Motherhood Incorporated

I don't waaaant Cheerios!

by Sandra Beck, Motherhood Incorporated

Yesterday I was on a call-in presentation about Blogging and someone asked me what makes a great motherhood blog.  How to write the best motherhood blog ever…  My answer was simple- keep it short, keep it real, make it helpful and make it fun to read. Adding a great photo that gets attention also helps.

Most of the blogs I write and what I advise my clients is to keep blogs around 250 words.  Add an eye catching photo – like Zach over there fussing about his Cherrios.  If the photo supports the blog – even better but this is not always practical or possible.

One of the things that bugs me the most is reposting – unless the writer give their opinion about something – even if its here this is great -that’s something. But to just copy and paste other mom’s work is plagiarism, annoying and makes me think the writer is taking short cuts. Loads of personal private information can be icky as well- and the brag and boast mom blog. Now that takes some &*((*s.

I hope you enjoy reading these blogs as much as I enjoy writing them! Should you have any questions about Motherhood Incorporated either as a client or as a mom looking for work, please email me directly at sandra@motherhoodincorporated.com or you can check us out at www.motherhoodincorporated.com and www.sandrabeck.com.

By Sandra Beck, Motherhood Incorporated

As a single mom with two young kids, spending habits have to change. Look at the type of spending habits you have. If you are a compulsive buyer, try making lists of the things you need at the store and stick to those lists. What are some other things you can do? If you buy designer clothes for your kids, consider buying them at a discount store like Wal-Mart instead. The clothes will still be great, and as long as they look decent, they shouldn’t care too much.

As far as mealtimes go, pack your kids lunches. If you can bring some of your work home and make dinner, you will save some money that way, too.

Bring your kids with you to more places so you save on baby-sitting costs. If you have a YMCA membership, you can exercise while your kids meet other kids in the free daycare that’s offered. My gym www.24hourfitness.com offers babysitting for 2 hours for a $2 so at $1 per hour that’s a steal. I use this time to work out – sometimes I sit in the yoga area and read…or I take a shower and deep condition my hair which is heavenly without two little boys slipping around the shower with me. I can even shave my legs without hollering – no don’t touch that it’s sharp!

Next time you go to the grocery store, buy more of the off-brand items and try to cut back on the soda that you buy and drink water instead. Don’t be afraid to cut out coupons and use them. Find out if your local grocery store has a double coupon day and make that the day you do your grocery shopping if possible.

Take your kids to the library to get books and movies. This make sense because you usually only read a book once or watch a movie once or twice. You also save on the movie rental fee.

I hope you enjoy reading these blogs as much as I enjoy writing them! Should you have any questions about Motherhood Incorporated either as a client or as a mom looking for work, please email me directly at sandra@motherhoodincorporated.com or you can check us out at www.motherhoodincorporated.com and www.sandrabeck.com.

Tags: Money Saving Tips, Sandra Beck, Motherhood Incorporated, www.motherhoodincorporated.com, www.sandrabeck.com, singe mom tips, being a single mom, saving time as a single mom

by Sandra Beck, Motherhood Incorporated

Online Dominance by Michael Russer

By now many of you who read this blog know that from time to time I rave about a book, a product, a course or a company.  You also have read my ranting and scathing reviews of books, products and services that are thrown onto the market that dissapoint, frustrate and annoy me – and I am not afraid to give my opinion. Well here’s another one.  It’s a rave.

This time its about a course offered by Michael Russer called Online Dominance. Here’s a guy who knows what he’s talking about. Further more, the teams that support his overall vision for dominating the web get it too.

Many times I am hired as an internet business strategiest and my moms come into the mix and we struggle with bringing someone up to speed as to just how to be really effective on the web.  Without waxing too technical – there’s a lot.  And no one in my 15 years of running around the net explains and teaches it so cleanly, clearly and effectively as Michael Russer.   Just take a look at his Online Dominance Facebook Fanpage. The guy gets Facebook – and he’s a middle aged real estate coach. How cool is that?

The strategies this guy imparts, the tools he uses and the understanding he has of the big web picture make him very effective – and after serving 20 or so of people who work with him in developing their online presence I can honestly say that this is a guy to watch. No matter what industry you are in, the principles he teaches are based in solid business and marketing techniques using the net offerings.

I follow him on his fan page and I google the web to see what he has to say and what he shares from his knowledge bank. For anyone doing anything on the web – this is the guy to watch.

I hope you enjoy reading these blogs as much as we enjoy writing them! Should you have any questions about Motherhood Incorporated either as a client or as a mom looking for work, please email me directly at sandra@motherhoodincorporated.com  or you can check us out at www.motherhoodincorporated.com and www.sandrabeck.com.

by Sandra Beck, Motherhood Incorporated

Sandra Beck of Motherhood Incorporated, Max and Zach hiking in Placerita Canyon Park

This week and last week I told Disneyland and Magic Mountain to go take a hike.  Along with their expensive ticket prices and wallet choking extras.  And we did – literally.  As a single mom with two small children I am tired of hearing everyone going to Magic Mountain and Disneyland – neither of which is affordable moneywise and timewise for us right now – but also because I don’t think the greatest place on earth would be that fun for the day with the three of us and the age differences. I am sure there are moms out there that can drag an ornery toddler and a sullen first grader around theme parks, but I am not one of them. I think the person having the meltdown would be me. In looking for fun things to do that wouldn’t break the bank and break my spirit I remembered a Boy Scout meeting where they talked about Placarita Canyon and how you could walk in to a waterfall during the winter snow melt.

The first attempt at the waterfall was a dismal failure. The only plusses for that attempt was it was free and the kids and I slept soundly after the hike.  The kids were thrilled but pooped out after 2.5 miles in and I carried my toddler on my back out, with my pack on my front listening to my older son complain about the scratch on his knee. Fun family adventure. Sure. I had blisters and we were tired, dirty and demoralized about not seeing the waterfall.  Nature has no fury like a tired, angry disappointed three year old who thinks he’s going to a waterfall, with his backpack and his map to live out every Dora and Diego fantasy.

This weekend success.  We dressed right. We packed light. Plenty of food, water and treats. We made it into the canyon, up the steep terrain and to the waterfall that was blessedly cool and refreshing. Even if it was just because one kid fell in and I had to fish him out. The water was only a foot deep but icy cold.  The kids were amazed. I was amazed and refreshed. The spirit of the place got to me and at one point we all just sat there listening to the waterfall and marveling at nature’s green glory.  This is a great place to hike with kids.

Was it thrilling like the rides at Magic Mountain - in a different way - they had to navigate steep terrain, hills, branches and rocks.  For me hoping they don’t slide down the ravine – as terrifying as any coaster.  Was it as fun as Disneyland? For kids who like rocks, sticks, throwing muddy moss balls – yes.  Best of all it was free and were were together and made memories and shot photos that would last a lifetime!

I hope you enjoy reading these blogs as much as I enjoy writing them! Should you have any questions about Motherhood Incorporated either as a client or as a mom looking for work, please email me directly at sandra@motherhoodincorporated.com or you can check us out at www.motherhoodincorporated.com and www.sandrabeck.com.

By Sandra Beck, Motherhood Incorporated

As a single mom with two young kids, spending habits have to change. Look at the type of spending habits you have. If you are a compulsive buyer, try making lists of the things you need at the store and stick to those lists. What are some other things you can do? If you buy designer clothes for your kids, consider buying them at a discount store like Wal-Mart instead. The clothes will still be great, and as long as they look decent, they shouldn’t care too much.

As far as mealtimes go, pack your kids lunches. If you can bring some of your work home and make dinner, you will save some money that way, too.

Bring your kids with you to more places so you save on baby-sitting costs. If you have a YMCA membership, you can exercise while your kids meet other kids in the free daycare that’s offered. My gym www.24hourfitness.com offers babysitting for 2 hours for a $2 so at $1 per hour that’s a steal. I use this time to work out – sometimes I sit in the yoga area and read…or I take a shower and deep condition my hair which is heavenly without two little boys slipping around the shower with me. I can even shave my legs without hollering – no don’t touch that it’s sharp!

Next time you go to the grocery store, buy more of the off-brand items and try to cut back on the soda that you buy and drink water instead. Don’t be afraid to cut out coupons and use them. Find out if your local grocery store has a double coupon day and make that the day you do your grocery shopping if possible.

Take your kids to the library to get books and movies. This make sense because you usually only read a book once or watch a movie once or twice. You also save on the movie rental fee.

I hope you enjoy reading these blogs as much as I enjoy writing them! Should you have any questions about Motherhood Incorporated either as a client or as a mom looking for work, please email me directly at sandra@motherhoodincorporated.com or you can check us out at www.motherhoodincorporated.com and www.sandrabeck.com.