22. May 2009 by Shannon.

Well, like most of the world right now, my husband and I are feeling the financial squeeze of the economy.  The other night we were actually sitting on the couch discussing the plausibility of putting out children into school just so that maybe I could get out to work and bring in a second income.  Our dream would be to live debt free, our reality is that in order to make ends meet and take care of the things we need to (such as home repairs, car maintenance, personal care like dentists, etc) we are sinking further and further into debt.  This situation is making us both very unhappy.  And I’m sure you all know, if Mama (or Papa for that matter) ain’t happy - ain’t NOBODY happy.  That certainly runs true in this house… when we are stressed I start seeing the kids demonstrate stress-related behaviours.

SOMETHING has to be done.  After some prayer and talk, we concluded that putting the kids in school just wasn’t an option.  Not only would it probably NOT decrease our debt load, but it would most surely add a great deal of stress to the family.  So, what to do?

I brought it up with a friend of mine, my wingless angel, my encourager… my best friend, Steph.  After promising to pray, she encouraged me to look into ways to use my talents at home to make a supplemental income.  Now, okay, I know the verse in First Thessalonians 4 v. 11 that tells me that my ambition should be to live a quiet life, mind my own business and to work with my hands.. but I’m afraid if God intended me to be one of those little Suzie Homemaker types, He forgot to put the creative gene in me to go with it.  I am the least crafty person I know… and I really mean that!  So she asked me, “what CAN you do?”.  Hmm… blog.  Read and blog.  That’s about it… oh, I can make a nice webpage if needed, but that just doesn’t bring in the money I’d like it too, and I find myself more often than not, working for free for this charitable organization or that friend.  Noble as that may be.. it’s definately not a money maker! *grin*

Anyhow, to make this very long story short, she asked me what I knew about PLR.  I said, “huh” (wow, intelligent response, eh? LOL).  Well, she laughed and sent me some links for more information… and the best part? It was all free!  Now I’m getting set up and I hope to keep everyone posted with fantastic updates… but for those of you still wondering what a PLR is… (which I’m just learning about now) here is some information:

How PLR content works is simple. You are given access by the original author to the source files for articles, ebooks, special reports, mini-courses, site graphics… and they are then yours to change, add to or use as is. You can put your name on them and sell them as your own or even give them away to build your list - a list you can use later on to share about your latest products available for sale.

Within a couple of hours you can put together your own info product and have it ready for sale. There is no easier way to create a steady stream of products. Think how quickly you can have an entire product line ready to go!  You can also use the PLR content to add more to your website, blog or newsletter. It’s instant content that you don’t have to spend hours writing - or hundreds of dollars outsourcing (paying someone else to do your writing for you).

Why not join me?  I’d love to have some other debt-free minded friends come on this journey alongside me… we could be an encouragement and a support to each other as we work towards living free and clear of the bondage of debt.  And if course make some extra money for books! LOL!  (C’mon, admit it, if you are reading my blog, chances are your a book-a-holic like me! LOL!)

Here are two links I’d like to share, both with an abundance of free information:

PLR Wholesalers

Minisite Profits Exposed!

Blessings!

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21. May 2009 by Shannon.

I feel so blessed!  I was privileged to be given the opportunity by Thomas Nelson Publishing to review a copy of the Word of Promise Next Generation New Testament Audio Bible… what a boost to my faith journey!  This dramatic presentation of the International Children Bible performed by an all-star cast (Cody Linley of Hannah Montana fame is the voice of Jesus!) is a tween/teen version of the Word of Promise New Testament production of the New King James Version of the Bible. 

The files are in mp3 format (over 23 hours of scripture!), so it’s easily transferable to your child’s portable mp3 player.  Also included is a behind the scenes DVD packed with testimonies of these inspiring young people - exciting and empowering to watch as they see their favourite “stars” sharing their faith walk. 

This soothing reading of the Word of God has been such a blessing for my teens as we shuttle off to this event and that place… a perfect “bored” time for the kids turned into an opportunity for my children to get to know their Heavenly Father on a very “cool” level.  My Bigs were not at all embarrassed to have it playing while their teen friends were in the car; in fact, I can’t say I ever remember a van full of teens being so quiet in my life! *grin*

Narrated by Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee of the movie production, The Lord of the Rings) and with book introductions by Max and Jenna Lucado, this audio Bible includes a pull out Planner for listening to the entire New Testament in just 40 days.  That sounds like an excellent “summer vacation idea” to me!  I know we’ll be listening to it again and again as we trek around on OUR summer camping and day trips!  Even thought it is intended for the tween-teen gang, my Littles (aged 4 and 6) loved listening to the production as well… but they are children who are used to listening to audio books, so I’m not sure if that’s a universal thing for the younger set - however, it is taken from the International Children’s Bible… so who knows?  Either way it’s a fantastic product and only $14.99 at Christian Book Depot! 

Blessings!

As a review blogger,  I am provided a free copy of the book, curriculum or product to test and use in order to write an honest review. I receive no other compensation and the opinions I share are my own and not influenced by the company in question.

Posted in Th is for Theology | Print | 1 Comment »

1. May 2009 by Shannon.

All through this TOS Homeschool Review journey, I’ve had some highs and lows… like waves.  Some of my highs (favourites) were listed in the previous post, and I won’t bother to rehash which programs I felt challenged to review.  Memoria Press made the cut as one of my highs, without a question.  I’d put it probably in my top three, up there with Critical Thinking Press, and Clearwater Press’ One Year Novel… really!

It was such a high that when I received the box containing the Latina Christiana program and the Famous Men of the Middle Ages set, I opened it up right there at my van (which was a neat experience since I was with a very good friend at the time, and she practically drooled all over all the goodies inside!).  The quality of the books is exceptional… especially the Famous Men of the Middle Ages book.  I’d previously seen  another publishers’ version of this book, and the text is the same, but that’s where the similarities ended… this book is filled with gorgeous full colour illustrations, printed on fine quality paper and bought beautifully with a fantastic teacher’s guide as a companion book.  The set sells for 39.95 and includes the incredible Famous Men book and also a Teacher’s Guide with answer key.

Latina Christiana … I have to pause here and tell you a funny story (okay, it was a funny story for us, maybe you’ll just think we’re nerds… LOL!).  The first evening home with the Latina Christiana book, I wanted to see if I could make better heads and tails out of it than I could of the other latin curriculum we got to review this year, and on the very first section’s notes to the instructor was an article (or essay?) about the quirky aspects of learning latin… I got so excited because it all started to make some sense, so I said to my son, “hey, Ev, listen to this!” and proceeded to read that same introduction for the instructor… before I was done half the page, not only was my husband listening, but my 13 year old daughter had tuned in too (she had no interest in latin)… everyone was hanging on my ever word… just like we were reading some familiy novel or something… and when I was done, my son looked at me with a big grin and said, “Ahhhhhh NOW it’s starting to make more sense!”  Then I realise how nerdy we must all look, and closed the book in favour of us watching the nature documentary we were supposedly watching together.  *wink*

So… what do I think now of Latina Christiana?  I think my children are privileged to be learning their lessons in latin from such a sweet young woman (oh, we have the DVDs too… I HIGHLY recommend adding them to your order!  They act as an interactive teacher (to my assistant) in a language we knew nothing about - which has taken a great deal of the pressure off me).  I’m even planning on getting the Prima Latina course for my Littles for September… and maybe going on to First Form Latin with the Bigs.  The cost of the Text Set (which includes a pronunciation CD) is only 39.99$, but to get the whole DVD teaching set (including flashcards which, judging from the quality of everything else I received must also be excellent) it is 97.90$ - imagine, an incredible year long journey in latin for less than a hundred bucks! 

Why would I want my kids to learn latin?  I don’t know exactly, but I’ve heard that kids who study latin do better on standardized testing, that it builds critical thinking skills and well.. the OTHERS speak it… (hehe, we’re BIG Lost fans around here, and well, if for no other reason than it’s inspired my kids to consider physics, great literature and yes, even LATIN as Very Cool To Learn). *big grin*

Why not add a little Latin to your curriculum? 

Blessings!

PS.  This is the last of my Old Schoolhouse Reviews for 2008-2009.  I’ll be reviewing ebooks in the months to come… but I’ll also try to review some of my Bookshelf Favourites in my own homeschool library as well.  I’ve enjoyed reviewing so much this past year… and I pray that my reviews have blessed and inspired even a few homeschoolers in this incredible journey.   I really want to thank my fellow Crew Mates for the great times we had this year… I have been so abundantly blessed in meeting you all and look forward to many years of friendship to come… and also my best wishes for a safe and joyful journey to the New Crew who will be heading out of of the TOS Port in the months to come… keep your lifebelts close by and hold someone’s hand! :o)  It’s an exciting ride that you’ll never be sorry you took!

As a review blogger,  I am provided a free copy of the book, curriculum or product to test and use in order to write an honest review. I receive no other compensation and the opinions I share are my own and not influenced by the company in question.

Posted in F is for FANTASTIC! | Print | 1 Comment »