Well, I did it. I just quit my day job.

[SDSorority]

Hi everyone! Well, I just put in my notice at work that I am leaving my office job.

Here's the story- I went to college to be a music teacher/performer. After graduating, life happened (I got married, moved to the boonies....) and I didn't end up working in a school as a teacher because of the lack of jobs in the area in which I needed to be. I taught a few students on the weekends, played in community groups, and I took admin jobs at local colleges (one of which I graduated from). After 6 years, we moved out of the boonies back to my hometown, and my music studio began to regrow.

I am to the point now where I don't have enough hours in the day to work my office job and teach my private music students (on top of 2 other part-time blog/social media jobs that I also have and love), so I am leaving my office job to pursue my passion. I am officially becoming an entrepreneur and it's a mix of emotions.

SO, what are your best money saving, work from home, entrepreneur, or LIFE tips you have?? My sister and dad are/were both entrepreneur's, as are my FIL and BIL- all in different industries. I guess it's in my blood or something! THANKS for any tips or encouragement!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Clipping coupons are a great way to save $$$$.

I use my crockpot A LOT. Its a great time saver especially if your day turns out to be hectic you won't be tempted to got out to eat which is costly. If you use the crockpot bag liners clean up is simple. I just pull my bag out and tie it together and toss it.

Buy in bulk from Sams , Costco or BJ's to save money. I stock up on toilet paper, Kleenex, laundry soap, a huge money saver is to use vinegar in place of the costly fabric softner. No your clothes won't smell like vinegar and it also helps rinse out the soap residue. Just got my renewal notice for my BJs membership and it also included how much I have saved this year by using the BJ's coupons as well as mfg. coupons at BJS and my saving was $453. and its just me and my husband.

 

[crisi]

Congrats,

I quit my "career job" last Spring to homeschool our son, be around for my daughter (who is disorganized and has issues getting her homework done - bright, but absent minded), and just be home when my husband took a new job that involved a lot of hours and travel (its ecommerce, he left for work last Wednesday morning, got home at 4am, was back to work by 11am on Thanksgiving, got home at 2am, was back to work at 8 am on Friday - spent the night at work, and was finally home for the duration Saturday evening - if you ignore the five hours of conference calls and emails from Saturday evening through Sunday night - he was gone again at 6am).

My most productive days are scheduled, with a good to do list - otherwise, I hang here, or the other boards I'm on, watch movies -then wonder why the laundry didn't get done . Having music students will keep that part of your day structured, but structure the rest of it. Its ok to say "once I get the humidifers clean, I'll let myself take fifteen minutes" - what I'm doing now. But you can't let that fifteen minutes turn into an hour and a half.

 

[fofinia]

Congratulations!! You've given me instrument advice in the past that I really appreciated! Best of luck!

From a fellow self employed family- Save your receipts! One of the best things is all the write offs you can take being self employed.

 

[sduck]

Congrats. Not sure I can be of much help, my best advice is "Don't quit your day job!".

 

[SDSorority]

Congrats,

I quit my "career job" last Spring to homeschool our son, be around for my daughter (who is disorganized and has issues getting her homework done - bright, but absent minded), and just be home when my husband took a new job that involved a lot of hours and travel (its ecommerce, he left for work last Wednesday morning, got home at 4am, was back to work by 11am on Thanksgiving, got home at 2am, was back to work at 8 am on Friday - spent the night at work, and was finally home for the duration Saturday evening - if you ignore the five hours of conference calls and emails from Saturday evening through Sunday night - he was gone again at 6am).

My most productive days are scheduled, with a good to do list - otherwise, I hang here, or the other boards I'm on, watch movies -then wonder why the laundry didn't get done . Having music students will keep that part of your day structured, but structure the rest of it. Its ok to say "once I get the humidifers clean, I'll let myself take fifteen minutes" - what I'm doing now. But you can't let that fifteen minutes turn into an hour and a half.

Thanks! I like structure, planning, and following the plan I planned, so this is great advice! I'm going to need that to better manage my social media and blogging businesses that I'm rolling into this too.

 

[wiigirl]

Congratulations!! You've given me instrument advice in the past that I really appreciated! Best of luck!

From a fellow self employed family- Save your receipts! One of the best things is all the write offs you can take being self employed.

 

[SDSorority]

Congratulations!! You've given me instrument advice in the past that I really appreciated! Best of luck!

From a fellow self employed family- Save your receipts! One of the best things is all the write offs you can take being self employed.

Thank you!

 

[SDSorority]

Congrats. Not sure I can be of much help, my best advice is "Don't quit your day job!".

Well, this new adventure WILL be my day job, so I guess it still applies

 

[sduck]

Well, this new adventure WILL be my day job, so I guess it still applies

So glad you read it with humor. Sometimes it backfires on you!!! I am sure you will be very successful!

 

[SDSorority]

So glad you read it with humor. Sometimes it backfires on you!!! I am sure you will be very successful!

 

[LovesTimone]

I have my own business. Different type from yours, I have a eBay business. I love it...

My friend 3 years ago quit her day job. She had some of the same circumstance has you. I spoke to her here are some of the things she did to build her business up. She plays piano, the harp, and violin.

She offered referral coupons to current students, for new students, like for 6 lessons paid and completed the current student would get a discount on there lesson's, she said this also helped with kids or adults that thought this is something they wanted.

She offered 6 trial lessons at a one package price like 30 min's instead of an hour as a package.

She got in touch with event planners - for wedding, and other events, she sent along a CD with the inquiry. She even rented a booth at wedding events and played and had price sheet made up. She gave away 1 free event, she had people sign up with email, address, event type and date.

She contacted local home school groups, for which she could give credit for the state requirement. She had to get a certification which was easy as she was a teacher in public school for several years. She got a lot of students from this.

She - plays local churches as substitute for when their music person could not play at church events.

She plays at several retirement community's some weekly some only once a month. Contact the activity director, also send a CD.

Her students perform a few times a year, at local events, art festivals, tree lighting, even in the grocery store for a anniversary event. She always has information sheet ready to pass out.

She has done very well and has had to hire a college student to help out part time.

Good Luck to you... Do what you love and you will be successful...

 

[SDSorority]

I have my own business. Different type from yours, I have a eBay business. I love it...

My friend 3 years ago quit her day job. She had some of the same circumstance has you. I spoke to her here are some of the things she did to build her business up. She plays piano, the harp, and violin.

She offered referral coupons to current students, for new students, like for 6 lessons paid and completed the current student would get a discount on there lesson's, she said this also helped with kids or adults that thought this is something they wanted.

She offered 6 trial lessons at a one package price like 30 min's instead of an hour as a package.

She got in touch with event planners - for wedding, and other events, she sent along a CD with the inquiry. She even rented a booth at wedding events and played and had price sheet made up. She gave away 1 free event, she had people sign up with email, address, event type and date.

She contacted local home school groups, for which she could give credit for the state requirement. She had to get a certification which was easy as she was a teacher in public school for several years. She got a lot of students from this.

She - plays local churches as substitute for when their music person could not play at church events.

She plays at several retirement community's some weekly some only once a month. Contact the activity director, also send a CD.

Her students perform a few times a year, at local events, art festivals, tree lighting, even in the grocery store for a anniversary event. She always has information sheet ready to pass out.

She has done very well and has had to hire a college student to help out part time.

Good Luck to you... Do what you love and you will be successful...

Thank you so much for this information, and please pass along my thanks to your friend as well!! These are such great ideas!!!!

 

[Eureka]

I used to freelance but my income was the second one so I did not have to worry as much about a variable income as if I was the main breadwinner. That said, I would make sure all of your ducks are in a row with regard to irregular expenses, things like water bills, car insurance, kids camps/activities and other things that you may not pay every month. When the money coming in changes, you need to plan ahead extra well for those things. Also, I tried hard to treat each weekday as a work day, whether it was actually writing, looking for new gigs or making sure my invoices were sent out etc. so that I wouldn't have to work on evenings or weekends. Also, people tended to take me more seriously as a freelancer (that it was, indeed a "real" job) once I took myself more seriously. Good luck!

 

[crisi]

She plays at several retirement community's some weekly some only once a month. Contact the activity director, also send a CD.

One of my girlfriends teaches piano and since most of her students are after school evenings, during the day she goes to senior housing. She spent time professionally working in geriatrics, particularly with memory loss patients. She goes in and she plays songs that they know and will sing along to. Things like "You are my Sunshine" and "Old Susanna" that are timeless classics. At this time of year its Christmas Carols.

We take our Girl Scout troop to her homes in December and they sing with the memory loss patients. Its sort of amazing in that people who seldom speak and can't remember their own children will light up and sing Silent Night.

Anyway, she finds the whole thing rather rewarding. You won't get rich doing it (she's had to stop going to the other end of the city, her stipend doesn't even cover gas for an hour and a half round trip), but sometimes that isn't what its about.

 

[SDSorority]

Thanks! All great ideas!!

 

[SDSorority]

I'm not sure if this helps anyone else out, but I just saw this youtube video on making your own cleaning supplies. Looks like it would save money and maybe someone else would be interested in this, too!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQxkD3wqyxA

 

[borgthe]

My husband left his job recently so we really had to cut back spending. We got rid of the cleaners and the lawn care company.

We only eat out maybe once every two months. I make all of our cleaners. It is healthier any way.

I would track your spending for a month and see where you are spending your money. That will help you see where you can cut.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I have little experience with this myself (although I do have a few ideas as possibilities for the future) but I wanted to wish you well.

 

[Rose23]

Clipping coupons are a great way to save $$$$.

I use my crockpot A LOT. Its a great time saver especially if your day turns out to be hectic you won't be tempted to got out to eat which is costly. If you use the crockpot bag liners clean up is simple. I just pull my bag out and tie it together and toss it.

Buy in bulk from Sams , Costco or BJ's to save money. I stock up on toilet paper, Kleenex, laundry soap, a huge money saver is to use vinegar in place of the costly fabric softner. No your clothes won't smell like vinegar and it also helps rinse out the soap residue. Just got my renewal notice for my BJs membership and it also included how much I have saved this year by using the BJ's coupons as well as mfg. coupons at BJS and my saving was $453. and its just me and my husband.

Agree. Save money by cooking at home and eatting at home instead of restaurants, etc. Use the leftovers for your lunch the next day.

Best Wishes!