Today I feel like posting two posts. Woo Woo!
The 4th Of July! Independence Day! The day we celebrate our independence as a nation...oh boy, I almost started off on another direction than I intended entirely. We will save that one until Friday.
Tonight I'm sitting here listening to fire crackers, poppers, those loud and obnoxious, not to mention dangerous articles of entertainment we use to celebrate the 4th of July. Call me an old fogey, a square, a wet blanket, call me what you will but I hate those things! I'm not against them entirely. I think they can be beautiful and a lot of fun. I remember my Sister and I would go with our Dad to the big shows, sit in the back of the truck and eat our Taco Bell or Kentucky Fried Chicken and watch the fabulous displays...the bigger the better! If one happened to be directly over our heads, my sister would freak out, I thought it was pretty funny.
Well, if I thought that people were responsible enough to use them, I wouldn't mind so much, but they aren't. It's the few stupid ones that spoil it for the rest of us. For weeks before the actual date I am up all hours of the night listening to them going off all around town. Animals barking from the sounds, not to mention the ones that get maimed or killed by the horrid beasts that think it's pretty funny to tie one to an animal's tail and watch it panic until it's burned, has a heart attack, or depending on what they tied to it, explodes. Last fall there were some old enough to know better teen punks running around tossing lit fire crackers into the dried leaves around the neighborhood. Kids get a hold of them and think they are fun and pretty to watch but end up blowing off faces and hands either from their playing with them directly or the ones with defects that go off too soon, or too late and they try to light them again.
Then, we could even go a step farther and talk about the ones who drink while playing with these destructive detonators. There is just too much to be said about them. I couldn't tell you the percentage of people that drink while doing this, but I would venture to guess it's pretty high. People love to find excuses to get drunk and holidays are the best ones. Mix the two and you are only asking for trouble. So what's the answer? They'll drink if they go to the shows and they'll just drive drunk which isn't any safer than the firecrackers themselves. Is there always a lesser of two evils? I don't think so.
How do you feel about firecrackers? Innocent fun or not to be left to the careless and irresponsible? It's impossible to make available only to responsible adults, so do you support a ban on them? Do you think that there should be stricter enforcement of laws regarding using them before/after the holiday or very late at night? Should people be able to do what they want to do because it's just not possible to regulate and our forces should be worried about more important crimes?
For the animals and the people who have to work in the morning everywhere...I vote we leave it to the professionals.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
OK, OK, Easy Money Revealed...
They are everywhere...sites that say you can make $175/hour in your spare time with, you have seen it, PAID SURVEYS!
Paid survey sites are basically just affiliate sites. They get paid for everyone they get to sign up for an offer, and to do that they offer you a small portion of that back, basically.
It is great for a quick extra few bucks but don't think you'll make a living off of online surveys. Chances are you have already tried most of the offers already, you probably did them on your own and didn't get anything for it, but you won't get the money for it if you try again through a survey site because it only applies to new customers.
You can sign up for several sites and figure out which ones pay the most, but the one I found to be the better one is www.vindale.com. They pay you via paypal or check. Watch the payouts though. Sometimes they will say you earn $30 for a survey but to sign up for the offer you have to pay out $28 and you really only earn $2. Vindale will clearly state that in the offer, but sometimes it's really not worth it. The surveys are also pretty lame. They don't give you any opportunity to state an opinion and not all of the questions are relevant to every offer. They don't really want your opinion, they want you to sign up for the offer. There were also a few times that I had to dispute a survey because it took far too long to get the credit so be sure to save your emails and any other confirmation you may get until after you get your credit.
Paid survey sites are basically just affiliate sites. They get paid for everyone they get to sign up for an offer, and to do that they offer you a small portion of that back, basically.
It is great for a quick extra few bucks but don't think you'll make a living off of online surveys. Chances are you have already tried most of the offers already, you probably did them on your own and didn't get anything for it, but you won't get the money for it if you try again through a survey site because it only applies to new customers.
You can sign up for several sites and figure out which ones pay the most, but the one I found to be the better one is www.vindale.com. They pay you via paypal or check. Watch the payouts though. Sometimes they will say you earn $30 for a survey but to sign up for the offer you have to pay out $28 and you really only earn $2. Vindale will clearly state that in the offer, but sometimes it's really not worth it. The surveys are also pretty lame. They don't give you any opportunity to state an opinion and not all of the questions are relevant to every offer. They don't really want your opinion, they want you to sign up for the offer. There were also a few times that I had to dispute a survey because it took far too long to get the credit so be sure to save your emails and any other confirmation you may get until after you get your credit.
Surveys Can Wait
I have had so many thoughts and ideas swirling around in my head this week it's hard to sit down and funnel them down to one little category, so the paid surveys will have to wait for now...Right now, I'm thinking about natural selection.
Tonight a guy walked right out in front of my mother's car, in the dark so he was barely visible, yet after he got into his friend's car and they followed her to where she parked, THEY yelled at HER saying "what are you stupid?" and "Are you trying to run over my friend?"
So after we get home, we read an article about an unfortunate, although nonetheless STUPID 17 year old kid that jumps 2, that's TWO fences into a restricted area where he got decapitated by a roller coaster. The saddest thing about all of this is that it seems to happen more often than not anymore. People have become so ... I don't even have the word for it ... They have become selfish, indifferent, greedy, stupid, unthinking... what's the word I'm looking for, anyone?
It happens far too often anymore. We think that we are infallible, omnipotent, nothing will happen to me, if it does, I can just sue. Well, frankly, I'm so tired of it. There are reasons they have fences, let alone TWO of them to keep you out, there are reasons they have laws and signs and regulations and YES they apply to YOU TOO! We could even get into the political side of this but I won't.
I'll tell you what though, today, you break into my house, I shoot to kill, not wound or maim because I will not get sued for protecting my house. Society today, in this country, has become a joke around the world and I don't blame them for laughing. We have become a society of lazy, stupid, selfish and pathetic people. I mean really, look at who we have as people we look up to today...Paris Hilton? OMG! Celebrities who can't seem to stay out of jail, who can't stay sober or even put together a complete sentence...we are pathetic...I admit it! Since when has it been cool to race each other to rehab?
It is embarrasing! But I tell you this, I don't believe in evolution, but I do believe in natural selection.
Tonight a guy walked right out in front of my mother's car, in the dark so he was barely visible, yet after he got into his friend's car and they followed her to where she parked, THEY yelled at HER saying "what are you stupid?" and "Are you trying to run over my friend?"
So after we get home, we read an article about an unfortunate, although nonetheless STUPID 17 year old kid that jumps 2, that's TWO fences into a restricted area where he got decapitated by a roller coaster. The saddest thing about all of this is that it seems to happen more often than not anymore. People have become so ... I don't even have the word for it ... They have become selfish, indifferent, greedy, stupid, unthinking... what's the word I'm looking for, anyone?
It happens far too often anymore. We think that we are infallible, omnipotent, nothing will happen to me, if it does, I can just sue. Well, frankly, I'm so tired of it. There are reasons they have fences, let alone TWO of them to keep you out, there are reasons they have laws and signs and regulations and YES they apply to YOU TOO! We could even get into the political side of this but I won't.
I'll tell you what though, today, you break into my house, I shoot to kill, not wound or maim because I will not get sued for protecting my house. Society today, in this country, has become a joke around the world and I don't blame them for laughing. We have become a society of lazy, stupid, selfish and pathetic people. I mean really, look at who we have as people we look up to today...Paris Hilton? OMG! Celebrities who can't seem to stay out of jail, who can't stay sober or even put together a complete sentence...we are pathetic...I admit it! Since when has it been cool to race each other to rehab?
It is embarrasing! But I tell you this, I don't believe in evolution, but I do believe in natural selection.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
The A List
Well here it is. Although it is just a small list to start you out, there are many more companies out there that hire at home workers.
www.alpineaccess.com
www.teletech.com / www.hirepoint.com
www.cloud10corp.com
www.teamdoubleclick.com
www.vipdesk.com
www.workathomeagents.com
I have an extensive list compiled from many hours, days, weeks, months, even years of research by myself and others.
Some good resource sites:
www.wahm.com
www.msvas.com
www.mymommybiz.com
www.womenforhire.com
How to find home based jobs in the big job search engines:
When searching on sites like monster.com and hotjobs.com, use keywords like "virtual" and "telecommute" and "home-based." There are many more companies now that offer positions you can do at home at least part of the time.
How to stay safe and avoid the scams:
Watch out for fees. If it is a legitimate job, they pay you. You should not have to pay to get a job. There is a catch to that though. Sometimes, you do have to pay for things like your own headset, you are responsible for your phone and internet connections, programs, etc.
If it sounds too good to be true, it is! Get rich quick schemes are all over the internet with claims of making more money in a weekend, sitting on their hammock on their own private island, than you do in five years. 99% of those sites are just trying to sell you their "secret" which, in reality, is just the secret of selling the secret. That's it. You get a "free website" to sell a free website to sell a free website...
Next: Secret Shopping and Paid Surveys
www.alpineaccess.com
www.teletech.com / www.hirepoint.com
www.cloud10corp.com
www.teamdoubleclick.com
www.vipdesk.com
www.workathomeagents.com
I have an extensive list compiled from many hours, days, weeks, months, even years of research by myself and others.
Some good resource sites:
www.wahm.com
www.msvas.com
www.mymommybiz.com
www.womenforhire.com
How to find home based jobs in the big job search engines:
When searching on sites like monster.com and hotjobs.com, use keywords like "virtual" and "telecommute" and "home-based." There are many more companies now that offer positions you can do at home at least part of the time.
How to stay safe and avoid the scams:
Watch out for fees. If it is a legitimate job, they pay you. You should not have to pay to get a job. There is a catch to that though. Sometimes, you do have to pay for things like your own headset, you are responsible for your phone and internet connections, programs, etc.
If it sounds too good to be true, it is! Get rich quick schemes are all over the internet with claims of making more money in a weekend, sitting on their hammock on their own private island, than you do in five years. 99% of those sites are just trying to sell you their "secret" which, in reality, is just the secret of selling the secret. That's it. You get a "free website" to sell a free website to sell a free website...
Next: Secret Shopping and Paid Surveys
Friday, June 20, 2008
Rising Prices
With gas prices the way they are, lots of people are trying to find ways to work from home or make a fast buck. The biggest problem with that is that they are so willing to try anything that they jump at every offer out there. Here's the catch...There are many websites, telemarketers and even mailings out there that are bogus and once you fall for one of the phony offers not only could your credit be ruined but your entire identity could be stolen and it can take years to repair the damage.
I think now is a good time to start a discussion on how to find legitimate ways to earn a little extra money to fill up that gas tank, and how to spot those scams and avoid the traps.
There are far too many options out there and you will have to do some research but I will try to get you on track to finding those opportunities. Lets start.
I work for a company called Alpine Access. They started here in Colorado but have grown and add more states all the time. You'll have to see if they are available in your area yet but you can go to www.alpineaccess.com to find out. They are a home based customer service company with many portfolios to choose from, from temporary part time positions to full time positions.
There are several companies that have this kind of work available, the biggest differences are that some of them require you to be a "independent contractor" where you are responsible for your taxes and a DBA name and tax id. Others are the employer and you are a real employee so you get a paycheck and they do the withholdings and all the behind the scenes work.
On average, the pay is between $8-$12/hour but you can find more or less depending on the service you are providing.
Keep in mind you don't have to fill the tank and send the kids off to day care! You do, however, have to ensure a quiet, distraction free work place. Even though you work from home, you can't go screaming at the kids, have the dogs barking, radio/tv blaring, etc. If you don't take it seriously, you'll miss out on the opportunity and have to get right back in the rush hour of that good ol rat race.
Next time: A list of some of the companies that hire at home professionals and how to find them yourself.
I think now is a good time to start a discussion on how to find legitimate ways to earn a little extra money to fill up that gas tank, and how to spot those scams and avoid the traps.
There are far too many options out there and you will have to do some research but I will try to get you on track to finding those opportunities. Lets start.
I work for a company called Alpine Access. They started here in Colorado but have grown and add more states all the time. You'll have to see if they are available in your area yet but you can go to www.alpineaccess.com to find out. They are a home based customer service company with many portfolios to choose from, from temporary part time positions to full time positions.
There are several companies that have this kind of work available, the biggest differences are that some of them require you to be a "independent contractor" where you are responsible for your taxes and a DBA name and tax id. Others are the employer and you are a real employee so you get a paycheck and they do the withholdings and all the behind the scenes work.
On average, the pay is between $8-$12/hour but you can find more or less depending on the service you are providing.
Keep in mind you don't have to fill the tank and send the kids off to day care! You do, however, have to ensure a quiet, distraction free work place. Even though you work from home, you can't go screaming at the kids, have the dogs barking, radio/tv blaring, etc. If you don't take it seriously, you'll miss out on the opportunity and have to get right back in the rush hour of that good ol rat race.
Next time: A list of some of the companies that hire at home professionals and how to find them yourself.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Support Our Troops
I received an email the other day about prayer and support for our troops in Iraq. As that also applies to all our troops every day, every where, it specifically mentions the weather they have to contend with in the hot, dry desert of Iraq. Not even technically summer yet, the average temperature this week is over 110 degrees, and with all the gear they have to wear add at least another 10 degrees to that!
While we are sitting in our cozy little air conditioned homes with our iced tea and stocked full refrigerators, swimming pools, cold showers, sprinklers, etc complaining about how we just can't stand it, remember regardless of whether you support the war or not, our troops still NEED our support!
So instead of whining about the war and bad mouthing the soldiers, let's try to show some gratitude for the brave men and women fighting for your right to even do that. There are so many things we take for granted and won't even realize it until we no longer have those things.
Some people would call me a hypocrite saying "Who are you? What do you know?" You are right. I turned on my air conditioner this morning. I complain about the heat, I'm too tired, or even if my computer isn't fast enough today, but not one day goes by that I don't think about and appreciate my ability to do so and remember who makes that possible.
Here are a few good links to help show our appreciation...just to name a few. There are many more out there.
Troops Support
Books For Soldiers
Treats For Troops
Gratitude Campaign
Armed Forces Tribute
While we are sitting in our cozy little air conditioned homes with our iced tea and stocked full refrigerators, swimming pools, cold showers, sprinklers, etc complaining about how we just can't stand it, remember regardless of whether you support the war or not, our troops still NEED our support!
So instead of whining about the war and bad mouthing the soldiers, let's try to show some gratitude for the brave men and women fighting for your right to even do that. There are so many things we take for granted and won't even realize it until we no longer have those things.
Some people would call me a hypocrite saying "Who are you? What do you know?" You are right. I turned on my air conditioner this morning. I complain about the heat, I'm too tired, or even if my computer isn't fast enough today, but not one day goes by that I don't think about and appreciate my ability to do so and remember who makes that possible.
Here are a few good links to help show our appreciation...just to name a few. There are many more out there.
Troops Support
Books For Soldiers
Treats For Troops
Gratitude Campaign
Armed Forces Tribute
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Full Moons and Superstitions
Have you ever pondered on the possibility of truths in various superstitions? Where did they come from, why do so many people believe some of what might be considered the silliest notions? Today, I'm thinking about the full moon and it's effect (or lack thereof) it has on our behaviors. There have been many studies on such things and results would suggest that the moon really has no significant correlation to human behaviors. Why then do we still believe that people act, say and do things they would not normally do when it's a full moon?
Today happens to be a full moon. I work as a Customer Service Rep and answer calls all day long, and I would say today was full of strange, unusual, some even crazy calls. Coincidence?
So here is really the question of the day. Were the callers really unusually nutty today...or was I just more inclined to pay attention to the strange ones because I knew it was a full moon and not pay much attention to the ones in between that weren't unusual?
I'm not even sure anything I just said made much sense...maybe it's the full moon talking...
Nah!
Today happens to be a full moon. I work as a Customer Service Rep and answer calls all day long, and I would say today was full of strange, unusual, some even crazy calls. Coincidence?
So here is really the question of the day. Were the callers really unusually nutty today...or was I just more inclined to pay attention to the strange ones because I knew it was a full moon and not pay much attention to the ones in between that weren't unusual?
I'm not even sure anything I just said made much sense...maybe it's the full moon talking...
Nah!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Remodeling
Well it took 4 days just to get that darned stinkin' wallpaper border off the walls in my daughter's room. Just the border! I think they stuck it up there with super glue. Nevertheless, it's done, painted an adorably sweet pink and green and she now has a real bed! I'm so excited! I know she will love her room when she gets home from her visit with her Grammy and Dad.
I took the doors off the closet and made it a little reading nook with bookshelves and all her books, and put flower garland around the door frame. I got her some underbed boxes for storage of her toys and things...any extra junk will go to the garage sale this summer or the kids room at the club house.
When she gets home I am going to go into the room, close the door and get the camera ready for her face when she walks in and sees it for the first time. I'll be sure to post it here!
I don't know if I can wait that long!
I took the doors off the closet and made it a little reading nook with bookshelves and all her books, and put flower garland around the door frame. I got her some underbed boxes for storage of her toys and things...any extra junk will go to the garage sale this summer or the kids room at the club house.
When she gets home I am going to go into the room, close the door and get the camera ready for her face when she walks in and sees it for the first time. I'll be sure to post it here!
I don't know if I can wait that long!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Talk About Issues
Well, my daughter is now 7 years old and sleeps on the floor. She used to roll around so much that she always fell out of bed so she is on several very nice layers of memory foam. I had it set up sticking out of her closet with all of her stuffed animals on the shelf above and little white lights around the pole. All in all it was a very cozy set up, and when she wanted to have her friends over, we could just roll up the pads into the closet and shut the doors.
Well, she doesn't roll nearly as much anymore, so I decided to replace those pads with a real bed!
While she is in North Carolina and Virginia this month, I will be scraping wallpaper, painting, cleaning, decorating and hoping to have a wonderful surprise for her when she gets home..........which has already become a whole 'nother issue.
Anyway, I can see it now, forget the walking uphill both ways....when she grows up she can tell people that she used to sleep on the floor in the closet. Talk about issues!
Well, she doesn't roll nearly as much anymore, so I decided to replace those pads with a real bed!
While she is in North Carolina and Virginia this month, I will be scraping wallpaper, painting, cleaning, decorating and hoping to have a wonderful surprise for her when she gets home..........which has already become a whole 'nother issue.
Anyway, I can see it now, forget the walking uphill both ways....when she grows up she can tell people that she used to sleep on the floor in the closet. Talk about issues!
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