and reliable. And fantastic. And pretty. It is a description of my newest opportunity.

I am so excited. I just got a new copywriting client. The project pays well, and best of all, it is ongoing. It isn’t a full-time job, but it is consistent. I know exactly what I need to produce each week, and I know approximately how much time it will take. The hours are flexible; it doesn’t matter when I do the research and writing, as long as I meet the deadline each week.

Uncle Awesome connected me with this client through his graphic design and website development firm, Travis Langley & Associates (shameless plug for my big brother), which makes him, well, awesome. Never underestimate the power of networking and nepotism.

PineCone Research

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

I mentioned PineCone Research in an earlier post about getting paid to take surveys.  One thing I like about PineCone Research is that they pay cash for each survey, rather than rewarding in points.  With my first survey, I received a check within about a week of taking it.  Now, I’ve signed up to have my compensation delivered via PayPal.

PineCone is unique in that it doesn’t take unsolicited referrals, nor does it pay for referrals (meaning I don’t get any compensation if you sign up).  However, I got an email from them today that says that they are, in fact, looking for additional panel members.  If you are interested in joining PineCone Research, the text of the email, including referral link, follows:

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At-Home Scoring

// March 23rd, 2010 // No Comments » // Opportunities, Work at Home

Earlier, I wrote that I had to turn down a couple of temporary online scoring opportunities from Pearson because I didn’t think I’d be able to work 20-30 hours per week on top of working full-time outside the home.  However, I received notice of another Pearson opportunity.  Although it’s still 20-30 hours per week, it will only last 1-1/2 to 2 weeks.  I can suck it up and work that much for such a short time, and I’ve accepted that assignment.  I’m pretty excited for the chance to make a little extra money and to see how the at-home scoring works for me.  The assignment is during the first couple of weeks of May, so after I see how it goes, I’ll be sure to let you know.