Kindle paperweight vs iPad mini

The Kindle Paperwhite truly is a great little device for reading especially if you travel a lot. I bought this on a whim this summer with $ from a music job that was unexpected. 

I loved the size and read about 8 books in 2 months but then stopped using it since much of what I wanted to read was not Kindle based. I still enjoy holding books in my hands, too. 

I listed this and sold it in 45 minutes last week and am using the $ for an iPad mini on which I can read and do much more. 

Goodbye little friend, it was fun while it lasted. 

Bible Software Accordance is now available on Windows

Released today!  Accordance Bible Software is now available on the Windows platform.  This is the one I have been using for many years and the company for which I work. Check it out.

Ceiva Internet Digital Frame Share Photos Without a Computer

Have you heard of Ceiva?  I think it's the coolest thing for people who do not use computers, particularly grandparents and older relatives.

My 91-year-old aunt has a frame like this that sets next to her favorite chair in the family room.  Others can upload photos via the internet directly to her frame so that she has a new stream of pictures of her favorite people.  She absolutely loves it!  There is a reasonable monthly fee, but what a great gift for a special person in your life to keep in touch through photos.

Logging Your Hours Time Sheets TSheets

Now that I'm back in the working world, I have to keep track of my hours.  I haven't done this since I was a bank auditor.  Since I have an iPod Touch I searched and found this handy dandy little app that I love.  It's call TSheets.

TSheets

You just clock in when you start and clock out when you're done.  No paper logs or notebooks, no trying to remember what / when you worked.  You can even keep track of specific jobs if  you need to.   You can also log time manually in case you forget to clock in.

37.72Straight

37.72Regular

0.00PTO

0.00Overtime

37.72Total Hours

It's especially handy since I work from home and start and stop often throughout the day.



I can clock in and out from my iPod Touch  or from my computers.  All of them are synched together in a WiFi area.   Check it out if you have need of something like this.  It's free for a single person but has a price if a company uses it for its employees.  A+ recommendation from me.

Family Finances & Budgeting: Using Mint.com

I've been using mint.com for years to keep track of our spending.  It was very easy to set up an account and I like it for the most part, even better than Quicken online.  You must input your passwords and user names for the various accounts you own (bank, credit cards, loans, investments, etc.) but I've been told by a financial planner that it is as safe as your bank codes.  Everything is then in one place.   I've customized the categories for our family with my husband's regular job, a rental house and  three home businesses.  Did I mention that this online program is FREE?  And that it is Mac compatible?

I love the colorful graphs.  You can tell at a glance where the largest expenditures have been for a week, a month or a year or more.  Sometimes you just don't realize how much you are wasting.

Once a week when I do our finance paperwork, I double-check the transactions for the week to make sure they are in the correct categories.  If this is done properly, tax preparation is a breeze.

Every homemaker should know how to prepare and maintain a budget and keep track of the family's  expenditures.  Even if your husband prefers to take care of the finances for your household, you need to be able to do it as well.  it goes without saying for singles, too.  I have known and heard of too many wives whose husbands passed away  or became sick and/or disabled and they had no idea where they stood financially. In today's economy, this is really a necessity, for you and for your children. Teach your children how to maintain a budget from the time they get their first allowance, mow their first yard for $$ or babysit for pay.  They'll appreciate it more when they are older and out on their own. Mine already do.  :)

Proverbs 31:27 

She looks well to the ways of her household, 

And does not eat the bread of idleness. 

Have You Heard of Earthing?

I love learning about new things, particularly as they relate to our health and spiritual lives, as well as practical information.  Last Sunday a couple of women were talking about "earthing".  This was a new term to me and I asked what it was.  One of the women gave me a crash course and suggested that I research it at the website of the same name which I did even that afternoon since it was so intriguing.

In a nutshell, from the site:

Earthing is about “grounding” your body to naturally discharge inflammation, pain and stress. It’s simple and it’s free. All you have to do is place your bare feet directly on the earth...

The site offers a free excerpt from the book which you can read HERE or listen HERE.   Very interesting reading but it may sound a bit "New Age-y" to you i.e. Feng Shui, which is also based on electromagnetic paths of energy.  The book uses the term "grounding" as when you have the three-pronged plug on your expensive appliances and computers to protect them from electrical charges that may occur in everyday life.    I know myself, that I, for some reason, am particularly sensitive to electromagnetic equipment and have had to purchase diodes to help with this.   [I have an extra diode in my Ebay store if you are interested in purchasing one.]  One of my sons seems to have this same sensitivity, yet my husband and other son do not.  I have no idea why... maybe they just don't notice it.

Anyway, I've been doing the earthing activity that is suggested--sitting outside with your bare feet on the ground for 20+ minutes for the last four days.  It's actually quite pleasant and I enjoy reading the Bible outside in the fresh air.

I did not feel "bad" before I started but I do feel better overall than I did.  I had had a lot of stress over the weekend and after just one day of the 30-minute outdoor/bare feet time, really did not notice the stress any longer.   We all know that fresh air and outside activities make us feel good anyway, so I am a little skeptical as you may be also.   I have noticed MORE sensitivity to electrical things when I touch them since doing my "exercise" began, and I'm not sure why that is.   Anyway, I'm my own guinea pig for a few more days before I check out any of the products that Earthing offers.  The research sounds reasonable and since I know my own body well enough to notice a difference, maybe it is a good thing--for me.  Check it out.  It may not be for everyone though, as THIS interesting article says...

UPDATE 4.29.12:  I decided to go ahead an purchase the half sheet and floor mat set.  Here is a photo of it on our bed so we both can use it.

Genesis 1:31 

And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. 

Saving Money: Buying Dishwashing Liquid in Bulk / AppBox Pro App

I posted earlier in the year when I purchased one gallon of dishwashing liquid from Sam's Club--ProForce Pink Lotion Dish Detergent.  I opened it on July 25, 2010.  Here is the update --I finished it on September 21, 2011.  It lasted more than one year!  Even I was surprised that it had lasted quite this long.  That $4.18 purchase was certainly worth the money.  It is $10.18 if you have it shipped.

I  fill a Bath & Body Works pump bottle that I keep by the kitchen sink.   I have a dishwasher which I use every day or two but I also wash a fair amount of items by hand as well.   If you do not have a dishwasher, of course, it would last less time.

Just to compare the two most popular dishwashing liquids and their cost (from Coupon Mom)...

1 gallon = 128 fluid ounces

Dawn Plus, 19 oz.                   $2.08                 = 7 bottles = $14.56
Dawn, 38 oz.                                 3.74                 = 4 bottles =   11.22
Dawn, 19-24 oz.                           2.24                =  7 bottles =   15.68
Palmolive Ultra, 25 oz.            2.39                  = 5 bottles =    11.95
Palmolive, 10 oz.                          .89                  = 13 bottles =  11.57
Palmolive 20-25 oz.                  2.25                  = 7 bottles =    15.75


Definitely a great buy.

I don't calculate / compare everything I purchase like this...I mainly eyeball the ounces and cost.  For items that are regular frequent purchases, comparing the price closely can save you a bundle, especially if you have a large family.   Price books are recommended by many savers but I honestly have never done that.  However, I do have an app called APPBOX PRO that has about 40 apps within it.  It's referred to as the Swiss Army Knife for your digital life.  :)  One of these apps is PRICE GRAB which lets you do an apples to apples   comparison between products and I do use this app at Sam's Club periodically to compare to grocery store prices.   I  highly recommend this app.

UPDATE 9.5.12: Just checked the bottle of dish liquid that I purchased on 9.21.11.  Still about 1/4 full and it's been almost one year!

LIKE Button / Page on Facebook

I just added some new buttons to the sidebar on the right.  Please LIKE my two Facebook pages [Ebay store and Piano Lessons] if you have not done so already.  Trying to gain some new traffic in a different place.  :)  Thank you so much!  

Using Pinterest for Your Birthday Christmas Wish List

Everyone is posting these days about Pinterest.  Blogs often have some duplication from others simply from the amount of posts / websites everyone visits.   So far I have not seen anyone mention using Pinterest as a Wish List to help others shop for you.   It makes it SO much easier for people to "see" what you would like for a gift when special occasions come up rather than just try to guess what you might like.  My birthday is later this month and family members were starting to ask me what I would like as a gift.

I took some time and thought about what might be special to receive (not that I really NEED anything).  I've sent the link to them which really helps out a lot. There are inexpensive and higher priced items on the page for all budgets.  Plus it helps if someone else sees it and can tell you where they saw the item at a great price!

Wow. I've never taken a screenshot before.  You can learn how this is done as well HERE.

My actual wish list is at  THIS LINK if you'd like to see it.   If you haven't gotten the Pinterest bug yet, try it.  It's really fun but try to limit your time online. I've heard it can be addictive.

Try this visual wish list this year for you and your family as you start gathering lists together and shopping for the holidays.  I like to do most of my shopping online and EARLY.

HOME BUSINESS: Should I Sell My Books on Ebay or Amazon? Questions and Answers #2

Should I Sell My Books on Ebay or Amazon?

Bottom line for new sellers:

• Amazon for fixed price listings (Always FREE to list)
• Ebay for auction style listings (up to 50 /month FREE)

I have books listed in both places--Ebay and Amazon.  Amazon is known for their books
and CD / DVDs, although they sell just about everything these days in their huge
marketplace with bargains galore.  Ebay is also a massive, well-known marketplace for
new and used items.  They each have their pros and cons.

When I first started internet sales, I sold books ONLY on Amazon.  There is no fee for
listing there and the listing form is easier than Ebay's.  You just register as a seller
(even if you are a buyer, you have to register as a seller) and basically, start listing.  
It is VERY, very simple.  Really.



Steps to list on Amazon:

• Sign in
• Click YOUR SELLER ACCOUNT
• Click LIST SINGLE ITEMS
• Enter the ISBN
• The form appears and you fill it out, then submit
• Photos are not needed if Amazon already has a photo in its catalog
• Amazon credits you $3.99 for shipping costs and since most books are sent via media mail, that is usually enough to cover the amount you spend

You are charged a fee AFTER the item sells.  You must then ship within TWO business
daysand CONFIRM THE SHIPMENT in order to be paid.  Amazon only sends
payments to sellers 2x a month, on the 15th and 30th of the month.

HERE are my book listings on Amazon so you can see what I have there.

===========================

Ebay has a lengthier form to complete but it is the SAME form that is used for
everything else sold there.  

• Register as a seller, again, even if you are a buyer you have to do this

• Go to Ebay's home page and click SELL / Sell an Item

• Click the green tab  LIST YOUR ITEM.  There is a box underneath that which says "What's it worth?" which searches sales over the last few months for that same item.  I rarely do this because I have researched before I get to this point.

• Describe the item briefly on the following page and Ebay will help you determine which category it should be in.  There are LOTS of categories and it is important to get the best one (you can list in two but you pay more)

• Choose your category, then CONTINUE and complete the form

• Describe your item exactly so there is no confusion to any potential buyers, correct condition, upload GOOD QUALITY photos, set your price either auction or fixed (I sell mostly fixed because I have an Ebay store)

• Be sure to weigh your item so that the shipping cost will be calculated correctly.  You don't want to pay for the shipping yourself if you have undercharged your buyer for it.

• If there are any conflicts or blanks, a red message will pop up telling you what you need to correct

Note: Not sure what's up with the blogger spacing on this post...

After you list a few items, completing this form becomes much easier.
 HERE are a few of my book listings on Ebay  so you can see what they look like.

NET PROFIT:  The amount you  receive from Ebay and Amazon is really 
about  the same if you list at a fixed price for one month as you can see
 below.  I use the  iPod / iPhone  app called AUCTION  CALCULATOR 
to determine my  profit using the eBay with Paypal link. Remember 
that Ebay charges ANOTHER fee each time you list an item.

This is what it looks like for a book sold  on Ebay for $19.99 [I assumed 

$2.90 shipping cost, $1.00 inventory cost; 50 cents insertion fee is PER MONTH
 if you do not have a store at FIXED price].
NET is $15.26 

and one sold at $19.99 on  Amazon.
NET  is $15.72.

Use whichever site  gives you the best advantage i.e. a rare, collectible book
might make more money on Ebay; a popular  current novel might sell more
quickly on  Amazon.

 I have listed books on Amazon and then later moved those same books to Ebay
 (I just did this in fact, and sold 3 of them that had been on Amazon for months
rather quickly).  I have found that I can often sell something at a  higher price on
Ebay whereas on Amazon you can often find used books listed for as little as one
cent.  If I am about to list a book and I see on Amazon that the same title is listed
used for .01, I  just donate it or put it on PaperBack Swap.   Check the market in
each to see which is better for the book you are selling.   Textbooks often sell
better on Amazon because Amazon was "known" originally as a place to buy
books.  I have a premium store so my listing fees are only five cents per month
per item, so I could afford to keep them in my store for a few months at least to
see if they will sell.  After a few months, I will move them to Amazon.   At 50
cents per listing (99 cent items and up) it's a bit pricey to do that on Ebay
unless you have a store or know someone who does.  I  sell consigned items 
at 50/50 split AFTER fees if you'd like me to sell them for you.

Do your research and compare the two markets before listing in either place
OR put the majority in Amazon and test the market in Ebay.  I have done this
as a learning tool.  If you are REALLY organized you could even keep a few in
both places at the same time.  I admit, I have done this, too, and only messed
up once. You have to keep an eye on both places and quickly remove it from
the second spot once it sells in the first one.


For those just entering the world of internet  sales, I would 
recommend Amazon for listing books to start.   There are less up
 front fixed price costs to you and you have lost  nothing  if the book 
does not sell.  OR  if you do not have  an Ebay  store, you are allowed
 to list 50 items per month FREE of charge  on Ebay in AUCTION 
format.  Auctions last ONE WEEK at the most.   It's definitely worth 
doing this if you have a book with undetermined value or one is
 currently in demand and it's an easy way to start getting familiar 
with completing Ebay's Sell Your Item form.   


Review the fee schedules below before beginning and happy selling!


Please let me know if you have any questions and I would be happy
to help you get started.


Reference:

• Ebay fee schedule
• Amazon fee schedule

Technology Tip: Reducing the Size of 14 Mega Pixel Photos for Web Use

I have to learn by doing often and what I learned last week I truly stumbled upon.  Many of the photos on this blog are taken with my camera, a 14.1 mega pixel Sony.

I have been uploading the full size photos on to Blogger which takes awhile since they are so large.  The little blue arrows keep spinning and spinning...

I discovered with our Macintosh that there is a MUCH easier way to upload the photos to the Web.  Of course, if you have an iPod Touch with a camera, or a SmartPhone with one you can do it that way.  I prefer the quality of the photos to be pretty good so I generally take them with my REAL camera.    Windows probably has its own simplified method as well but I'm not familiar with that one.  So, for you Mac users...

1. Take your photos with your good camera
2. Upload from your camera to your computer's iPhoto program
3. With the photos you want to use on your screen, go to FILE --> EXPORT
4. Leave the default settings in place (unless you have need to change them)
5. Choose where you want the photos to go.  I prefer DESKTOP.
6. Make sure you have highlighted the photos you want, and click EXPORT tab.
7. What appears on your desktop (or wherever) will be a "photo" of all of the photos in web size.
8. Open up the "photo" and drag the individual photos that you need to your desktop individually.
9. Now you can place them wherever you need them in your blog SO easily and it takes a minimal amount of time to do so.

If you forget how to do this, go to the SEARCH window in iPhoto and search PREPARING PHOTOS TO DISPLAY ON THE WEB.

You can be sure I'll be doing this every time I take photos and want to use them in this blog!

How To Get the Pinterest PIN IT Button In Your Bookmark Bar When All Else Fails

This past weekend I was playing on my laptop while my husband was watching a movie.  I was attempting to put Pinterest (everyone knows what that is, right?) in the bookmarks bar.  SUCCESS.

The next step was to put the PIN IT BUTTON on there as well.  For some reason, it would not drag from the Pinterest website to the bookmarks bar.  I tried so many times and thought I almost had it, but all I was doing was copying the words  "Pin It".  FAIL.   I even attempted messing with the HTML code which I don't even read.  DOUBLE FAIL.   This had worked on our desktop computer so I could not figure out why it wasn't working on my laptop. They are both Macs.

I hate to admit that I actually spent two hours working on this. I visited about a dozen forums, read lots of questions and comments from people having the same issue and the question was never really solved.  I kept pondering and pondering while glancing at the movie on TV. Then truly, like a lightbulb went off in my head, I  knew exactly what to do. Thank you, Lord.

So, here my "back door" solution if you can't get the Pin It button to drag to your bookmarks bar.

Since we have Mac computers I'm not sure if this will work with Windows, but logically, it should.  I had successfully dragged the Pin It Button to the bookmarks bar on our desktop computer.  So I went to it and clicked on the bookmarks tab at the top of the toolbar.  On our computer, it's in the upper LH corner of the toolbar just under the left and right arrows.

This opened up a window like the one below.

I scrolled down to the Pinterest bookmark that was already on my bookmarks bar and went to the ADDRESS column (far right column on the window above) and COPIED that address.  Just so you know, it does NOT begin with http:// like most addresses do.  It begins with javascript:  is VERY LONG.

I then emailed that link to myself since my mail is synched with the desktop computer.  

I then opened up the mail on the laptop, copied the link and pasted it in the bookmarks bar.  To do this, I just changed the address of an existing bookmark that I never use, then renamed that bookmark  PIN IT.  I don't think you can put an address without a named bookmark in place.

Close the bookmark window and the tab appears on your bookmarks bar and works just fine.  

I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner.    Hope this helps you!

If at first you don't succeed, then try, try again...

======================

Update 3.21.12

If you want to add a Pin It button to your entire blog so that others can pin one or more of your posts, go HERE for the instructions.  Saves SO much time rather than adding it individually.