How long can you stay in your house during the foreclosure process and not make any payments? In Michigan, it’s a minimum of 12 months, as long as you continue to occupy and not abandon the residence.
Turbulent Times Tip: Can’t Afford Migraine Medicine?
June 12th, 2009 · Turbulent Times Tips
The development of migraine medicine has been a godsend to millions of pain sufferers. The problem is, for those with no prescription insurance, the steep cost can be prohibitive. For chronic migraine sufferers, the average $25 per pill cost can equal a monthly car payment.
If you find yourself in a bind and can’t afford migraine medicine, here are a few options that may help.
→ No CommentsTags: can’t afford migraine medicine·no prescription insurance
Planning to Sell Edibles in your Home Business?
May 22nd, 2009 · Home Business Ideas and Tips
Before you start mixing up the brownies or bottling the jelly to sell from your home business and over the Internet, there are a few steps you’ll need to take to stay out of trouble.
First, check with your local health department or department of agriculture to determine what requirements need to be met to operate legally. Some states require that you file for a food permit, while others require that all items intended for human consumption are stored, prepared, packaged and labeled in a licensed kitchen.
If your state does require that you operate in a licensed kitchen, there are ways to accomplish this without having to become licensed on your own. The easiest, but most costly option is to contact one of the many companies who specialize in commercial kitchen rentals or shared/co-op kitchen rentals.
Some questions you’ll want to ask about the licensed facility are:
• Can you rent by the hour, day or month?
• Can you receive deliveries or pick-ups?
• Will you have access to storage space, including refrigeration space?
• Can you use the facility’s address as your business address?
If you’re on a budget, other kitchen rentals may be available from churches, day care centers, and even your local VFW. Just be sure these facilities have the appropriate license. Some are limited to serving their own members and to what they may actually prepare on site. There may also be limits to the dollar amount of items they are allowed to sell in a year.
Another area to investigate is whether your operation will be covered under the licensed facility’s insurance policy. While most facilities for rent are insured, you may not be covered by their insurance. You may be able to place a rider on your homeowners or renters insurance policy to cover your business.
Finally, you will most likely need to label your goods. The Food and Drug Administration has clear cut guidelines when it comes to labeling your items. You can find detailed requirements within the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act. If it gets confusing, simply contact your local health department who will be able to guide you through the specifics.
→ No CommentsTags: food preparation·home business·home business legal requirements·licensed kitchen·sell edibles
Mompreneurs and The New Economy
May 15th, 2009 · The New Economy
Childcare decisions become a constant juggling act for most mothers as they balance quality care for their families and quality work in their jobs. Some women take breaks in their career to spend more time raising their children. Yet, once they are home, they often get the urge to pursue additional intellectually challenging and rewarding opportunities, and many also need an income.
“Mompreneurship” provides working mothers with an alternative to traditional employment and a way to combine work goals with parenthood. They often start part-time with home-based personal businesses, which provides flexibility and work–life balance. Many mompreneurs are savvy with the Internet—its 24/7 availability lets them work when and where they can. Time management becomes the biggest challenge for these women who try to run a business and care for their families at the same time. While the vast majority of these businesses remain part-time, some grow into sizeable organizations.
Over the next decade, woman who are looking for better career options and work–life balance will increasingly turn to entrepreneurship to fulfill their goals.
→ No CommentsTags: entrepreneurship·mompreneurs·personal businesses·work life balance·work-at-home
Growing Markets for Individuals and Hobbyists
May 14th, 2009 · The New Economy
Research reveals there is a growing demand for highly customized and unique products made by artisan and craft manufacturers. More and more consumers are seeking specialized or alternative goods and services outside the world of mass production. These consumers tend to be community focused, environmentally aware, relatively affluent and technologically savvy.
In response to this growing market, many individual artisans and do-it-yourself (DIY) hobbyists who were once part-time and occasional sellers are building full-time careers doing what they love. Many specialty online marketplaces are enabling these new entrepreneurs by helping to find buyers in their niche markets.
New manufacturing technologies and methods will expand the range of products that can be made by these artisans and demand will continue to grow as buyers and sellers find one another via the Internet.
The result will be the formation of many new artisan small manufacturers – this can be you!
→ No CommentsTags: hobbyist·personal businesses·selling crafts online·The New Economy
