The Homeschoolers Income Makeover

Interns For Homeschool Co-ops?

2011-10-07T10:12:00.000-07:00

You'd better believe it!

Many college students majoring in childhood education and development would jump at the chance to put their training to work in exchange for "real world" experience and earn credit to boot!

Rather than hire an educator with a degree for any number of classes your co-op offers, why not hire those who are receiving "fresh" in-class training? Your students will greatly benefit, the interns will gain the experience they need to add to their resume, and you will be able to free up some of your resources to go towards other investments such as materials for your students, planned events and field trips, and holiday celebration preparations that are now approaching quickly!

Here's how to stay on the "legal" side of hiring interns: goo.gl/5MnFT

Since co-ops consist of several families utilizing several people to teach various subjects, you can view and run your co-op as entrepreneurs run their businesses, thus treating it with a business respect. That being said, you can see just how to have the assistance of freshly trained educators to help educate your students! goo.gl/D2eHG

Everybody wins!

These same academic-related strategies apply to daycare centers and preschools as well, so pass it along to help out a fellow-educator!

Let's make the 2011-2012 a smashing academic success for everybody!

Do share your thoughts!

-tisha-

Additional School-Related Items & Info for Your Home School

2011-08-25T00:45:00.000-07:00

To help you stay on top of your homeschool game, here are some additional resources to help you and your students do just that!

Home School Planners and Student Planners

Christian Student Planners

Action Agenda Planners

The Student Planner

Donna Young's Homeschool Planner & How To Plan

Homeschool Legal Defense

Home School Legal Defense

Homechool Networking Support Groups

Home School Networks (Search Results only to get a nationwide locations for those of you who are new to homeschooling)

Home School Support Groups - http://www.home-school.com/groups/ & http://www.homeschool.com/supportgroups/

There are also Meet-Up. YahooGroups, and Google Groups you may like to consider joining. Just enter your location and the words "home school", "homeschool", and/or "homeschooling" plus your zip code.

Additional Resources

About.com & Home School

JumpStart (Virtual World Games, Pre-K thru 6th)

The Homeschool Scholar (for your high schoolers' transcripts)

Scholarship Money? Definitely check this out!

The Homeschool Link (nationwide newsletter-type of magazine)

Homeschool Magazines

The Homeschool Channel

Teaching Kids Entrepreneurship (by a homeschooling mom)

Homeschool Search Engine (Seriously! Check it out.)

Homeschool.com - Tremendous resource and information source

If you have or know of any other homeschool-related information that will benefit homeschooling families, might you send me an email at homeschool_wealth@yahoo.com, and I will definitely make sure you get the credit for sharing your homeschool-appropriate information.

Share your thoughts!

-tisha-

Curriculum Resources To Consider

2011-08-24T00:05:00.000-07:00

Looking for some curricula for the 2011-2012 school year? Then I have some really good ones for you to check out!

General Subjects

Lesson Plan Depot - Free Lesson Plan Templates

EdHelper - Wide range of subjects, including foreign language ($19.99/yr for limited subjects & $39.98 for full curriculum access)

Lessonopoly - Manage your "classroom", free lesson plans in their library, and connect with teachers

Donna Young's - Homeschool resources and printables

Teacher's Network - Lesson Plans

Discovery Education - Lesson Plan Library

The Lesson Plans Page & Hot Chalk - Talk about a "lot" of choices!

And editable (wiki-style) curriculum source, called Flexbooks! Covers high school-level math, science, and SAT prep (free)!

You should definitely be able to put together the most ideal curriculum for your homeschooling family's needs!

Share your thoughts and enjoy!

-tisha-

Fall 2011 Home School Days - Events, Museums & Theme Parks

2011-07-26T13:56:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for adding tons of fun to your 2011-2012 homeschool year, then check out these fun and educational places that have set aside a special day just for you!

These are only the beginning. Check with your local support groups and theme park vendors for information.

Disney Homeschool Days

Homeschool Day at Magic Mountain
(Under Private Party Home School Day)

National Museum of the Air Force

Houston Space Center

Hawaiian Falls - Homeschool 2011 Splash Days

2011 Fall Homeschool Days - Rock City & Ruby Falls

Sea World Homesschool Day

California Science Center

Enjoy!

For Homeschool Vendors & Speakers

2011-07-25T00:45:00.000-07:00

As summer begins to draw to a close, many virtual and live homeschool expos, events, and conferences will soon be in session throughout the nation. If you have a product or service that will help homeschooling families and support groups, then now is a great time to connect with these organizations.

Here is a list worth checking out and connecting with:

Homeschool Speakers & Vendors Association

Ultimate Homeschool Expo

Homeschool Building

Homeschool Activity Fair

16th Annual 2011 NTHEN Summer Homeschool Conference & Bookfair

If you learn of any other homeschooling events, conferences, expos, you may submit that information to homeschool_wealth@yahoo.com. Put EVENTS, CONFERENCES, & EXPOS in the title.

Thank you.

Are There Any FREE Expert-Level Business Strategies Still Out There?

2011-07-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

You betcha, there is! And here's one you can see for yourself! Not only is the information rich, but you also get 3 local marketing downloables to boot!

Here are some sure fire actionable things you can do to help your local business and you can do this from home!

Finally! AUTHENTIC, expert-level business strategies you can model and really use! http://bit.ly/Great-Biz-Strategies

So get out your pen and pad, grab your favorite beverage, and learn what "really works" with "real" businesses!

Enjoy and share your thoughts!

-tisha-

FYI: Link is shortener to fit some sites character limits.

Teen Business Summit - Watch Live August 22-24!

2011-06-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

This is for all you entrepreneurial teens and would like to be entrepreneurs out there!

Mark your calendar for these following dates because beginning August 22-24, 2011, the Teen Business Forum is hosting its first ever business conference specifically for you! There is a dynamic list of speakers who will give you food for thought as well as inspire you to move into action by taking you from where you are right now to where you would like to be.

Check out this video that was made just for you:

Teen Business Summit from TeenBusinessForum on Vimeo.

Dynamic speakers include: Guy Kawasaki, Yanik Silver, Sarah Cook, Kevin Hall, Shonika Proctor, Scott Gerber, Rob Salkowitz, Matt Mickiewicz, Juliette Brindak, Ryan Blair, Ben Williams, Suhas Gopinath, and Roman Price.

It's free to sign up, so you don't want to miss this! Register today!

Share your thoughts...

-tisha-

Kids Can Have Successful Businesses Too!

2011-06-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

If you have budding entrepreneurs at home, both encourage and help them get the income-generating ball start rolling. Whether it's art, sports, music, or a knack for fixing thing at early ages, you can (and should) nurture their innate talents as well as turn those natural talents into income streams.

"How can I do that?" you may think. You can start with turning their natural knowledge into ebooks or printed booklets that you can easily publish on Lulu.com. You can also create a blog and help them write about their interests, as well as find comparable products on Clickbank that you can promote on their blogs. So when someone buys the product using your children's affliliate link, your children will earn commissions from the sale. Of course you as the parent will need to sign up for a Clickbank account on behalf of your kids.

Or you can do something similar to the child who is referenced to in this video, but substitute what's done in the video with your children's interests and skillset! Check it out:

Share your thoughts!

-tisha-

Teens Create Their Own Income Streams

2011-06-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

While everybody else scratch for the same job at the same locations, there are others -- teenagers to be exact, who have decided they will create their own streams of incomes!

Check out this video that can put hope in the hearts of our young people and money in their wallets:

Whatever their (legal) passions and skills are, encourage your teens to just go for it! You and they will be so glad you did.

Great Business Visibility for Entrepreneurs

2011-05-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

Of late my posts have been about kids and teens in business, but today this one is for the adult entrepreneurial breadwinner.

Mari Smith, a Facebook expert, shares how to get in front of and engage your target market. Check out her video and share your thoughts!

-tisha-

Homeschooling Is Definitely Mainstream

2011-04-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

It always seemed s like to me that it was just a matter of time that it would happen.

Whether for negative reasons or positive, homeschooling is definitely mainstream and for good reasons too! The numbers continue to grow every year whether because families demand a higher level of educational and freedom or taking their kids out of horrible educational environments, the educational landscape has shifted very noticeably.

Check out these interesting articles that make you go, "Hmmm.....":

http://www.homeschoolmo.com/2011/03/homeschoolers-in-mainstream-commercial.html

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/39342787/ns/today-parenting/

http://www.ahwatukee.com/news/article_a326e41c-72c2-11e0-94fe-001cc4c03286.html

http://educationnext.org/home-schooling-goes-mainstream/

Why did you choose to home educate your family?

Might you share your thoughts?

-tisha-

A Homeschool Theme Song

2011-03-24T09:39:00.000-07:00

Hey Everybody,

I know I've posted this video some months ago, but it bears re-posting because it resonates so strongly with many families -- especially those who are just starting out! (You're going to be just fine!)

Just check it out and enjoy! You'll be glad you did! (I sure did.)

Share your thoughts!

-tisha-

Resources for Your "Biz Kids"

2011-03-23T11:50:00.000-07:00

Hey there!

Today I want to list a few resources for your entrepreneurial youngsters to check out.

Here's a video of one of my family's favorite TV programs that teaches not only financial intelligence to kids but also showcases the very *biz kids* who are doing very well in their young business careers! Following that are other videos that may spark the spirit of entrepreneurship within your kids as other teens vie with adults for jobs.

Enjoy!

Create Your Own Job With A Business!

2011-03-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

If jobs are once again becoming available (and dare I say "plentiful"), then why are so many people still out of work but manage to *keep* their cellphones?

Hmm...

Here's an idea worth seriously considering (and then doing!):

Make that phone work for you and make your kids' mobile phones work for them!

Learn more here: http://www.LocalMobileMonopoly.com

It really works!

-Tisha-

2011 Homeschool Proms - Are Your Teens Attending?

2011-03-07T14:05:00.000-08:00

The 2011 prom season has already kicked off in some states, but there's still time if your teens and their dates still want to attend one somewhere! Here are some upcoming dates and locations:

Georgia/South Carolina Homeschool Prom - Friday, March 25, 2011

Huntsville, AL Homeschool Prom - Saturday, March 26, 2011

Texas Christian Homeschool Prom - Saturday, April 9, 2011
2nd Website to same event with more information - http://www.christianhomeschoolprom.org/

Tampa Bay Florida Homeschool Prom - Friday, April 15, 2011

Baltimore, MD Homeschool Prom - Friday, April 29, 2011

Fridley, Minnesota Homeschool Prom - Friday, April 29, 2011

Statewide North Alabama Christian School - Friday, April 29, 2011

Waco, TX Homeschool Prom (Masquerade Ball) - Friday, April 29, 2011

Bloomington, IL Homeschool Prom - Friday, May 6, 2011

Middle, Tennessee Homeschool Prom - Friday, May 6, 2011

Heartland Homeschool Prom - Friday, May 20, 2011 (Indianapolis, IN)

If you know of any additional 2011 homeschool proms that should be added to this list (I'm sure the teens would want to know!), please the link of their event to me, Tisha M. Silvers, homeschool_wealth@yahoo.com, and I will add them.

Thank you!

Homeschool & Sports Part 4

2011-02-18T00:00:00.000-08:00

As you prepare for the weekend, here's are three more homeschool-related sports resources for you to consider:

1. A homeschool sports insurance program for you and your homeschool group - http://www.homeschoolsportssolutions.com

2. The National Christian HomeSchool Championships are designed to provide top-quality tournaments for HomeSchool Student-Athletes - http://nchclive.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=132&Itemid=471

3. The Home School Resource Center offer great sports information you can adopt:
http://www.fofchomeschool.org/sports.php

Share your thoughts about the homeschool sports programs this week. And if you have additional information that homeschooling families can use who want to get some teams started in their area, please do in the comment section.

Have an awesome weekend!

Homeschool & Sports Part 3

2011-02-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hey there!

So glad you're back.

If you're thinking about starting a sports league of your own, then this is a great video for you to check out:

Enjoy!

Homeschool & Sports Part 2

2011-02-16T00:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome back to Part 2 of "Homeschool and Sports"!

Today I've got Part 1 of a 2-part interview with Jeff and Kerry Byers who are going to share a little about their sport group program, PSP (Private Satellite Program) which is a Christian sports group.

Great interview in my opinion.

Enjoy!

Homeschool & Sports

2011-02-15T22:04:00.000-08:00

Sports in home schools have demanded (and gotten) a great deal of attention. And rightfully so.

If playing sports is on the minds of your homeschooling students, then here are some resources for you to check out which are a couple of sports organizations that are homeschool-specific followed by the progress of a Homeschool Sports bill that has been introduced and is currently advancing:

http://www.hspn.net/default2011.asp
http://www.hsaa.org/
Home-School Sports Bill Advances

Tomorrow will begin a 2-part video interview with Jeff and Kerry Byers that's sponsored by CHEA of California (Christian Home Education Association).

Homeschool Freedom Act

2011-01-31T00:30:00.000-08:00

With the level craziness taking place on grade school campuses, much less at the middle and high school levels, it's no wonder why parents, educators, and some government officials are stepping up to ensure that families have a right to home educate their families!

Just like the Homeschool Freedom Act was introduced in New Hampshire, so should tons of similar actions ought to be initiated across America. We have got to help get this new generation of kids on the right track so they don't derail their futures because of our inactivities! Read how the New Hampshire homeschoolers took action!

Check out this article on the Christian News Wire and take action in your state too:
http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/5944416063.html

Something Great to Look Forward To

2011-01-20T17:19:00.000-08:00

Many home-educated students participate in a plethora of activities -- particularly as they prepare for their futures, including titles such as Miss America and Miss Oklahoma.

Here's a delightful article that confirms that you can accomplish any goal you set out to do! Miss America, Miss Oklahoma shine light on homeschooling

And here's a great video on goal-setting for teens!

Enjoy!

God Gets All The Credit Here...

2011-01-05T12:33:00.000-08:00

...as far as I am concerned.

This is truly amazing!

Enjoy....

Hope you're ready for an awesome 2011!

2011-01-01T16:28:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

With a fresh slate in front of us, all we need to do is lay the tracks to creating an awesome year. Here's an article that mentions a few of favorite business-related sites from 2010 that when they're parlayed with other sites and infused with great creativity, your business has no choice but to boom:

New Year's Resolutions for Entrepreneurs

Meet Your New Online Mentor

10 Social Media Trends for 2011

And here's a bonus video: How To Use Social Media Marketing to Increase Sales

Share your thoughts in the comment section and enjoy and prosper!

-Tisha-

Free Calls Via Your Computer?

2010-12-22T17:16:00.000-08:00

This is quickest video ever, but it's great information!

Check it out.

Preparing for the New Year

2010-12-21T00:00:00.000-08:00

Amazing how it seems like time has flown!

The new year is on our heels and now is great time to plan a fantabulous 2011! Nearly everyone has had his/her share of achievements, unmet goals, ups, downs, high and low points. And you know what? There is something everybody can all take away and learn from (whatever that may be) to have a better tomorrow.

For me, it's determination and being clearly responsible for making sure I get what I set out to do even if I have to do it alone. We've all been graced with innate gifts and talents, some the world will and has recognized in great ways and some only a select few have acknowledged. Bottom line, to get ahead we have to focus, not make excuses, be forgiving and yet hold others accountable for their actions as well.

2011 is just about here. When December 31, 2011 comes, what would you like to look back on and feel a great sense having accomplished?

Here are a couple of resources today's reading to help you set in motion the things you desire to accomplish:

Things Kids Can Do During Winter Break

2010-12-20T15:08:00.000-08:00

Hey there!

If you're anything like the rest of us parents, you may be searching for ideas to keep the kids from getting too bored during winter break. Though it may or may not be possible for the kids to get together with their friends for a variety of reasons, they still look to us to make sure they're adequately entertained.

So in an effort to get a jumpstart ahead of "Mom, I'm bored...", here are a few articles that may spark an idea or two for you:

Enjoy!
Image via Wikipedia

Social Media Announces the Birth of The Anointed One!

2010-12-18T19:10:00.000-08:00

Imagine social media 2000 years ago!

The Savior's arrival might go something like this....

Enjoy!

-Tisha-

Wanna Learn Something New About Yourself?

2010-12-09T13:06:00.000-08:00

Watch these videos and share your reactions.

No worries. The videos are "family-friendly".
;~D

Check 'em out....then leave your comment in the comment section.

Awareness Test

Change Blindness

Staying Safe During the Winter

2010-12-08T07:54:00.000-08:00

Today's links are about staying safe during the Winter. And this time we cover the whole family and their pets as well. It's important to always be aware of what's going on around you so you will know what actions to take in case anything negative happens. And just as important is taking preventative actions to head off anything that you don't want to happen as well.

Enjoy your articles, videos, and take action!

-Tisha-

Winter Safety: Keep Kids Safe from Hypothermia, Frostbite, and Injury

Stay Safe: Winter Roads Can Be Frightful

Stay Safe When Enjoying Outdoors in Winter

Tips To Prevent House Fires During the Holidays

How To Keep Your Pets Safe This Winter

The "principle" in video applies to any area where it's extremely cold during the winter, so give heed to what's shared.

Home Safety

Winter Driving Safety Video

Stay Healthy During The Winter

2010-12-07T08:20:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I shared links and a video on how to stay warm during wintry weather. Today I'm sharing links and a video on how to stay healthy during wintry weather.

To your winter health!

-Tisha-

Stay Healthy All Winter (great relevant article that still applies today!)

Staying Healthy During Winter

17 Ways To Stay Heart-Healthy This Winter

Keeping Your Family Healthy During the Winter Months

Staying Warm in Wintry Weather

2010-12-06T08:46:00.000-08:00

Now that the cold snap has begun, it's time to consider numerous ways to staying warm.

Here are links to some great articles and a video that will help you and your loved ones do just that:

A Few Tips To Stay Warm This Winter

How To Keep Warm During The Cold Winter

How To Stay Warm at Home Without a Heater

Stay warm!

What's the Cashflow 101 Game About?

2010-11-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

Well, who's better to tell you than the creator of the game himself -- Robert Kiyosaki?!

Here is a link to meetup groups everywhere (literally) who are totally ignoring the "down economy" talk and creating their own "up economies"!
http://www.richdad.com/Club/FindClub.aspx

Check the out the video above, find a group in your area where you can see what's all the excitement about, and then get in on both the fun and the financial increase! And remember to get your children in on it too! Some clubs even have for Cashflow for Kids games too!

Add Cashflow games to your income-generating business and you will hear "ch'ching!" a lot more often!

Share your thoughts in the comment are.

Teaching Kids CASHFLOW Through a Game!

2010-11-18T00:00:00.000-08:00

This is a FAVORITE in my house!

Cashflow For Kids created by Robert Kiyosaki.

You've got to check out this video because it's SO on point. Even if your youngsters create viable businesses, if they don't understand how to create a stream of passive income, then in all likelihood they won't see the long-term profits they seek -- even though they have businesses that are generating some income.

Don't have the game yet? Then let your kids play a quick online game until they get it. http://www.richkidsmartkid.com.

If your children don't have this game and someone asks you what should they give them for their birthday or special holiday, I highly recommend this game! It's designed for at least ages 6 years old and it's loads of fun! It teaches them how to make their money and how to generate passive income at an early age.

After you check out the video and the kids played the online game, share your thoughts in the comment section.

Kid Entrepreneur Program

2010-11-17T00:02:00.000-08:00

Perfect for Homeschool Groups Everywhere!

Although the video addresses the traditional after-school program, this still seems *perfect* for homeschool groups everywhere! As a matter of fact, it's an awesome opportunity for several groups to merge and create a time-limited opportunity for multiple homeschooling families to their own marketplace!

Check it out!

Share your thoughts in the comment area!

When It Comes To Business Heroes, Here's Mine

2010-11-16T23:34:00.000-08:00

Let me introduce you to a person who I consider the best business hero to date: Rich Schefren.

Rich brings to the table a lot of common sense that creates great businesses. Straight up. He also has an impressive history AND following! We're talking people like Brian Tracey and others.

If you're looking for profits in your business, then I invite you to download and read his free reports that are guaranteed to grow your business whether you have a private practice, a store front, or work from home. Just scroll to the bottom of his homepage, Strategic Profits, and you'll see all of them.

Just be prepared to be amazed at this business-building genius who has a very impressive history to grow business exponentially -- we're talking at the age of 22 where he took a New York City clothing store that was bleeding (losing tons of money) and literally caused it to thrive amongst Goliath-types of clothing stores on every side of him.

See how he not only helped this store turn a serious profit, but was also was sent by his corporate office to help the other stores of that same chain turn a profit as well. And it doesn't stop there. Wait and see how he shows you how to build a thriving business in his step-by-step methodologies too -- even in this so-called "down economy".

Hey, don't take my word for it. Go to www.strategicprofits.com and see for yourself! Then share your thoughts in the comment area.

Here's to looking out for you!

How To Get Free Business Help

2010-11-15T10:22:00.000-08:00

If you're thinking about starting a new a business or have one already but like some free counsel, you may want to visit SCORE's website and begin creating your advisory team.

SCORE services are free and their advice and recommendations are great!

If I was starting anew, I'd connect with a couple of marketing SCORE representatives, a couple of sales representatives, an accountant rep, an administrative-related rep, and probably an human resources rep as well.

The reason I chose those particular fields is because almost all businesses have those areas in their businesses. And even if you're a one-person home-based business owner, it's more than likely you're fulfilling these roles yourself or outsourcing them instead.

SCORE representatives will offer advise and fresh perspectives when dealing with or facing certain decisions you need to make. Their counsel can also be wonderfully timely as well.

You can visit their site at http://www.score.org and peruse the plethora of skills, talents, knowledge, and wisdom right at your fingertips!

And "free" business counsel at this level is perfect timing in my opinion. Check them out!

Preparing Your Home For the Holidays - Inexpensively! Part 4

2010-11-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

To add to yesterday's post of starting your business during the holidays, here's a "super" short video about how to market your business during the holidays, namely a free downloadable guide.

I will admit that I myself need to read it, so I'm going to download it too. Not because I need ideas, but because I'm quite curious if it has both great content and easy-to-do strategies.

And speaking of.....

If you need business and/or marketing ideas, just send me an email at tisha.silvers@gmail.com and let's powwow. I'm more of a guerrilla marketer than anything, meaning that I tend to think outside of the box, on-the-fly, and suggest "very" specific strategies to your business ideas.

In the meantime, check out the video and have a great weekend!

Preparing Your Home For the Holidays - Inexpensively! Part 3

2010-11-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

Back again, but this time a wee bit of a twist!

Instead of "shopping" for the holidays, check out this video on how actually earn money for the holidays!

Hint: You're your own boss in this case.

And if you don't want to go it alone, connect with someone who has a natural knack to both think and act creatively.

Check it out!

Preparing Your Home For the Holidays - Inexpensively! Part 2

2010-11-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hi again!

Now, I have to admit that before watching this video, this source never came to mind!

Again, using lots of creativity along with a trip to the local Dollar Store or .99cents Store, you can create a beautiful home for the holidays.

Check it out!

Preparing Your Home For the Holidays - Inexpensively! Part 1

2010-11-09T23:40:00.000-08:00

Hey there!

If your budget has been tight this year, I'm going to share a few short videos that will help you spice up your home decor in time for the holidays and do so very inexpensively! We're talking $5 in some cases.

And by using a little imagination (and perhaps, flipping through some home magazines on the magazine racks at your local supermarket, Home Depot store, etc., I'm more than certain that more than a few ideas will come to mind as you perhaps ponder taking a well-deserved trip to your local Dollar Store or .99cents store! You'll not only amaze everyone around you, but you'll also amaze yourself!

Enjoy the first video!

Getting Business in the Door

2010-11-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

We're at the end of the year and many people are wondering how to get more business in their doors.

Try using some of these marketing strategies:

Local Marketing
Sometimes we 21st-century entrepreneurs tend to forget about engaging in local marketing. Having a Web presence and knowing how to effectively create it and use it is very important, but never lose site of the gold mine sitting in your own back yard. (Of course, that yard can be of significant size such as offering your services nationally and even internationally.)

An example of that is since the holidays are on our heels, greeting cards with a discount coupon or free movie tickets will definitely catch your customer's attention. (Get creative, but inexpensively creative.)

Local Search Marketing
Whether or not you have a Web site, make sure your location is found online by registering your business with the plethora of available online directories such as Yelp, YellowPages.com, Google Local, Yahoo local, MSN Live, CitySearch, etc.

Each of those sites will give you the opportunity to categorize and describe your business. Get creative and make sure to use the proper keywords so you can be found by people who are actively searching online for the types of products and services you offer.

Mobile Marketing
If your year-end budget will allow it, go for it. To save money, select a very specific location and create mobile phone ads and text message ads for a targeted area where you know your target market frequent. By typing in the keyword phrase in Google (or other search engine), "How to create mobile marketing campaign" (as I've personally done), you should get some really great results and then just go for it. Just be extremely mindful of your budget. Then again, the payoff can be sweeeet if you get plenty of buyers!

Be sure to leave a comment. :~)

One of My Favorite Teen Entrepreneur Stories

2010-10-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

Though Cameron Johnson is no longer a teen entrepreneur, he did start out as one. Listen to his story to see how he went from initial start to where he is currently.

What an inspiration and possibility! You'd be shocked (not just surprised) at the caliber of professional adults who will step up to plate when you're ready to take your place as the rightful entrepreneur you are!

Advice for Teen Entrepreneurs

2010-10-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

In this video, David from Radical Parenting offers some great advice for teen entrepreneurs as related to asking the right people for help and "how" to do that the right way.

Check it out:

Teens, remember that there are TONS of people who desire to see you succeed in your businesses! We're here for you.

Biz Kids

2010-10-20T09:36:00.000-07:00

This is a favorite of one of my young entrepreneurs!

Check it out!

It's all about making the right choice with their money!

Teen Entrepreneurs - Part 2

2010-10-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

Not only are these teens entrepreneurs, but they're also starting their own associations just for teen business owners!

These kids got it in them!

Time for your teen to put their own stake in the ground and get their share of the "REAL" American Dream....ENTREPRENEURSHIP!

Teen Entrepreneurs - Part 1

2010-10-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

Teens are not taking employment challenges sitting down.

They are starting their own businesses and succeeding. Very much so! Check it out.

The holidays are approaching pretty quickly. Time for your teen to get a move on it. They can definitely make their business just as successful as the next teen!

For Those Times When You Need Some Encouragement...

2010-10-07T23:36:00.000-07:00

...watch this video to give yourself the "oomph" you need to get up and start again.

And when you're done, visit Carletta's website, Successful Homeschooling, and check out the information on her site.

It's important that we encourage and take care of ourselves. Enjoy the video and be encouraged.

Developing the Creative Side is SO Important...

2010-10-05T13:23:00.000-07:00

...especially in education. (Home school gives us such a distinctive advantage to nurture this gift at any time.)

Check it out:

Great Virtual Homeschool Expo Worth Attending

2010-09-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

October 4-8, 2010 is a 5-day virtual event. Here’s a snippet from the Homeschool Expo invitation I received:

“Help us "Celebrate Homeschooling" with five days of inspiration and encouragement from speakers like John Taylor Gatto, Tricia Goyer, Andrew Pudewa, Todd Wilson, Carol Barnier, and many more. Browse through a virtual vendor hall, win fabulous physical door prizes, and receive a virtual goodie bag filled with more than 20 downloads valued at over $240!

Can't make every session? That's okay. Come join the fellowship online and LIVE when you can. You'll be receiving the MP3 recordings of all the sessions. If you miss a few live sessions, no problem! Did you know that the value of the MP3 recordings alone is $19.95.”

Be sure to click on the link below to see what awaits you. This is going to be a great event.

Don’t miss out! http://www.schoolhouseexpo.com/

Home School Just ROCKS!

2010-09-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

Endeavoring to help us make this a great home school year, here are two links and a video from previous posts that seem like they definitely go together!

Below are two links to nationwide Home School Days for the 2010-2011 school year! Combine with these educational dates of fun and activities with the previous post about vanpooling, and you definitely have the makings for one awesome and fun home school year ever!

http://homeschool-wealth.blogspot.com/2010/08/homeschoolers-gettin-lots-of-love.html
http://homeschool-wealth.blogspot.com/2010/08/homeschoolers-gettin-lots-of-love_24.html

Enjoy...

More Great Curriculum Resources...

2010-09-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

I just love it when I come across some great resources that are ideal for homeschooling families, and last week I came across quite a few!

As you know, we homeschoolers like to spend our fair share of time at the library, and my son and I came across some really great DVDs by Rock 'n Learn. Their DVD materials cover pre-K and up. I've even seen subjects (particularly Algebra and Geometry) that are the high school level, and they're a lot of fun to watch to boot! These DVDs also have Q&A tests at the end of each section so your homeschool students may test themselves to see how much they've learned. If you visit their website, you can print out their free pdfs as well.

Here are some free worksheet websites you may want to check out:

http://www.education.com/worksheets/fourth-grade/writing/page3/

http://www.beestar.org/index.jsp?adid=101&gclid=CNC-0OGniqQCFSFVgwod6E3ZIA

http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/

And when the time comes for choosing colleges that are homeschool-friendly, then you may want to check out this extensive list too.

If you know of others, please do share them in the comment section.

Raising Money for Homeschool Field Trips and Vanpooling...

2010-09-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

No doubt this year has hit a lot of families really hard, and homeschooling families are no exception.

So how we still keep the home school year lively, loads of fun, and 100% educational to boot? Well, I've come up with a few doable ideas and suggestions. Feel free to add your own in the comment section. If you have website or blog, you can also link to us as well.

When it comes to field trips, there are a few bumps-in-the-road that might hinder many families from enriching their homeschool year. That concern is getting the extra money to go on a field trip in the first place to cover park entrance fees, parking, gasoline, and food for the most part.

Here are some fundraising companies to worth considering:

Fundraising:
If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you may remember some of the fundraising companies and ideas I presented regarding homeschool event in Southern California. The companies are:

http://www.samaritanfundraising.com
http://www.abcfundraising.com
http://www.fundraising-ideas.org/DIY
http://www.fasttrackfundraising.com/fundraising-ideas.php
http://www.fundraisingforgroups.com

And if transportation is an issue, you may want to vanpool this time. You can present the idea to your local homeschool support group leader, or talk to a few homeschooling families and do everything yourselves. The benefits are obvious as you will only have to pay for parking once for the whole group as oppose to each family spending money, and tanking up will be much easier so individual families won't have to be concerned about putting gas in their individual cars this time. The money from the fundraiser will also take care of park entrance fee and food as well.

Here, too, that problem is solvable because most theme parks, zoos, museums, etc. have great group rates so you will definitely save money. Eating a hearty breakfast and having cold drinks and snacks in a couple of coolers in the van can help prevent those tummies from getting empty, and money from your fundraising event can also go towards purchasing one meal per family in the park in addition to everybody's park entrance fees.

This year may also be a great time to not limit your homeschool field trips to your local area, but branch out and go to other states that have museums, national parks, science centers, and maybe even visiting the White House and soaking up all the nuances that help make our country great. (Yeah, yeah, I know we have our issues in America, but we're still a really great country.)

Here's to the beginning of a great 2010-2011 home school year!

Youth Entrepreneurship: It’s Easier Than You Might Think

2010-09-09T12:41:00.000-07:00

Hey there!

I like to introduce to you today's guest blogger and inventor, Melissa Rose of Biz in Boxx, who has created a three-level product designed to teach your kids and teens how to start and grow businesses of their own. These awesome products are designed for ages 7yrs to 10yrs, 11-yrs to 14yrs, and 15yrs &up, and is perfect proof that your children can really make this work.

Melissa has wonderful advice she likes to share to help you start your family off on the wonderful road of entrepreneurship.

Melissa:

As an entrepreneur, you know the benefits of business ownership from both a financial and emotional standpoint. It’s an empowering feeling , one marked by the ability to travel through a maze of decisions and actions that can lead to a well-deserved reward.

Entrepreneurship isn’t limited by age, but merely by the inability to take great ideas to the marketplace. If your child has a desire to embark on the journey, start with the one thing that can take him along the path – the idea.

The Great Problem Solver

Successful products and services are designed to solve problems. Oftentimes we think the problem has to solve a catastrophic occurrence, but that’s clearly not the case. Problems don’t have to be extreme like repairing a car transmission or fixing a leaking roof. They can be minor problems like finding something sweet to eat to satisfy a sugar craving or buying a sturdy leash for walks with Fido. All products and services we buy are designed to solve our problems.

This is one reason why kids make great entrepreneurs. It’s not that they can think outside of the box any better than adults; they just don’t see that a box exists. They are naturals at problem solving.

Make People Happy

Developing a product or service that solves people’s problems is half of the equation. While your child’s future consumers may determine they need the product, they also need a reason to want it. People buy things because it makes them happy and their lives better.

Think about the last few items you purchased either for yourself or your child. Did it solve a problem? Did it make you happy and your life better? As consumers, we don’t always realize how the things we buy satisfy a conscious or subconscious perceived need for happiness.

If your child is ready to explore the world of entrepreneurship, have him spend some time really thinking about his idea and developing it into a product or service that solves problems and makes people happy. He doesn’t have to invent the wheel; he just has to make it better.

Melissa Rose is the founder and inventor of Biz in a Boxx, an easy, experiential guide that teaches kids and teens how to start and run their own business. She lives in Phoenix with her 14-year-old entrepreneurial daughter, Sydney.

If you're looking to get your child involved in entrepreneurship, be sure to check out www.bizinaboxx.com.

I Agree, Let's Raise Our Kids to be Entrepreneurs

2010-09-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

Better for us to raise our families to pursue entrepreneurship rather than pushing them in traditional professions.

I could talk about all the reasons why, but then that would make an unbearably long blog. Rather than do that, here's a video that says it all (and echo what I've been saying for years).

Check it out and share your thoughts.

Enjoy!

Tween Investor & Entrepreneur

2010-09-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

Here's another great reason to believe in your kids!

Twelve-year-old Jeri Lee is both an investor and entrepreneur, and she's a true inspiration to us all. Gather the whole family together to listen to her story and for youngsters to become inspired to follow their dreams as you the parent/guardian help them draw out your family's hidden abilities.

Jeri Lee's investing/entrepreneurial actions strongly reminds me of Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad for Kids books, board games, and online games, which you've so got to check out!

In the meantime, watch and be inspired by this truly awesome young lady!

13-Yr Old Creates Own Business - Encouragement for Your Teens!

2010-09-03T22:19:00.000-07:00

Not only is she smart, AzureRae gets interviewed by Tavis Smiley himself!

Encourage your kids and teens to pursue their entrepreneurial bents. You will and they will be glad you did!

Enjoy the video!

For Homeschool Business Owners, Here's Something Worth Checking Out...

2010-09-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

If you're like the rest of us, you incorporate social media as part of your business strategy. And if you find yourself trying to manage it all (like the rest of us), here's a neat tool you should check out called Social Marketing Hub by Awareness.

It helps you and your team members (even if that's only other person in addition to yourself) manage everything seamlessly. Here's a video to see how it works:

So, whatcha think? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

Homeschoolers Gettin' Lots of Love Nationwide Via Home School Days, Pt. 2

2010-08-24T00:42:00.000-07:00

Welcome Back!

Today we're posting the 2010-2011 and 2011 (only) schedules of nationwide home school events and activities!

Yesterday we covered a bit about all of the great educational events going on from coast to coast. On one hand it was kind of a big list, but then again on the other hand, it was a mere drop in the bucket when compared to each and every activity also scheduled for both 2010 and 2011, such as proms, dances, all sorts of sports events, etc.

One thing is for sure and that's there is no shortage of creative get-togethers for this large industry!

So without further ado, here are the two schedules:

2010-2011 and 2011-Only Schedules

http://www.lsc.org/lsc/edprograms/studentprograms/homeschool-educational-workshops

http://www.nbm.org/schools-educators/homeschool.html

http://www.elitchgardens.com/events_sub.aspx

http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/lc/teachers_place/fieldtrip_choice.aspx

http://california.legoland.com/tickets/groups/education_programs/home_school_days/

2011

http://groups.visitkingsisland.com/public/small_groups/school/homeschool.cfm

http://www.christianheritageonline.org/events/homeschool-day-at-the-capitol/

http://www.nashvillechildrenstheatre.org/camp_workshops.htm

Again, if you know of other events, please do share them with us in the comment section.

Homeschoolers Gettin' Lots of Love Nationwide Via Home School Days, Pt. 1

2010-08-23T23:57:00.000-07:00

With the phenomenal rate homeschooling is growing nationwide, many theme parks, science centers, parks, zoos, aquariums, etc., are showing homeschoolers their full support by creating Home School Days at their venues! From coast to coast, these smart places of business (albeit, fun businesses too!) have created days specifically for home educated families -- and it's a good thing they do!

The homeschool industry is a muli-billion dollar industry according to a Sunday CBS News interview.

Astute service and product companies that know how to bring true educational/academic value to home educated families are the ones that will participate in the exchange of our dollars for their highly-valued educational resources ranging from curricula, supplies, knowledge in the forms of facilitated zoos, aquariums, science guides, etc. to just having pure fun at reduced-priced theme parks and theaters - minus the super long lines, of course!

Today's and tomorrow's posts are nationwide snippets of the 2010, 2010 thru 2011, and 2011 (only) schedules of activities and events created just for us homeschoolers! So get out those calendars and make this 2010-2011 home school year the best ever!

Also, you may like to present these scheduled events to your home school groups and co-ops to see how the whole group can create the ultimate shared homeschool year ever by traveling across country together. (Just a thought...)

For 2010 Only

http://www.wildrivers.com/gs_homeschoolday.asp

http://www.inkfun.org/events/index.php

http://www.houstonzoo.org/homeschool/

http://www.disneyyouth.com/home-school-days/

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/education/homeschool/index.asp

http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/home-school.aspx

http://www.spacecenter.org/HomeSchool.html

http://www.historyisfun.org/Homeschool-Programs-2.htm

http://www.chipandco.com/2010/07/disneyworld-home-school-days-for-sepember-2010/

http://festivals.stonemountainpark.com/mini-section/default.aspx?id=30

http://www.oldsalem.org/homeschool-days

http://www.fortworthzoo.org/school/homeschool.html

http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/Education/GroupPrograms/HomeSchool/HomeSchool.php

Mote Marine Laboratory Home School Day

2010-2011 and 2011 will be on tomorrow's post!

If you have ideas, suggestions, and/or know of other activities that should be shared, please do so in the comment section.

Parents, When Your Homeschooling Efforts Begin To Wane, Remember This...

2010-08-21T15:53:00.000-07:00

....you chose to do so that your offspring/students may have an awesome opportunity to become independent thinkers with the potential to discover, develop and grow those hidden abilities in every area of their lives.

Education is only just one facet of their lives. As adults who are free to challenge the "system", ask intelligent questions, and come up with sound solutions are all that may result from being home educated along with having supportive parents/guardians, family and friends, the right mentors and counselors, and their personal desire to challenge themselves while simultaneously loving their Creator.

Here's a video of one recent school valedictorian who address the same issue that made us parents and guardians decide to home educate our families:

So....do you agree?

Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Connecting With Great Business Partners

2010-08-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

Having good connections in any business is vital to business growth. Question is where do you find these "good connections"? And what are some examples of "business partners"?

For starters, you may consider having a business coach. And one of the best places to find such a great potential partner and for free is SCORE. The counselors are business executives or entrepreneurs, as well as former business execs and entrepreneurs, with a wide variety of skill sets. From business planning to management to technology and beyond, you will definitely be able to tap into a well expertise who may even serve on your volunteer advisory board when you're ready to grow your business.

With homeschooling being part of your daily mix, you may prefer to start with the 60-second Guides to each of the above subjects (and more). You can slowly integrate everything at your own pace where you don't feel overwhelmed but you're still making progress.

After you checked it out and implement the strategies, leave a comment about how you're using the services (especially creatively) so that other homeschooling work from home adults may generate a few ideas of their own.

Time Management Ideas for Homeschooling Families

2010-08-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

As we're getting closer to the start of the 2010-2011 home school year, I'm seeing a common topic beginning to surface once again in the social networking sites and it's time management for homeschooling families.

Here is an informative video of a veteran homeschooling mom who shares a few time management ideas with subsequent videos following. Feel free to tweak these strategies so that they work for your family.

And if you would like to share some of your own time management ideas that has helped your family be productive, please share them with us in the comment section below.

Homeschooling and Working From Home - The Purpose of Our Blog

2010-08-13T18:32:00.000-07:00

Ahem! Fellow work-from-home homeschooling families, may I have your attention, please? Settle down as class is nearly in session. And by "class", I'm referring to both your home school and working from home.

Families like ours who run both of these "full time" jobs have a lot on our hands. And because of our unique situation, we need to have information that pertains to both. So at the risk of appearing "all over the place" (and perhaps even a bit disconnected as it were), I will share (again) the purpose of this blog.

1. Provide income-generating ideas and resources for the work-from-home parent or guardian who appreciates the edge-up edition to getting their businesses found by potential customers/clients both online and locally, in addition to offering proven strategies that will help our businesses grow and thrive in the process;

2. The same for the children, whether teens, pre-teens, or entrepreneurial youngsters who have the drive to earn their own keep. Of course, the strategies offered here will be appropriate for them so they can grow and thrive in an economy that would dictate otherwise; and,

3. Provide home "schooling" strategies, resources, and opportunities so we too may thrive in our "home school" environments.

Having mentioned all of that, let's start with our teens who are 13yo to 15yo and a great opportunity for them on the home education side. That opportunity is called "CollegePlus!" and here's a YouTube video for you to check out and consider doing.

In my opinion, this is a marvelous opportunity if you can make this happen financially. I'm going to do some research (now on my personal To Do list) and then share with you resources that can help make this wonderful opportunity possible for your family.

Enjoy the video and do share your thoughts in comment section!

Still Wondering about the Importance of Social Media in Your Business?

2010-08-10T23:59:00.001-07:00

It's far more important than you know. We're talking for many (from solopreneurs to large businesses and everything in between), it's the difference between barely surviving to thriving beyond belief when implemented correctly.

Check it out:

How will you implement social media into business strategy?

Who Can Withstand the Steadfast Woman?

2010-08-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

For many Christian women, they have to hold down the fort on so many levels until it seems unreal at times.

Take the Christian wife and mom. Unlike her single sisters (never-weds and divorced), this fort-protecting soldier has to engage in standing for her marriage, raising the children using her godly influence, managing the home finances (many times placing a demand on her financial creativity to get everything done -- and on time), be the family chauffeur and go-to person, as well as the implementer of domestic rules and regulations despite offspring revolts (from crawlers to teens). No wonder she easily qualifies for management positions in just about any company!

And as wonderful as this super-wife/lover, mom/caregiver/disciplinarian, domestic/ninja-queen she is, this Christian heiress also is the prayer warrior and intercessor on behalf of her family. Many times, specifically for her husband.

Answer/Solution/Help: MISSION POSSIBLE

Author Deborah McCarragher shares in her book, "MISSION POSSIBLE", answers that are implementable for the wife who's looking for solutions to help get hubby on board.

On her blog, she has pearls of wisdom that she imparts to the woman who needs answers and encouragement, beit marital or parenting. Deborah offers a fresh approach to helping you see your dreams come to fuition for you and your family.

If you're seeking godly answers to earthly challenges, I invite you to visit her blog and be encouraged.

About Deborah McCarragher:

"Deborah began her journey of creative writing soon after coming to know Jesus as her personal savior in 1989. She enjoys using her spiritual gifts of encouragement and teaching in her home church. Her love of the Holy scripture and bible study are evident in her poetry and literary works. Her primary goal is to share her personal testimony with others while bringing hope and practical help through her books. She and her husband have one married son serving in the U.S. military. They reside in north Florida. Her book "MISSION POSSIBLE" is available through her website at http://www.Godmissionpossible.com"

The Story Behind the Book MISSION POSSIBLE

This book is dedicated to women everywhere who love Jesus, but their spouse doesn't share their passion. Deborah wrote "Mission Possible" during a time in her walk with the Lord of intense prayer and bible study. After looking for a book on the subject for herself, she discovered there were few to be found. God inspired her to write about her personal testimony in a way that glorifies Him, and gives hope and encouragement to other women. She candidly portrays her quest over time to reach her husband for Christ. Deborah loves the Holy Word of God and applies the scripture in a practical way to everyday life. Her desire is to reach across denominational lines and minister to women everywhere. "Mission Possible" is a powerful tool to use in an unequally-yoked marriage.

Homeschooling WAHM & Dads!

2010-08-05T23:59:00.000-07:00

For the homeschooling work-at-home moms and dads out there who may need that extra business "oomph", I've got three great business-related resources I'd like to share with you:

Top Mobile Productivity Tools for the Small Business

Business Owners Can Now Respond to Reviews on Google Place Pages

Getting Free Publicity!

More to come!

Back-To-School Related Resources

2010-08-03T00:16:00.000-07:00

As parents and all forms of educators (home educators included) prepare for the upcoming school year, many "stores" are offering major discounts for the taking, and here are some links you may find very valuable to and for your homeschooling family:

Back To School Sales and Coupons
http://www.couponclock.com/holiday.aspx

No Sales Taxes for Back To School during the month of August! (See if your state is on the list)

http://www.azcentral.com/business/consumer/articles/2010/07/30/20100730biz-TaxHoliday07301.html

Rite Aid With Amazing Sales for School-Related Items
http://www.couponconnectionsnw.com/2010/08/rite-aid-back-to-school-sales-free-3m.html

And of course, there are boatloads of retail stores (from office supplies to clothing to shoe stores).

If you know of a gem that will help other homeschooling families save money for school-related items, please share those those sites with us in the comment section.

Homeschoolers, Time To Get Yourselves in Gear! Pt. 2 Working From Home

2010-07-30T01:50:00.000-07:00

No doubt about it, homeschooling is a lot of work. A lot of fun, too, but a whole lotta (not just "lot of", but "lotta") work as well.

And speaking of work, let's talk a bit about work, meaning your business and how to balance working from home while homeschooling.

If you're running a business or thinking about it, the one thing that's paramount is the amount of time in your 24-hour day that you're going to have to balance between "home school" time, "working your business" time, "family", and some "me" time. And while it's no cakewalk (by no stretch), it is doable!

Admittedly, the following strategies are from my book, therefore you may or may not consider it to a shameless plug. Nonetheless, they work and many people are using these strategies. So here are some starting points to helping you keep your business and home school on a sane level:

"Create a homeschool support team – even if it’s only with one other homeschooling family. If you’re going to run a business from home, I guarantee that there will be days you will need someone else to step in to help you with the kids – even the older ones! The ideal way to find help is join an existing homeschool support group (http://localhs.com/map) that you and your children are comfortable being a part of. If you do not find one that you’re happy with or you live too far away to get together as often you’d like, then you have several other options from which to choose.

The first option is connecting with another homeschooling family (as oppose to a support group). If your children’s studies are too advanced and the other parent is unfamiliar and uncomfortable with giving instructions, then perhaps services rendered could be limited to just offering to help your kids find answers to their questions instead. Most reading adults can help find answers – even if they are unfamiliar with a subject matter.

With Internet access at home or your local library, your helper can help your family find (or stumble upon) lots of helpful websites such as Free Online Homework Help, Yahoo Answers (just type in your question), HomeworkSpot.com, and http://FreeMathHelp.com/forum. And of course, there are many more useful sites such as these.

So whether your helper knows the answer or not, if they can get on the Internet, they can help your homeschooling family find the answer they’re looking for. And you will see that any help is priceless when you’re faced with looming project deadlines.

You may also find yourself bartering with another parent to accomplish the same goal. An obvious example would be, “Amy, if you help Lil’ Cathy with her reading comprehension worksheets while I finish up this job (or go give a presentation, or whatever), I will help your child with his math computations while you go out for the evening.”

Two more considerations may include:

(1) Hiring a high school student to tutor your younger children. This student can also add this service to his/her school portfolio under “community service”. Choose your student tutor carefully, though.

(2) See if an aspiring educator (a college student) can earn course credit by “teaching” (tutoring) children – particularly homeschooled kids. Nowadays, colleges and universities are actively, and in some cases, aggressively seeking homeschoolers for enrollment. Pairing up a college student with a homeschool youngster should be very attainable.

If you are fortunate to locate one of these colleges, then inquire if there are students who can tutor your home-educated students in exchange for college credits. Again, consider the safety factors and be very selective who you let in your home. Personally, if I and/or my children don’t know the person, I would choose alternative meeting places for tutoring, such as the local library where I can bring a reasonable amount of work with me. Most libraries and community centers have meeting rooms that you may reserve for such use.

Listen to your kids and make sure they're comfortable being with their tutor -- even if you're all in the same room. Pay attention to you kids by observing their body language - especially facial expressions.

By practicing these safety tips, talking to the tutor away from the kids, as well as talking directly to your little blessings, you will ulitmately be able to accurately employ strategies that will help you stay on top of everything important to you.

Once you get your bearings, you'll do just fine!

Homeschoolers, Time To Get Yourselves in Gear! Pt. 1 Home Education

2010-07-29T22:57:00.000-07:00

With a month or so left to enjoy some homeschool down time before getting into gear for the 2010-2011 school year, here's a checklist of things to keep in mind when preparing for opening day:

Homeschool Recordkeeping Software:
Edu-Track Home School (PC & One-time purchase)
ClassBuilder (Online recordkeeping system that's 100% online w/annual fee - MAC/PC)
GradeKeeper (Online recordkeeping system that's 100% online w/annual fee - MAC/PC)

Homeschool Recordkeeping Paper Edition:
Christian Book Distributor - Homeschool
3Moms

Great Homeschool Recordkeeping Information You Should Know
http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/recordkeeping/a/backrecord.htm

Homeschool Planners/Calendars:
http://donnayoung.org/forms/planners/
Design-Your-Homeschool.com - Planner Options

Curriculums:
Christian Books Distributors - Homeschool
Donna Young Printables and Resources
JumpStart/Knowledge Adventures
JumpStart/Knowledge Adventures - Spa Adventures for Mom!
EdHelper, LessonsPlans, Money Instructor (Money, Money Management, Investments for kids K-12)
Curriculum Swap (Buy, Sell, Trade)

Teacher's Discounts for School Supplies at Staples
Teacher's Star Program at Office Depot

High School Level - SAT/ACT Tests and Preparations:
ACT Prep, Registration, and Testing
SAT Prep, Registration, and Testing
ACT/SAT Prep using eKnowledge

Yes! You Have the Ability to Homeschool!

Here's Proof...

So What Kinds of Events & Stuff Are Going On Now?

2010-07-21T00:48:00.000-07:00

Glad You Asked!

When it comes to homeschoolers expressing their creative ideas with corresponding action, they really know how to do it!

Here is a short running list of numerous activities, conventions, and special events going on this second half of the year:

SWLA CHEF 16th Annual Homeschool Conference
July 30 & 31, 2010
First Baptist Church Moss Bluff
Moss Bluff, Louisiana 70611

Valley Home Educators 17th Annual Home Education Convention
July 30 & 31, 2010
Modesto Centre Plaza
Doubletree Entrance @ 10th & K
1150 9th Street, Modesto, CA 95354

North Texas Home Educators' Network
August 13-14, 2010
Plano Centre, 2000 East Spring Creek Parkway
Plano, TX 75074

Not Back To School Days at Disneyland
September 8-11, 2010
2010 Rally & Home Education Conference
Anaheim, CA - I actually blogged about this one in some detail. Check it out.

Many local and expanding groups are still gearing up for an epic 2nd part of the year. Because many are volunteers, some just don't have the extra time on hand to post their events online, but would love for you to join them nonetheless.

Check either with your local homeschool support groups or start your search at the state level. Numerous state-level home education associations have huge lists of local area support groups throughout their entire state. You are more than likely to find at least a couple of events you definitely want to check out.

So We "Still" Need to Prove Homeschooling Rules, Eh?

2010-07-20T23:58:00.000-07:00

Wow, after all this time one would know by now that on average homeschoolers outperform their public school counterparts in K-12 and college!

And if you give them links to one verification site after another, some will now go as far as to say the data is kind of old.

Kinda old?

You've got to be kidding me. Last year's data "is old" they claim.

Okay, here ya go! Some recent data.

Enjoy!!!

http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/can-homeschoolers-do-well-in-college/2551/

Help Your Teen Get That Party Rockin'!

2010-07-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

The party I'm talking about is creating their own cash-generating business, not a literal party.

Many teens are already out there making it happen. Need proof? Then check out this teen who is on her third (count 'em: not first, not second, but third) business! Your teen has probably heard of her site already. It's called MyWeeboo. Check it out.

Now while this particular teen may not be on her third business, she is worth $15million....at 19 years old. Talk about aspiring. There you go right there!

So as you can see, not every teen has to be a literal rock star, pop singer, rapper, actor, or other kind of celebrity to make the big bucks! Your teens can do their own thing through businesses of their own!

Now if you feel that your teen is not quite ready to make that move just yet, then perhaps they can take it down a notch. How? Well, I recommend that both of you read Rich Dad Poor Dad for Teens. (Or get it from the library if you have to.) This will help them make that awesome shift needed so they won't have to compete for the same jobs that the older people are now finding themselves applying for. (That job market is tough out there right now.)

And while they're gearing up about to do their thing, I highly recommend that you drop what you're doing and visit Teen Cash Coach right now so the whole family can be on the same passive income page and rake in more income to boot. And when you're done visiting that site, head on over to the National Association of Prosperous Teens site and prepare to be amazed by not only the products and services offered, but also the huge discounts as well! Check. It. Out.

Parent Educators Are Gearing Up for the 2010-2011 School Year!

2010-07-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

There are many parent educators who have decided they're not taking chances of any kind of interference with teaching this school year. Beit math, science, or reading, some parents are taking unique training to ensure their student(s) are definitely well taught this year! (Train the trainer concept has been around excellent for many years and with excellent results.)

HomeschoolBlogger.com is offering free classes to help you educate your home school students for the upcoming school year. Although we're still in the midst of summer (at the time of this post), now is a good time to take advantage of this type of "train the trainer" opportunity. And the good news is that the classes are free webinars that you can do in the comfort of your own home if you so choose!

Check them out now...

Great Information for Work-From-Home-Entrepreneurs

2010-07-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

My fellow work-from-home-entrepreneurs, there are systematic ways to start and run a successful business from home. The summer is a traditional time for many businesses to lull (and for some, it's complete downtime), but here is some good new news to give your business the boost it may need, and if you're already doing well, doing even better:

10 Things I Learned From Launching a Company in a Recession

Utilize Some of the Best FREE Business Counselors & Make Them Part of Your Team (my personal advice)

How To Recession-Proof Your Business Using Teleseminars (audio)

Use Social Media To Unleash Your Inner Guerrilla Marketer

Sometimes We've Just Got To "See" It

2010-07-01T22:09:00.000-07:00

When it comes to doing business, generating ideas, or developing strategies, it's good to know that Small Business TV is right at our fingertips.

Personally, I really like this site because so many resources are conveniently right there all in one place. Like it says on their site, "joining the SBTV is a real growth strategy". You can post blogs, upload videos and podcasts (great exposure for you and your business), connect and grow, expand your network, and utilize SBTV savings too (according to the information on their site).

And if you're looking for more business exposure or future clients, you may want to consider joining their community, and perhaps even get to be one of their featured members and/or bloggers. (Membership is free.) Now that's cool!

Check it out and leave a comment about what you think about SBTV.com.

This Is A Great Time To Take Your Biz To The Next Level

2010-06-22T23:37:00.000-07:00

If you've been doing business as usual (pretty much), here are some various ways to step-it-up a bit. You may start seeing a R.O.I. (return on investment) much sooner than you think by employing these simple, but proven strategies:

"Get Noticed: 7 Ideas for Generating Buzz for Your Business"

"Think Like a Bootstrapper"

"11 Free Ways to Generate Referrals"

"36 Awesome Social Media Blogs Everyone Should Read"

"5 Easy Steps To A Winning Social Media Plan"

Here's to looking out for you!

-Tisha-

Follow me on these sites:
LinkedIn.com
Twitter.com
Facebook.com

Blogs To Definitely Keep An Eye On!

2010-06-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

I strongly recommend you take a look at this "you've-got-to-see-this!" list for all my fellow-entrepreneurs!

The Top 50 Marketing Blogs To Watch in 2010

The list in itself sparks tons of great business ideas for me. And it most likely will help you generate tons of strategies too!

Happy reading!

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day to all the dads, "pops", step-dads, foster dads, dads-in-law, and the "I wish you were my daddy!" dads!!!

May this be an awesome day for you and your family!

Here's a special Father's Day video I know you'll enjoy!

-Tisha-

Summer is Here & Your Teens Need Money

2010-06-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

For some teens, summer can be tough when they're too young to have a job and too old to keep asking mom and dad for money. While there are lots of programs out there for the younger teens, most of them are slated for their local public school program teens. And many homeschooled teens are screaming foul!

Rather than offering them a pat on the back and the routine of "keeping a stiff upper lip", now's a good time to seriously teach your teens to start real businesses that hopefully by the end of the summer, they'll have an employee or three themselves. If they can text with one hand, wash the dog with the other, and create a fun YouTube video they created and upload to the Web with their cell phone, they can definitely take advantage of the following:

Teen Business Forum - Lots of support and interaction with like-minded entrepreneurs their own ages!

Youngbiz Teens - Packed with information that's too numerous to go into here on this blog! But I'll give you a hint, though. It's definitely a guide to businesses, careers, and investments. Yes, investments, too!

Even the Small Business Administration has business resources just for teens!

Need some ideas? Here's a great article on the Small Business Website!

They will definitely thank you for steering them in the right direction as summer activities start to kick in.

Summer Reading & Lists For Your Business

2010-06-08T23:53:00.000-07:00

As you're most likely beginning to wrap up for this year's home school, now is a great time to also begin planning how to grow your home business even more.

My friend, Michael Senoff, has an extraordinary website you most definitely should visit. It's called, "Hard To Find Seminars". This site has 157+ hours of business-related interviews ranging from money-making ideas to start-up how-to's to marketing to bartering services to negotiating to flat out interviews with some of the world's most famous business minds that ever hit the planet!

We're talking Robert Kiyosaki, Jay Conrad Levinson (a super favorite of mine, Mr. Guerrilla Marketing himself) to Les Brown to Jack Canfield (Chicken Soup of the Soul) to WAY too many more to name!

Now is one of the best times to start your business, as well a to grow your business if you already have one! And "Hard To Find Seminars" is one of THE best sites online (bar none) to help you grow and expand as an at-home business professional as well.

Michael's site makes available both the pdf transcripts so you can print out the interviews and read at your leisure, as well as mp3 and onsite recordings. If you're anything like me, you can cover quite a bit of ground listening to the interviews while you're doing other things too, such preparing and cooking meals. But honestly though, I do find myself pausing the recording so I can write down important points, which make getting those meals done take longer than usual (washing/drying my hands, rewinding the recording and writing down those important points, then re-washing my hands, and getting back to preparing meals). But after a while you will get pretty fast at it and used to it -- or at least I did.

Please be sure to leave a comment regarding Michael's great products! So head on over now and get ready for a great treat. (You'll be so glad you did!)

Homeschoolers Pretty Much Have It All

2010-06-06T00:08:00.000-07:00

From sports to dances and proms to debate clubs to a day at the capitol, homeschooling families are very determined to have stellar options at their fingertips! And one such option is annual conferences.

Dubbed "The Best Homeschool Field Trip Ever!", this year at Disneyland, Not Back To School Days, will be from September 8-11th. And they have a stellar line-up of events that even Disney is getting in on!

In addition to wonderful discounts, group accommodations and park hopper tickets, great food and entertainment, group activities for all ages, conferences, exhibits, and workshops, there will also be performing arts workshops, scavenger hunts, a talent show, a teen dance, and much more. Even Disney will be teaching the Youth Exchange and Study program classes (or Y.E.S. classes)!

So much to do! Where do you start first?

You start by visiting their Not Back To School Days website and finding out all of the other wonderful events I did not mention here! (I had to leave some suspense. Didn't want to spoil for you.) And then you register by downloading the info packet. There you will find tons of information that will get you so excited until you can hardly wait until September!

And should money be an issue at the moment, there's still plenty of time to use any of the following resources to raise the money you need to get there, enjoy the ultimate family vacation, and relax to boot!

Here are few fundraising resources and ideas to consider (and "do" if you really desire to go):

http://www.samaritanfundraising.com
http://www.abcfundraising.com
http://www.fundraising-ideas.org/DIY
http://www.fasttrackfundraising.com/fundraising-ideas.php
http://www.fundraisingforgroups.com

Now's the time to go for it and secure your family's spot at this wonderful event!

Solidifying Credibility for Homeschool Business Owners

2010-05-21T23:52:00.000-07:00

In a day where many families have experienced layoffs or significantly reduced work hours seems like the new norm, many more have decided to take the plunge and start their own ventures. I mean, why wait to be hired when you can create a business that will employ you and others as well? And now reports are coming in that people are starting to do just that.

When launching or building your company, it's very important to establish and build business credibility. And one way to do that is either (1) get active in the innumerable social networking sites and ultimately get referrals from many of them, or (2) enroll in classes and become certified in your particular industry.

In my case, I've decided to: provide great service (the end results the client is looking for), ask for both recommendations and referrals, enroll in and pass professional training classes with their stringent exams, and then get that certification!

Going the extra mile for your client can be an awesome thing for both of you because you would've showcased your creativity and strong knowledge by offering goods and services beyond your customer's expectations. This is a case where it is very appropriate to request recommendations and referrals.

By enrolling in certifying professional training, you would be raising the bar, as it were, because you would be bringing a whole new level of expertise to the table on behalf of your customer who may become your next business evangelist!

Offering creative marketing services has been a long time passion of mine as I've shown dozens of entrepreneurs (and would-be entrepreneurs) how to market and sell their products and services more effectively, and then hone them onto a level that they could easily employ -- usually starting right away. And after completing and passing my Certified Inbound Marketing Professional classes and exam, I am now more than able to raise the bar to an even higher benchmark, thereby helping business owners take their marketing programs to an even higher level.

Whatever industry you serve, check to see if there are any certification programs available and then enroll. Once you pass your certification exam, it'll be both another badge you can proudly display as well as establishing even more credibility for your company and yourself.

And in case you don't know how or where to get started, while you're online, do a search using both your title and industry (title/industry + certification) to find the appropriate class(es) and exam. If you follow through on what I've just shared and passed your exam, you too will be a certified professional!

Test Scores, Proms, & Graduations, Oh My!

2010-05-11T11:46:00.000-07:00

As with many families this time of year, numerous homeschoolers are actively preparing to take either standardized tests (depending on their state requirements) and/or college entrance exams (SAT/ACT), making preparations for home school proms (some having had theirs earlier than others), as well as putting together their home school promotions and graduation ceremonies (elementary, middle school, and high school).

Both families and friends are very excited with a combination of joy and nervousness. (And rightfully so.)

If you're new to homeschooling and would like a quick glance at the various vendors of the three above-mentioned events, then I've got the short version right here for you! As with anything, check to see what your local state requires before purchasing standardized testing services. And in terms of proms, promotions, and graduations, you may want to get the opinions of others (various homeschool groups, forums, talking extensively with vendors, etc.) before purchasing products and services.

Homeschool Standardized Tests & College Entrance Exams
Seton Testing Services
Kids Tests
State-Specific Practice Tests
SAT and ACT

Proms
Christian Homeschool Proms
Various Homeschool Proms

Homeschool Promotions & Graduations
General Information and Elementary & Middle Home School Levels
Suppliers

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

2010-05-09T09:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, surrogate moms, foster moms, play moms, and the "I wish you were my mother!" moms!!!

May this be an awesome day for you and your family!

Here's a special Mother's Day video for you to enjoy.

End-Of-School Ideas To Consider

2010-05-05T23:59:00.000-07:00

As the end of home school draws near, many families are already contemplating summer plans, and many who have been financially pinched are also wondering where the money is going to come from as well.

A dear friend of mine with two daughters decided she would hold a "summer camp". It wasn't a camp in the traditional sense. She made up her own version.

Being a stay-at-home mom, she took on four other girls her daughters' ages and called it, "Camp P." (She used her last name which started with the letter "P".) She would have various events throughout the day that included various board games, water balloons, and many backyard games. Then she'd pack 'em all up in her minivan and take them to places like the matinee, museum, California Science Center, the zoo, a theme park, and even weekly trips to their local library on the days the library had special events.

Routinely she had me type her weekly full-day menus and scheduled events to distribute to the parents -- and she was a true stickler for staying on schedule. Parents didn't mind paying extra for their children to attend her "summer camp". Many families were on the waiting list for the following year's camp. Getting business was very easy because the children were so happy and always wanted to go back. She maintained a lot of order by keeping her group very small since she was the only adult of the bunch.

Perhaps this is something you'd might like to consider doing yourself. There are so many online and regular activities the children can get involved in. And if you're fortunate enough to be part of a thriving homeschool support group, perhaps you all might consider doing something on an even grander scale.

If money is budgeted for summer camp, here is a list of sites to consider and/or generate several ideas for creating your own camp:

Camp by Location & Type
Science Camp
Music Band Camp
Kids Culinary Summer Camp
Camp Millionaire For Kids
Summer Camp Jobs - About.com's list

These are just for starters. So again, you may like to create your own version of camp. It's a great way to kick the off a profitable and fun summer for you and the kids!

Wanna ChallengeYour Homeschooler While Drawing Out His/Her Talent?

2010-04-08T13:16:00.000-07:00

Then you might like to try any number of contests that are going on throughout the nation. As with any contest, the prizes widely vary. But prizes may or may not be the goal here. Perhaps it may be to help your homeschooler develop his or her talents and skills (or even motor skills) and the contest may be just a mere tool to accomplish that goal.

As you may know, there are individual-based contests, and there are group-based contests. The following contests are open to all students, including homeschool students. Whichever you contests your family choose to participate in, bottom line may be your “students” have fun from beginning to end, yes?

Here’s a jumpstart on finding the appropriate contests your home-educated family:

Contests Opened To All Students, Including Homeschoolers

Teaching With Contests

2010 Young Composers Challenge (ages 13-18 years old)

Kids Write the Site (ages 4-12 years old where pretty much everyone wins)

Color This Contest

Alliance for Young Artists & Writers (grades 7-12)

Writing Contest (K-12)

A Whole list of upcoming & ongoing contests!

Wish you all the best!

To All The Homeschooling Dads...

2010-03-31T23:25:00.000-07:00

There’s a plethora of information for homeschooling moms as well as just general information. But credit must also be given to where credit is due, and in this case, to all the homeschooling dads out there!

Many dads are not only the bread winner, but they also are very active in their children’s home education as well as the biggest “mom supporter” to boot.

These great generals also have their own support groups in numbers, so if you know of a homeschooling dad (or someone who intends to become one) who is not connected with the others, perhaps you can point him to the following links so he can get hooked up with like-minded men.

Also included are articles and blogs which are really good.

Homeschool Dads Group on LinkedIn.com

Homeschool Dads Group on Facebook.com

Homeschool Dads Organizations by State (click on your state)

Classical Conversations With Homeschooling Dads (YouTube)

Dads Who Dare to Homeschool Or You Man Enough?

Dave-Home School Dad

Encouragement for Homeschool Dads

The Homeschool Dad Podcast

Dads In Homeschooling: Taking An Active Role

How To Be A Homeschool Dad

What Dads Can Do In Homeschooling

Homeschool Dads: Guarding the Castle

Confessions of a Homeschool Dad

Homeschooling Dads

Hints, Tips, and Ideas for Homeschool Dads

Homeschooling Dads, we appreciate your support and being true leaders in the home!

Money For College, Part 2

2010-03-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

We previously covered scholarships, so now let’s go over grants. First, what is a grant?

Education.com defines grants as “…sources of funding or financial aid given to an individual or to an institution or agency….” (click on the link above for the full definition).

Grants

As with scholarships, one need not be overly concerned about high grades. And there are still many grant-funding sources available today despite the economy. Below is a very short list of grant funding sources and there are way too many for me to cover extensively. With a bit research on your part, you will have more than enough to keep you busy for them.

Also, each state has its own college grant program, so you may like to do search for your specific state. And believe it or not, there are still many college that still offer grant and scholarship opportunities for students even with the current economy. Diligence is the key, so keep at it until you have more than enough between both your scholarships and grants. Here's to a sweet start!

African American College Grants

Hispanic Grant Offers

Native Americans & Tribal Grants

Grants for Asians

Ed.gov

Grants for College Housing

College Grants – different from above

Super College – for grants and scholarships

The Do Something Awards – Not technically a grant, but it's free money nonetheless!

Academic Competitiveness Grant

Yahoo Directory List of School Grants

Money For College, Part 1

2010-03-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

Although the world is pretty much concern with the money supply, families can still tap two main sources for college funding: Scholarships and Grants. And if you are a homeschooling family who has chosen to send your offspring to college, below are two no pay-back money options you can begin tapping right now. By applying for both scholarships and grants at the appropriate time, you most likely will have sufficient enough funds to not have even consider student loans for each year your child is in school! (It’s definitely worth considering, yes?)

Part 1 covers scholarships. Part 2 covers grants.

Scholarships

“Scholarships are financial aid provided to students on the basis of academic merit” according to Word Net Web.

Not all scholarships focus on A’s & B’s. There are also scholarships for C-average students as well as merit-based students. This is good news for the student who participates in the community.

Here’s a short list of scholarship sources worth checking out:

Scholarships4Students

Siemens Foundation

Nordstrom Foundation (for high school juniors)

Scholarships for Minorities (Black)

Latino College Dollars

Scholarships for Native Americans & http://www.collegefund.org/

Disabled Students & http://www.disabilityscholarships.us/

Scholarships for Students with Learning Disabilities

32 Unusual Scholarships

And another great source is MeritAid.com, “A comprehensive directory of merit scholarships and academic scholarships from colleges across the country.” So if you feel that although Suzie or Junior has worked hard and got a “C” average, you can rest assure that there are merit scholarships that are not based on high grades, but community contribution in addition to a passing grade. And with more investigation, you may find additional scholarships that suit your family’s needs.

As The U.S. Faces School Closures…

2010-03-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

…home school may be the only authentic option many families may face.

I’m sure many parents and their kids were already internalizing questions, such as, “What do I do now? I don’t want my kid to go half-way across town – especially during the winter months!” And many of the kids who simply have chosen to not go to school for whatever reason are hearing from many people (adults and their peers) that they need an education! Not “should have one”, “ought to get one”, but “need” at minimum a high school education complete with diploma or GED! So where do they start and just as important, “how” do they start? What resources paid and “free” resources they can at least begin to check out now that the home education option has become a reality at this juncture?

Here are a few that I’ve scoured and found (and mentioned on a previous post) that they probably should begin looking into, and perhaps you homeschool newbies and veterans alike should have them at least check out:

HotChalk, Homeschooling in America, Think Well, Online Writing For Kids, Online Spelling Game, Free K-12 Lesson Plans and Worksheets, Free One-Stop Educational Source, and one of my personal favs, Knowledge Adventures JumpStart (from baby in the lap up to 6^th grade)!

These are but only a few of numerous resources I’ve found, but enough to begin checking out and not become overwhelmed by all the information that are available.

A Toolbar Just For Us!

2010-03-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

Called, “The Ultimate Toolbar for Homeschool Moms...” (via their site), I most definitely have to agree with them!

When I downloaded the toolbar quickly and easily, I was very impressed by the array of homeschool-related resource tabs that now a part of my browser’s field. We’re talking blogs, feeds, the weather!, news, games, alerts, top sites, and more! Talk about cool! I’m truly diggin’ this!

The site’s resources are homeschool-related, as well as clearly created by and for Christian homeschoolers. Being a Christian homeschooling mom, this is perf for me! Check it out for yourself. Your next click just may be the toolbar’s download button.

Creating Your Own Homeschool Support System You’ll Love!

2010-03-25T23:11:00.000-07:00

Taking on the task of educating your child or children can have its moments. When those moments begin to occur, that’s when you become more aware than ever why it is critical to have a support system in place. And this is definitely the case if you’re a single parent.

Well, dear one, take heart because now there are more local support groups than ever before, and if you still find it challenging to connect with and meet up a group or homeschooling family in your local area, the next best thing is online.

Awesome support networks like “The Homeschool Lounge” is so ideal as it offers various sub-groups that you can join. The people are wonderful. On all the social sites I’m a part of, I must say this particular site has the most friendliest “lounge sisters” I’ve ever met. So genuine and sincere. Such a great bunch of homeschooling moms like me. I definitely recommend you visit the site before one of “those” times kicks in again, as well as when everything is going smooth as silk! This is a networking site where you are definitely amongst your “own kind” – the homeschooling moms!

Click on over and take a look around!

Awesome Curriculums Worth Checking Out!

2009-10-03T23:34:00.000-07:00

As many of you may have already purchased curriculums and other education-related items, there still are many who still have yet to be able to find something affordable and are doing a few things here and a few things there to improvise until you’ve gotten everything all square away for the 2009-2010 school year.

Do I have some great news for you!

Check it out: I’ve searched, scoured, signed up for (mostly demo purposes before I make recommendations), and even just asked other professionals where to find “great and usable” content, books, items, homeschool-related events, as well as support groups of other homeschoolers who are making major differences with corresponding results, and now I will share them all with you!

Although I heavily promote self-sufficiency in terms of making being an entrepreneur a family thing, it is my goal to still find and present other ways to save tons of money – particularly during this economy which one report says all the nations of the earth are still in a crazy bind while another report says we’re on an upswing.

Regardless of what anyone says, it’s still prudent to find free/complimentary resources as long as they provide real value to you to you and your family because that’s all that matters after everything is said and done. And I’ve also included low-cost and moderately-priced resources you may choose to invest in as well.

Let’s start with curriculums:

Tuition-Free Online Schools

Although I am a HUGE proponent of PRIVATE home education over public (including charter) home education programs, there a few online schools available that provide entire curriculums free of charge. If you’re interested in the following schools, you may contact them to see if you can enroll your student(s) in their California-based schools. They are Kaplan Academy of California [tuition-free schooling], grades 6-12, and Insight School of California [tuition-free schooling], grades 9-12.

Connections Academy is K-12. It’s an accredited online public school. *Not all grades offered in all states.

http://www.onlinehighschool.org/Free_Online_High_Schools.html (nationwide listings)

For outside the U.S., there’s always Google, Yahoo!, MSN, & Bing search engines to locate similar online schools in your country.

Free Downloadable Full Textbooks

If you want to see something really cool, then check out CK-12’s Flexbooks. Oh, you’ve got to watch the demo on how these books work! Talk about 21^st-Century style materials! This is one of the coolest textbook sites I’ve seen to date.

Why? Besides having full downloadable textbooks (the Geometry book is 810 pages!), you get to completely customize these books! You select what you prefer to keep, delete the rest, and/or even add a Wiki to them! (In case Wikis are new to you, basically what they are is a piece of server software that allows users to freely create and edit Web page content using any Web browser.) They’re adding more subjects to its base, so what’s currently available is a wide range of math and science books. I recently emailed the company and asked about other subjects, and was told that history will soon be added.

Another Wiki-based site that has all of the K-12 academic subjects is Curriki! This, too, is a free curriculum site that public, private and home schools can all join for free of charge and get as busy as your heart desires! Just click on over and take a look! (I’m a member and can hardly wait to see our private home school go to the next level in educational transformation and growth!)

Hotchalk is another dynamic 21-century style free teacher site that offers you tons of resources that are staggeringly impressive! This site allows you transform your lesson plans with digital content, as well as allows you to communicate, collaborate, and contribute so you can enhance your own experience with news, articles, product updates, blogs, and more! (Yes, I’ve joined this site, too!)

I personally subscribe to www.edHelper.com, which is an online subscription service that provides printable worksheets to teachers and homeschooling parents. They offer a wide range of subjects and topics, such as math, language arts, reading and writing, social studies, science, and a lot more! This site covers pre-K through 12th grades. And though I’ve purchased my children’s various curriculums from the vendors I like, I still use edHelper for random tests and quizzes, as well as lots of writing assignments and essays to ensure they’re on top of their game in terms of grammar and usage, etc. Sometimes I use it just to break up the monotony of “textbook” stuff.

Another reason I enjoy subscribing to edHelper is getting ClassBuilder.com for free. This all-in-one site is a tool for creating tests, grade books, and reports that you can use both online and off. It incorporates whatever you designate from edHelper so that you have immediate access to previous lessons and tests integrate directly into the ClassBuilder platform.

MoneyInstructor.com is another subscription-based site that you might want to check out to get the whole family on board in terms of learning what money is, how to invest it, where to invest it, as well as other finance-related insights and suggestions! I highly recommend visiting the entire site as it transforms the thinking of both parents and students concerning finances!

This next site is one I have enjoyed for a few years now that is great (just get ready for literally tons of resources!), and it’s Sites For Teachers. This site literally has links to exactly 1,218 other sites, both subscription-based and free! Whether it’s U.K.-based Planet Primary (an interactive whiteboard for teachers) to Education Creation (kids play educational games and activities to build skills - http://highschoolace.com/ace/ace.cfm) to music training for your children (wide range of various instruments plus how to read music sheets - http://www.how2readmusic.com/) to high school homework help (http://highschoolace.com/ace/ace.cfm), this site covers it and so much more!

Another great site to check out is Teacher Planet! This site gives you access to over 10,000 theme-based resources (lesson plans, templates, rubrics, worksheets, etc.). You’re sure to find a just about anything you need for your home school!

At the Awesome Library (www.awesomelibrary.org), the range is from kids to college, with 37,000 “carefully reviewed resources, that includes the top 5% in education.

EdSitement is another interesting site that provides free printed and interactive lesson plans such as Arts & Culture, Literature & Language Arts, Foreign Language, and History & Social Studies.

There’s Free Federal Resources for Educational Excellence which is an education-related site that links you to other free sites when you select any one of the wide range of subjects you’re interested in.

If you or someone you know would like to get started homeschooling in your own area, visit Homeschooling In America. Also, be sure to visit the Home School Legal Defense Association so you have access to attorneys who themselves also home school! Or you can visit your state’s homeschool website and learn about other homeschool legal representation that may be available through your state’s home school organization/association.

‘Til next time with more resources and information you can use!

As We Enter Our New Home School Year...

2009-08-15T16:59:00.000-07:00

...might we reflect over the past year and this summer? What specific successes have you and your family experienced thus far (at home and in your businesses)?

As you know, I'm a firm believer in making money management and having businesses a family affair. And although the following article (by reprint permission) is primarily for parents and guardians, our young entrepreneurs can do the same except at their own level and in their own way.

The whole family wins, hands down.

The gift of "reflection" is something that even I have taken for granted when I actually think about it. But no more! This "gift" will be greatly utilize in this new home school year as well as in business.

Enjoy!

-Tisha-

Creating Greater Success Through Reflection

If I could give you a tool or resource that would change your life in positive ways, change your results, create more happiness in your life and help you get better at anything you desired . . . And if I could promise you that this tool would cost you nothing, require only yourself and could be used at any time . . .

Would you be interested?

I’ll bet you would.

Now at the risk of sounding a little bit like a carnival barker or used car salesperson what I just told you isn’t hype – there is such a tool. And you already possess it.

The tool is reflection.

I`m sure that you know people that have been on a job for 10 years and have continued to get better and better at their work and you probably also know people who have been on a job for ten years, but it is like they have one year of experience, ten times. In other words, they never really reflected on their work and results and so nothing seems to get better. They don`t seem to learn from their past experiences.

Which of these people would you hire? Which of these people do you want on your team?

But I’m Too Busy

The number one reason I hear for people not reflecting is that they are too busy. They are too busy moving from task to task, from project to project, and event to event. When they recount this challenge to me they end by asking, “When would I have time to reflect?”

Our lives are much different than were the lives our grandparents. 75 or 100 years ago in the evening people would gather around a table or sit on the front porch and sip iced tea and visit about their day. What they were doing was relaxing and, while not in a very structured way, they were reflecting on their day.

We all know that this type of reflection works because as one of the things we ask our children when they come home from school is “How was your day?”

We say we are too busy – that the reason we don`t reflect is that we don’t have porch time. Somehow we do find television time – and while there is nothing wrong with television - it doesn’t allow us the space, time or opportunity to reflect as we sit watching it.

Other Reasons

Time is typically our excuse, but it isn’t the only reason we don’t reflect. We also don’t reflect because:

We don`t think about it.
We don`t realize the importance of it.
We don’t value it.
We don’t think we know how to do it.

Hopefully reading this helps you get past the first reasons. Let me deal now with the last one – the issue of skill.

Examples

We all know how to reflect, consider . . .

Sitting around a table with friends playing a card game. In between hands, people are talking about what they could have done, should`ve done, might`ve done – all of this conversation is simple reflection. And while some people playing the game don`t like to “overanalyze it,” spending that time in conversation about what just happened will make us better card players in the future.

Or for those in a different generation, the reflection is the time they take between two rounds in a video game as they quickly think about what happened and how they do it differently the next time.

Golfers quickly analyze their swing as they watch the trajectory of their shots, thinking about what worked and what they might adjust.

And we do it at work, thinking about how the meeting or presentation went as we leave and move to the next item on our calendar.
So we know how, and we even do it sometimes, but how can we use this skill more successfully more often?

How to Reflect More Effectively

Make time. Reflection is about having time. We all have the time, regardless of how busy are schedules are. Reflect in the shower. Reflect on the drive to work (turn off your radio or your iPod and think). Reflect in the moments before you go to sleep. Reflect with your family as you eat a meal. Turn off the television. There is time – we just have to carve it out.

Ask questions. Reflection is about thinking and questions help our brains think. Consider using his list of questions as your “starter set” of reflective questions – the questions to help you think about what happened and what you can learn.

What worked? Why?
What didn`t work? Why?
What does this situation remind you of?
How can I use this experience?
How does this experience relate to other situations I’ve been in? What can I learn for that situation?

Knowing what I know now, what would I do differently next time?

Think more broadly. Don’t just apply your thinking to how you would do this exact same task or respond in this exact same situation the next time. Our lives are too complex for that! Think about what you can take from this experience and apply to other related or perhaps even unrelated situations. Look for generalizations, patterns, tendencies and underlying principles. When we think more broadly we make our reflection time infinitely more beneficial to our lives.

This is some of my reflection on reflection. As we practice this skill we will get better at it and our results will begin to improve dramatically. Make the time. Ask the questions. And by all means apply what you learned. When you do this, you will make your life experiences your most precious source of learning, and your most fertile ground for your own success.

Kevin Eikenberry is a leadership expert and the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group, a learning consulting company that helps Clients reach their potential through a variety of speaking, consulting and training services. He also is the author of Remarkable Leadership – a book that will help you improve results as a leader, regardless of your job title. Contact him to learn more about how he can help you or your organization improve your skills and results.

Today’s kids are tomorrow’s leaders, healers, entrepreneurs and ....

2009-07-11T10:01:00.000-07:00

No matter what's going on outside our world, "our" personal economy is what we choose make it. And as such, now is the time that we start creating our own financial futures.

When you're ready to take the reigns of your own life and help your children do the same, wonderful things start to happen such as experts like Patti Handy (with uncanny timing) emerges with important information that can help us shape own financial worlds.

Check out what this money coach and author, who has to say to "all" parents:

Kids and Cash
Patti Handy
Money Coach

"Today’s kids are tomorrow’s leaders, healers, entrepreneurs and what ever else they desire to be. Our futures, their futures, are in our hands… for now. Our schools teach the fundamentals we all know and love; reading, writing, math, science and history. What concerns me is our school system lacks some of the ‘street smart’ skills that kids will need to be those successful leaders, healers and entrepreneurs.

As a parent, we must take teach our children ‘money smarts’. Can you imagine how empowered you would be if your parents taught you how to balance a checkbook, invest in the stock market, manage credit card debt, start a business, or the power of compounding interest? If you were one of the lucky few whose parents did teach you money skills, consider yourself blessed. The present economic situation is a perfect time to teach our kids the importance of money management and the need to respect money for what it is, and isn’t.

So, where do we start? With the basics. Depending upon your child’s age, you can start with talking about money. Most of us don’t discuss the family’s financial situation at the dinner table. I propose you do. I think it’s important that children understand what is happening, good or bad, with the money being earned. Don’t get me wrong here; I’m not suggesting you tell your kids your annual income or the balance of your investment portfolio. What I am suggesting is to bring the kids into conversations regarding ways to save, creative ways to earn additional money and what to spend that money on. Involve them with decisions on vacations, donating to a charity or cause, or how they plan to buy their first car.

For middle schoolers and teens, open a savings account and teach them the importance of monthly deposits, regardless of the amount. Create in them the healthy habit of making that deposit every single month. Compounding interest and time are on their side and simple, small deposits made regularly add up to huge money later. Did you know that $4 a day, 5 days a week invested at 10% (historically, the average in the stock market) turns into $1.3 Million in 50 years. Tell that to your teen who loves to visit Starbucks or Jamba Juice!

Introduce the concept of a budget, although I don’t care for that word. (Like a diet, it implies I have to give up something). It is about compromise and being aware of where the money goes, so rather, suggest this: what is priority, given the income? Teach them to live within their means and the dangers of credit. If our kids can understand this now and realize the consequences if they don’t, it will make for a peaceful and prosperous future. As parents, we know there isn’t anything we want more in life than to see our children healthy, happy and at peace."

Money Coach and published author, Patti Handy, received her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, followed by a combined twenty-five years in the banking and mortgage arena. A past holder of the Series 7 and Series 63 licenses, she has most recently served as a Senior Mortgage Advisor for over 7 years. She holds a California Real Estate Brokers License and is a CTA Certified Life Coach. Although she has extensive work experience, she credits the invaluable lessons that her parents taught her at a very young age as the true gift. Understanding the importance of learning money management early, she is passionate about sharing her financial wisdom with teens and young adults so that they too, will be empowered with money smarts. Look for her book, How to ditch your allowance and be richer than your parents, 9 wealth building tools to make a teen rich, coming July 2009. Visit www.teenscashcoach.com to sign up for a fun, free weekly video series teaching your teens money smarts! Learn more about her DVD program “The Prosperous Teen”™, Ordinary Money Habits create Extraordinary Results, by clicking on the products link at www.teenscashcoach.com

Just How Much Are You Into Social Networking?

2009-05-05T19:49:00.000-07:00

If so, what has been your biggest benefit?

For many of us, it has become so integrated into our world, we haven't actually thought about it.

Take the social network survey and see:

http://socialtoo.com/survey/view/2726

Kids & Money

2009-04-11T10:56:00.000-07:00

In a time where parents hear about the economy every time they turn around, our children are still bombarded with the latest must-have gizmos and gadgets.

We all would like to reward our children with their heart’s desire – especially if they work hard academically and through their various activities. But how do you balance it all when on one hand you have watch where you spend those hard-earned dollars, and on the other grant them the things they actually want because they've earned them?

That can be tough a one. But wise parents have gone beyond explaining how they have to be careful about where to spend their money to actually sitting down and showing their offspring how to become good money managers themselves.

For families who really could use some simple, but powerful money management strategies that include detailed how-to techniques, here is a resource that is worth checking out:

Kids Wealth.

They not only have a money kit that contains what the family need to get started, but they also hold very informative teleseminars you can register for as well.

I highly recommend this program which is designed to help you teach your children ages 4 and up smart money habits and how to become success-minded.

Rich Kid Smart Kid is a great online resource, and also the name of the book that is a great read!

If you would like to cement everything your children and teens have learned in terms of financial well-being, you may want to try Money Instructor which generates actual worksheets for your home educated students that you can use as part of your curriculum.

More than ever, now is a great time to get our financial houses in order since there are many free (but fun) resources available for us today.

Here’s to a successful 2009!

Tisha M. Silvers
Author, "The Homeschoolers' Income Makeover! "
Foreword by Paul & Sarah Edwards, The Self-Employment Experts
www.homeschool-wealth.com

www.Twitter.com/tmsilvers
www.linkedin.com/in/tmsilvers

Creator of Social Networking Sites:
http://homeschoolbusiness.ning.com
http://homeschoolbusinesses.ning.com

Calling All Business Owners Under 19...And Their Parents & Guardians!

2009-04-11T10:51:00.000-07:00

Hey Everybody:

Today we're going look at various ways to get this ball rolling for our children -- particularly the ones who desire more than the $20 bill you give them!

If you're wondering how to help them get going, I have a few ideas and suggestions you may want to consider. And we'll start with Jeff Brown of Teaching Kids Business who has a whole Website dedicated to helping them. Check out his YouTube channel where he talks to the kids about going into business and its benefits, as well as give them an opportunity to share their story (great for business exposure). He also invite parents and teachers to join in and share their business ideas.

I recommend that you and your family take some time and explore his site in detail. It's packed with how to get up and running. After viewing his YouTube Channel, I recommend that you visit his resource center with a pad of paper and pen in hand!

There you will find links to teacher resources, parent resources, mentorship, entrepreneurship, games, and even how to get your kids interested in the first place! And his site's content is written with both kids and teens in mind. Well worth any time and effort you put into it, that's for sure! And once you've taken your time to explore his site in detail, I'm sure you will agree! Highly recommended.

If you happen to wonder if your 8-year-old can really learn about money and business, perhaps you may consider sending him or her to camp. Millionaire Mind Camp, that is! Children ages 8-11, grades 3-6 can spend 10 days in summer camp learning about money, self-empowering techniques, using their natural talents to become wealthy, and so much more!

Say your kids are a bit older than that? No sweat! Millionaire Mind Camp covers ages 8-18, grades 3-12! Check it out and see if it's a good fit for your family.

After reading more stories about young entrepreneurs and the money they generate annually in their businesses at extremely young ages, you will see that "nothing" really is impossible when you pair up knowledgeable and caring adults with determined children!

While the rest of the world is focused on the economy, there is a very large and *nationally-based* group of professionals who have chosen to gather up the apples that have seemingly fallen from the trees we call "the recession!"

We're taking those apples and turning them into all kinds of products while earning a profit to boot!

Whether it's selling haircare products, office chairs from their bedrooms, computer services, or even babysitting brokering services, these kids are on it! Yes, one smart young lady is earning quite a bit by being the middleman...er, I mean, middle girl by pairing up parents who need a babysitter with the kids who are willing to do it!

And speaking of brokering services, let me let you in on something you might not be aware of, but could help you generate great income if you allow your mind to get creative enough to come up with a business idea that's comfortable for you.

There is a particular service that works best in a recession that doesn't work as well when the economy is flourishing, and that's brokering services. The bottom line with brokering services is that you're the middleman who arrange a great opportunity between those who need a service and those who would like to provide it to them, while taking your cut for the arrangement.

So whether it's "babysitting services" (as mentioned above), or a company that needs to liquidate some of its unused/unsold inventory (for whatever reason), you can be the "finder" who needs to buy what's being liquidated, and arrange that sale.

An example might be someone who's selling a business opportunity and signed up a lot of people. These people may have chosen to work from home, and need office supplies and furniture, but the money is not there yet because they're just getting started. In the meantime, this company over here has failed to sell their brand new furniture because people just aren't buying because of the economy. Now this company can't seem to even get rid of it fast enough and has decided to take a loss.

Either you can sign up all those new work-from-home people in need of steeply-discounted furniture and put them on your list and arrange this sale (getting your fee from both sides), or you can let a business broker ultimately get in there and do what they do best, which is find a company to sell that inventory to and get that fee themselves!

Oh, if you may be wondering why this is not the ideal business to be in during a great economy, that's because for the most part, brokering services at this level isn't really needed. People are buying from the companies directly and most likely are paying full price as well!

Could you be a broker because you happened to see an opportunity to help someone rent some unused and gaping space in their business establishment while finding a few work-from-home business owners in need of a very small space to rent a couple of times a week?

Might your teenager see an "information service" opportunity between those who are seeking very specific services, such as fun but cheap places to take their families to and match them up with the providers of t hose "little known" cheap but fun places while taking a fee for pairing up the two?

Food for thought is all.

Finally, Young Biz is a site that you and your pre-teens and teens should also check out. Packed with great information and like the others, and designed with your young entrepreneurs in mind. Another highly recommended site!

If you know of any sites or local programs that our members should know about, please either post it in the comment section or send me an email.

Until next time, may business ideas come you speedily!

Tisha M. Silvers
Author, "The Homeschoolers' Income Makeover! "
Foreword by Paul & Sarah Edwards, The Self-Employment Experts
www.homeschool-wealth.com

www.Twitter.com/tmsilvers
www.linkedin.com/in/tmsilvers

Creator of Social Networking Sites:
http://homeschoolbusiness.ning.com
http://homeschoolbusinesses.ning.com

Homeschooling Work At Home Moms, Dads And Guardians

2009-04-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hope you put some of Stephen Pierce's great advice to work this week in addition to those gems I gave you first couple of days! Your business life can really soar by taking those principles and strategies and applying them!

To wrap up this week and to begin preparing for next week, I would like to share a few things with you.

Before I do, go ahead and grab your copy of "The Homeschoolers' Income Makeover!", not because I'm trying to make a sale, but rather because the book is literally packed with at-home and traditional business-building strategies that are yet to be seen in other business-development books.

It covers a plethora of sound and proven strategies for your home business or traditional office-based (commercial or industrial).

So whether you have a local area establishment (such as a daycare, gas station or accounting practice), an Internet-focused business, or both, these strategies are designed to step everything up several notches to enable you to forge ahead of your competitors.

Not only does the book cover those powerful strategies, but it also covers how to do that while you home educate your family. It also give you business ideas for your pre-teens and teenagers so they can create businesses of their own as well!

I seriously admonish you to grab a copy and just check it out for yourself. If you purchase the 280-page, I offer a 100% money-back guarantee plus you have a full 365 days to check it out! Not 30 days or 60 days like the others, but an entire year! For your convenience, if you look on your lower right you will see the picture of the book and a clickable Pay Pal link.

The printed copy without the money-guarantee can be purchased at:
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/the-homeschoolers-income-makeover/3824741

Now regarding your pre-teens and teens having businesses of their own, we are going to cover that all next week. Talk about the possibilities! The whole family gets to generate income through their own ventures and enjoy doing so. Who knows? One idea could very well make them a millionaire! Anything is possible. Skeptical?

Well here is proof of teenagers taking advantage of the opportunities that made them into millionaires:
http://money.aol.com/forbes/general/teen-millionaires (Forbes article dated March 3, 2009!)

And here’s a preview of more to come:
http://www.mysmallbiz.com/teen-business/teen-business-ideas.php (article)
http://www.teachingkidsbusiness.com/youtube.htm (video)

Many parents think their offspring just don’t have what it takes to start and run a business, but you would be really surprised what can be done with the help of encouraging adults and a bit of outside help!

Well, here’s where I’ll let you in on something you may not have considered.

If you honestly believe that your child is incapable of operating something as simple as the traditional lemonade stand because he or she is mentally or physically unable to do so, then might you consider taking your child’s biggest interest and at minimum, create a website or blog with general information about his or her interest, put on the website/blog an Adword account, as well as some appropriate affiliate products you might be able to find on ClickBank, PayDotCom, and/or Linkshare? (These and more are a few strategies I share in my book, by the way!)

You can always hire a ghostwriter or ghostblogger to keep the site updated by adding fresh and relevant content to it daily. That way, although you technically control the business, this could be an ideal scenario for your child to draw income from based on his or her specific interest(s).

Now on the last day of our young entrepreneur series, we’re going to deviate just a bit and talk about kids and money rather than kids and business.

No doubt this is going to be a fun time if you and your family apply the strategies.

I look forward to comments.

C’mon, go ahead. Write a comment. Don’t be shy.

‘Til next week,

Tisha M. Silvers
Author, "The Homeschoolers' Income Makeover! "
Foreword by Paul & Sarah Edwards, The Self-Employment Experts
www.homeschool-wealth.com

www.Twitter.com/tmsilvers
www.linkedin.com/in/tmsilvers

Creator of Social Networking Sites:
http://homeschoolbusiness.ning.com
http://homeschoolbusinesses.ning.com