Ode to my Wardrobe

I've been having lots of moments lately where I stand in front of my closet and mourn the loss of my clothing.  Dress slacks, fitted collared shirts, and a few skirts hang listlessly in my closet.  Sometimes we reminisce about all the good times we had together.

Maybe part of my depression stems from my lack of organization...

Were you expecting a color-matched and pristinely designed closet picture here?  Wrong blog, people.

Anyway, I think I speak for a lot of stay-at-home and work-at-home Moms when I say, I really miss my work wardrobe sometimes.  Sure, jeans and a comfy top are playdate staples that every mom appreciates.  But, sometimes, you just want to pull on something a little less durable and practical.  And not just for date night, but during actual hours of sunlight.

I miss the act of buying work clothes as well.  I was a teacher, so I loved the easy, dressy style of Banana Republic, The Loft, and JCrew.  I feel like there's no real purpose buying "nicer" clothes now, I mean, they have to be play-doh and snotty nose resistant - right? (That's code for No Dry-Cleaning).

I need to pull some of my favorites aside and consider how to make workable outfits out of them.  I think this would be an adventure in frugality.  Learning to work what you own, instead of buying new.

I love blogs that help me feel moms can be chic and comfortable while chasing after small children.

How do you mix your "work" and "play" clothes to make your own style?  Do you have a favorite everyday style blog?

Work from Home - Find your Super Power

Being a stay-at-home-mom is not what it used to be.  There are endless ways to bring in extra income and supplement life on a single income.  It takes time, patience, energy, and some organization to get it done.  I really struggle with this last quality - organization.

Managing my time and uncovering my strengths has helped me realize that I can make money from home.  And not from some sketchy pyramid scheme that claims I will bring in six figures by chatting on the phone and eating bon-bons all day.  Right.

I have to remind myself to keep my goals, jealousies, and insecurities at bay.  It's so easy to slip into the everyone-is-so-much-better-at-this-than-me scenario.  Playing the negatives on repeat doesn't get me anywhere.

Make a Choice
Pick and choose something that you love.  Something that really fulfills you, but has maybe been on the back burner since having a baby.  For me, writing was one of the first things to go.  My blog was a ghost town and my journal was collecting cobwebs.  I have to make writing a priority, or it will immediately be moved to the bottom of my list.  Right under dusting and washing my car.

Make Time
I tend to say things like, "I don't know how I'll find the time for that".  Well, I realized that it's not about finding.  It's about making the time.  Make a conscience effort daily to carve out time for what you love.  It can be 15 minutes or before your family wakes up in the morning.  Give it as much priority as you would a part-time job.

Quiet the Time Suckers
Ever sit down to watch just one TV show at night, and quickly realize it's 11 pm and you can barely stumble upstairs to bed?  Been there.  Turn off the TV and make your evenings time to prioritize and organize your goals.  It's amazing what can happen when you don't even know who Kim Kardashian is marrying.

Find your Super Power
Allow yourself time to make mistakes.  Know that something will eventually stick, and you'll be working at some sort of side hustle, or several, with income filtering in soon.  It might not be much at first, but it will inspire you to keep going.

You have talents that are unique to only you, so why not use them?  Just throw on your boots and matching Super cape, and you're good to go!

Mystery Shopping Review - Beyond Hello

As promised, I want to do a quick review of my first experience with mystery shopping.  Technically, this is Part I, since I am still waiting for my payment.

I started with Beyond Hello in mid June and completed my first two shops in early July.  Beyond Hello pays out through PayPal, so I promptly set up my own account.  There is some sharing of personal information, so I did extensive research on the company prior to signing up.  Beyond Hello scored high with the BBB and it was hard to find negative reviews online from shoppers.  So, I jumped in!

Mystery Shopping is a really fun mix of talents for me.  I get to do a little acting, window shopping and note-taking.  Best of all, I am using these brief excursions as my alone time.  Most mothers embrace the chance to drive alone in perfect silence or with a favorite tune blasting.  We could all use a break from tossing cheerios in the back seat and singing The Wheels on the Bus for the hundredth time.  Am I right or what?  I use it to catch up on phone calls with friends and family, and generally unwind.

Here are some general Pros and Cons from the experience:

Pros

• The Shop Log feature allows you to choose how many miles outside of your zip code you are willing to shop.  For me, a drive longer than 15/20 minutes is probably not worth the gas for the payout.  
• I made a mistake and submitted the incorrect form (rookie!) and was given a re-do.  I was allowed to resubmit my form with no penalty.  
• When I have had questions, I do receive a fairly prompt response.  The coordinators appear happy to help and support the shoppers.
• Good work pays off!  Some shops are graded, so shoppers who go the extra step will be rewarded with more shop opportunities.  
• Free!  I have not been asked to pay a fee to receive any shops.  
• Mystery Shopping is considered working as an independent contractor.  This makes it win-win for me and for the company.  We can both walk away at any time.

Cons

• I would prefer payment to be more prompt.  I was informed that I would not be receiving my July payments until the end of August.  I have not seen anything in my PayPal account yet, but will be watching towards the end of the month.  I'll update when I do get the compensation!
• The Sassie software is relatively easy to use, but I would like a cleaner form to work on.  There are lots of things highlighted, bolded, or in red.  Text size changes. I find it distracting, but that is a detail I can overlook.
• Beyond Hello does advertise getting your IC Pro status.  From what I gather, this will set you apart from other shoppers so you get more shops.  This involves putting in more information and connecting through JobSlinger.  I am investigating this further before I make a decision.  So far, I've gotten 6 shops without having this status.  We'll see how it goes!
• The shops I have completed do specify you cannot have children with you.  I don't believe all will be like this, but that does make it challenging if I don't have an opportunity to slip away alone.

Overall, I think mystery shopping can be a worthwhile venture for anybody looking to make a few extra bucks.  It won't make you rich by any means, and I think you have to keep your expectations humble.  My plan is to use the earnings for dumping debt.  I have tried some other companies, and am still reviewing them.  Beyond Hello has good service and an easy site - not a bad start!

Adventures in Paid Surveys

In my endeavors to work from home, I have stumbled on a great survey company.  Pinecone Research does online surveys and product reviews.  I have received a check for each one I've completed within 3-5 days!  Talk about prompt.

Each survey has earned me $3 and I am currently working on my first product survey.  Though I can't share the details, it's a brand new home product that you use daily.  It comes in a roll form, and some people are VERY picky about this product.  Myself included.  Too much?? Well, anyway, I have to complete my survey of the product in a couple of weeks and then I'll get ANOTHER check.  Score!  Plus, free goods :)

Now, I know $3 is not much, but for the time and energy I put in, I'd say it was worth it.  The idea here is to create several small streams of income that add up to something more significant.  Like gas in my tank and food on my plate.

I've looked at other online surveys, but most of them just stack up points to eventually cut you a check.  They are tedious and take a LOT of time.  Pinecone seems to be one of the best, and they are selective about when they get new participants.  I got my head's up from FFF, a great daily deal site for Moms and families.

Next work-at-home gig?  Mystery Shopping!

(This picture cracks me up.  I promise it's not that exciting or glamorous.  However, I do wear shades and lurk in doorways.)

Pampered Chef for Profit?

Well, yesterday I went to my first Pampered Chef party.  It was great fun and very delicious!  I really had to control the urge to buy up all the nifty gadgets, but here is what I did snag:

Petite Bamboo Spoon Set ~ I thought these would be handy in dips and sauces for entertaining.  So cute and lil!

Small Spatula ~ My girlfriend said it literally changed her life, lol.  Or, it just makes slicing up brownies a lot easier.  We don't have anything like it, so, yes please.

Door Prize Freebie ~ Hooray! I never win anything! Well, I guess I can't say that anymore.  I picked this citrus peeler from the grab bag and am excited to try it out.

I only spent $9, and I'm pretty happy with my purchases.  However, this is what I was smitten with...

The Magic Baker!! Oh, it was magic alright.  The consultant threw some chicken breast and seasoning in there, stuck it in the microwave for 11 minutes, and PRESTO! Delicious and non-rubbering tasting chicken.  I was most impressed.  

Color Coated Knife - I long for a nice knife set, and these were perfect.

Now, I'm toying with the idea of hosting a party in the future to get a discount on some of these items.  I'm also really curious what the real take home pay is for starting consultants.  I'm not sure if I have the time and energy to put into something like this right now, but I'm interested in learning more.  The products do really seem to sell themselves, because I wouldn't want to be super pushy with people.  Hmmm...what do you think?