Blogging from home can be a crazy job. Balancing kids, work, and home can seem impossible at times. Optimizing productivity is a high priority for me, as I have to cram a lot into 24 hours, and contrary to popular belief, I do not like to work 24/7.
I honestly couldn’t accomplish everything I do without a few simple tools. What do I use?
Ecto – For Writing Blog Posts
Before I was a Mac girl, I used Live Writer for blogging, and Live Writer was the one thing I hated to give up when I bought a Mac. I hate writing posts right in WordPress. Using word processing programs can mess up the coding on a site, and I’m not nearly proficient enough in HTML to make writing in a text editor efficient.
Enter Ecto. Though I don’t like it quite as well as Live Writer, it gets the job done. I use Ecto to write all of my posts, and then I upload them to WordPress for final editing. I love that it’s a desktop application, so I can shut down my browser for distraction-free writing. That’s the only way I get any writing done.
Evernote – My Virtual File Cabinet
In recent months I have become an Evernote addict. I set up a Getting Things Done system with Evernote, and I forward any email I need to reference to my Evernote account. I also use Evernote to store my tax deductible receipts, material I want to read later, daily to-do lists, and blog post ideas.
If I need to remember it, it goes to Evernote. I used Evernote so much last month that I had to upgrade to the paid version! It’s well worth the price though, because it keeps me organized and helps me to accomplish more in less time.
Cozi – My Online Appointment Book
I just love Cozi. I’ve been using it as a family calendar for a couple of years, but I recently started storing blogging information in Cozi, too. When I’m working on a project with a deadline, I make a note of the deadline in Cozi. Then I set up a reminder, so I get a text message at a pre-set time before the deadline.
I love the option to get text reminders, because I hardly text. Therefore, a text reminder really gets my attention, unlike an email, which is likely to be ignored.
Open Office – Like Microsoft Office, but Free!
I don’t use word processing programs or excel sheets very often, but when I’m working with PR reps and brands, I often need to submit invoices or fill out forms that are in Microsoft Word or Excel format.
Since I don’t have Microsoft office on my Mac, I use Open Office instead. It works very well with Word and Excel files and saves my work in Microsoft format. That way, when I send my forms to the people I’m working with, they can open the files on their Microsoft systems.
Coffee – My Fuel for the Day
I would never get through the day without my coffee. I pour my first cup at around 5 in the morning, and I keep drinking it all day. Some might say I’m a caffeine addict. Yes, I probably am, but there’s nothing like writing a blog post while sipping on a hot cup of coffee.
Most of the time I drink it with a little cream, but when I really want a treat, I add some DaVinci Sugar Free Coffee syrup. Yum!
So there you have it: the essentials of my home office.
What things are necessary for you? Is there anything you can’t live without? I love testing out new productivity tools, and you might just hook me up with something I love!
I always like to find new ways to use software and technology to make life easier, and I appreciate this post because it gives me some new resources. May I make a suggestion? Like you, I used Open Office for a long time (I wrote my first book with it.) However, I use LibreOffice now. LibreOffice is in current production (which means it is being updated, where Open Office is not).
Also, LibreOffice is more intuitive than OpenOffice, in my opinion, and is thus easier to use. And, it is open source software. I invite you to check it out. It’s on my short list of “absolutely must have” software.
Thanks for the recommendation, Angelsong! I always like trying out new software, so I will definitely give it a look. And since I know you love technology as much as I do, your recommendations are generally right on!
Hi, I just found your website! I was searching for some blogs about MFW high school. This is our first year using MFW. I’ve got three other children, A – 12 and 7th grade, my best helper, N – 14 9th grade currently working on “things” with him, but he can be very helpful too! Then my littles J our “strong man”, he says he’s strong like Sampson! He’s 4, 5 in early Oct and will be beginning MFW Kindergarten. Then our little princess K, who we call teeny-tot! I love the things you’ve put up with organizing and knowing your child’s strengths and weaknesses!
I did want to ask, how did you get into blogging for money? What do you do? I have currently began blogging more. I’ve had my blog for a few years, but recently have been updating it each day, every other day..or so. I’m still working on learning the ropes!
Thanks, Jennifer
As much as I loved MFW Ancients, my daughter didn’t. She’s more of a computer learning person, so we dropped MFW for the charter school’s online program. I still have visions of doing MFW all the way through with my youngest, though. You’ll have to let me know how you like the younger grade levels.
For me, blogging for money just sort of happened. I used to run a personal finance blog and networked with a great bunch of people who taught me a lot. The best thing to do is be an active blogger and network on social media. Then read up on blogging for money. A great site is http://sideincomeblogging.com. Larry, the site owner, has been blogging for quite a while, and he has a lot of good advice on his site.
The Evernote web clipper is cross-platform so it will work on various devices including your PC, Mac and even mobile devices and phones like the iPad and iPhone. It makes is really easy to get content into Evernote while browsing the web.