In This Issue...

Reflections
Upcoming Workshops and Events
News/Announcements
Mini-Reflection Exercise
This Issue's Sponsor

Reflections (by Teresa Thomas-Carroll)

With tax-time just completed, we've all had our income and expenses under a magnifying glass. Seemingly small expenses add up to significant amounts over the year. To help you to pursue the life you want with resources you have, this month I'm sharing a few useful ways to help your money go further:

• When renewing your newspaper subscription, instead of automatically renewing your payment call customer service to ask if there is a current special. We subscribe to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Every single time we renew, we ask for the special and usually save almost 50% off the renewal rate. (Also, magazines will often lower your subscription rate if you wait until after the first renewal notice.)

• Be sure to contact your insurance agent each year to ask if you qualify for any discounts. If not, get various quotes to make sure you are paying a fair rate. We made the costly mistake of ignoring that tip and trusting our agent when she said there weren't lower available rates. After twelve years with the same agent, we finally compared rates and found home and auto policies with better coverage at half the price. Ouch, all those years of paying way too much!

• Make your first stop the library when looking for a movie or music to enjoy. Libraries aren't just for books anymore. Some patrons will reserve the movies or music that interests them. Myself, I like the spontaneity of seeing what's available and finding something I might not have searched out otherwise. Our family saves at least $150 a year by borrowing from the library versus renting.

Use the Mini-Reflection Exercise to help you stretch your dollar. For more tips or to post your own, visit PCF's blog.

Upcoming Workshops and Events

Let's Dish! Business networking: Next week!
Our first event was such a success that we are offering two more in May! Connect with other businesses, have fun and make your life less hectic by coming home with meals for the rest of the week! $79 covers everything (this is less than the price of dishing alone!):

• Easy and interactive networking facilitated by Teresa from Purple Crayon Factory
• Four fresh, delicious meals
• Light refreshments
• A chance to win a $50 Let's Dish gift certificate
• Super goodie bag (first time participants receive a full-size Thymes dish soap- $8 value!)

What more could you ask for? Choose your session: Wednesday evening, May 9, 7:00-9:00 p.m. or Thursday morning, May 10, 10:00 a.m. - noon at Let's Dish!, Edina. E-mail PCF for more details or to reach participants by being included in the goodie bags. To register, click www.letsdish.com and select the Edina location and “RSVP to private party”. Choose the May 9th or 10th session and enter this password: Purple. Select your four meals (each serves serve 4-6 or split into eight smaller meals). When you check out, enter the promotional code: Edina5 to receive the reduced $79 rate. Call Let's Dish! at 952-835-6911 if you'd like assistance. Register today!

Small Business Marketing Jam

We're thrilled to announce that the Marketing Jam series has been a smash hit. In May, our focus will be Imagine the Possibilities and in September it will be Marketing from the Heart. You can also book your very own session for your business or networking group. Co-facilitated by Taiha Wagner of Mom on the Go and Teresa Thomas-Carroll of PCF. Reserve your space now for just $20 per session: May 30 & September 26, 6:00- 9 p.m. (Light appetizers will be served from 6 - 6:30).To pre-register or order gift certificates, e-mail your name and address.

Universe Changers! — sponsored by the Minnesota Women's Press     Join one of these new discussion circles for women — because we've always made change by talking with each other. Come prepared to discuss the big and the little things in life. Let's make change in the universe by sharing our stories, ideas, and opinions. And, who knows, you may show up in a future issue of the Minnesota Women's Press!  Facilitation orchestrated by PCF. No charge to participate. Click to RSVP. May topic: Women Role Models.

We hope you'll join us at any of these locations:

• 2nd Thursday of each month, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (next circle: Thursday, May 10) at:
  Clickity Sticks & Yarns, 2722 East 50th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 612-724-2500
  (Non-knitters welcome, too. Bring a project or just come to converse)
• 3rd Tuesday of each month, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (next circle: Tuesday, May 15) at:
  Crafty Planet, 2318 Lowry Ave, NE Minneapolis, MN 612-788-1180
  (Non-crafters welcome, too. Bring a project or just come to converse)
• 4th Tuesday of each month, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (next circle: Tuesday, May 22) at:
  Brewberry's Coffee Place, 475 Fairview Ave. S., St. Paul, MN, 651-699-1117
  (Tea drinkers welcome, too.)

Whether or not you can participate in a group, you can contemplate the topic and post your thoughts on PCF's blog 

Jump right into interactive and fun facilitated networking.  Get past trading business cards and telling your 60-second commercial.  Make meaningful connections.  If networking is usually not "your thing," get ready to be pleasantly surprised with the experience and the results! Facilitated by Teresa Thomas-Carroll, PCF. July 12, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at the Doubletree Park Place Hotel. Lunch included. $30 for WIN members, $40 for guests. For information or to register, visit Women In Networking at www.mnwin.org.

Online Ideal Business Support

 "I LOVE this group! I'm gaining clarity by being accountable." - participant

Want regular motivation and accountability to bring your business to the next level? Join this year-long supportive network for mission-driven small business and wellness professionals to pursue and achieve business aspirations. Facilitated by Teresa Thomas-Carroll. Our discussion and action will be centered on Lynn Grodzki's Twelve Months to Your Ideal Private Practice: A Workbook. Click here for more details and pricing menu. The next group begins in fall. To apply, simply e-mail your type of business and briefly state what draws you to participate.

• You may have noticed that PCF is facilitating several networking events lately. This niche fits with our ambition to create opportunites for meaningful connections between people and possibilities. Are you aware of an upcoming conference or an organization that could use a refreshing workshop or interactive networking session? If so, let us know who to contact and we'll be happy to send information. Word of mouth is our best marketing, thanks to you! 

• Achieve your goals and dreams! Check out our individual services to help you get and stay on track.

Mini-Reflection Exercise

Brainstorm

In addition to the tips listed in the reflection, are there any other money-saving tips that you've been contemplating? List out some expenses that you have been accustomed to that you might be able to reduce or remove (e.g. cable, daily coffee shop visit, credit card interest rates).

Imagine

What would motivate you to implement one of these tips?

Setting a goal

Choose one easy tip to act on this week and perhaps another for next week.

Taking action

If you can't take action on the tip right this moment, make a note to do so on your calendar or a bill coming due. Notice how much you end up saving. Then recognize your accomplishment and spread the goodwill by telling others. Post your tip as a comment on PCF's blog.

This Issue's Sponsor

(Reach 1,000 readers by featuring your business or event here. Request details: info@purplecrayonfactory.com.)

For Women in business and women who own a business, please join us for a fun, structured brainstorming and networking day centered around YOU! 

Adventures in Brainstorming!

for Women In Business

This looks too fun, how productive can Adventures In Brainstorming be?

Subscriber Information

Purple Crayon Factory’s refreshing workshops, networking events and services support you to create the life you want with resources you have. We value creativity and facilitating meaningful connections between people and ideas. Whether you seek big transformation or simply inspiration, we have something for you or your organization.

Teresa Thomas-Carroll is the publisher of this newsletter and can be reached at 612-722-6931 or teresa@purplecrayonfactory.com. Check out her musings on PCF's blog.

Copyright © 2007 Purple Crayon Factory. All rights reserved.