Close your eyes and imagine your commute taking one minute, being in complete control of your dress code and being your own boss. In this age of unlimited technology and burgeoning businesses, there are many opportunities for this to become your reality as you pursue a work from home position! While there may be some “get rich quick” schemes that can promise similar perks, there are many more secure, potential careers for you to explore. As you consider your options, take into account the following five jobs that can make your work from home dreams come true!
Online Teaching and Tutoring
Online schools are now quite common and making waves in homeschooling. In addition, while kids were once limited to being tutoring by someone in their near vicinity, online tutoring allows them to receive the help they need on any class subject. If you have a knack for teaching or a degree in a science, math or writing, you might consider online teaching or tutoring.
As an online teacher or tutor, there is an option to be an independent contractor or to work for an institution. The pay and working hours vary quite a bit between institutions for which you work and your specialty, such as chemistry or geometry. Virtual Administrative Assistant
If you have great organization skills, are self motivated, and enjoy a job that varies from day to day, a career as a virtual administrative assistant may be in your future. A virtual administrative assistant does all of the usual aspects of what an administrative assistant would do in an office setting, in addition to other tasks. For example, here is a list of possible responsibilities for this position:
Answering phone calls
Scheduling
Managing social media accounts or blogs
Data Entry
Graphic Design
Product Coordination
The extent of the services provided will depend on the company you are working for and of course, your skill set. Be open to learning new skills in order to be a greater asset to companies looking for a virtual administrative assistant.
While no degree is necessary, the more experience you have the better. Remember that pay is largely based on your experience and reputation, which can take time to build. Pay can range from $15-60 per hour and the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists $16.99 per hour as the median. At times, special software may be necessary, such as for taking phone calls, or to work on certain projects, like graphic design.
Private Skin Care Label
If you are looking for more independence and flexibility, think about starting your own business – a private skin care label! While building a successful business takes time, money, and a considerable amount of hard work, there will come a time when your company will be large enough you will need some help. Many skin care label businesses hire another company to manufacture the products so the owner can then focus on the marketing side of the business. When doing this, you will want to pick a manufacturer you can trust.
When it comes to skin care products, the marketing is one of the most important factors. A customer can only make a decision on which products to purchase based on what they can see – the actual label on the container. Make sure that the packaging on your products is a good representation of your brand and will attract customers to purchase it. Don’t be afraid to step out of the box and make it a first impression a customer won’t soon forget! Check out these great tips from RainShadow Labs.
Translator
If you are fluent in a second language and have a solid understand of the language’s grammar rules, you may think about becoming a translator. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field is experiencing higher growth than normal and offers a median pay of $21.84 per hour. In other words, it is a great time to become a translator.
Translation offers a variety of work, as you may be translating for a variety of organizations, such as hospitals, schools or even government institutions. Translators can either work as independent contractors or through agencies, allowing you to decide which projects you will accept and manage your own time. Certifications are available through some schools and occasionally agencies have their own in house training and certification processes. Specialties, such as a sound knowledge of medical terminology, can make a translator stand out above the rest.
Web Search Evaluator/Internet Assessor
Have you ever wondered how search engines such as Google, Bing, or Yahoo make sure you are getting the most accurate results for your search? One of the factors that goes into successful internet searches is the work of a web search evaluator, also known as an internet assessor. These individuals work with a search engine, usually through a third party, to test and evaluate a search engine’s algorithm using keywords or terms. They may also test the quality of ads, or image and social media results.
A web search evaluator can either be hired on as staff or work as an independent contractor, depending on the company. There is also some variety in the length and extent of training, in addition to pay amount, though most seem to pay around $13-15 per hour.
Take your skill set and interests into consideration and you may find a job that helps your dreams of working from home become a reality this year!
Disclaimer: This Guest Post was written by someone other than the author of DeDivahDeals. The author of this post, has submitted their article to DeDivahDeals for the purpose of being published on this blog as a Guest Writer.
Start Your Day the Heart Healthy Way with Quaker Steel Cut Oats
Disclosure: I was provided a box of Steel Cut Oatmeal from BzzAgent in order to facilitate this review, however, all opinions are 100% my own.
There’s nothing better than a bowl of hot cereal on a cold winter’s morning and I love starting my day the heart healthy way with Steel Cut Oatmeal from Quaker.
I don’t understand why, but most mornings I am rushing and running late… however, once I get downstairs, it’s much less stress because of this convenient breakfast cereal. I’ll put a pack of Steel Oats into a microwave-safe bowl, pour in 2/3 cup of water, stir and then microwave for 2 minutes. Once it’s done I’ll add dried raisins or cranberries or other fresh fruits and in less than 15 minutes I am out the door – full of energy and fiber and ready for my long commute to work.
Quaker Steel Cut oatmeal comes in Blueberries & Cranberries and Brown Sugar and Cinnamon which is my favorite flavor because it’s not too sweet and it only has 180 calories per serving with 3g fiber. This heart healthy cereal is a quick and easy breakfast choice for my busy morning whether I’m at home or at work, sometimes I’ll throw a pack in my tote bag to eat in the office.
Thanks to my friends over at BzzAgent, I have 4 coupons to give away to a few lucky readers, so that you too can start your day the heart healthy way. Just share this post on one of your Social Media networks, and leave a comment telling me how you like to fix your morning cereal. I’ll conduct a random drawing next week, and this contest is open to US residents only.
This time last Friday I was at the 5th annual Goodwillde 2015 Runway Show that was held at the Sheraton Wilmington South Hotel. It was my 2nd year as a volunteer Stylist and this year’s event was just as exciting and fabulous as ever. If you had an opportunity to view my previous video you would have seen some of the behind-the-scenes preparations as there is definitely a lot that goes into creating this wonderful fundraiser.
My models, Barbara, Nicole, Malik, Katrina and Matt were such an awesome group, they each made my participation a fun and enjoyable experience. Also under the guidance of Colleen and Julie at Goodwillde, we all had such a wonderful time that I am truly looking forward to next year’s Runway Show.
The actual Runway Show was an exceptional event, however, the highlight for most attendees was probably the Second-hand Chic Boutique. The boutique containedone of a kind, name brand items which were all hand-picked by the stylist and all of the items were available for sale.
Some of the brands included Ann Taylor Loft, Coach, Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton and more and there was definitely something for everyone, especially for the die hard thriftinistas!
This video shows just a few highlights from this year’s Runway Show and I hope to see some of you in attendance next year!
Hello friends, I hope all is well in your world. I certainly hope that today’s snow storm is actually the last snowstorm of the season because my wardrobe is so ready for Spring. On Monday, I couldn’t help but wear this sleeveless top even if it was covered by a wool jacket. Do you remember this peplum top that I purchased from JCPenney?
My husband thought I was crazy and he shivered in the doorway to take these pics, but I was actually quite comfortable.
I hadn’t brought up all my winter clothes from the basement so when I saw this top hanging next to the jacket I knew they needed to be paired together – like water and wine, they mix so well together – what do you think?
Speaking of wine, on Sunday, I will be attending A Taste of the MidAtlantic Wine & Food Festival in Wilmington. I can’t wait to share some of the highlights next week and I do hope to see a few of my Delaware followers there as well.
To make the peplum top more “wintery”, I added this thick animal print belt and ethnic necklace. The brown “Mudd’ boots, thrifted khaki skirt and wooden bracelet and earrings completes the outfit.
What say you, are you ready for winter to end? Have a wonderful day.
As you start your annual Spring cleaning please take note that there are several brushes that should be replaced more often than once a year. Replacing these brushes will avoid cross contamination and the spread of nasty germs.
Toilet Brush & Plungers
Although toilet brushes and plungers can be cleaned and disinfected by soaking them into a bucket of water and bleach after each use, it is also a good idea to replace them at least twice per year.
I store our plunger in a ceramic flowerpot which is lined with a grocery bag, that way if we need to use it in another bathroom we are not carrying around a ‘naked’ (germy) plunger from one room to the next.
Sponges/Dish Brushes
To sanitize and disinfect a sponge you can always place it into the top rack of your dish dishwasher, but if you are using a sponge to clean the counter tops, make sure to replace it at least once a month, more if it begins to smell or has an odor. Do not use sponges to wipe up meat juices, if so, discard immediately.
MakeUp Brushes/Tools
Makeup brushes should definitely be cleaned regularly, at least weekly using a product like Elf or baby shampoo or even a dishwashing liquid. (Watch this quick tutorial) Replacing your brushes when they begin to show signs of wear, shed bristles or when the handles begin to weaken.
Loofah Pads/Shower Brushes
Loofah and Shower Brushes definitely need to be replaced bi-monthly, if not more often if the bristles begin to bend or if the loofah begins to unravel. Tip – before discarding loofah, use it to give the shower doors a good scrubbing. Just pour on a little Dawn dishwashing liquid and rub down the glass door to remove dried on soap scum.
Scrub Brushes
Small scrub brushes or scouring pads that are used on the floor, inside the tub or shower should also be replaced monthly. Once the pad begins to flatten or bristles begin to bend, you are exerting more energy to get the area clean. At that point it’s best to just discard and replace with new.
BTW – hair brushes can be placed in a sink or bowl filled with warm water and shampoo for about 15 minutes, longer if it contains a lot of hair products. Comb through the bristles using a fine tooth comb, then lay it on it’s side to dry. Hair brushes tend to last a lot longer than most other brushes.
Hello friends, I hope all is well in your world. Hubby and I fight every night…no not literally, well maybe…but actually it’s about the comfort level of our bed. He is always cold and I am a cover kicker – thank you MENopause! He also suffers from insomnia so every time he gets up, I wake up, causing for a very drowsy morning.
I know we need a new mattress as our current one is over 10 years old but sometimes trying to find something to satisfy us both can be time consuming and costly, but I had enough. Last week I used my lunch hour and headed over to the Sleep Number store in the Exton Square Mall for a “Noontime Nap”, and it felt good. I didn’t literally fall asleep, even though I could have because the comfort level of their i8, it was enough to put me out for at least a few minutes.
The i8 dual-layer is designed so that you can personalize your comfort. The temperature balancing is great allowing each one to sleep just right. The exclusive SLEEP NUMBER® technology makes it the perfect solution for couples…hey this just may save our 25 year old marriage – or at least provide us with a good night’s sleep for the next 10!
Sleep Number stores also carry a large selection of bedding, so whether you are in the market for a new mattress or perhaps just want a noontime nap, head over to your local Sleep Number store and try out a mattress, I guarantee it will give you a few minutes of soft slumber.
Hello friends, I hope all is well in your world. I was hoping that by the time we stepped into March, we would be stepping into Spring, unfortunately in Delaware, we are still stepping in snow!
I was out and about on Friday and Saturday and it wasn’t too bad, but yesterday morning it was snow, sleet and rain so I just got back into bed and pulled the covers over my head. With a dip in overnight temps this morning the roads were slick and trees were bent but at least we are better off than we were this time last year!
Not wearing a skirt or dress today, instead I decided to pull out my “goldenrod” suede suit, what color do you see? By the way, what’s it up with the “color of the dress“ controversy? I tried to get my girls to explain it to me on Saturday night, but actually I just wanted to know whose dress it was but they couldn’t tell me, so if you know, please let me know.
With this suit, the animal print scarf breaks up the color and booties are my go-to ones in the winter. I hope that spring comes soon because stepping into snow and ice with heels can be dangerous! I hope the weather is better where you are, enjoy and be safe!
Going to school is not everybody’s favorite childhood memory. Sure, you probably enjoyed parts of your education, but those memories are often squashed by the many other unpleasant learning experiences you had. If that’s the case for you, the idea of learning may seem utterly unappealing now.
But don’t turn your nose up at it just yet. Learning new things can be one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll have, and it becomes much easier if you first learn how to love learning again. Consider these tips to help you get past your learning block.
1. Unlearn Certain Learning Habits
Chances are when you entered the school system, you were introduced to a certain way of learning. Though that method may have helped many people, it may not have been the right one for you. If that’s the case, unlearn those learning habits and start again. If you were taught to take copious notes, but those notes never stuck, throw that method out the window and try something else for memorization. Swap unhelpful learning habits for helpful ones.
2. Brainwash Yourself
If you have plenty of bad memories about education, take some time to brainwash yourself when it comes to learning. Tell yourself how much you love learning new things, and practice fun learning so that it sticks. Having fun with education will help to wipe out the negative education stigma you’ve carried through the years.
3. Banish Negativity
There are plenty of emotional learning beliefs attached to education, many of which are negative. You may have been told you can’t possibly learn something, or others may make a joke in passing that you’re too stupid to do anything right. Words like that stick, even if they’re meant as a joke, and they may be the reason you’ve disliked learning in the past. You’ll need to banish all negative emotional beliefs and replace them with positive ones.
4. Experiment
Experiment with different types of learning to determine what’s best for you. Try watching documentaries, reading articles, searching YouTube videos, writing things down, and more to see what method of learning you enjoy most.
5. Foster Curiosity
Any time you wonder where something comes from, how it’s made, or why it exists, don’t ignore the question. Look up the answer. With the Internet, you can learn just about anything, which may prompt a desire to learn more.
6. Learn What You Love
Take stock of your interests and further your education in those areas. If you’re interested in something, you’re much more likely to want to learn about it. Begin with learning about what you love and branch out from there.
7. Embrace Failure
Though the saying is cliche, it still rings true: Thomas Edison failed a thousand times before successfully making the light bulb. And from each of his failures, he learned something. Instead of taking failure as a sign that you aren’t good enough, take it as a sign of education.
8. Go Foreign
An excellent way to begin learning again is to start learning about a foreign country. Pick a country you’ve always wanted to visit, and study the culture, food, clothing, and currency. A great resource for studying foreign currency can be found here.
9. Get a Study Buddy
Find someone else who is interested in learning about something you’re researching and learn together. Turning it into a social event will make the learning even more enjoyable and memorable.
10. Write About It
Recording what you’ve learned over a day, week, or month is very helpful for some people. It helps them remember everything they’ve learned as well as the excitement they felt as they did it.
11. Take Classes
Even if you’ve completed the highest form of education possible, you can still take classes to learn more. Many colleges offer night classes, and there are many online classes for adults to help you learn something you’ve always wanted to.
12. Feed Your Passion
Everybody has something they’re passionate about, whether it’s music, art, sports, or cars. Feed the passion by learning more about it. This goes beyond casual study. Really devote your time and efforts to becoming an expert in that field.
13. Make Pros and Cons Lists
This may seem odd, but pros and cons lists can be a helpful motivator in the search for enjoyable learning. Write down positive experiences you’ve had with learning as well as negative ones to help you recognize the best ways for you to pursue education.
14. Travel
Even if you’re only able to travel a few hours from home, traveling can help feed a passion for learning like nothing else. Every state has it’s own history and landmarks that you can learn about, and traveling to the ones you can may increase your desire to learn.
15. Make it Hands On
Classroom learning can be incredibly boring, and it may be one of the reasons you’ve hated learning in the past. If that’s the case for you, you’re likely to love hands-on learning. Working with your hands to learn about something can increase your desire and ability to learn ten fold.
You don’t have to go back to school to love learning again. Use these tips for simple ways to enhance your desire and ability to integrate new facts, ideas, and theories into your daily life.
Disclaimer: This Guest Post was written by someone other than the author of DeDivahDeals. The author of this post, has submitted their article to DeDivahDeals for the purpose of being published on this blog as a Guest Writer.
