Tips to Earn Extra Money and Stretch Your Dollar
(ARA) – With items like gas and groceries at record highs, it seems that virtually everyone is feeling the crunch from the increased cost of living. Many American families have been re-evaluating their budgets and contemplating ways to increase cash flow and still enjoy time with their nearest and dearest. As the cost of living increases and the holiday season draws near, it is worth looking at entrepreneurial ways to help ensure that your cash flow doesn’t fall short.
Believe it or not you can be your own boss and work part-time.
One way to earn extra money and still have a social life is to combine the two. Many popular brands have a direct selling arm, so you can become a consultant for them. For example, The Body Shop At Home is a business that is different, which allows consultants to throw parties and sell their favorite products, and represent a business that shares their own personal values. Consultants have flexible scheduling options and work as little or as much as they want hosting parties that feature a broad line of The Body Shop products, including some exclusives that can’t be bought anywhere else.
“Women and even men enjoy shopping this way because they get all their personal products in one place so as well as all the other great benefits they also save gas money,” says Jo Price, sales director for The Body Shop At Home. “Also they have the added benefit of knowing they are making a difference through their purchase. Many of the products contain Community Trade ingredients bought from small-scale farmers at a fair price, giving them a stable income and hope for the future. This means that every time you sell a product you know that you are supporting communities who would otherwise struggle to make a living wage, so when you buy The Body Shop At Home products you get the added feel-good factor of knowing you’re buying high quality beauty items made through fair business practices.”
“Additionally, the exclusive products we sell are really great and are something customers get really excited about because they can’t find them in stores or anywhere else. For example, the Rich Plum bath and body range is a best seller along with the Shimmer Cubes eye shadows, made with Community Trade Marula Oil. For the one stop makeover, women love the exclusive Eye, Lip and Cheek Palette that has everything you need for day or night. This job really allows women to do something they enjoy, be their own boss, and feel good about how they earn my money.”
If you’re looking for additional ways to earn or save cash, there are many options. Try having a garage sale, sell your items on eBay or to a second-hand store. When shopping, plan out your trips and stick to a budget. You might even consider trading services with someone. For example, offer childcare services in exchange for a neighbor fixing a leaky faucet.
For more information about becoming a Consultant for Then Body Shop at Home visit www.TheBodyShopatHome.com, call (866) 775-8049 or e-mail AtHomeLeads@TheBodyShop.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
A brief in Wednesday’s Life, etc., section misstated chef Lorena Garcia’s role in Miami restaurant Elements Tierra. Garcia no longer owns the restaurant.
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Telemundo star chef Lorena Garcia will be cooking this weekend at local Belk stores to highlight her new line of cookware and housewares products. Garcia, a Johnson & Wales culinary school graduate, has trained all over the world and owns a fusion restaurant, Elements Tierra, in Miami.
At 1 p.m. Sunday, she will be at Belk in The Streets of Southpoint in Durham, then at 3:30 p.m. at Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh. Each demonstration will be followed by a question-and-answer session.
Grocer fights breast cancer
Buying your fruits and veggies at Harris Teeter grocery stores can help raise money for breast cancer research.
All month, “Pink Ribbon Produce” will be clearly marked in all Harris Teeter stores, and a portion of those sales will be donated to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure local affiliates.
C’est Halloween, kiddies
C’est Si Bon cooking school in Chapel Hill is offering a Halloween-themed cooking class for children Oct. 25.
The class is designed for children ages 8 to 14 with beginning to intermediate cooking skills. The class runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costs $75. For more information or to make a reservation, call 942-6550.
Read More:News & Observer
‘Tis the Season for Easy and Affordable Handcrafted Gifts
(ARA) – The holiday season is a memorable time associated with fun, family and lots of presents. As you consider what to give the people on your gift list, why not try something different this year?
Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores suggests, “Let’s make Christmas!” Handmade gifts are a trend across the country due to their highly personal nature and the fact that they often cost less than store bought items.
“This holiday, forget about that boring or expensive store-bought present. Handmade gifts are more popular than ever, and for good reason,” says Susan Atchison, manager of trend development for Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. “In the current economic climate, people are turning to crafting presents to save money and are discovering that these gifts are so unique that they’re often the gifts that are remembered most.”
Atchison explains that many great gifts can be made for less than $25. She advises aspiring crafters to choose a favorite project and make things in quantities. You’ll save even more money because you buy the supplies and then split the cost. Consider gathering a few friends or family members and creating a gift-making get together! You’ll get crafts done efficiently and spend quality time with the ones you love.
Here are some ideas to inspire you in creating homemade gifts this year:
*An apron is easy to personalize for the baker, chef or grill master.
For the top chef of the family, consider buying a basic apron and decorating it to appeal to their personality. Add that famous family recipe in fabric marker to the front, a clever cooking saying, or even handprints of the grandkids. They are sure to love how unique and useful it is.
* Personalized note cards are fun, festive and useful.
There are always times you need a card to send out to a loved one. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a supply readily at hand? This is a useful gift you can create for anyone from mother to teacher to mail carrier. Buy blank cards and envelopes and decorate with a variety of coordinating papers, ribbons and stamps. You can keep them general or create cards for different occasions such as birthdays and holidays for use throughout the year.
* For the host or hostess who always gives their all.
Traditionally, you might consider sewing a wine bag and bring a bottle of wine to your next holiday gathering. But why not step it up and make a bag for that baguette you’re bringing or a nice container for the appetizer you were assigned for the pot luck?
* Clever pet toys keep furry friends happy.
Creating a gift for the family pet or for your friend who loves animals is the perfect way to show you care. Cat toys can easily be made out of leather and feather pieces. Add a bell and some catnip for some extra pizzazz. Dogs also love homemade toys, just make sure they can stand up to tougher play — rope and thick material work best.
* Deck the halls and deck your friends with stylish clothing and accessories.
Winter-themed clothing is great during the cold months and homemade items are the most cherished. A fleece scarf in a bright color will not only keep the wearer warm, but brighten the wardrobe. Knit hats and mittens are trendy in fashion circles and useful too. Even a hand-sewn fleece poncho can keep your favorite outdoor walker warm during brisk morning jaunts.
* Religious-themed gifts get kids involved.
A homemade gift incorporating the recipient’s religion is something that will definitely stand out. For example, making your own menorah out of fun colored paper and flameless tea lights is an easy and safe gift for a child. When giving, you can explain how the item ties into the time of year and help them to learn about the real reason for the celebration.
* Add a little sparkle to make the season merry and bright.
Nothing brings out the brilliance of the season more than the shimmer of holiday decor. From shiny, handcrafted ornaments and beaded tabletop trees, to sparkling votive holders or a joyful holiday planter, anyone on your list can celebrate in style with these decorations made just for them.
For more ideas and project instructions for homemade gifts, visit your local Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
New services allow drivers to get body repairs and paint jobs on their cars without leaving their driveways.
(NewsUSA) - A minor accident in a parking lot, a too-close encounter with another car’s door. Small dents and scratches hurt cars’ resale value, but few owners make repairs.
When damages cost less than their deductible, many drivers would rather pay out-of-pocket than see an increase in their insurance rates. Other car owners simply feel too busy to take their vehicle to a collision repair shop, where they might be expected to leave their car for several days.
The average driver keeps their car for nine years. Minor accidents are on the rise, and yet, dent and scratch repair work remains stagnant. Many people simply cannot pay increased insurance premiums or take precious time from their busy schedules. So, minor dings, dents and scratches remain eyesores on people’s cars.
But new companies have perceived a need and taken steps to fill it. One company, “Collision on Wheels, We Come to You!,” started out as a traditional body shop. Since becoming a mobile body shop on wheels, the company has become a national franchise.
The company sends qualified technicians to people’s homes, where they provide same-day paint, scratch, dent and minor collision repairs. Their technicians use the same equipment found in any indoor body shops and use protective covers when it rains or snows. Collision on Wheels uses high-quality, environmentally safe paints. Technicians can repair most minor dents, scratches or abrasions within half a day.
The company does support insurance claims. Although many repairs cost less than deductibles, car owners often choose to skip the paperwork, adjustments and other hassles for the sake of a dent-free car.
Collision on Wheels provides a great option for busy Americans who have little time to visit a traditional body shop. Repair of small dents and dings before selling or turning in a lease can also increase resale value.
Small accidents happen. The good news is that a scratch or dent that happens in two seconds doesn’t mean having to leave your car in a body shop for days anymore. With services like Collision on Wheels, drivers can get body repair and paint service from their home or office.
For more information, visit www.collisiononwheels.com.
(ARA) – From Star Wars stamps to Pez dispensers, collectors all over the world scour everything from auctions to antique festivals searching for pieces equal to the “holy grail” in their collectible categories. What drives them? For some, it’s the thrill of the hunt. For others, it’s having the most prized possession in the palm of their hands. For all, however, it’s the camaraderie amongst like collectors looking for that same big find.
For the avid collector or amateur, the world’s most devout — fanatics of Fiesta Dinnerware — share their secrets to building a collection that will make your collecting comrades green with envy.
Determine your goals
There are two goals in collecting: buying what you love and buying what will resell at a higher price. First, determine if you love to collect this item or if you plan to buy, sell or even trade. Then collect accordingly, says Wendy English of Arizona. English is literally “driven” by her love of Fiesta. Vanity plates on both her vehicles are: FIESTA1 and LVDISHES.
Pick your passion
People start collections for as many reasons as there are items to collect — nostalgia, as a means of investment and carrying on a tradition. For Harvey Linn of North Carolina, it’s personal. He ate off of a Fiesta plate (always Cobalt blue) at his grandmother’s house in the mid 1960s. With her passing in 1986, he found that same, now vintage, plate and became a collector of his grandmother’s beloved dinnerware.
Do your homework
If you don’t know much about the category you’re collecting, you might be duped when purchasing a coveted item. Know the value of certain items, how rare they are compared to others and what conditions are acceptable for resale, especially if you plan to sell or trade.
Make friends
What better way to find the latest and greatest information about your collectables than from your peers? Join a club dedicated to your desires. You’ll find everything you want to know about the category and you’ll make friends that share your passion.
Display the prize
Don’t make the mistake of storing items in a cardboard box in the garage. Maintain them by keeping them out where you and others can enjoy them. And what better way to keep inventory of what you have and need? However, be sure to keep fragile and extremely rare items behind glass or in cases to keep them from being broken or soiled.
Display by theme, style or time period
To create an eye-catching display, look for commonalities like color or time period. English collects only vintage pieces and displays them by the place setting in her kitchen. “I have a set in every color, except Sapphire,” she says. While shelving or cabinets are ideal, some collectors designate entire rooms to their collections. “It really depends on the size of your items, and overall collection,” adds English.
Don’t settle
Settling for a specific piece that is less than perfect is a big mistake. For instance, don’t purchase the sugar bowl sans lid — it will surely disappoint. Most collectors buy an item thinking they’ll find the missing lid or accessory, which is rarely the case. Purchase only intact, well-maintained pieces for the best return on investment.
Look for “numbered” items or limited editions
Linn collects for quality, not quantity. “I used to pick up odds and ends,” he says. “Now, I only buy numbered or special edition items.”
Shop “secondary” markets
Linn looks to the Internet, online shopping sites and even blogs for hard-to-find pieces. “I look for items made in a year ending in five or zero,” he says. This year, Fiesta collectors are buzzing about the first of three anniversary collections. Considered an American icon, the brand turns 75 in 2011. “When there is a limited color collection with special back-stamp, it makes the collecting community very happy,” he says. Today, the 75th anniversary mixing bowls are available at retail stores, but next year the item retires and says Linn, “will trickle into secondary markets and become the newest must-have.”
HP is leading the way through microenterprise development.
(NewsUSA) - As many entrepreneurs in America know, starting up a small business and finding long-term success can be an incredibly difficult task. According to the “Monthly Labor Review,” only 44 percent of small businesses survive more than four years -; leaving 56 percent that may have the drive to excel but just can’t make ends meet.
Small businesses are very important to America’s working economy, however. The “Monthly Labor Review” also reported that small businesses employ half of all private-sector employees and generate 60 to 80 percent of net new jobs annually. Because one of the big reasons that small businesses become successful is an ample supply of capital, more big businesses are realizing that investing in microenterprises -; businesses that have five or fewer employees and seed capital of $35,000 or less -; not only improves the chance of hard-working businesses reaching their own goals, but it also improves the country’s overall economic growth.
Larger corporations like HP, itself a garage start-up nearly 70 years ago, recognize the important role these businesses play in the economy and the community. And HP recently awarded more than $5 million in cash, equipment and training resources to non-profit organizations serving small businesses in underserved communities across the globe.
The Microenterprise Development Grants provide start-up assistance, business training, access to capital and advice to entrepreneurs and very small businesses in underserved communities. The awards are focused on providing technology access for entrepreneurs and training for microentrepreneurs in the use of technology to build and grow their businesses.
In the United States, the HP Microenterprise Development Grants are worth $56,000 and include office items such as HP wireless notebook computers, printers, digital cameras, digital projectors and $20,000 in cash to be used toward the purchase of relevant software, equipment configuration and other expenses. Recipient organizations also receive the HP-sponsored small business technology training curriculum, “Smart Technology for a Smarter Business,” and are included in a learning community of HP Microenterprise Development Program grant recipients, facilitated by the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO).
“HP is improving economic viability and quality of life for individuals and communities around the world through investments of HP resources and technology,” said Yvonne Hunt, vice president of Global Philanthropy for HP. “These grants represent one channel for us to support economic development to accelerate entrepreneurial growth and success.”
With the efficiency and effectiveness of microenterprises improving daily with help from big business, entrepreneurs can start making their small business dreams a reality. For more information, visit http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/grants/us/programs/microenterprise/recipients.html.
Invest in an Industry that’s Seeing Growth
(ARA) – “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.” In the first few lines of “A Tale of Two Cities,” Charles Dickens was referring to conditions in the years leading up to the French Revolution; but he could just as easily have been writing about society today.
While we live in one of the most prosperous countries in the world, many Americans have in some way been negatively affected by problems with the current economy. The credit crunch has persisted despite aggressive Federal Reserve interest rate cuts; retail sales are down; thousands are concerned about losing their homes due to the sub prime mortgage crisis; and gas is so expensive, a lot of people have been forced to park their cars for the foreseeable future.
As if those problems weren’t bad enough, many Americans go from day to day fearing they may lose their jobs. For Shawn Crawford, 38, of Brownsburg, Ind., a suburb of Indianapolis, you could say the writing was on the wall. He used to be the director of operations for a physician group that operated 30 doctor’s offices across the state of Indiana.
“I was responsible for set up, business development and customer service,” he says. “At first I found the job very rewarding, but once the economy started to get bad and the rapid expansion stopped, it reached a point where I feared my own job was about to be eliminated.”
Instead of waiting around to see what would happen, Crawford decided to follow his dream to start his own business. In July of 2006, he quit his job with the physician’s group and became a consultant; but spent every spare moment researching business opportunities.
“I wanted to do something that would capitalize on my experience and help people at the same time,” he says. “I figured people want to look good, feel good and be healthy, so why not open a gym?” But when he started looking into the costs involved in such a venture he became discouraged, that is until he came across some research that showed huge growth potential in health and fitness franchising. According to the International Health and Racket Sport Club Association, while the average growth rate for fast food franchises stands at 20 percent, the fitness sector’s five-year growth has been an impressive 144 percent.
There are a lot of health and fitness franchises out there, but the one Crawford decided to go with was Snap Fitness, a Minnesota-based fast-growing franchisor of compact, state-of-the-art 24/7 fitness centers in Canada and the United States. “The thing I liked best about Snap initially was their business model was pretty much turn-key,” says Crawford. “Unlike a traditional business start-up which would have required a lot of research, development and capital investment on my part, they did all the work for me.”
After he paid his franchise fee and found the perfect location, Snap Fitness provided the blueprint he needed to follow to get his business up and running. He was assigned a project manager who helped him every step of the way.
“The process was laid out and very easy to follow,” explains Crawford. “Snap provided everything I needed to get started – plans for the club design, access to vendors who would sell me the right equipment at a deep discount, all the tools I needed to set up my company Web site and the marketing materials I needed to get the word out.”
Snap also provided the financing, and today handles billing, security and other operational and marketing support for Crawford’s club, which opened for business in October of 2007 and now has about 900 members.
When people ask him for advice about franchising, Crawford advises them to do some investigative work. Talk to a business broker, pick up and read copies of Entrepreneur and the Wall Street Journal, and when they’re ready to proceed contact a franchisor like Snap Fitness directly. Most franchisor Web sites provide rich information about the business model, financial requirements and much more, and they grant access to executives and franchisees during your discovery process.
“We understand what a big decision opening a franchise can be, and that’s why I personally meet weekly with prospective franchisees to answer questions and help them make a decision that’s right for them,” says Snap Fitness CEO Peter Taunton.
“I followed the plan Snap gave me, and I’m quite pleased with my financial success, says Crawford, who is set to open his second Snap Fitness club sometime in April of 2008.
To learn more about this business opportunity, log on to www.SnapFitness.com and click on the link that says “Franchise Opportunities.”
Courtesy of ARAcontent
EDITOR’S NOTE:
If you would like help localizing this story, contact Snap Fitness’ marketing communications director Patrick Strait at 952-426-7173 or via e-mail at pstrait@snapfitness.com.
CARY, N.C. – Larry Dunlap, managing partner of Haircolorxperts, has announced that the salon will hold a new referral contest for its clients from Feb. 14-March 16. During this time, anyone who refers a new client that receives a service will be entered into a drawing. First prize for the contest is a year’s worth of hair care up to $750. Additional prizes include flat irons, hair dryers and other hair care products. The contest will take place at both the Cameron Village and Arboretum at Weston locations. Haircolorxperts specializes in hair coloring, cutting and styling services.
“We are looking forward to our new referral contest,” said Dunlap. “Our clients are valuable to us and we are excited to offer them this opportunity.”
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
Six Ways to Lead a Meaningful Life in the Middle of a Busy Schedule
ARA) - Over scheduling is a nationwide epidemic. From preschoolers to CEOs, we are constantly running from one activity to the next. This busy and sometimes frantic lifestyle affects all aspects of life and many people feel the strain caused by overloaded to-do lists.
According to the authors of “Yes, You Can… Find More Meaning in Your Life”, Jack Jonathan and Sheelagh Manheim, PhD, over scheduling can create a narrow focus that prevents you from experiencing meaning in your life. These two regular contributors to www.YesYouCanOnline.info offer ways to step off the treadmill of busyness and reaffirm what is good in your life.
Jonathan and Manheim suggest finding a balance in five fundamental areas of life: positive attitude, good physical health, personal relationships, financial well-being and a passion for knowledge.
“Anyone looking to streamline their schedule can use these essentials as guidelines to help balance the way they spend their time,” said Jonathan. “Paying attention to each basic area of life may help a person to feel more at peace.”
Jonathan and Manheim offer the following six ideas to help bring a feeling of meaning into a busy life.
* Foster a Positive Attitude. Begin your day with a sense of wonder. Ask yourself, “What is in store for me today?” Then set achievable goals for the day. Remain open to other possibilities so challenges that come up will not feel overwhelming. Do at least one thing each day that creates in you a sense of happiness, delight, accomplishment or wonder.
* Nurture Your Body. Sometimes basic physical needs are set aside because of busy schedules. It is ideal to schedule time for exercise and recreation. “But, you can also nurture your body by simply paying attention,” Jonathan advises. “Why not pause a minute between activities, look out of the window, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.” Manheim advises looking forward to your lunch break, choosing foods that really appeal to you, and then savoring your meal in the presence of friends.
* Honor Your Personal Relationships. Friendships often suffer from neglect when life gets too busy. Even if you can’t fit in a weekend getaway or a night out, you can still find time to foster meaningful relationships. Connect over lunch, make regular phone calls, keep in touch frequently with meaningful e-mails or better yet, send a note or a card. Whenever you are able to contact your friend be sure to truly relax and give your friend your whole attention. Let time stand still for those precious moments you do have together.
* Pay Regular Attention to Your Finances. The only person you can count on for your financial well-being is you. Set aside a regular time each month to pay bills and review your financial situation. Jim Stowers, founder of American Century Investments, recommends that when you review your spending, you ask yourself, “Am I getting my money’s worth?” Do you spend your money in a way that brings meaning to your life? You will find that careful financial planning will set you free to enjoy your life more.
* Cultivate Your Curiosity. Having a passion for knowledge is one of our greatest innate gifts. It does not require a great deal of time – only the curiosity to ask what? or why? and then spend a few minutes to search for an answer. Learning something new goes beyond book learning. It can involve simply paying attention to what is going on in your own neighborhood. The more we know about the little piece of turf we inhabit, the more meaningful our life becomes because we step outside ourselves.
* Value Your Time. Jim Stowers, co-author along with Jack Jonathan, of the soon-to-be published “Yes, You Can… Reach Your Goals and Achieve Your Dreams,” comments, “Time is often taken for granted. Yet, properly used, time becomes a key multiplier that can be leveraged by effort and determination to help you achieve your dreams.” When you set aside small amounts of time to be truly present to your attitude, physical well being, friendships, finances and curiosity, you can increase your joy in life.
For more ways to lead a meaningful life in the middle of a busy schedule, visit www.YesYouCanOnline.info.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
With the high prices of placing ads today, why not save money? There’s no special secret to writing and placing advertisements in magazines, tabloids and newspapers. And why not claim the discount given to advertising agencies?
If you handle your own advertising correspondence, work with layout artists and write your own ads, it’s well worth your while to set up your own in-house ad agency and save a ton of money.
Even if you don’t create your own ads, you can profit from setting up your own agency and placing the ads that bring sales directly to you.
If you have somethings to sell - especially by mail order - advertising is they way to make that product reach people. Although advertising agencies produce excellent ads of all types and sizes with every demographic appeal, they also charge for it. That’s why they’re ready to claim the fifteen percent discount usually granted for placing ads.
You can learn how to create and design your own ads - with no background in copywriting or art. And, you can set up your own ad agency to place these ads where THEY’LL MAKE MONEY FOR YOU.
Do you have a product that you’re ready to sell? Now’s the time to find out the best angles to use and the tricks of the trade to putting money in your pocket.
STARTING YOUR BUSINESS
Do you have a mail order business? Maybe you sell clothing, camping supplies, or information through ads to the mail order trade. Perhaps you’ve run classified ads for years and are ready to branck out into larger display ads.
Not only small home businesses, but larger mail order companies and hundreds of major advertisers everywhere set up their own in-house agencies to produce and place ads. Even magazines create in-house departments under another name to get the agency discount.
What might set advertising agencies apart from homemade operations is the appearance of the letterhead and the ad form. They must look sharp and professional.
Start with a name for the ad agency you want to establish. It can be anything, but must be different from the name of the company that will be using the space. Then register the name with the county clerk. Check first to be sure you’re not using a company name already in business.
Desiging letterhead is easier than you think. You don’t have to create an elaborate or clever logo - the initials of the company will do. You can choose the mark - the special type style - at a printers, or use one of dozens of press-on letter styles available at art supply stores.
Using photo offset, digital camera, an instant printer can run off a thousand sheets at a very low price. If you go to a printer, check and compare the total printing costs. Typesetting can be expensive and there’s a minimum charge. You may want to wait to get all your typesetting and printing done at the same time - letterhead, ad form, ad copy and any sales literature you may be preparing. Investigate ways to get by with the lease expense.
Establishing your own ad agency is so easy that the most important part is the form you send in when you place ads. Although there are no federal restrictions for in-house ad agencies, some publications may quibble. If your form looks as good as the rest, you’ll have no problems.
The following page is a representation of a sample ad order form. Just copy this form and have your company design or logo printed on top. You can choose a color paper to have the forms run off on - they’ll be more noticeable. Then all you do is send in a copy of the ocmpleted form with your check and final artwork for your ad - and claim a big discount for being your own agency.
NAME OF ADVERTISING AGENCY
Address
To the publisher of: __________________________________________________
Organization______________________________________________________
Your name_______________________________________________________
Address__________________________________________________________
City__________________________________State________Zip____________
Phone (____)_________________
Please mark your desired ad size in a box below:
q 1/3 page $30 (5.5” x 2.75”)
q 1/2 page $45 (5.5” x 4.25”)
q full page $60 (5.5” x 8.5”)________________________________________________________________
More Articles: City5nc.com
