A Penny Saved - Home based working mom story

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I am a big penny-pincher. Unlike some folks, I look for the best bargains because I am so generous. I have always felt that if I give, I receive ten times as much back. If my family needs money, I will help if I can. If someone in my church is having financial trouble, we will give all that we can. If the neighbor lady wanted something, I would do my best to see that she got it. I give away our used children's clothing
and toys and books so that others can enjoy the riches from their use that we have had. We recently donated a used automobile to the National Kidney Foundation. My local library receives donations of books when I no longer need them. I want bargains so that I can support this lifestyle!

The first place that I watch my dollars is in my home office. To me, working from home is a luxury and a necessity for my generous spirit. I try every way to get the best bang-for-my-buck. I have found some excellent resources for operating my home-based businesses out of my home and have whittled my monthly overhead costs (excluding depreciation) down to a mere $45.00 a month! That includes utilities, telephones, supplies, web host, unreimbursed expenses and my ISP!

I am going to list for you some of my outlets for free resources, purchasing supplies and outsourcing work. I do not make any money for offering these resources nor do I endorse any of them (hence no URL's). This is strictly my personal opinion as a home-based working mom with three children and three thriving businesses:

1) I order paper products from two competing companies: Penny-Wise Office Products and Viking Office Products. Just like bread at your local grocery stores, if one of them isn't having a sale on something the other one is.

2) Printer supplies come from All-Ink.com. I do not have time to go comparison shopping locally so I did so online. Once I found All-Ink, I quit ordering printer supplies from my office products stores.

3) Bob Sherwood (SmartAgreements), a SCORE Counselor and businessman is my first choice for contracts, agreements or just plain ole' business questions. He's been around the block (so to speak) in successful businesses throughout his career and is more than willing to lend a helping hand with my business needs.

4) Click&Inc. offers all of the documentation you need to incorporate your business--no matter what state you are in. I still use my local attorney to review the paperwork, but I don't have to pay his legal assistants to type it up!

5) I do not have time for much busy-work nor do I have time for all of the offers of work that come my way and I am not an expert in software or hardware. I rely on Staffcentrix.com and IVAA.org as great networking places to find virtual assistance in a hurry. I have met and networked
with some great contacts and have a running list of people whose expertise is in areas I may need help in.

6) I use Cnet quite often as well as Microsoft. Both of these websites offer information--verses just trying to sell you their products. There may be a technical term or a program that I want more information on, and the quickest and easiest way to answer my questions is to check them out.

7) I have the free version of eFax.com, where my faxes all go to my email address. This saves me from having to install a separate fax line as well as software costs to install a fax program or unplugging my computer when I need to receive a fax.

8) CallWave is my free online answering service. My incoming calls are routed to an 800 number when I am online, ensuring that I do not miss a call (pssst: telemarketers do NOT leave messages, either).

9) I go to Freebies4U when I want something and don't necessarily want to pay for it (at least I don't think I should).

10) BlueMountain is where I go to send online greeting cards. Their supply changes continuously and I laugh just as hard at my computer screen as I do when I look at cards in the grocery store!

There you have it! My secrets are revealed for helping me run my office on next-to-nothing so that I can give away my retirement!

About the Author: Tammy Harrison is a wife and mother of three children ages four and under and a home-based working mom. She has a degree from Mizzou in Consumer
Economics. She is the Independent Creative Representative for Home-Based
Working Moms (http://www.hbwm.com), email TammyH@jdharrison.com.
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