Even if you have to store them in your parent's garage, don't toss bank records and tax returns. I was so proud of myself for cleaning out the household financial files. I was told we only needed to keep financial records for 7 years for tax purposes. And who needs 20 year old bank statements, right?  YOU DO!

It really does take a village. Balancing roles of mom, wife, home manager and worker bee can push even the most energetic woman over the edge. In order to get it all done (or at least make a good attempt) sometimes you need to ask for help, a favor or for advice…or all three!

Reluctance to ask for someone’s help can be rooted in a misconception that needing help is a weakness. Wrong. Asking for a favor or for advice is a sign of maturity and self confidence. You are saying to the world:

I'm biased, I know. For most of my life I enjoyed building things, and as I've chronicled on this blog, have turned that hobby into a business. Yet I can't help but look at many home offices I see and cringe at how many low-quality, store-bought items populate them. Yes, those items are easy to acquire and require little or no work setting up. But when they bend and break within a year, does that saved money really amount to anything?

Apparently, I am a nag and my sixteen year old son has coined names for the different levels of nagging I am guilty of. Here goes:

1. The Pre-Nag – A pre-nag is a nag that comes before my son is actually guilty of doing anything wrong. A pre-nag anticipates that he is about to do something slob related. For example: He’ll walk into the dining room after basketball practice and before he drops his gym bag, I’ll say “don’t drop your gym bag and sneakers on the floor. Take them to your room.” That my friends, is a classic Pre-Nag!

If you predominantly work from home and very rarely have to physically go into the office, you may get jitters when the time comes to make an actual appearance in person. This happened to me recently. I literally work from home about 90% of the time, but recently I was asked to come into our New York office for training. Oh well, there goes the bunny slippers! I immediately went to my closet to take inventory. It's been 7 years since I've actually worked around other people and unfortunately my wardrobe reflected it.

As I continue to read the articles and opinions that pop up each week on the topic of working motherhood, I’m struck by something often missing from these conversations: working motherhood is a) not always a choice or a decision based whatever the mom feels like doing and b) even when it is optional, it’s not a selfish act.   

Usually when I write something have to do with working from home, it’s about how to create an income. However, making money isn’t the only necessary ingredient in the stay-at-home recipe. The flip side of the coin is making some sacrifices and finding ways to save money.

Do you charge what you are worth? Years ago, just out of culinary school I opened my first business. A catering company. I was hungry for any business and to grow my name. I never turned a party or event down. Whatever the budget I would work it out. Why shouldn’t I? I was the “new kid on the block”.