The Widow's Oil - debt, God, resource

Money Wisdom Series - The Love of Money

Are You Open to Building Up More Ways to Make Money?

There are so many advertisers, marketers, business owners, and more seeking mothers to work for them.  Some of these companies sincerely have our best interests at heart, but others not so much.  For almost two decades I have scoured many sites looking for ways to add to financial portfolio.  Some of the things I have done online and got paid (some things I still participate in):

1. Take surveys
2. Post reviews
3. Market products
4. Sell products and services
5. Listen and comment about music, movies, and more.
6. Promote and sell books, household goods, etc.
7. Proofread
8. Research
9. Share links on social media sites.
10. Read email
11. Sell articles
12. Watch videos
13. Perform general Internet searches
14. Upload images

Now offline I have also made money and continue to do so in a variety of ways:

1.  Sell products and services
2.  Organize and clean residences
3.  Customer service
4.  Provide administrative support (type, file, fax, process paper work...)
5.  Volunteer and then later get paid for publishing services
6.  Market research
7.  Write
8.  Proofread
9.  Edit
10.  Perform in plays
11.  Babysit
12.  Perform errands
13.  Shampoo carpets
14.  Assist with accounts payable and receivables
15. Create crafts and sell at flea markets, churches, etc.

This list is meant to help those of you brainstorm for more ways to make money.

Some other things to consider:

• Purchase mutual funds.  
• Get money back from online shopping (stop buying things and not expecting any money back!!)
• Create your own products
• Start up a website or join a site with pre-existing templates and then add your stuff to sell too!  I put together this site via Amazon.
• Fun things to do while you wait in the car or elsewhere.  Make money with videos, games and surveys.  

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT MORE WAYS HERE.

Money Saving Tips for Living on One Income

Websites When Money and Time are Short

I'm always looking for additional ways to get paid doing things online.  We parents give up a lot for children and so when there is a little downtime, why not spend it watching videos, taking surveys and doing other relaxing things while making a little extra money? Websites worth checking out...

21 Things and Counting When it Comes to Schools Making Money Off the Parents

A public school that two of my sons attend is indeed a money-maker!  There isn't a week that doesn't go by where we parents don't receive a list of upcoming activities, needed supplies and more that require our money.  Here are 21 things the school did to get money from us, and I'm sure someone will get the bright idea to use one or many of these ideas.  But I warn you before you bring up these ideas to money-grubbing leadership, greed will get some groups and individuals in trouble sooner or later. 


We live in a time where everyone is asking for money to pay for this and that, and for some people, including myself, it can be quite taxing especially when some smell generosity a mile away!  I'm not surprised when some parents and others go off when yet someone else is asking for a donation of money and time!  Enough already!  Greedy people and those with big ideas hoping to keep their own money to self, deserve just what they get, no support!  So check out the list of everything that has cost many parents much this year.


1. Scholastic book fairs twice a year and advertising in between to visit website to buy books.
2.  Friday weekly treats.
3.  School store.
4.  Fee to join PTA including frequent requests to volunteer for too many events to count.
5.  Restaurant events--partial proceeds go to the school when you spend money you shouldn't eating out.
6.  Afterschool programs that usually cost $80 plus dollars per child over a 10 week period.  Add gas, snacks, eating out at restaurants, uniforms, and other things needed to join the soccer team, acting, chess, science program, and other activities.
7.  Art made by the students.  A long list of things for you to buy so that your child's artwork can appear on the items.  Price range from $6 to $50 plus per item. (As if the paper crafts, drawings, cardboard box projects, and other stuff isn't already enough stuff!)
8.  T-shirts for everything your child's school participates in when competing with other schools.
9.  Holiday fund-raisers (Easter, Christmas, Valentine grams, cards, candy, novelty items, etc.)  Most companies don't support these fund-raisers because many people at work have kids doing the same thing.  The issues of having to support your own child, your co-workers, the boss' kid, etc. will take you to the poor house faster than you can say, "I don't have any money..."
10.  Buy needed school supplies at the start of the year.  (Seriously, why are we doing this, don't public schools get money from somewhere other than us?"  Just think when you have more than one child, this adds up.  Then the teacher will send a note back around again about mid-year indicating what she has run out of in the classroom.
11.  Penny collections to pay for school property.  (I can't even keep pennies in the house anymore!)
12.  Field trips. (Need I say more?)
13.  Holiday classroom parties.  "Could you please send XYZ items, and also this, and we will need that...could you donate your time too?  We really want to have a fabulous party for the children..." Who's idea was it?  You will pay for your own party!
14.  Supplies needed for recitals and plays.
15.  School projects
16.  Annual school photos (twice a year).
17.  Yearbooks
18.  Box top collections.  (Tempted to pay slightly more for an item to help your kid's school, eh?)
19.  School lunches (not everyone income qualifies to get free lunches).
20.  Library fees.  (I was on my kids like a drill sergeant this year to return books.)
21.  Uniforms bought through the school's supplier.  (No thanks, Walmart here I come.)


School leadership and staff at many schools are also beggars, score keepers, and members of a club.  I find it sad that the profession just doesn't have the reputation it once had in many circles.  I resent being asked over and over again for contributions and if you don't someone is smiling in your face asking you about doing this and doing that.  Many of us moms made financial sacrifices to be available to our children, partners and other kin.  Then along comes yet another program, request for service or money that isn't doing anything more than entertaining children that need to learn as much as they can.  (I can take them on a couple field trips myself.) Some staff use our hard-earned money for ideas that don't really pan out in the way these originators/innovators had hoped anyway. 


I pick and choose with the giving, but to be quite honest I am turned off with literally hundreds of fliers that have come home asking, "Could you help..."! 


Nicholl McGuire

Work from Home Opportunities for Teens, Students, Expectant Moms

Growing up in the 80s -- Teachings I Recall about Money

Growing up, we learn alot about how adults spend, invest, donate, and save their money.  However, sometimes we discover things, usually the hard way, without ever being told by parents.  Pride, ignorance, selfish behavior, and impoverished mentality, can all get in the way of wisdom when it comes to doing what's right with money.  So many don't get a good start in life because of societal brainwashing that tells you, "Pay for unaffordable higher education...take out loans...save money even though you have little to live on...register for credit cards...buy a house, get a good car, get married and have children!"  All of which cost money--far too much money nowadays.  I couldn't afford any of these things in my 20s, not in my 30s and I still can't.  Yet, the generation before me, did well, they experienced the American dream.

Here's what I observed/learned growing up.

1.  You don't receive money unless you earn it.  Since it didn't reach my hands often, I had to figure out a way to get some.  So I helped extended relatives too who didn't mind paying me.
5. When I was in my tweens, I created drawings and other crafts to make money.
2.  The allowance was only received when chores was completed and there was no raise.  I was 13 years old at the time.  One of the things I remember was receiving $5 a week for washing car and vaccumming inside once a week.  Payment was on Fridays.
3.  I was expected to use some of my allowance and part of the money earned from work to pay for basic essentials like: deodorant, feminine products, etc. when I turned 15 years ( I had obtained my worker's permit).
4.  Good grades was expected and if I didn't meeet expectations there were consequences.  Money for As stopped overtime.
5.  Debit cards were non-existant.
6.  I overheard quite often adults complaining about credit cards and other bills and I thought, "Why do they spend so much if they don't like paying the companies back?"
7.  I was discouraged from going into my piggybank (the type you had to shake if you wanted a few coins to fall out--it wasn't easy) to buy unnecessary things such as candy and other snacks.  When I became an adult, I really needed those funds in the piggy bank and the only way I could get to them was to crack that piggybank on concrete.
8.  Family never shared anything about investments.  They led you to believe they didn't have money so you wouldn't ask or tell others they had any.
9.  When I noticed adults donating money to charitable groups and schools, they didn't always do it happily and wasn't very generous either.  Some who supposedly helped others were very adamant about being paid back or else.  I wondered, "Why bother 'helping' people if you are going to be rude and a tightwad about it?"
10.  I must admit, I never went without bread growing up.  Once I became an adult, there was still no hand-outs.  You either had to work out a deal or ask for mercy when it came to emergency situations.

Based on my experiences, I tell my children that they can't get any money from me without earning it.  Over the years, I have played games with them using money.  I have also bought many workbooks and shared flashcards related to money.  I can only hope that they will be able to take control of their finances and don't leave it up to others to dictate who, where and what they should spend their earnings on. 

I personally believe that many people don't know what it is like to hold their own paycheck in their hands, track their own spending, and count their own money they have earned in their wallets.  As a result of not being able to do these things, they are often buying without thinking which puts more money in the pockets of the elite.  Desperate to get more money, they sell talents and skills for cheap which once again helps further the agendas of the elitists. 

I think it is so sad to live in a world that rarely gives anything worthwhile for free ie.) like education and medical care for all (not just select income classes, clubs, etc.) at top quality facilities.  Maybe one day someone or some group will sincerely reach back and help without strings attached. 

Nicholl McGuire  
 

Stop Crying about Your Children Holding You Back!

When you are ready to return to the workforce, you might want to check out some websites online that will help you professionally and personally.  Don't let intimate relationship, financial woes, and parenting challenges hold you back!

Learn more about the following:

Childcare

How to Get Free Childcare http://www.ehow.com/how_5133651_low-cost-child-care-assistance.html

Education

Life Experience University Degrees http://www.ehow.com/info_8170629_life-experience-university-degrees.html

Life Experience Degrees Reviews http://www.degreeadvice.com/diploma_guide.html

9 Reasons To Earn An Accredited Life Experience Degreehttp://almedacollege.com/accredited-life-experience-degree/

Note:  Also check out http://workplaceproblems.blogspot.com

Driver's License

Learner's Permit Test http://freedmvpracticetests.com/?utm_source=Overture&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=FreeDMV20q&utm_term=learners%20permit%20test

Road Rules Test http://www.firsttimedriver.com/practice_test/permit-practice-test.aspx

Driving Tips with Accredited Driving Instructor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbMcKhTK3pA

How to Make Extra Cash

101 Ways to Make Money Online http://www.101waystomakemoney.com/

Workersonboard http://www.youtube.com/user/Super2moms?feature=watch

Unexpected Life Challenges, Know Where to Look for Help

50 Freezer Meals in a Day

Learn from the women who know how to stretch a dollar and some food!

50 Freezer Meals in a Day

Investing in our children as if one day they will be our best friends.

So we buy them what they need, want, desire and so on.  What's the benefit to them/to us?  Do we get brownie points with our children for being "the best mommy?"  Some mothers will go so far as to give everyone they speak to an itemized list of everything they have ever done for their children.  Even our own mothers will say to us, "Remember when I gave you..." 

Why exactly are we giving our children more than enough anyway?  Do we ever bother to think what the long-term effects will be on our children (especially when the money runs out and we can't keep up with all of their requests?)  Who are we trying to impress?  Does anyone even care about all those great activities our children participate in?  Most likely not.  They are too busy living their lives.  But we parents, care!  So much so that we forget that no relative and or family friend should ever be obligated to partake in the burdens we place on ourselves (ie. our children's extracurricular activities.)  So why do we care so much?  Quite possibly because we may have unmet childhood needs, created spoiled brats, or just want to impress our children by getting others to support them.  We try to do and be everything to them, because some of us reason, if we are not, then who will?

I thought about this issue of giving our children in the hopes that some day they will return the favor after listening to a parent rant about her grown daughter not doing for her "after all the years I have helped her!!"  She mentioned the times in her daughter's life she invested in their relationship while the daughter lacked  appreciation and acted as if "that's what family should do."  Apparently someone didn't get the memo that just because you deem a certain child "a favorite" and you do as much as you can for this person, doesn't mean that he or she will think of a parent as such a great person once they become older.  Not only that, the adult son or daughter may not feel as if he or she owes a parent anything simply because part of the title as parent is to care for his or her child.

It seems that the more you give a child (or anyone) who has never experienced what it's like not to have, the more likely he or she will become an ingrate.  This person will behave like what you do for him or her is never good enough.  Think for a moment:  What would happen if you just took a long break from giving your own children as much as you gave them yesterday, last week, a few months ago, or last year?  They would appreciate what you give them moreso the next time.

Now on the other hand, there are those relatives and family friends that don't have a spirit of generosity and more than likely that is why some parents feel obligated to give to their children so much.  It's unfortunate that some of these people behave very selfishly, act ridiculously frugal (cheap.)  Some of these same people think that if they give anything to anyone it should be celebrated.  Your children should be available to work for them since they bought them toys on their birthday.  Your son or daughter should announce to the world that grandpap gave $5 toward a camp trip.  You should do a cartwheel for that  small donation to the college fund--whoopee!  But I digress...

I personally think that if we as parents create a healthy balance between giving and receiving from our children, they will be okay.  Our children will observe what we do, and in time, repeat our actions.  So if we are responsible and give within reason (that means not all the time like everytime we visit a store) they will be more appreciative with what they have already and will do the same with their children one day.  A child that is use to getting what he or she wants all the time will be a challenge to try to change, but if a parent remains consistent in his or her behavior for a time, a son or daughter will catch on and will be less likely to badger the parent with unnecessary requests.

We must remember to evaluate why we give as much as we do to our children.  Then we should take the time to think about how our actions will impact the future.  Lastly, we ought to face the reality that any investment we make today in our children may be null and void once they become adults--not every child will grow up to become an adult that will say, "Thank you.  Now what would you like for me to do for you?"

Nicholl McGuire

Disney’s Mickey & Minnie’s Gift of the Magi

One night while preparing the children for bed, one of my sons went over to a cabinet where he stores his books and pulled out one that made me look at my financial woes a little differently. Disney’s Mickey & Minnie’s Gift of the Magi by Bruce Talkington and illustrated by Fernando Guell Cano was the book my son selected for me to read.

The book starts off with “It was the day before Christmas…” right away I was interested given the time period at which my son brought me the book – mind you he is only 3. The story begins with telling us about Mickey’s woes” his coat not warm enough, Christmas tree not large enough, and his pockets were empty. Well by this time I am really into this book, because it is describing similar real life situations I have been in and currently face. But despite all of this Mickey is playing his harmonica.

As Mickey and Pluto stroll down the street, Mickey notices a necklace in a store front window. While I am reading, I am thinking, “The happiness and music just stopped for you Mickey.” But the optimistic mouse’s discovery makes him determined to get this gift to go with Minnie’s watch. Now Mickey is reminded by his empty pockets that he can’t get the necklace, but he tells his dog Pluto that “you and I are going to make lots of tips today…” Meanwhile, Minnie is at home having a problem that is very much the kind we as mothers can relate to and that is a pile of unpaid bills. She tells her cat, “There’s nothing but bills how am I ever going to afford to get Mickey a present?” She quickly realizes Mickey is at the door and rather than bombard him with a list of worries, the book says she “shoved the bills in a drawer and raced into the living room.”

As I read more, Minnie wants to get a case for Mickey’s harmonica because she notices that he wraps it up in an old rag.
Now I am thinking at this point that neither Mickey nor Minnie don’t have children, no fancy car (because he dropped her off at work riding a dog sled – LOL) so why all the bills? They have two jobs between them.

Anyway, Mickey has a hard boss who could care less about the sentiments of Christmas just the money that the Christmas trees bring. Mickey is working very hard and ends up acquiring enough money to get Minnie’s necklace; however just as luck would have it his boss would take his money. He did this because he didn’t like Mickey disrupting his efforts to rip a poor father off by up-selling him on a tree they didn’t want and lying that the expensive trees was all he had. Mickey sold the family a cheaper tree. Mickey’s boss threw him and the dog off his property. However, nothing good comes of the boss and he ended up burning his money and his trees up due to a lit cigar he was smoking. Meanwhile at Minnie’s job, a bonus she was expecting from her boss ended up being a fruitcake.

While the firefighters put out the fire, Mickey played his harmonica. The firefighters heard him because they were due to attend a toy drive and play in the band. Mickey joined them. However, the writer of the story doesn’t write that Mickey receives any money for his efforts – I am thinking, “Isn’t that typical.” Mickey eventually leaves in time to meet the store owner who has the necklace he wants to get for Minnie, so he trades his harmonica for the necklace. Meanwhile, Minnie had traded her watch for a case for Mickey’s harmonica. The story ends with the couple wishing one another a Merry Christmas. The writer adds, “It was a Christmas they’d never forget.”

Can I just remind you this is a children’s book? My three-year-old is just looking at the pictures. He doesn’t know that the book he brought to me spoke into our family’s current situation. The only difference is rather than making trades, we borrowed credit to make the end of our story a Merry Christmas.

What I found rather odd is that although this is a children’s book, in addition to parents and children, this story should be read to childless couples too. From the looks of things the mice have nothing to show for all this debt they acquired and if they had babies, you could only imagine what kind of hours they would be putting in at work! If they were willing to work extra hard just to buy two simple gifts they would be working even harder for their families.

I don’t want to read too deeply into this simple story, but the lesson I learned after re-reading this is the debt the mice acquired most likely came from spoiling one another. We spoil our children, partners and ourselves and then we cry when our backs are up against the wall and can’t pay for anything. Those mice were working hard to give one another everything they needed and wanted and then when it came down to a gift that really mattered to each of them, neither one could help due to all their past debt. The stress of bills will make any mother in over her head cry!

So the moral of the story is when you are in debt, don’t do what Mickey did in the beginning of the story, gaze in the store front window. Ignore the emails, click past the eBay link, throw away the catalogs, and even say no to the needy people on the street when you know you are already obligated to your lenders. Most of all, don’t allow your burdens and other people’s attitudes or cheap giving take your happiness away, like Mickey kept playing his harmonica, you keep on playing yours!

God bless.

Nicholl McGuire
Check out my writings at Triond

Note: Typical Disney why would they title this book like this...Magi? Needless to say, Disney books have been removed off my children's shelves after seeing way too many occult things going on between the pages.

When Mothers Cry About Money

There is never going to be enough money to do what we want to do. This is a hard truth for some mothers to swallow! To suggest that she live on less is insulting to some working mothers nowadays! Today's mother is more educated than her mother and grandmother. She is more conscious of the things her children need that will make them competitive in school. Every generation before her, wanted to give their children more than what they had.

It all sounds good, but when you are faced with a mountain of debt, some thing has got to give! What is it about money that is making you cry these days? Is it the husband that is spending far more than what you both can afford or is it you? Are the children having one problem after another or just one more activity that is burning a hole in your pocket? Is it necessary to have the four bedroom home, the two cars, the cell phones, the cable television -- all with bells and whistles? Does anyone really pay that close attention to the labels that you wear inside your clothes, on your feet or hung from your shoulder?

The fact is the more money we make, the more we want! The more credit we are accpeted for, the more we want to spend on others! Then we complain to family and friends about our money woes or better yet, we say nothing and pretend as if everything is fine when it is not! How do we find peace about money? For starters we have to learn to appreciate what we have! We think that we need new dishware, new furniture, new clothes for ourselves and the children, new gadgets for our man, and we will be satisfied with all of these purchases until...the dishware falls apart or doesn't work like we had hoped, the furniture and clothes get stained or tear, and the gadgets stop being used or don't work, then WE LOSE IT! We scream, "No one appreciates what I do! I'm still paying on that! I'm sorry I bought this! They don't make anything worthwhile!"

I guess the point of my blog is this, we put more hope in things then we do wisdom! Wisdom tells us that "If you buy that he will become angry or find an excuse to buy something equally or more expensive." Wisdom warns us, "If you get that for the children, they will only ruin it." Wisdom reminds us, "Remember the last time you got something for the household, no one cared as much about it as you, and so you spent more time scolding and warning then truly enjoying it!"

At some point through trial and error, you would think some mothers would get a clue, but they don't! It's time for a reality check, live below your means! Make do with what you have, dress it up, fry it, boil it, flip it, change it, move it, throw it out, give it away, most of all cut it off if it causes you to sin!

I wouldn't speak this way, if I hadn't cried over money in the past myself.

Be blessed not stressed!


Nicholl McGuire, for more articles visit: http://associatedcontent.com/nichollmcguire This is also a great site to make some extra cash without paying for a single thing, so click the link!