logo

Hire Yourself! 10 Ways to Make Money Right Now

5 comments

Posted on 12th April 2010 by mishakennedy in finance | food | gardening | money | personal finance

, , , ,

My oldest son, Matthew, called me a loser a few years back. He was 15 then. OK, he didn’t call me a “loser” specifically, but he was talking to a nurse in the emergency room about how he was thinking of going into politics when he gets older. He wants to be the president, he said.

“Hey,” I said to him after the nurse had gone, “I was going to be president when I grew up.”

I really was going to be president. I had every intention of going into politics when I was between the ages of 14 and 18. My intention was to complete college, maybe go to law school and then run for office – with the White House in full-view. To make a long story short, I went to college in DC and in essence found that I enjoyed writing about politics and being an activist more than I wanted to run for an office – and as I pointed out to my son, who was looking at me with much pity – I still have time to run for an office if I so choose. At 34, I am not even yet eligible to run for president…although the clock is ticking louder now than it once did.

“I know, Mom,” he said. “But I’m actually going to do it.” The way he said it, stung a little. He said it with such disdain, as if I had thrown away my dream. Did he just see me as a wife and mother – with no other accomplishments under my belt? Did he think I somehow failed because my dreams at 14 or 15 were not the dreams I achieved?

He did.
(more…)

Technorati Tags: , , , ,

How to Create Multiple Income Streams

1 comment

Posted on 28th February 2010 by Mish in frugal | money | personal finance

, ,


When we lived in Vermont, my husband and I decided that we couldn’t rely on just one job to provide us with our main source of income. Instead, we came up with various ideas to make money for our family. In the six years we lived on the farm we sold vegetables and berries; made and sold maple syrup; drove a school bus; fixed computers; designed and marketed web sites; wrote books and articles; baked and sold breads, pastries and pizzas and much more.

One morning in Vermont, I watched part of a Vermont Public Radio pledge drive special from a woman who talked about creating multiple revenue streams and I thought to myself, “hey, that’s what we do already!”

I just didn’t know it had a name. In fact, it was a skill I learned from a book called The Good Life
by Helen and Scott Nearing. They advocated a very similar lifestyle during the Depression.

  1. The first step to creating your multiple revenue streams is to not quit your full-time job if you currently have one. As soon as you start implementing your multiple streams, you can cut back on your hours or perhaps work from home, but in the beginning, you’ll need to rely on that income to get you through. If you are one of many who currently feel that while your job is safe now, but you may be in jeopardy soon – take advantage of the time and money and start implementing your multiple stream strategies right away. (more…)

Technorati Tags: , ,

5 Ways to Save Money and Find Happiness in Everyday Things

0 comments

Posted on 19th March 2009 by Mish in finance | frugal | money | personal finance

, , ,


My father always used to tell me that “work was work, if it was fun, they’d call it fun, but it’s not – it’s work. It’s not supposed to be fun.”

I used to argue with him. I would rant and tell him that you could most certainly do something with your life that you loved (or at least liked) and still be paid for it. He dismissed me out of hand. He told me that my thinking was irresponsible (as was having a bunch of kids!) and that I had to wait for the weekends to have fun.

I’m much older now. Twenty years older, in fact. And I’ve had a lot of jobs – not all of them fun. I’ve learned, through the years, to work very hard, but I have to say that I have been able to find elements of fun to each of my jobs. Although, I would probably amend my argument to say that work can be fun some of the time – or that you can find joy in hard work if you like doing it.

I did not, for example, always enjoy waiting tables. But I like people and I always enjoyed talking with customers and joking with the cooks in the kitchen. I found waiting tables to be enjoyable work – even if my feet ached and I sometimes got a lousy tip from a grouchy customer.

Being a newspaper reporter was hard work (no, not as hard as say, construction work, but still…), and it was often frustrating and intimidating. I frequently faced angry people who didn’t want to answer my phone calls, but I enjoyed the learning process and I thoroughly enjoyed investigating a story. It was, in the end, a very fun job.

Through the years, I have cultivated two careers – one as a writer and one as a mother. Both are equally frustrating in their own way and one pays only marginally better than the other (I’ll leave you to guess which one), but I am happy doing them both.

(more…)

Technorati Tags: , , ,

We've Moved…

0 comments

Posted on 6th November 2007 by Mish in about OI | activism | attachment parenting | autism | barter | birth | breastfeeding | childbirth | christmas | cloth diapers | co-sleeping | cooking | eating local | family | farming | food | frugal | frugality | gardening | global warming | green living | homelessness | homemaking | homeschool | homeschooling | housework | kids | knitting | michelle kennedy | money | mothering | news | nursing mothers | organic | organics | poverty | religion | saving money | simple living | social issues | sustainable eating | unschooling | vaccinations | work from home | writing

Our blog is now located at www.organicallyinclined.org

Please update your links!

Thanks!

Misha

Frugal and Green Tip of the Day – Cloth Diapers, not just for a baby's butt…

0 comments

Posted on 25th October 2007 by Mish in breastfeeding | cloth diapers | family | frugal | frugality | green living | homemaking | housework | money | mothering | nursing mothers | organic | saving money | simple living

, , , ,

Although that’s the first thing I’m going to suggest you do with it – put a cloth diaper on your baby or toddler’s butt. As you can see from this post, there are many reasons to do that. Not the least of which is that potty training is easier!

You can also use a cloth diaper…

…as a cleaning rag. They don’t leave streaks and are great for polishing furniture (not that I really ever do this).

…in place of a paper towel – they are superabsorbant, after all.

…as a baby spit-up cloth.

…as a breast pad when nursing – just cut them into little squares or circles.

…in a first aid kit. They are great for stopping blood, padding splints, or rolling up behind someone’s head.

…for craft projects – they are great organic batting. I have a great kneepad for the garden made with a few cloth diapers sewn inside some pretty, waterproof fabric.

…as dishtowels.

…as a pad under a baby’s butt in the bath.

That’s just a few…have another idea? Let us know!

Technorati Tags: , , , ,

Submissions Needed…

0 comments

Posted on 5th October 2007 by Mish in activism | attachment parenting | barter | birth | breastfeeding | childbirth | christmas | cloth diapers | co-sleeping | cooking | eating local | family | food | frugal | gardening | global warming | green living | homemaking | homeschool | housework | knitting | michelle kennedy | money | mothering | news | nursing mothers | organic | saving money | simple living | social issues | work from home | writing

, , , ,

Our November-December print issue deadline is Oct. 15 and we could still use a wide variety of frugal tips – particularly holiday-related! Also, any holiday craft or cooking-themed articles would be appreciated. Please email your submissions to Michelle Kennedy Hogan at kennedy.mish@gmail.com

I am also accepting submissions for future issues, so if you have an idea, send it to me! I’ll pay up to $25 plus a one-year subscription

Technorati Tags: , , , ,

Frugal and Green Tip of the Day – Plastic Bags…the bane of my existence.

2 comments

Posted on 9th August 2007 by Mish in cloth diapers | family | farming | frugal | green living | money

OK – now, I try to be as green as possible, but I will admit, that there are times when either I’ve forgotten my big tote bag, I’ve already filled it, or suddenly I am handed something in one of those dreaded plastic bags before I’ve had the chance to refuse.

It’s alright, you too, can admit to the large bag full of bags in your pantry or closet. Now, since we’ve turned over a completely green leaf, I have been much better about refusing these bags, but I still have a ton leftover from my previous life.

Here are a few things you can do with those bags, without putting them in a landfill.

1. Use them to stuff a valance. I thought this idea was genius! If you have one of those puffy valances, or are planning on getting one, just use the plastic bags to make it puffy.

2. If you buy bread – which I occasionally do – use the bag it came in to keep your own bread or muffins when you make some. If your bread came with a tag on the end – you can keep those as stitch savers on your next knitting project!

3. Use them as packing material instead of peanuts. Granted, this just passes the problem on to someone else, but if you’re sending them to someone who sends you packages once in a while (a grandparent, for example) just encourage them to send the same box and bags onto someone else, or back to you when the time comes.

4. Use them as gloves. This does doom them eventually to a death in the trash can, I’m afraid, but at least you’ve gotten several uses out of it. I’ve used plastic bags as gloves to pick up all kinds of gross things – from doggie doo to cleaning up, well, let’s just say, other messes.

5. Cloth diaper receptacles. These bags are perfect to keep in the car – or your diaper bag – and will hold a number of wet diapers in your bag until it’s time to head home.

What do you use plastic bags for? Please comment and tell us!

F&G Tip of the Day – 10 Things You Don't Need to Buy For Your New Baby

2 comments

Posted on 24th July 2007 by Mish in attachment parenting | breastfeeding | childbirth | cloth diapers | co-sleeping | family | frugal | green living | kids | money | mothering | nursing mothers | organics | simple living

By Michelle Kennedy

  1. baby lotion/baby cleanser – I’ve received a number of bottles of these items through the years and I must admit, they do smell pretty good. However, not only does your new baby not need to smell any better (they already smell really good), take a look at the list of what’s in the bottle – no, no, it is not just baby goodness. Indeed, I can’t pronounce 90 percent of what’s in it. Buy a nice bar of natural soap from your local co-op if baby is really that dirty…but really, a little warm water will do just fine for baby’s already very soft skin. Savings: $10 (plus refills)
  2. diaper genie – OK, well, you won’t be using disposable diapers anyway, right? But if you did use disposables, this thing has got to be one of the most wasteful, ugly things on the planet. It produces what can only be described as a giant doody caterpillar when full and I have no idea what you do with it after that. Savings: $30 (plus refills)
  3. changing table – I had one of these too – for my oldest. But I soon learned that I changed 99 percent of his diapers on either the floor or the couch. Instead, make yourself up a little basket with the appropriate changing needs (diaper covers, diapers, washcloths, etc.) and keep it next to the sofa. Especially in those first weeks, you spend a lot of time on the couch as most of your time is spent nursing and changing diapers – and trying to catch a nap! Forget the table, someday you’ll just stand there looking at it, trying to think of something else to turn it into – and then giving up and passing it along to someone else who really doesn’t need it either. Savings: $100 (at least)
  4. disposable diapers – Do you have to ask? Just don’t. Read the article on cloth diapering. I swear it’s not that hard! Savings $20-$30 a week ($1500 a year for at least two years)
  5. baby wipes - Buy two dozen supersoft washcloths and either a small “Rubbermaid” style container or some ziplock bags. Put six to ten well-rung out wet washcloths into the container. Close it. Voila! Baby wipes. Just toss in the diaper pail when used. Bring a plastic grocery bag on trips with you for dirty cloth diapers and wipes. Savings: $5 a week. ($260 a year)
  6. nursing pillow – I swear, your favorite pillow from the couch works just as well. So does a rolled up towel or blanket in a pinch! Savings: $20-$50
  7. nursing bras – They’re expensive and make you feel silly. The little clasps are a pain. Get sports bras (if you don’t mind the uni-boob issue) or just plain jersey knit underwires from your favorite discount store. Saving: $20-$30 each
  8. a “diaper” bag – If you must have all the pockets and little goodies, go ahead. But if you have a tote bag in the closet (LL Bean boat totes work great! found at a yard sale of course) from the library or anywhere else, then just use that. Want the changing pad? You can buy them separately or make one from one inch foam cut to size from the fabric store and a quick pillow case cover if you hate to sew! Save the $40-$80 for your first night out alone!
  9. hooded towel – Cute, but unnecessary. Need I say more? OK, if I must…really, your baby does not need animal ears on his towel to be cute. I swear, the kid will be cute enough. Just get a clean towel from the closet. He’ll get dry either way. Savings: $10-$30
  10. a vibrating infant seat – Silly and loud! If you think your baby is dying to vibrate in his infant seat (and you just want to put him down for a while), run the washing machine (full, of course) and put the seat on top of it. Just make sure you don’t leave! He could vibrate right off the top! Fold some laundry (if you’re feeling ambitious) or just read a book (a book? what’s a book?). Savings: $35 or more…

There you go. Ten things you absolutely don’t need when you have a baby. I promise.

Frugal and Green Tip of the Day – Kids Don't Get to Pick What You Buy!

0 comments

Posted on 23rd July 2007 by Mish in attachment parenting | eating local | family | food | frugal | kids | money | mothering | organics | simple living

Don’t let your children dictate what you eat (or anything else you buy for that matter)!

When I pulled apples and plums out of my beach bag the other day, one of my fellow moms was shocked.

“Your kids are going to eat that for snack?” she asked.

“Yes?” I replied, quickly looking over the fruit to make sure I hadn’t accidently picked up the dog’s ball or something. “Why wouldn’t they?”

“I just can’t believe your snacks are that simple,” she said as she unpacked a bag of chips and a box full of small packages of what I can only describe as gummy bears mascarading as a “fruit snack.” “My kids would never just eat a piece of fruit,” she said.

I was stunned. How could kids not want just a simple piece of fruit. An apple, plum, orange, or bag of grapes is the ultimate in convenience foods! Just put them in the bag and go. When the kids are ready to eat, just hand them over – no wrappings, no trash. Where my friend, I learned, is going wrong is in the statement: “My kids would never eat just a piece of fruit.”

I asked her about grocery shopping and she described to me a madness the likes of which I have never experienced…even if I bring all five of the kids to the store with me. “How do you do it?” she asked me. I searched, in vain, to find some profound answer. Some philosophy or strategy I use to make my kids eat well – and then, it dawned on me…

“I pick the food,” I said, “and when the kids are hungry, they eat it.”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“I mean, that I pick only good foods – no pre-packaged anything – and that’s it. My kids have no other options for food.”

“That will work?” she asked, still stupefied.

“If they’re hungry enough,” I laughed.

So – stop allowing the children to dictate what goes in your shopping cart…if they aren’t paying, they don’t get to pick. And who cares what they’re friends eat? If they’re friends parents are paying for your groceries – then they have no say! You will be amazed how much money you will save when you avoid those middle aisles at the grocery store and don’t have a cart full of “Fruity, but not fruit, gushing, squishy dinosaur shapes” and boxes of “I don’t know how it gets orange but you can cook it in the nuker really fast mac and supposedly cheese.”

Submissions Wanted…

0 comments

Posted on 5th July 2007 by Mish in breastfeeding | childbirth | cloth diapers | family | farming | food | gardening | homeschool | knitting | michelle kennedy | money | mothering | news | organics | simple living | social issues | work from home | writing

Real Living – the ezine, turned blog, is now becoming Organically Inclined. I had such an overwhelming response to that little bumper sticker I put out, that I’ve decided it’s a much better name! So – from now on, Real Living will be known as Organically Inclined and is becoming a print/pdf zine in August!

Inside the first issue will be a few reprints of popular articles as well as some great new stuff…including poetry, tips for the frugal, essays on the good – or simple life, birth stories, parenting stories and a new swap it section.

If you have a writer lurking somewhere inside you or you just have a great story to tell – or even a pretty good story that you tell really well – I’d love to hear it. In particular, I’d love to see some articles on practical things – like your lazy gardening tips or how you keep the diaper pail smelling fresh!

So, please email me at misha@mishakennedy.com and hopefully you’ll see your name in print. We are happy to offer contributions a one year subscription to the zine – as well as that super cool bumper sticker…

Related Posts with Thumbnails
SEO Powered by Platinum SEO from Techblissonline