This is especially true right now during the tough economic times we’re living in. Even if you’re comfortably existing on one income, you may find yourself on no income soon enough if your husband gets laid off, downsized, rightsized, outsourced or whatever they’re calling it these days. Do you have the recommended 6 months’ living expenses tucked away in savings in preparation for this event?

Statistics show many of us do not. This is all the more reason for mom to look for ways to make money online before the disaster strikes.

Starting an online business has a number of advantages for moms. These include:

* Start-up costs can be kept low. So even if you are not currently working outside the home, starting an online business is usually within reach with small adjustments to the budget. Setting up a website means acquiring a domain name and hosting space - and with tools like Wordpress available at no cost, you can literally be up and running for around $20. You will also want to invest in some education. Learning the basics of how to market your website online are not difficult, but be careful where you get your information.

The Natural Mom Business Guide  is one solid source of info. It includes an ebook with detailed information about researching your target market, the various ways to make money with a website, and how to get the traffic you need to earn income. It even has video and audio tutorials as well as printable “cheat sheets” you can keep by your computer to remind you of the essential steps you need to take in your business to build traffic and make more income.

* Doing business online doesn’t require one to keep regular hours. You can work early in the morning before the kids get up, during the baby’s nap, or late at night when everyone is in bed. And with the automation that the Internet has to offer, orders can be processed and virtual products delivered while you are sleeping or taking care of the kids.

* You can get some work done with the kids right by your side. Older children may even be able to help you with simple tasks. Did you know that the IRS allows you to deduct wages (up to a certain amount) paid to a child who is age seven or older to work in your home business from your taxes? I have even trained my oldest son to add articles to my websites. He earns a nice wage for doing so, far more than an allowance, and is providing a valuable service to me.

There are all sorts of online businesses that are great for moms. You could sell your crafts or start a recipe website, or you could start a podcast. You might offer services such as writing, transcription, web design or virtual assistance to customers around the world. Or you could create and sell information products. Even blogging offers impressive money-making potential. The possibilities are many, and there’s sure to be something out there that’s just right for any mom.

Moms make up a large portion of the people who are making money online. This allows them to take a hands-on approach to raising their children while still making money to support the household. They don’t have to count on a sitter to take care of their children’s needs, and they don’t have to make a commute part of their daily routine. It’s no wonder that the number of moms starting online businesses is growing in leaps and bounds.

If you need some assistance choosing a niche, get some coaching from an experienced online marketer. Take the leap - you’ll be glad you did!

Carrie Lauth is an internet marketing mom who loves to help other moms launch profitable websites. She created the Natural Mom Business Guide  for women who want to market to the “natural family” niche. To learn about how she can give you one-on-one coaching, visit today.

My favorite stores for getting the goods for these baskets is by far Marshalls and TJMaxx. Dollar stores are perfect for kids, but for adults you don’t want it too look like you got the stuff at the dollar store, so these stores offer a more upscale feel while still being discount retailers. I’ve found some pretty amazing stuff, quite inexpensively at that, at Marshalls and TJMaxx. The most incredible deals on cookbooks I could never find anywhere else, artwork, picture frames, and those aisles with the gourmet chocolates and coffees are the best of stocking stuffers and small gift baskets. These stores allow you to buy nice things, brand names, for less, and lets face it, in this economy that is very important. Every penny counts right now. This is also where I find those pesky office “secret santa” gifts.  Who ever knows what to buy for that, but roaming the aisles of Marshalls always nets be a good score on those little unknown gifties.

So think outside the box a little this year and put together a special basket of goodies for someone and have a great time doing it. And hey, the best part is you don’t even need to wrap it…slap a ribbon and bow on that thing and you are good to go!

This week, Mom Masterminds is hosting a special Breakthough Week, a weeks worth of daily conferences to help kick start our business in the new year. Each day a new topic is revealed and discussed in the conference room and all Mom Masterminds members and preview members are invited to attend. So far this week, we’ve talked about having the blues which can be common at this time of year and about fear of failure. The rest of the week is anyone’s guess so be sure to attend each morning at 9:30 am EST. If you are not a Mom Masterminds member, fear not, you can still get in on the action, simply go here and sign up for the 7 day free preview. Once you are signed up, you will have access to the login info to join in on the discussions. I’ll see you there!

Now I don’t have to actually move the furniture around to see how it’s going to look! With 3D technology, you can even do a virtual walk through of your finished rooms, or entire house design. Obviously, it takes a little playing with and getting used to, to use efficiently, and a good read of the manual, but it really makes a great tool for designing without doing a thing or spending a dime until you are sure about what exactly it is you want to do. Maybe it is, I don’t know, but it looks like the software they use on HGTV’s Hidden Potential to re-design the house choices before the buyers pick which one they will take.

I have a spare bedroom and a family room that are both in desperate need of a makeover and I plan on making those plans with this software before I spend a dime on paint or new furniture. And before I ask my husband to help me move anything across the room and back again of course. It’s amazing what a little preview of a space can do to help you really see it and get you motivated to make the changes necessary.

GIVEAWAY:

I’ve got a copy of HGTV Home and Landscape Platinum Suite to giveaway to one lucky reader…just tell me what room in your house desperately needs a makeover and we’ll pick a winner to receive the software!

Beethoven’s Big Break is being released December 26th along with a special movie pack, Beethoven’s Dog-gone Best Movie Pack featuring all 6 of the Beethoven movies including this new one. This would be an awesome collection for any family room.

Beethoven’s Big Break is about an animal handler who has a strict NO PETS ALLOWED policy at home and won’t let his son have a dog. He won’t let his son keep an adorable stray, Beethoven and Beethoven’s little family. But then, a strange twist happens when the dog in the movie dad is working on gets stolen and they need a replacement, enter Beethoven. My boys laugh out loud at the antics and mischief Beethoven and his pups get into in this action packed movie. Of course, now they are starting in on the “I want a dog” thing again , not gonna happen! We’ll just keep on playing Beethoven’s Big Break.

And a few little extras…here is a little sneak peek at how Billy names Beethoven in the movie…and a printable coloring page for the kids!

To set up your own call with Santa, visit SantaSpeaking.com

The Smart Shopper has over 2500 items pre-loaded and can learn new items. It recognizes your voice too. It’s a great mom-friendly organization and staying on budget tool. I took it out of the box and was making my list within minutes and now I don’t have to spend the time re-writing my list in grocery store order as I usually have to do. It’s a great time saver. Don’t be frightened by it being called a techie gift, it’s really easy to use there are only a few buttons. Visit www.smartshopperusa.com for more details.

The kids were cranky because they couldn’t have warm cereal or Eggos - try explaining electricity or lack thereof to a 2 & 4 year old, especially if they’re hungry and groggy. Not an ideal scene. Anywho, as they fussed about their cold cereal and protested over the fact that there was no smoothie to be had, I told them to stay put and eat while I ventured out into the arctic-like conditions to chip away and excavate the archaeological site that was my 4X4.  After repeated stops and starts to run in and check on the little ones, break up a fight over a Cabbage Patch doll and assist with teethbrushing, I finally broke through the seemingly impenetrable layers and pried open one of the doors.  Yes, there’s hope, I thought!  So I started the truck and left it for 20+ mins to warm up and melt, while I headed back inside to cope with the toddler mayhem and finish readying them for daycare. 

Adding to the juggling act, I began to grow concerned that the job that was due to a client today would not be done.  No power, means no computer which = no work.  Not good!  Nonetheless, the important thing was getting the kids out of our cold house (yes, we have electric heating and no fireplace) and off to warm n’ cozy daycare.  We made it there unscathed and I headed home in hopes that there would be a flicker of light as I approached the driveway, but alas no…  Instead, I went inside and did the other home-related chores that have come to make up my new daily ritual: folding laundry, making the beds, etc.    Then I thought, if life gives you lemons, make lemonade. -So unlike me, I know! Anyways, I made the most of the situation by heading out to do some Xmas shopping.  Since the roads were bad and it was a weekday, there were actually very few people in the stores, so I made my way through to pick up some gifts for a friend’s potluck on Saturday. 

In the back of my mind, I began to think about the Tonka BounceBack racer.  A toy that both of my little ones have been begging myself, Santa and basically anyone who will listen, for.  Everywhere I had gone to date was sold out, including online!  The only ones I found were on Ebay and listed at 79.99 + shipping.  Ridiculous! 

Naturally, I had given up hope and decided to peruse the toy section for other potential substitutes.  As I strolled the aisles, I noticed a backwall covered from top to bottom with Tonka toys.  They seemed to have everything from dump trucks, to tractors, cars to pick-ups, but of course, NO BounceBack Racers.  Sigh…  Then I noticed two of the salespeople having a conversation.  One was instructing the other on how to dismantle the display and move some of the set up to the aisles.  She climbed a ladder to the top shelf and began handing down various boxes to her colleague.  As she continued to do so, she moved several boxes only to reveal a few boxes of, you guessed it, the BounceBack Racer.  I stood there, mouth agape in disbelief.  I must have looked pretty catatonic, because one of the attendants asked me if everything was alright.  “Uhhh…yes,” I muttered, and quickly asked her to pass me the boxes of BounceBack racers.  I loaded them into my basket and shielded them from the eyes of others.  I was like a secret agent carrying some sort of precious cargo that no one could find out about.  At last, the racers were mine! 

I scooted to an empty aisle, pulled my cell phone out from my handbag and dialed up my husband at work.  I had to share this news with someone who cared about it at least almost as much as I did.  We both had a good laugh and were thrilled that our little monkeys would get their wish on Xmas morning.

Now, while I’m not a huge Martha Stewart Xmas kinda girl, this little suprise actually renewed my spirit and has me rather excited about the holidays. I cannot wait to see the looks on their faces.  And I still cannot believe that the BounceBack racer (the Tickle Me Elmo of my kids’ generation) will make it under our tree this Xmas.  That reminds me, tree.  Uhhh…it would be helpful if I actually put one up.  I guess that shall be tomorrow’s task.

Anyways, don’t lose faith, just look for miracles in small places and you’ll be delighted with how many you’ll find. : )

Oh and in case you were wondering…the power did come back on late this morning and my client did receive their documents on time. 

Happy Holidays,
Elle

The only sticky point was when she asked Santa for a trumpet. Yes, trumpet!  Nothing says bursting ear drums quite like a 4 year old playing a trumpet in the house.  And it seems that Santa was right there with her…  When she got off the phone, she said “Guess what?  Santa said I would get a trumpet this year!”  Hmmm…interesting.  That wasn’t on my list!!!  Aaarrgghhh…  Needless to say, I’ve been hunting down a low volume trumpet-like instrument ever since. ; )

And naturally, I saved the best for last.  Last night, when we tucked her in, she promised that she would stay in her bed all night because Santa told her that that’s what good boys and girls do.  And you know what?  She did!  Thanks Santa!!!  I think we’ll be setting up another call soon! :)  Who needs Super Nanny Jo when you’ve got Santa?! ; )

Anyways, this was a great experience for our whole family!  We will definitely do it again next year and our little guy should be old enough to receive a call of his own by then, too!  Yay!  Don’t miss the chance to let your little ones chat with Santa.  You can set up a call by visiting SantaSpeaking.com or enter to win our free call giveaway.  The contest closes tonight at midnight, so be sure to enter and tell your friends.  All you have to do is post a comment to the Santa Speaking contest post on our site and who knows…Santa might be calling your home!  It’s fun, easy and personalized. Your child too will be absolutely amazed!  Good luck to all who enter!

If you’ve got a baby on your Christmas list this year, consider the new Parents Architecture ABC’s, available at Target. It comes with 9 different shapes including pedestals, columns, turrets, and arches to really get creative before the baby comes over and knocks it down! They are everything babies love, squishy, squeaky and safe (100% phthalate free) too, which parents love, because of course they come from one of the toy industry leaders Parents. The blocks are adorned with animals representing each letter of the alphabet and with raised indentations, they are easy for tiny fingers to grasp. Go head, let them toss them around, they won’t get hurt either. Funny how no matter how high tech things get, babies tend to enjoy the most basic of toys. It helps them discover and learn by doing, and that is the best way.