Slowly we're clearing out the clutter.

Invisible clutter. Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it takes up no effort in your life or costs nothing.

First, we returned our Sam's Club membership. They have a full refund policy at any time if you cancel your membership. The Texas Sam's Clubs don't carry a lot of the products I used to buy in South Carolina, including bulk cornstarch, whole wheat pasta, or certain spices. Their milk was more expensive than the grocery stores, as was their produce. I used to buy whole wheat bread there for cheap, but I make my own now. They don't carry bread flour. Over, and over again I would head to Sam's Club with a long list, and leave with butter and chickens. Then, a local grocery store started carrying butter for the same price.

$35 back in our pockets!

We paid off our van in December, and switched the coverage from Full to Liability Only. Our van is maybe worth $1800.

$35 a month, back in our pockets!

Husband changed his cell plan. He did have a supernifty one with unlimited nationwide roaming. When he realized that his company wasn't sending him to any outlying oil platforms any time soon, he changed plans.

$15 a month, back in our pockets! We can always change to the upgraded plan at any time, if we need to go out of town.

I changed our cable service yesterday. This was tricky, because we have a package deal (phone, internet, and cable.) I work from home watching TV, and I had to have certain channels for my job. The best package I could get cost $160 after taxes (including taxes, fees, and DVR.)

In January, our cable company sent us a notice that prices would be going up by $5. But, they also added several new packages and bundles. We went to a different phone plan, eliminating long distance (husband gets it for free on his cell, anyway), went to a slower internet, and lost a bunch of channels.

Truthfully, even though we "lost" about 100 channels, the only ones we'll miss are The Science Channel, Noggin, HBO, and EWTN.

Savings? $50 a month!

(But oh, how I wish they would let you pick 25-30 channels that you want for a low price. I get 100 channels still, but most we skip over. I can totally do without the Golf channel, QVC, MTV, Spike, and 4 channels broadcast in Spanish.)

Invisible clutter elimination - works for me!

For more Works for Me Wednesday, check out Rocks In My Dryer!

Labels: Frugal, Journey to Simplicity, Working from Home, Works For Me Wednesday

It's the first week of the month, and I just got another check for selling my bloggy skills.

Remember last week when I gave out my tips for getting paid to write for the web?

Still working for me!

For more Works for Me Wednesday tips, check out Rocks in My Dryer!

Labels: Blog, freelance life, Working from Home, Works For Me Wednesday, writing

Four people have asked me for tips on writing freelance web articles from home in the last two weeks. Many people are looking for ways to bring in some extra money without having to leave their houses.

This is what works for me. I've written various articles for the web since 2006, in addition to writing my blog. I currently only write for one client, but have had several different ones in the past.

This article is how to get started - not whether you should, not whether you have the talent, and not for someone who wants to make a full time income.

This advice is NOT for people looking to write a book, but for people wanting to pull in a little money on the side writing articles for the web or small publications.

How to Find Work
Writer's message boards are good places to start. There are several, but remember YOU should never pay to get work. One "free" sample of your writing is fine, but be careful of places that want you to write for a month, then they'll let you know if they want you.

One site I've used is www.absolutewrite.com - they have a free forum, and includes paid work listings, nonpaid work listings, and there is an entire freelance board as well.

Network locally; many large cities have writing groups. If you can get involved, even virtually, then members might pass leads your way once they get comfortable with you and your writing style.

If there is a magazine type website that you enjoy, search their site to see if they accept submissions.

Craigslist also often posts writing jobs. It's posted in two different places, under "writing/editing" on the jobs list, and under "writing" on the gigs list. Please use discernment and be safe when replying to Craigslist posts! Check out the person who is offering the job, visit their website, Google their phone number, etc.

Many places offer very, very low rates. You are a contractor, and can decide whether or not to take a lowball job.

How to Get Work
Do you blog? I've turned blog posts in to Associated Content and gotten paid. Only a couple ( I really should do more!) Associated Content is a little different, in that you submit your article and the editors then make you an offer ($5-$10, generally.)

Example: My blog post on couponing
My Associated Content article on couponing

I like Associated Content because they pay promptly, you can submit work that has already been published, and you still retain all rights to your work.

Often, you will be required to write a test article and then the company will decide whether or not to contract with you. Usually you will get a writer's agreement, and often you'll have to fill out a W-9.

When writing for hire, be aware that often the copyright of your work belongs to the person writing the check - not you. You cannot reprint them (but can use them as writing samples). Details about retaining rights will be contained in the writer's agreement.

To apply for other freelance jobs, the first thing you need to have is a portfolio. Pull together some writing samples - or write some, that show off your talent. Paste it all into a Word or PDF document. Every job I've ever applied for asked for writing samples, often simply copied and pasted into an email.

If you have ever had published work - even if you were not paid for it - mention that. This could be anything from a contribution to a group blog, to an article published in your church bulletin, to writing the employee handbook at your workplace.

Think long and hard before passing out your blog URL, though. Remember, you are applying for a job! You can mention that you have a blog with X number of visits per week.

I've included my blog URL for some jobs and not for others. I blog about religion, politics, alternative therapies... it's not appropriate for all applications. If you post faithfully five times a week, it can show you are responsible and can meet deadlines. If you post how much you hate peanut butter, and your editor happens to be the Jif heiress, it could cost you a job.

If you are familiar with a particular platform, let them know when you apply. Wordpress seems to be popular among webzines, because it is easy to collaborate and allow team members to post independently.

Pay close attention to style guidelines. You'll have to do things their way, even if you think it's asinine (and you probably will, at some point).

Writing for Print
There are many places to look; many "freebie" and local magazine type publications post writer's guidelines. Look in publications that you want to write for!

Chicken Soup for the Soul almost always is accepting submissions of uplifting stories on various themes. Asimov's Science Fiction magazine accepts unsolicited short stories up to 10,000 words for sci-fi, payment is 5-6 cents per word. You are looking for people that accept unsolicited manuscripts. There is a niche for everyone.

There is significant lag time between submitting an article for print, finding out if it's been accepted, and getting paid.

Your Content
Steady work will not always be original articles or short stories. Often, there are assignments and guidelines. You might be assigned to write a 500 word article on blood pressure cuffs, post blurbs on breaking news, or more.

My steadiest client asks me to write recaps of reality television shows, and I'm assigned certain shows to watch. My current list include Supernanny, Wife Swap, and Kitchen Nightmares.

I started writing scripts for a role-playing video game, until it became clear that was not where my writing talent was strongest.

Many sites also will pay a dollar or so extra if you provide images. If you have a digital camera, this might be a good way to go! Here's an article I did on Mommy's Helpers. I was paid for two pictures in addition to the article. Those are my children, but I was careful not to show their faces. Use common sense. Photo copyrights belong to the person who took the picture, so don't steal images off the web.

How to Get Paid
Many webzines and sites use Paypal, so you may need to open a free account there.

Some places pay by the word (for example, require a 300-500 word article at 3 cents a word) or by the piece (1000 word article for $10). Some pay for a group of articles; $100 a week, and you'll post 6 news items of 400 words.

Many sites also will pay a dollar or so extra if you provide images. If you have a digital camera, this might be a good way to go! Here's an article I did on Mommy's Helpers. I was paid for two pictures in addition to the article.

Sometimes you have to invoice the company (a simple table in Word can do that for you) and sometimes they will keep track. You should always keep copies of your work and keep records, so if you wrote 310 words, you get paid for 310 words.

Remember that you are a contract worker in most cases, and you will have to pay your own taxes. Most places that pay cut checks once a month. For example, one website I write for pays Net 30. This means I invoiced them for work done in November by the end of November, 2008. My check was mailed 30 days later, at the end of December.

How to Keep a Client

• Produce good content, and double and triple check for spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.
• NEVER, EVER plagiarize or copy someone else's work. EVER!
  
• Always be on time, if not a little early. NEVER, NEVER miss a deadline.
• Don't take editing personally, and promptly correct anything the editor requests. I prefer to communicate almost exclusively through e-mail, because it is difficult to have a professional phone conversation around here! Also, when I email I always have a written record of the conversation I can refer back to later.
• Be prepared to be a team player, even if you are working alone from home. There are other writers also writing content for the same site or publication, and sometimes you have to cooperate or be gracious.
• Be professional. You are being paid to write. Treat it like a job.

Art: At The Writing Table by Charles Soulacroix.

Labels: freelance life, Mama Says, Working from Home, writing

Husband dear and I both agree that as part of our homeschool curriculum, we want the boys to learn a trade, something useful that they can use to earn money in the summer, work their way through college, or even support a family on.

Husband dear thinks welding is the way to go. On his jobsites, welders get lots of money and spend a lot of time standing around waiting for things to be welded. It's one of the highest dollar jobs in construction.

In light of gas prices, I think the we should start a home-based business building steam powered cars.

How hard could it be? They used to make them before there was even electricity!

I'm not the only one who thinks steam powered cars are a good idea, either.

Husband dear is not buying it. Sigh. The HOA would probably object, too.

Labels: education, Frugal, Working from Home

I've heard that updating the new Mozilla will erase your bookmarks.

I thought I post a few of my "most important" ones here, where I can find them. I've said before that my blog is kind of a public journal for me, so consider this a really boring entry. Plus, I can throw some Linky Love to some of my favorite sites!

Although, many of them I don't even remember bookmarking - often if I am researching something and happen across something else, I bookmark it, and it languishes in my folder gathering cyber dust.

This is like letting your mother-in-law look under the bed or behind the fridge. It's surprisingly personal!

But, I'm really boring so you won't find too many titillating links. Unless you like vintage freebie printables.

Homemaking
Teaparty Girl
Household Notebook Planner
The Family Homestead
Vintage Homekeeper's Planner


School Organization
Starry Sky Ranch HMB forms etc.
Teacher Planning Forms
Unschooling and Planning
Homeschool Curriculum Reviews
Planning the School Year - Footprints on the Fridge
Dawn's File Folder System

Parenting
Small Manual of Civility Manners in the Catholic Home
HealthyToys.org
When Mom/Teacher Role doesn't work


Food
A Little Cookbook for Girls
Frugal Abundance
Practical Pantry everything you ever wanted to know about the staples
Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls
No Fail Pie Crust
Calcium Requirements

Catholic
Finding God liturgy and family life
Where is That in The Bible - essay on Tradition and Sola Scriptura
Sean's Pages - aplogetics
Hear the Gospel at Mass
Why Catholics Have a Pope
Catholic Culture
BibliaClerus Vatican resources, early Fathers, etc.
Women for Faith and Family
John 6 and the Eucharist
Catechism of Catholic Church searchable by keyword
Scriptural Rosary for Children
Amazing Catechists
Sanctifying Halloween

Religious Other
Evangelical Manifesto

Crunchy Granola Mama links
Natural Life Magazine
Healing Power of magnets - legitimate
Managing Post Partum Depression
Microchipping Public School Students
CFL Recycling
Drugs.com side effects, etc.

Self-Reliance
Solar Powered Trailer
Living off the Grid
100 Ft. Diet
Grow potatoes in a garbage can


Blog
Technorati Made Simple
Making Bloggy Buttons
Make Blog Banners totally need to do this. Someday. Eventually.
HTML True Color Chart

Coupons and Deals
Mommy Saves Big
Coupon Chief
Coupon Mom
Organic Grocery Deals
Online Coupons

Special Needs
Autism Evaluation Checklist
Anger Management for Children
Bipolar Complimentary Medicine
Disaboom for people with disabilities

Prolife and Politics
Sen. Obama's Voting Record
CQ Moneyline Campaign Finance, PAC's, etc.
Catholic Mom Framing the Healthcare Debate
REAL ID/ REAL nightmare
Girl Scouts Radicalism
No Room for Contraceptives
Prolife Doctors
Fighting P*rn*graphy
Test Tube Nation (article)

Stuff to Make and Do
Homemade Playdough with pics
3D Papercraft

Just Plain Interesting
Illegal Alien Tracking and crime statistics
Squalor Survivors
Texas Hold'Em Odds
Letterboxing North America

ClipArt and Graphics

Writing
Love Honor Vaccum Write from Home
Houston Writers and Editors
Absolute Write
Writer's Resources
Wordplayer
SimplyScripts

Of Interest Only to Me
SC Lawyer
Harrison Bergeron


If you liked any of these links, leave me note in the comments! (If you're not asleep by now...)

Labels: apologetics, bipolar, Blog, Catholic, children, cooking, education, Freebies, Frugal, homemaking, Linky love, politics, Prolife, special education, Special Needs, therapeutic diet, Working from Home

I just have to vent somewhere, and that place, Internets, is here. (Anyone want to diagram that sentence?)

I shared the little tiff with my editor. (I didn't mention the part where she said it was too irritating for me to write with small children. I left out those modifiers, trying to be the bigger person.)

Yesterday, said editor posted a few items herself. And she used the wrong word in the HEADLINE (oh, those homophones! Ante/Anti tripped her up) PLUS an egregious misuse of its/it's/its'.

Update: Another homophone abuse! Heals/heels (mis)posted today. But I can't point it out, because she's still my boss...

GAH!

Updated Thursday 6/19: Today we are promised a "sneak peak" of comics from "five different continents; England, France, Australia, Scotland, Ireland, ..."




Related aside: I found this nifty post on last week's Works for Me Wednesday. Anyone have this book?

Labels: Rants and Raves, Working from Home

Some of you may remember I write about TV online for pay. I won't link because I use my real name as a byline.

I got a new editor at the beginning of the month. My payment for May never came. I inquired of my editor if she could find out if the check was cut (we moved in the interim, and I was worried it went to our old address.) She brushed me off. A few days later I inquired again (actually, I just asked her for the accounting department's contact info, so I could take care of it myself.)

Today demoted me from Staff writer to freelance recapper. (It turns out that the payment policy had changed from twice a month to once a month, which is no problem... except they might have bothered with telling us about it!)

I almost quit on the spot. I was particularly irritated by this line from the email:

I know you have small kids
and I don't want this to start taking
more time from your family than it
should.

I work from home. I do not talk to anyone on the phone, and it's frankly none of her business whether I have two, ten, or no little ones running around. She has never once told me she had a problem with my writing, and I have never implied that it was "too much work." Actually, if I thought it was, I wouldn't do it.

In fact, the only post that she ever "unpublished" in order to fix was because the code for a widget that she created didn't work properly at first. And then it was fixed and published just fine.

It just really ticked me off that she put it off as "taking too much time from my family", whom she has never met and knows nothing about (I don't think she knows I have 7 kids.) She should just say I annoyed her by asking to be paid or sending her too many emails and left it at that.

I'll still do the recaps until I find something else. Anyone hiring a writer? Unfortunately, I don't work for free!

Labels: Family Life, Working from Home

Yesterday I got my first paycheck for my writing - and even better, husband dear was here when I opened the mail so he actually saw the check.

It's not all that glamorous of a job - I write episode recaps for some reality shows. But, it is paid work and it is a foot in the door, so to speak. I won't provide a link, though, because I use my real name which has not been revealed here. I had to choose between providing candid and pictorial accounts of life with my kids, or using our real names. I went with the pictures.

See, honey - I told you I had to watch Bravo!

Now I just need to figure out if I can write off my cable and internet bills....

Labels: TV, Working from Home