Simple Solutions - Making Money #4

Well, I started with dogs and thought I might as well stay with them for the time being.

Do you love dogs? Enjoy having them around? Do you need some extra money coming in? Start a small doggy day care at home in your yard. Won't work if you live in an apartment or condo. But, if you have a yard, a place where you can make the dogs comfortable, some shade or shelter, and love to see happy dogs, this one could be for you.

It only takes a few dogs - you don't want a whole herd of them on hand. Say four or five which can translate to the equivalent of $15 per hour. Price will depend on where you live, what other locations charge, the services you provide, etc. If you train dogs, great - you can charge more if you really train them. You can charge extra for dog washing and grooming. If you don't know how to groom a dog, find someone who does and who will come to your home.

Remember, though, if you do decide to run a doggy day care, you have to be at home with them at all times - they become your responsibility and do not take that lightly.

Start by finding articles on the web and read them.  Next, see if books are available at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.  (I already know they are available.)

Visit other people who have doggy day care centers to see what they have done - don't be afraid to steal ideas to make your operation better.  Need to find them?  Look on the Internet or look in (gasp!) your phone book.

Make a list of who you know who has dogs. Let them know you are starting an exclusive doggy day care center.

Make sure you like the dog and have the dog and owner over to see how the dog interacts with others - make sure they all get along if you have multiple dogs. If the new dog does not get along with the existing dogs - don't care for the dog.

Make sure the dog has had all shots and they are current.

Lunch for the dog should be packed by their 'guardian.' You should not have to purchase food, but do make sure each dog has an area they can think of as their own like  kennel or even a pad.

Keep your yard clean and free of fleas. Make sure the guardians are using something on their dog to control fleas.

Have emergency contact information for every dog including vet's name, number and location. Make sure you know the shortest way to get to the vet's office - just in case. 

This is not intended to be a full list of what to do to start a doggy day care. Do the research and know that you can start to make money very soon - target about $25.00 per day, per dog, or whatever your area will support comfortably. You could easily be earning several hundred dollars per week by taking care of animals you love.  Do your research!  I recently found prices on the Internet for my area that shocked me for in-home doggy day care.

And...get this...you can extend day care into over night care and make even more money! 

Easy Solutions - Safe Driving

There is no denying there are more cars on the road.  I don't have the numbers at this moment, but I do know from simple experience there are more people on the highway and streets just because there it takes longer to get anywhere.  You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that.

And, if there are more cars, there will be more accidents between vehicles and involving pedestrians.

The easiest way to avoid an accident?  Stop at stop signs.

Now, I know that's a pretty basic concept, but it's one that I don't see many folks fully understand.  I know you have seen those drivers; the ones who kind of slow down, but never stop.  I see them at just about every Stop sign and turning right at a red light.  They don't stop.  It's just a matter of time before someone is injured as a result of not obeying the rules of the road.

I apologize...I was starting to rant and you don't deserve that at all.  Please, please, just remember to stop at Stop signs.

Thanks!

Easy Solutions - Lesson From Jake

About six months ago a woman from a cat rescue group brought a kitten to me.  I didn't know what to expect, or if I'd even like the cat.  A white, fluffy kitten was handed to me and the first think he did was purr.  He, later named Jake, was happy to meet me!

Do you think there is a lesson there from Jake?  When you meet someone for the first time, greet them with a genuine smile and be pleased to meet them.  What can it hurt?  It can only help.  And you never know who you are going to meet; but do know you have from 10 to 30 seconds during which you make an impression that will last for years.  Why not make it a great impression?

Be happy to meet people.  Such an easy thing to do to make life a bit more simple!

There is more to this, but I wanted to get this out while it was on my mind.  Stay tuned.

Easy Solutions - You Need to See This

You need to read about the power of a child...and the power of time spent with them.  Please take a moment to read this.

Spending time with child, no matter who you are, is so very, very important.  It's gold. 

Easy Solutions - Family Time

Everybody seems to have a cell phone, email, social media, work and who knows what else pulling at them everyday.  The moment we get home we are checking work email and project status, or connecting to others through Facebook.  So many demands.

And, then there is your family right in front of you.  How do you give them the attention they need - whether it's a spouse and/or children?  The easiest way?  Turn off the cell phone and computer for a specific time.  Take a look at this article from the L A Times.

Your family deserves your attention, too.  Is there an easier way to give it to them than by pushing the off button or putting your cell phone into silent mode?

Easy Solutions - A Happy Life

I have always thought that one of the basic rules for a having a happy, fulfilled life was giving.  Giving back. Giving to others.  Giving away.  Just giving.  And, do you know there is one ridiculously simple way to give?  Collectively, they have become known as Random Acts of Kindness (RAK).

What is a RAK?  It can be anything!  Yep, ANYTHING that makes a person's day a bit brighter, is completely unexpected, and there is no thought of anything in return.  I know, anything is pretty broad, but that's the inherent beauty of a RAK - it's tailored to the situation.  Some examples might be in order:

Taking out a neighbor's trash cans.
Bringing in a neighbor's trash cans.
Buying the next person-in-line's coffee at Starbucks.
Helping another carry a box if you see they are having a problem, or doing it before they have a problem.
If you walk for exercise, and know your neighbor's dog, take the dog with you.
Complete a simple repair for someone - like securing house numbers so they aren't falling.
Reaching for something in the store when you see someone having a challenge getting it.

Begin to get the idea?  The list of possibilities is endless!  Just take a look around.  Opportunities are everywhere.  A RAK is the ultimate way to customize helping another in some small unexpected way.  As a result their day will be better - and so will your's.

A few more RAK's in the world and it would be a better place!

I would love to learn what RAK you might have done today.

"A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money."  John Ruskin

Easy Solutions for Weight Loss #3

This should have been Weight Loss Tip #1 - this is soooooo easy!  Shall I keep you in suspense any longer?  Nah.

Drink water.  That's it.  You probably already drink some water every day, right?  Just pay attention to when you drink it.  I am saying it's important when you choose to drink the water.

Now, I know every diet tells you to drink a huge amount of water everyday.  Eight glasses seems to be the standard amount of water they tell you to drink.  That's a lot of water!  And, a lot of trips to the bathroom!  I know - I did it.  And, there are huge benefits to drinking that much water, don't get me wrong.  But, if you have trouble drinking that much water, read on.

Let me tell you what I found out as I began to lose weight: If I drank about 12 ounces of water 15 minutes before eating, I did not eat as much.  I did not eat as much, so what happened?  I lost weight.

So, a few minutes before each meal, drink a glass of water.  Three meals.  Three glasses of water.  You will eat less.  And, when you eat less, what has a decent chance of happening?  Wait for it...Weight Loss!

This is so very easy and can lead to weight loss success.  You can do it.