Month: April 2020

  • 15 Ways To Make An Extra $1000 Each Month

    While most of us dream about making a million dollars a year, the truth is that many of us would be thrilled to make another $1,000 each month. Wouldn’t an extra $12,000 a year make a huge difference?

    There’s so many different things you can do to supplement your income. And it’s not that difficult. It’s a matter of commitment more than anything else. 

    Getting off on the right foot will help to ensure your success as you take on a new money-making venture. But before making your first dollar, remember to do the necessary preliminary work. That way, you’re more likely to do well and make much more money in the future.

    Here are some factors you want to consider FIRST before diving into a side gig.

    1. Create a list of your unique skills and knowledge.

    It’s not necessary to know or be able to do anything special to make an extra $1,000 each month, but it doesn’t hurt. Having a unique skill-set can allow you to charge more for your time. 

    2. How much free time do you have?

    Do you have to earn money outside of a regular job? Are your weekends free? What about your weekday evenings? How many hours are you willing to work?

    3. Do you have any friends or family that you can help with?

    Maybe you have a friend with a construction business that needs help on the weekends. Think about everyone, you know. They might have something that would be perfect for you.

    4. Are you willing to try something new?

    It’s possible to force your will on the marketplace, but it’s a lot easier to provide what it needs. What do you hear people complaining about in your area? Find a need and fill it!

    5. Prepare to become a marketing machine.

    Many of the methods I’m going to suggest require finding clients. The work itself is quite simple, but finding the clients is the harder part.

    6. Have fun.

    It’s one thing to make yourself miserable for a few months to reach a goal, but it’s quite another to do it long-term. Find something that you enjoy doing.

    Anyone can make another $1,000 each month. You might even be able to do a few different side jobs and eventually replace your full-time income. Even one successful venture might be enough in some cases.

    The Money-Making Methods

    Depending on where you live, all of the ideas in this guide could be viable options. However, some are more suited for certain areas than others. Hopefully, you’ll find a method that appeals to you.

    Create A Website And Sell Something

    With WordPress, it’s never been easier to set up your own website. Gone are the days of needing to be a programmer to create a great looking site.

    Selling something on a website is fairly simple:

    1. When people come to your website, sell them something. Find a topic that interests you, and then capitalize on that interest. 

    • For example, there was recently a story of a woman that started her own blog about lighthouses and now makes a full-time living selling lighthouse related items and lighthouse travel tours. 
    • You can also sell a service. Think of something you can do better than the average person. There’s no need to be an expert. You only need to be one.step.ahead.
    • You can also have Google Ads or something similar on your website and get paid when people click on them. The “pay-per-click” market is huge!
    • Affiliate marketing can be lucrative. There are websites with thousands of digital products that you can sell. 
    • On these affiliate sites, you earn a commission every time you make a sale. Commissions are commonly 20-70%. The product creator even provides a sales page where you send your customers. 

    2. The real key is doing the marketing to get customers to your webpage. There are plenty of resources available to help you market your website. 

    • Write some articles related to the topic of your website and post them in the appropriate places. Posting to article directories would be good start. Article marketing has always been a great way to drive web traffic.
    • Write excellent content. Some of the most popular websites were never intentionally marketed in any way. If your content is unique, people will come to read it.
    • Social media such as Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, and Pinterest are additional ways of creating a buzz.

    Even if you’re not technologically inclined, a website can be a great way to boost your income in your spare time. 

    Sell A Technical Service

    I know many people are intimidated by internet technology. But there are many easy and simple services you could offer to people and businesses that they might not think they can do themselves.

    Selling technical services can could look like:

    1. Create websites for businesses.

    A reasonable website can be created in just a couple of hours, and it wouldn’t be difficult to find someone willing to pay at least a few hundred dollars for a website. 

    • One website a week would easily be an additional $1,000 each month. It could even be much, much more.

    2. Create Facebook pages for small businesses.

    Smaller businesses often have no designated marketing employees. Many of those businesses are also too small to justify hiring a full-blown marketing firm. 

    • Templates are available that would allow you to create a Facebook page for a business in a just a few minutes.
    • These Facebook pages can easily be sold for $100 or more. Two or three a week would meet the magical $1,000 mark.

    3. Create YouTube videos for small businesses.

    A few simple shots with a digital camera can be made in to a slideshow with free software and a little bit of time.

    4. Create and operate Twitter accounts for businesses.

    Many small businesses would love to have a Twitter account, but they are unsure how to go about setting it up. (This applies to any social network as well. Hence, “social media manager!”)

    The common methods for finding customers (in order of effectiveness) are in-person visit, phone call, email, and snail-mail. You might be surprised how easy it is to find a client if you can muster the courage and stop by or pick up the phone.

    These services are all much easier than you probably realize. You can teach yourself everything you need to know very quickly.

    It is not the creation of wealth that is wrong, but the love of money for its own sake

    Margaret Thatcher

    Do Taxes For Others 

    With the software that’s now available, nearly anyone can do some else’s taxes. You won’t require a degree in accounting to put some numbers into a software program.

    Many of the people working for the big tax firms each spring are just regular people working part-time.

    In the rare event that someone’s taxes are too complicated once you start doing them, simply tell them the truth. Just as all lawyers aren’t qualified to handle all cases, it’s okay to admit you can’t do the taxes of a multi-millionaire with extensive offshore investments.

    This method won’t work all year. It’s going to be limited to a couple of months, but you can easily make more than $1,000 each month during that time. 

    Think about other services you can offer to the same clients. If they’re happy with your tax preparation services, maybe they’ll give you the opportunity to do something else for them during other times of the year. 

    Remember to ask for referrals. The easiest way to find new clients is by receiving a recommendation from other clients you’ve worked with. 

     All I ask is the chance to prove that money can’t make me happy

    Spike Milligan

    Rent Out Your Extra Room On Airbnb

    Airbnb.com is a unique website that allows people to rent out space they own. It can be space in a tree house, a walk-in closet with an air mattress, an entire vacation home, or a room in your home. If you have a livable space, someone would probably be interested in renting it from you. If the space isn’t currently being used, it’s really just a wasted resource. Make the most of it!

    Here’s a couple of tips:

    1. Have a proper lease in place.

    Laws and customs can vary from state to state. Contact an attorney or your local real estate investors club for assistance.

    2. Do a thorough background check before letting a stranger move into your home.

    There are services available to run background checks, credit checks, and every other type of check you can imagine. At the very least be sure to scope out their Airbnb profile!

    • Before letting anyone move in, you’ll probably want to require a security deposit or rent up front. Everyone seems to have a story about getting the ‘money next week.’

    3. Ensure you’re comfortable with someone new living in your space.

    If you’re uncomfortable, there’s not a lot that can be done, depending on the terms of the lease.

    • If you’re interested in providing space in your home, think about how you want to handle the common areas. These would include the kitchen, bathroom, and living room. Also, figure out where they’ll park their car. 

    Why waste space you’re not using? Monetize it instead!

    Helpful: darlingsteps.com/how-working-moms-manage-time-like-a-pro

    Write for Extra Money

    Are you good with words? Do you like to write as a hobby? If so, capitalize on those writing skills. With all the content available online, there’s a tremendous need for people to write that content. 

    Try these options:

    1. Freelance.

    Approach website owners and offer to write some content for them. Pay rates can vary dramatically. Some writers can make a few hundred dollars per article.

    2. Join a content providing service.

    There are many websites that are always looking for writers. Two of the more popular ones are Textbroker.com and iWriter.com. Fiverr and Upwork are other great alternatives as well.

    • You can search through jobs and choose ones that appeal to you. 
    • You’ll have to write quickly to really earn some money, but this is something you can do in the comfort of your own home.

    3. Write an eBook and sell it on your own website.

    Many people have made millions of dollars by selling information. We’ll cover more about writing and selling books on Amazon later.

    4. Offer to write ads for eBay sellers.

    Contact the sellers of high-ticket items such as homes, cars, motorcycles, and boats. Offer to write a top-notch ad for them, in exchange for 1% of the selling price. You won’t get paid unless it sells. 

    • For example, if you wrote an ad selling a $20,000 car, you’d be looking at getting paid $200.

    Writing can be hard work, but it has very flexible work hours. You can easily work it into your busy schedule.

    There are people who have money and people who are rich

    Coco Chanel

    Tutor Or Give Lessons 

    Some tutors are making over $100 an hour! If you’re good at piano, golf, tennis, painting, or anything else that’s marketable, consider giving lessons.

    The best tutoring jobs tend to be in the nicer neighborhoods since mom and dad are likely to have more disposable income. 

    Get in touch with schools and even post an ad on Craigslist.com. Research the average fees for the service you’re providing and offer a competitive price. 

    He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money

    Benjamin Franklin

    Mow Lawns or Offer Other Home Maintenance Services

    This could go along well with taxes. You could do the taxes in the late winter and early spring and then move into basic landscaping. It’s not difficult or uncommon to make $20 or more per hour mowing lawns.

    These things will make everything easier:

    1. Stick close to home.

    You want to avoid having your profits eaten up by gas and other traveling costs.

    2. It requires minimal equipment.

    All that’s really required is a lawnmower, trimmer, and transportation. The mower and trimmer can be purchased used for very little money. However, you might be able to use the ones you already own. 

    3. Create flyers and pass them out around your target neighborhoods.

    As you are passing out your flyers, be friendly. Also, offer a fair price. 

    4. You can also offer to do other “outside” services.

    Other than mowing lawns, there are other services you could offer. For example, you could do edging, planting flowers, picking up dog poop, washing cars, or cleaning out gutters. 

    • People who are elderly or that live very busy lives are often looking for someone to help maintain the outside of their homes. 

    After a certain point, money is meaningless. It ceases to be the goal. The game is what counts

    Aristotle Onassis

    Provide Pet-Sitting Services

    Many individuals work all day, and their pets need to be let outside for obvious reasons. Some people go out of town and prefer to leave their pets at home instead of boarding them at a kennel.

    If you like caring for pets, consider: 

    1. Offer additional services.

    Since you’re already at the house, think about other things you can do that would be helpful. Some examples would be dog training, picking up dog poop, housecleaning, or mowing the lawn.

    2. Be the vacation solution.

    If your customers leave town, offer to take care of their pets. Remember that you’ll have to let the dog out at least 3 times each day. Consider keeping the pets in your home or charge for each of the 3 visits. Even offer to get the mail.

    3. Stick with clients that are close to home.

    It’s not worth driving 20 miles each way to make $11 for letting the dog out.

    4. Expand your animal services.

    Try not to limit yourself to just dogs. With a little reading, you could easily learn how to care for cats, birds, hamsters, an iguana, and just about anything else.

    Taking care of other’s pets is a low stress way to spend your time. Call around and find the rates of other pet-sitters before you decide on your own rates. Advertise everywhere you can think of. It makes the most sense to advertise at dog parks, pet stores, and veterinarians. 

    Related:

    • darlingsteps.com/household-hacks-to-save-time-and-money
    • darlingsteps.com/9-ways-to-overcome-your-spending-habit

    Flip Items on Craigslist 

    This can be a very lucrative part-time business. In a nutshell, you find items on Craigslist.com that you’re confident you can resell at a profit.

    The following items will all but guarantee a profit:

    1. Look for poorly written ads.

    Many sellers create poor ads that lack pictures. With a better ad, you can expect to resell the item at a higher price.

    2. Limit yourself to a few different types of items.

    Maybe you have some knowledge of or interest in guitars, appliances, and jewelry. If you have knowledge in a certain area, you’ll be able to spot a good deal on Craigslist when you see it.

    3. Make a lot of offers.

    Many people price their items appropriately but are in a hurry to sell. That could be good for you because many of them will take nearly any offer to make some money quickly. You’ll never know if you could’ve gotten a bargain unless you ask.

    4. Check on the free items.

    It’s competitive, but sometimes there are valuable items given away for free. Even a $20 item might be worth getting and reselling, since it’s all profit that goes straight into your pocket.

    5. Avoid getting involved with lower-priced items.

    There’s only so much profit to be made on a $10 item, but it’s not hard to make $50 on a used refrigerator. Your time is valuable.

    6. You might need a truck. Some items, like large appliances, will require a truck. But there are plenty of other items that are suitable buys if you don’t have a truck.

    I’d like to live as a poor man with lots of money

    Pablo Picasso 

    Babysitting After School Hours

    There are many children that go into after-school programs. Many other children are forced to spend the afternoon home alone until their parents return from work. 

    If you like children, babysitting could be a profitable endeavor. You could offer to look after kids between the time they are finished at school up until their parents return from work. 

    You can either pick them up from school or meet them as they get off the bus. All you’d really have to do is fix them a snack and supervise them while they do their homework. 

    Consider these ideas:

    1. Try to watch multiple children.

    Watching two children pays better than one. Watching five pays better than two.

    2. Think about the third shift crowd.

    Many single parents work third shift and someone has to watch those children. What could be easier than putting a child to bed in your home and getting them ready for school in the morning? You could easily make $30 per night per child.

    A wise man should have money in his head, but not in his heart

    Jonathan Swift

    Give Swimming Lessons

    This is another gig that would dovetail well with the tax preparation idea. Many pools offer group lessons, but each child spends most of their time just watching while the children take turns swimming for the instructor. 

    Many parents are happy to pay for private swim lessons. It would be easy to make $20-$50 per hour. Get certified as a swim instructor and get in the pool. If you’re a parent, you can even bring your children to the pool. 

    While you’re at it, get certified as a life guard. This will give you even more job opportunities. In warmer climates, both of these can be done year-round.

    Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons

    Woody Allen

    Be A Freelancer Online

    If you already have a regular job, there’s a good chance you can get paid to do the same thing at home. Someone out there wants help doing whatever it is you do. 

    Elance.com is a great place to find clients for your services. You can do anything from writing to setting up websites, to transcribing, doing spreadsheets, or providing voiceovers. 

    Avoid selling yourself short. There are many potential clients looking for the cheapest deal. If you have something of value to offer, ensure you’re making the money you deserve. 

    There are many other comparable sites that offer similar opportunities. Odesk.com is another example of a site where freelancers can get work.

    A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don’t need it

    Bob Hope

    Become A Photographer 

    Photographers can make impressive money. If you have the skill, you can photograph weddings and other formal events. Family portraits are another way to make a decent buck.

    Consider the following:

    1. Many websites utilize photographs.

    Typically, you won’t get rich selling one or two copies of individual photos. But if you think about it, if you sell 3,000 photos at $0.50, it can really add up. You can also sell each photo one time for $30 or more.

    2. Sitting fees.

    One way photographers can get paid, independent of photo sales, is by charging a sitting fee for taking the photos. Many photographers go to people’s homes for a photo shoot. You can charge an additional fee for the convenience of traveling to your clients.

    3. You can also create calendars and other items with your photographs.

    Take pictures of your travels and make a calendar.

    Becoming a photographer doesn’t have to require extra fancy equipment. If you have a decent camera, that should suffice. Depending on the type of phone you have, you might even be able to use that for some jobs.  

    Liking money like I like it, is nothing less than mysticism. Money is a glory

    Salvador Dali

    Write An eBook And Sell It On Amazon

    Some people actually write a new book every week! While you might not write a bestseller, if you pick the right topics, it’s possible to make $1,000 or more from each book.

    We already discussed writing, but this is a little different. The previous example was when you write an eBook for someone else and get paid just one time for that work. Although it is your work, you’ve been hired by someone to write it and therefore are turning over the rights. 

    In this case, you’re going to keep control and ownership of your writing. You will be selling it on Amazon.com. The best part is that you’ll have the opportunity to get paid multiple times for the same work. Once an eBook is up for sale online, you can continually capitalize on every book for years to come. 

    This is more speculative, since you’re not guaranteed to make anything. However, the potential rewards are many times greater. Also, this is a more involved job than all the other suggestions.

    Follow this process if you are interested in writing your own eBook:

    1. Fiction or non-fiction.

    First you need to decide if you’re more comfortable writing fiction or non-fiction. Non-fiction will be easier, since you can use other books as source material.

    2. Determine the best sellers in your niche.

    Think about personal areas of interest and check to see which topics are doing well in sales.

    • Now, look at Amazon and see how many books within each category are within the top 50,000 best-selling books. You’ll want to see at least three books in the top 50,000. Any less and it won’t be worth your time. In that case, find another, more popular, niche.

    3. Purchase the top three books in your chosen category and read them.

    Make some notes as you read. What you’re ultimately doing is writing your own book from what you learned from those three. However, you’ll also need to add unique ideas of your own.

    4. Start writing.

    Keep in mind that a book doesn’t necessarily have to belong. Some of the best-selling books have been very short. The best length, however, seems to be 125-175 pages. This may seem like a lot. But, keep in mind that one page in a word-processing program is almost 2 pages in a Kindle book.

    • Each Kindle page should take approximately 15 minutes to write, so a 150-page book should take approximately 35-40 hours.
    • Some Kindle book writers actually outsource the writing! Remember that sites like Odesk and Elance can be used to find writers. 

    5. Read your book.

    After your book is written, go back through and actually read it! Look for ways to enhance your work. 

    6. Hire an editor.

    You should always consider hiring someone else to edit the eBook for you, even after you’ve read it over. 

    • Customers will get really turned off if there are errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
    • Bad reviews for your first book could negatively impact your future as an eBook writer.
    • A second pair of eyes, especially those of a trained editor, is imperative to ensure that your eBook is error-free.

    7. Kindle books require specific formatting.

    There are many templates that you can find online. Information about formatting your book can also be found on Amazon.com.

    • Be careful about using images. First, always Insert the image, never Copy-Paste. 
    • Amazon charges you a download fee for each book you sell. That fee is based on the size of the book file, which is another reason to avoid too many images. 
    • Using a lot of images can increase your costs and decrease your profits. Images can also be compressed to a smaller file size, limiting your expense.
    • It would be incredibly smart to include hyperlinks in your eBook that point back to your personal website. You can then sell additional items to your customers. 
    • Hyperlinks will also let you capture email addresses for future marketing purposes. Prepare a free report and provide it in exchange for their email address.
    • A good email list is worth at least $0.50 per address per month. A list of just 2,000 email addresses should be worth $1,000 a month.
    • Numbered lists can be a good idea, but bullet points aren’t able to be displayed on older Kindle models. An asterisk or dash can be used instead.

    8. A good book cover is imperative. A book with a poor cover doesn’t sell well. Take the time to secure an attractive cover. The first option is to buy a cover.

    • The most inexpensive option for purchasing a cover is to head over to fiverr.com and search for Kindle covers. You’re only paying $5, so keep your expectations in check. However, you might be pleasantly surprised with the quality.
    • With fiverr.com, you may have to pay a few different people before you find a cover you like. However, at such an affordable price, it might be worth it to try out a few different designers.
    • An option that costs a little more is visiting http://www.goonwrite.com. The covers from this site are about $35 each, but once a cover is bought, it’s removed from circulation. There are other similar websites.
    • There are also more expensive options. One of these is http://www.99designs.com. The cost for a cover is $300 or more. It’s debatable whether or not it’s worth spending that much for an eBook cover.
    • Another source of covers is http://www.warriorforum.com. You’re sure to find someone there that can create a great book cover at a variety of price points.
    • You can also make your own cover. There are several programs and templates available online that will help you to create a great cover. 
    • If you use a photograph to make your own cover, be certain that you have the legal rights to use it. Only use high-resolution photos, so your eBook looks professional.

    9. Now, it’s time to upload your book to Amazon! Uploading a book requires an account with Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). You can set up an account at http://www.kdp.amazon.com.

    • Amazon has excellent video tutorials that will walk you through all the steps. Enroll in KDP Select, which allows you to promote your book in some unique ways. It’s free for the first 90 days.
    • You’re allowed 4,000 characters to describe your book. Use them wisely! A longer description looks more professional and gives your potential readers more information to make a good buying decision.
    • The description doesn’t have to be 4,000 characters, but be thorough enough to arouse the curiosity of the potential buyer.
    • Regarding publishing rights, choose option-2, ‘Not a public domain work.’ You probably wouldn’t want other people to be able to sell your eBook as their own, right?
    • When you ‘add categories,’ choose the two that are most closely related to your topic.
    • Keywords are critically important. You can add up to seven keywords, so always use all seven! The Google Keyword Tool is a great tool for finding keywords related to your niche.

    10. It’s advisable to set the price of your book between $2.99 and $9.99. Amazon allows you to claim 70% of the price as your commission within this price range. That commission drops to 30% if you price your book higher or lower.

    • Now buy it! You’ll get 70% of the money back anyway. Amazon is more likely to promote your book if they see buying activity occur quickly.

    11. Marketing your book is the next step. KDP will allow you to offer your book for free. Three days is long enough to get your book out there. You’re aiming for at least 2,500 downloads during that time.

    • If people aren’t downloading your free book, the cover probably needs to be changed. The next place to look is the book description. Is the description boring? People must want to learn more about your book if they’re willing to spend money to purchase it.
    • The best marketing for your eBook is good reviews. Tell all your friends and family to buy a copy and leave a good review!
    • Ask for reviews in the book itself. Put a simple blurb at the front and the end of the book requesting a review. Always thank your readers in advance for their help.
    • You can also “bribe” your readers for reviews. Offer them something for free and strongly SUGGEST they leave a review. You can’t offer the free item in exchange for a review, but you can give them something free upfront and then request a review.
    • Facebook is another great tool for advertising your book. Post the book cover on your Facebook page and tell all your friends to pick up a copy. Also remind your friends and family to leave a review.
    • Ask your friends to like and share your post on Facebook. Even if they haven’t purchased the book yet, they can still spread the word.
    • Create a Facebook Page for your book. Search around and see what other authors have done. Be shameless in mimicking the pages that appeal to you. You can even give away free chapters of your book to “hook” some readers.
    • You can also find Facebook Groups related to your book topic. Join them. Most groups will allow you to post information about your book. Join the group as part of the page for promoting your eBook. Then your post will show up as your book page instead of your real name.

    12. Have your own blog. Every author should have a website dedicated to his writing. In order to be taken seriously, an author requires a website. 

    • A central hub allows you to give away free chapters, post information about new books, and collect names for your email list. Have a separate page for each book.
    • On your website, create buying links for each of your books that point back to Amazon. Update your website once a week to keep your readers engaged. That is where content comes in again.
    • Create a social media hub on your website. Create links to your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and email accounts. We haven’t covered how to set up all of these, but there’s more than enough information out there to guide you through the process.
    • Videos can be a great way to market your book. Video reviews are great. That’s what friends are for! You can also put up a video of yourself talking about your book.

    If you’re planning to continue writing books and want to write on a variety of topics, it’s suggested that you create a pen name for each topic. It’s hard to claim to be an expert on dog training, international investing, building model boats, and tutoring math. If you were to write all those books under the same name, no one is likely to take you seriously. 

    You’ll require separate email, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn accounts for each pen name. 

    Writing and selling eBooks is a very viable way to make some real money. Remember to pick a topic that’s already selling well. There’s no reason to reinvent the wheel.

    Money is a strange business. People who haven’t got it aim it strongly. People who have are full of troubles

    Ayrton Senna  

    There are many ways to earn an extra $1,000 each month. The most important step is to commit to the method that best suits you. Consider your circumstances. If you live in a rural area, writing an eBook probably makes more sense than being a dog-sitter. If you live in a suburban area, but have a full-time job, being a dog-sitter may not be practical. 

    Committing to a method means exactly that. You’re planning to stick with that method and make it work. Most of these methods require expertise that you probably already possess. If it’s not a perfect fit, try to mold the method to your strengths.

    Remember that marketing is the key. The work itself is quite simple. The challenging part is finding clients, so you’ll want to concentrate on doing some marketing every day. Marketing needs to be done regularly if you’re looking for the most benefit.

    Use every possible form of marketing. Focus on the methods that are likely to be the most successful, but there’s no reason to be afraid to branch out into other methods over time.

    Always ask for referrals after you’ve made a customer happy. Give them a couple of extra business cards to hand out to friends, family, and colleagues.

    An extra $12,000 a year could make a huge difference in your life. How will you spend your new-found funds?

    When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is

    Oscar Wilde

    15 Ways To Make An Extra $1000 Each Month 2
    15 Ways To Make An Extra $1000 Each Month 3
    15 Ways To Make An Extra $1000 Each Month 4

  • What To Do When You’re Stuck At Home With The Kids

    You find yourself spending a lot of time at home. Whatever the reason, you’re stuck at home and want to maintain a hint of your sanity!

    Here are a few things you can do to stay active and entertained if you find yourself spending more time at home with your kids.

    Bring out the board games!

    Have some fun and encourage a little friendly competition with a game night! Bonus points if you add in some comfort food along with it. Bring out all the board games, puzzles, and plain ‘ole imagination to get the entire family involved. For example, we love to play a game we call: “Search & Find!” Here’s how it works: We use any of the kid’s small toys. One person asks everyone else to close their eyes and hides the toy in plain sight, and then, everyone has 10 seconds to find it!
    It’s way more fun than it sounds haha, promise.

    Some family favorites:

    • Monopoly (Board game or card deck version)
    • Candy Land
    • Snakes and Ladders
    • Uno
    • Black Jack
    • Scrabble
    • Rock, Paper, Scissors
    • Twister
    • Rhino Hero

    Work it out

    Keep your health and wellbeing in check by being diligent about your daily movement. If you’re usually a gym freak, then consider apps, youtube, and other virtual memberships to get it done! Or, go simple with a tracker and walk your way to better health, alone or with the family.

    Apps/Websites Worth Your Time:

    YouTube Channels:

    • Cosmic Kids
    • Yoga

    Grow your brain!

    Discover a new language or talent and challenge yourself to learn something new! Whether for fun or work, it’s all okay. There are a ton of resources online, both free and paid, to make this happen.

    Related: darlingsteps.com/ultimateguidetogrowthmindsetformomskids

    darlingsteps.com/kidslearnalanguage

    Time for a spring clean up!

    Check off that to-do list you’ve been ignoring! Tackle the round the house jobs you’ve been abandoning. Give your house a refresh, a new look and clean it needs. There’s no better way to clear your mind and get focused than to clear out everything around you.

    #wordsofatruecleanfreak

    Netflix and chill

    Who doesn’t love a good binge session? Funk it out, stay in your PJs, grab those snacks and snuggle up for hours. Start a new tv series or catch up on the old. There’s no such thing as too many hours. No limits, now go!

    Related: darlingsteps.com/budget-things-to-do-with-kids

    Chef it up

    Does Master Chef inspire you? Or any magazine/tv show. Use this time to discover new cooking techniques. Finally, try that recipe. Teach yourself and your kiddos a new skill and enjoy the experience together.

    family friendly activities at home

  • Everything You Didn’t Know: Raise Happy, Confident Kids

    Having a child is easy. Raising a child not so much. No job is more important, frustrating, or rewarding than raising a happy, confident, and successful child. 

    Raising happy, capable children is one part science and two parts art. No two children are exactly the same. Each child has his own strengths and weaknesses. Each child has a unique set of challenges. One child might be great at school but struggles socially, while another has plenty of friends but struggles to deal with his emotions.

    So what’s a parent to do?

    Despite these individual differences, there are general principles that apply to us all. The tips in this guide will help you to instill habits and thought processes in your children that lead them toward a happy and fulfilling life.

     It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men

    Frederick Douglass

    Decide What Happy, Confident, and Successful Mean to You

    We all hold differing opinions on what success means. Keep in mind that success at one age doesn’t necessarily mean success at another age. You might be pleased with your 6-figure 401(k), but a child would probably prefer to have a loving group of friends. 

    Still, a successful childhood will often translate into easier confidence, happiness, and success as an adult.

    Consider the various parts of a child’s life:

    ‣ School

    ‣ Peers

    ‣ Family life

    A child must also learn how to:

    ‣ Grow their emotional intelligence

    ‣ Set and achieve goals

    ‣ Make decisions

    ‣ Deal with fears and stress appropriately

    ‣ Show kindness

    ‣ Take responsibility for their actions

    ‣ Create good habits

    As a parent, you have the most crucial role in teaching these skills to your child. Consider what you believe your children should know to thrive in each part of their life during childhood and beyond. Create your own list and use it to formulate your strategy.

    Determine your responsibilities:

    ‣ Food, clothing, and shelter

    ‣ Love

    ‣ Encouragement

    ‣ Wisdom

    Also, consider where you’ll draw the line. Will you teach your child to stand up to a bully, instruct them to notify the teacher, or take matters into your own hands?

    Some parents believe in taking control of every aspect of their child’s life, while others take an entirely hands-off approach. In the first case, if you do everything for your child, they may struggle to take care of themselves later in life. In the second, they’re likely to feel overwhelmed and fail to thrive.

    Finding the right balance is important. This balance will depend on the individual child.

    Know your child:

    ‣ Intelligence

    ‣ Introvert vs. extrovert

    ‣ Confidence

    ‣ Emotional stability and strength

    ‣ Interests

    ‣ Ability to focus

    A highly intelligent and introverted child will require a different approach than a confident, extroverted child that struggles with school. A child may need limited assistance in some areas while requiring extensive help in others. It’s also possible your child is so gifted in certain areas that they might be able to teach you a thing or two!

    The choices you make as a parent can help or harm your child.

    It’s important to define success, determine your responsibilities, and consider your child’s unique traits.

    All children are born pure egoists. They perceive their needs to the exclusion of all others. Only through socialization do they learn that some forms of gratification must be deferred and others denied

    Andrew Vachss

    Emotional Intelligence

    Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize and manage the emotions of yourself and others. This might be the most critical skill anyone could ever learn!

    Emotional intelligence is considered to be a much better predictor of success and happiness than IQ.

    Being intelligent isn’t very helpful if you’re unable to deal with yourself and others effectively. You probably know at least one person who is highly intelligent but struggles with life.

    Raise the emotional intelligence of your child:

    Be a good example

    • Your child is always watching you for clues regarding how to behave in different circumstances. Are you being a good role model? If your own emotional intelligence can use a little work, now is the time to get busy.
    • Purchase three books on emotional intelligence and begin to put the ideas into action. By enhancing your own emotional intelligence, you’ll be helping yourself and your child. Set a good example.

    Encourage your child to express his emotions

    • People are separate from their feelings. A person might be feeling anger, but they are not literally “angry.” It’s necessary to make this distinction. When your child expresses his emotions, he can begin the processes of discovering that his emotions are separate entities.
    • Help your child to label emotions when they arise. Address their emotions. “You’re feeling sad because your friend can’t play today.”

    Teach your child to view emotions as a message and deal with them effectively

    • Emotions aren’t an invitation to act out. Emotions can be acknowledged without the need for impulsive action to follow. Help your child learn to tolerate negative emotions and find solutions when appropriate.

    Praise your child when they show emotional intelligence

    • Whenever your child demonstrates self-control or other appropriate emotional behavior, point it out and compliment them for their successful effort.

    Share your own emotions with your child

    • Tell your child that you’re disappointed that your favorite TV show was cancelled or that you’re upset that your sister is ill. Explain how that emotion feels to you.

    Point out emotions in others

    • Point out the angry man in the grocery store or the happiness in a sibling. Recognizing emotions in others takes practice. Fortunately, there are people experiencing emotions everywhere. Make a game out of it.

    Teach your child how to calm down

    • Lead your child by asking appropriate questions:
    1. Do you think you need a few minutes of quiet time to calm down?
    2. Since you’re getting upset, let’s take a few deep breaths and relax until you feel calm again.
    3. What will help you to feel more calm and relaxed?

    Teach your child positive self-talk

    • Give your child examples of positive self-talk when negative emotions occur.

    “When you’re feeling uncertain, say to yourself, ‘I’m a big girl, and I can handle this.'”

    Emotional intelligence is an integral part of happiness, confidence, and success. The best way to instill emotional intelligence in your child is to demonstrate it each day. Build your own emotional intelligence and take the necessary steps to accomplish the same in your child. 

    Parents are the ultimate role models for children. Every word, movement, and action has an effect. No other person or outside force has a greater influence on a child than the parent

    Bob Keeshan

    Building Social Skills in Your Child

    A child without friends feels alone and unwanted, no matter how much love and attention you shower upon them. In many ways, a child with a high level of social intelligence will be ahead of the game, but there are skills specific to making and keeping friends that everyone needs to learn to have a healthy social life.

    Your child’s social skills are critical to their happiness and confidence:

    Teach your child to maintain eye contact

    • When your child is talking to you or to others, encourage eye contact. You can even have a staring contest with your child. Explain to them that eye contact demonstrates that they are listening and paying attention.

    Teach your child to be kind

    • Explain to your child that other children are more likely to like them if they are nice. Teach your child to show kindness in both their actions and their words.

    Give your child opportunities to practice their social skills

    • Encourage them to invite other children over to the house. Set up playdates. Have them speak to the next-door neighbor. Encourage your child to develop new friendships.

    Use your child’s interests

    If your child loves baseball, sign him up for a baseball team. Children are much more likely to be excited and sociable while taking part in an activity that they love.

    Ask your child’s teacher for advice and information

    It’s hard to have an accurate picture of how your child is doing socially at school. Ask your child’s teachers about your child’s social skills. If your child is young enough, you can probably volunteer to be a helper in the classroom. That way, you’ll be able to assess the situation first-hand.

    Teach your child to take turns

    Few things get children upset quicker than a lack of fairness. Children instinctively know when a situation is unfair. Teach your child to share and take turns.

    Teach your child how to introduce themselves

    This is very stressful for many children, and more than a few adults! There are people everywhere just waiting to be your practice dummies. Show your child how to introduce themselves and give them plenty of practice.

    Teach your child to apologize when necessary

    We all make mistakes. The solution is to apologize and move on. Most children are very forgiving when presented with a quick apology.

    Basic social skills are necessary to be part of the world. The better your child’s social skills, the more they’ll be able to enjoy the company of others. Think about the people you know with poor social skills. You want something better for your child. Adults with poor social skills have habits that are challenging to overcome. Teach your child good social skills early in life.

    Without education, your children can never really meet the challenges they will face. So it’s essential to give children education and explain that they should play a role for their country

    Nelson Mandela

    Academic Success

    Success at school increases confidence and provides for a greater number of opportunities later in life. Children with good grades and study skills can choose from a wider variety of colleges and career choices than those with limited academic success. With the proper habits, most children can navigate the academic demands of school successfully.

    Teach your child to be an excellent student:

    Motivate your child

    You can’t expect your child to do well if they don’t care. The best way to get them to care is to show them that school is a priority.

    • Ask your child about school.
    • Give praise for grades.
    • Show concern and give help when they’re struggling.
    • Explain to them the importance of good grades.

    Require your child to read

    Children that read- do better in school. Set aside at least 15 minutes each day for reading time. Your local library will have reading programs all year round with recommended reading lists for children. 

    Be involved at your child’s school

    When you make time for your child’s school activities, you show your interest.

    • Volunteer for parent-teacher organizations
    • Go to all parent-teacher conferences
    • Attend school functions
    • Volunteer for school events
    • Attend school board meetings
    • Chaperone field trips

    Have homework expectations

    Set aside a certain time each night for homework. The time is up to you, but be consistent. Teach your child that homework is to be completed each day, no matter what.

    Put your child to bed on time

    Does your child sleep much longer on the weekends? If so, they most likely need to go to bed earlier during the week. A well-rested child will have better focus, be in a better mood, and perform at a higher level.

    • Experiment with different bedtimes and stick with what works. If your child struggles to get up in the morning, try sending them to bed 15 minutes earlier.

    Feed them a nutritious breakfast

    Kids need something to eat in the morning. Younger children sleep for a longer period of time and might not get a chance to eat again until noon. Make a good breakfast part of your child’s morning routine. This also means your child will have to get up on time.

    Teach study skills

    No one knows how to study without initial guidance. Help your child to study for tests. Get started early and teach your child how to get organized. Memorization skills are also necessary.

    Academic success can provide a tremendous amount of confidence and self-esteem. Show your child that their education is important to you. Explain how good grades will help them later in life. Teach the study skills and habits that your child will need for ongoing success in school and in life.

    Get involved at your child’s school. There are plenty of opportunities for a motivated parent.

    Teach love, generosity, good manners, and some of that will drift from the classroom to the home, and who knows, the children will be educating the parents

    Roger Moore

    Build Confidence and Self-Esteem

    Any child with social intelligence, social skills, and good grades will feel proud and confident. There are additional things you can do to make your child even more confident and happy. Children that are happy and confident are more successful and a joy to be around!

    Related: darlingsteps.com/ultimateguidetogrowthmindsetformomskids

    Increase your child’s self-confidence:

    Create opportunities for success

    Ask your child to do things you know they can accomplish. For a young child, this might be putting their dirty clothes in the laundry basket. An older child would require a more challenging task.

    Allow your child to make decisions

    Children feel more confident and like they have more control in their life when they can make decisions.

    • Once a week, let your child choose the dinner menu, with the caveat that the meal must be healthy.
    • Allow your child to choose the route home from the store or school.
    • Let them choose their clothes for the day. (You might want to provide three outfits and give your child a choice from those three options.)

    Encourage them to resolve their challenges

    If they complain that they’re bored, ask what they could do so they wouldn’t be bored. When a child is able to solve their own problems, their confidence will grow by leaps and bounds.

    Provide opportunities to be helpful

    When we do things to benefit others, we feel better about ourselves. 

    • Give your child a helpful task to accomplish. It might be putting away the clean forks and spoons or filling the dog’s water bowl. Every child should have a few responsibilities around the house.

    Related: darlingsteps.com/8-steps-to-help-your-child-with-self-esteem

    Teach your children to trust themselves

    Encourage them to make their own decisions. Some of them may be wrong, but then you’re presented with the opportunity to help them learn how to fix mistakes. 

    • A child that isn’t afraid of making mistakes is highly confident.

    Ask your child to list their accomplishments for the day

    Teach them the habit of focusing on the positive. A few possible accomplishments might be:

    • Getting an A on a spelling test
    • Cleaning up their room
    • Eating their vegetables
    • Completing their homework
    • Reading a book
    • Playing well with their little brother
    • Giving themselves a bath

    Be confident yourself

    Show your child what real self-confidence looks like. Children model your behaviors.

    Give sincere compliments

    Kids know when you’re throwing meaningless drivel at them. Avoid telling your son that he’s a great basketball player if he’s the worst on the team. Dig deep and give your child a sincere compliment.

    Avoid putting an emphasis on perfection

    Expecting perfection creates a child that’s afraid to even try. Nothing is perfect and a goal of perfection is self-defeating. There are times you can “improve” your child’s result, but sometimes it’s best to allow your child’s results to stand on their own.

    Avoid leaving your child’s confidence and self-esteem to chance

    There are many simple and easy ways to grow your child’s sense of self-worth and increase his ability to tackle the world with confidence. A little time and effort each day can make a huge difference.

    Motherhood has taught me the meaning of living in the moment and being at peace. Children don’t think about yesterday, and they don’t think about tomorrow. They just exist in the moment

    Jessalyn Gilsig

    Dealing with Failure

    Failure is a part of life. No one can be perfect 100% of the time. Failure isn’t fatal, but many adults view it as something to avoid. Teach your child that failure is a part of life; it’s only a temporary condition and can lead you to success. A child that deals effectively with failure is equipped to deal with the world successfully.

    Related: darlingsteps.com/boostkidsconfidence

    Make your child resistant to the potential pitfalls of failure:

    Failure is a learning opportunity

    When we fail, we learn that our approach wasn’t the best choice. Explain to your child that failing means you need to try again with a new approach. Most kids readily accept this fact.

    Failure isn’t personal

    Failure says nothing about the person that “failed.” Failure is the result of a behavior. Failing doesn’t mean that a person isn’t capable, smart, or a good person.

    Tell your child about a time you failed, but were ultimately successful

    Share a story about your own failure and show your child that failure happens to everyone. More importantly, tell your child how you overcame your failure and experienced success at the end.

    Teach your child that persistence is important

    With enough persistence, any failure can be overcome. It’s important to try again.

    • If you think about the adults you know that struggle in life, you’ll find that they’re not persistent in their efforts. Teach this fact to your child.

    Related: darlingsteps.com/teachkidsresilience

    You won’t always get what you want

    Life can be disappointing. You can’t hit every shot or get every question on a test correct every time. Some “failures” can’t be undone, but life must go on. Failure can be an opportunity to deal with disappointment.

    • disappointment occurs throughout life. We don’t get the job we want. Our offer for a Saturday night date is refused. But you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

    Success can be more meaningful when you’ve been forced to deal with failure

    Allow your child to experience success after initial failure. This means you’ll have to encourage your child to continue trying after failing. When they’re successful, point out how good they feel. Success is rewarding.

    Dealing with failure is a part of life

    When a child is able to deal with failure effectively, he loses his fear of failure. Most adults never learned to embrace failure and make every effort to avoid situations that might result in failure. True success can never be achieved if you’re limited by a fear of failing.

    It is painful to watch children trying to show off for parents who are engrossed in their cell phones. Children are nostalgic for the ‘good old days’ when parents used to read to them without the cell phone by their side

    Sherry Turkle

    Teach Your Child to Set and Achieve Goals

    We all know the power of setting goals. Instill the habit of setting goals in your child, and they’ll be much more successful in life. By developing the habit at a young age, setting goals will be automatic later in life.

    When children make decisions and are successful, they’re happier and more confident! Just like any adult.

    Related: darlingsteps.com/simple-positive-parenting-hacks-to-help-your-kids-thrive

    Setting goals is a valuable skill at any age:

    Start small

    Before beginning any task, ask your child what the goal is.

    • Make my room clean
    • Get an “A” on my vocabulary test
    • Organize my books
    • Finish reading this book

    Ensure that your child is successful

    If the goal is to finish the book, make sure the book gets read. Help her study for her vocabulary test.

    • Most of us are good at setting goals and making plans. It’s the execution that’s challenging. Teach your child to complete what they start.

    Set goals together for the week

    Share some of your goals and encourage your child to set some goals. The goals could be nearly anything.

    • Go to see a movie
    • Go to bed by 8:00 every night
    • Ask said friend to spend the night

    Share some of your own goals, such as cleaning out the garage, paying the bills, or washing the car.

    Sit down together each night and review your collective progress

    Make plans to achieve your goals. Teach the habit of regularly reviewing your goals each day.

    Set multi-step goals

    It’s easy to get in the car and drive to McDonald’s, but that’s okay. Small goals count, too. Encourage your child to set one goal that will take a few weeks of effort. It might be learning a piece of music on the piano or earning $25 by the end of the month doing jobs around the house.

    • Choose a goal that will require consistent effort and track your child’s progress. The discipline needed to achieve a bigger goal creates a bigger thrill. It’s also great practice for the future.
    • Be sure to set a deadline. A goal without a deadline is rarely achieved.

    Even younger, school-aged children can set and achieve goals

    The quality of the goal isn’t as important as developing the habit of setting goals. We tend to carry habits throughout our lives. Teach your child to set, review, and achieve goals now. The success and control over life your child will experience will make him happy and confident.

    Raising children uses every bit of your being – your heart, your time, your patience, your foresight, your intuition to protect them, and you have to use all of this while trying to figure out how to discipline them

    Nicole Ari Parker

    Dealing with Fears

    Even adults have fears. We’re all afraid of the proverbial “monster under the bed.” Dealing with fear effectively can make a child more confident and secure. Feeling afraid is common at any age. 

    How a person deals with fear can influence his confidence and happiness.

    Help your child learn to manage their fears effectively with these tricks:

    Share your own fears as a child

    Whether you were afraid of the dark or the life-sized teddy bear in your closet, tell your child about your fear. Then share how you were able to overcome it. Teach your child that it’s natural to be afraid and that it happens to everyone at every age.

    Teach your child about being brave

    Many kids believe that being brave means, you’re not afraid. But bravery is the act of facing your fears. Encourage your child to be brave. Fear and avoidance are something we do. Being brave is also something we can do.

    Avoid books, movies, and television programs with characters that you know will cause your child to feel fear.

    If your child is terrified of wolves, it doesn’t make sense to read the “Three Little Pigs” to them.

    • Explain the difference between fantasy and reality to your child.

    Avoid embarrassing your child

    The worst thing you can do to a fearful child is to tell them to stop being a baby. The last thing a fearful child needs is to start believing that he is unloved. Your own fears aren’t any more realistic 99% of the time.

    Ask your child to come up with solutions

    Only they know what will make them feel better. A nightlight or five minutes snuggling in bed shouldn’t be an issue for any parent. You might even enjoy it.

    Who isn’t afraid? Our fears limit us and rob us of confidence. Be supportive, seek solutions, and admit your own childhood fears. Show your child that feeling fear is natural, but that they can also take action to minimize this fear.

    Among the other values children should be taught are respect for others, beginning with the child’s own parents and family; respect for the symbols of faith and the patriotic beliefs of others; respect for law and order; respect for the property of others; respect for authority

    James E. Faust

    Children require a lot of work and attention to reach their potential. 

    Anyone can raise happy and confident children, but it’s unlikely to happen without time and effort. 

    Remember that each child is an individual. No single method will work in all situations. Take into account your child’s unique characteristics before developing your plan.

    Address all aspects of your child’s life – school, peers, and family life. They need to experience some level of success in all facets in order for their confidence and happiness to grow.

    Being a parent is hard work, but seeing your child thrive is one of life’s greatest satisfactions.

  • 8 Tricks To Save Money On Your Family Road Trip

    The family road trip can be a great experience, but it can quickly go over your budget. It’s essential to plan so you can save money on your journey.

    Road trips can be economical if you follow several important tips:

    Carefully plan everything at home

    • It’s easier to prepare than to come up with last-minute solutions on the road. You can find a variety of deals online, make phone calls, and compare rates. Book your arrangements ahead of time so you can use your vacation to relax.

    Related: darlingsteps.com/safety-tips-when-taking-a-road-trip

    Compare gas prices

    • Gas prices often fluctuate from one area to the next. Use apps and websites to see the gas prices along your route. You can compare gas stations and read reviews.

    Reduce the cost of food

    • Fast food is convenient, but the cost can quickly add up during a road trip. You may want to bring your own snacks and meals.
    • Consider getting a large cooler with ice to pack food and beverages. Your cooler may hold enough food for a couple of days, but in most cases, you’ll still want to eat out sometimes. This is another opportunity to do research ahead and find the most economical restaurants.
    • Restaurants aren’t the only option. You can also make pit stops at grocery stores to fill up your cooler with more snacks and meals.

    Related: darlingsteps.com/a-travelers-guide-to-healthy-eating-while-on-the-road

    Check twice to ensure you’ve packed essentials

    • Did you remember to bring all of your medication and other medical supplies? You can save money by avoiding a trip to a pharmacy. Do you have enough clothes and shoes for everyone? Are you prepared for emergencies?
    • Avoid having to shop for a new pair of sneakers during the road trip because your child’s feet are cold.

    Related: darlingsteps.com/travel-medicine-cabinet-essentials

    Check out free events and attractions

    • You’ll find that many museums, events, and other places have free admission. You can add these to your plan as you put together your list.

    Related: darlingsteps.com/5-traveling-essentials-you-absolutely-need-but-cant-buy

    Carefully check your car before you leave

    • Inflate your tires to the pressure that’s recommended in the car’s manual to maximize gas usage. Also, consider the car’s weight. Heavier cars burn more gas, so pack the essentials and avoid bringing unnecessary items.
    • You can avoid costly roadside assistance and towing by doing recommended maintenance that you know will be needed soon. Do you need an oil change or minor repairs? Do them before you leave on your trip!

    Flexible cancelation policies

    • Are you making reservations ahead of time? Road trips can be eventful, and the best plans cannot prevent all possible emergencies.
    • Search for hotels and restaurants with flexible cancelation policies to avoid adding extra costs to your trip. If you’re late and miss a reservation, some businesses charge you.

    Related: darlingsteps.com/read-this-before-you-take-a-road-trip-with-your-kids

    Look for coupons and additional discounts along the way

    • These money-saving items can reduce the cost of your trip.
    • Coupons and discounts may be available from hotels, restaurants, and other places. Museums and shops may also offer them along your route—stock up on additional savings.

    Related: darlingsteps.com/why-you-need-travel-insurance

    Road trips can stay under a budget with the right plans. If you consider the costs of common items that occur during a trip, you can save money.