I Am A Working Mom

I Love My Part-Time Freelance Writing Job

2009-12-03T23:04:00.000-08:00

I am writing again about freelance writing because this is what I have been doing for many weeks. And the result? - Positive!

I have started into freelance writing months ago. Today, I can say that I have gained enough as a part-time writer. I have more than four stable clients. The projects are on-going. I withdraw from my PayPal account every week. I save my writing earnings into two. One for my future expense account and the other is for my LA's account.

What changed me by choosing this permanent part-time job? In terms of all my responsibilities are concerned, nothing. Everything remains the same, I still work as an Accountant, full-time in the office, I still play with my baby when I get home, I still nurse little LA and I still have a quality time with my family. The only thing changed is the time. I sleep almost after midnight, especially if I have rush project orders. Then, I would wake up at 2AM when little LA cries. But, I still feel great because I know I have accomplished so many things every day. I am not stressed at all because I love what I do. It is all about how I control things that come in my way.

I try very much to manage my time with everything. I work hard because I am happy with what I am doing. Good thing I have an inspiration. It is always important that family gives support to every member's desire.

Freelance Writing as a Part-Time Gig

2009-11-09T21:09:00.000-08:00

As I previously mentioned, being a working mom is not easy. One has to consistently monitor the cash inflows of the family. Raising kids means increasing expenses and increasing your investments. It is important to always expand the passive income.

A couple of months ago, I found a really good paying part-time job suitable for working moms who are looking for additional income. I came across a forum and the poster was looking for a part-time article writer. So, instead of spending hours browsing on the internet, I took the job and wrote five articles. After five articles, another five came. This just happened in a matter of days. After more than a week, another twenty articles were requested. I was just so happy! My PayPal account balance suddenly moves.

My writing interests increased again when I started to have writing projects. Researching, writing and reading. These three are the tasks that give free flowing ideas. I’d say writing stimulates my mind. Actually, it is very addicting. After each project, I wanted more and more. I want to have a continuous project. Honestly, I have stopped writing after I graduated college. Stepping the real corporate world and facing my profession stopped me from writing. Writing became less demanding since my work required me to be more analytical and reports are repetitive periodically.

My search for additional income as a working mother helped me realized that aside from reading, I love freelance writing. My very first client is very supportive up to now. I actually had a foreign client and requested my writing services and I was just referred. For newbie like me in freelance writing, her site, Freelance Writing Philippinesis very informative in searching for writing gigs and freelancing tips.

There is no harm in trying for any job. As long as it pays and credible then, it’s good to start. Any moms looking for part-time work is easy. As long as there is a will of finding one, there is always a way of landing the right one.

Hope I was able to inspire working moms out there for giving possible new income stream. Should you have suggestions regarding other means of income, you may leave your comment below. Thanks!

Additional Income for Additional Expenses

2009-11-03T19:08:00.000-08:00

Having my own family made me become financially mature. I think of the future - future income, future investment and future expense. Having a goal means being fixed to that goal. A monthly target savings of XXXXX.XX means it should be a fixed savings. So when baby comes, this monthly savings should not be sacrificed. It simply means finding another source of income to suffice additional expenses.

In my experience, women just love clothes! Since 90% in the company where I work are composed female gender, I researched on web some MLM or Direct Selling clothing companies. I’ve found two and joined the team. By just setting a goal and monthly sale target, I was able to get thousands of profits a month. Well, this just goes for the nappies.

Vitamins and supplements can be very costly, but health is wealth. Another example is joining this company as a dealer of medicines. The products include food supplements, emergency kits and medicines. They even have vitamins. I am taking advantage of the 20% off on all their products as personal user by joining this company. To maintain additional income, I asked my relatives to get their daily supplements from me. I was able to supply my families with their vitamins and supplements plus I am earning 20% off the price.

I have two mobile numbers. One is post-paid and monthly expense for this is included in my monthly budget. The other one is pre-paid. For the pre-paid, I once asked myself, I must find a way to use this without buying pre-paid load. In one of the forums I visited regularly, I saw this post that you’d get 10% to 13% off for every load you transfer. I registered, put money on my load wallet and maintained customers. My families and my work colleagues are my main customers in this little e-loading service. The profit from this is use for the personal usage of my pre-paid number.

Christmas is near, another big expenses to come. Where will I get extra bucks for these supposing I will not use the 13th month pay and bonuses? I thought of joining bazaars. I have resources for suppliers. I have chosen the niche I wanted. I already talked with my friend-partner for this project. Currently, I am scouting for location. Since my friend-partner and I are full-time working we can’t afford to a place far from us. Location is important. Hope this little project will push through.

If you are reading this, hope you can share other means of income that you know or tried. Information you share is very important to those people who are reading and looking for extra sources of income. =)

Essential Things to Bring During Labor

2009-10-27T21:48:00.000-07:00

Yes, your tummy is bulging. Anytime, baby will arrive. Home will be full of laughter. Friends will visit you and the baby. But, are you ready if suddenly, your water breaks? Are baby essentials packed and your labor bag? Sure you know the expected date of delivery but sometimes, babies wanted to meet the world eagerly and they do not follow the exact date.

Make sure your bags are ready two weeks before the big day. The following are the suggested items to bring:

1. Baby essentials – Make sure to pack baby must-haves for the hospital. You’ve got to have two or three pieces of receiving blankets, pairs of mittens and booties. Baby onesies, side-snap tees and pajamas are must-have. Do not forget baby bottles, just in case baby will have to drink in formula. Diaper bags with cloth or disposable nappies and nappy clippers, rubber mats and baby wipes. Make sure to bring extra baby clothes for going home and a car seat.

2. Mom’s bag – Usually, it takes two days or more in hospital during labor. Better bring your daily clothes while you are in the hospital. A mom must have her toiletries, complete with shampoo and conditioner, sanitary napkins, toothpaste, toothbrush, make up, hair dryer, eye glasses or contact lenses and soap. Giving birth doesn’t mean facing your hospital visitors without tending to check your appearance. Make sure you take care of your look too. If bringing pairs of socks and your own slippers will make you comfortable, you should bring them too. It is essential to bring your breast pump, this will help stimulate your milk.

3. Entertainment – You don’t know when you will be discharged. Make sure to bring your favorite books or magazine to keep you occupied. Bring your MP3 or movies to lessen the boredom. Don’t forget your camera to capture every moment starting labor until baby arrives.

If you enrolled in childbirth class, essential things to bring during labor will be discussed to you. But, if it’s your first time to give birth, the above suggestions are helpful. Preparedness is the key to have your special day hassle-free.

Getting Pregnant and Having a Baby- Know What Prenatal Care Means

2009-10-27T21:23:00.000-07:00

You feel your body is changing. You feel dizzy in the morning. You get sick in the afternoon. You crave for specific food. You missed your period. If you feel all these, then, congratulations! You could be pregnant.

Nothing is comparable to the joy that you will feel when you are expecting. When you experience the common symptoms of being pregnant you should contact your doctor immediately. Prenatal care is very important. There should be proper care and nutrition. Doctors usually check if there are risks or complications during your first trimester. Prenatal care will treat problems early or prevent any harm to you and your baby’s health. What happens during your first prenatal visit? Your doctor will dig about you and your family’s health history, your medical history, operations and will be asked your previous pregnancies. A physical exam will be conducted. Pap smear test will be done and pelvic exam. Laboratory test, your sample blood and urine will be taken. Doctors will calculate your due date. Make sure you are ready with your questions. You should discuss issues that you know might affect you and your baby. Ask what are the dos and don’ts.

During your pregnancy, you will have the routine tests. Most doctors check for anemia, blood type or gestational diabetes, still depending on your family health history. Regular check-up with your OB Gyne doctor will include checking baby’s growth and heart rate. For your, doctor will check your weight and blood pressure.

If pregnancy is planned, you should be taking care of yourself. You must know what preconception health means. You should know the factors or risks that could affect you and your unborn baby when you get pregnant. Talking to your doctor is important so that you can prepare your body. Doctors will give you the right medication and preparation in getting pregnant. A folic acid intake may be advised as this lowers the risk of birth defects. It is important to stay away from alcohol and cigarettes. Important vaccines must be updated.

Many pregnancies are unplanned. It is your duty to yourself to stay healthy as possible. Know the factors that will help your future baby healthy and worry-free pregnancy.

Where Will My Christmas Monies Go?

2009-10-25T20:12:00.000-07:00

Christmas is near. I can smell extra bucks – 13th month pay! Bonuses! I decided to park extra money to a place that earns interests. I promised my hubby, JM, that we will buy something that we both wanted for so long. An electronic gadget and a new lens for our Nikon SLR. Therefore, I need to make sure that fifty percent of what we will get will be put to someplace that is earning.

Last month, I have been reading in forum about where to park extra money, I read about this Rural Bank near our place, Marikina Valley San Mateo Bank. This bank was once named Marikina Valley Rural Bank. Bank of San Mateo and Marikina Valley merged in order to improve stability. The said banks are tested by time and the company is well-established. Still, a due diligence must be exerted before doing any investment. Upon checking their website, the bank rate for time deposit is:

Minimum of PHP 50,000 – 5 years
8% per annum
Tax Free
Earn Interest Monthly

I have opened a savings account for my LA at BDO, Junior Savers Club. Next year, I plan to transfer the funds to another bank that offers high interest rate. Keeping money and earning 1% to 2.5% per annum less tax of 20% is too small but no risk at all. But, I now also learned that in order to build more passive income, one must know how and where to invest. I still have to research about different banks’ offers. But, right now, I will visit MVSM Bank first.

How to Balance Work and Life

2009-10-23T01:06:00.000-07:00

It is simple. Prioritize. Setting priority makes everything normal and balance. Working doesn’t mean mom’s work should invade mom’s personal life. Working mothers do feel pressures of their work, and sometimes other priorities are neglected. Balanced life should be a combination of work, family, friends and God.

My first priority is God. I believe every family must be God-centered. Second priority in life is my family. Third is my work. I can choose not to work in favor of my family. But then again, since God has given me blessings: a great family, a good health, a respectable job, why should I take all those things away?

I do not want to let go any work I have because working is me. Working is my outlet for being me, interacting and meeting people, socials and learning new things about everything. Honestly, when baby came, I had a problem of how will I be able to take care of myself. I felt like crazy when all I have to do during those maternity leave days was to take care of my baby. I do not own my time. I can only take a shower after baby has finished his milk and when asleep. I can eat when he is calm or asleep. BUT, I am a mother. I cannot bear to eat when my baby is hungry and crying. I couldn’t go and pamper myself when baby is alone and needs me to touch him. I do not like it when someone, other than I or my husband, pampers my baby or making my baby sleep. There are always options but mothers will always choose to be there with their babies. I am so in love with my baby the moment he was born.

When LA came, expenses increased. I chose another channel to add income to our little family in order to support baby’s expenses without sacrificing our monthly target savings. Honestly, I am still new in attaining financial independence and still a lot more to learn. So I try to read and research more. I have been a follower of forums with goal – financial independence. I read a lot of motivational books and eBooks. Since then, I make it a point always to save money and allot a percentage of income to every expense. I intend to shift gradually my part-time work into full time to be able to stay always with my baby. As long I reach my goal, I will then shift my career into full-time mompreneur.

How do I balance everything? During weekdays, in the morning, Mom takes care to LA, I prepare things for work including our lunches. During the day, I call home to check LA. After office, I work online for one to two hours. After dinner is family time, I play with LA, one to two hours, before I let him sleep. We would either play and read or play and watch DVD. Weekend is different. It is totally no office work or part-time gigs at all. Saturday is doing house chores, bonding with family, meeting friends and my date with JM. Sunday is still a family day and Lord’s Day. We would go watch DVDs, shop just the two of us. I, sometimes join him to his hobby activities (playing with his crawler, airsofting, buying cars for collection). I believe every Mommy has their own way of balancing work and life. Life is full of tiny bits of pieces that need proper timing.

Baby Toys

2009-10-22T18:51:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, my little LA will be having his first Halloween activity. Event will be held at The Fun Ranch. My little boy’s costume is bought from Toy Kingdom. JM and I went to Megamall for a shopping last Saturday. I was so amazed with the little toys I know my little LA would love, including his costume for tomorrow. It is little Casper, everybody’s friendly ghost. Toy Kingdom has a lot of toys for sale last week. I was able to buy a playing rubber mat, books, DVD, costumes, stuffed toys and pillows! Oh and don’t forget the Hotwheels and Matchbox cars my husband for bought for his collection (this collection according to him is for LA when he grows up)

Being a Mom changed me from the way I buy things. When I was single, I buy stuff for myself whenever I go shopping. Now that LA is here, I make sure I visit first toy stores and baby section to buy something for him. My monthly budget for LA is a lot bigger than my own expenses!

For Moms out there, make sure you are updated on the store’s events and promos. You may check Toy Kingdom’s site here.

Welcome! I Am a Working Mom

2009-10-22T17:48:00.000-07:00

I am a Mom. I have a son and his name is LA. I work for a living and so is my husband, JM. My son is turning seven months in two weeks time. Life has been fair to me maybe because I treat everything that happens to me as blessing, good or bad. I have an adorable family and a well-paid job. But, how to balance life between work and a baby is not that easy. Well, I am a newbie for this scenario.

I don’t want to waste blessings that are God-gifts. As long as there’s time, all of these blessings must appreciated and used. Family, Life, Friends, Work. This blog is open to give information to all working moms out there. Topics to be posted are related but not limited to: raising a child, family matters, work and business.

This is Henelle and Welcome to I AM A WORKING MOM.