Homemade Money

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A Newsletter for People Practicing the Art of Simple & Frugal Living ISSN: 1099-7539 October 1998 Volume 1, Issue 9 Page 1 “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” Luke 14:28 “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” Luke 14:28 What’s Inside: 101 Home Business Ideas page 2 Moms Making Money at Home page 3 A Bear Market page 4 Be a Mystery Shopper page 5 Moonlighting page 7 Continued on page 2 Homemade Money What if making money at home was as easy as
throwing a few ingredients into a machine and
pushing some buttons? Just like one of those
fancy bread makers, wouldn’t it be great if
there was a money maker that could produce
fresh, hot, homemade money in minutes flat?
Too bad making money at home isn’t quite that simple. We’ve all seen those ads
that make it sound so
easy to earn $1000 or
more a month working at
home. Some even prom-
ise you can earn that
much in your spare time.
For all I know, these
businesses could be le-
gitimate, but I’m highly
skeptical. I can’t help but
wonder, “If it really was
that easy, wouldn’t eve-
ryone be doing it?”
Not to say that making a living from home is impossible. Certainly it is possible, and more
and more people are proving it these days. In
fact, the American Home Business Associa-
tion reported that in the last two decades, the
number of full-time home businesses has
mushroomed from 5.7 million in 1980 to 20.7
million by the mid-1990’s. This number
doesn’t even include all the part-time busi-
nesses that exist.
So who are these people who work at home and why do they choose the spare
bedroom over the corporate boardroom?
Most of these business owners are entrepre-
neurs who want more than the corporate-
ladder life has to offer. Some want more flexibility and time with their families. Others
want more control over their earnings and
their work environment. Their individual mo-
tives differ, but they all have one thing in
common. These people know what they want
and are willing to take some risks to get it.
Along with the risks, these money-making mavericks are well aware of the disadvantages of self-employment. No
support services, no
paid time off, no
company to match
their 401K contribu-
tions. Home workers
also face the isolation
and the loss of peer
interaction that comes
from going it alone.
Despite the dis- advantages, there are
many perks that no company benefit package could match. No
commute to work, no dress code, no glass
ceilings keeping them down. The increased
independence and flexibility are also a big
plus. These factors, along with more control
over salary, working conditions and time off,
make home-based business the option of
choice for these people.
Although it works great for many, owning a home business is certainly not for everyone.
Many people simply cannot afford to go from
a steady salary to an unpredictable salary
overnight. Growing a home-based business
takes time and some cannot afford to wait. To
ease the transition, many home business
owners start slowly by moonlighting or hold- Page 2 Counting the Cost 1 Manicurist 2 Daycare/babysitting service 3 Carpet cleaning services 4 Teach tennis lessons 5 Buy/resell garage sale goods 6 Greeting card writer or illustrator 7 Freelance writer 8 Maid/cleaning services 9 House sitter for travelers 10 Mobile car wash services
11 Make and sell crafts
12 Mail order business
13 Newsletter editor
14 Typist
15 Desktop publishing
16 Bookkeeping services
17 Personal shopper
18 Lawn care services
19 Cake decorating
20 Novelist/author
21 Medical claims assistant
22 Professional clown
23 Catering business
24 Floral design
25 Newsletter production for small businesses 26 Buying/selling precious metals
27 Sitting services for the elderly
28 Jewelry creation/design
29 Gift basket business
30 Graphic artist
31 Web page design
32 Medical transcriptionist
33 Computer programmer
34 Tutoring for students
35 Obedience classes for dogs
36 Tax return preparation
37 Collection services
38 Teach music lessons
39 Wedding consultant
40 Newspaper delivery
41 Birthday party planner
42 Pet sitting for travelers
43 Pet grooming
44 Teach swimming lessons
45 Teach computer skills
46 Teach craft classes
47 Sewing and alterations
48 Image consultant
49 Sell your paintings or portraits
50 Disc jockey for parties
51 Teach country line dancing
52 Freelance photography
53 Vocalist for weddings/parties 54 Rent out a room to a boarder
55 Run a bed & breakfast
56 Form a musical band; perform at social events 57 Painting (interior or exterior)
58 Wallpaper services
59 Laundry/ironing services
60 Refinishing furniture
61 Consulting (in your field of expertise) 62 Gourmet/specialty food business
63 Detailing service
64 Washing windows
65 Poet (write poems for special occasions) 66 Notary Public
67 Calligrapher
68 Teach a foreign language or English as a second language 69 Massage therapist
70 Make-up artist
71 Answering service
72 Reunion planner
73 Sell homemade jams and jellies
74 Interior designer
75 Professional breeder
76 Carpenter/woodworker
77 Professional magician
78 Tutoring for professional exams
79 Moving service
80 Technical writer
81 Copywriter
82 Private investigator
83 Personal secretary to traveling businessman 84 Data entry
85 Resume services
86 Wedding photographer or videographer 87 Personal fitness trainer
88 CAD operator/draftsman
89 Graphic illustrator
90 Make signs
91 Delivery service
92 Sell hand-painted sweatshirts
93 Professional organizer
94 Chauffeur service
95 Business plan writer
96 Mystery shopper
97 Proofreader
98 Pool maintenance service
99 Handyman services
100 Translation services
101 Clean garages & attics 101 Home Business Ideas ing an additional part-time job at
first to supplement their business
earnings.
If working from home sounds appealing to you, ask yourself these
questions: Do I have the basic skills
required for all businesses (i.e.
money and time management skills,
basic organizational skills, and a
mind for marketing)? Do I possess or
can I learn the basic characteristics
of an entrepreneur (i.e. self confi-
dence, independence, intuition and
persistence)? Would I enjoy working
at home? Could I keep my work from
taking over my life?
If you can answer “yes” to these questions, then maybe running a
home-based business is the answer
for you. With a little creativity and a
lot of hard work, you can come up
with your own recipe for homemade
money. Editor Homemade Money - continued We’re always open to suggestions. Send your comments, tips, recipes or ideas to us at the address on page 7. Counting the Cost Page 3 Book Review: Stay-At-Home Mom’s Guide to Making Money Is it really possible to care for your children and run a
home-based business at the same time? You bet it is. Just ask
Liz Folger, author of The Stay-At-Home Mom’s Guide to
Making Money (Prima, 1997, $12). Or, if you don’t believe her,
ask one of the 29 other successful businesswomen she in-
terviewed who are also stay-home moms.
"Many women get up early, get the kids dressed, drop them off at daycare, drive in rush hour traffic, and arrive at work
exhausted, thinking, ‘There has to be a better way,’" writes
Folger. If you are one of those women, take heart; this book
was written especially for you. As a self-appointed "good news
fairy", Folger does her part to spread the word: Yes, there is a
better way!
The book starts by discussing both the pros and cons of self-employment from a mother’s perspective. Remember
feeling guilty for leaving your sick child with a relative because
you couldn’t miss work? Remember how your heart broke
when your baby went to daycare and you went back to work
after maternity leave? Problems like these are a thing of the
past for moms who work at home.
On the down side, as a stay-home mom/businesswoman, you may have a hard time convincing others your business is a
real job. There’s no sick time or paid vacations, and also no
one to run to when things go wrong. You may also feel that you
can never really get away from your work. All of these are
factors to take in consideration as you think about starting a
home-based business. Next, Folger educates readers on how to avoid being conned in
their search for the perfect business.
"Financial obligations can be tough,
and many moms want the oppor-
tunity to stay home yet still work,"
writes Folger. "Because of this,
moms have become a big target for
work-at-home scams." From envelope stuffing to illegal
pyramid schemes, she explains why the scammers are the only
ones making money from these illegitimate businesses.
The book also includes chapters on making a business plan, funding your new business, marketing, and keeping your
business legal. Each chapter gives nuts-and-bolts advice for
getting your business going and keeping it going profitably.
But probably what makes this book unique and most helpful are the chapters in which 29 women tell their own
stories of turning great ideas into great home-based busi-
nesses. Their professions range from accountant to architect,
caterer to craftsmaker. Tips, recommended resources, and
advice on challenges are given by each businesswoman.
If you’re a stay-home mom thinking about getting into business, The Stay-At-Home Mom’s Guide to Making Money
should be on your list of books to read. Take it from moms
who know. With hard work and determination, it is possible to
have your cake and stay home to eat it, too. The key to finding a home business that’s right for you is finding
something that meets the following criteria: Something you do well - No one will pay (at least not twice!)
for shoddy work. Certainly, there is a learning curve to conquer
in running your own business. Nevertheless, your business will
not succeed if you don’t provide quality goods or services.
Something you want to do - Just because you do something
well doesn’t mean it’s the ideal business for you. If you’re good
at housecleaning but hate it, you probably wouldn’t last long in
a cleaning service. Enjoyment of your work is what carries you
through if your business doesn’t take off right way.
Something people will pay for - If others have tried what you
want to do and failed, there may be a good reason for it.
Carefully evaluate the market for your goods or services before
diving headlong into a new home business venture. Finding the Right Home Business WIN A PRIZE FOR BEING A CAREFUL READER Just send a letter or postcard with your name, address, and the word “Contest” written on it to the address on page 7. One name will be drawn. The winner will receive a slightly used copy of Liz Folger’s book, The Stay-At-Home Mom’s Guide to Making Money. Sorry, but to make it fair to everyone, no e-mail messages will be accepted. Page 4 Counting the Cost She’s poised and self-confident.
She’s got business savvy and loads
of common sense. After five years
in business, she literally knows her
product inside and out. This lady
is goal-driven, success-motivated,
and believe it or not, only sixteen
years old.
With the help of her two
faithful assistants, parents Bruce
and Rhonda, Samantha Hohlt has
turned what started as a hobby
into a profitable family business. Samantha’s Special Stuff is a company specializing in handmade teddy bears. In addition to these adorable bears,
Samantha’s Special Stuff also carries a wide range of other craft and gift items.
"Often I get the attention because I’m only sixteen," says Samantha, who has been interviewed by the Commercial
Appeal and Young Entrepreneur, and has spoken at 4-H
conventions. "But I never could have done it without my
mom and dad." Like a finely tuned machine, this family of
three works as a team to make the business a success. Samantha is the creative mind behind Samantha’s Special Stuff. She does the design and sewing of the bears. Her mother, Rhonda, assembles the bears and does painting
and finishing work on other crafts. She also helps Samantha
with the organizational and business details. Samantha’s
father, Bruce, does the woodwork, using recycled wood and
his scroll saw to create jewelry and wood crafts. "It’s hard
work, but it’s lots of fun for all of us," Samantha says.
Samantha made her debut in the business world at the tender age of eleven. "My best friend and I started a business
called ‘Homemade Specialties,’" she recalls. "We sold cookies,
napkin rings and other crafts in our neighborhoods." This
business lasted only a short while but gave Samantha the
entrepreneurial fever.
Around that time, Samantha learned to make the
handmade teddy bear that is now the mainstay of Saman- tha’s Special Stuff. It was Rhonda who pushed her to make a business of the bears. "Samantha made bears for all of our
friends and they loved them," Rhonda states. "So I said, ‘Why
don’t you try to sell them?’"
At first, Samantha was reluctant; she wasn’t sure she could sell her bears. Finally, she decided to give it a try. "I’d
load the bears into my wagon and go door-to-door," she
remembers with a smile. "When I look back now, I know the
first things I sold really weren’t that good. I guess people
bought them because they felt sorry for me."
From that humble beginning, the business steadily grew. So much so that when Bruce lost his job in 1996, the
business helped support the family while he looked for an-
other job. Until that time, Samantha worked alone or with
Rhonda’s limited help. After the job loss, both Bruce and
Rhonda jumped in and Samantha’s Special Stuff truly became a family affair.
Samantha has learned a great deal about marketing since her days of selling door-to-door. Now her special stuff is
sold at craft shows and on consignment at area children’s
stores. In addition, the Hohlts host an annual "Home for the
Holidays" event in their home that features their own and
other vendors’ crafts. This open-house style sale has been
very successful. "We brought in over $1000 our first year,"
Samantha says.
When asked if she has any advice for other budding entrepreneurs, young or old, Samantha is quick with her
words of wisdom. "Don’t get too diversified. Stick to what you
know and do well," she advises. "Know everything you can
about what you do and then always do the best you can.” For more information or a free copy of Samantha’s Special Stuff newsletter and sales flyer, call Samantha at (601) 349-2594, or write her at 6335 Evergreen Drive, Southaven, MS 38671. Whether you travel for business or for pleasure, here are
some helpful travel tips from Paul Learned, a home-
based businessman from Cordova, TN. ♦ Always check the bedside clock radio before you go
to sleep. Pranksters sometimes set the alarms to go
off at full blast in the middle of the night. ♦ When you go to breakfast, put the “Do Not Disturb”
sign on the door. If you don’t, you may come back to
find the room stripped for cleaning. This is worri-
some if you want to rest or do some work before
checking out. ♦ Use the plastic wrapper off the disposable cup to
wrap up the bar of soap you use. If you’re staying
several nights, continue to use that first bar of soap
and take the others you’re given home to use there. ♦ Always carry a large paper clip or clothes pin in your
suitcase or briefcase. Often the drapes don’t close
completely. Use the clip to keep the drapes closed. ♦ Many motels are now using cards with magnetic
strips rather than keys. Keep the card away from any
magnets (like the refrigerator magnets salesmen give
away), If not, the card will be ruined. Tips from a Home-based Business Traveler A Bear Market: This Young Entrepreneur Flaunts Her Special Stuff Counting the Cost Page 5 Be a Mystery Shopper The best mystery shoppers are people
who are conscientious, dependable
and articulate in their communica-
tion, both verbal and written. I have
shopped for various companies in
many settings: retail stores, gas sta-
tions, restaurants, fast food estab-
lishments, etc. There are companies
who also send you to banks, su-
permarkets, appliance stores...almost
anything you can imagine.
You work as an Independent
Contractor so you are responsible for
taxes. Many companies require that
you make a purchase during your
shopping visit which is reimbursed.
You typically receive the product,
service or food item and usually a
small payment for your work along
with mileage reimbursement.
I've enjoyed it and feel as if I've made a contribution in encouraging
companies to give the service they
advertise. The shoppers’ reports, mi-
nus your name, are sent to the man-
agers of the establishments so they
can monitor how their employees
deal with the public. - Rhonda Hohlt What Makes a Good Mystery Shopper? A big “Thanks” to reader Rhonda Hohlt of Southaven, MS, who provided much of the information for this article. How do many companies find out what kind of service their
customers really receive? They rely on mystery shoppers and
mystery shopping companies to give them the inside scoop.
A mystery shopper (sometimes called a secret shopper) is someone who is paid to visit a business posing as a regular customer. During his shopping visit, he observes factors such as cleanliness of the store, speed of service, and friendliness of the staff. He then reports his findings to the mystery shop- ping company that gave him the as- signment. The mystery shopping company passes the shopper’s report along to the business. If you think mystery shopping sounds like fun, here is a list of companies that hire mystery shoppers. When you sign
up with a mystery shopping company, your name goes into the
company’s database. You will be called when an assignment is
available in your area. At that time, the company represen-
tative will discuss the requirements and rate of pay for that
assignment with you.
Keep in mind that if you’re looking for a reliable source of income, mystery shopping is not for you. Because of the large
volume of applications these companies receive, you may not
be called for months. The frequency and number of as-
signments you receive is strictly based on the company’s need
for mystery shoppers in your area. Secret Shoppe
800-781-7467
Website:
http://www.mysteryshop.com Courtesy Counts
800-233-7751
Website:
http://www.courtesycounts.com Feedback Plus
800-816-5050 Fazoli’s Restaurants
800-366-4426 Infotel Marketing
800-876-1110 EXT. 50 Shoney’s Restaurants
615-391-5201 Sinclair Service Assessments
800-880-3111
Website: http://www.sinclair.org Shop’n Chek, Inc.
800-669-6526 Mystery Shopper, USA
941-379-5611
Website: http://www.bmiltd.com/ Haddon Adair Group, Inc.
941-358-6025
Website:
http://www.haddonadair.com/shopapp.html Mystery Shoppers Inc.
800-553-7468
Website:
http://www.mysteryshoppersinc.com/ Market Image
850-576-2600
Website:
http://www.marketimage.com/nav.html Second to None
888-291-8568
Website: http://www.second-to-none.com/
InsideSTN.htm Howard Services
508-520-1500
Web site:
http://www.howardservices.com/homess.html Ryan’s Steakhouse
Call your local store manager Volition
Web site:
http://www.volition.com/mystery.html (This
home page has an extensive list of mystery
shopping companies on the Internet.) Page 6 Counting the Cost Is the glass half empty or half full?
It all depends on how you look at it, right? If you feel parched from working out in the yard, you might say the glass is half empty.
If, on the other hand, you’ve already had more than enough water
today, you might say it’s half full. It’s all a matter of interpretation.
How would you describe your life? Is it empty of luxuries and extravagance or abundantly full of life’s intangible pleasures? Is
who you are and what you have fully satisfying or is there an empty
feeling of discontentment? This, too, is a matter of interpretation.
When Jesus spoke of having abundant life, I believe that part of what he meant was this "half full” mentality. I like the way the
Amplified Bible translates this verse: "I came that they may have
and enjoy life, and have it in abundance—to the fullest, till it
overflows." Unlike material wealth that is so often illusive, this
opulence is free to anyone who chooses to see his glass half full.
It’s your choice whether your life is abundant or not. Living simply and cutting corners doesn’t have to mean cutting out all the
richness in life. The abundance I’m talking about has nothing to
do with income. Let me show you what I mean. An Abundance of Love Some people surround themselves with things. If you want a truly
abundant life, choose instead to surround yourself with love. Love
of family, love of friends, love of God — these will fill you up more than anything money can buy. An Abundance of Friendship You are truly rich if you have a few close friendships that you know
could endure anything. Any possession that can be lost, stolen, or
otherwise destroyed is worthless compared to the value of a dear,
faithful friend. An Abundance of Pleasure When’s the last time you took time to enjoy a beautiful sunset, a
walk through the forest or a starry night? An early morning walk or
a restful nap under the shade tree are pleasures anyone from any
income bracket can afford. An Abundance of Creativity Imagine the satisfaction and accomplishment God felt when He
look at His creation and said, "It is good.” We, too, can experience
the happiness that comes from creative expression. Write that
poem, compose a song, or stir up a new concoction in the kitchen.
God gave you your creativity to use to the fullest. I could easily go on but I think you get the point. If you haven’t
already, decide today to adopt this attitude of abundance. If you
do, I promise your glass will never be half empty again. Deliciously Simple “You say poe-tay-toe, I say pah-tah-tah...” No matter how you say it, the potato is one of my
all-time favorite vegetables. French fries, hash
browns, potato skins — I guess you could say I have a potato passion. Apparently, I’m not the
only one, either. According to the Idaho Potato
Commission, the average American consumes
almost 140 pounds of spuds a year! It’s easy to see why so many people love them. Potatoes are a deliciously economical
source of potassium, fiber, and vitamin C. Be-
sides being good for you, they’re also easy to
cook: Even a novice cook would have a hard
time messing up a potato.
This month’s Deliciously Simple column showcases the spud by offering a super alter-
native to plain baked potatoes. Keep in mind
that this is only a base recipe; you can add or
substitute other ingredients to suit your family’s
tastes. This recipe is also a great way to use
leftover baked potatoes or vegetables. Veggie Stuffed Potatoes 4 large potatoes
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons margarine
1 can mixed vegetables (drained), or 2 cups
steamed vegetables
2/3 cups shredded cheddar (divided)
Salt, pepper, seasoning to taste Bake potatoes in the microwave or conventional
oven until easily pierced with fork. Cut potatoes
in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out the in-
sides of each potato, leaving about 1/4” around
the potato skin. Add milk, margarine and sour
cream to the potato mixture; mash until smooth.
Add vegetables, 1/2 cup of cheese, and sea- sonings. Spoon mixture into
potato shells. Top with
remaining cheddar cheese.
Bake uncovered at 400 de- grees for 15-20 minutes or
until cheese melts. Makes 8
potato halves. Scripture Thought of the Month "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:10 (NIV) Counting the Cost Page 7 “In addition to my regular
job, homeschooling my
three boys, I make win-
dow treatments and also
do accounting for a few
agricultural businesses
that do not require a lot
of daily time. Some of the
window treatments I do
don’t even require sew-
ing, only a hot glue gun
and some styrofoam!
Last month I cleared
$975.” Kim H. “I have cleaned houses to
bring in extra income.
One year I also made gift
baskets to sell.” Faith W. “I’ve done some archi-
tectural drafting to make
extra money; I have also
done amateur land-
scaping, telemarketing
and worked for a few
catering companies as a
cook/bartender/waiter.”
Steve M. “Once when I was be-
tween jobs, I did tele-
marketing for a company
that does political polls.
Because I did a good job,
they said I could work for
them again any time I
wanted to earn some
extra money.” Lisa C. “Our morning exercise
turned into a money-
maker for us. A few years
ago, we started picking up
aluminum cans as we
walked. We live on a busy
street so we can easily
pick up 30-40 cans each
morning. When we fill up
several large garbage
bags, we cash them in at
the recycling center. We
usually make about $40
for a dozen bags of cans.”
Bill & Dorothy G. “In the past, I have done
tole painting and made
Christmas decorations to
sell.” Emma N. “Before yard sales were
so popular, the Navy
base where we lived al-
ways held a big “Sea Flea
Market” four times a
year. Everybody would
rent a booth and sell all
the things they didn’t
need anymore. It was
lots of fun and we always
did well. That’s how we
made our extra money.”
Carol & Bruce T. “I work for a cab com-
pany so I often volunteer
to do charters at nights
or on the weekends to
earn extra cash.” Jerry D. Moonlighting Everyone knows that
moonlighting can be a
great way to earn some extra cash. But did you know there are additional benefits to
holding down another job afterhours? Consider this: Moonlighting is a good way to “test the waters” before
jumping into a new business venture. If it doesn’t work out,
you still have your regular job.
Working part-time is a profitable way to gain new skills and
work experience that could further your career later. If you’re thinking of changing careers, moonlighting allows
you to get your foot in the door and try out an new field
before making the change.
Doing work on the side is a “no-risk” way to turn your
hobby into a moneymaker. Why not get paid for doing
something you love? This month we asked our friends and readers what they do (or
have done in the past) in addition to their regular jobs to
increase their income. Here’s what they had to say. CONTACT US Counting the Cost Suite 122 4770 Germantown Rd. Extd. Memphis, TN 38141 Phone: (901) 494-8767 Fax: (901) 624-3806 Email: counting.the.cost@mailexcite.com How to Subscribe Counting the Cost is a monthly newsletter. For a one-year subscription, send $15.00 (Tennessee residents add $1.24 sales tax) to this address: Counting the Cost Suite 122 4770 Germantown Rd. Extd. Memphis, TN 38141 ♥ A Basket Full of Love - How to give great
gifts your friends will love ♥ Watch Out for False Savings - Avoid this
spending trap ♥ Celebrate Thanksgiving Every Day - Who
says Thanksgiving is a once-a-year event? At Next Month’s Issue Readers’ Exchange Page 8 Suite 122 4770 Germantown Rd. Extd. Memphis, TN 38141 ANOTHER EXCITING ISSUE! Counting the Cost makes Christmas shopping easy To make your shopping easy, we’re offering a special Christmas rate of $12.00 each for one-year gift subscriptions. That’s $3.00 OFF the regular price of $15.00 per year. We’ll even send a gift card announcing your gift to each recipient. Gift subscriptions for only $12.00 each! YES! Please send a gift subscription to each of the friends I’ve listed below. Enclosed is my check or money order for $12.00 (plus 99 ¢ sales tax for each friend who lives in Tennessee) for each gift subscription. My Name & Address: (Send confirmation here) ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ Gift Recipient #1 - Name & Address: ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ Gift Recipient #2 - Name & Address: ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ Send this form and your payment to: Counting the Cost, Suite 122, 4770 Germantown Rd. Extd. Memphis, TN 38141.