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A Successful Housewife Writer

Janet Camilleri · 08/07/2013 ·

I Must Confess … that I have been spending money online again!

No, it’s not clothes. Unfortunately (or maybe that should be FORTUNATELY!) I haven’t had too much luck with online clothes shopping – I don’t know how others do it. I find that I really do need to feel the fabric, and try something on to make sure it suits – even if it’s a brand I know and like.

But I do like buying BOOKS online. Saves so much time and effort! For my niece’s birthday last year, I was able to order the book she wanted and pay for it all from the comfort of my own home – AND have it shipped for free. Which is awesome as I don’t get to see her very often and at the time life was so hectic there was no way I could get out to the shops.

How to be a Successful Housewife WriterThe internet is also fabulous for getting hold of older, out-of-print titles – like this one: “How to be a Successful Housewife Writer” by Elaine Fantle Shimberg. It sounds like something out of the 1950’s, but actually, it was published in 1989. I stumbled across it in my local library in the mid-90’s when I was a Stay At Home Mum.

This is the book that got me started on this writing lark. After reading it, I dared to think that I could GET PAID TO WRITE. Even without a journalism degree, I could sell articles to magazines!

And that is exactly what I went on to do. It changed my life – and my career path! Now I am in my element playing with words to earn a living.

For sentimental reasons, I’m sure you can understand why I just *had* to have a copy of this book … now that *I* am a “successful housewife writer”!

What do you buy online? Is your weakness books or clothes – or something else entirely?!

Joining up with My Home Truths for I Must Confess, and One Mother Hen for Open Slather.

 

Filed Under: Reading Writing & Blogging

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Me says

    08/07/2013 at 10:38 am

    I’m not big on buying on line much – especially not clothes or shoes that I can’t try on and feel. I also like to do the touchy feely try it on thingie before I buy something !!!
    Have the best day !
    Me

  2. Rhianna says

    08/07/2013 at 10:49 am

    That sounds like an awesome book, I might just go see if I can find me a copy!

    I don’t really do too much online shopping, having worked in retail in another life I like to buy local whenever I can. Plus I have heard that the whole online shopping thing can get rather addictive and I am fine for addictions at the moment!

    Thanks for joining in #imustconfess this week

  3. Lisa@circle of toast says

    08/07/2013 at 11:08 am

    I rarely buy clothes or shoes online, because I like being able to try stuff on first – almost every time I’ve bought clothes online, they’ve turned out to be the wrong size, or the fabric hasn’t felt nice to touch, and I end up disappointed. Now I just stick to books and various knick-knacks that I collect (skulls, Egyptian statues).

  4. Jacana says

    08/07/2013 at 1:03 pm

    I have had little success with clothes buying online. I do get books from the book depository as it is free shipping. Also save a fortune by getting my perfume and skin care online.

  5. Psych Babbler says

    08/07/2013 at 1:46 pm

    Books and clothes are my weaknesses! 🙁 Which has made me very poor! Although I did manage to control myself for a few months…now that I’ve paid off the credit card, I feel the urge starting again!

  6. Melbourne Nanny says

    08/07/2013 at 2:30 pm

    Hello Janet and fellow visitors, l am new to the world of blogs so l am still learning the ropes. In answer to your post about buying stuff online….. I do quite a bit of shopping online. My partner and l have brought several cars from an online auction website (l wont mention them because they are big enough and don’t need any more publicity)….. well actually it’s Ebay, l am addicted and so is my partner, like l said we have brought our cars online, but l will also buy plants and seeds, clothes, children’s cosmetic jewelry, furniture, etc etc and yes we have even brought numerous books.

    I love shopping online….. even though l do not particularly like the website l am doing the bulk of my purchasing through

    Hope everyone is having a wonderful day, until next time take care and bye for now

  7. Alicia says

    08/07/2013 at 2:37 pm

    I’m not one for buying much online, I can barely afford to buy stuff offline! Hubby’s the one who’s got a love affair with ebay, usually cheap crap! That book looks like an interesting read 🙂

  8. Jodie@freshhomecook says

    08/07/2013 at 3:43 pm

    Books, kids clothes & toys, presents, Wholefoods. I buy lots of stuff online – love it!! I will do my best to buy locally if I can but when I can’t find it or it’s too expensive I let Google search do the work! Good on you for daring to dream Janet – what a lovely inspiration you are!! 🙂

  9. stephanie says

    08/07/2013 at 4:04 pm

    I like to shop online too – though with much more restraint these days!

  10. Nola says

    08/07/2013 at 5:44 pm

    Hi Janet – I buy lots of books and DVDs online, especially DVDs that you can’t get in Australia easily, like some American and Canadian TV shows. Makes birthday and Christmas shopping easy. Now my parents just tell me to order something for myself and hubby and they give me the money 🙂 Win win (and no more garden statues we don’t want LOL)

  11. Tegan says

    08/07/2013 at 9:20 pm

    I buy a lot of DS clothes online when I have the spare cash, as well as toys that I can’t find locally. I have gotten a few of his books online too as they are so much cheaper. Clothes for myself though I tend to like being able to see them, to make sure that the ‘lovely’ dress isn’t the ugliest thing that I have ever seen. I used to have a bit of an ebay addiction but I managed to knock that one on the head thankfully!

  12. lisa says

    08/07/2013 at 9:46 pm

    I haven’t been shopping properly for ages (groceries don’t count) I miss retail!! I haven’t brought anything online yet. I prefer to shop in person…x

    • Janet says

      09/07/2013 at 2:38 pm

      I do too Lisa

  13. Katyberry says

    09/07/2013 at 8:10 pm

    Online shopping….. Oh Dear! I love it! You can spend lots of time perusing what you want, thinking about how to spend your money, and then the bargains that are to be had. And the parcel delivery! Yay! My girls ask about anything new – did it come from the shops or the postman!

    • Janet says

      09/07/2013 at 8:58 pm

      My 19 year old son is addicted to internet shopping, so much so that I am now on a first name basis with the Courier!

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Meet the Middle Aged Mama

Janet Camilleri is an Australian bloggerHi - I'm Janet Camilleri aka the Middle Aged Mama; crazy cat lady, award-winning business woman, and mother of two grown children. I might be a middle aged woman, but that doesn't mean I've lost all interest in looking stylish! I love chocolate, chick lit, cruising holidays and the husbear - and not necessarily in that order wink. I live in Brisbane, Australia, and I'm learning how to fashion a new life now that we have an empty nest - did somebody say "travel"?!

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