Tag Archive | blogging

Money From Home Without a JOB

Sep14

Who knew when we were celebrating New Years 2020 that it would turn our whole life on it’s head?  Now, I can tell you I was DREADING the political stuff that we’re inintated with come Presidental election year but I never in my wildest dreams (or nightmares),  saw 2020 to be this crazy.  I’ve lived a long time and seen many things but this takes the cake!!!  Can we do a reboot???

Our world will never be the same.  I see cars in the driveways now because people are working from home.  Many kids are home doing virtual learning.  This is a whole new way of living and I don’t see it changing any time soon.  The sad thing is that so many small businesses haven’t survived due to no traffic or all the destruction happening.  What do these people do?  I know back in the day when I was a single mother, I would have been hurting big time!!!

People are now looking for alternate ways to generate income.  Even as I was preparing for retirement, I knew that I would eventually need a part time job.  I have an expensive craft habit (scrapbooking is the main one but painting and sewing are a close second).  I also love to travel and experience new things.  So, I started looking online for something I could do from home.  While you’re criteria may be less restrictive, I could afford to have it my way (just like Burger King). 

My criteria:

  • I did NOT want a long commute anymore
  • Wanted to work part time
  • Wanted it to be flexible (work around MY time)
  • Something I could do from home (I was tired of suits)

Yeah, I know – that’s a lot but hey, shot for the moon right!

Surprisingly, there are many things that fit that order:  

  • Take surveys (tried – much time, little return)
  • Write e books (still a possibility)
  • Be a transcriptionist (they wanted typing of 60-70 wpm – oops)
  • Be an online customer service rep (didn’t want to hear complaints all day)
  • Teach students online mostly from other countries (didn’t think I’d be good)
  • Sell products on Etsy (still on table)
  • Be an Influencer (ummmmm, no)
  • Sell Products for a company as in Multi Level Marketing (MLM) ie Mary Kay, Avon, DoTerra, Young Living Oils, Damsel in Defense, Close to My Heart etc (doing)
  • Affiliate Marketing (doing)

I’ve worked for each of the MLM companies above and more.  In some, I did pretty well.  However, I don’t like to SELL NOR grow teams.  I got into these because I loved the product and received a discount on my purchases.  I still do Close to My Heart because I’m a scrapbooker and paper crafter. 

So, how does a MLM generally work? 

  • You sign on as a consultant
  • You sell products to your family, friends and referrals / You also try to grow a team of people under you
  • When you sell a product, part of the proceeds go to the person who recruited you and to the person who recruited them on up the line
  • If you recruit and have a team, you get proceeds from those who are on your team

Perhaps you’ve had family or friends that are involved in a MLM program and you feel obligated to help them.  They post frequently on FB (although sometimes the FB posts are helpful).  This CAN be a good way to earn extra money AND is legitimate.  Some people make really good money selling but more importantly growing a team.  If this is for you, that’s GREAT!  I love every one of the products I’ve listed above and will continue with Close to My Heart for a long time.  I’m just not good at selling but many are.  Thankfully we’re all different. 

The last option listed is Affiliate Marketing. 

How does Affiliate Marketing work?

  • You promote a companies products and/or services with a link on your website
  •  A customer clicks on the link and purchases
  • Company tracks purchases from a special ID given to you
  • You earn commission

When I first saw this, my thought was “Huh? I have NO idea how to do this”.  I stumbled onto a program called Wealthy Affiliate (WA).  I joined in 2011 but didn’t really get into it until 2013 when I retired.  I can tell you, without a doubt, it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.  Why?

  • It fit every one of my hard to match criteria
  • Training is AWESOME.  It’s more relevant than all my years in college!
  • The community is fantastic, I’ve made friends all over the world
  • The founders (Kyle & Carson) are hands on
  • The support is beyond anything I’ve ever seen in my years of employment
  • It keeps my brain active – we have MANY seniors are members

Honestly though, this is NOT for everyone.  It’s definitely not a get rich quick scam.  It takes work and dedication but it can be on YOUR time.  Someone is online 24/7.   Could I make more money than I do?  Yes, you get OUT what you put IN.  Your earning potential is limited only by your efforts.  The sky is the limit though! 

Ask yourself: 

          -Do I have knowledge/hobbies I’d love to share?

          -Would I like to work from anywhere? (Have laptop will travel!)

          -Do I enjoy meeting people all over the world?

          -Do I enjoy learning new things? (Keep your brain sharp)

Wealthy Affiliate opened my eyes to the idea of maybe doing an e book or give Etsy a shot.  I love that I’ve learned so much in a short period of time not only from the training but by interacting with other people from around the globe! 

We’re ALL in the 2020 quarantine situation and more people are coming online not only looking for income but to shop.  So, to me, this is an ideal situation.  It might be right for you too.  Surprisingly there are many seniors here.  Click HERE to check it out here for FREE!

NO CREDIT CARD is required and no one will bug you!

Full Disclosure: I WILL get a small commission if you decide to join us but I would NEVER lead you here simply for a commission.  However, I don’t like to be conned and I wouldn’t do that to anyone else! I’ve been here since 2011 and love it!

If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

Comments and Thoughts are welcomed and encouraged!!!

My next blog will talk about my knee replacement. Whooo Hoooo! How fun is that?!?! LOL

Until then………….Hugs

~Debbi

Founder of Scrapbooking For Anyone and Not Your Mamas Senior

Work from Home

Jan7

So, it is a new year and I am trying to get through all my “put aside for later mail”.  If it was not a bill, Christmas card or something that LOOKED important, it was put aside until such a time as this.  

I am having a nice cup of coffee and what do I see.  In the December 2018 AARP Bulletin, there is an article regarding Website Wolves.  UGH, I mean I am thankful for AARP calling these people out because it makes me MAD when these scammers try to take advantage of us seniors. 

Frauds

They offer to help you set up an internet business.  OK, there are legitimate people who do that.   HOWEVER, you do not just create a website, put it online and expect people to come rushing to buy from you.  These scammers were offering inexpensive web design kits simply to generate leads for telemarketing. 

If I could just be Queen for a day, I would do horrible things to people who bilk money from others simply for their own profit.  There are people, like me, that really need help creating an online business and you cannot assume everyone is honest.  There are pros and cons to living “back in the day” when a hand shake meant something.  So, what is a person to do?  You always have to do your due diligence.  Check them out first and get references. 

Before I retired, I figured out my finances.  I looked at what monthly living expenses and income would be, the savings I had and what I hoped to do in retirement such as travel and enjoy myself while I still could.  I determined that with what I had, I could go “crazy” for 3 years.  Then I would have to find a part time job to cover my deficit. My deficit was small but it existed. I could not wait any longer to get more money.  I was SO over my job and the long commute.  I would  NEED a job.

I started looking for Online or Home based work.  I did not want to deal with a commute and wanted income that fit MY schedule.  I stumbled upon Wealthy Affiliate.  I can tell you with all sincerity, it was the best decision I ever made.  I say this for a few reasons that I have stated below. 

If you check my profile, you will see that I started in 2011 (before retirement) but in reality, I did not engage until a couple years later.  I meant to but work got in the way.  After retirement, I got serious and jumped into the training.  It was exciting!  Let me say upfront, it is NOT A GET RICH QUICK deal.  If you need money right NOW to pay your bills, get a part time job or stay with the job you have.

What it IS is an opportunity to make money legitimately doing affiliate marketing.  What is affiliate marketing?   It is simple.  You promote product(s) or services for companies online.  When one of your readers purchases, you get a commission.  This is the Cliff Notes (loved them) version.  Kyle (co-owner) shows you step by step how to do this. 

Baby boomers have a lot of experience and blogging is one of the ways we can share that experience.  We might as well make money at it.  Let me say right here that you have to have the right mindset.  Do not do this if you want to scam people out of money.  You should truly want to be of assistance.  I take pride in our generation of people.  The majority of us have ethics and treat people right. 

Write about your passion.  My first site is about scrapbooking.  http://scrapbookingforanyone.com/  I love scrapbooking and have been doing it for YEARS.  People would see my books and feel overwhelmed.  So, I created a blog to help them see that it really isn’t that hard.  It is more about your heart than your artistic ability.  I put in some links to products that I use from Amazon and voila, when they use my link and purchase from Amazon, I get a commission.  The beauty with Amazon is that they do not even have to buy scrapbooking supplies.  If they buy a car from that link, I get the commission.   Hey, with the way Amazon is going, they could sell cars in the future. 

You get out of it what you put in.  Honestly, I could make more out of it but I get sidetracked a lot with my family and friends.  This is my choice though and the beauty is, I can come back and pick up where I left off.  I like that.

Why will Wealthy Affiliate have me forever? 

  • From the beginning, Kyle (co-owner/trainer) takes you step by step on HOW to do everything.  I definitely needed this as I did NOT have a clue.  I took 2 computer coding classes (Pascal) back in the day and RAN back to my accounting class.  I could not code my way out of a box!!
  • I have all the flexibility I could want – working when/where I want (have computer will travel)
  • I can make as much or as little as I want (more effort/dedication = more money)
  • There is no “pay this small amount then we will up sell you more……..” (ANNOYING!)
  • The community is huge and diverse (age, country and knowledge wise) so I have met people all over the globe and communicate with them frequently
  • The community is not cut throat (hello workplace).  Everyone actually helps you if they can
  • There is continuous training online and every Fri there is a webinar addressing different issues.  Of course, there is NO additional charge.  Aside from that Jay (the guy who does the webinars) is entertaining
  • I love Kyle and Carson (co-owners) – they are sincere, down to earth guys.  They WANT you to succeed and do everything in their power to help

SO, if you are like me, and overspent on Christmas and waiting for the bills, take a look at this.  I say it may not help you with the Christmas bills but I have known people that make money right away.  However, they were more experienced and focused than I was.  Maybe you are too.  It took me maybe 6 months?  Full disclosure, I do make a commission from you joining but it is NOT a MLM where I want to sign you up so you sign others up under me. 

NEVER too Old

Trust me said the spider to the fly….sorry, could not resist.  Seriously, it costs nothing to look and decide for yourself.   I am passionate about this and tired of all the scams out there.  I was duped a couple times.  This IS a part time job and you have to put time and energy in but it is so worth everything you get out of it. 

Comments and Thoughts are welcomed and encouraged. I am seriously here to help.

~Debbi