It's Almost Summer--What Do We Do with the Kids?

Summer is just around the corner and for many families that means family vacations, summer camp and helping the older kids find summer jobs. Here are a variety of articles centered around those topics that may help you in your family's search for creative (and economical) ways to keep the kids busy this summer!


10 Fun and Free Things to Do in San Diego
San Diego is an excellent place for a family vacation, with its' miles of beautiful beaches, warm climate and easily accessible outdoor recreation venues. Not only is it home to world-famous attractions, it's also a great area to enjoy even on a limited budget.


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Using Your Creative Talents to Make Money

One of the positive things about the current economic situation is that it has given many talented individuals the "kick in the pants" do actually do something with their creative talents... from jewelry making and crafts to photography and baking, home-based creative businesses have been on the rise.  Are you a budding photographer, baker or artisan that's looking to supplement your income?  Here's some of my favorite ways to use your creative talents to make money:

1. Sell your wares on Etsy.  Etsy is one of the most popular spots online for selling handmade arts & crafts as well as vintage items. 
2. Become a vendor at a craft show or festival.  You can search the database at Festivalnet.com to find upcoming venues across the U.S. and Canada.
3. Post a listing on any of the free sites online.  Craigslist.org, Backpage.com and eBayClassifieds.com (formerly Kijiji.com) are just of the few.  Don't forget to post pictures!
4. Have an in-home party for family and friends. Use a service such as eVite.com to manage invitations and responses. You may want to collaborate with other artisans or crafters so you can offer a wider variety of items (and have a larger database of contacts to invite).
5. Teach a class at your local YMCA or community center.  If you are an expert or advanced user who enjoys teaching others, you may find your niche (as well as an ongoing source of income) from people in your community that are interested in learning everything from cake decorating, digital photography and jewelry design, to sewing, crocheting and woodcraft.  Be prepared with a class syllabus and an estimate of class costs, before pitching your class ideas to administration.
6. Create a website and sell your products online. There are a variety of low-cost or free web hosting companies that offer everything from simple templates to shopping carts as well as integration with payment options such as Paypal.  Check out Weebly.com for free sites with easy drag-n-drop features.
7. Are you a baker or candy maker? The Holiday Season can be especially lucrative for a home-based business, and friends or family members that are willing to take your items to work or school can be extremely helpful in the marketing department!  A former babysitter of mine made $2-3k every holiday season making and selling candy, with many of her daycare families offering to take baskets or boxes of her homemade goodies to work with them to sell on her behalf.  It was a win-win for everyone, as she usually gave a discount on babysitting services to those that had helped out.
8. Talk to local shop owners about selling your items in their stores on consignment. Often boutiques or hair salons are willing to showcase accessories and jewelry, restaurants are willing to showcase paintings or framed prints, and so on.

How to Get Money for a Small Business

For many, one of the biggest deterrents to starting a business is finding the funds for startup. While some may chose to start a business based solely on private investment, there may be additional state and federal programs that can help.


One of the ways the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides short-term loans to small businesses is through their Micro-Loan Program. The SBA does not loan money, however, they guarantee it through intermediary lenders. Microloans can be used for inventory, supplies, furniture and fixtures, but not real estate purchases or to pay off existing debt. 

For businesses in California, you can find additional information at the California Business Portal; or to find grant info or other funding outside of California, check this List of economic development websites by State. Grants may also come from educational or research institutions, or from monies set aside specifically for women and minority owned businesses.

For those that are in the following sectors: Information Technology, Childcare or Renewable Energy, many states  has specific programs for entrepreneurs or small business owners that have a proven history in these areas.

Charmed: A Dog's Life in Huntington Beach

Meet Charm. She's one of two rescue dogs that belong to my roommate... which kind of makes me her "aunt".  Charm's favorite place (and one of mine too!) is Dog Beach -- just one of the many dog-friendly outdoor spots available here in Huntington Beach. Now that it's Spring, you'll find Charm and her sister Paloma, weekday mornings at Dog Beach catching Frisbees and enjoying the waves.  The roommate and I have made a pact to take the dogs every morning and do a bit of power walking on the beach.  Whether you work from home, or spend the majority of your day in an office --there's nothing better than starting off with sun, surf and sand. I guess you could say it's a "Charmed Life" for all of us.

If you live in the area, know also that there are several good dog walkers in the area that will take your pooch to play if your're not available. In fact, we saw two that parked their SUVs or vans near us and unloaded multiple dogs for a beach field trip.  Dogs and people alike need time to enjoy a little "down time", whether it be at the beach, a park, or anywhere outside where you can have the chance to watch a sunrise, stick your toes in the sand and just BE...

Check out my article What to Do with Your Dog in Huntington Beach to find out my other favorite spot for dogs.

Laundry 101: Tips & Tricks To Make Your Laundry Easier, Less Costly and More Eco-Friendly

Laundry...necessary evil or enjoyable task? I'd venture to say for most it falls somewhere in between. Having been doing laundry for more than two decades now, I'm feeling like somewhat of an expert when it comes to managing laundry chores. Here are a few tips that can help make the laundry tasks easier, less costly and more eco-friendly!


The Green Guide to Biodegradable and Non-Toxic Laundry Soaps
If you are looking for more natural, non-toxic ways to clean your laundry, this is a good place to start.


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