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Mon
08 ^th

Work Hard, Play Hard: Why Data is More Useful

Posted by Erin — 2 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #DataAndAMovie #CollectiveBias

You’d think that Brian and I are in the stage of our lives when we don’t require elaborate data plans with awesome coverage. After all, our kids are little and we have awhile before we cross the bridge into getting them their first handheld or smart device.

However, in addition to Brian having a full time career, he also works part time offering consulting from home. Also, with me working and writing and blogging and social media-ing. We need data, and we need coverage. We do have WiFi in our home, but as anyone who works from home will tell you, sometimes you aren’t always at home when you get a call to do work. Sometimes, responding to an email while waiting at the bus stop is is necessary. Other times it requires researching information for a post or a client while walking through the store. Other times, it might mean setting up an office after putting the kids to bed after a day of exploring and swimming at a hotel who’s WiFi went down for the week (true story).

Working hard from home does not always mean we are in the physical space of home. Which is why, we are so grateful now for Walmart Family Mobile PLUS. We scored an amazing deal. The Walmart Family Mobile PLUS deal includes Unlimited Talk, Text, & Data with 10GB of 4G LTE data plus a FREE movie on VUDU for only $49.88 per month for our small enterprises. Brian and I are not only able to get our work done, but we are infinitely more productive and don’t spend our time looking for coffee shops with WiFi. There is no more running out data on our personal lines! Also, with a free movie every month on VUDU we can kick back and relax with the kids and watch free movie.

Work hard, play hard.

When we found out about the Walmart Family Mobile PLUS plan, I headed to Walmart to see what phone options we had. We didn’t need anything to fancy, just something that would be able to help us email, have access to a few apps, and be able to serve as a wireless hot spot. I decided on the Samsung Galaxy Core Prime for a steal at $79.92 this phone is currently on Rollback from $99.92. It was a breeze to set up, and before I knew it, I felt like a blog boss.

All prices for phones and plans included in this post are accurate as of the date of posting; however, these prices are subject to change. Please refer to or your local Walmart for current pricing.

Here are all the ways I cannot wait to use my knew Samsung Galaxy and Walmart Family Mobile PLUS

Creating and emergency Wireless Hot Spot
Reading articles, blogs, news, to keep up to date anytime anywhere
Listening to my favorite social media, writing, and blog podcasts while I’m working or walking on the trail.
Responding to emails right away.
Watching movies with my family.
Streaming music while we work.
Not searching for WiFi everywhere I go.

Even if you’re not an aspiring blogger loss, check out Walmart Family Mobile PLUS at Walmart! Tell me in the comments all the reasons more data would be helpful to you.

For more information, CLICK HERE! I guarantee you’ll be more productive, and have way more fun. Work hard, play hard.

Mon
20 ^th

5 Reasons I Made the Switch From Blogger to Self Hosted WordPress

Posted by Erin — No Comments

For those that know, I am a bit thrifty, a little stubborn, and incredibly interested in how things work. I often believe that it is this combination of traits that has lead me to my DIY passions and can do attitude. Which is why after about a year of research, debate, talking it over with blogger friends, and attending a blogger conference last weekend, I finally decided to make a switch here at Home Everyday, and of course I did it mostly by myself.

You will notice that the design is a ~~bit~~ lot different than before. However, that is not all that has changed. I made some changes behind the scenes too, which will hopefully make writing this here blog more fun, but more importantly will make your experience as a reader even better too!

I made the switch from writing all of my posts on Blogger to a self hosted WordPress site, and here’s why:

1. Labor of Love: When I started Home Everyday, I wasn’t sure where it was going to go. I didn’t want to spend a great deal of money on something that might not succeed, and beginning my blogging journey on Blogger seemed like an easy, foolproof, and low risk way to get moving on a blog. I was able to customize some features I wanted. However, as Home Everyday grew, and I learned more about this blogging industry, I learned that there are some set backs to starting a blog on Blogger. Also, I want to own my own content. To quote blogger buddy Jennifer Evers of Me Myself and Jen who gave a great keynote talk at Collective Bias’s SoFabU On The Road Chicago Conference last week, “not having a self hosted site is like building your dream house on rented land.” So, after about a year of hemming a hawing, I decided to make the switch. The hundreds of posts and photos on this site chronicling a lot of me and my families adventures were too much for me not to own.

2. Back Up the Backups: While I was always sure to back up every photo and blog post I wrote on Blogger, I was never really positive if something went really awry, would have I have a way to restore everything quickly and easily. Not only did I want to build my dream house on land that I owned, but I also wanted good homeowner’s insurance too. With WordPress and my hosting provider, I now know that if something does happen, my content is safe, and I am able to restore it much more easily.

3. More Features: Writing on this platform has so many more features in which I can showcase my writings with all of you. There are also ways to better organize the information on this site so it is more easily accessible.

4. Familiarity: When I first began Home Everyday, I had no idea what I was doing in regards to a blog. However, I have had the amazing opportunity to also write on my South of I80 blog at ChicagoNow. This is where I was first able to become familiar with WordPress and learn some of the awesome features, and over time I have become increasingly familiar with this platform.

5. Customization: One of the reasons I have never gotten a tattoo is because I change my mind way too often. I like being able to switch things up and customize them depending on seasons and trends. WordPress will allow me to more easily make design customizations to this site to make it more beautiful.

I hope that you enjoy the new Home Everyday!

Fri
26 ^th

A Day in the Life

Posted by Erin — 2 Comments

As a new blogger, I sometimes am amazed at the work and dedication of other writers. I also struggle with a sense of perfection. In the back of my mind, I do realize that no one is perfect all of the time. However, in the world of blogging, we only get to see the “pretty” things. The beautiful table settings, the painted walls, the fluffed pillows, the beautiful desserts do happen… just not all the time.

No one likes to talk about the sticky floors, the mis matched socks, the chaotic bath time routine, or the piles and piles of laundry.. PILES… everywhere. I digress.

I’m joining a link up today on Adventuroo called “A Week in My Life.” What an eye opener that not everything is perfect for everyone, and I feel like it really helps us all be more understanding and have a sense that we are all in this together. As much as I would love everyone to see the craziness that is my life for an entire week, I wasn’t quite ready for that. So, I decided to just share one day. So here is a day in the life:

7:00 a.m. Snoozed too many times… no workout today oops. Everyone gets ready, and eats a quick breakfast. Brian takes the boys to school.

8:00 a.m. Coco and I stay back so I can make a grocery list, and look up a wedding registry for a gift I need to buy.

9:00 a.m. Off to Target to buy a wedding gift. Then back home to drop off huge wedding gift, and then to the market for groceries. My girl was a little sick of being in the car.

11:00 a.m. Leave Target, switch cars with Brian (we have a system so we don’t have to buy another Britax carseat), and pick up boys from school. Since we have a little bit of a drive, I make sure to have snacks and juice boxes for the ride home.

12:00 p.m. – Unload kids, back packs, groceries, clean out fridge, and prepare lunch. Lunch is on the table, and we eat together talking about school.

1:30 p.m. – Naps. My youngest two get tucked in and pass out instantaneously. My oldest has some quiet time while I check some email, and attempt to fold some laundry.

2:00 p.m. – Door bell rings with a package. My oldest takes this as an invitation for quiet time to be over so we play for a little while, then I unload dishwasher and wash my new cutting board.

3:00 p.m. The others wake up and it is snacks and juice and my oldest breaks out the puzzles. Hands me the box for the 1,000 piece puzzle of the ocean. I make a half hearted attempt and then recommend the 24 piece train puzzle hoping that will be more their jam.

4:00 p.m. My gal pal, Colleen calls to chat. Kids play quietly.

5:00 p.m. Dinner prep begins. BBQ Chicken, salad, broccoli and home made mac and cheese. Kids help… sort of.

6:00 p.m. Brian walks in the door, changes, and we talk about his day while I finish up dinner and get plates ready.

6:30 Dinner.

7:30 p.m. Brian and I clean kitchen and I ask the kids to please pick up toys one more time. This time they quickly pick up cars, dolls, puzzles, knowing if they do a good job they will be rewarded with a show.

8:00 p.m. Kids watch 1/2 an episode of Phineas and Ferb. Jammies, snuggles, book, prayers, bed.

9:00 p.m. Brian and I turn on our DVR’d Thursday shows and simultaneously open our laptops for work and writing.

9:30 p.m. S’mores break. Yep, that just happened.

11:00 p.m. Good Night.

So there you have it. A day in our life. I swear that laundry will get folded, and I will work on my next blog project.