Search Results for: blog building up your reserves

Stretched Too Thin in Your Work and Business

Building a home business means increasing the number of customers we serve, finding more clients, selling more products and/or offering more services. We have to continue adding work if we are going to go from nothing to a viable business. As a small, one-person operation, however, it is possible to push ourselves too hard, too fast and end up being stretched far to thin to provide good service to anyone. This is a very pertinent topic for me and I know from talking to some other home business owners that managing work and how much time and resources we have … Continue reading →

Think of Yourself as a Pioneer

A pioneer is someone who is breaking new ground and leading the way into unchartered territory. As single parents, we often get trapped thinking of ourselves as “outside” the pack or not part of a societal accepted mainstream. Instead of letting that inferiority complex take hold, how about thinking of ourselves as pioneers instead? I have a few books on female pioneers and women who traveled West on the Oregon Trail to start new lives on the West coast and I have found them to be amazingly inspirational. Many of these women started out reluctantly on the journey west as … Continue reading →

Building Up Your Reserves

So often we single parents are living day-to-day, paycheck-to-paycheck. Things can feel precarious and it takes all of our focus and energy just to get through this day as it is, let alone plan for the future. While, I do think we need to fuss and worry less and that it is important to learn how to live in the present, I also think that having some “reserves” can actually help us to relax and enjoy today more. When I write about reserves, I’m not just talking about a fat savings account (although that would be really nice, wouldn’t it?)—I … Continue reading →

Is Your Home In The Wildland-Urban Interface?

It won’t be long before the hot, dry days of summer return along with the increased risk of wildfires. During wildfire season, homes and landscaping interact with nature and the results can often be increased or reduced risk for complete loss of your home and everything inside of it. Even with the wide difference in climates and settings there is no region safe from the devastation of wildfires. The greatest areas of risks are where homes and dwellings are built next to forest lands. These areas are often referred to as the wildland-urban interface. As we push out the boarders … Continue reading →

Preparing for Hard Times

This last session of General Conference has several talks that focused on how to survive trials. The talks were on spiritual, emotional, and physical trials. They all talked about the importance of being spiritually prepared to handle the hard times that will come into every person’s life. They also talked about the importance of being physically prepared for trials. One way to be spiritually prepared is to build a network of people that can help you during difficult times. Sometimes you simply need a shoulder to cry on, or a friend to drop in and check up on you. Other … Continue reading →

Something for Parents of LEGO Lovers to Think About

Are your children into Lego? Are you constantly nagging them to pick up the tiny brick-like blocks from the floor before a younger sibling decides to make the colorful toys an afternoon snack? Now, let me ask you this: Are those Lego lovers of yours boys or girls? If they are girls, then what sets do they play with? Are your daughters crafting houses and castles from the popular Danish designed toys or are they more content building robots and fire engines? If it’s the latter, then you might want to contact Sweden’s Trade Ethical Council against Sexism in Advertising … Continue reading →

When to Eat Carbohydrates

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“Why is it recommended to eat carbs after a workout vs. before? If simple carbs convert to sugars quickly for energy, wouldn’t eating something like oatmeal or a turkey sandwich on whole wheat “before” a workout be better than after?” Great question! This is something that so few who are trying to lose weight understand. Eating Carbohydrates Before a Workout If you are a long distance runner with very little bodyfat then carbohydrates before your workout are a must. The carbohydrates will be used for energy so that your body doesn’t have to break down your already low bodyfat for … Continue reading →

Holiday Visitors and the Single Parent Family

Visiting is a HUGE part of what the holiday season is all about—whether it is traveling over the river and through the woods for an old-fashioned family meal, or a cocktail party for coworkers and colleagues, most of us are called up to step up our social lives from mid-November until January 1st. For a single parent family, hosting parties, putting up holiday visitors, and even coordinating childcare for other social outings during this busy season can be a real challenge! Many of you know that I have three children and they all have very different temperaments. When they were … Continue reading →

Can You Still Save Money if You’re Starting a Business?

In reality, many people who start home businesses, do so at the risk of their savings. I know that I used up a big chunk of my reserves when I was launching my own home businesses and I’ve found my story is not at all unusual. Entrepreneurs are risk-takers by nature and it’s certainly not uncommon to find that individuals save up, or take their savings and start a business. But, now that your business is up and running, how do you start building those saving back up? The first step is really to make saving a priority. It’s tough–family … Continue reading →

More New Year’s Resolutions For Homeowners

My brother and sister-in-law are beginning 2007 as first time home owners. In previous blogs I addressed the importance of developing a comprehensive household maintenance plan for the New Year if for no other reason than to avoid costly problems in the months to come. While it is a fantastic idea to give your home an annual physical and design a strategy to keep or whip your house into shape, it’s just as important to resolve to get your home finances in order, especially if you are like my brother and have recently bought a new home. Experts recommend you … Continue reading →