Category Archives: money

Business Ideas

Posted by Jo on December 8, 2011 None comments

So the Hubs and I have been discussing all kinds of things lately trying to figure out where to go with this cupcake/candy business of mine.  It’s been interesting to say the least.  We have thought of everything.

I was thinking we could bake cupcakes and take them to the local restaurant and sell them through them.  Then I found out we couldn’t do that.  Not legally anyway.  And since I don’t think I would do well in jail, I don’t think I want to do anything that will land me there.  :)

Then someone got the idea that we could have a road stand like the Amish do.  I could go and order one of those fancy Display Banner Stands that you can see from the road.  Attract all kinds of attention.  We’d sell all kids of goodies that way!! Only I have a busy summer schedule with camps in and it gets a bit chilly in the fall and winter in good ol’ Michigan.  I don’t think a road stand would be very practical come to think of it.

What I really need is a shop.  A little downtown shop.  That’s what I need.  But then you’ve got all that overhead.  Insurance and electric and gas and ugh! I’m getting a headache just thinking about it! So for now, I’ll just stick with what I’m doing and I’ll make cupcakes and candy in my little home kitchen and I’ll enjoy it!! Cause I’m happy and Blessed!

Saving a Penny…

Posted by Jo on December 5, 2011 None comments

Sometimes you get what you pay for.  Sometimes you don’t.  Let me explain.  There are times where it pays to spend more on something.  Jewelry, for example.  Going from 14K gold to 10K gold isn’t really going to make a huge difference in the look of a piece.  The value will go down as will the cost.  If you trying to save a little money, it’s an easy way to do so, without really comprising the integrity of your purchase.  You’re still getting a nice item.  If you have some kind of allergy to cheaper metals, this won’t work for you (my MIL can’t wear anything less than 14K gold).

On the other hand, sometimes you don’t want to buy cheaper jewelry.  My husband bought me one of those pretty mother rings from a local retail store and the stones kept falling out.  We kept taking it back and they kept replacing them.  They didn’t give us any problems about replacing them, but finally I just returned it and got my money back.  But for the record, The ring wasn’t that cheap! We spent the same amount you would anywhere else you would buy the same ring! (Okay, maybe not quite as much, but still)…

The point is, some things (flour, sugar, butter, some soups, some jewelry, some pasta, napkins,  etc,) you can buy random inexpensive brands or whatever happens to be on sale at the store when you are there. Other things (chocolate, cream soups, certain pastas, eggs, lunch meats, etc) you have certain brands that you buy because they are known to produce a good quality product!

Thanks for stopping by, Catch Ya Later! ;)

 

Jenny…

Posted by Jo on November 25, 2011 None comments

Jenny Jenny Jenny, in all her AWESOMENESS (is that a word?) is having a giveaway!! Her and American Express! Are they not AWESOME as well?!?! I think so!

Aaanywho…

They are having a giveaway over at JOTS and it’s a DOOZY!! A fabulous$250 gift card!! Just in time for CHRISTMAS!! Great timing if you ask me people!! Head over there and check it out my friend, CHECK.IT.OUT.

You’re Welcome!

Peace Out…

 

What’s Goin’ On…

Posted by Jo on November 10, 2011 2 comments

I made these beauties the other day…

and these, they are actually the same cupcakes, just done a lil’ differently

and I have these pinned on Pinterest to try someday…

Corn on the cob cupcakes (are these not the CUTEST?!?!)

Cookies and cream cupcakes (these are actually on the Jo-Lyn’s menu)

I am making these pumpkin cream cheese muffins for sunday school in a couple weeks…

These are super cute! I am using the picture for reference, in case I ever do a “themed” cupcake order.

Anyway, that’s what’s going on here, What’s going on with you friends? Anything new and exciting? I have three “jobs” lined up so far for my budding little biznezz.

I am trying to remember to go slow and not get ahead of myself and my husband is trying to be patient with me because I am an all-or-nothing, full-speed-ahead, head-strong kinda girl.  Bless his heart.  I want everything RIGHT NOW.  Like yesterday or before, please and thank you.

So, yeah it’s going to be interesting all up in and around here til things get settled with this whole business thing.  We have no extra money to start an at-home business.  But don’t be worrying your pretty little heads about that.  That won’t stop me, it never has (sarcasm).  God is good and if this is s’posed to happen, it will and if it’s not, it won’t!  That is how I look at it!

I would love it if someone would come along and want to invest in my little cupcake biznezz, but I don’t know any rich people or even any comfortably well-off people…sigh.  So, we will this the old fashioned way.  A little sweat, a little blood (hopefully not in the cupcakes ;) ) a little hard work, a lot  of prayer and we’ll get there!!

Well, I am off to go clean something, or bake something, or take a nap…  :)

Til we meet again…

To Sell or Not To Sell??

Posted by Jo on October 20, 2011 2 comments

I have been thinking about selling my wedding ring set to pay off our last bit of debt that we have.  It is just over $4,000.00 and if I sold my set and my hubby’s band, we could pay it off and be done with it for good.  I really don’t want to sell them, but it would really help us out financially.  In fact, it would save us almost $200 a month in payments.

That might not sound like a lot to most people but when you rely on support checks every month to pay your bills and you are only at about 10%, that’s a lot…

And since I don’t want to be without a wedding ring, I have been looking at getting a simple titanium wedding band.  Nothing, extravagant, obviously, but it would have to make a statement, cause, after all, I am ME! :)

So, how about it? What would you do if you were this close to being debt free??

Need a Computer?

Posted by Jo on October 7, 2011 None comments

Those of you who know me know that I am all about saving money and getting the best deal I can!  When you are living on a very limited budget, you don’t really have a choice but to be about saving money.  But even if I wasn’t on a limited budget, I would be about saving money! Because really, why would I spend more than I have to!

I know some people have the mentality that “Hey, I have the money, why not spend it?”  Um, NO!!  That is not me! I am all for saving money anywhere and everywhere I can.

So, when I asked a friend of mine, “where can I find the latest laptops?” He told me about looking on some of the top online  sites.  So, of course, I got right online and looked and sure enough, I found lots of them, and for some pretty good prices.  So, if you are in the market for a laptop, just follow the link!!  I think they probably have what you’re looking for! :)

You’re Welcome! And as always…

Gifts…

Posted by Jo on October 5, 2011 None comments

I love personalized gifts.  Simply love them.  Because they are personal.  :)

They say, “I thought about YOU when I bought this gift.”   It’s all fine and good to buy someone a random gift and I’m all for the gift card.  There is a  time and a place for every gift.  but a personalized gift is just…..special.

I like to peruse this one site where you find different kinds of gifts.  Everything from personal retirement gift ideas to baby gifts.  They have shirts, mugs, golf balls, a little of this and a  little of that, it’s great.

Hey! Maybe I’ll find something for the boy for his birthday there!!   :)

The Good Ole Days…

Posted by Jo on October 5, 2011 None comments

Ah, remember the good ole days when all you had to do was have a pulse and you could get a credit card? No, really, that was about all you had to do.  I remember getting pre-approved letters  in the mail from credit card companies FOR.MY.CHILDREN.

Now I have no idea what goes into credit card factoring. Do they blood type you and find out what your favorite tooth paste is or what? It just makes me laugh the hoops and red tape you have go through, whether it’s credit cards or loans or whatever it is…

Okay, I’m done complaining, Carry on….

I Luv My “Job”

Posted by Jo on October 1, 2011 None comments

I love being here at camp. Although I do not have what is considered a “job”, since I don’t get paid for what I do, I do love my “job”.  My hubby and I are supported like missionaries, so in a way I do get paid, but I don’t get a pay check, to speak of.  I cook and clean here at Fort Faith Baptist Camp.  I also do some bookwork and make newsletters and menus and fun stuff like that. I have to be honest, I don’t really enjoy the cleaning part all that much, but hey, ya gotta take the bad with the good, right?  ;)   It can’t all be fun and games…

I always thought I wanted to be a nurse or a teacher. Growing up, I often thought that’s what I wanted to do.  Friends of mine worked as CNAs and worked their way up to working in Dr.’s offices or hospitals and are now making good money.  I could never get past the adult diapers.

It’s the darnedest thing.  I can handle blood and guts, but not adult “waste”.  I don’t know what it is.  I used to babysit as a teenager and young adult.  Once a child hit like 3, they had to be potty trained or I couldn’t handle it.  I couldn’t change their diaper if they were older.  I guess I’m weird.

I don’t handle vomit well, either.  The smell gets me every time.  And don’t even let me see it or it’s all over. So the medical field was pretty much out of the question for me, unless I wanted to go into surgery or something, which wasn’t going to happen.

But anyway, I am blessed to be where I am, doing what I do.  Even if I don’t make big bucks doing it! All my treasures are being laid up in heaven!!   :)

Wally World…

Posted by Jo on July 9, 2011 None comments

Walmart (I call it Wally World) is one of my favorite places to shop, dare I say it might be my very favorite.  Because you can find so many different things under one roof!! And for great prices!!

And now they have made shopping with them even easier with walmart coupons at drop down deals.com.  Between Walmart’s low prices and the coupon codes on their site, you can save even more through their special promotions!  And their website offers many of the same items you can find in the store.

Their site is easy to use and offers some really substantial savings, head on over and check it out!!!

The Good Stuff…

Posted by Jo on June 8, 2011 None comments

I think I have only ever had three different car insurances in my life, but they all offered different things for different prices.  But one thing none of them offered was any kind of roadside assistance club.  You know, like the famous car insurance company with the three capital letters that are all the same?? LOL

Why is it that you have to pay through the nose to get the good stuff.  I will never understand that.  You spend your whole life paying premiums and how often does the average person actually use their insurance??

My husband and I have been in a couple minor accidents each and a couple major accidents each.  So we know the importance of insurance and we are thankful for it.  But, that being said, it is expensive for what you get for the average person!!!

I think that you should get some of your money back after so long if you don’t have to use any of the money you have paid in for a claim on anything, or get lower rates or something!!

Okay, I’m done….   :)

Anyone know this???

Posted by Jo on April 29, 2011 None comments

100,000,000 useless points for whoever can tell me this…

Can you tell the difference between moissanite jewelry and diamond jewelry??  I have been told that some moissanite stone’s have more fire and sparkle than diamonds, but I am a bit skeptical.

I would be afraid they would get cloudy or dull like cubic zirconium do.  And I definitely wouldn’t want to spend the kind of money they want for moissanite and have it turn cloudy!!

I also wonder if a moissanite stone would be as durable as a diamond.

These are just a couple of the things rattling around in my brain today…