Count Your Skills!

Today, I'm using one of my SKILLS to help someone else.

"Yes, I have VALUABLE SKILLS (talking to my X) even though I am a full-time mother." This JOB was once highly respected....

Even though I am a SAHM (stay at home mom), a single mom and a WAHM (work at home mom), I have valuable skills. Remember the article about how much a mother's worth is valued in today's world IF someone had to hire out all of her jobs for one year?

Yes.... we have value ladies, even though SOME PEOPLE don't bother to see it.... yeah, you know who I'm talking about.

Here's a cute Mom's Value Calculator. I'd love for you to report back your VALUE. :) Mine is $224,262 but there was no option for Homeschooling Teacher. I may have to list myself as a working mom instead because I do tutor ESL and EFl students online, I've taught homeschool for 16 years and counting (LD) and also have a non-profit, and do work for a website. "I AM VALUABLE, YOU JERK!" umm... er, I mean "I AM VALUABLE WORLD!" hehe

You have valuable skills and you can help yourself and others with them. You can crochet like your grandmother? You can sell items on Etsy.com then and make beautiful custom gifts for your loved ones! Write down your skills and go from there into a new way of valuing yourself!

Property Taxes Have You Down?

Do you own your home? Year end property taxes cam't come at a worst time. If you let them get behind several years you could LOSE YOUR HOME! Check with your county assessor's office. If you haven't already, file for HOMESTEAD. It saves you money when you live in your home. I know, it sounds weird but people do rent houses they own , so that's the difference.If you make less than a certain amount (call the office and ask) then you can file for Double Homestead. You may not have to pay ANY property taxes... it's worth checking into... You may be required to give them document copies to prove your income and you may have to do this by a certain time deadline EACH YEAR. Call Monday!

Want a Job Pet Sitting, Babysitting or Elder/Senior sitting?

http://www.sittercity.com/how-it-works.html Here's an idea that I HAVE NOT tried yet... Let me know how it goes if you do.

A single mom that I know, who needs work since her temp job ended, is going to try this website and has said she will let us know how it goes.

https://www.sittercity.com/reg_sitter_1.html A local single mom tried this out because she's looking for work and doesn't have transportation. She said it's user friendly, but they encourage a background check that costs $15.00. She said it would be worth the cost had there been any work available in this area - there wasn't at this time. She said tutoring and exotic animal care is also listed on this website.

Low Cost Internet

Do you Qualify ? http://www.connect2compete.org/cox/ COX is now offering low cost Internet to low income families...who qualify.

Wedding Bells!

We always seem to hear the worst about single moms, don't we?

Well, good news! One young lady who I helped is now married!

She hasn't forgotten about helping though - today she let me know something that may help someone else. Sometimes, we don't even realize the knowledge we have until we put it to action.

She found out that the local library does not charge for incoming faxes. They also don't charge for outgoing faxes to local numbers. She doesn't have a car and needed to get documentation to an office, so she called them and faxed information both ways - for free! She had to walk several blocks to the local library , but that's mush less than a few miles. I don't know if all public libraries have the same policy, but it never hurts to ask.

Keep thinking and trying - there is a way! And when you find it - please share the information. #WeHelpEachOther

How Can You Help When YOU Need Help? CAR

That's a really good question !

I'm helping in my own way... and I'm a single mom that lives on a very tight budget. If I can do this and homeschool, WAHM, SAHM of four - oh the oldest is now a married woman- you can do something to help also. It makes you feel good too! Teach your children to be helpers.

If you are BLESSED with a working car, be thankful and make a point each week to invite a single mom to go to the store with you - groceries are needed often as are other things like feminine pads, diapers, shampoo, soap,toilet paper, etc. If she has kids and you don't want to travel with them, give her notice so she can find a sitter. If she can't find one she trusts, then make it a shopping day when the kids are visiting their dad.

If you can afford it, treat her to a small meal. I can't always afford to do this but I do try.

Treat her as you would like to be treated IF YOU HAD NO CAR. Your car could break down like mine and you will be HER. ALWAYS - always look for a nest that's within walking distance of a grocery store!

Need a Sitter ?

http://www.sittercity.com/

Working at Home Advice

http://www.projecteve.com/make-working-from-home-the-best-decision-youve-ever-made/?utm_content=buffer595df&utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=linkedin&utm_campaign=Buffer