GENEROUS

Getting the Business Tools You May Need For Less...

2013-03-20T21:10:15Z

than a night out on the town with girlfriends!

You may have had to place a limit on Girls Night Out (or stopped altogether) but you remember those times...$10 drinks, $12 appetizers and making it rain.....?

And the next thing you know, you were out $100.

Even if you were a little more conservative like me, which was mostly bitching about jobs I hated, people I disliked even more and that relationship from hell (more later on how to NOT mix love and finances with Mr. Right Now). I could still find my bank account lighter by $50-60 easily.

While I've made decent choices I could have done better by not wasting time and money. Sometimes, it is hard to determine when it's time to let your hair down and time to focus on the future but here is a little something that will have a big impact.

One thing that any business class, workshop, webinar or tutorial will tell you is that you must have a great understanding of marketing in order to be successful. Though it's not necessary to enroll at your local college, it does help to have the tools and resources necessary. Here is a deal I ran across for less than the cost of one unit at my school. Yes, ONE UNIT! The IndieBizChicks Moving Sale has a ton of information designed to help you create an effective marketing plan.

Work at Home Deals For Amazon Customers

2013-03-20T20:44:42Z

If you are a Amazon customer, here is your chance to save money on

some great e-books as well as get some great ideas on making money at home.

You may be like me where the days of spending lazy Sunday afternoons at Borders sipping an iced cappuccino and munching on peanut butter biscotti are a thing of the past. So books can get expensive and sometimes all you need are the bare facts. If you're on a budget, keep reading...

The good folks at Real Ways to Earn Money Online have taken the time to compile a cool library of WAH e-books written by a number of experts that may be downloaded for free (or less than $5) to your Amazon Cloud Reader. Titles deal with writing, sales, advertising, how to make extra money and more!

Heck, even if you've been thinking writing that Kindle book, I'm sure if you talk kind of nice, Anna will include you in the $!

More Craft Biz Resources

2013-03-08T01:53:12Z

If you've ever watched those DIY craft shows and know that your stuff looks a lot better but not sure how to market, then you may want to look into low-cost training classes you can try from the comfort of home.

Believe me, I've wasted time and money and Learning Annex (are they still around) and bought enough books to start my own library. Communicating with someone who understands both the marketing concept as well as how crafts can be promoted effectively makes a helluva difference.

And the great thing is that all materials cost less than most brands (like Martha and 'em) or trendy classes on the "hip" side of town. Sit in your jammies or that big comfy tee and learn how to get that arts and crafts biz off the ground.

(c)2013. All rights reserved.

Getting Ready For the Big Time

2013-03-08T01:34:05Z

Last semester had me about to pull my hair from the root. My hours at work were cut. I told one of my professors where to go after they chastised me for being late because my car broke down. Getting my thesis done without my usual resources had me wondering if the trouble was really worth it. Then I found an essay writing service that understood my situation.

See, I'm one of the few people out there that takes pride in what I do. No, I'm not popular at most of my jobs but I do like the feeling of knowing that attention to detail was used and not some rush job. Whether I'm flipping burgers during the lunch rush or researching the effects of sodium benzoate in the urban community, I like a job well done.

Some people look at price first and run with it. Or they stress themselves out looking for the cheapest price. I say that's academic suicide. If you knew how many people got burned and then found themselves burning out at the end of the semester, my goodness. Money is very hard to come by these days, so why not make it work for the better?

(c)2013. All rights reserved.

Cool Resources for Working at Home

2013-02-20T20:14:33Z

I hate the term WAHM not just because everyone needs to work but there are many dads out there facing the same $hit we're dealing with.

Okay...this is a blog I've been following for some time and though many of the leads are companies I, personally, am familiar with or have worked with there are quite a few gems here.

Here is the rundown of all the LEGIT WAHM sites that do not charge fees or take your through a maze of links, annoying videos, pictures of "cute" animals, etc.

Truthfully, I'm finding sites like these to be of greater worth than CareerBuilder, Monster and these days, craigslist.

I'm going to try out this list since I termed a couple of clients and have some time on my hands.

(c)2013. All rights reserved.

In Love and on a Budget

2013-02-12T19:42:04Z

According to Women's Day magazine, the average consumer spends around $100 for Valentine's Day. Of course, this goes up significantly when buying jewelry or paying for a wedding.

And you don't need me to tell you that the merchants do see you coming when it comes to the latter two events.

Now, I'm not here to say not to celebrate love or have a good time but there are many of us that have other priorities. Such as the light bill, food outside of a restaurant setting and too many other things to name.

The many alternatives could include eating a prepared meal at home (do not ask the person who normally does the cooking to cook, unless they volunteer and do not order pizza unless that what BOTH parties want).

Another fun thing is sex.

Yes, I know this site is changing gears but sometimes the only way we can have a clear head is with affection. Some of us can stand to improve our game and others may have lost their way altogether. Loveskills places the fun back in intimacy and the price is less than a bouquet of red roses and the rewards will last much longer.

Happy Love Day!

Want to Save $? Leave the Animals Alone

2013-01-30T19:48:15Z

Now, I love certain dishes too and I'm not trying to convert anyone into the vegetarian/vegan lifestyle but have you ever noticed how certain dishes don't feel as heavy in your stomach when they don't contain meat?

And if you've ever gone shopping, your wallet may feel a difference as well!

Recently, I bought some fish at my local chain store. Yeah, I know. That was my first mistake. I wanted salmon or chicken but settled on tilapia.

The service was horrid and the fish was so bad that I tossed it immediately.

Then I realized that making a veggie quesadilla would have been healthier. But then I'm trying to cut back on cheese.

Back when someone tried to influence me on going the vegan route, this was over 20 yrs. ago and the selections that were widely available tasted strange. The ones that resembled food cost a small fortune and were hard to find.

Thank goodness those days have changed.

So while I still enjoy my meats, I try to go organic or natural at certain stores that don't charge like crazy. In the meantime, it is nice to know that there are alternatives like Morningstar Farms.

Just add some sweet potato fries and garlic mayo and you've got a gourmet meal at home for a fraction of the price. And you didn't have to go out with some boring dude to get a good meal...just kidding!

(c)2013. All rights reserved.

When Money is Funny Monday

2013-01-28T22:19:57Z

Hey all!

Here are a couple of links I had to share. Many of you, like myself, work at home and though you may love having conference calls in that big, funky tee...there are other issues. Like a big, funky landlord or other bill collector that seems to make their presence known at the least convenient times.

So this article from Anna at Real Ways to Earn Money Online has some helpful tips.

I also have a few bits of personal knowledge that I will be sharing from time to time. One of the first is that if you do not have the Kindle app installed on your computer, get it now. For my classes last fall, I was able to download my marketing book for less than half of what the college bookstore was charging and unlike those rental services, I did not have to wait.

And though I'm missing Borders like crazy, where else are you going to find quality books for 99 cents or less?

(c)2013. All rights reserved.

Hate Your Bank? Then Fight Back!

2013-01-23T20:13:50Z

True story here. I belonged to a bank that is semi-local (they have branches outside Calif. but CA is in their name) and they were one of those that took in hard-luck cases (bounced checks, little credit history, etc.). Now, I've got no problem with this but why get people comfortable only to leave out the Vaseline?

Yep, I said it and meant it.

My bank was in the habit of processing debits before credits. This way, if your account overdrew, they could get more fees out of you. And to the tune of $35 per charge, you can best believe that I began doing my homework.

It started when I had one of those "wonderful" government jobs and the payroll person forgot to enter my hours for the pay period. Though I had to go to her boss to get an advance check cut, this caused a hold on my account but the bank continued to process my debits.

After it was all done, I had less than $100 to my name.

So I began to speak out and without my getting too crazy, I found that many things are not company policy but at the discretion of the operations officer or branch president.

The one at the branch closest to me hated me with a passion. The reason why is that I opened an IRA and withdrew from it - quite often. In fact, he once let me know that he really did not care for my taking advantage of the interest rate for my trillions of dollars that I got working for the school system.
So instead of sticking my tongue out, I began to watch my statements (as opposed to running from them) and monitor what was happening.
One day, I would luck up as Mr. Branch Prez returned an ATM deposit but did not state the reason. So I called the corporate office and told them what happened and that there were many checks that were going to bounce or OD.

By the time HQ got through with that branch, I was ahead by about $200.

The side eye he gave me when I entered was priceless but it was also my cue to take my business elsewhere. I would close all of my accounts in 2010.

One day in mid-2011, I get one of those postcards in the mail that says that I qualify to participate in a class action lawsuit being filed by former customers of UBOC. There was mention of unfair practices, etc. so of course, I'm game.

It took about 9-12 months after submitting the card but Santa did think of me a little this past Christmas.

If you are a person who hates to deal with the bank, do not give into the pressure of being hounded by fees. Keep all receipts and transaction records always. And don't assume that because you made some financial mistakes that you should accept condescending behavior from bank employees. YOU ARE THE REASON THEY HAVE A JOB!

(c)2013. All rights reserved.

Making Wise Investments in Education

2013-01-18T18:49:12Z

You know what it is you want to do and why you want to do it but when there is a house to take care of, kids to raise and taking time out for self, writing a dissertation may have to wait. Or you can take a page from some of the single mothers I met last semester that used essay writing services.

Face it, returning to school is hard - even if you're attending trade school. However, the higher a person chooses to go on the food chain, this means more time in the books. And chances are, this is time you may not have.

This was a real lesson on life as some chose to take the cheap way out. Now, I'm the coupon queen and all for negotiating with a merchant to save a few dollars. But I would never hire someone for $1 and hour who was not familiar with the native language.

Yep, some people went there. And had the nerve to be surprised that they had to get someone to edit it or they were up all night editing (and researching) themselves. I once waited a month before the deadline to research a term paper and all I can say is NEVER AGAIN!

So for those returning to school for a better life, staggering your time will leave you less stressed and ready to move ahead so you can get that money.

(c)2013. All rights reserved.

Staying in Shape During the Recession

2013-01-17T20:06:57Z

Many of us swear that when we "enjoy our staycation" after working hard for many years, we will get a fitness regimen going.

Oh really? How are those cupcakes coming along? Did those sweats give out yet?

Noto be mean but you've probably fallen into the trap. First, sleeping in late. Second, Eating what you want. And not keeping fit during work hours.

My issue was having snack foods while chatting with clients vie Skype or Google. My logic was that it was better that watching Springer as I was looking to make income for myself. However, I realized that the reason I worked so hard before was that I wanted to move to a better neighborhood where I could walk in peace.

So what were the alternatives? As a I yearned for the salary that could allow me to shop at Whole Foods once a month, I found solace in eating more veggies. Not the organic kind but getting more creative. I found that ordering Dominos custom pizzas with the cracker-thin crust saves calories and that herbal tea is an inexpensive alternative to flavored (unsweetened) water.

I also learned that sluggishness brought on by excessive white flour, oil and sugar affected my biz game. It took longer to focus and settle with clients from hell.

Speaking of, once they have been satisfied and you've been paid, time for a drink right?

My issue was working too many consecutive days so by Day 10, I was ready for several shots of something strong. By not letting clients dictate your schedule, you can pace yourself accordingly (e.g. a wine cooler on work nights, cocktails at the end of a large project).

Since the economy is changing and many of us are taking different routes to make money, it's important to stay on top of things. Not to preach but I hate to hear about people bringing their old habits to the virtual world and they stay losing.

Stay tuned.

Getting Better with the Best

2012-12-22T04:48:34Z

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of © Blue Shield of California for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

You've probably heard the old saying 'You get better, not older' or some variation of this because someone felt the need to remind you that you are no longer young.

The flip side to this is that we cannot do everything ourselves to be a better person. Problem is getting the right team of players that are actually on your side.

For instance, many of us hate to visit the doctor because we HATE to hear the following -

1) We're too fat,

2) We should have come earlier, or

3) The Dr. tells you there is no diagnosis but here is some concoction you must take along with the bill.

Dr. Jim and Bob's Fun & Helpful Health Advice is not about getting your money or making you feel bad.

Blue Shield CA is about getting the right guidance so that you will feel better about life in general. No one wants to be in pain,constantly sleepy or confused about a change in their body that wasn't there months ago.

And they offer many plans and types of practitioners to choose from. For those seeking alternative or holistic methods of healthcare, this is the perfect place because the practitioners work together on a solution. This is their first priority since they are a non-profit that actually cares!

If You're Tired of Bill Collectors and $hit... Check this out

2012-12-20T22:08:29Z

If times have become hard to where you are tired of looking at cold sandwiches or sardines for dinner (no, they are NOT better with the right condiments...they are STILL sardines)...

Or those lovely bill collectors that harass you (AGAIN) for more money after telling them that you still work part-time and had to move back home?

GENEROUS has had many successful years but it's now time for a slight change .

Get money to take better care of self! That's all there is to it.

And we're not talking about some shady schemes or any BS like that. I don't co-sign with it nor do I refer it to my friends (even if you are virtual).

I'm talking about providing resources and feedback to help you and those you care about life a more productive life by earning and saving more money!

We will have business resources, "experts" that have turned a sour lemon into marmelade (or chutney, if you prefer).

While we are still targeted to women and their needs, we realize that more than five years later...the MAN does not necessarily have control over us and it's time to spread the word.

So stay tuned for a bigger and better GENEROUS in 2013!

Mad, Mad Mama - Is Social Media the New "Village"

2012-12-08T21:57:56Z

I'm sure you've heard the old saying that it takes a village to raise a child but the damn problem is that the village is filled with idiots or their children are worse off than yours.

If you're like me and grew up in a single parent household, you probably hated those neighbors and others who seemed to be spying on you and somehow, your Mom knew when you snuck boys in the house, played your boombox too loud or were just out there acting up while she was at work. And teachers actually cared...a little.

Now, there were some parents who managed to move their families to the 'burbs back in the day when they felt their village falling apart. Old ladies who once told on you were now dealing in dope, the old, sweet retired man was a perv or there were just a few people in the neighborhood that your mom didn't know - nor did they care to.

So fast forward to the 21st Century where the safest person on your block is probably here illegally and not going anywhere soon because they have a coyote to pay off and anyone can learn just about anything by using their computer.

What about discipline?

These days, we see extremes that range from trying to be that child's best friend to near-fatal rituals that are reported on the evening news. But using social media?

It seems to be a growing trend as parents from all backgrounds are filming and uploading videos of their children holding up signs for all to see describing their past behavior. Courtesy of Clutch Mag.

THIS IS THE LAST INSTALLMENT OF MAD, MAD MAMA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Unwind with Hpnotiq

2012-12-05T03:28:05Z

This post brought to you by Hpnotiq. All opinions are 100% mine.

Hey ladies, who says it's not right to act a fool after a long week at the job?

And dealing with kids and other resposibilities?

Let me tell you something. You don't need a drink but an experience with Hpnotiq.

If you can taste the Blue Sparkler drink above this text, then that means you and your friends are ready to see what Primp & Prep is all about and why you must tell your best friend and co-workers about it.

Do you remember your last girl's night out? If you do, that means it's time for another one!

You how it's done. Get some of your best girlfriends together, including that one that always says she's too busy or her feet hurt so she can't dance. Get that Pandora Player going for that hair down music up! and your friend will suddenly forget about her bunions.

Looking good and having fun should not have limitations so you owe it to yourself and your friends a night out on the town where discussing stressful topics is forbidden.

I mean really, who wants to do the regular old happy hour and talk about people that aggravate us. Not to mention, having to watch what you say in the presence of co-workers.

So with all that you put into having a quality, you should reward yourself with good times!

You must be 21 years or older to drink alcoholic beverages and as always, please remember to drink responsibly

If It's Money You Are Looking For...

2012-12-04T21:08:11Z

then join the club, baby! The man says that there's money out there and I'm tired as hell of bill collectors calling me for a shakedown.

Being charged interest is bad enough but when they continue to call, there's only one way out of it and you're not going to get there watching Springer and 'em!

Seriously, GENEROUS has an upcoming announcement that will please many of you that are looking for work, need to make more money or want to establish yourself as a viable brand. In recent networking and speaking to others away from the screen, there's going to be a slight change or two that hopefully will benefit you also as we have in mind to make this a meeting place for women and minority business owners.

The same attitude will remain as we won't promote stereotypes or praise those who got paid laying on their backs (unless it was for a good social cause more than 30 yrs. ago, LOL).

So if you want a place to promote your biz or you are looking for work-at-home, writing and other legit opportunities, stay tuned!

For now, here are a couple of things from our friends at IndieBizChicks and Artella that may be of inspiration for a more prosperous year.

Me and ACV...The Journey Continues

2012-11-20T04:38:54Z

This is just a short summary of how my cleansing with raw apple cider vinegar is going.

Once again, this is not a sponsored post but I have to say that Braggs is the best to use if you're serious about cleansing. The only other one I've had exposure to is the General Nutrition Center (GNC) brand. I got that brand because they were out of the Braggs brand and I had grown immune to the pre-mixed drink. The price was slightly less but there was almost no "performance".

However, there was one ACV forum I read where the person said she cheated during the first week of using ACV. I did too during this time. My b-day was in October (thanks to FB friends who wished me well) and I love prime rib with all the trimmings. Wasn't my original choice but that entire week just happened to be a red meat fest, which really isn't like me.

So in other words, if you're going to do this, you may want to take it easy on red meat,pork (or processed meat) and dairy products. For me, the latter is hardest to give up but I make adjustments accordingly.

I make it kind of strong with 1/4 cup of ACV w/one small water bottle and one tsp of honey. Never had use for blackstrap molasses (which is what some recommend) but the honey provides nutrients. If you've got money to burn or watching your glycemic levels, then try agave nectar.

My periods have calmed down and I'm still losing weight.

(c)2013. All rights reserved.

GENEROUS 'zine is now half-off!

2012-11-13T20:59:18Z

Yep...it's been a minute but we think it's time to step away from the drawing board and get back to business.

From today until 12/31/12, you can buy old issues of GENEROUS at our Etsy store for 50% off or less!!!

No we are not certified crazy but we do have some immediate changes on the horizon. Stay tuned!

Getting Hitched, Jumping the Broom...and Making THAT Move

2012-10-14T03:58:06Z

Marriage is nothing to be taken lightly as many cultures would have their jaws drop to the ground as they may see us crazy Americans having our pets present at the ceremony, giving a high-five instead of a kiss and other gestures like skydiving or dressing up in Halloween costumes.

While we may think that a bride price may not go over to well with most modern couples (especially since many of us women have to work, it is not an option), there is a lot to be said for the couple that truly loves one another and not running from a shotgun.

And then there's amount of money spent on weddings. Not just celebrity couples or royalty that may host a wedding as a major event in a country but just regular people who take out loans to tell the world that they love each other. What's wrong with DIY, people?

So here's a chart that I encourage you share with your spouse, friends and anyone else that finds the tradition of matrimony to be of interest.

Or you can use it to tell that special someone what's on your mind. No pressure but you don't know if you don't ask, right?

Presented By Moissanite.com visit moissanite.com

(c)2013. All rights reserved.

Me and ACV...the Raw Kind

2012-09-30T02:40:06Z

Also known as Apple Cider Vinegar, I've got quite a tale to share as this should only be taken from a consumer POV and not a substitute for medical advice. And this is NOT a sponsored post.

In the past few years, I've had quite a bit of bleeding and gaining weight. My stress levels have been pretty high and I may have mentioned that my bleeding got so bad that I admitted myself to ER a couple of yrs. ago.

Thing was the docs, most of whom were not even born when I graduated in the 80s were able to help me. I'm bleeding clots that fill up the palm of my hand and all you care about is Borderline/Stage 1 High Blood Pressure and getting me on meds!

Now think about it. You're in a place that is crowded where you are forced to wait because you have an obvious problem. There's your first source of stress. Then your name/number is called and you literally have to run to get the announcer's attention. Your heart is going to pump a little harder. Number two. Tired, bleeding, drained...and wondering if you should've stayed home and let it run its course. Ding ding ding!

So while I got on Fish Oil/Omega 3 to control the HBP (they forced/prescribed some stuff that made me feel worse than before). I still bled and sometimes the only way I could feel sane was to take Advil. It controlled the bleeding and I felt pretty damn good. I also searched for an alternative or holistic health specialist since I don't trust many docs these days. Traditional healthcare facilities wanted to perform HRT since I'm over 40.

Then something strange happened. I began losing weight out of nowhere. A few clients left me out there, my credit card companies and landlord love charging fees and I felt I was drowning. So I assumed I was on the Stress Diet by default.

One day while out with family, my standby black skirt nearly fell to my knees. While many women would kick up their heels at such a moment, I was confused because my gut was bigger than before.

First, I attributed this to PMS, then just assumed it was undigested food. My only solution was to make my coffee stronger and maybe have a Newport. No such luck except my bum burned.
Then I noticed a symphony going on in my tummy. As the days passed, it got louder and painful to where I had to go often and began to leak a little.

I took Emergen-C which helped a little but those little packets are expensive and since I sold my bucket, getting to Trader Joe's is not easy.

Then I began to read about how GI problems should be dealt with directly. After a week of wondering if I should just try regular vinegar (which is cheaper) or just go organic (still less money), I tried the ACV drinks.

Now, at first I did not realize they were just 1-2 servings per bottle but it was pretty tasty. I drank one half and mixed in a tsp of baking soda for the other half.

It smelled to high heaven but damn, if it wasn't effective.

It took a few more before I noticed the spider veins disappear on my belly which went from looking like I was ending my 2nd trimester to just being extra full.

Yet, over time I stopped leaking and when my fibroid broke loose (or shrink), I did not feel drained. Though I'm not much for getting on a scale, I noticed that on days I have my drink (which I now make from scratch with honey) I don't have an appetite nor am I weary.

My feet also stopped swelling and my thinking has been more clear. Now I'm giving this a another couple of weeks to make my tummy fully disappear.

If that doesn't happen, I will see a medical professional. And I will keep you posted.