New Business Cards

Just ordered new business cards from Vista Print, both for my Music business AND my Ebay / Amazon stores.  It was a GREAT deal.  $20.00 (free shipping) for 1,000 cards (500 of each).  Best prices I've found for personalized printed items.

I incorporated the lower one into my Ebay store logo using Seashore photo editing software...We have Photoshop but  for something simple, Seashore works well.

Printing Your Own FREE Shipping Postage Labels with PayPal / Home Business Shipping

We have Macintosh computers in our home.  As you know, I sell items regularly on Ebay and Amazon.com and am usually stopping by the post office 2-3x each week.  Thankfully, the post office closest to us is literally less than 5 minutes away.  Unfortunately, that office may be closing soon.  I realized that I needed to start checking into Stamps.com which sounds like a fabulous service.  Unfortunately, the software does NOT work with Macintosh computers.

I tried the USPS Click-N-Ship website and discovered that you can only print Priority Mail and Express Mail as well as international shipping postage.  I called USPS and Technical Support directed me to Endicia for Mac. That is a fee-paid service (starting at $9.95/month)  although they offer a 30-day free trial.  

They also directed me to PayPal.  Score!!!

I can now print postage mailing labels for FREE online and will not need to be running to the post office as I have been doing.  As far as I can tell, there is NO free for this service. I did notice that there is a 19 cent additional charge for tracking which is very useful but I don't usually buy it.  I tried to delete it from the form so I assume it is a standard item.  I'm fine with that.   You can print the labels for items sold on Ebay  by clicking on the link on the details page when you sell.  There is also an option not visible on the site that you can access by signing in (you have to set up a PayPal account which is free). After signing up, the link you need is www.paypal.com/shipnow.  Believe me, I have this site bookmarked in my browser to not lose it.

What a timesaver this will be.    The labels look like this when printed. Just affix them to your package and let your mailman pick up the packages.  No more trips to the post office, or at least fewer of them.  I left a note for our mailman on Saturday asking how much he could pick up from our home.  He responded no more than 70 lbs. each day!

Make sure that your scale for weighing packages is accurate.  Mine looks like this and I have verified weights on a couple of packages already.

I hope to purchase a digital scale at some point and will be looking for the best prices for that.  The Stamps.com site trial period includes a free digital  scale  if you have  a PC and can use the service.  

EBay Power Seller Top Rated Seller :) Working Mom at Home

Colossians 3:23-24 

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, 

as for the Lord rather than for men, 

knowing that from the Lord you will receive 

the reward of the inheritance. 

It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. 

What a nice surprise to get this in the mail this week.  I've been recognized previously but not with an actual "award" certificate.  :)

Mrs. T's TidBiTs and Treasures

Mrs. T's TidBiTs and Treasures

My goals in teaching piano,  playing piano for special occasions,  and selling on Ebay and Amazon.com have always been to earn enough $$ to fund our homeschool needs, our family outings, add to the clothing fund, share with others and have a fund for Christmas, birthdays, and special occasions.  Not to mention, that it's fun and a creative outlet for me. I love music and anything to do with finance (I know, that sounds strange).   Since my husband has a good job, my working at home, coupled with managing our family finances, budgeting and living frugally (but well)  has been so blessed by  God that I have been able to be with my children these  21+ years for which I am truly, truly thankful.   :)

Home businesses can be fun if you are using your gifts and talents. So is bartering what you have or what you can do for others to fill in the monetary gaps.  If you are in a financial pinch, discover your strengths and gifts and ask the Lord to help you be resourceful and creative as to what you can do at home to help provide for the needs you may have.  Whether you are in a pinch or not, be a good steward of what you and/or your husband earn.  Spend less than you make, save some and give to others regularly.  [He who dies last still doesn't get to take any with him.]   God's  provision may have been  right in front of you all the time in more ways than one.  :)  

A few years ago I was interviewed for the book Hired @ Home by Sarah Hamaker.  [The real-life stories of the women in the book demonstrate how anyone can work from home.]   I wrote a short review on Paperback Swap about it.   Check it out.  :)

Proverbs  31:11-13 

The heart of her husband trusts in her,  

and he will have no lack of gain.  

She does him good and not evil 

all the days of her life.  

She looks for wool and flax  

and works with her hands in delight.    

Luke 12:42 

...“Who then is the faithful and sensible steward...?