Skip to main content

America Saves Week Day Four

Did you know that my youngest child was born the same year as the web? She is 27. That makes me a little older than 27. 

I find it interesting that there is an entire generation that does not remember what it was like before the internet existed. But we are not here to talk about that. This week we are talking about saving, because today is day four of America Saves Week, and we are celebrating!

Thanks to the internet, almost 20 years ago I started selling on Ebay. I did not make tons of money selling items on the side, but I did alright. About two years later, I discovered third-party selling on Amazon. I didn’t do too badly there. Having this “side gig” helped me get out of debt and save like never before.

I have a friend whose daughter LOVES dogs. She has opened her own doggie daycare, if you will. She is more than supplementing her income–it’s become her family’s main revenue stream.

I have always suggested that everybody needs a home-based business if for nothing else but the tax breaks you can get. Just check with your tax professional to make sure everything is on the up and up.

Find something you like to do and see how you can monetize it. Keep in mind there are probably going to be some home-based business restrictions and to check with your local government to find out.

“Confucius say, ‘Choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.’” I say do something you love as a side gig and see where it takes you. I mean, why not? What have you got to lose?



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Know Your Limits

When I was 17, I drove a 73 Nova. It used to be really easy to do things like changing taillights myself. That is no longer the case. If I tried that on my later-model vehicle (which is more like a computer than a car), I’d do more damage than good, because there are some thing you should just not do yourself. It will cost you more in the long run. That being said, there are probably some things that you usually pay someone else to do that are not getting done right now. My advice is to just be patient; depending on what it is and your skill level, it might end up costing you more to fix your mistakes. Let’s discuss some of those… Obviously, most if not all car repairs are just better done by a licensed, trained professional, including oil changes. They can also correctly dispose of used petroleum products. Depending on your tax filing status, a professional can help you avoid overpaying the IRS. I remember cutting my daughter’s hair when she was little, and I made a me...

Gifts that Matter

When I think about my childhood, there are a few events (some good, some not so good) that really stand out. These specific incidents made big impacts on me, so they really stuck. I bet you can say the same thing. These encounters, good and bad, help shape who we are. As parents, it is our job to teach our children to be honest, upstanding, contributing members of society. This does not happen by accident. Part of this process involves the experiences we give our children–we can orchestrate PEAK moments for our families that will leave lasting impressions on young, impressionable minds. What is a PEAK moment? According to de Jager Meezenbroek, Garssen, van den Berg, van Dierendonck, Visser, and Schaufeli in the Journal of Religion and Health , “Peak experiences are often described as transcendent moments of pure joy and elation. These are moments that stand out from everyday events.” Christmas offers an EXCELLENT opportunity to offer experiences that can become “PEAK moments” in ...

Greener Pastures

Those of you who have been following me for some time now know I am a warm-weather person. Spring is one of my favorite times of the year. I COME ALIVE when Daylight Saving Time starts. As far as I’m concerned, LIGHT IS LIFE. And that proclamation is a perfect segue into today’s topic. As the days get longer and warmer, most venture outside a little more and hibernate less. So it’s the perfect time to adjust our schedules and homes that can help save the planet and some of our hard-earned money. How? Well, there are lots of little things you can do that, added up, can make a huge difference. Switch out your regular light bulbs for LEDs. If you plan to buy a new appliance, purchase one with the ENERGY STAR seal and recycle your old one. Insulate your doors and windows. Save rainwater to water your landscape in the drier days ahead. Use the sun to dry your laundry by hanging it on a clothesline. Want more ideas? Google is LOADED with suggestions! Get the whole family involved and m...