Tag Archives: business and economy

Ohgoodness!!

Posted by Jo on December 12, 2011 None comments

I have cupcakes on the brain! :)

I eat , sleep, drink, breath cupcakes lately.  Not a bad thing if you like cupcake, which I do! I am constantly looking up cupcakes on this site and that site.  Here an there and everywhere.  I and always talking about my cupcake business this and my cupcake business that.  My poor husband has just about had it I think. He is such a patient man.

I’ve been talking to my ‘business partner’ and we giggle like school children (which is funny because she is a freshman in high school and I am in my thirties not a freshman in high school, hahahaha) about how we want to get a little shop and decorate it all cute in hot pink and have everything ‘cupcake’.  From the curtains to the switchplate covers.

Yeah, you read that right.  They make cupcake switchplate covers, pretty wild, huh? That’s what I thought , too! So, the next step for us is to go and see a man about a license and see what all that entails.  Just because some day I wanna do more than just person to person sales out of my kitchen (I’m happy to do that for now, but some day…) I’m hoping and praying it only entails a little paperwork and a little elbow grease and not a lot of $$ cause that I don’t have a lot of.

So, some prayers would be appreciated and if you’d like to help in the $$ department,  I’d be happy to give you my PayPal address   :)

Thanks for Stopping By!

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! ;)

 

Rewards Cards

Posted by Jo on December 1, 2011 None comments

Rewards cards are a really good way to #1 save money, as you can often get a percentage off on purchases and #2 earn rewards on the purchases you are making.  Depending on the type of card you get, you can earn different rewards.

Some cards give you cash back.  Some give you gas.  Some cards offer merchandise as rewards.  Whatever you choose, you are sure to find something to your liking.

More often than not these cards have no annual fee to worry about and they even offer fraud protection.  And, you can get a great low introductory rate on all your  balance transfers from other cards to one of these reward cards!

Some friends of  ours make almost all their purchases on a rewards card from a major retail store.  Each time they buy something they earn points which they can spend on things in the store.  When they get enough points they go and spend them in the store or online).  So basically every time they buy gas, groceries, toilet paper, they are earning points to buy Christmas and Birthday presents or whatever else they want to spend their points on!

It’s great! I need to get one of these!! :)

 

What Would You Spend Your Money On?

Posted by Jo on November 30, 2011 2 comments

I’ve been thinking.  Dangerous, I know.  Teehee.  We have our house up for sale and I think it would be nice for the hubs and the daughter and I to be able to spend a little of the money we get when we sell it on ourselves for whatever we want.  Not a lot but just a little bit.

So, I was trying to come up with what I would spend a little bit of money on if I could.  Anything I wanted.  Would I spend it on make up? purses? jewelry? unlisted shoes?  And then it hit me!   I know exactly what I will spend my money on!!

I am going to spend money on my new cup cake business!! I need so much stuff for it! I need boxes (for transporting from parties) and carriers (for transporting to parties) and a new bowl for my mixer and….the list goes on and on, and I’ll get it all… little by little!  :)

Life is Good , I am Blessed  and I hope you are too friends,

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…

My Very First Customer, I Think

Posted by Jo on November 3, 2011 None comments

I think I booked my very first customer…

I think…

I’m so excited, I can barely contain my, well, my excitement (I just had to retype excitement 6 times I’m so excited!!)   :)

The girl’s BFF is turning 16 and I told her she should let me make cupcakes for her sweet 16 and she said she will probably let me!!!  HA!! I am so excited, oh wait, I already said that, didn’t I? Oh well.  I.AM.SO.EXCITED.

I’m so going to make some samples for her to try before the big day and these are what I am making.

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YUMMY!!!

Except I am making from my cupcakes from scratch, not a box cake mix. I’m thinking maybe a mayonnaise cake, cause it’s a dark, rich, moist cake.

The party is November 19th, so I have to get those samples done ASAP!! :)

*runs around getting baking supplies*

Until next time friends,

The Gears are Turning…

Posted by Jo on November 1, 2011 2 comments

So here’s my idea…

I want to open a candy/cake shop…

I know it takes money, but I will more than likely have to start out in someone else’s place til I get my feet under me, so I’m thinking about asking someone I know if  I can put up a sign in there place and sell stuff in a little corner of their restaurant for a short time.  I want to do stuff like this…

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and these

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and a few of these

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definitely some of this

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maybe some of this…

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a little of this…

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I would HAVE to have some of these

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and what would a cake shop be without a few of these cuties?

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and some day down the road, a long way down the road, if I get really brave, I might get into doing this kind of work, although maybe not, I am kinda partial to the little cakes…

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but I can appreciate the beauty

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I even have a name for my little shop and help already and waiting!! She is very creative and loves to bake.  Her mom and I are good friends.  We go to church together.  Her name and my name together would be the name of the shop. And my daughter would love to help, too I am sure!

The shop’s name is gonna be “Jo-Lyn’s Cakes and Candies“.  What do you think?

I’m actually really excited about what might become of my little dream!!

As always friends,

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…

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….

Natural Disasters…

Posted by Jo on September 14, 2011 None comments

Lots of Natural Disasters plastered all over the news lately, it’s sad.  Hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, they’re all over the news.  All over the world.  It’s scary.  I don’t know about you, but I feel helpless as to what to do for those in need.  I don’t have the money to help people who need it.

I don’t have the time to go and help either.  I do have the resources to help in this fashion though.  Here is a place where you can rent Commercial and Industrial water pumps that can handle a variety of problems including:

  • Flood Control
  • Industrial
  • Storm Water Drainage
  • Bypass Pumping
  • Agriculture
  • Construction Dewatering
  • Transfer Pumping
  • Emergency Standby
  • Quarries
  • Sewage
  • Mining
  • Irrigation

They carry pumps that are any where from 2″ to 60″ and they are always adding new equipment, so  look them up online at  wegotpumps.com or give them a call at

888-817-8677


House For Sale…

Posted by Jo on August 8, 2011 None comments

Well, we finally did it!  We got our house back up for sale.  We are using the same lady we had before, only she is working for a different realtor now.  She worked real hard for us the last time, so we should have good results this time, too.

Last time, we got an offer, but it was really low and instead of countering, we just decided to wait to sell the house.  This time we won’t be so hasty to do that, we REALLY need to sell it!!

The only problem is that when we got insurance, we insured our vehicles, our home and we also got life insurance, all through the same company.  And since it was “bundled”, they gave a us a certain rate.  Well, if we sell our home, we will no longer have that insured.  We are also in the process of selling one of our vehicles.  So that won’t be “bundled” in the insurance either.  I wonder what that’s going to do to our rates?  I hope we aren’t going to have to pay through the nose for it.  We will have some kind of renter’s insurance for our belongings here in the house at camp and also for the one car we still have…

I guess we will find out…  :)