Mommy Space

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Running My Own Business

Guest post by Gerard Mcdaniel

I never knew much about running my own business until, well, I started running my own business. My dad had been a vet my whole life and he had his own practice so it only made sense that I’d follow in his footsteps and really make something of myself. Now that he’s retired I’ve taken over his old practice and you know, it’s been a lot of work learning how to be the boss. Between managing my staff and my patients and dealing with logistical stuff like bank card processing I’ve got my hands full. I know dad’s really proud of me for helping his practice thrive and I’ve got big plans for this place…I can’t wait to take this business to the next level and really become ingrained in the community. I had to go away after school and I didn’t move back until dad decided to retire but you know, I’m really glad I did. This was a great place to live and it’s going to be a great place to grow old.

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Win a Kindle!

Have you been dreaming of a Kindle, but lack the resources to purchase one? Perhaps you asked Santa for a Kindle but instead he brought you socks and a new skillet. I know the pain!

Don't give up on your dreams of owning a Kindle and soon! You could actually win one! Here are a couple blogging giveaways offering Kindles... one a Kindle Fire and the other a Kindle Keyboard (yes, a Kindle with a keyboard!) 3G with special offers. Pretty sweet!

Kindle Fire

Playing with Fire Event

Kindle Keyboard 3G with Special Offers

Love of Reading Giveaway

Good luck and happy reading!

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Saturday, January 21, 2012

Staying on Top of Your Credit Score

When was the last time you checked your credit rating? Some people (I'm not one of them) are ever-so-disciplined about checking their credit report every year... checking for inaccuracy, suspect activity, and inactive accounts that could be closed.

Given you can get a free credit score report online, there's really no excuse not to take a peak from time to time. I don't know if I'm lazy, or if I'm scared. lol In theory my credit rating should be pristine, but I know just enough about the real world we live in to know that it might be anything but.

Thanks to the Internet, checking my credit report can be done with a few clicks of a mouse, and yet... I've waited. I've known too many people who've found ugliness in their own reports. Those "issues" can take a lot of precious time to sort out... not my idea of fun. At the same time I'd be a fool to know check my credit report. I suppose it's sort of like going to the dentist. It's a maintenance thing... neglect never results in positive results.

We're hoping to buy a new home in the next couple years. Something with a little more room, a walk out basement, and more than one bathtub! lol I'd also like to think that if and when we need to replace our aging van, we'll be able to do so without a hitch. It's paid for and knows it. We put $2000 into it last Spring to keep it running, but at some point the upkeep won't justify the vehicle's worth, which last time I checked was around $3k!

When's the last time you checked your credit report?

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Thursday, December 22, 2011

LOVE animals

Guest post from: Jerald Hammond

Man, I know some people like animals but I LOVE animals. I can’t get enough of them! I got direct tv for the house not too long ago and I think it’s pretty much just permanently stuck on animal planet – I love that channel more than anything else. I can’t wait to finish school and finally be a vet like I’ve always wanted but you know, at the end of the day there’s something to be said for not having to wonder what you’re going to do with the rest of your life. If I wasn’t going to be a vet I’d work for the ASPCA or something like that – I always knew growing up it would be something with animals. Some people like to read and some like to cook and I just like to be in nature with some of my favorite furry friends. I better find a new hobby that doesn’t involve adopting strays, though, because I’ve already got far too many for one single person!

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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

How I Saved $20 on My Last Amazon.com Order

I'm a coupon code junky who does a whole lotta shopping on Amazon.com, but wouldn't you know you don't really find coupon codes for Amazon.com. Why? I imagine it's because they're already giving you a better price than you'll find at your local retailer. I save A LOT shopping through Amazon.com and it's not just the retail price that saves money. It's also their free super-saver shipping that wins me over every time.

But wait! There is a way to save extra moolah on Amazon.com! lol I actually saved $20 on my last order and have saved $90 since February accumulating Amazon.com gift cards through Swagbucks. Ok... what's that? lol

It's basically a search engine (like Google, Bing, Yahoo), but unlike the others, Swagbucks rewards it's users. You earn points by performing your Internet searches through their search engine. Pretty cool right? It's free too. No strings, no fees, no hassles or ugly surprises.

I've been swagging away since February and haven't had any complaints at all. I'm earning points doing what I do everyday. If I wasn't so into Amazon.com I could cash my points in for other cool prizes. There are hundreds of options... so if you're not hip on Amazon (although I can't imagine that!), you'll no doubt find a retailer or prize that perfectly suits you.

I recently wrote about how Swagbucks benefits me on another blog. If you'd like to check that out, just click here: Swagbucks is legitimate!

Happy Holidays and if you're not a Swagbucks user yet, do yourself a favor and check it out! Perhaps next year you'll have stashed away some cool gift cards or prizes to take some of the sting out of your holiday shopping. :)

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Friday, December 09, 2011

Fine Employment or Side Income in an Online Market Place

Maybe you're looking for a career change or simply need a part-time job? Perhaps you're a freelance writer and just need some new leads or a side income? Whatever your story may be, there's a new online service marketplace offering you a platform to sell your skills and abilities. Post your resume and get connected with prospective employers, in an online community... perhaps making a few friends along the way.

Networking is what it's all about these days. You may already belong to other social networking sites with the hopes of gaining new exposure in a competitive market where desirable jobs are increasingly scarce. SideSkills offers a networking opportunity along with the social community aspect, giving you more room to get to know one another, perhaps finding that new job you're dreaming of, or a contract for another writing or photography assignment.

If you're an employer looking for prospects, you'll be able to scour the SideSkills marketplace without cost or obligation. Get to know the faces behind the resumes from the comfort of your computer. Reach out to those individuals who seem to fit the bill, without cost or obligation. If you're looking to fill a post job vacancy or simply fill a short-term assignment, SideSkills may be a good place to start looking.

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Sunday, December 04, 2011

Christmas Cash Contest... What's Your Guess?

Not to increase the competition or anything... after all I'd sure like to win this giveaway myself, but I wanted to give big Kudos to "In Good Measure" for offering a Christmas cash giveaway that actually makes you work a little!

The Cash Sweepstakes for $250 in cash ends soon and the winner will be partially based on who provides the best guess to how many candy canes are on a tree. They provide the picture, even a video, you provide your best answer. Love it!

So, I guessed 583, but just for the record I'm not all that great at this sort of thing. I realized after I submitted my answer that I didn't do a great job at considering the sides of said tree... just considered the front and back. Given it's a 3-dimensional object, I think I goofed! Guess we'll find out!

I could use this cash... who couldn't right? I've been trying to spend less as of late in order to have a little extra cash this Christmas. Failed. I'm sort of a sucker when it comes to the little wants and needs of my kids. So, what's a mom to do, but enter a cool Christmas cash giveaway like this one?

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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Need Prescription Eyeglasses? Zenni Optical Affordable and Stylish

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Zenni Optical for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

When it comes to Zenni, the word affordable is an understatement. Yesterday I ran into a friend at church whom I'd recommended Zenni too after hearing of her laundry list of upcoming expenses. On that list was the need for a new pair of prescription eyeglasses. The ones she was wearing had set her back a couple hundred and had a lens defect that the retailer would not cover. Nice huh? She spent all that money and still couldn't see. Are you kidding me?

As she explained her situation to me I had to stop her short and tell her about the cheap eyeglasses at Zenni. Cheap yet fashionable and guess what? They work! Imagine that! lol For only $40 she found a great pair of eyeglasses that she absolutely loves. I got the treat of seeing her in them yesterday and loved the look! Her husband had been more than a bit skeptical of Zenni, but now he's telling her to get a second pair! lol

We've been using Zenni for a couple years now. With a 10 year old son who goes through the eyeglasses like ours does, Zenni is a lifesaver! The first year he was in glasses we went the brand name route and purchased from our eyecare provider. My husband spent well over $200 for our son's glasses, which broke three times inside of 12 months. Not only was that an expensive purchase and chain of repairs, but his eyes are changing every year anyway. It really didn't make sense to spend so much on a child's eyewear.

So, we thought we'd take the cheap route and try Zenni, not really expecting attractive eyewear. When they arrived in the mail I was floored. They looked amazing! For only $40, we had a pair of great looking prescription eyeglasses, with polycarbonate lenses, anti-glare, and a pop on lens shield for sunny days. You'd never know his glasses were purchased at such a bargain! Not only that, but his Zenni frames have never broke! Might be luck, not sure, but even if they were to break we could afford a brand new pair for just $5 less than a repair to those brand name glasses. Zenni is just a no brainer!

With the extra money we save on our son's eyeglasses we have more flexibility with things like Christmas! We're talking over $150 more than what we'd have had to play with if we'd bought his last pair of glasses at our local eyecare provider.

I LOVE this pair of eyeglasses I found on Zenni Optical's website! They're my color and so cute! Who would know this pair of glasses starts at less than $24? In today's economy this type of find is simply unheard of. Thanks Zenni!