http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse Last 50 articles posted on the site en-us Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:31:38 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-6090-get_your_financial_house_in_order_--_before_you_lose_it http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse Do you really know how you're doing financially? Do you have to check your wallet and your bank account on a daily (or even hourly basis) to know how much cash you have? Are you making purchase decisions based on a plan that you know will lead you to financial freedom -- or at least a good night's... Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:11:50 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-6088-leave_your_work_at_work http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse By w2wlink.com and Dr. LeslieBeth WishThere's a wonderful saying, "If you want something done, give it to a busy person." Effective professional women are busy women -- women who can organize, multitask and deliver. The workload requires so much focus and energy that, by the end of the... Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:14:51 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-6015-are_you_spending_more_on_cell_phones_and_service_this_year http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse At a time when we're all looking for places to cut in our monthly budgets, here's an interesting thing: Many of us are paying more for our wireless phone service than we did last year, and we make sure to pay our wireless bill on time every month.Letstalk.com, a wireless product and cell phone... Wed, 19 Nov 2008 02:28:47 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-6073-satisfaction_got_yours http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse Walking home from my run with a friend this morning, she surprised me with this statement: "You probably have no idea how jealous I am of you sometimes." I was genuinely caught off guard, but a few more sentences gave me a view of my life, from her perspective, that made a lot of sense. My... Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:10:16 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5453-youre_still_working_if_youre_working_from_home http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse By Qiana Brown for WomenCo.When I decided several years ago to work from home, I was excited. I was excited about the prospect of creating something that was all mine. I was excited about setting my own hours. No one could tell me what to do or how to do it. My schedule would be mine. If I did not want... Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:04:27 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5991-top_7_ways_to_know_your_price_is_right_for_your_services http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse The most popular question among most entrepreneurs and solo professionals is whether their prices are competitive. People in business always wonder if they could charge or should charge more for their services. How do you know if you can charge more? How do you know if you are charging too much or too... Mon, 17 Nov 2008 02:03:24 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-6059-what_you_really_should_be_doing_instead_of_worrying_about_being http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse I spoke to a networking group from HRNY at Lee Hecht Harrison recently about how you can stand out from the crowd and find work after a layoff. I’ve been doing quite a few of these kinds of seminars, as you might guess. They are often filled with people who are, in many cases, starting from scratch... Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:26:41 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-6044-new_thanksgiving_warm-up_family_volunteer_day http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse Did you ever see the episode of Super Nanny where the bratty kids just complain about how they don’t have the right iPods, shoes, jeans, or a fancy-enough house? Super Nanny knew exactly how to straighten them out:  march the family over to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity to see how... Fri, 14 Nov 2008 04:33:15 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-6042-have_a_happy_--_and_stress-free_--_thanksgiving http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse Thankgiving is my favorite holiday: It has all the fun of family togetherness, plenty of great food, and nothing to wrap (or unwrap) but leftovers. Big gatherings are a major source of stress for many people, though, and for busy working moms who already have plenty on their plates, cooking a 20-pound... Fri, 14 Nov 2008 03:12:47 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-6041-the_key_to_balancing_work_and_family_lies_in_the_type http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse I took the entire summer off and still received a check every month for doing nothing. That is the power of residual income. If you want the freedom to take time off from your work or business to be with your family (or travel or whatever you want to do), then you have to look at the type of income... Fri, 14 Nov 2008 02:14:02 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-6011-good_deals__smart_steals http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse I received a book, titled Good Deals & Smart Steals written by the experts of Good Housekeeping Research Institute. The back cover summarizes the book as follows:“Whether you want to cut back on expenses or simply love a great bargain, Good Deals & Smart Steals will show you how to get... Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:24:33 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-6035-dont_use_office_jargon http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse Don't use jargon. I know you've heard this rule before, but maybe no one has ever told you the real reason for the rule. Your choice of jargon reveals your weakness.A lot of jargon is specific to an industry and if you use it outside the industry no one will understand you. This jargon will... Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:14:08 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-6022-family_finances_-_what_now http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse The recent financial crisis has caused me to take a very hard look at our family’s investments. How much are we spending? Are our assets diversified? Where do the retirement accounts stand?  I could have hired a financial planner and relied exclusively on her advice, but this is my family’s... Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:45:37 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5996-time-saving_tips_for_the_holidays http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse When was the last time you had a really relaxing holiday?I don’t mean that peaceful 30-minute aftermath that follows a successful dinner party or the kids’ gift-opening extravaganza.  I mean a holiday that is relaxing, from beginning to end.  That includes travel, dinner preparations,... Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:47:23 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-6020-what_ive_learned_in_3_years_of_motherhood http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse I’m am just a few months shy of celebrating my son’s 3rd birthday, and I feel as though I’ve learned a lifetime of things that I could have never even been exposed to, had I not become a mother. The saying "having a child is a life changing event" is always true, but I never... Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:04:52 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-6014-what_to_do_about_dwindling_529_college-savings_accounts http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse For those of us who jumped into 529 savings accounts as a great, tax-free way to save for college, the disappointment and worry when we check account balances in this down stock market is very real. So what do we do about it? First, get the big picture. Check in on how your 529s are performing compared... Wed, 12 Nov 2008 02:25:17 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-6013-this_single_mom_is_an_obama_mama http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse I’ve been crying off and on over the past week, in joy. I know that Work It Mom is supposed to be about work, but for many of us here -- as working mothers and women -- politics are threaded through everything we do. I voted for Obama because his vision and ideals match mine. I’ve always... Tue, 11 Nov 2008 23:54:39 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5957-reduce_heart_failure_risk_by_eating_whole_grains http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse Your risk of heart failure is increased by a variety of factors, such as coronary artery disease, obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, and hypertension. What you eat has a major impact on these risk factors. A new study was recently released in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association that... Sun, 09 Nov 2008 20:17:00 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5724-grilling_out_by_the_lakelakeside_grill http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse Plan a dinner that can be cooked on the grill, then, in the late afternoon, head over to the local lake for some swimming and a great lakeside grilled dinners. If you don't have a lake close by (or a beach, or a pond), your local park should do or you could just head ito your backyard for some great... Sun, 09 Nov 2008 16:14:38 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5983-looking_out_for_list_number_one http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse You know those things you want to do someday?  Here is my partial list:Learn to speak Spanish, write a book, Take belly dancing lessons, complete a baby scrapbook for each of my three children, read the stack of books by my bed, help my daughter with her knitting, and so much more.  ... Sat, 08 Nov 2008 23:40:10 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5973-eight_tips_for_finding_the_right_thing_to_say_in_a http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse I often feel like I don’t know the right thing to say. I’ll be desperate to find the right words, but in a tough situation, I just don’t know what to say to make a person feel better. I often find myself switching the topic of the conversation -- so quickly that I've changed it... Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:13:39 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5966-top_10_ways_to_know_you_are_on_the_success_track http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse When we are in business for ourselves, we can often lose focus or motivation and feel that we aren’t getting where we want to be fast enough. Growing a business takes time and patience. Below is a list of 10 important areas to help you determine if your business is heading where you want it to... Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:38:10 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5960-invigorated_office_style http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse By Noelle Watters This article is a part of iMag’s Style Guide section. Hello fashionistas. With the change of seasons comes the change of wardrobe, and fall/winter clothes are my absolute fave!So about a week ago I packed up my shorts and tanks and lugged in from storage my sweaters, coats, and... Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:22:01 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5946-a_working_moms_experience_with_language_and_life http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse Growing up on a “loma” or hill in Colombia with her linguist parents, Cynthia Miller had an early exposure to a variety of languages and cultures. Her daily life in Dallas is still infused with language and culture both at work as the ESOL faculty member at Eastfield Community College (ECC)... Wed, 05 Nov 2008 21:14:23 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5940-bouncing_back_after_they_reject_you http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse It’s not easy being rejected. However, in today’s job market you should expect for that to happen. The fact is that it’s a crowded job market and you are probably going to receive more rejections than you’d like.  This is not the time to take it personally and... Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:21:05 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5939-the_real_reason_you_dwell_on_your_what-ifs http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse When you are thinking of taking a step out into your next career move, or leaving a current relationship situation for one that is more right, you may dwell on “what if. ” “What ifs” hold you back in your comfort zone. You probably experience this as feeling fear, but I think... Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:41:06 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5938-its_about_rhythm http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse My mother and my girls have taught me the value of personal rhythm. My mother taught me how to listen to the rhythm of the music with my whole body when I danced. "You can't dance if you don't have rhythm," she used to say.My girls taught me that there is contentment in rhythm. They... Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:31:31 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5929-the_best_way_to_transition_between_jobs http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse By Theresa-Maria Napa for WomenCo.You may be changing careers, going back to school, or going back to a familiar career. The transition may be voluntary or involuntary.Voluntary transition can arise from being bored or dissatisfied from what you are doing, or deciding to do something different. Then... Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:38:01 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5928-want_to_start_your_own_business__get_ready_to_make http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse I immersed myself to full time entrepreneurship within the past month and I am amazed at all the costly mistakes I’ve made. Here is a list.1.) I didn't take the time to learn about SEO (search engine optimization).  I knew nothing about it and even though a seasoned entrepreneur told... Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:40:13 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5864-chicken_soup_for_your_heart http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse I read some interesting research lately that I want to share, related to chicken and blood pressure. We know that blood pressure is a significant risk fact for heart disease and stroke. It’s estimated that about 1 billion people worldwide live with high blood pressure. Being able to control high... Sun, 02 Nov 2008 21:40:00 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5723-lets_go_fly_a_kite_--_and_have_a_fun_family http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse How about packing up some quick-and-easy dinner recipes, grabbing the family and a colorful kite, and heading to the nearest beach or park to fly a kite? What a great idea for some inexpensive family fun. It's good exercise. Launching a kite and flying it together is a great activity the whole family... Sun, 02 Nov 2008 15:52:41 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5876-confusing_stock_market_lingo http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse You’ve probably read in a Personal Finance book: “It is better to invest in an index fund than individual stocks.” Or as of late, you may have heard someone scream, “The index dropped XX points!” Did you know what they were talking about? Ever wondered what the heck... Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:49:04 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5896-the_writers_audience http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse We all imagine having an audience for our writing. Sometimes when I'm writing, it's an amorphous general audience of people who will one day read what I wrote. When I write in my journal, I write to my cat who has passed on. She is my audience. Sometimes I have a very specific larger audience... Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:26:51 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5891-why_are_mothers_overwhelmed http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse A client asked me recently, "What do you believe are the most common reasons that mothers are overwhelmed?" I thought about this great question and decided to share with you my response. I'm giving you my top three here. Enjoy!Mothers are overwhelmed and over-scheduled due to the variety... Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:56:36 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5883-work_stress_weighing_you_down http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse By Megan Southwick for Betty ConfidentialI know I’m starting to get stressed at work when my hands slowly but surely make their way to my face and I start rubbing my eyebrows. (Luckily, I’ve yet to rub one off -- key word being “yet.”) I have a friend who bites the inside of... Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:46:05 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5835-why_men_lose_interest_in_sex http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse There is nothing more hurtful than to think that your partner does not want to touch you. At first, things were OK; having sex when you wanted to was no problem. Now all of a sudden, when you want it he always turns you down. The first thing you think is that he is having an affair . But some men... Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:09:35 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5870-market_your_mommyhood http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse Women For Hire’s website features a tool that allows visitors to build a resume online. It includes all the standard fields that you'd imagine, from contact information and employment history to professional skills and education. Nobody has ever questioned the format, until recently.I received... Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:13:00 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5866-10_steps_to_protect_your_money_--_and_sanity_--_in http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse As gas and food prices rise, house values fall and governments continue bailing out major corporations, we may wonder where all of us regular folk fit into this picture. Regardless of our financial standing, we’re all feeling the financial and emotional crunch during these difficult times.... Mon, 27 Oct 2008 22:50:03 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5826-life_happens_now_what http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse What a whirlwind of a month October has been! The economy has taken a plunge, the national elections are looming, and emotions are running high.Many are behaving as if they didn't see this coming. Is that possible? I guess it is. Intellectually, we understand that change is always around the corner,... Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:11:06 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5790-stress_cortisol_and_your_waistline http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse Do you struggle with extra fat around your midsection?  Excess abdominal fat is not only visually unappealing to some, but it also increases your heart disease risk.What causes abdominal obesity?There are many different reasons your body likes to store fat in the abdomen.  I want to discuss... Sun, 26 Oct 2008 16:56:00 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5683-backyard_camp_out_dont_forget_the_food http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse When the kids are little or time or money is short, try a backyard camp out for an easy recipe for great family fun. All you need are some willing campers, a tent, some bedding and a spirit of adventure.1.) Acquire a tent. Hopefully there's one in the garage and you can find it. If not, you can... Sun, 26 Oct 2008 16:54:09 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5785-stuck_for_a_gift_for_your_childcare_provider http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse Need inspiration for a great gift for your childcare provider? First, take a look at my three all-time favorite gifts given to me by some of my clients. Now, read on to learn about the worst gifts I've ever been given -- and what could have made them great instead.There are some gifts that have... Sun, 26 Oct 2008 13:27:11 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5840-how_to_be_happy_at_work http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse Right about now, I could use something called a "Happiness Manifesto." How about you?Alex Kjerulf is the author of the Happy at Work Manifesto. It's a free download, and it's worth posting on your bulletin board or tattooing on your forehead or placing wherever you can keep it top... Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:45:30 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5817-crafts_for_kids_paper_plate_pumpkins http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse I love when my kids come home from school with artwork. Not only because it boosts their self-confidence when I proudly display it, but because, like photographs, the artwork is something tangible I can keep to remember different phases of their childhood. After it's hung on the wall, fridge or... Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:16:23 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5839-handling_change_well http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse My boys both started school last month, one of them for the first time.  While there was a wee bit of clinging and a few tears, their transition from summer in the country to school in the city has been an amazingly calm one.  My 2-year-old couldn't wait to start "my tool" and... Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:54:17 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5824-cleavage_be_damned_i_need_my_coffee http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse As a new mom, I have a new best friend: A morning cup of coffee. I wasn't much of a coffee drinker before, but the sleepless nights and constant baby-wrangling have made it a daily necessity. Imagine my surprise to read that drinking too much coffee could shrink my breasts! According to a new... Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:06:52 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5816-what_are_ovarian_cysts http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse Ovarian cysts are sacs of fluid developed on a woman’s reproductive organs. Some cysts are not harmful, but some can threaten your health and you may not show any symptoms. Getting regular pelvic exams is important in order to treat and prevent them. During menstruation, women often develop a... Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:09:02 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5097-a_new_moms_first_day_back_at_work http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse By Caroline Wilbert for Divine CarolineI stared into the mirror in the sixth floor bathroom of the newspaper where I worked. I wiped away tears at the corners of my eyes and willed my chin to stop trembling. I feared the dam would break and I would start sobbing. It was about ten o’clock in the... Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:25:02 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5761-single_mom_seeking_freelance_advice http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse During my freak out moments about money these days, thank goodness for the positive posts I've been reading on WorkItMom.com. According to many of you, this economic crisis is actually good for freelancers. In the Cornered Office, Mir writes:    "Freelancing is one of those industries... Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:05:40 +0000 http://www.workitmom.com/article-5762-10_money_questions_to_ask_each_other_before_you_say_i_do http://www.workitmom.com/articlebrowse So you've said "yes" to each other, to marriage, to a lifetime together. A moment like that can spill right into joyful wedding planning, but there is some other planning a couple needs to do before focusing on a ceremony and a day of celebration. Money planning -- not for one day but... Tue, 21 Oct 2008 22:58:59 +0000