How to Turn Your Weekend Hobby Into a Profitable Side Hustle

How to Turn Your Weekend Hobby Into a Profitable Side Hustle

by | Jul 20, 2012

I’m a writer. That is my hobby and my livelihood. If I couldn’t write I would go crazy because that is how I express myself in the world. I’ve learned how to turn my writing into a profitable side hustle. It took quite a few years to get off the ground as a freelance writer because, frankly it’s much easier to work in a corporate job as a technical writer. But I’ve learned how to find writing jobs and make money.

You can do the same thing. You don’t have to be a writer but you can use your talents and skills; those hobbies you love and begin making a little extra money from them. It can be done over the weekend when you have blocks of free time (meaning time away from your 9-5).

If you make jewelry or paint you can turn your creations into money making product.

Turn Your Art into Products

Everyday I come across old and new websites that let you create products from your art and sell it in a marketplace.

I know of at least two places you can go to turn your art into t-shirts, mugs, keyring, and totebags. They include:

Cafepress.com

Zazzle.com

Sell Your Products in Art/Craft Marketplace

You may sell handmade items that can’t be put on a t-shirt or mug. That’s okay because you can still sell it online. There are several marketplaces that are just for artisans like you. Check out the following websites then sign up to begin selling:

Etsy.com

Yardsellr.com

Discover Other Ways to Make Money with Art

Maybe none of the ways above speak to you. You might have other ambitions or other artistic talents yet to be explored. If so you will want to check out my new guide for artists. It is called Side Hustles for the Artist Soul. It’s filled with 52 ways to make extra money on the side using your artistic talents. I’ve also included online business start-up tips to help you get the most out of the 52 ideas.

If this is something you want to do I encourage you to use this weekend to read the guide. By Monday you will have at least two ways to make extra money using your talents.

Side Hustles for the Artist Soul is only $9.99 and is available for immediate download.

Click here to instantly download Side Hustles for the Artist Soul

Comparison Shop for Financial Services

Comparison Shop for Financial Services

by | Jul 5, 2012

Just as you would do for any major purchase, look at what is being offered by your bank and a few competitors, then try to find the best deal to meet your needs. For instance, with a mortgage, credit card or other loan, you may be able to negotiate the interest rate and other terms. This can save hundreds or thousands of dollars over several years.

Start by comparing the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) on a loan or credit card. The APR is the cost of credit expressed as a yearly rate, including interest and certain fees. “Many people looking for a loan only focus on the dollars they’d pay each month instead of the APR and, because of that, they don’t realize how much the loan will cost and they could pay too much,” said Rae-Ann Miller, special advisor on consumer issues in the FDIC’s research division. For example, she said, payday loans (unsecured loans that borrowers promise to repay out of their next paycheck or regular income payment) and car-title loans (secured by the borrower’s car) “may be quick and easy sources of cash, but they also have an APR as high as 300 to 400 percent.” This is legal robbery. Avoid at all cost!

Also, for a mortgage, consider a fixed-rate loan even if adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) carry a lower initial interest rate or lower monthly payments at the start. “If you are thinking about an ARM, before you commit to one, make sure you know how much the monthly payments could go up and be comfortable with those higher payments,” cautioned Janet Kincaid, Chief of the FDIC’s Consumer Response Center. “Don’t let a low teaser rate lure you in; you may be surprised later.” I was lured into an ARM when I bought my first house a few years ago. It was all fine and dandy until the interest rate adjusted after two years. It increased my mortgage rate and I eventually lost my house because I could not keep up with the payments. :-(. Never let anyone talk you into a ARM. Insist on a fixed-rate loan and keep your peace of mind.

When you consider opening checking and savings accounts, compare the Annual Percentage Yield (APY) offered by several financial institutions. The APY expresses the annual interest rate you will earn on a deposit account, depending on the frequency of compounding. However, keep in mind that fees — such as those for ATM withdrawals, account maintenance and checks returned because of insufficient funds — aren’t factored into the APY. Fees can make a big difference in how much you actually earn from money you have on deposit.

Be a Rich Single Momma: Get a Six-Figure Career without a 4-Year Degree

Be a Rich Single Momma: Get a Six-Figure Career without a 4-Year Degree

by | Jun 12, 2012

If you want to become a Rich Single Momma you may consider several pathways.

  • You might have a rich uncle that will leave all his wealth to you. But how many of us have rich uncles?
  • Next on the list is finding a surrogate uncle, we call them sugar daddies. That might be hard to stomach though.
  • Write a bestselling book like Harry Potter as J.K. Rowlings, a single mom, did.

An alternative is a six-figure career. The only problem is you probably don’t have time to go back to school for another four to eight years to become an attorney or doctor. But the good news is you can make six-figures without a 4-year degree. The trade off is a short certification or two-year program, time on the job, the ability to sell yourself and skills, and planning.

I encourage you to evaluate your current job/career, industry, and skills. They could be transferable if you are not in the right industry. Take a look at your job satisfaction and ambition because landing a six-figure job does not happen by magic. Also check where are you in terms of your determination and motivation?

Single moms already have enough to do so it’s no point in adding more long-term stress. But I digress. I am supposed to be sharing six-figure careers that don’t require a degree. Okay, here is the list:

  1. Real Estate Broker
 7.  Network/IT Manager
  1. Air Traffic Controller
 8. Hotel Executive Chef
  1. Small Business Owner
 9. Radiation Therapist
  1. Fire Chief
 10. Court Reporter
  1. Construction Manager
 11. Financial Planner
  1. Plumber
 12. Mobile App Developer

 

Start Your New Career Now

Now before you throw your hands up in despair take a look at the list again. Is there a career you would like to get into? What would happen if you decided today to become a court reporter? The median annual wage for court reporters was $47,700 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,710, and the top 10 percent earned more than $91,280 according to the occupational outlook handbook.

Since you are going to combine determination, timing, and location you will be in the top 10 percent. Training can be as short at six months and as long as two years. By using a phased educational approach you can learn while you are working. It will take commitment but you will see your career progress from making the median $47k a year to over $90k a year.

Give Yourself Time to Make 6-Figures

Any occupation you choose from the list is going to require time for training if you are not already in the field. There are certificate programs for most of the occupations available through your local college or an online program. Many related associations offer certificate programs as well. Your path to six-figure income will be a progression. You will start off at a lower pay rate, but as you build education, experience, and skills it will progress. You could be making six figures in less than five years. You must be determined and persistent so put yourself on a career plan similar to the one below.

Court Reporter Career Plan

Activity Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 6+ Years
Education Certificate 2 year degree 4 year degree
Experience Trainee Junior Junior Level Mid Level Senior Level
Income $40,000 $47,000 $52,000 $65,000 $75,000 $90,000

 

Of course this is an aggressive plan but if you are in the right city and have the right timing you could reach this income level in five to six years. Your plan may not be as aggressive and results may vary. In whatever career you choose, be sure you look at salary information from one or two websites so you know how much you should be paid. Location will be a factor in addition to your experience and specialization.

You can be a Rich Single Momma, but it will take determination, persistence, ambition, and a plan. It will take time but the time you spend dreading the thought of learning a new skill, moving to a new city if necessary, learning how to negotiate a salary, and paying your dues for a few years could be spent just doing it.

Next time I will share my career path and progression with you. Some of what I did was deliberate but much of it happened because I was in the right place at the right time and was not afraid to move into a different career path.

My Uncle Died; Why Single Moms Need Life Insurance

My Uncle Died; Why Single Moms Need Life Insurance

by | May 21, 2012

I heard a long time ago that one of the reasons some families remain wealthy is because of insurance. The father (or mother) makes sure there is adequate insurance to cover the funeral and the lose of their income. There is often multiple policies in place to make site the family never has to worry about money.

You are probably wondering why I am talking about insurance and death right? Its because my uncle passed away on Friday. He was a good man; kind, funny, and always smiling. But he had been sick for the last couple of years. This illness left him financially devastated and his family unprepared for his death.

There is no insurance to cover the funeral service and burial, so the family has to rely on the kindness of others to help cover the expenses. It’s good for people to help, but insurance usually covers all this. It takes the financial burden out of the equation so the family has time to mourn.

This scenario is an example for everyone, especially single moms. We are solely responsible for the welfare of our children so it is important to have life insurance to cover funeral expenses. The insurance should also cover the lose of yearly income three or four times over.

A friend of mine had already taken care of her funeral expenses so her family doesn’t have to worry about it. Making these decisions while you are still alive is an option that can save your family time and expense. It relieves them of the burden of planning.

I know all this may sound morbid but the reality is death is a part of life. We are born, we live, than we die. My uncle’s death just makes it very relevant for me right now.

I must get life insurance for myself as well as look into pre-planned funeral services. I’m sure there is a lot to think about and options to consider when choosing a service. I have had my will drawn up so that’s a step in the right direction. I also need to get short and long-term disability insurance. All this is important to good financial health for you and the children you may leave behind (God forbid).

Do you have life insurance? Is it enough to cover funeral expenses and provide 3-4 times your yearly income? Do you have disability insurance? Do you have a will?

Setting Your High School Kid Up for Financial Failure or Success

by | Jan 12, 2012

My daughter attends a science and technology charter high school. I encouraged her to attend because she loves science and I wanted her to get important training in technology. I recognize we live in an age that will not be going away anytime soon…technology. I also recognize that technology is big business so she may as well get a piece of the pie and be set up for financial success.

The sooner she learns how to design and program for the web and other technologies the better. She will be ahead of the curve and will be able to command higher salaries in a traditional job and higher fees as a freelancer. She is currently learning web design which includes HTML, CSS, Fireworks, and Macromedia. Granted there are more advanced programs but she is getting a foundation that will take her further than if she were in a traditional high school.

Setting my kids up for financial success now is the first step in making sure they continue to live and thrive as RichSingleMomma.com’s kids!

The reality is, with traditional education too many kids will be left behind or stuck in a cycle of financial failure. Times are changing so education must change as well. As a parent, single or partnered, you can guide your child down a path of career and financial success. Where will your kids end up?

Here are a few tips to consider when thinking about your children’s education and future in our technological world.

Helpful tech training for your student may go beyond traditional classes

Discussing classic literature and solving equations are still essential components of high school curriculum, but is your child also learning HTML coding or basic computer programming? With more jobs requiring a basic understanding of technology – and an increasing number of jobs available in the field of information technology – it’s becoming more and more important for high school students to take advantage of tech training opportunities.

All computer-related fields are on track to grow faster than average projected job growth through 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For example, jobs in computer networking, systems and database administration are projected to grow by 30 percent. And jobs for computer systems analysts are projected to grow by 20 percent.

Training for tech-related jobs tends to vary by career choice, but one thing’s for sure: Whether students plan to attend college or pursue employment right out of high school, getting as much technology training as possible early on will only help their prospects.

But sometimes the necessary training may not be offered through a traditional high school curriculum, so it’s necessary for parents and students to do some homework when looking for training opportunities. “It may not always be obvious, but there are a few common places to look within your community that can help you get relevant IT training,” says Armando De La Torre, a 2011 graduate of Westwood College, which sponsors programs to send its teachers and students into urban high schools to provide computer networking training.

De La Torre, who currently works as a CSC engineer for ISC Corp., offers the following tips for high school students interested in furthering their technology training:

Innovative Programs Offered at High Schools

If your high school offers electives in computer networking or other technology training, take advantage of them. Some innovative programs may even offer college credit and computer program certification, which in some cases can lead to a job right out of high school. For example, Westwood College’s 2011-12 school year partnership with two high schools in the Denver Public Schools district and local nonprofit, KidsTek, provides students the opportunity to gain valuable technology skills and earn highly sought after IT certifications (A+, CCENT, CCNA) through the Cisco Academy Curriculum. Students who pass the courses can also earn college credit.

Opportunities with Local Businesses

Check with your high school, as well as local business associations such as the chamber of commerce, to see if there are any internships or other tech training opportunities being offered by local businesses.  Especially if you’ve already developed some relevant skills, a tech-related internship can be a great way to build your resume and get hands-on training on your way to a technology career.

Mentoring programs

Ask your teachers or a guidance counselor at your school if there are any professionals who have volunteered with the school to share their knowledge. You may be able to help someone work on a personal project they’ve been looking to tackle and receive training at the same time. Another place to inquire is with a local college, as professors and students there may be involved with mentorship programs that you can take advantage of to build your skills.

Tech-related Extracurricular Activities

Since technology comes easily to young minds, some of the best people you can learn from happen to be your peers. Talk with some of your classmates about starting an IT club (or join, if your school already has one) where you can work on projects outside of school. Many schools have also started activities like robotics programs, which can be a great way to learn while having fun with technology.

The world of technology is rapidly evolving, so learning what you can while you are in high school will help you greatly as you move on to the next phase of your life. For more information on current Westwood-sponsored tech programs for high school students, visit www.westwood.edu/community. (ARA)

Why Your Resolutions Will Fail If You Don’t Do This One Thing

by | Jan 3, 2012

This is the time of year people make resolutions. Did you do that this year? Do you fully expect to look back on the year 2012 and say, “I kept all my resolutions this year!”? How many people do you know who can actually say that?

Do you know why they fail each and every year? It’s because they do not do this one thing.

They don’t WRITE IT DOWN!

That’s correct. They do not write it down, so it does not happen.

The Power of Writing

I am a firm believer in the power of the pen.  Once it’s on paper it is final. The decision is made. There is no turning back.

To write down your resolution is to give it life.

It is a resolve to reach a goal. It is an announcement that tells the world you have something important to do for the year.

Yet millions of people forget about their resolutions after the first week because, firstly, they didn’t put any real thought into it and, secondly, they did not write it down.

Vision Boards Are The Best!

This year I did something a little different. I created a vision board and hung it on the wall facing my bed so it is the first thing I see with the morning light. I am reminded each day of the goals I plan to reach for the year.

First I wrote down my goals after thoughtful reflection. I began with the end in mind and set out to create a vision for my year.

Next, I cut out pictures and words to inspire me and help me remember my goals.

Finally, I pasted the pictures and words in a collage on a poster board.

It takes a little time to do this exercise but it is worth it. Why? Because you will have direction for the days and weeks that make up your year.

Here is a sample of a how to make a vision board

Why People (Including Single Moms) Fail Miserably

Year after year people live in depression and misery and wonder why they can’t get a break. They complain about the same things, people, and circumstances.

If you are a single mom you live with anger and resentment and worry because you don’t have enough money to put food on the table or buy your child new shoes. Or maybe you are feeling lonely and suffer in silence with a bag of chips.

The number one culprit is lack of or incorrect focus and purpose. Sure the problems are real, but when you focus on the problems, it creates more problems.

The Point of Living is Living On Purpose

What is the point of living if you do not have something to focus on? Why go on day after day doing the same things, in the same ways, yet expecting different results?

It sounds harsh but the reality is, your life will be a mirror image of last year and all it’s failures if you don’t do anything about it.

If you want love, a business, a better job, a changed life, write it down. But it is helpful to take it a step further by being specific about what you want.

This could be tricky because, too often, we don’t know what we want. But your heart knows. Listen to it and trust it to point you in the right direction.

Set S.M.A.R.T goals: Specific – Measurable – Attainable – Relevant – Time-bound, to get the best results.

Action Steps:

  1. Think about your greatest desires (let your heart guide you)
  2. Write them in a journal, on a sheet of paper, or in the computer
  3. Create a vision board (optional)
  4. Go and live your life on purpose!

Discussion Questions:

Do you make New Year’s resolutions?

Which ones did you keep the entire year?

What actions steps will you take this month to create the kind of life you want to live in 2012?