• Make sure that you research a company before you join as a consultant.  Know their policy and procedures on topics such as internet marketing, commissions, bonuses, etc.  Before you shell out any money to get started, know what you are getting yourself into.
• Direct sales is not for everyone.  In general, you need an outgoing, organized personality to be successful in the industry.
• Keep track of your expenses.  Direct sales is the same as being in business for yourself.  Many of your expenses are tax deductible at the end of the year.  But in addition, tracking your expenses can help you know whether you are making or losing money in the long run.
• Follow your heart.  Don’t invest your time or energy in a company or product that you don’t believe in just because other people are successful with it.  You will be successful at what you are passionate about.  Find a company in line with your interests, values and ethics.

For more information, listen to our archived show for Thursday July 16, 2009 here.

Is your current computer stalling and giving you blue screen nightmares? Would you love to be able to have one that the kids could use (alas, staying off of yours)?

CookiesKids.com feels your pain and has come to your rescue!

Sign up to recieve the Cookies Kids Newsletter via e-mail and you’re automatically entered to win one of 4 brand new laptops!!

Simply fill out the form below to be entered into our Laptop Giveaway Sweepstakes. Please be sure to read the Giveaway Sweepstakes “Terms and Conditions” before entering your information.

Entry Form: http://cli.gs/6dGhsh

Contest ends 9/30/09 at 11:59 AM ET. This contest brought to you courtesy of the Momfluence network.

1. ConsumerQueen.com This site is owned by Melissa Garcia, who not only contributes to this site but is also an organizing client of mine.  I have learned about so many freebies, coupons, etc from her site and tweets and you can too!  The Consumer Queen features daily deals, deals of the week and more.
2. FrugalDad.com This site is one both my hubby and I enjoy.  The author has a Sunday conversation weekly that is my favorite.  He also publishes posts from guest authors on topics including how to reduce/eliminate debt.  I am a huge advocate of debt free living and this site does the topic a lot of justice!  This site also talks about how maintaining the things you own saves you money in the long run which is a concept I cover in my Faith, Family and Finances Bible study.
3. MomsWhoSave.com I am almost positive that by covering the daily price drops from over 80 stores that you could find a discounted price on almost anything by checking this site before you shop online.  This site also includes links to free downloadable grocery coupons and updates FREQUENTLY!
4. Savings.com This is another site you should check before shopping online.  From discounts to free shipping deals, this site has them all.  When you join the site (which is free) you can get notified of the most current deals via your inbox.  This site includes deals from major retailers including Kmart, Overstock and more.
5. KingdomFirstMom.com Alyssa hosts a weekly $5 CVS challenge.  Her site is where I learned the ins and outs of the CVS program and ECB’s (extra care bucks).  This has amounted to a lot of savings for my family!  She also posts deal alerts and has great blog posts on living frugally every Friday.

There are MANY great blogs and sites out there devoted to living frugally.  I would love to hear what some of your favorites are as well!  In addition, I am starting an online virtual Bible study called Faith, Family and Finances.  The study will start next Monday and continue for six weeks.  It is free to join us but space is limited.  Leave your email in the comments if you are interested.

And last but not least, check out our Good Home Cookbook giveaway- open until 7/15/09.  If you know of any other good giveaways be sure to leave them in the comments.  And remember, you can’t win if you don’t enter J

Looking for some great products to make your summer that much more fun and enjoyable? Looking to pamper yourself while the kids are off at camp? Or maybe you’re dealing with summer bumps and bruises.
Momfluence has collected some reviews of great products that you need to know about! Check out what our reviewers had to say about these great summer finds. And don’t forget to stop by the Momfluence member giveaways listed at the bottom for some summer winning!

Featured Products

FishBites Swimmies - Spending time in the water is one of the most fun and exciting parts of summer. FishBites Swimmies by Swimways is a great solution to give the little ones the extra security they need in the pool, in a fun and exciting way.

Delsey Helium Fusion Carryon
- If you are hitting the road or flying the skies this summer for your family vacation, the Delsey Helium Fusion carry-on offers a lightweight solution for packing your travel essentials.

Do Something Daily Calendar - Tired of hearing the kids say they have nothing to do? The DoSomethingDaily Calendar offers fun and exciting suggestions for things to do on each and every day of the year. Make memories with your family, every day!

Perlabella Pearls – Want to combat some of the wrinkles cause by sun damage? Perlabella’s Retinol solution helps to fight the signs of aging, that can be caused by excessive sun exposure and other factors.

More Summer Fun

iTurtle

Playdoh Spaghetti Factory

Submergency

Nerf NFL Progrip Football

SuperSoaker 50

Boochie
Game

Good For The Kids

Ta
lking To Toddlers

Two Belles and A Bead Engraved Necklace

Cardstore

Jumeau Handbags

Staphaseptic

Member Reviews/Giveaways

Bonggamom – $50 Tiny Prints Gift Certificate

IceFairy’s Treasure Chest – KiNeSYS, Purex 3-in1, and more

Eccentric, Eclectic Woman – Bra
Barrette, Skipping Hippos

Riding With No Hands – 20
Piece Rubbermaid Set

Consumer Queen –
FurBuster

PlusSizeMommy – Giant Hershey Bar, Zensoy, and more

MommyNotGuilty – KidBanz Sunglasses

Robyn’s Online World – Kodak Digital Frame

Simply Being Mommy – EA Sports Active

Lattes and Life – Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs & http://www.lattesandlife.com/2009/06/parents-choice-infa
nt-formula-savings.html”>Parent’s Choice Formula

Motherhood Moment – Summer Fun

A Simple Kinda Life – Sum
mer Soiree of Giveaways

From Cribs to Car Keys - E
coStore $25 Gift Certificate and more

Miscellaneous Finds 4 U – Tiny Prints and more

All Momfluence guide reviews are product-provided, featured positions were purchased by vendors. Member reviews and giveaways are not associated with Momfluence.

When I was growing up it was the Joy of Cooking.  That was like my mom’s cooking Bible.  And, I have found mine.  The Good Home Cookbook, edited by Richard J. Perry, is 512 pages of recipes, information and tips.  Every recipe I have tried is delicious!  I featured one of the recipes on our social network site for Tasty Tuesday.  With more than 1000 recipes in 15 chapters, you are sure to be able to find any recipe to match your needs, occasion or taste for a particular dish.  The book also includes special sections on herbs and spices, freezing and thawing, holiday menus and much more.

The best part is that I have one to give away to a lucky Living Life by Design reader.  It is easy to enter (see details below) and one winner will receive their very own The Good Home Cookbook in the mail.  The winner will be chosen via random.org on July 15, 2009 after 10pm EST. This contest is open to residents of the United States and Canada only.

Okay, so how to enter?  Follow these directions below:

1. Leave a comment telling us your favorite cookbook.

One extra entry is allowed for each of the following tasks (please leave a comment letting us know you completed it):

1. Subscribe to this blog in a reader or via email
2. Subscribe to our newsletter
3. Follow Melissa on twitter
4. Join our Organized Life by Design network
5. Tweet/blog about this giveaway

Good luck!

One lucky winner will receive 10 packs of Sara Lee’s Soft and Smooth Buns and 24 packs of Ball Park Franks – all delivered to their door! Add the condiments and some sides and you’ve got a holiday celebration to remember.

This contest is open to all U.S. residents age 18 years or older and ends on noon eastern, June 29th. This contest is brought to you by Momfluence…rocking the cradle and shaping the world.

To enter to win, just fill out this secure form – your information will only be shared with the vendor if you win and will not be used for any other purpose. Then check back just before the Fourth of July for the Momfluence Summer Guide – a fun review of summer products from toys that bring the fun, to gels to soothe a sting!

Enter Here: http://tinyurl.com/ljty3t

I used frozen blueberries, thawed them and rinsed them before I used them. This does not need a glaze it is DELICIOUS without but you could add one if you like.

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus 1 teaspoon for blueberries and zest
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups blueberries
• 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
• Nonstick cooking spray, for pan
• Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting (optional)

For best results, coat the inside of the Bundt pan with cooking spray just before filling it with the batter to prevent it from pooling in the bottom.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, whisk 2 1/2 cups flour with baking powder and salt; set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars on high speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until incorporated. Beat in vanilla. Reduce speed to low; add flour mixture in three additions, alternating with two additions of sour cream.
3. In a bowl, toss blueberries and zest with remaining teaspoon flour; gently fold into batter. Coat a 12-cup nonstick Bundt pan with cooking spray. Spread batter in prepared pan.
4. Bake cake on bottom rack of oven until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean, 60 to 70 minutes. Cool in pan 20 minutes. Invert onto a rack; cool completely, top side up. Dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving, if desired.

Sunday:  Italian Sausage and Bowtie Pasta, garlic bread

Monday: Teriyaki Turkey Burgers, macaroni salad

Tuesday: Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, biscuits

Wednesday: Swedish meatballs over egg noodles, salad

Thursday: Homemade whole wheat pizza with veggies

Friday: Grilled BBQ Chicken, tater tots, corn on the cob

Saturday: Chili, cornbread

Be sure to check out other menu plans here.