Etiquette Now! Insights

Many times, organizations survive on fundraising and requesting donations.  This is not only stressful but can be less than successful.  Requesting donations is more than just writing a proposal.  It is a combination of tried-and-true measures.  Please read on.  Create Interest Create a mission statement or media kit with stated goals to present to prospective contributors.  Try creating a one-minute 'commercial' to introduce your organization , its mission statement, and goals to sell yourself to prospective contributors.  Action Try inviting prospective donors to one of your meetings to introduce your organization—an excellent personal method to ask for funds. Create Lasting Relationships Send reports to sponsors letting them know how their money is being spent including pictures.  Send thank you notes out often and promptly. Help the representative feel as if he/she is part of your organization and is spending money wis...

  How the Price of Gas Doesn't Affect my Family Budget Ouch!   The price of gas can be painful for those who must drive for business and/or family functions.   As a workshop-presenting etiquette professional, I travel for business quite often and have felt the sting in the past.   Still, I cut my gas bill by two-thirds with a few simple changes.   Follow along as I share my favorite gas-saving tips. Save on gas and get the wind in your hair by biking. Other than my business trips out of town, my other “car” is my three-wheel cycle.   Fortunately, I live in a bicycle-friendly environment filled with bike paths and lanes.    The three wheels offer more than just stability—it is a heavy cycle.   Always considering safety, I sit tall allowing those in vehicles to see me.   Moreover, the width between the back two wheels allows for a large basket, which is perfect for my shopping trips.   There's now no need to jump into the car ...

  Saving Money at the Grocery Store Can be Delicious As one who has always watched her purse strings, I'm always considering new ways to apply my cash-saving techniques to essential spending.   However, since I love to cook and bake, sticking to my food budget can be a bit tricky.   Through the years, though, I've found how to save and still eat well.   Follow along as I share my five favorite tips to cut my food bill. Shop Sales It's tempting to shop for the food you crave, but it is often a budget buster.   I find it best to wait until my favorite food is on sale.   Each week I plan my menus around grocery store sales.   For example, this week the market has rump roast, carrots, kale, and eggs on sale--$14 total.   One night, I will roast the meat with carrots and a few potatoes I had in the pantry.   I'll serve it with sautéed kale.   Leftovers will go into a soup with beans and in a pastry for pasties for two other meals. ...

  Three Steps to a Fuller Wallet Not many of us can earn more than our current income.   As a small-business owner, mine is based on what the market will bear...with little wiggle room.   Of course, I can create new products or work longer hours.   Nevertheless, I am ultimately bound by customer’s discretionary spending—as many small business owners are.   In my 20+ years as a small-business owner, I have learned that it isn’t what I make, it’s how I spend that adds to my bottom line.   Consequently, even if many of my expenses are set in stone, I do chisel away at my discretionary spending.   Follow along as I share my tips for spending less to earn more. Avoid the Frivolous Ignoring my passions is difficult sometimes, especially when it comes to visiting my fav, Starbucks .   I adore sitting at an outdoor table enjoying a cappuccino and watching the world go by.   Still, this can be a huge budget buster considering each drink costs...

How I Survive as a Small Business Owner When I began my business in the early '90s, I was fortunate.  I didn't need to turn a profit, as I had just retired from a teaching career.  My business was all about having fun while helping others.  However, since I ran a family business as a child , the businessperson in me wouldn't allow me to ignore running my baby as a real company.  What follows is my advice to all those considering entering the home-based business field. Do you have enough money to survive two years? Many people think that just because they are working from home, expenses will be lower than if in a store -front business.  For the most part, this is true.  A home office isn't additional rent.  However, it is still an office and you will still require a paycheck. Treat this as any other business and ensure that you have enough money to live on for at least two years without considering any profits from your f...

Valentine's Day Money Saving Ideas Once upon a very long time ago, Valentine’s Day was all about romance.   Romance wasn’t expensive.   It was long warm glances across a room, sweet kisses stolen from smiling lips, and promises sealed with heart-shaped cards.   A ccording to  National Retail Federation , it appears that love is measured in dollars as Americans are expected to spend over 21 billion on more than just candy hearts.    And that’s during a pandemic! As a small business owner who must watch every penny, I’ve found fantastic ways to spend this day of love and keep from draining my wallet.    Follow along as I share my tips with you. Sentiments shouldn’t cost more than a car payment. Like a typical woman , I like gifts.   And jewelry?   Those little boxes give me goosebumps.   However, as much as I love a nice piece of sparkly, I’d rather save those dollars.   I reconcile my girlish tendencies by shopping at...