Featured from The Smart Cookie (an online community I created dedicated to living life smart):
Here at The Smart Cookie, I take on the challenge of doing the research for you and saving you the time. I distribute all the important, effective methods, facts, and information you should generally know about if you want to live life to the fullest.
With hundreds and thousands of books on frugal living out there, I have saved you the time and effort of having to read through each one and maybe spend more time attaining knowledge than you would like to. A lot of websites and books aren't purely factual and the steps and advice can be pretty dragged out.
These are pretty basic steps you probably see mentioned on a lot of different websites/blogs dedicated to frugal living. However, I have gathered a specific list of the most important and beneficial methods out there, through throrough research and study. These are tested methods that have been proven to work if you follow the steps correctly; you can be on your way to an overall better life, in every aspect
Points of Importance:
-Becoming and staying debt free
-Saving as much money as you can (resisting temptation/making smart choices) "It's not what you make, it's what you save."
-The world revolves around money, it's at the core of almost everything we do, therefore it's very important to be financially educated and know how to manage and save your money.
-Since we're targeting the topic of preservation, it's important to note how you should be preservative in every aspect of your life, which is why here at The Smart Cookie, we pride ourselves in giving only factual useful information in straight-to the point posts. We value our time as well as your's and believe you shouldn't waste any more time on something than what is necessary. So my goal is to deliver to you the most effective methods in an efficient manner. Sometimes the time we put in isn't worth what we get out of something, I want my blog posts to be worth your time and waste as little of it as possible. So after making that clear, I want to get straight to the point of financial fitness.
This can work as a guide for you, with specific steps and important points.
FINANCIAL FITNESS-
-Budget your money (use The Budget Calculator here at TSC, created by me). It helps you map out what you're spending and how you can spend less and save more.
-Allow yourself flexibility, being tight on money all the time would be inconvenient for an emergency. So always plan to put off some extra spending money on the side. Even just $100 here and there, it adds up.
-Make smart choices when it comes to purchases. You may be spending more than necessary. Maybe you need to shop at a new grocery store, or start using all those coupons that are overflowing in the drawer of your desk. There's always ways to save money and overall be more resourceful, so be attentive to them.
-Are you holding yourself back from a higher potential? Ask yourself, can you do better? Are you working at a job that isn't really worth the pay? If you answer yes or are doubtful, then most likely you can find a job that offers more.
-If you get to the end of the month with extra money, then consider yourself successful. That is what we're striving after.
-Debt causes stress and stress can lead to depression. You want to avoid all of that as much as possible. (Verified tips on how to avoid debt)
-Sometimes we take on more than we can handle or more than we need, simply because we have the money or rather think that we do. Treat your money as a limited amount always, that is key. It doesn't matter if you made $100 extra this month, maintain your same budget, stay consistent with it.
-Rule 72, it's a very important and beneficial concept to learn that many people surprisingly don't know about. Be well informed, stay on top of the latest information and knowledge. If you implement Rule 72, you can double up your money in a short amount of time.
-Organize your life. Inside your head, it may be a cluttered mess; all these worries and concerns may be causing you unecessary stress and problems. Prioritize everything, write it down, analyze it.
-Buy a planner and/or a calendar. Something that you can see every day and serve as a reminder to keep on top of the important stuff.
-Being resourceful helps you become financially fit, so I will be promoting resourcefulness as well. It's both a benefit to yourself and the planet. Don't be wasteful, maybe you're wasteful without noticing, this is why you must organize your life and analyze what you're doing and what you should be doing. Resourceful tips to stay on top of: Turn your bottles and cans into money by taking them to the recycling center yourself, a little extra spending money doesn't hurt. Use cloth instead of paper. People waste so much paper in different ways and for different purposes. A lot of the times, a cloth can be used as an alternative. So stop spending unecessary money on paper towels and baby wipes. Those are just a few ways to be more resourceful.
-Making custom/DIY stuff with material you might already have lying around anyway. I will feature how to make your own furniture/miscellaneous items and how to be more resourceful with food and meals.
-Turn house clutter into money, set up an online shop or take your unwanted stufff to a consignment shop. You can also scout out cheap things, even free things, to sell at higher prices and make a profit. This could be a little side job for extra money.
-Paying taxes is something we all need to do and is generally dreaded. Being prepared for it helps the process go much quicker and avoid excessive stress. Check out Income Tax Records which can help you keep your tax documents organized all year long. Being proactive prevents a lot of unecessary things.
-Contribute to your goals. Most goals require some kind of money to fulfill. Separate your savings into a personal donation pool for yourself, you deserve it. As long as your goals are't too extreme, then putting aside a little bit of money for them each month shouldn't be an issue. However, necessities do come before hobbies. You must learn to balance both.
Note: I will be targeting each of these points specifically in separate posts.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Stop Holding Yourself Back
I've realized after all of these years of procrastinating and holding myself back from my fullest potential that it's all in the power of your ~mind~. You must remove that mental block that stops you from fulfilling important goals in your life. It's those messages your brain sends you that cause you to stop and procrastinate and get distracted and lose hope. Every time you get an idea for something and want to put it into action, all of these excuses/worries/doubts stop you and you turn right back around. So you just keep on perpetually living in fantasy and never actually turning anything into a reality. You never get started because as soon as you start walking down a path of potential, you fearfully turn back around or perhaps too many things take your attention away and you need to be more self-disciplined.
So take charge today! And unleash your full potential.
So take charge today! And unleash your full potential.
Foods That Boost Brainpower
If you're going to eat a cookie, then you should be a smart cookie about it! ;) So instead of buying those ever so tempting oreos at the supermarket, maybe opt for something more healthy and benefitting like wheat thins. Sure, the kids may throw a fit and your sweet tooth may be tempting you, but wheat thins would overall be the better choice (health-wise). Maybe you can still buy a small pack of oreos though. ;) And you can even get creative with the wheat thins (since they are a bit bland) and top them with different ingredients. Whole grains promote a healthier brain; they can boost brainpower and improve memory and cognition abilities. So if you've been forgetful lately or have seemed to have gotten clumsy with your driving, then perhaps a good source of whole grains is what your brain needs. It will definitely be a benefit.
As we know, the brain cannot function properly without energy (like everything in your body), so a healthy diet and sleeping schedule go hand in hand with brain health. Therefore, it's not just about your diet, but it's about your lifestyle as well. The mere ability to concentrate and focus comes from an adequate steady supply of energy, so consistency in both a healthy lifestyle and diet is key. Our body supplies this energy by transporting glucose in the blood to the brain. This is why people take the not so healthy alternative of sugary energy drinks to give them a boost. It's definitely not the best way to fuel your body with energy. And your body deserves the best.
So think 'brown' cereals like All-Bran, wheatbran in general, granary bread and brown pasta.
Consuming whole grains (preferably with a low-GI) is healthier and has a longer lasting effect of energy in the brain. Eating wheat thins over oreos may not be as appealing to your sweet tooth, but you can guarantee it has better benefits. This is because it releases glucose slowly into the bloodstream, keeping you mentally alert throughout the day, instead of a crash and burn effect.
As we know, the brain cannot function properly without energy (like everything in your body), so a healthy diet and sleeping schedule go hand in hand with brain health. Therefore, it's not just about your diet, but it's about your lifestyle as well. The mere ability to concentrate and focus comes from an adequate steady supply of energy, so consistency in both a healthy lifestyle and diet is key. Our body supplies this energy by transporting glucose in the blood to the brain. This is why people take the not so healthy alternative of sugary energy drinks to give them a boost. It's definitely not the best way to fuel your body with energy. And your body deserves the best.
So think 'brown' cereals like All-Bran, wheatbran in general, granary bread and brown pasta.
Consuming whole grains (preferably with a low-GI) is healthier and has a longer lasting effect of energy in the brain. Eating wheat thins over oreos may not be as appealing to your sweet tooth, but you can guarantee it has better benefits. This is because it releases glucose slowly into the bloodstream, keeping you mentally alert throughout the day, instead of a crash and burn effect.
The Importance of Copyrighting
You should always protect your work, first and foremost. The internet is a tricky place and people can be deceiving. So be smart and copyright your work before sharing it with anyone, especially on the internet.
If you're planning on getting traditionally published, you should know that publishing companies stray far away from work that has previously been published online or distributed in any way especially without it being copyrighted. Even if you're just sharing with friends on Facebook, copyrighting would be a smart precaution to take. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Check out these websites that can aid you with copyrighting:
- copyright.gov (main/official site for copyrighting)
- rightsofwriters.com
- copyrighted.com
- writing-world.com (great advice for understanding how copyrighting works and your legal rights as a writer)
- own-it.org (great and safe alternative for copyrighting your work)
- clickandcopyright.com (resources to aid you in copyrighting)
If you're planning on getting traditionally published, you should know that publishing companies stray far away from work that has previously been published online or distributed in any way especially without it being copyrighted. Even if you're just sharing with friends on Facebook, copyrighting would be a smart precaution to take. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Check out these websites that can aid you with copyrighting:
- copyright.gov (main/official site for copyrighting)
- rightsofwriters.com
- copyrighted.com
- writing-world.com (great advice for understanding how copyrighting works and your legal rights as a writer)
- own-it.org (great and safe alternative for copyrighting your work)
- clickandcopyright.com (resources to aid you in copyrighting)
Self Publishing VS. Traditional Publishing
So I know many writers contemplate this decision. It's hard to change a route once you've already gone far enough down another, so it is a big decision to make. For example, let's say you choose traditional self publishing and later on decide it's too limiting/restricting and want the freedom of self publishing, well going from route A to route B isn't an easy task. Your fan base, they're used to seeing your work out in stores and they're aware that your books are published by a certain company. Switching to self publishing would be a lot of work, having to alert and revert your fan base elsewhere is not such an easy task. And you can't be both at once, if your work belongs to a certain company and you signed a contract, self-publishing would be against your publisher's permissions.
You must know that publishers are strictly interested in first rights. If you've already had your work published, whether it's as an ebook, on a website for free, self-published in print, vanity published, or traditionally published with someone else, they are more than likely not interested.
Many people have their information wrong, usually because of lack of research. They e-publish in the hopes of finding a traditional publisher. They think it's a good way to start off and promote their work, but the truth is it may just chase any potentially interested publishers away. So basically, unless they've actually sold hundreds and thousands of copies, then no, never.
So if you've self-published as an ebook and sold the typical 50 copies to friends, family, and maybe a few strangers here and there then you can pretty much guarantee that they will turn away. You've actually proven that your book doesn't grab the attention of much people and probably wouldn't be a successful book. Or maybe you've just proven your bad skills at promoting and how you're horrible at self-publishing. But it could be the first one, either way, so just be aware.
The benefits (and disadvantages) of self publishing:
*You get free control over when you write and what you write.
*No deadlines (although they could be a good thing because they promote discipline and quickness)
*You're your own boss (although it may not be such a great advantage since you may not be very well informed or familiar with the field of publishing/promoting and just overall creating quality content that will attract readers and a fan base).
*You keep all your earnings to yourself (minus editting and publishing fees).
*You keep full ownership over your work.
*Overall you certainly have more freedom, but you may not be very successful (self-publishing is mainly for people just looking to simply put their work out there and are fine with just selling a few copies here and there for extra income).
The benefits (and disadvantages) of traditional publishing:
*You have more of a chance of hitting it big and becoming a best-seller (due to more outlets of distribution like having your books sold both online and at stores).
*Great milestone for writers (regarding the fact it's not easy to get traditionally published).
*More discipline and structure (you will have set deadlines and expectations).
*If you become a best-seller you can make good money and potentially get rich off of a writing career (although if this is a main priority for you then maybe you're writing for the wrong reasons).
*More recognition and a better chance at building a stable fan base (but with it comes a lot of dedication like attending events to promote your latest book and more).
Bottom line is: Anyone with money can self-publish, but writers who get traditionally published are generally viewed as a little higher up on the totem pole because not just anyone can get published. This is not devaluing the work of people who self-publish; there's many great successful and talented authors out there that self-publish. I was just referring to society standards which unfortuantely do play a big role in how people are viewed/regarded.
A good reference site if you're interested and want to look into self-publishing: http://www.go-publish-yourself.com/
You must know that publishers are strictly interested in first rights. If you've already had your work published, whether it's as an ebook, on a website for free, self-published in print, vanity published, or traditionally published with someone else, they are more than likely not interested.
Many people have their information wrong, usually because of lack of research. They e-publish in the hopes of finding a traditional publisher. They think it's a good way to start off and promote their work, but the truth is it may just chase any potentially interested publishers away. So basically, unless they've actually sold hundreds and thousands of copies, then no, never.
So if you've self-published as an ebook and sold the typical 50 copies to friends, family, and maybe a few strangers here and there then you can pretty much guarantee that they will turn away. You've actually proven that your book doesn't grab the attention of much people and probably wouldn't be a successful book. Or maybe you've just proven your bad skills at promoting and how you're horrible at self-publishing. But it could be the first one, either way, so just be aware.
The benefits (and disadvantages) of self publishing:
*You get free control over when you write and what you write.
*No deadlines (although they could be a good thing because they promote discipline and quickness)
*You're your own boss (although it may not be such a great advantage since you may not be very well informed or familiar with the field of publishing/promoting and just overall creating quality content that will attract readers and a fan base).
*You keep all your earnings to yourself (minus editting and publishing fees).
*You keep full ownership over your work.
*Overall you certainly have more freedom, but you may not be very successful (self-publishing is mainly for people just looking to simply put their work out there and are fine with just selling a few copies here and there for extra income).
The benefits (and disadvantages) of traditional publishing:
*You have more of a chance of hitting it big and becoming a best-seller (due to more outlets of distribution like having your books sold both online and at stores).
*Great milestone for writers (regarding the fact it's not easy to get traditionally published).
*More discipline and structure (you will have set deadlines and expectations).
*If you become a best-seller you can make good money and potentially get rich off of a writing career (although if this is a main priority for you then maybe you're writing for the wrong reasons).
*More recognition and a better chance at building a stable fan base (but with it comes a lot of dedication like attending events to promote your latest book and more).
Bottom line is: Anyone with money can self-publish, but writers who get traditionally published are generally viewed as a little higher up on the totem pole because not just anyone can get published. This is not devaluing the work of people who self-publish; there's many great successful and talented authors out there that self-publish. I was just referring to society standards which unfortuantely do play a big role in how people are viewed/regarded.
A good reference site if you're interested and want to look into self-publishing: http://www.go-publish-yourself.com/
So you want to be a children's book author?
Do you ever get nostalgic reading children's books and realize that maybe a great way to keep your youth alive is by writing some children's books of your own? Ignite your imagination again and delve into a world of wonder and magic with stories that you create and, in a way, live through so you can revive your childhood. Me, being passionate about writing and all, this seems to be a wonderful fantasy and would definitely be a dream come true. But you can make it come true, it's up to you. You just have to take proper action in achieving your dreams and goals and here is a great guide for those who share this same dream.
Getting published: The basics-
*Advice on how to prepare a manuscript (yes and no-no’s).
*Check out the current edition of the Children’s Writers and Illustrator’a Market (best go-to resource) which is published by Writers Digest (prestigious and popular magazine). It has a list of various available markets for children's writers.
*How to write a query letter, manuscript formatting, agents and other helpful tools to help get you on the right path to being published.
*The importance of originality. Although, for some it seems like they can get away with some super generic story and somehow get published right away, but what makes your manuscript stand out the most is obviously a truly unique idea/story.
Research each company/publisher thoroughly so you can make the best decision. Decide which one would suit your book the best, browse through a list of their published authors so you can get an idea of what they're after.
Read the requirements carefully before sending in your work; you don't want to start off on a bad foot. Make a good first impression; show that you are responsible, professional, and organized (all important crucial qualities). Some publishing companies may want an entire manuscript while others just want a query letter. Make sure they accept solicited manuscripts. Pay attention to the guidelines, they're your ticket to getting in the front door.
Avoid fancy fonts and unusual formatting. Manuscripts should be typed in a plain font, double-spaced on standard letter size white paper, and sent to a specific editor or The Editorial Department of the publishing company you're submitting to. The guidelines/steps are usually pretty basic and simple.
Research and read, a lot. Have to place emphasis on this. The best advice out there, quite surprisingly, is quite simple actually. Doing your research and reading are two important activities to involve yourself with.
A great way to get started/involved is by joining The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Even if you don't join, find out if any SCBWI conferences or seminars are being held in your area. By attending those events, you will learn about the issues facing children's book publishers and other information that could aid/benefit you. You could even make contacts that may lead to a contract. So there's a lot of possibility here.
Rejection is something you should get used to/expect. The least you expect, the less dissapointed you'll be. Reality is that the majority of children's books published each year are written by previously published authors. However, don't let this discourage you, once in a while they do specifically scout out new writers to freshen the market. Like previously mentioned, doing your research is key, stay on top of what's going on in the publishing world. The best times to send in your work is when the market is booming and they are specifically looking for new authors to add some variety.
Learn from the rejection letters you receive, it's constructive criticism that can help you improve and overall raise your chances of getting published for next time. If you get a lot of form letters, perhaps you weren't targeted enough in your choice of publishers. If you receive a more personalized rejection letter, take the comments a bit more seriously. When they actually take the time to send you a response like this, you should truly consider what they say. Never be ashamed or afraid to stand up in the face of rejection and better yourself so you can eventually succeed and have publishers looking to contract you (yes I meant to make 'publishers' plural).
Remember this: If you possess both talent and perseverance, you'll find a way to succeed.
Important key qualities: Consistency, perseverance, and even a little persistence. My father always used to tell me "The squeaky wheel gets the oil!" And it's true, if you want to succeed, you need to be a little persistent and determined.
Now, for the illustration bit: If you are strictly a writer and not looking to write and illustrate your own books, that's totally fine. You don't need to worry about the illustrating aspect of your book so much, especially before even getting contracted. Focus on your writing and the manuscript/query letter you will send in. The publisher, if interested, will take care of the rest. Usually, when you take the route of traditional publishing, you don't have as much freedom as when you're self-publishing; your publisher basically takes charge of your stories and decides on an illustrator and sometimes even the title. During the editting process, they can request you to change a certain part of the story or remove it altogether. This may be a reason why you would want to consider self-publishing as an alternative. Research both and decide which would suit you best.
Here's the thing society doesn't tell you/want you to know; you don't need school for this. School can benefit some people sure, but it is not a set requirement for getting published.
Remember to never give up after just one submission; succeeding takes time and perseverance. Rome wasn't built in a day and you certaintly won't become a published author overnight.
With many possibilities open, you just need to find the right ways to go about reaching your goals. Set realistic goals, but don't be afraid to dream and be a little ambitious.
Good sites for reference:
- publishingcentral.com -a lot of valuable information on here, including advice and guides on how to get published and just about everything you need to know to get on the right path to becoming an author.
- the-best-childrens-books.org -it may help to see different successful authors and their books so you can have some sort of idea of what publishers generally look for.
- childrensbooks.com -all about children's books and publishing; great reference site.
- http://publishersarchive.com/childrens-book-publishers.php -compiled/organized list of publishers specifically for children's books; great for reference when deciding who to send your work to.
Getting published: The basics-
*Advice on how to prepare a manuscript (yes and no-no’s).
*Check out the current edition of the Children’s Writers and Illustrator’a Market (best go-to resource) which is published by Writers Digest (prestigious and popular magazine). It has a list of various available markets for children's writers.
*How to write a query letter, manuscript formatting, agents and other helpful tools to help get you on the right path to being published.
*The importance of originality. Although, for some it seems like they can get away with some super generic story and somehow get published right away, but what makes your manuscript stand out the most is obviously a truly unique idea/story.
Research each company/publisher thoroughly so you can make the best decision. Decide which one would suit your book the best, browse through a list of their published authors so you can get an idea of what they're after.
Read the requirements carefully before sending in your work; you don't want to start off on a bad foot. Make a good first impression; show that you are responsible, professional, and organized (all important crucial qualities). Some publishing companies may want an entire manuscript while others just want a query letter. Make sure they accept solicited manuscripts. Pay attention to the guidelines, they're your ticket to getting in the front door.
Avoid fancy fonts and unusual formatting. Manuscripts should be typed in a plain font, double-spaced on standard letter size white paper, and sent to a specific editor or The Editorial Department of the publishing company you're submitting to. The guidelines/steps are usually pretty basic and simple.
Research and read, a lot. Have to place emphasis on this. The best advice out there, quite surprisingly, is quite simple actually. Doing your research and reading are two important activities to involve yourself with.
A great way to get started/involved is by joining The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Even if you don't join, find out if any SCBWI conferences or seminars are being held in your area. By attending those events, you will learn about the issues facing children's book publishers and other information that could aid/benefit you. You could even make contacts that may lead to a contract. So there's a lot of possibility here.
Rejection is something you should get used to/expect. The least you expect, the less dissapointed you'll be. Reality is that the majority of children's books published each year are written by previously published authors. However, don't let this discourage you, once in a while they do specifically scout out new writers to freshen the market. Like previously mentioned, doing your research is key, stay on top of what's going on in the publishing world. The best times to send in your work is when the market is booming and they are specifically looking for new authors to add some variety.
Learn from the rejection letters you receive, it's constructive criticism that can help you improve and overall raise your chances of getting published for next time. If you get a lot of form letters, perhaps you weren't targeted enough in your choice of publishers. If you receive a more personalized rejection letter, take the comments a bit more seriously. When they actually take the time to send you a response like this, you should truly consider what they say. Never be ashamed or afraid to stand up in the face of rejection and better yourself so you can eventually succeed and have publishers looking to contract you (yes I meant to make 'publishers' plural).
Remember this: If you possess both talent and perseverance, you'll find a way to succeed.
Important key qualities: Consistency, perseverance, and even a little persistence. My father always used to tell me "The squeaky wheel gets the oil!" And it's true, if you want to succeed, you need to be a little persistent and determined.
Now, for the illustration bit: If you are strictly a writer and not looking to write and illustrate your own books, that's totally fine. You don't need to worry about the illustrating aspect of your book so much, especially before even getting contracted. Focus on your writing and the manuscript/query letter you will send in. The publisher, if interested, will take care of the rest. Usually, when you take the route of traditional publishing, you don't have as much freedom as when you're self-publishing; your publisher basically takes charge of your stories and decides on an illustrator and sometimes even the title. During the editting process, they can request you to change a certain part of the story or remove it altogether. This may be a reason why you would want to consider self-publishing as an alternative. Research both and decide which would suit you best.
Here's the thing society doesn't tell you/want you to know; you don't need school for this. School can benefit some people sure, but it is not a set requirement for getting published.
Remember to never give up after just one submission; succeeding takes time and perseverance. Rome wasn't built in a day and you certaintly won't become a published author overnight.
With many possibilities open, you just need to find the right ways to go about reaching your goals. Set realistic goals, but don't be afraid to dream and be a little ambitious.
Good sites for reference:
- publishingcentral.com -a lot of valuable information on here, including advice and guides on how to get published and just about everything you need to know to get on the right path to becoming an author.
- the-best-childrens-books.org -it may help to see different successful authors and their books so you can have some sort of idea of what publishers generally look for.
- childrensbooks.com -all about children's books and publishing; great reference site.
- http://publishersarchive.com/childrens-book-publishers.php -compiled/organized list of publishers specifically for children's books; great for reference when deciding who to send your work to.
Monday, July 20, 2015
Live Better
It feels so good to write goals down, you feel more organized; you can create a gameplan, a roadmap.
Bring organization and consistency into your life and it will improve.
Too much time is wasted, start making better use of your time. Fulfill your goals and live with no regrets.
Prioritize and eliminate unimportant things from your life.
Bring organization and consistency into your life and it will improve.
Too much time is wasted, start making better use of your time. Fulfill your goals and live with no regrets.
Prioritize and eliminate unimportant things from your life.
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