Budget Friendly Vacation Idea’s…?

We are a family of 6, including 4 kids, all 7 and under. The summer vacation is coming up and I am searching for fun yet, non-budget busting vacation idea’s. I love car trips, but with young children that can be more of a hassle than a good experience. Amusement parks are fun, but with ticket prices and the various age ranges of our kids, it will probably wind up being more of a headache than anything. I am currently brainstorming fun idea’s that we could do as a family and save a few bucks (money that can go into our basement min-renovation project). Also, we are going to start using Smarty Pig, that is www.smartypig.com to save for some of our specified goals. I think Smarty Pig is a great idea, and I could kiss the brains that brought Smarty Pig to the market!

Sorry Ya’ll

Silence is golden.  But I hate when I look at my blog and see that I haven’t posted in weeks!  Do I need that much silence?  My new goal is to post at least once a week.  I love this blog, and my 4 others too!  Trying to allocate time to those things that give me the greatest ROI.

This blog is for fun,  I like to share what I know when I can.  So, once a week is my new blogging goal!  Hold me too it!

Free Samples

I always love freebies, but in this economy, freebies and cheapies are essential.  Check out this great list of free samples, get your freeeeeee stuff right here guys!

Quizno’s FREE Sammie – http://www.quiznos.com/offers -

Quaker Rice Snacks – www.quakerricesnacks.com -

Quaker True Delights – http://www.quakertruedelights.com-

Free Splenda – https://www.splendidlife.com/ancillary/samplingprogram.do -

Free Gain Sample and Coupon -
http://www.startsampling.com/sm/100669 -

Maybellene
http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid65952.aspx

HL Fragrance- http://www.hlfragrance.com/#/about -

Out & Proud Payless Shopper

I blogged on my other site about how I am an out and proud Payless shopper. I explained my reasons, but the bottom line is this…saving money. While quality is as important to me and the price, we oftentimes get so caught up in name brand this and trend that, we forget what’s most important to the Budget Fashionista who is trying to save, invest and eliminate debt…shopping smart. For me, Payless is smart shopping.

At a recent BOGO sale (that’s buy one, get one half off) I landed 3 pairs of shoes, a handbag, an umbrella and some flip flops for just $59! I could have easily paid that or twice that for one pair of shoes. I didn’t feel guilty when I walked out of the store, I felt and do feel like I got the most bang for my buck. Which means that my $80 shoes will go a lot further (I can alternate them with my Payless shoes) and at the end of the day my wallet will be better off!

Now my son is a big boy. At 7, the Payless shoes don’t have the support he needs, especially with him playing football and basketball. And so not to encounter any foot issues, like his dad has (ick) I opt out of Payless for his everyday and sport shoes. So, it’s still to Foot Locker (when they have a sale) for him. Which is fine, again, it’s about shopping smart and knowing what works for your family. But I can still get him flip flops and swimming shoes from Payless for the Summer days ahead. To check out Payless online steals deals, click here.

Under $10 Friday Femme 4 Femme Flick: Saving Face

Times are tough, but we still need to be entertained!  Check out this great film, Saving Face for just under $10!  Read the full review here: http://pinkchocolatesunshine.wordpress.com/2009/02/27/friday-femme-flick-saving-face.

Starting a New Business for Less Than $250

In my earlier post, I talked about the benefits of being a business owner.  Here I am going to explain how you can do it on a paupers budget.

Starting a business for less than $250 is certainly doable, if you know what you are doing.  In addition, I recommend any business owner to keep fixed costs as low as possible (that is your recurring monthly expenditures, i.e., rent, utilities, etc..).   If your fixed costs are too high, you may not be able to weather down turns in your business which is the reason why so many businesses are closing their doors.

I am going to assume that if you are reading this, you have a computer.  All business need a working computer with an internet connection, that is a given.  This is a must for any small business.

A service business are usually the best to start on a dime.  Why? Because with a service business, you don’t have any inventory or any goods to stock or purchase wholesale.  Plus, with a physical product you may have to deal with patents, product insurance, costs of transporting and storage, etc…

So, here are a 3 main factors in starting a great business on a small budget:

1. Go with what you know.  Intellecual capital is Queen!  If you have a certain expertise, you can monetize it by sharing your knowledge to others who need it.
2. The days of the linear relationship between work and pay is over!  Meaning, going to work for one hour to receive one hour worth of pay is an archaic way of making money.  What you want to do is leverage that same hour of work and have one hour of work keep paying for itself over and over again.  It’s the power of leverage!  Let me put this is simple terms.  Say a nail tech see’s 3 clients an hour and makes about $70.  There is only but so much time in a day and only but so many people she can see.  So her income, by default is limited.  But, if that same nail tech taugh others how to break into the business and provided her intellectual capital (see point #1) to help others succeed then she can experience the power of leverage.  How?  Well, she could author an ebook that explains how to break into the beauty industry, she could hold seminars and workshops, she could become a consultant or coach.  Really,the sky is the limit!  I could go on and on with this one.
3. What do people contact you for?  There is something that people always ask you about or seek your advice on.  Clearly, this is something you possibly have a competitive advantage on.  Make a list of your best attributes and weaknesses and seek a business that leans on your best points and seek strategic partnerships to enhance your weaknesses.

Okay, so now that your wheels are turning on what type of business to start.  Let’s get to the really good stuff.  Minimizing start up costs and starting your biz for less than $250.

A SOHO (small office home office) is what you want to start in order to get the most bang for your buck.  All you need is a computer and some basic equipment.

Your Presence

This is actually one of my favorite things to talk about, but I will try to keep it short and sweet. Every business will need:

• A Website
• Business Cards
• Communication Services (phone and fax)

A Business is not a business without a website.  Luckily, you are able to get great sites at incredible deals from any leading internet service providers.  For the start-up this is the way to go.  As your sales grow, you can then consider hiring a profession for custom web design.  Just be sure to get a professional site that matches the image of the business you are representing.  There is nothing worse that a tacky, unprofessional and tasteless website.  You may want to enlist the help of competent family and friends to write your text and/or proof read.  Web.com is a great service with thousands of professional templates to choose from at prices that won’t break the budget, click here to check out the site.  Cost: $15-$45/month.

Your business cards should match your website, at least use the same color and font scheme.  My favorite place to get business cards for a great value is Vistaprint.  I use them all the time.  They offer free cards; however, I would pass on those because the card stock is too light.  Be sure to get a quality card stock.  You don’t want flimsy business cards.  Click here to check out their vast selection. Cost $25 for 250 cards.

You also want a professional phone system.  You don’t want to mix your personal and business lines.  A company like jfax will give you a free fax line or eVoice will give you a cheap fax and phone line.  However, I really love Ring Central…this is the ultimate solution for any serious business.  This will give you the professional presence a business needs.  They are a great value for the price, click here to learn more and sign up for a free trial.  You an always opt for a traditional land line or broadband phone service.   Cost $5-$60.

Your Office

You will need a desk, lamp, pens, pads other other office supplies.  You may want to invest in a professional briefcase and portfolio as well.  Depending on what you already have at home, you may only need a few things.  Recommend Ikea or Target for good values.  Don’t go all out on this.  You can not pass off the cost of an expensive desk to your customers.  Plus, your customers/clients won’t see your office anyway.  So keep this cost minimal.  Cost $15-100.

And that’s about it.  I will be following up on this with the top 10 Don’ts for A New SOHO as well as the 411 behind Direct Sales in my sister blog, lespreneur.

Got questions? I’ve probably got answers!  Just ask

Eat Free @ Friday’s!

Just got this coupon in the mail.  Buy one get one entree free at Friday’s.  That’s a great Valentine’s day deal for the couples that are on a budget or just have better ways to allocate their money that spending it eating out.

I personally like any of their dishes flavored with Jack Daniels…and no, I’m not a lush! At least, not on weekdays!

I can’t figure out how to link to the coupon since I have it has  pdf file.  Maybe if you google it, it will come up in your search.  If not, email me and I will send it to your or leave a comment w/ your email address and I will send it to you.  Offer is valid through March 1

Working 5-9

No, I’m not dyslexic. I realize that I wrote “5-9″ instead of “9-5″ in my header.

The 5-9 is your work after your job, side hustle, small business or whatever you want to call it.  But nowadays, having a side hustle is becoming a more inviting idea to more and more people.  I have a 5-9, as a matter of fact, I have several!  My newest venture is as a consultant with Pure Romance, you can visit me at www.tammyfreeman.pureromance.com.

Having a small business is critical it helps not only bring in additional income, but when tax times comes around as well.  Here is my favorite part of being a small business owner:  Unlike an employee, a small business owner is taxed after all her expenses are paid, employees are taxed before.  For example, a typical employee is going to get taxed first and is left to pay bills with whatever is left over.  A business owner pays her bills first and then is taxed on the remainder.  Meaning, rent, utilities, transportation expenses, etc… for the business owner are all deductible…not so for the employee.

Think about it, if you are looking for a part-time gig.  After transportation costs, opportunity costs, child care costs, etc…it just isn’t worth it for most people.  Considering most part time gigs pay less than $12/hr.  As an entrepreneur, I make about $75 an hour and I do most of it from my home.  Yes, it’s hard work and I don’t have a guaranteed paycheck, but I am on track to be able get rid of my 9-5!  YES!

I am currently have an aggressive plan to pay of my debt. I have 3 credit cards and they are going to be at zero balances by the end of the year.

I will be talking about how to start your own business for less than $250 in my next post!

It’s 2009…Here Are My Financial Goals

I must admit, it’s 2009 and I am doing really good so far!  I worked out all year! LOL. I haven’t spent any uneccessary money…I passed up McDonalds today and a doughnut in favor of a protein shake that I made here at my desk (I have protein powder at work).  I made it with water, to spare the expense of purchasing milk.  And my stomach was growling, but now I am just fine!

If I can say so myself, I am doing good!

Here are my financial goals for 2009:

1. Track my spending…keep a spending diary so I know exactly where my money is going.

2. Eliminate my CC debt for 2 out of my 3 cards.  And eliminate 50% of the debt from the remaining card.

3. Save more

4. Increase 401K contributions

5. Increase IRA contributions

6. Produce Additional streams of income

I wrote down the actual amounts, but it’s in a notebook that is not here with me. For me, it’s important to have SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realisitic and Timely) this way I will be sure to achieve them.

As far as #6 is concerned I am already kicking it into high gear.  I am working on 2 conferences for my company and my direct marketing businesses.

I will post more about these later. 

Happy New Year Everyone!

Financially Savvy Diva

I received this email today from iVillage. If your goal is to whip your financing in shape it is worth checking this out.

Link: http://ilearn.ivillage.com/campus.jsp?campusId=2300