Amy Marie -

VIPKID: February Review & March Goals

March 2, 2020

February was a big VIPKid month for me! Since most of the kids were (and still are) out of school due to the Coronavirus I spent not only my morning teachings, but my evening as well! Doubling up on the classes lead me to a total of 73 classes! Phew! I average between 40 and 50 most months… so this may have been a personal record!

No lets see what the final payout will be…

This was a very good month in my books!

February Schedule:

I keep my schedule very consistent, it probably has not changed within the past year much at all. The hours I work, work for me and my full time job. The only difference with this past month is I implement my summer schedule, which means opening evening slots. This is what my schedule looked like for this past month:

I always teach between 6:00AM – 7:00AM EST, I choose one weekend morning to teach, I found teaching both mornings burned me out, and due to school closures I taught between 9:00PM – 10:00PM EST. I personally think the magic behind being fully booked with VIPKID is keeping a consistent schedule.

March Goals:

As always my minimum goal for each month is to teach 50 classes. Why? Well, VIPKID adds a $1 bonus to each class if you’ve taught 50 and it makes a huge difference! My March goal will also depend on if the kids go back to school in China, I will keep opening evening slots, if the kids continue to be out of school. So that is goal #1, and goal #2 is to help one new teacher get started with VIPKID! Yes and if you are reading this…it could be you! I have worked with VIPKID for 2 years and only wish I had learned about this sooner! What other side hustle can you think of… or maybe that you have tried did you earn almost $700 a month! And that is me only teaching 2 hours a day… just think if I doubled that!! *mind blown*

As always, if you are interested let me know (email, comment, or click HERE)! I have helped 2 teachers get started on their journey and you could me next!

Want more?

My 2 Year Journey Teaching with VIPKID!

February Thrift List

February 13, 2020

Thrift list. Do you have one? Do you know what it is? If you answered “No” to any of those questions do not fret! Today we are going to be discussing what a thrift list is and what mine looks like for February!

What is a thrift list?

A “thrift list” is simple… it is what you plan on shopping. It’s like making a grocery shopping list for your clothes.

Why make a list?

I personally keep a list so I do not over shop. If you an avid thrifter at times it can feel like everything is a treasure… but not every treasure needs to come home with you. I will usually make a this of things that I am in need of in my closet or a new trendy item I would like to by.

My February Thrift List:

(As pictured above) are current items on my list, they are a mix between items that I want and need.

Black turtleneck: This is an item that I both want and need. It has been very trendy to pair a turtleneck under various outfits, I haven’t owned one since the early 2000s and wish I never got rid of it!

Midi Print Skirt: An item that would like, however do not need. These midi pattern skirts have been everywhere and I really like this trend!

Black Leggings: Item I need… I locate the only pair I owned…

Animal Print Shoes: An item that I would like, however do not need. Again, another trend I have been loving!

Bar Cart: This is a long time list item and sometimes you are going to have those! I have been on the hunt for a bar cart and clearly the search continues!

So there it is, my thrift list for February! Do you have a thrift list? What is on yours?

Want more?

Wedding Wednesday: My #Thrifted Wedding Decor

Thrift Challenge: Cocktail Party Outfit

Wedding Wednesday: My (#Thrifted) Bridal Shower

January 29, 2020

Happy #weddingwednesday!

Hello!! I am super pumped to be sharing this weeks post all about my #thrifted bridal shower decor! Did you know buying anything for a wedding is EXPENSIVE? Any items I found at either Michales or Hobby Lobby in the wedding section were extremely expensive and overpriced! I knew I was going to have to get creative… When thinking of what theme I wanted for my bridal I was kinda all over the place. I decided to stick to a theme of: girly, hint of vintage, and pink/gold. Before we get into the post I want to share some quick tips if you are looking to buy your wedding/bridal decor items second hand.

QUICK TIPS:

Pick a theme and stick to it. We all know buying secondhand can be overwhelming due to the high quantity of items that are out there. I found my self trying to change the theme of my bridal shower while in Goodwill just because I found one item that I wanted to make work… NO. Make a thrift list and stick to it.
Places to shop: Tag Sales, Garage Sales, Facebook Marketplace, Goodwill, Savers, Your Friends Closest, Etc.
Go often. In the year leading up to my wedding events I was stopping in at my local thrift shops 2 – 3 times a week.
Don’t be afraid to get crafty/make edits. If there is an item that can be edited to fit your theme/style, DIY IT!
Buy items that can be used for multiple wedding events! Most of the items you will see below, you will see again and again! I used these items at my bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, and wedding!
Ask your friends! Do no be afraid to ask your friends to borrow items from them. I was the last friend in my group to get married so I definitely benefited from items that were collecting dust in their basement/attic.

Wreath: Goodwill

Love sign: Decor from my house

Lantern: Facebook Marketplace (also my wedding centerpieces)

Crate: Dumpster outside of a brewery (I sanded and painted)

Book: Goodwill (recycled books, that I crafted – do you wanted a tutorial??)

Rug: Decor from my house

N & Forever Sign: Clearance @ Michaels – used for all bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, and wedding.

LOVE Letters: Outdoor Flea Market (Elephants Trunk – if you are ever in Connecticut, it is definitely a place to check out!)

Sign: Goodwill, also found the matching “Sign Our Guestbook” at Goodwill too!

Glass Jars & Heart Metal Jars: Borrowed from a friend.

Chalk sign: Reused for all events bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, and wedding.

Mirror: Goodwill

Succulents: Sustainable (ish?) party favor!

Mason Jars: Already owned them and currently reuse them for food storage, drinking, etc.

Candles: Purchased from Amazon and reused for all wedding events – bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, and wedding!

Lace Doilies: Estate Sale

Heart Picture Garland: Goodwill, hearts were previously black and gold, I painted them white and added the lace.

Bird Cages & Heart Frames: Clearance @ Michaels, reused for all wedding events – bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, and wedding.

Photo background: Borrowed from a local Church!

That’s it! That is a look inside my thrift mind… and what my bridal shower looked like! It was super fun getting to look back at my bridal shower photos and relive the excitement I had finding all the wonderful things I found!

Are you bride to be? Need some thrift tips? Let me know!!

Want more wedding posts?

Our Connecticut Wedding Vendors

Other Local Connecticut Vendors (+ Planning Tips!)

My Wedding Vision Board

Things to Know Before you go Wedding Dress Shopping

Valentines’ Day Gift Ideas

January 27, 2020

Looking for some ideas for the lady in your life or your gal pals? Justin and I met on Valentine’s Day which makes it pretty special for us! This will be our first year celebrating as husband and wife! Hopefully these idea help give you some inspiration. Want a challenge? See if you can find similar items at your local thrift shop or second hand store! AND – don’t forget to treat yourself!

Wedding Wednesday: Our Connecticut Wedding Vendors

January 15, 2020

I loved every vendor we worked with for our wedding that I decided I needed a post dedicated to them! If you are are local and recently engaged this post is for you!

Planning a wedding is not something I would recommend to a friend, however if you surround yourself with all-star people, then you’re going to be just fine!

My goal of todays post is to share some amazing CT/NY based wedding vendors that are reliable and awesome to work with. My goal is to make wedding planning easy for you.

Photography

Rob Zajac, he was our photographer for both our engagement photos and wedding photos. All of the photos in this post are his!

Website

Instagram

Venue

St. Clements Castle – Portland, Connecticut

Website

Wedding Dress

The Wedding Embassy – Watertown, Connecticut

Website

Instagram

Bridesmaid Dress

Julie Allen Bridal – Newtown, Connecticut

Website

Instagram

Chimirri Italian Bakery – Wethersfield, Connecticut

Website

Miscellaneous Decor

Shout out to Goodwill, Facebook market place, Estate Sales, etc. This will be a whole separate post, but in the mean time here are some photos of items I bought secondhand.

And lest we not forget that this happened…

I look forward to seeing you next Wednesday for another installment of me reliving the best day of my life and making it content. Let me know what type of wedding content you would like to see! Or Do you have any Connecticut wedding vendors you love? Share them below!

My 2 Year Journey Teaching English Online (with VIPKID!)

January 14, 2020

It is truly hard to believe that I have been teaching online with VIPKid for 2 years! This crazy journey has given me so much and I find myself being so thankful each time I long on to teach. Yes… the early mornings can be difficult, but who else gets to work in the their PJs and make a difference?

What is VIPKID?

If you are new around here and have never heard of VIPKID here is a little introduction. VIPKID is an online platform that provides English lessons to children in China. The teaching platform operates similar to Skype, there is a video screen for both teacher and student and lesson slides. Currently the company has roughly 70,000 teachers (I was number 21,334!) and over 100,000 students. If you are interested in learning a bit more about the company here is an article that goes into more detail! In 2019 VIPKID was ranked in the top 10 jobs to work from home by Forbes!

How did I get started with VIPKID?

When Justin (now husband) and I got engaged I started to look for a second job; at the time I did not know teaching online was even a possible job seeing as I do not have a degree in education. One day while scrolling on Facebook I saw an ad for VIPKID and the advertisement claimed you could “make $16-$22 an hour teaching from the comfort of your own home”.

Although I thought there was no way it could be true, or I would not be qualified for the job I did my own research. I came across a few legitimate accounts on Instagram, Youtube and Facebook. At the end of December 2017 I applied and interviewed. I was hired January 2018 and have been teaching ever since!

If you want to read more about my experience (or what my income looks like!!) here are some other posts about teaching english online with VIPKID.

Job Pros & Cons

Pro:

Job flexibility (I choose the days, times, and how much I teach!)
I can teach from anywhere.
Real consistent money.
Make a difference in kids lives.
Learn about a different culture.
Online teacher friends!
Being your own boss!
The ability to make this a full time job!

Con:

No sick days. If you wake up sick or there is an emergency and you can’t teach you may be penalized for that.
Classes with students who are note prepared or are too young.
Tough parents that leave poor feedback on your class or are involved too much during the class.
Students with bad attitudes or are just mean.

Want to Become a VIPKID Teacher?

Great news – it’s super easy! All you need to apply is a bachelors degree and some experience working with kids (does not need to be formal teaching experience). You will also need to acquire a TESOL certification which you can either do on your own or through VIPKID. Personally, I did mine online with the International Open Academy and found super easy!

Click this link to apply!

Let me know! Are you a VIPKID Teacher? Have you ever thought of teaching english online with VIPKID? I have helped a handful of teachers get started with VIPKID 🙂

My Intentions for 2020

January 13, 2020

Do you set intentions for yourself? I am a goal setter which also automatically makes me a goal fail-er. Last year I tried something new where I set goals for myself that were broad. Which is so un analytical of me and most of coworkers would poke fun at – because DATA IS OUR LIFE . But, hey it worked. The broad goal I set for myself was to run more. Although I do not have paper proof data that I ran X amount more miles in 2019 than I did in 2018, I can tell you with extreme confidence that I did indeed run more. How do I know that? Well, I joined a running club, where we ran 3 miles every Tuesday night and in 2018 I was for not running a 5k a week ya’ll so BOOM – goal accomplished.

Moving into this new year I wanted to do the same but bigger. The new decade got me feeling some type of way! Unlike most I love the start of a new year. I love the idea of starting fresh! Heck I started January 1 by cutting 8 inches of my hair – whats more new new decade then that? I saw that last week Krista over on Covering the Bases set intentions for herself and LOVED the idea. Read Krista’s intentions for 2020 here! I loved the thought of being more intentional about new habits rather than setting cut and dry goals.

Joining a running club in 2019 was one way I was intentional about running more. If I missed a week it was not a big deal, but it was there for me to do each week. I made sure I showed up not only for the group by for myself… and that what I’m really getting at for 2020. I am going to start showing up for myself and this it how I am going to intentionally do it!

A disclaimer… When I started to write this I did not think it would turn immediately into some topics that I would consider not “dinner etiquette” and something you would not bring up with your drunk uncle at the family party. So, if you are not interested in reading what some might consider “controversial” topics, then don’t and if you do keep your comments kind 🙂

Personal Intentions:

Self Care in the form of praying, journaling, and reading. I’ve already started 2020 pretty strong with this one. 2019 was all about growing in my faith and I did that by spending time in prayer, reading the bible, and journaling. I want to continue to make these things parts of daily routines. Currently I am reading from The One Year Bible for Women, The Confident Women Daily Devotional, and my sweet sister in law gifted me a 5 year memory journal and I have been really loving writing in that every day. Something I’d like to be more intentional about adding into this routine is actually journaling or writing my prayer down. So that will be something I will be trying to work on in 2020!
Church. I’ve already kicked these intentions off with some religious talk and if that makes you uncomfortable I apologize and this is the last section that will touch on this topic so please skip to the next item if you wish 🙂 I have not been to church in an embarrassing longtime. I didn’t feel connected to my faith and did not agree with some Church teachings. At the end of 2019 I found a Church that I felt comfortable with and feeling connected with their message that ALL were welcome. I have been officially attending this new church in November 2019 and I look forward to continuing with that.
Eat less meat! 2020 is the year that I am not only going to be intentional about the actions I do that effect myself but also that effect others. I have tried to eat less meat in past years, but have failed due to the social pressures around me. I started 2020 strong by pledging to participate in Veganuary so far I am # days strong! My mom was a little pleased at family dinner this past weekend when I brought my own dish to eat and no the food she cooked. In the past I would have crumbled to the pressure, but this time I stood strong and am here to say I’ve leaving meat in 2019.
Drink more water. Easy! I have been more intentional about making sure my reusable water bottle is full and with me at all times! I have made sure I have it for work, out running errands, next to my bed at night, and next to me when teaching. Also, by having my water bottle so easily accessible I not only drinking more, but reducing my need to buy a bottle of water when I am out. Saving money and using less plastic – check! Want to use less plastic this year too? Julia (Lemon Stripes) started a water bottle challenge in 2019 and this year added a plastic challenge too! Read here how you can also join in on reducing your use of plastic!

Social Media:

Invest in my blog. Another item here on the blog that I have been “all talk” about for the past couple of years that I am going to invest more into my blog. This is not just a money investment, but also a time investment. I often find myself being busy working on my blog, but never productive. In this new year I am going to start a power hour session each day and choose one day on the weekend to spend a little more time. I hope by making this small effort I (and you!) will see some changes around here on AMB. ALSO! I did take one major leap with my blogging a sought out help from a fellow blogger. I contacted Caitlin from Caitlin Houston Blog to get some guidance on how to be a better blogger this year and she gave me some major tips! And if you want some of those major tips I’d reach out to her too!
Spend time offline! As stated above I spend a lot of time being busy and not be productive. This leads to wasted time online and time not spent with my husband, pups, and family! My goal… or intention will be to do my power hour, then shut all my electronic down for the evening.

There it is! Those are just a few things that I am going to be more intentional about in 2020! What are your 2020 intentions? Let me know below!! I love learning about how people are hoping to grow in the new year!

Here is my post from last year where I share the things I “did not have time for in 2019″

My Review of the CariPRO Electric Toothbrush

December 19, 2019

Two gray electric toothbrushes. CariPRO Ultrasonic Toothbrush. An honest review.

I have always had excellent dental hygiene per my dental hygienist. We were an extremely lucky family and my mom had great dental insurance, which meant cleanings every 6 months! I did not have my first cavity until I got to college, and I blame that on the unlimited soda fountain in the cafe… and maybe those sugary drinks I would mix my cheap vodka with… neither here nor there, my teeth have always been in good health.

A few years ago while at one of my not so annual cleanings the dental hygienist said that I was starting to show signs of gum recession… and if you want to lose some sleep tonight, just google: receding gum lines. Had my run of good dental heath run out at age 25? Would I be toothless by 30?

So many (not overactive) thoughts raced through my head. First, and most important how? Well… gum recession has many causes some which include bacteria and/or teeth grinding (me!). Second, can it be fixed? Well yes and no… you can have skin grafts done to place over effected areas, however some cases are much more extreme. Thankfully, I am not there yet. I am currently in the step of not letting it progress any further, which is where my new CariPRO comes in. Some tips from my dentist were to floss daily, use a good mouth wash, and get an electric toothbrush… hm… an electric toothbrush…

When Smile Brilliant reached out asking me to try their new toothbrush I was thrilled! I loved their teeth whitening (and lots of you did too!) so this was an easy “Yes”.

First things first, the look! The CariPRO is a sleek, slim grey brush with 2 brush heads and a charging dock. The dock is small and takes up minimal space on your countertop. It comes with a manual that extensively explains the brush and tips for good oral hygiene.

Electric Toothbrush

Electric Toothbrush Heads

Now about the brush, the coolest feature… is that it actually has 5 different brushing modes.

Clean – Standard mode for daily cleaning.
White – Most powerful for removing surface stains and deep cleaning.
Massage – Gentle gum pulsation for gum stimulation.
Gum Care – Gum mode for gentle cleaning along the gumline (Hey – thats for me!)
Sensitive – Ideal for users who find the default clean mode to be slightly too aggressive.

My review… drum roll… I love it!! In the past I have used different electric tooth brushes, but non of them had different modes to address different needs. With receding gums there are times when my teeth are extremely sensitive, so having the option to use a mode that is less aggressive works for me! Secondly, I love that I can make a point at addressing my gum health everyday with the gum care mode.

Additional facts about the CariPRO can be found here!

Now how and where can you get yours? You can use my code: 20amymarieblog to save 20% … or you can get one for free!! Yes, thats right! I am teaming up with Smile Brilliant to give one away to you! You can enter the giveaway here!

electric toothbrush

Living a More Bubbly Life with FizzBenefitz

September 24, 2019

Hello friends! Thank you for stopping on over to my blog today to find out just how I made my life just a little more bubbly. I’m happy to share that I’ve partnered with FizzBenefitz today to give you an inside look at their amazing products.

And as always all opinions are my own and I would never share or partner with a brand if I didn’t believe in their product or their message.

A little about FizzBenefitz, they are a local company here in Connecticut that currently offers a line of products that ranges from jewelry cleaner to dietary supplements. Sounds kinds crazy, but I promise you it is not! These products were created by a team of scientists (yay science!!) with you in mind! Cool stuff , right?

So lets jump right in on what FizzBenefitz can do for you!

First – there jewelry cleaner, which was a huge hit on my Instagram recently. I’ve tried a lot of different ways of cleaning my jewelry and this is hands down the easiest! Warm water and a shine better tablet. Thats it! Place your jewelry in the glass for 15 – 30 minutes, let the tablet work its magic, and your jewelry is clean. I alway suggest using a hair dryer on low heat to dry your jewelry after cleaning for a spotless finish. This is the perfect gift for newly engaged or married friends.

Check out my results!

Struggling with getting your Vitamin C and Calcium, like me? Fizzbenefitz has you covered!

We all know you need calcium for your bone heath and Vitamin C does amazing things for your immune system, but are you getting enough of it? Fizzbenefitz makes that easy for you, all you need to do is drop a tablet in a 4 – 6 oz glass of water, let it dissolve and enjoy!

Next, we have there Hydratebetter. These hydration packets have been extremely useful after my workouts and long runs. It is very easy to bring along with me to the gym and work. I actually have a few in different places… my car, my desk at work, and purse. This is better tasting and more effective way then water to hydrate your body!

Last but not least, Showerbetter aromatherapy. Ever heard of this? I hadn’t until now! Looking for a way to add something special, more relaxing to your shower… a Showerbetter tablet is the way to go. Currently Fizzbenefitz offers Uplift and Unwind, which is the perfect way to either start or end your day. Get your shower to your ideal temperature, place a tablet on the floor, and take a deep breath. Your shower will immediately fill with these amazing aromatherapy scents!

Interested in learning more about their amazing products. You can find them on their website here and on Instagram here.

VIPKid: August Review & September Goals

September 3, 2019

Wow – I cannot believe that it is already September and I also cannot believe that my bachelorette party is a month away and that Justin and I are getting married in 3 months! If you’re wondering… yes I am freaking out.

Ok – so lets get into why you clicked on this post… I’ll address the elephant in the room… “Amy, how much money did you make teaching last month?” … no worries at all, I love elephants and I actually don’t mind sharing my earnings. This is an absolute no bragging zone, its just when I first started teaching I wanted to know how realistic it would be… me teaching English online as a second job. Most people are shocked when I tell them, and most I don’t tell… and believe me, it has nothing to do with not liking my job. I love this job… and honestly I’m not sure I would be able to pay for a wedding, book a honeymoon, save for a house, or eat… without it!

drum roll…

Not my best month and not my worst month… this is what I like to call my burn out month (haha!) Last month I went a little overboard… I was working early mornings and late nights which resulted in a $600 payout… but feeling that burn this month I opened less slots in August and here we are… Also I accidentally opened classes during a time I was not available and had to cancel 2, which is the worst!! It not only lets the student down, but you lose some money if they are in a certain time frame of that class… I’ll be more cautious this time.

I taught a total of 43 classes… 2 classes short for the 45 class bonus… bummer!

Moving on to September goals… I am going to aim to teach 50 classes… which will roughly put me at $500, which does not not include short notice bonus, trial class sign up, teacher referral, etc. There are a lot of opportunities to make a little bonus cash!

September Goals:

Teach 50 classes
Refer 1 new teacher
~~Get my TESOL certification~~ (Check!! Finished that prior to writing this post!)
Update my teaching background (In progress, I bough some rainbow wrapping paper – I’m so excited!!)

So there we are, ready for a brand new month! As always if you are interested in learning more about VIPKid I’d be happy to chat with you! I’ve helped a few teachers get started on their journey!

You can chat with me on instagram: AmyMarieBlog or send me an email: amymarieblog1@gmail.com . You can also click this link to apply/find out more about VIPKd!

Thanks for reading & happy teaching!

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