Mommy Has to Work

How to Start a Home Business

November 29, 2018 By Anne

So you want to become a new business owner and start your own home business? This is both exciting and stressful, but in the end, the payoff could be totally worth it. If you want to start a home business, though, there are a few things you need to know. After all, you can’t just wake up and decide to do it, let people know, and then expect success. It involves planning and decision-making, but it’s still doable. If you are ready to be your own boss, here are tips on how to start a home business.

Have a product or service.

Before you can start a home business, you need to have a product or service to offer. If it’s a product, be sure you have a little bit of inventory ready to go so you can fulfill orders as they come in. Plus, you’ll want to do the research and see if you have any competition. If you do, you’ll need to have a full understanding of why your product is better than the competition. If you are offering a service, you’ll want to be sure it’s a service that people will need and be willing to pay for. Plus, you’ll want to ensure that you are offering the best possible service. Should there be any issues with your service, it could be detrimental to your business.

This may mean that you will need to hire a team of people to help. Remote work is quite popular in this day and age, so if you need employees, you can have them working from home (depending on their position), or book co-working spaces for meetings and general work requirements. Of course, you want to ensure that you have the best people working for you which means assessing their skills. You can download a free skills matrix guide to help you with organizing your employees, so you can help them develop.

Designate space.

It may be nice to do your job from your couch in your pajamas, but this won’t necessarily boost productivity for your business. Instead, you’ll want to designate space in your home that is solely for the business. This may mean you need to de-clutter a space and use it for inventory and other business assets, such as a computer. If you do need to clean out a space, or if you’re in need of space to keep your inventory, consider a storage unit. According to Livable, a Portland self storage facility, “Self-storage facilities provide cost-effective opportunities to protect items you want to keep. And with Livable’s pick-up and delivery service, it makes access to your items even easier.” Make sure you know where exactly your home office will be located before moving forward.

Fill out the necessary paperwork.

If you want your business to be legit, you’ll need to fill out the necessary paperwork. This means filing your business with the government so you can get a tax ID number. It also means registering with your local city and/or state too. Filling all this paperwork out will help you when it comes time to filing taxes and generating specific business documents. If you’re not necessarily sure where to begin, turn to the Small Business Administration for assistance. This organization was developed to provide small business owners will all the necessary information needed to get your home business off the ground.

When is the next holiday? When designing a paid time off policy or managing PTO requests, take this List of Federal Holidays into account.

Understand the commitments.

Starting a home business isn’t something you can just do on a whim, so you need to fully understand the commitments involved. For instance, if you currently have a full-time job, you need to make the decision if your home business will be something you do on the side or something you quit your current job for. Be sure to look at your finances and understand your specific situation before you make this decision. When it comes to finances, especially with a small and new business, it may be a good idea to think about getting a ramp card as it can be highly useful for startups, helping to achieve cashback on certain purchases.

It’s also important to understand the time commitment involved with a home business. Because you will likely be the only employee for a while, and because you’ll still be getting the business off the ground, you’ll find that you’re dedicating a lot of time to the business. This means things like extra-curricular activities and even time with friends and family may be put aside for a while. If you truly believe this is something you can do, then you should go for it. But if you have too many responsibilities, this just may not be the time to start the business.

Market yourself.

The only way you’re going to get any customers is by marketing your home business, so be sure to invest some time and money into this. Once you know your target audience, you can determine the best ways to reach them. For instance, should you advertise on social media, put flyers in neighborhood mailboxes, or take out ads in papers? There are many choices, so you may want to start out with a little bit of everything and see what tends to work best. It can be worthwhile to start with buying social media followers as this can give you a solid head-start and a larger audience that will draw more people in. Buy Instagram followers with no password required for an anonymous, quick and easy method of boosting your engagement.

Starting a home business can be extremely exciting, but it will take a lot of work. If you are looking to be your own boss, these tips will help you get started.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

Toy Story 4 – Coming in June

November 27, 2018 By Anne

But Forky insists that he is NOT a toy! An actual spork-turned-craft-project, Forky is pretty sure that he doesn’t belong in Bonnie’s room. Unfortunately, every time he tries to get away, someone yanks him back into an adventure he’d rather skip. “The world of Toy Story is built upon the idea that everything in the world has a purpose,” said Cooley. “A toy’s purpose is to be there for its child. But what about toys that are made out of other objects? Forky is a toy that Bonnie made out of a disposable spork, so he’s facing a crisis. He wants to fulfill his purpose as a spork, but now has a new toy purpose thrust upon him.”

Filmmakers called on comedian Tony Hale to provide the voice of Forky. “It’s a huge thrill to be part of the Toy Story family,” he said. “But it’s going to take a while for it to really sink in.”

Said Cooley, “When we thought up this character, Tony was the first actor that came to mind and I’m thrilled he accepted. Tony’s performance as Forky is a comedy salad of confidence, confusion, and empathy… served by hilarious spork.”

How were filmmakers able to convince Hale to give voice to Forky? “A utensil’s existential crisis?” he asked. “I’m in!”

Woody has always been confident about his place in the world and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. But when Bonnie adds a reluctant new toy called “Forky” to her room, a road trip adventure alongside old and new friends will show Woody how big the world can be for a toy. Directed by Josh Cooley (“Riley’s First Date?”) and produced by Jonas Rivera (“Inside Out,” “Up”) and Mark Nielsen (associate producer “Inside Out”), Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” ventures to U.S. theaters on June 21, 2019.

Did you know?

· “Toy Story,” originally released on Nov. 22, 1995, was the first fully computer animated feature film and the highest grossing movie of the year. It was nominated for three Oscars® and two Golden Globes®.

· “Toy Story 2” is the first film ever to be entirely created, mastered and exhibited digitally. It was also the first animated sequel to gross more than its original, breaking opening weekend box office records in the U.S., UK and Japan, becoming the highestgrossing animated release of 1999. It won the Golden Globe for best motion picture – comedy or musical. It won a Grammy®for best song written for a motion picture, television or other visual media (Randy Newman, “When She Loved Me”).

· Released in 2010, “Toy Story 3” won Oscars® for best animated feature film and best achievement in music written for motion pictures, original song (Randy Newman/“We Belong Together”). The film also won a Golden Globe® and BAFTA for best animated film. It was the second Pixar film to be nominated for the best picture Oscar. It’s also Pixar’s second highest-grossing film of all time behind “Incredibles 2.”

· The 2015 short “Riley’s First Date?” was helmed by director Josh Cooley and produced by Mark Nielsen.

Anne

6 Ways to Determine Toy Safety and What to do if Your Child Gets Hurt

November 27, 2018 By Anne

Image Credit

It’s no secret kids love toys, and it seems like these child favorites are everywhere. Whether you’re shopping at a discount store, spending the day at a street fair or throwing a birthday party for your child, there’s no escaping toys. The problem is that all toys aren’t created equal. Find out six ways you can find out if a toy is safe for your child and what to do in the unfortunate circumstance that your child gets hurt by a plaything.

Ways to Determine if a Toy is Safe

As a mom, keeping your children safe is one of your top priorities. Unfortunately, not every toy is fit for a child to play with, even if the manufacturer claims it is. Here are six ways to determine a toy’s safety:

1. Check for Toy Recalls

Although it might be a hassle, the first thing you need to do when your child receives a new toy is to check to see if the toy has been recalled. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is in charge of making recalls, and you can check the status on the CPSC recall page. If you want to permanently stay in the loop, you can sign up to get the most current information on toy recalls.

2. Check the Manufacturer’s Recommendations

Always check and follow the manufacturer’s recommendation labels for toys, which include age guidelines. If you’re in doubt about purchasing a toy, you can often download the toy’s instruction manual online and read more about how the toy operates, as well as any warnings or safety recommendations it carries. If you don’t heed the warnings, the manufacturer may not be responsible if something happens.

3. Make Sure Toys or Parts Aren’t Too Small

Even if you check the manufacturer’s recommendations, you should give each toy and its parts a close look to make sure it passes these safety recommendations:

· Make sure toys and parts are at least 1-3/4 inches in diameter and 2-1/4 inches in length to prevent a child from swallowing the part or getting it lodged in their windpipe. You can purchase a tester, which is essentially a tube that’s designed to be the same diameter as a child’s windpipe, to help you determine if a toy is too small. If a toy part can fit inside the tube, a young child should not be permitted to play with it.

4. Check Battery Compartment Lids

Battery-operated toys are popular, but that doesn’t mean that children should have access to the batteries. Check battery compartment lids to make sure they are secure and kids can’t pry them open. Batteries pose risks such as chemical burns, choking and internal bleeding to children who play with them.

5. Consider What Might Happen if Your Baby Chews on the Toy

Young children, especially babies who are teething, might chew on certain toys. Take the time to check that any toys your children have access to can stand up to chewing without coming apart. Attached buttons or eyes on dolls can come loose. Wheels can come off of cars and other vehicles. Certain types of toys can also pose pinching hazards.

6. Be Careful of Hand-Me-Down, Homemade or Toys From Carnivals or Fairs

Although it might be tempting to buy or accept secondhand or homemade toys, it’s not the best idea — especially if the manufacturer’s tags are illegible or have been removed, which makes it impossible to know if the toy has been tested for safety. For example, some older, painted toys might have unacceptable levels of lead paint. Plus, toy items obtained at carnivals or fairs might not have been checked to see if they meet safety standards, either.

What to Do if Your Child Gets Hurt From a Toy

Of course, the first thing you need to do as a parent is to make sure that your child will be by taking him to his pediatrician or to the nearest emergency room to have him checked out. If you can, bring the toy with you, or at the very least, quickly take some detailed pictures on your phone. Make sure the medical staff documents the incident and ask for a copy of their notes. If your child has visible injuries from the toy, take detailed pictures.

Next, you’ll need to preserve the toy for evidence. Take pictures now if you didn’t have time before. Pick up all of the pieces of the toy, along with purchase information and packaging and put them in a secure, sealed box.

Finally, you can choose to contact a product liability attorney to help you bring a case against the toy manufacturer if warranted. According to Amerio Law Firm, which is a California-based firm that has Roseville product liability attorneys on staff, corporations pay millions in settlements each year to consumers who have experienced defective products, including children’s toys. The law firm states that it’s important to seek representation from experienced attorneys in these cases because, “…many products are made by large companies with vast resources at their disposal, including aggressive corporate lawyers who will do everything they can to minimize or deny your claim altogether.”

The Bottom Line

Always thoroughly check your children’s toys for safety before allowing them to play with them — even if you use a toy subscription plan like Toy Library. It’s better to keep your child from playing with something that might injure him. If an injury does happen, get your child medical care and the seek the help of experienced attorneys.

Anne

How to Practically Cope with the Loss of a Loved One

November 27, 2018 By Anne

Losing someone you love is one of the hardest things anyone can go through in life. Realizing that this person you care about will no longer be around can be a heart-wrenching thought, and the prospect of having to carry on can initially seem nigh on impossible. However, one way of getting through this period of time is to take practical measures to help sort out the necessary things that need to be done and give you the time and peace of mind to grieve properly.

This guide will walk you through the three most important things you can do right now to make this difficult time go as smoothly as possible.

Getting them justice

First of all, if your loved one was undergoing medical treatment before they passed away and there is a suspicion of medical negligence having led to their death, you must get in touch with a trusted medical negligence inquest solicitor to help you find out exactly what happened and if you have a claim. This is an important thing to do because:

a.) It will get your loved one justice, and

b.) The compensation can help take away the financial burden of paying for the funeral.

The thought of the person you care about going before their time is not a pleasant one, but it is imperative that you get them the justice they deserve to help you and the rest of the family get closure and heal.

Resting in peace

The most pressing practical matter in this scenario is, of course, planning the funeral. This is a task that needs to be done quickly and requires a lot of organization, which is not the best task for someone like yourself who is grieving.

One way of making this process easier is to use a funeral planning checklist which you can methodically work your way through and rest easy that you haven’t forgotten anything important. For example:

Find out if arrangements were made ahead of time by the person who passed away
What elements need to be included? – Were they religious? Are there family traditions? Did they want to be buried or cremated?
If you are going to have a viewing- What clothes would they want to wear? What photo will be best for the mortician to use?

Don’t lock it all away

Of course, the practical planning will help you to relieve some of the stress and give you some peace of mind but the ultimate goal of dealing with these tasks is so that you can allow yourself to grieve. Learning how to grieve properly is vital to getting through this period in your life, so here are some tips so you start off right:

Allow yourself to feel it- although the emotions are not pleasant, burying them deep down will not help you.
Try to focus on the good times – as they say, ‘don’t be sad because it’s over, be glad because it happened.’
Talk to other members of your family and keep the lines of communication open

Anne

6 Cute Phone Accessories That Make Perfect Holiday Gifts

November 27, 2018 By Anne

With the holidays fast approaching, everyone is in gift-buying mode. Phone accessories are a great – and often overlooked – option. Not many people think to gift them, but almost anyone will be grateful to receive them, making them perfect for everyone on your list.

Check out a few of the accessory ideas below to help you get started; they’ll make perfect gifts for everyone – even the person who has everything!

Eye-Catching Cases

One of the easiest gifts to give someone is a cute new phone case. They come in an infinite variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, and everyone needs one. Some people even like to have multiple cases! There’s something for everyone – the choices are endless.

The trendiest designs right now are:

Marble
Glitter
Floral
Geometric
Astrology
Gradient

You can start browsing phone cases on the online shop from Casely, Amazon, or your local electronics retailer. Unlike the phones themselves, cute cases are super easy to find for a great price!

Cell Phone Holders

You might be surprised to find out how cute they can make something that sounds as practical as a cell phone holder. These desktop accessories come in all shapes and sizes, from plush elephants to wooden calico cats.

Some are simply a spot to put your phone while you’re not using it so that you don’t lose it. Others double as charging stations. Whatever you need, you’re sure to find a phone stand that’s as unique as the person you’re gifting it to.

Wireless Headphones

What’s the worst thing about conventional headphones and earbuds? The wires. They’re always getting tangled, broken, or in the way. Wireless headphones are the way to go – we’ve been heading in that direction since Apple got rid of the headphone jack. A bunch of newer phones have followed suit, and not to just to protect the phone batteries.

A cute pair of wireless headphones can be as stylish as a pair of earrings. In colors like silver, gold, and rose gold, you never have to settle for boring white or black!

Once you’ve experienced the joy that is wireless headphones, there’s no going back. Whether its over-the-head headphones or Bluetooth earbuds, these are sure to be a crowd pleaser. There are tons of different models – some for casual use, others for working out, and even some that are noise cancelling.

Pop Sockets and Phone Rings

Another great gift that everyone is sure to love is a pop socket or a phone ring. They are more than just cute – they help you keep a steady grip on your phone and can be used to support the phone when set down, for example, if you wanted to set it on the side and watch a movie.

They’re great for those with smaller hands or larger phones – and let’s be honest, these days, all phones are huge. Both pop sockets and phone rings come in almost any color or design. You can even get your own custom made!

Cable Buddies

Looking for a cute stocking stuffer? A Cable Buddy is an adorable accessory that attaches to any phone charger. Taking the shape of cats, dogs, chameleons, and even Pokémon, they aren’t just cute – they also help to protect your cord from wear and tear.

The Cable Buddy attaches at the end of the cable (the part you plug into your phone), so it looks like the animal is taking a bite out of your device! Kids love ‘em, and you’ll love that they’re super affordable.

Phone Ring Lights

For the selfie queen in your life, an LED phone ring light makes the perfect holiday gift. These round lights attach to the top of your phone to provide optimal selfie lighting anywhere, anytime. While the ring itself may not be too cute, the pictures you can take with one will be!

Find Something for Everyone on Your List

It seems like nearly everyone has a smartphone nowadays, so you can’t go wrong with a cute phone accessory gift this holiday season. Happy shopping!