Below are some ideas for you if you are interested in working at home or having a home based business.

Auction Business - There are several options for this.  You can contract to sell other peoples items or you can sell your own items new or used.

Bookkeeping Service - For businesses or on a personal level.  You can also consult on a personal level on budget planning, etc.

Childcare - For this you need to make sure you comply with local and state government requirements. In Texas you can check out: http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/child_care/about_child_care_licensing/

Children’s Party Planner - Busy moms need help!  If you are great with kids and have fun ideas this could be for you.

Computer Tutor - Say that five times fast.  No, seriously, if you are great with computers this may be a perfect job for you, whether one on one or teaching groups.

Direct Sales - These are companies like Avon, Pampered Chef, Tupperware, Partylite, and those “fun” parties too.  If you are interested in selling makeup check out http://www.makeuptalk.com

Editing Service - If you are a grammar master this could be an excellent job for you.

Errand Service - Great for a mom with school aged or older children.

Freelance Writer - Many places are looking for writers to name a few check out www.about.com or www.bellaonline.com

Graphic Designer - Design logos and banner ads for online businesses.

House Cleaning - Another great idea for someone with older children if you don’t want to have to worry about daycare.

House Sitter - You can decide if you are a drop in sitter or someone who actually stays while the person is out of town.

Pet Sitter - Whether it’s a daily walk while the fur baby parents are at work or for out of town caretaking.

Photographer - This could be a great freelance business in the way of setting our own hours.  One can also sell their photos at http://www.dreamstime.com or www.istockphoto.com

Pooper Scooper - This could go excellent with the pet sitter business if you have the stomach for it.

Professional Organizer - Which all the great shows about this, it seems lots of people want it and don’t know or have the time to do it,  this might just be a great business.

Wedding Planner - If you have an attention to detail and would love to be behind the scenes of the “storybook” then this might be a great business for you.

Do you know how much you spend on groceries each week? Each month? Well the government has an idea as to how much the “average American family” spends. There is an online calculator to try out here. I calculated mine and it was almost $900 a month!! I have NEVER spent $900 a month to my knowledge. Try it out. How much do they think you should spend? Leave a comment and check out our discussion boards.

I love to learn and lately the “learning bug” has been biting.  Maybe I could take class at a community college?  That just takes time away from my family and my work schedule is never the same from week to week.

As I was surfing the net, I came across a blog called The Frugal Queen.  She posted a link about online learning sponsored by the state of Ohio.  You don’t live in Ohio?  Well……anybody can use it, no matter what state you live in.  At LearningExpressLibrary.com you can take skills improvement courses in Algebra, practice for a Nursing School Entrance test or practice your business writing skills (do you think it would help with writing blog posts?)  They even offer some of the tests in Spanish.

Go ahead.  Check it out.  You might learn something new today.

Go to our discussion forums and tell us what you learned.

My kids love Snickerdoodles and they are easy to make so it’s a good recipe they can help out with. It’s great for all these cold days that we’ve been having and they are so yummy fresh out of the oven.

Snickerdoodles Recipe

1 cup Crisco
1 ½ cups sugar
2 eggs
2 ¾ cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cream of tartar

Also:
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp cinnamon

* If more sugar/cinnamon is needed for rolling, just be sure to mix with a 50/50 ratio.

Directions: Mix Crisco and sugar well in a large bowl. Add eggs. Mix again.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt and cream of tartar.
Pour the flour mixture into the Crisco mixture and mix well.Chill for one hour.

Roll into balls about the size of a small superball.
Combine the 2 tsp sugar and 2 tsp cinnamon in a small bowl. Roll the cookie dough balls in the sugar and cinnamon. Shake off excess coating. Make more sugar/cinnamon mixture as needed.

Bake 8 to 12 minutes on an ungreased cookie sheet at 400 degrees.

Find more great recipes on our message board or post your own!

The thought of Black Friday brings strong emotions to many people. Some are filled with excitement and the thrill of a good deal, while others cringe in horror at the thought of rising at 3AM to fight a horde of people and possibly in up in a fight. For those that are brave enough to attempt Black Friday (and no it’s not really all that bad) here are a few tips to make things run smoother.

1) Check out the sales. You can look at www.bfads.net or others like it for an early glimpse of store sales. Some stores have the sales on their sites or you can wait and pick up a newspaper on Thanksgiving when all of the sales flyers are sent out.

2) Compare prices just like any other time. Determine which sales prices are the best.

3) Get a buddy. It’s always safer to travel in pairs, however, with this season being as tight as it is people may be a little meaner. Keep your cell phone handy and charged in case you and your buddy get separated.

4) Plan your strategy. Which stores open first? Which have a limited product only offer? What order are you going to visit the stores? Make a list of items and prices and what stores they are at.

***Special note for the “While supplies last”. Be prepared to be there first. I noticed a Walmart ad for a flat screen tv for only $398 on Black Friday. The ad audibly said “while supplies last” but the small print at the bottom it said “only 5 per store”. No joke 5 per store. So figure out if it’s worth your time and the stress if you’re not able to get one.

5) Don’t expect to be able to run in and run out. Even if you’re only purchasing one thing you may have to wait to check out. Have fun. Grab a cup of coffee. Expect long lines and a few cranky people. You’re all in the same boat so take a deep breath.

Share your tips on our message board.