No Single Mama Drama Radio?

No Single Mama Drama is a weekly radio show aimed at helping single mothers live drama-free lives. We focus on all aspects of single motherhood and especially those that affect single mothers the most: relationship and financial drama. Includes discussion on my most popular blog series posts, Side Hustle of the Week. Airs weekly on Sunday afternoons from 3 – 4 p.m. E.S.T.

Need Money? Get Crafty With Etsy!

Side Hustle of the Week: Need Money? Get Crafty With Etsy!

Are you the arts-and-crafty type? If you’re looking for a way to make some extra cash–or start a whole side hustle business from the comfort of your home, look no further than Etsy!

Say, what? Come again?

Etsy is a global marketplace for artisians of handmade goods. So, if you make something by hand, you can start your new side hustle today.

Real Work-At-Home Job Posting

Real Work-At-Home Job Posting

Okay, so for most of my career, I have managed to work at home– including now, where I have an above average salary, complete with full benefits. So, I always get asked how do I find these jobs?  The answer is quite simple, when you think about it.

I’m a firm believer that, most of the time, you really only find what you’re looking for. Therefore, I only look for opportunities that fit my single-mother lifestyle.  And I make sure that I choose skill sets that support working from home.  After all, there are certain skills that lend themselves to work-from-home opportunities and some that don’t.  A public relations writer, for instance, can work from home, whereas a nurse usually can’t.

Therefore, I only look for opportunities that fit my single-mother lifestyle

Recently, I have been offered some really great positions, both in responsibilities and pay, but I have had to turn them down because the hours weren’t conducive to me being a hands-on mother.  Even now, when my 16-year-old son is a senior in high school and as I’m quickly approaching the empty nester lifestyle, I still choose to work from home.  I love the flexibility of working from home. It allows me to hold down my household responsibilities and provide for my son at the same time. Plus, whenever there’s a school function, I have the flexibility of attending without too much conflict or hassle. Same thing for doctor’s appointments and what nots. For me, working at home is the best option for single mothers.

And, I want you to enjoy the experience of providing for you and your children from the comfort of home, too.

So, periodically, I will be posting real work-from-home opportunities. Here are the first ones:

Real Work-at-Home Jobs: 12 Companies That Hire Customer Service Reps

Real Work-at-Home Jobs: 12 Companies That Hire Customer Service Reps
Got great customer service skills? Well, turn it into a perfect work-at-home opportunity. Many top-brand companies are looking for work-at-home customer service reps to take inbound calls. You could be next!

Side Hustle of the Week: Make Extra Money with Medical Transcription

Side Hustle of the Week: Make Extra Cash with Medical Transcription
Want to significantly improve the quality of life for you and your child(ren)? The single best way to change your quality of life is to increase your earning power—and that means getting new skills.

As a single mother, college is not always an option. Before I was pregnant with my son, I received an A.A. degree in Criminal Justice; however, after my son was born, I decided that the criminal justice field was not for me. But because I was a single mother of a new baby with medical problems, I didn’t have the time, money or support system to attend a traditional college.

What was I to do?

First, I did some research to find a single-mother friendly career and training program that I would enjoy and, more importantly, one that fit my tight financial situation.  Because I had worked in a doctor’s office, I decided on medical transcription. I then enrolled in medical transcription training through a distance learning program, which, at the time, turned out to be the best educational decision I could have made.

Side Hustle of the Week: Virtual Assistant

Make Extra Money: Side Hustle of the Week – Virtual Assistant

If you’re a single mother looking for a way to make some extra cash to make ends meet, look no further my new column, “Side Hustle of the Week.”  Don’t know what a “Side Hustle” is?

Read my previous Side Hustle posts:

Side Hustles: Make Extra Cash – Part I

Side Hustles: Make Extra Cash – Part II

Side Hustles: Make Extra Cash - Part III

Because Side Hustles are part-time, self-employment gigs that you can work from the comfort of your home and can start with little or no money, I’ve selected the perfect starter Side Hustle.

Make Extra Cash – The eBook

In case you haven’t noticed, I haven’t written any posts since January.

But, I’m back now.

Thanks for all your comments, questions and support of all my posts, especially the Side Hustle posts.

I’ve been gone because I’ve been working on writing an eBook on HOW single mothers, or, anyone for that matter, can make extra cash–WITHOUT getting a second job.

If you, or anyone you know, is making at least $500.00 cash with a side business, moonlighting or a side hustle and would like to be featured in this book, please post a comment.  You must be willing to state your full name and how much you’re generating with your sideline business.  I’m especially interested in those that involve your children as well.  Please include your e-mail address, Web site address/blog name and phone number, if you would like that information included. This is great way to promote your business!

The book will be priced at $19.99 but will feature 101 ways to make extra cash with real-life examples and information on how to market you side business–a great value, if I say so myself.

Anyhow, please feel free to write me or ask me any questions.

As always, peace and blessings and, of course, keep it drama free.

Ms. No Single Mama Drama

Single Mompreneurship: How to Get Started

Single motherhood is full of challenges all by itself! Throw in a full-time job, the kids’ extracurricular activities, and a social life and the dream of owning your own business can seem daunting, at best.

Watch this video on one amazing and young, single mother:

But it doesn’t have to be.

Here are some tips to help you turn an idea into the business of your dreams:

#1 Start With a Plan
You know the old adage: Failing to plan is planning to fail. Well, a good business idea can only be achieved through a well-thought out plan. Initially, it doesn’t have to be fancy–it can be something really simple and basic as a bulleted list on a scratch piece of paper. The point is that you have a plan. Remember, it can always be fleshed out later.

#2 Perfection Will Get You No Where–Fast
Too often, as mothers, we want to do everything just right; so much so, in fact, that we sometimes miss opportunities that could have taken us to the next level in our careers or our businesses. Don’t let perfectionism steal your opportunities to succeed. Sometimes, it’s just better to get the thing started than it is for it to be perfect. You can always perfect it later, if necessary.

#3 Believe in Yourself When Nobody Else Does
Just because you’re a single mother, it doesn’t mean you have to put your dreams on hold, especially your dream of entrepreneurship. Even if no one else believes that you can do it, believe in yourself. Soon enough, after people see that you have an unfaltering determination to make your business succeed, they will jump on the bandwagon and offer support. But it all starts with YOU believing in YOU, your IDEA, your SKILLS, your EXPERIENCE, your BACKGROUND and what YOU want to accomplish for YOUR CHILDREN.

Got more tips on how to make Single Mompreneurship happen? Discuss them here.

Side Hustles Close Up: Make Extra Cash with Medical Transcription

Side Hustles Close Up: Make Extra Cash with Medical Transcription
Ms. No Single Mama Drama

Want to significantly improve the quality of life for you and your child(ren)? The single best way to change your quality of life is to increase your earning power—and that means getting new skills. As a single mother, college is not always an option.

Before I got pregnant with my son, I got an A.A. degree in Criminal Justice; however, after my son was born, I decided that the criminal justice field was not for me. But because I was a single mother of a new baby with medical problems, I didn’t have the time, money or support system to attend a traditional college.

What was I to do?

First, I did some research to discover if I really would enjoy Medical Transcription and to find the best program for me and my financial situation. I then enrolled in Medical Transcription training through a distance learning program, which, at the time, turned out to be the best educational decision I could have made.

After completing the program, I successfully worked 13 years as a Medical Transcriptionist in both work-at-home and in-office settings. I earned a great living (including benefits)—all from the comfort of my home, and I didn’t have to worry about baby sitters or transportation issues.

Why I wrote this post:

Since I’ve gotten a lot of responses to the Side Hustle Posts, I decided to post some information about Medical Transcription programs. Remember, some programs are less expensive than others—but don’t sacrifice quality, if you can. The quality of the program you choose will impact how well you do in your career.

Stay tuned for my review of at-home Medical Transcription Training Programs.

Side Hustles – Part III: Make Extra Cash

Side Hustles – Part III: Make Extra Cash

Ms. No Single Mama Drama’s Top Side Hustles – These are the ones that I, at one point or another, did to escape financial drama. Yes, I did every one of these at some point or another, and I’m only thirty-something. So, you can, too! Warning: The list is LONG.

Water Seller
Sold water at parks/sporting events on super hot days

Candy House
We were the candy/ice cream apartment – My motto: “Don’t walk to the store, shop at apartment number 4” (lol)

Button Maker
Created buttons for schools, churches and local organizations fund raising efforts

Personalized Greeting Card Designer
Created personalized greeting cards (i.e. birthdays, anniversaries, etc)

Memory Book Maker
Created personalized memory books, including new births, weddings, anniversaries, family tree/history