Save with AVON & Support a Cause - Reese Witherspoon!

Save Money on Baby Formula and More

Baby Formula Checks in the Mail… $5, $11, $20 and More!
It seems more and more everyone is referring to Craigslist for anything and everything lately, and baby formula is no exception.
Mothers and others are trading Baby Formula checks to collect the brand they really need, or trade for cash, formula rebates or other coupons.
I really wish I knew about this for my first child. You can save a ton by persistently keeping up with the trades.
Here’s an example of how you can maximize savings
First, ensure you have signed up for all Formula welcome programs Online.
www.enfamil.com
www.goodstart.com
www.similac.com
You can even ask your Mom or Sister to do this on your behalf so you have more samples and coupons coming your way.
Cost Savings Calculation:
Formula $24.58/ 23 Ounce Can (approx)….. Retail,
Sale $22.99, less $5.00 Check Coupon = $17.99
Often times Grocery Stores allow you to use more than one of the Manufacturer Checks for Infant Formula so you may be able to continue to realize additional savings depending on your store and location

New Mom’s Online Sign-up Check-list for Free Stuff, Coupons, Rebates and More Must-Have Goodies
www.gerber.com

Write letters. As new Mom’s have at least 6 weeks to recouperate after pregnancy, you should make the most of it by planning tasks to complete during your time off.
Start your own product review. Why not evaluate all the baby gear you begin using on your newborn and send letters to each particular company. You will probably get coupons or free samples in return.
This is especially easy with children’s food.
For example, if you have older children who enjoy a particular food product, why not write a letter to the company explaining how great their snacks, are and you feel good about feeding your child healthy snacks. You get the idea. You will receive a thank you letter in return and most likely some coupons for free product or samples.

Garage Sale Secrets - Some Tips Revealed!

Garage Sale Secrets from a family of Sassy Garage Sale Girls!

Yes, we admit we are sassy garage sale shoppers and sellers. Always in the know about the absolute best garage sales to shop, and best way to merchandise your sale, to maximize profits. Today is your lucky day as we are going to tell all so you avoid these mistakes.

• Up until 2 a.m. the night before pricing items or didn’t finish
• Waited until the morning of to finish signs
• Waited until the day before to start setting up
• Did not advertise, just hoped people would see your sign and stop
• Only put one sign out at the end of your driveway and street
• Did not get enough change ready

Some women in our family secretively shop at garage sales and never tell their friends how they acquire their fabulous finds. But now in today's economy its actually the in thing to save $$.

In fact, I remember being totally embarrassed to be seen going to garage sales and being the house that had a garage sale when I was growing up. That was around age 12, and now 20 years later I’m learning that the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree! I sometimes enjoy shopping and selling at garage sales but I still think my Mom is the Queen of garage sale shopping. Her latest find for me is a double jogging stroller in great condition for $40! Retails for $200! How much fun is that?

I love sunny weekend mornings, with dew still on the grass and the sounds of few cars on the road yet. Folks taking it easy, and driving around trying to find those yard sales and baby toy bargains.

If you are in the mood to Spring/Summer clean, and declutter your house, why not have a garage sale. Out with the old, and in with the new.

In addition to making money, it’s a great way to meet neighbors you haven’t been introduced to yet, and socialize with those you are already friends with.

All in all, it’s making money while you get a tan, and socialize or multi-task. Sometimes I bring out a
little project to do while I’m having a sale. It can be clipping coupons, beading/jewelry making, planting flowers outside, or even surfing the web or
doing research.

I’ve listed some tips to help you make the most of your sale, and ensure you are profitable!

Before the sale, preparing and gathering your inventory:

Gather items in your home and begin to stage them to make sure you have enough to sell to make it worth your time. Invite family members to join so you have a larger selection of
merchandise to get those potential customers “drive-byers” to stop and get out
of their car.

Although a popular garage sale day is Saturday when most people are off work, the true die hard garage-salers start on Thursdays. If you have the ability to do this, it’s the best day.
Early birds and all will show up.

The first thing is scour your house for clothes you haven’t worn, knick knacks, big ticket items you no longer need, etc. List all rooms of the house on paper and start writing the items you
feel you no longer need. Just brainstorm at this point so you don’t overlook
anything.

Ask yourself whether you’ve used it in the past year? Review and walk through 2-3 times to check for more potential sale items to add to your inventory. Wedding accessories stashed
away, to appliances you received that you will never use?

Collect your stuff in one area. Sort it by type of course (clothing,toys, knick knacks, etc). When
ready, take items to the garage to start cleaning off anything that’s dusty.
When beginning to set-up in the garage, I like to price items other than
clothing. It stands a better chance that the price sticker will stay on that
way.

The only exception I have for this is clothing. Since I sell a lot of baby clothes at Mom 2 Mom Sales, I spend more time with the tagging. I like to price inside the house using a
safety pin, or larger label. I write the price, size, and Brand Name. I find it
makes it easier to shop and warrants a higher price if the tagging looks
appealing.

Since you usually plan for weeks prior to a garage sale, start early by saving all your paper and plastic grocery shopping bags.

Pricing your items

A general guideline for pricing is 80-90% less than the cost of the item. For clothes, its more like 95% less than what you paid. A lost of garage salers only want to spend $1 on a piece
of clothes since they can’t try it on. But, I would stick to your higher price
and to what you feel is fair.

Clothes are expensive, and if the sale just started you may come across the one customer that buys everything in that size.

Since many garage salers find part of the fun to be negotiating, I add some flexibility into my pricing. Think about what the minimum price would be that you’d accept on things that you
particularly like. I would hold firm on the beginning part of the day to some
degree and not just give stuff away at the early point.

You can always have a last day ½ off Sale! I love doing this for my customers who see the ad posted on Craigslist.org and mention it.

Price every item. Many people will not ask the price of an item even if they are interested in it. If someone asks if you will take less. Say yes, and let them make the offer.

Check with your city government, or Condo Association. Some jurisdictions require a
permit, or limit the number and time of day you can hold a garage sale.

Set The Dates

Choose your day, and plan a one-day sale, maximum. In yard sales, as in life, there is
a point of diminishing returns. Sitting around at 4:00 p.m. watching the last
few pieces of mismatched food storage containers stare down the '70's era
macramé hanging isn't worth the last few pennies that may--or may not--come your
way.

During the end of your sale, start thinking about your strategy for getting rid of the
unsold merchandise. I personally have a hard time parting with some things that
you’ve paid good money for. Although it’s the picked through stuff, decide on
what you want to donate, or save the rest for the foundation for your next
sale. If you have the space, box up in plastic totes unsold merchandise for
your next sale.

Salvation Army stores usually have a drop-off area in the back and are open late
so you have a convenient way to dispose of anything you’d like to donate. Plus,
don’t forget to get a receipt so you can deduct from your taxes.

Get the word out, and advertise:

Your signs don’t have to be huge like a billboard in Times Square, but they do need
to get a driver’s attention from a distance. Bright Green, Pink or Yellow does
the trick. It’s my experience white, or orange don’t stand out as much. Orange
looks too much like a caution sign of sorts.

Your goal is to attract as much traffic to your sale as possible. Ensure you have
signs posted and arrows to route customers through your subdivision to locate
your sale. The worst possible thing that could happen is your potential
customer turning their car around because they got discouraged when they no
longer knew where to go to find your sale!

The more traffic, the greater the chances are that others will stop for fear that someone
else will snatch a treasure right up.

Tell as many people as possible about your sale. The numbers add up. Also, post signs on local bulletin boards at hardware stores, or restaurants in the neighborbood. If you have time you
may also want to send out a flyer for neighbors to join in, and coordinate a
mini-block sale. That generates a lot more traffic than a single sale.

Invite your friends and relatives to bring items over to sell, as that will help to spread word of mouth
advertising and add to the inventory available for all types of folks to take
interest in your sale, and stop the car to browse.

Post signs in your neighborhood the night before your sale, so customers know you are planning a sale. It also helps to save time in the morning when you are setting up tables on your
driveway.

Craigslist is an excellent to get additional customers to your sale as they have already read a description of what you are selling. You can also offer extra discounts for those that mention
they saw your ad on Craigs. I have done 50% off on the last day of the sale for
my Craigslist customers only.

Here is another link to a site where you can check for local sales in your area!

www.garagesalestracker.com

Rainy Day Idea - Make Your Own Lip Balm/Lip Gloss Recipes

Here’s How to Make Your Own Lip Balm and Lip Gloss!

1.) The basic formula is:

1/4 cup vegetable or nut oil
1/4 ounce beeswax
1 teaspoon honey or glycerine (humectants)
1/2 to 1 teaspoon natural flavoring oil aka Essential Oil.

Heat the oil and beeswax in a double boiler (or microvave) until the beeswax is melted.
Remove from heat and whip with an electric beater until creamy.
Add the honey or glycerine and approx 5 drops flavoring oil; whip some more. Add more flavoring if desired.
Store in small glass jars, small tupperware bowls, decorative tins or film containers.
Try different oils on your lips to choose the best one for your skin and taste preference.
If the Balm is too hard (waxy), add more oil to your mixture.
If it is too soft, add more wax.

You can add a few drops of beet juice for a beautiful & natural red color.
But instead of going to that trouble, you can just shave off a little of your lip stick
for that beautiful (not natural) color. Don't use food coloring, it may contain alcohol base

Never use extracts found in cooking sections of the grocery stores as they contain alcohol.
Use safe essential oils. The good part about them is they have thousands of great flavors.
Comfrey, Rosemary, Tea Tree or Camphor Oils are excellent for healing effects.

How do you know if it's time to throw away your gloss?   If it changes color, odor, or texture, though, throw it away.


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2.) Basic Lip Balm II

1/2 ounce beeswax beads, refined
4 ounces sweet almond oil
2 teaspoons essential oil or food flavoring oil

Put the 4 ounces of sweet almond oil in measuring cup, add beeswax beads and melt in microwave.
Stir with spoon, and when cooled a bit, add essential or flavoring oil. Pour into jars or containers.

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3.) Cranberry Lip Gloss  

1 tablespoon sweet almond oil
10 fresh cranberries
1 teaspoon honey
1 drop of vitamin E oil

Mix all the ingredients together in a microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave for a couple of minutes or until the mixture just begins to boil.
(Bowl may also be heated in a pan of water on a stovetop).
Stir well and gently crush the berries.
Cool mixture for five minutes and then strain through a fine sieve to remove all the fruit
pieces. Stir again and set aside to cool completely.
When cool, transfer into a small portable plastic container or tin.

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4.)Silky Smooth Lip Balm

2 Teaspoons Olive Oil
1/2 Teaspoon Grated Beeswax or Beeswax Pellets
1/2 Teaspoon Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter
1/2 Teaspoon Honey
Any Flavored Oil To Taste
1 Vitamin E Capsule (as a preservative) (optional)

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5.) Honey Balm

3 oz. Almond Oil
2 Teaspoons Honey
1/2 oz. Beeswax or Beeswax Pellets
1 Vitamin E Capsule (as a preservative)
1-4 Drops Essential Oil

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6.) Almond Lip Gloss

2 Teaspoons Grated Beeswax or Beeswax Pellets
3 - 6 Drops Flavored Oil
1 Teaspoon Sweet Almond Oil
3 Drops Honey
1 1/2 Teaspoon Cocoa Butter
1 Vitamin E Capsule (as a preservative)

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7.)  Helps heal cold sores.
1 oz. Emu Oil
1 oz. Almond Oil
1 oz. Avocado Oil
1/2 oz. Shaved Beeswax or Beeswax Pellets
1/4 oz. Aloe Vera Gel
6 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
2 Drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
3 Drops Lime Essential Oil

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8. Honey Lip Balm
2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. beeswax
1/2 tsp. cocoa butter
1/2 tsp. honey
3 drops essential oil (I like orange.)
1 vitamin E capsule

Measure oil, beeswax and cocoa butter into a glass or enamel pan.
Melt over low heat. A hotplate works well and reduces the risk of overheating the oils.
Stir the mixture often until the wax is melted. Remove from heat and stir in the honey and essential oil. Pinch open the vitamin E capsule and squeeze the contents into the mixture. Stir well. Pour the mixture into containers.

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9.) Aloe Vera Lip Gloss
1 tsp aloe vera gel
1/2 tsp coconut oil
1 tsp petroleum jelly

Mix the ingredients in a glass bowl, and microwave for 1 - 2 minutes.
Pour into container.

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10.)  Vasoline Lip Balm

3 parts vasoline
1 part beeswax
flavoring

Mix well
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11.) Chocolate Balm

3 Tbsp. Cocoa Butter
4-5 Chocolate Chips
1 capsule, Vitamin E
Melt and blend ingredients with a spoon until smooth, put into a container
and refrigerate until solid.

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12.) Vanilla Lip Gloss

1 tablespoon grates beeswax
1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
1/8 teaspoon vitamin E oil
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

Slowly heat beeswax, coconut oil, and vitamin E oil until melted.
Stir in the vanilla extract then cool

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13.) Vanilla Lip Balm

1 TBL Petroeum Jelly
1 TBL Aloe Vera Gel
1 1/2 tsp coconut oil
1/2 tsp vanilla

Heat in double boiler (or microwave) then pour into container to cool.

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14.) Candle Wax Lip Balm

1/2 a teaspoon of melted candle wax.
2 teaspoons of Olive Oil.
1/2 a teaspoon of Shea Butter or you can also add Cocoa Butter.
1/2 a teaspoon of Honey and any flavor of oil to taste.
one vitamin E capsule to preserve the Lip Balm

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15.) Eyeshadow Lip Balm

Take an eyeshadow break it up and mix it with vaseline or beeswax.
For a glossy shine,  use an irridescent or glittery eyeshadow.
White/silver/grey glossys are best.

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16.) Cocoa Butter Lip Gloss

1/2 tsp grated Beeswax
1 tsp cocoa butter
1 tsp almond oil, or olive

Melt all together by means of waterbath ( put in a cup & set in sink of hot water)
and then put into a lip balm container

**this is a butter recipe if you want something glossy but not too.. slick :)

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17.) Castor Oil Lip Balm

3 oz castor oil
1.5 cocoa butter
1.5 beeswax
Melt in microwave. Add oil. Stir. Pour into containers.

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18.) Sweet Balm/Gloss

2 tsp beeswax
1 tsp honey
7 tsp castor oil or jojoba or sweet almond oil
1/8 tsp. Flavor oil

Melt the oil and beeswax together in a little pan over low heat until
the beeswax is melted. Take off the stove and then add in your honey
and whisk it all together. When the mixture is nearly cool add in your
flavor oil, mix it up again and then pour into your lip balm container.
Since this comes out to be more like a gloss you can always add more beeswax to it
so that it is a little harder. Maybe another 1/2 tsp would do it.

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19.) Heal Sores Balm

3 oz almond oil
2 tsp pure honey
1/2 oz beeswax
1 tsp tea tree oil
Melt all together and stir while cooling.

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20.) Quick & Easy Lip Balm

Spoon full of vasiline in a cup (you dont even need to heat it) .
Add some honey (depending on how sweet you want it).
Mix together or whip.
Lip stick color shavings for color.

To solidify faster after putting it in a container, submerse it in a cup of
ice water or put it in the freezer until solid.

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21.) Hemp Oil Lip Balm

3 T coconut oil
1 T castor oil
1 T sunflower oil
1 T hemp seed oil
1 T beeswax
1 T honey
Essential Oil to taste (I use peppermint)

Melt the wax, and coconut oil together (I use the microwave)
Add the honey and heat a little. Stir constantly and add your sunflower and caster oil.
As the mixture begins to thicken add the hempseed oil and your choice of essential oil.
STIR CONTANTLY until it thickens.

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22.) Peppermint Lip Balm

2 Tbsp petroleum jelly
1 tspn beeswax
10-14 drops peppermint essential oil

In a small pot, melt the petroleum jelly, then add beeswax.
When melted, remove from heat and add peppermint essential oil.
Pour into a lip pot and cool.

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23. ) Nude Lip Balm Trendy..

1/4 tsp. of aloe vera lotion
1/4 tsp. of your color of foundation
1 tbsp. of vaseline

Mix together in a small bowl with a cotton swab. 
You can even skip the aloe vera lotion if you want.

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24.) Fruity Lip Gloss --Made with Kool-Aid!

2 tbsp. solid shortening
1 tbsp. fruit-flavored powdered drink mix (Kool-Aid)
35 mm plastic film container


Mix shortening and drink mix together in a small microwave-safe container until smooth.
Place container in the microwave on high for 30 seconds until mixture becomes a liquid.
Pour the mixture into a plastic film container or any other type of small airtight container.
Place the fruity lip gloss mixture in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes or until firm.


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25.)  Cinnamon Lip Gloss

2 tablespoons petroleum jelly
1/4 teaspoon lipstick, any color
4 drops cinnamon oil
Place petroleum jelly in small microwave container. Top with lipstick. Microwave for 20-30 seconds on High power (100%), or until mixture has softened. Blend well. Mix in cinnamon. Store in small container.

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26.)  Hard Candy Lip Gloss

2 Tbsp petroleum jelly
1 tspn beeswax

2-3 pieces of your favorite hard candy (jolly ranchers work great!)

In a small pot (or micorwave), melt the petroleum jelly, hard candy and beeswax. 
Pour into a lip container and cool.
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In a microwave, melt about eight chocolate chips with about four tablespoons of cocoa butter and 1/4 teaspoon of olive oil.
 
Stir at 20-second intervals until the chocolate melts and the product is well mixed.
 
Place in small containers and refrigerate until hardened. Use as needed. Makes a great gift, too!



27.) Cocoa Butter Minty Lip Balm
1-1/2 parts cocoa butter
1-1/2 parts grated beeswax
3 parts edible vegetable oil of your choice (almond, apricot kernel, avocado,
extra virgin olive, hemp seed, jojoba, kukui nut, macadamia nut, castor all work
well... but keep in mind if you plan on selling lip balm or giving as a gift, that
some people are allergic to nut oils). Spearmint and/or peppermint flavoring oil
Melt the cocoa butter and beeswax slowly and carefully in a microwave, or over a
double boiler on the stove until melted. Add oil and stir well. Add spearmint or
peppermint flavoring oils, or both, a few drops at a time, to taste. Gently reheat if
needed. Cool slightly before pouring into containers. To test consistency, place
a drop on a spoon and set in the refrigerator to cool for a few minutes. Test on
your lips. For a softer lip balm, add more oil. For a harder lip balm, add more
beeswax.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
28.) Chocolate Lip Gloss
1 1/2 tsp grated cocoa butter
1/2 tsp coconut oil
1/8 tsp vitamin E oil
1/4 tsp grated chocolate or 3 small chocolate chips
In a double boiler or microwave heat the cocoa butter, coconut oil, and vitamin E
oil until melted. Stir in the chocolate chips and keep stirring until melted and well
blended Pour into small container and allow to cool before using
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
29.) Beeswax Lip Balm
2 tablespoons beeswax
1 tablespoon coconut oil
Melt the ingredients over a double boiler. Pour into a container while still hot
since it will harden as it cools. Makes about 1/4 cup.
30.)  Cocoa Butter Minty Lip Balm

1-1/2 parts cocoa butter
1-1/2 parts grated beeswax
3 parts edible vegetable oil of your choice (almond, apricot kernel,
avocado, extra virgin olive, hemp seed, jojoba, kukui nut, macadamia nut,
castor all work well... but keep in mind if you plan on selling lip balm or
giving as a gift, that some people are allergic to nut oils)
Spearmint and/or peppermint flavoring oil

Melt the cocoa butter and beeswax slowly and carefully in a microwave, or
over a double boiler on the stove until melted. Add oil and stir well. Add
spearmint or peppermint flavoring oils, or both, a few drops at a time, to
taste. Gently reheat if needed. Cool slightly before pouring into
containers. To test consistency, place a drop on a spoon and set in the
refrigerator to cool for a few minutes. Test on your lips. For a softer
lip balm, add more oil. For a harder lip balm, add more beeswax.



 

Meal Planning Made Easy

coming soon

GIrls Night Out or In

Kate Gosselin from Jon & Kate Plus Eight is going to be in town Thursday, May 14th.

Tea with Kate Gosselin" is an intimate meet and greet with Kate and a small group of special fans. This event will be held at the new Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital (6777 West Maple Road) at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $150, and include your choice of one of her best-selling books plus an opportunity to get it signed by Kate.


"Moms' Night Out with Kate Gosselin" will give Metro Detroiters an opportunity to hear how Kate copes with her big brood. She'll share her "Six Lessons Learned" and "Tips for a Stress Free Home."

This evening event at Faith Lutheran Church in Troy (37635 Dequindre Road) begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $38 for general admission gold seating (includes book signing opportunity) and $27 for general admission silver seating. It's the perfect Mother's Day present for Metro Detroit moms, letting them know that no matter how tough and demanding parenting can be sometimes, they can find the right balance to ensure a happy home.

To purchase tickets or for additional information, visit MetroParentEvents.com or call 248-398-3400, ext. 128.


SOURCE Metro Parent Publishing Group
04/29/2009 12:01

NEW MOM STUFF FROM WORK TO BABY FORMULA

ASKING FOR A FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULE - TEMPLATE AFTER THE BABY

After my first child I decided I needed a bit of relief from working a full 40 hour work week and proposed an alternative work schedule. My employer did not have a policy so I had to propose one for the first time. I was able to get my proposal approved, from a company that traditionally values "face time". The 9 hours, 9 days did not work out however, I was able to negotiate a half day each Friday instead. So, it actually worked out for the better as I'm able to benefit weekly from my new arrangement! A happy mom, able to see her kids more, and still get work tasks done is fabulous.

To help all the other ( WOHM's )Work outside the home moms out there, I will post a sample of what I used to convince management to approve my flexible work arrangment. Good Luck to everyone!

Sample Letter:

DATE: 7/2/09

TO: Human Resources and/or Direct Manager

FROM: Loyal Employee

RE: Proposal for Flexible Work Arrangement



Dear Human Resources and/or Direct Manager:

Enclosed please find a proposal outlining a plan for restructuring my current full-time position as Senior Buyer into a full-time and equally-productive compressed workweek arrangement. This issue is important to me and I hope you will consider my ideas to achieve a balance that could prove beneficial to the department and allow me time to address personal issues.

Thank you for your consideration.

-----

Flexible Work Arrangement Proposal

I have been employed at Widgets Incorporated for approximately 4 years and believe I am very committed to the quality of my work. Lately, I have been finding it somewhat challenging to address family issues due to my full-time work schedule and 45 minute commute. My ability to balance work and family needs would be greatly enhanced with a modification of work schedule.

The plan outlined below is a mutually-beneficial approach to retaining my training and experience that will also lead to an increase in on-the-job productivity.


PLAN


A. Schedule

The proposed work schedule is nine, nine-hour days, with a day off every other week. I would like to propose a 3 month trial period, with an evaluation mid-way to see how well it is working.

Attendance requirements at meetings, trainings and other functions will be met with proper scheduling.


B. Job Responsibilities

With the proposed arrangement, all aspects of my position can be maintained as the number of hours worked per week remains the same. My job effectiveness will not be compromised by this new arrangement.

Most projects have timelines already in place and I will continue to organize my time to support these deadlines. With effective communication and some additional pre-planning, my absence should not have an impact.




C. Benefits the Department and Widgets Incorporated:

There are several benefits to the Purchasing department, Widgets Incorporated and suppliers:


Ÿ Extended service as hours are extended on a daily basis
Ÿ Increased efficiency and productivity when analyzing data, quotes, and commodity research that require long periods of uninterrupted concentration and quiet time.
Ÿ Enhanced productivity due to increased morale.
Ÿ Decreased absenteeism because of the ability to schedule personal appointments on the weekday I’m not scheduled to work.

Ÿ
D. Communication

I will inform my colleagues, and suppliers of my modified work schedule and availability.

I am available by company cell phone and e-mail to address any urgent issues and follow-up as necessary.

E. Compensation & Benefits Coverage

As my full-time status will remain unchanged, compensation and benefits coverage will not be affected.


F. Savings

Widgets Incorporated will incur no additional costs as a result of restructuring my schedule in this manner. Widgets Incorporated will also benefit from less absenteeism, which is a documented benefit of flexible work arrangements, by providing me the flexibility which allows me to attend to outside responsibilities without missing work.


G. Evaluation

I suggest this arrangement be given a 3 month trial period with periodic review as necessary. A decision whether to continue or further modify the arrangement would be made then.


Summary

It is my desire to continue on staff and contribute to Widgets Incorporated. I possess the motivation and ability to manage my role as Senior Buyer successfully in a compressed workweek arrangement.

Approval of this proposal protects Widgets Incorporated investment in a trained and experienced Buyer through continued retention of a loyal employee. Support of this arrangement will permit a sustained level of commitment to Widgets Incorporated.

This proposal to restructure my position considers both employee and employer needs, but I am open to discussion about concerns that may not have been addressed and welcome your suggestions for making the new arrangement successful.


Sincerely,



Your Name Here



Benefits of Flexible Work Arrangements


The 2007 president of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Susan Meisinger, wrote about the positive outcomes employers are reporting from use of flexible work schedules. They include increased retention, loyalty and morale; higher productivity; and decreased tardiness and absenteeism. April 2007 HR Magazine (p. 12)


“Work/life balance is the benefits strategy that employers rate as the single most important (43%) in meeting their benefits objectives.” (1,548 HR/ Benefits executives surveyed.) The MetLife Study of Employee Benefits Trends, November 2003http://www.metlife.com/WPSAssets/71984818501070903171V1FEBTFINALPDF.pdf


Likewise, many on Fortune magazine’s list of Best Companies offer flexible work: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2007



SAVING MONEY ON BABY FORMULA AND STUFF!

Baby Formula Checks in the Mail… $5, $11, $20 and More!
It seems more and more everyone is referring to Craigslist for anything and everything lately, and baby formula is no exception.
Mothers and others are trading Baby Formula checks to collect the brand they really need, or trade for cash, formula rebates or other coupons.
I really wish I knew about this for my first child. You can save a ton by persistently keeping up with the trades.
Here’s an example of how you can maximize savings
First, ensure you have signed up for all Formula welcome programs Online.
www.enfamil.com
www.goodstart.com
www.similac.com
You can even ask your Mom or Sister to do this on your behalf so you have more samples and coupons coming your way.
Cost Savings Calculation:
Formula $24.58/ 23 Ounce Can (approx)….. Retail,
Sale $22.99, less $5.00 Check Coupon = $17.99
Often times Grocery Stores allow you to use more than one of the Manufacturer Checks for Infant Formula so you may be able to continue to realize additional savings depending on your store and location

New Mom’s Online Sign-up Check-list for Free Stuff, Coupons, Rebates and More Must-Have Goodies
www.gerber.com

Write letters. As new Mom’s have at least 6 weeks to recouperate after pregnancy, you should make the most of it by planning tasks to complete during your time off.
Start your own product review. Why not evaluate all the baby gear you begin using on your newborn and send letters to each particular company. You will probably get coupons or free samples in return.
This is especially easy with children’s food.
For example, if you have older children who enjoy a particular food product, why not write a letter to the company explaining how great their snacks, are and you feel good about feeding your child healthy snacks. You get the idea. You will receive a thank you letter in return and most likely some coupons for free product or samples.