Let’s see……

It’s now been almost a year since my husband lost his job. We are surviving on his social security but it sure takes a lot of budgeting

I am still selling Tupperware and Watkins but no longer have personal websites with either because of the expense

I am also selling my handmade bath and body products on Ebay and Bonanzle

I go by spiceymama on Ebay and by mamascreations on Bonanzle

I am hoping sales pick up so I can supplement our income a bit.

I was doing my tax return and was getting a small refund, but at least it was something.  But then I got a 1099 misc form.

I earned a big $1600 dollars from my sales of Watkins products last year.. whoopee… only thing is now I have to pay self employment tax, social security and medicare on that amount.

So now I owe the IRS! They are taking an extra $376 from me for that miserable $1600 I earned.

It just doesn’t make any sense to me.  How can people survive when we are taxed to death.

It’s hardly worth it to try to make a few extra dollars

Hubby is now 6 months out of work and no job in site.

A month and a half ago I decided to invest in the kit so I could sell Tupperware.

I mean everyone knows the name so I should have made back my investment and then some with little problem… nope didn’t happen.

Two friends had online parties for me. Between them there were 65 people invited, and no cross over in names…. not a single sale for either party! I am totally shocked.

Don’t really know many local people, but the few I do say they are interested but have not bought anything yet and don’t have time for the party scene.

I’ve had a few sales of my handmade bath and body products and a few Watkins sales, but nothing to shout about.

So now just waiting for my hubby’s social security to start (might get a check by April) but it’s not enough to live on.

Wish me luck.

I’m starting to get scared because don’t know what we are going to do when his unemployment runs out.

He can apply for social security but we have to do it in person because of things like we cannot find his birth certificate.  Other than me and the adult kids there are no living relatives on his side.

The problem is it will not start coming till after unemployment runs out and after they take out the $ for the medical that you must take, it will actually be less than unemployment. Yikes!

I am physically unable to work outside the home, but of course because I have not had insurance to go to doctor and have not worked last couple of years I cannot get social security disability.. believe me I tried. And my hubby’s unemployment disqualifies us for any other programs.

Would you like to tell me how $1100/mo is enough to live on (our rent is $975)

The kids help all they can, but out of 4 adults in our household only 1 has a full time job.  It’s crazy out there.

So I continue to plug away as a rep for assorted companies and hope to bring in enough to offset the bills (so far so good)

Thanks for reading my rant.. I feel a little better now

My Tupperware starter kit arrived and I was stunned!

I sold Tupperware about 30 years ago and am amazed by all the new items and all the colors.

As my daughter and I went through the checklist we started discussing all the items I had from 20+ years ago that I was still using. She even still has a set of Tupperware kid’s stencils that I got her when she was around 6 yrs old (she’s 26 now)

I think I am going to really enjoy this new/old adventure

MY TUPPERWARE SITE

Brenda Koth, MS, RD

As the temperature and humidity drop, so does your skin’s moisture level. Cold air and dry indoor heat can cause dry, itchy, irritated skin. Hands and other exposed areas often become cracked and even painful due to their exposure to outdoor cold and indoor heat. Now is the time to start protecting your skin from these harsh elements, and Watkins has whipped up something truly special—a Lemon Crème Shea Butter that smells as good as it feels. Shea butter, cocoa butter and five nourishing, skin-softening oils—apricot kernel, avocado, coconut, jojoba and macadamia nut—are whipped together for a smooth, “spreadable” body butter that is absorbed quickly, leaving no oily feel. It protects the skin from harsh elements while sealing in natural moisturizers, leaving skin incredibly soft and smooth. The rich, fresh lemon scent smells so good, there ought to be a lemon law against this!

Brenda Koth, MS, RD

Good nutrition, or lack of it, can affect all parts of your body, including your outward appearance. Creams and conditioners moisturize and protect, but long-lasting beauty that is more than just skin-deep requires an “inside” job. To keep skin moist and reduce sagging, drink plenty of water. To plump up skin cells and reduce appearance of wrinkles, get plenty of zinc, copper and vitamin C, which are essential for collagen formation. Omega 3 and essential fatty acids help to keep skin and hair moisturized, and antioxidants from grapes and green tea protect from the aging process. If this seems like a lot to swallow, Watkins Skin, Hair and Nails supplement contains all of these ingredients, plus more, to keep your skin, hair and nails looking their best. For those of us who may be experiencing a wrinkle in time, Watkins Skin Hair & Nails may be just what we need to save face!

Brenda Koth, MS, RD

Did you know the average adult gets 2 to 4 colds per year and children get even more? That’s over 160 to 320 colds in an 80 year life span! Attempts to develop a cold vaccine have not yet been successful because there are over 200 different strains of viruses, and immunity wears off over time. Antibiotics are useless against the common cold because they work against bacteria—not viruses. It’s a cold hard fact that there is still no cure or vaccine for the common cold. Fortunately, there are natural alternatives that can be useful in guarding against these seasonal discomforts. Watkins Rezist Plus, taken daily, has helped hundreds of people simply “blow off” cold and sinus symptoms all year long. It contains a blend of natural ingredients, including ImmunEnhancer, shown to be twice as effective as echinacea in boosting the immune system. Our customers with recurring sinus problems and allergies won’t leave home without it—and that’s nothing to sneeze at!

Brenda Koth, MS, RD

You can find all of these items and much much more at

MY WATKINS WEBSITE

They told him the reason was he was insuborinate to a supervisor, but he wasn’t and has a witness to the conversation. But his immediate superior would not even talk to the witness, just said the other person would not lie to him.

With that as a given reason he does not qualify for unemployment. They are going to have to do an investigation so could be weeks before he sees a check if they find in his favor.

He’s looking for another job, but at 65 it’s not easy to find one. He can’t draw full social security till next February, so that is not an option right now… besides it will be just enough to pay the rent and no more.

Like most today we live from paycheck to paycheck. There is nothing to spare and the only income I am able to bring in is from Watkins sales and sales I make on Ebay and Milbid.com

So he lost his vacation pay and a full days pay. I can pay the bills thru the end of August but have no idea what I will do to pay the rent next month or the bills then either.

Oh and I will not go to social services. Been there, done that when my kids were little and never again.

My daughter and SIL live with us and have always helped with rent, but SIL was out of work earlier this yr so they are still catching up on their bills.

Been a long time since I’ve been in this situation. I know somehow we will make it through, but right now I am so stressed

This was to be a new experience for my daughter and me. So we got to the bookstore about 45 min early and bought our books and got into line.

Now I must back up and mention that I have bursitis in my right hip, so I figured that if necessary I could sit in the bookstore cafe and daughter would hold my place in line. On top of that I broke a toe on my left foot a few days earlier, so this whole thing was not the best idea.

The crowd was bigger than expected (around 200 people) and of course there was not a seat to be found.

It was around 103 outside and with all the people standing between the stacks it wasn’t much cooler inside.

After 3 hrs in line some seats “up front” finally were available. My poor toe was as swollen as when I first broke it and my hip was on fire! But we made it to the seats and there were only about 60 people ahead of us to get books signed.

When we finally got our turn we found Ms Kenyon to be gracious and she really added a personal touch to the meeting.

Would I do it again…. probably but next time I will get there several hours early

· A steady revenue stream without the hassles and time commitments of traditional fund raisers. (non profit organizations receive between 17.5 % and 31.5% of sales.)

· A free, user-friendly e-commerce Web site where organizations can place information about their projects, goals, and fundraising efforts. (Watkins waves the $64.95 set-up fee as well as the monthly maintenance cost of $19.95 indefinitely for all 501-C3 (US)/RR charitable (CN) nonprofit

· Access to a diverse product line of more than 350 unique high-quality/high-value consumable essentials and gift assortments consisting of many consumables that people are probably already purchasing from somewhere else.

· Easy ordering for supporters of an organization. They can order by Web, by mail, or by phone.

· An easy start-up without having to purchase anything—the Associate sign up cost is waived for nonprofits as they are not required to buy a Starter Kit.

· A quick start. Organizations can begin raising funds within 15 minutes of your initial contact!

For more information about how your Non Profit can join my Watkins team

please contact me at
watkinsladynv@gmail.com