DeDivahDeals

Fashion and Fun after Fifty

Archive for January, 2015

How to Earn Money With a Blog

2 Ways to Earn Money With a Blog

Hello friends, most of you know that I teach basic blogging classes for The Money School of Delaware and in these classes students want to know if they can make money with a blog.  No, you can’t “make money” with a blog, the only place to make money around here is at the Franklin Mint, but you can earn money with a blog.

You can’t, however, simply start a blog thinking you’ll earn money right out of  the gate because blogging is not a “quick get rich scheme” nor should you start a blog simply to earn money.

 

blogging is hard work Blogging is not hard work, but maintaining a blog is hard work, it takes time, dedication and passion, but you can do it.  In this post I am going to give you just 2 ways in which to earn money with a blog. These have been the easiest and most basic ways in which I have found to be successful, and by success I mean a few hundred dollars per week which isn’t bad for a side gig as far as I’m concerned:

AFFILIATE-marketing.min_

Affiliate Programs

Once you sign up with an Affiliate Program, such as Panthera, ShareASale, Glitter Network or Escalate, you’ll choose links for products or services which are embeded with your affiliate code.  If a reader takes action such as clicking on the link; completes a survey; prints a coupon or places an order, you’ll receive a small commission.

Each Affiliate Program has is own guidelines, however, it is relatively free money, not totally free, because you are investing time to write and promote the posts. Choose only merchant links that you think your readers would be interested in or are relevant to your niche otherwise it’s a waste of time.  

You can also email the media department of  a company or business that you support, ask if they offer an affiliate program or check the bottom of the website to see if there’s a link, then sign up.

 

sponsored posts

Sponsored Posts/Product Review

Sponsored posts and product reviews are the ones that I have the most fun with and have earned the most money. After signing up with a media company such as Linqia, Vibrant Nation, Social Fabric or Blue Print Social, you can apply for sponsored post campaigns. I actually starting writing my own reviews for products that I purchased because it enabled me to sharpen my writing skills and using hashtags to promote the post on Social Media got the attention of some companies, i.e. Jennie-O Switch Circle.

Speaking of Social Media, stay active to increase your following which helps when applying for campaigns, numbers don’t always count, but they sure do help. 

Influenster, CrowdTap, Tomonson, are others that offer free products to review and Expotv.com helped me break into YouTube.  I am now doing product reviews as well as a weekly “Brunch with Blake” vlog on Sundays, check out my first one.

There are obviously many other ways in which to earn money with a blog, but oftentimes too much information can be overwhelming and frustrating, besides slow and steady wins the race.  

As a wife and mother who works outside of the home with a 3-hour daily commute to work, I don’t have the time nor the energy to take in a lot all at once, so please let me know if you have any questions.  

By the way, clicking on any of these links or banners might buy me a cup of coffee and a donut!


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Road to Retirement with a Carefree Vacation Home

Disclosure: Thank you Carefree RV Resorts for sponsoring today’s post and giving us an option to purchase an affordable vacation home.

Road to Retirement with a Carefree Vacation Home

Retire in Florida

 

Hello friends, now that hubby has officially retired every once in a while he’ll give me that “look”, no, not that look, it’s that “hurry up and let’s get outta here” look. Trust me, if we could sell the house tomorrow, I would have my bags packed, but there are a few more things we need to do in order to get it ready for the market.

However, that doesn’t mean we haven’t started looking for affordable places to retire, and one of them is definitely is Florida. Every year when the boys were young, we would board a plane to Orlando for a 7-day stay in our timeshare. Now we are looking for a more permanent vacation spot right on the beach and have been checking out Carefree RV Resorts Park Model Homes.

Carefree Florida Vacation Home AVI

A typical Park Model home is a single structure that is shorter and narrower than a Manufactured Home. They typically have one bedroom, one bath, an eat-in kitchen and living room. Park Models are eight to thirteen feet wide and have one or two bedrooms. They are under 500 sq ft. which is great because I am tired of it taking all day to clean our current home.

kitchen in vacation home

With 34 affordable Carefree RV Resorts in Florida, there is something to suit any budget or need. They have homes ranging from under 20K for pre-owned to 50K for brand new, fully customized homes. There is an additional lot rent paid either seasonally or annually.

Florida truly is the perfect setting for everyday enjoyment and unforgettable visits. With over 50 Carefree destinations for home ownership in Florida—including Daytona Beach, Naples, Orlando, Tampa, Key Largo and Sarasota, we will have the opportunity to experience a perfect getaway in a mobile home we own!

sunny Florida

Carefree is currently running a special called “Your Passport to Paradise” – You stay we pay!” With the help of a Carefree sales advisor, your visit will be planned at prime Florida destinations based on your interests and preferences. They will select properties that have everything you are looking for to preview during your personalized visit.

Accommodations include up to 4 nights for 2 guests in a Carefree Resort Home. With flexible dates, subject to availability you can arrive by car or RV and simply commit to a guided tour of the Carefree property of your choice.

Plan your visit before April 30, 2015. Every home buyer will receive a $1,500 check within 15 days after close of their resort home.

For more information call Sheri at 855-999-9812, and to learn more about their communities, including RV resort rentals and Park Models for sale, visit Carefree RV Resorts!

Wouldn’t you love to retire on the beach?

Carefree Florida Vacation Home

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Laugh Hard and Pee a Little!

Disclosure:  Today’s post is being sponsored by Depend #dropyourpants #underawareness campaign, however, all opinions are 100% my own.

My friends and I try to get together at least once per month for a “Girls Night In“, we have food, drinks, fun and lots of laughter, it’s a great way to relax and unwind. However, sometimes too much wine mixed with too much laughter can cause an embarrassing “oops…pee happens” situation.

a true friend

We are all mothers around the same age, give or take a decade, however, all of our bodies have undergone some sort of change.

Several years ago, I had surgery for urethral diverticulitis, which was very painful and the surgery weakened my bladder.  At first I was afraid and embarrassed to wear a Depend but after realizing that there were millions of people of all ages including men who also experienced bladder leakage, I was no longer embarrassed. get a free sample

  • More people with bladder leakage are in their 20’s than their 80’s
  • The average age of someone with bladder leakage is only 52!
  • More people with bladder leakage are 50 or younger than 60 or older!

Because I like to laugh hard, I want you to check out some of these cool videos, especially the one featuring funny lady, Sheryl Underwood for the Drop Your Pants #underwareness social movement and charitable cause. Depend will donate $1, up to $3 million, over the next three years to charities that advance the research, education and awareness of bladder leakage.

Depend provides a variety of discreet products that help people regain their freedom and get their lives back, including:

Depend Real Fit for Men and Silhouette for Women briefs: Look, fit and feel like real underwear and feature a cloth-like fabric for a sleek, ultra-smooth fit.

Depend Underwear with Fit-Flex protection: Features more Lycra stands for a smooth and comfortable close-to-the-body fit.

 

#dropyourpants for #underwearness

So if you or someone you know experiences bladder leakage, go to www.Underwareness.com and click the “Get a Sample” button located at the top right-hand side of the screen.

Hey just order a sample anyway, you never know when you might need one – like my grandmother used to say, “it’s better to be safe than sorry!” and “pee happens”!

Sharing is Caring so spread the word about this awesome campaign.  

New Year ~ New You!

 

CLICK HERE FOR A FREE SAMPLE

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Are you a Sleepyhead or Simply Sleep Deprived?

Best Buy Co, Inc.
Are you a Sleepyhead or Simply Sleep Deprived?

Hello friends, are you an early riser or late sleeper?  Do you like to see the sun rise or the sun set?  What does it mean when it comes to your health?  Are you up and at-em before the break of dawn, or are you sluggish and tired hitting the snooze button 3 or 4 times wishing you could sleep until 12 noon? 

Are you sleep deprived or are just more sunrise active after the sun sets?  How do you classify yourself?  I like my grandmother considered myself a sleepy head, I can’t get started during the day, but as soon as the sun sets, I’m energized and ready to go, but actually I am sleep deprived!  

According to WebMD here are 10 surprising and serious effects of sleep loss:

1. Sleepiness Causes Accidents

2. Sleep Loss Dumbs You Down

3. Sleep Deprivation Can Lead to Serious Health Problems

4. Lack of Sleep Kills Sex Drive

5. Sleepiness Is Depressing

6. Lack of Sleep Ages Your Skin

7. Sleepiness Makes You Forgetful

8. Losing Sleep Can Make You Gain Weight

9. Lack of Sleep May Increase Risk of Death

10. Sleep Loss Impairs Judgment, Especially About Sleep

Linking up with some other sleep deprived mothers…grab a cup of coffee and join us.

Working mom Link Party

I better rethink my blogging activities and get to bed – goodnight! staying up way too late HAPPY NEW YEAR ~ HAPPY NEW YOU!

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Freshly Ground Pepper Post

Best Buy Co, Inc.
Disclosure:  I received the Savore Electric Pepper Grinder by Ozeri in order to facilitate this review, however, opinions are 100% my own.

Hello friends, do you like to top your salads and eggs with freshly ground pepper?

Savore Ozeri Pepper Grinder Review

When making an omelet for brunch freshly ground pepper is the only seasoning that I use because I don’t want to overpower any of the other ingredients.  

The Savore Electric Pepper Grinder by Ozeri has become one of my favorite kitchen tools and I wanted to show it off as well as a few of my culinary skills in the kitchen!

The Ozeri Savore pepper grinder has three settings for a fine to a coarse grain and the press top makes it easy to use with one hand.  The pepper grinder uses 6-AAA batteries (not included) and has a soft fingerprint-resistant coating.  

Initially it was very hard to twist open in order to put in the peppercorns and batteries, however, over time it has become much easier to turn.  If you are looking for a sturdy Pepper Grinder to add to your other kitchen tools, it can be ordered directly from Amazon.com.  

What is your favorite seasoning?  

Happy New Year ~ Happy New You!

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New Year New You – Gift of Health

New Year New You – Gift of Health

Hello friends, now that the holidays are over and the decorations have been put away, it’s time to open up just one more gift. It’s time to unwrap the gift of health, a new year and a new you.

New Year New You ~ Gift of health
What are you going to do to make 2015 better than 2014? Will this be the year that you quit smoking….lose weight or exercise more? If not, how about starting slowly with a few of these suggestions:

Take a quick walk either during your lunch hour of early in the morning – bundle up sunrise - God's Gifts  and walk quickly, breathing deeply and allowing your mind to wander…not thinking about anything except the gift of God’s beauty that is surrounding you.

Write a few positive affirmations on Post It notes and stick them onto your mirror, computer screen and car’s dashboard…a reminder to keep yourself in a positive state of mind.

Read or watch something funny everyday. The main reason I subscribe to the Sunday paper is to read the comics. Spend at least 30 minutes watching a laugh-out-loud comedy on television or online. Don’t just text “lol” actually do it. Watching an episode of I Love Lucy and Blackish on Hulu are my favorite lunch time shows. I Love Lucy a classic comedy sitcom

Hug or snuggle with a loved one, your spouse, kids, or even your pets can soothe your mind, body and soul.

Take deep breaths and just concentrate on the sound of your breaths, nothing more, nothing less.

What gift of health will you be unwrapping this week? The gift of health

HAPPY NEW YEAR ~ HAPPY NEW YOU!

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L’Oreal Looks Good On Me

Disclosure:  I am participating in a Vibrant Influencer Network campaign for L’Oreal Age Perfect. I am receiving a fee for posting; however, the opinions expressed in this post are my own. I am in no way affiliated with L’Oreal Age Perfect and do not earn a commission or percent of sales.

L'Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal

 

Hello friends, it has been two months since I started this review and I can honestly say that I love the results and will continue using L’Oreal Paris New Age Perfect Cell Renewal.   In this short video you will see my daily morning (before makeup) regiment using both the cream and serum.  Each are light enough so that they don’t clog my pores nor make my face feel weighed down.

Please note that I used the cream first however, it is recommended that you begin with the serum followed by the cream … habits are hard to break once you start.

If you haven’t had an opportunity to try L’Oreal Paris New Age Perfect Cell Renewal yet, may I suggest you give it a try because I’m sure it will look good on you too!

L’O’real Paris New Age Cell Renewal Regiment

HAPPY NEW YEAR ~ HAPPY NEW YOU!

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30 Ways to Promote Your Blog Posts – Infographic #LaunchGrowJoy

 

Hello friends, as like most other bloggers I am constantly online reading and searching for new ways in which to improve and grow my blog.  Recently, I read a post by Andreea over at Launch Grow Joy, 30 Ways to Promote Your Blog Posts with a great infographic which I found to be very informative.

In this new year of 2015, my blog will become more profitable so I will be using this as guide in that journey. I hope you find it as helpful it as I did.


30-ways-to-promote-your-blog-posts This year I will be spending more time on Bookmarking and Syndication.  Which areas will you be concentrating your efforts?  

HAPPY NEW YEAR ~ HAPPY NEW YOU!

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B.O.S.S. Brunch Tour 2015 Delaware

On Sunday, I had the honor and privilege to be part of a powerhouse panel of women at the #WomensWealth #BOSSBrunchTour2015DE held in Dover, Delaware. The B.O.S.S Brunch Tour 2015 was a gathering of influential women, business owners, professionals, community leaders and women interested in starting a business. The B.O.S.S. Brunch Tour 2015 is the brainchild of Tarra Jackson, better known as #MsMadamnMoney, and she actually only spoke it into existence early in October.  

Powerful Panelist of B.O.S.S. Women

Once the seed was planted, it didn’t take her long to work with others in putting together the first leg of the tour which kicked off in Delaware on Sunday. #GodisGood  The goal of the B.O.S.S. Brunch Tour 2015 is to connect, collaborate, educate, and elevate women by providing them with Business Owner Success Strategies for 2015.

Tarra MsMadamMoney Jackson
Connect with Bloggers Today!

The event was held in Festival Buffet Room A at Dover Downs Casino and upon arrival each attendee received a Swag Bag containing a copy of Tarra’s book, Financial Fornication, a brochure and discount coupon from Raquel Hinkson; a brochure and a few Avon goodies from me.  Also included in each bag were discount coupons from the vendors;  Sensual EleganceBody, BeautyWithBabs and Regina Collins with Traci Lynn Jewelry.

B.O.S.S. Swag Bags

Tarra and BeautywithBabs

Regina Collins, Traci Lynn distributor

Tarra and Regina

Tarra’s welcoming remarks and subsequent introduction of each panelists was followed by a blessing of the food, and trust and believe when I say the buffet was over-the-top good! There was a large array of hot and cold foods, everything from greens and grits to shrimp and oysters, it was far too much for me to even photograph!

Avon
Buffet Parfaits
Save up to 25% on Select Major Appliances, TVs, Tablets and More, Plus Free Shipping on Orders $35 and Up
Tarra kept the schedule tight so after eating we took our seats up front; Pastor Joyce Lott, The Spiritual B.O.S.S., Dr., Monet Sifford-Wilson, The Healthy B.O.S.S., Raquel Hinkson, The DE B.O.S.S. Host, Tameka Easter, The Corporate B.O.S.S., and myself, The Blogger B.O.S.S.

Panelist at B.O.S.S. Brunch 2015 DE

Tarra, The B.O.S.S. Facilitator began the program first by asking each attendee to share a brief bio, and there was so much diversity amongst these beautiful women.  The Q&A session was lively, informative, soulful and even at one point tearful, it was definitely enlightening for all both professionally and personally.  

We were able to cover topics ranging from spiritual health, physical health, entrepreneurial tips, college scholarships and savings as well as social media savvy and blogging tips for small business owners.  The Corporate Sponsor for the B..O.S.S. Brunch Tour 2015DE was Sallie Mae and Temeka provided very useful information for those of us with kids in college and for others who have plans for it.

Tameka Easter, Sallie Mae Corporate sponsor

attendees at #BOSSBrunchTour2015DE

The B.O.S.S. Brunch Tour ended in my opinion way too soon, but the networking, picture taking, hugs, kisses and laughter that followed only emphasized that it had truly been a successful day for everyone.  A few door prizes were awarded but I think we all took away a special gift that will carry us through 2015.  The next stop of the B.O.S.S. Brunch Tour 2015 will be held on January 11th in DC, for more information or to register click here.

Group photo at #BOSSBrunchTour2015DE

Thank you Tarra for inviting me to participate in the tour’s kickoff and I wish you much success as you take it on the road to DC, NY, NC and CA, but just remember, “the first is always the best” – just kidding.  Thanks again for bringing such a positive event to the wonderful women in the First State of Delaware MUAH…love you much!

 was a B.O.S.S.

“Be a B.O.S.S. in every aspect of your life!”

BUSINESS OWNER SUCCESS STRATEGIES 2015

BOSSES AT THE BRUNCH BOSSES AT THE BRUNCH

BOSS AND BLOGGER AT THE BRUNCH

BOSSES AT THE BRUNCH

BOSSBrunchTour2015DE attendees

BOSS AND BLOGGERS

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