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Posted
Sep 28 2009, 09:34 AM
by
Karen Datko
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
This guest post comes from David Weliver at Money Under 30.
For today's information workers, offices don't make sense. Why commute in rush-hour traffic to sit in a cube and write, research, and make phone calls -- all things you could do anywhere? For many workers, ending -- or at least reducing -- daily treks to the office may be as simple as asking their employer. Especially in challenging economic times when employers can't always offer raises, companies may actually see telecommuting as an affordable way to keep employees happy.
If you have ever considered telecommuting but don't know how to approach your manager about working from home, here's a look at things to consider before requesting a telecommuting arrangement and a way to propose working remotely to your manager in the best possible way.
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Posted
Sep 08 2009, 05:02 AM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
This post comes from Jim Wang at partner blog Bargaineering:
I don't use a fax machine much and we don't own a fax machine at home, which might be surprising to know because I work from home all the time.
In fact, we're one of the growing number of homes that don't even have a land-line phone. We rely strictly on our cell phones. This means that even with a fax machine, we wouldn't be able to send or receive faxes.
Until now, we mitigated this by using the fax machine where my wife worked. Since she quit her job, we no longer have access to a convenient and free fax.
So what options do we have?
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Posted
Aug 20 2009, 06:26 AM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
This post comes from Trent Hamm at partner blog The Simple Dollar.
As I alluded to on Twitter, a friend of mine started selling Amway recently. She sent me a long sales pitch via e-mail, outlining the great products she was selling.
I flatly said no and deleted the e-mail.
I didn't even hesitate. Why? Over the years, many of my friends have pitched various direct-sales products to me, my wife, and other family members. I've seen a lot of them -- Amway, Mary Kay, Princess House, Pampered Chef, Tupperware. The list goes on and on.
I'm not criticizing the quality of the products they sell. That's an entirely separate issue, one that varies from product to product. What I do question is the true cost of the sale.
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Posted
Mar 25 2009, 04:28 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
People who still have jobs are feeling lots of pressure to work longer and harder -- and also give up flexibility about when and where they work.
A Washington Post story reports that family-friendly arrangements like flex time and telecommuting appear to be losing the gains they had made in the American workplace in recent years.
It says employers see such programs as job-retention perks, and hardly any company needs those right now. For employees, they've provided better life-work balance and increased work productivity. Why would any employer meddle with that?
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Posted
Mar 03 2009, 04:41 AM
by
Karen Datko
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
This post comes from Jim Wang at partner blog Bargaineering.com.
A year ago I left my full-time job to become a full-time personal-finance blogger. I loved the first few days. I didn't have to wake up at a certain time, get dressed up or drive 25 minutes to work. I could just saunter into my office, plop down at my computer and work at my own pace.
After a while, the freedom allowed my bad habits to fester. I didn't really recognize my problems until many months later when I started a time budget log. I was checking e-mail about 40 times a day.
I tried to tell myself it wasn't that bad. "It's not 100 times a day. It's only 40."
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Posted
Feb 06 2009, 11:23 AM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
This guest post comes from PT at Prime Time Money.
I've written a lot lately about getting rid of debts and reducing expenses. I thought it was time I address the flip side of your finances: making more money. Thanks to suggestions by my Twitter followers, readers and other bloggers, I've been able to put together a solid list of 52 ways to make extra money. Most, if not all, can be done even with a full-time job.
I obviously haven't tried all of these methods, but when possible I've tried to link to an example of the opportunity actually making money. You should be able to find something here that fits you and your skills.
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Posted
Dec 31 2008, 05:35 AM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
This post comes from Myscha Theriault at partner blog Wise Bread.
Need things to be easier? No available budget monies for a cleaning service? Boy, do I hear you. Here are six simple things I've started doing to maintain housework sanity on the home front.
Scrub brushes. It never ceases to amaze me just what an elbow-grease saver these really are. I love having them in all shapes and sizes for different jobs. Nail brushes, regular scrub brushes, old toothbrushes, you name it. They are all fantastic for jobs you would otherwise struggle with. Bathroom sink handles getting goopy around the bottom edges? Residual leftovers in last night's frying pan, even after the overnight soak? Still got some raw chicken goop under your fingernails, and you are ready to start chopping green salad? Having a collection of the correct types of brushes when and where you need them will cut down scrubbing time (and running around looking for them) dramatically.
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Posted
Dec 26 2008, 07:15 AM
by
Karen Datko
Filed under: family, The Simple Dollar, budgeting, tips, children, raising children, child care, work at home, education, frugal, emergency fund
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
This post comes from Trent Hamm at partner blog The Simple Dollar.
Kendra writes in:
My husband and I are expecting our first child in February. Currently, we're in great financial shape: We've been saving our money quite diligently over the last few years, bought a house with a large down payment, and have a large emergency fund and several CDs.
Given that and given the desire we both have to home-school our children, I've made the decision with the full support of my husband to quit my job to be a stay-at-home mom.
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Posted
Dec 09 2008, 12:12 PM
by
Karen Datko
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
When you're laid off, we've read, it's best to take a bit of time to get your bearings. Here's some suggested reading material to help you adjust: Wise Bread's "I just lost my job! Tips for the recently laid off."
This compilation of 27 Wise Bread posts represents our partner blog's best advice for surviving a period of extended joblessness and emerging with better employment in place.
This is not boring stuff. For instance, Philip Brewer explains that the best job-hunting wisdom he's encountered came from the dreary film "Let's Get Harry," a Mark Harmon dud that's graced with the presence of Robert Duvall.
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Posted
Nov 19 2008, 06:26 AM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
This post comes from Andrea Dickson at partner blog Wise Bread. Right now may be the perfect time to take a second job. The holiday season is gearing up in most retail stores, and chains everywhere are hiring seasonal workers. Whether it's stocking shelves, mopping floors, filling displays or selling goods, the shopping season is ramping up and now is the time to locate and nab those holiday gigs. If you, like many Americans, are deep in credit card debt, you might be wondering how you are going to pay it off. Or maybe you're not in debt, but need to make some extra cash to put a down payment on a car or condo, or start your own business. Maybe you just want to buy your sweetheart (or cat) something really special this holiday season. Basically, you need more money, and you need it soon.
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