i The Frugal Law Student | 2007 | July

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How To Open An Online Store With WordPress In Less Than 30 Minutes

Written by Brett McKay

A while back ago, I asked for reader help on what to do with my wife’s and I’s side business, Kate’s Calendars. I got some great feedback from several of my readers. One of the things I decided to do was revamp the Kate’s Calendars site. Because I’ve fallen in love with WordPress ever since I made the switch from Blogger, I decided to create the Kate’s Calendars store using the WordPress format. It took me all day Saturday, but that was due mainly to looking for plugins that will help. I thought I’d give back to the WordPress community by showing how they can easily create an online store with WordPress in less than 30 minutes. I have all the links and steps you’ll need to create an online store in less than 30 minutes.

  1. Downloand and install the WP E-Commerce plugin. This is the backbone of your WordPress online store. It’s really slick and really robust. The WP E-Commerce plugin allows you to easily create product pages, an online order form, and a cool shopping cart.
  2. Setup WP E-Commerce. Click on “Shop Options” in the WP E-Commerce Plugin and fill out the necessary info. You’ll have to enter which country you’re selling in, which currancy you’ll be using on your site, and other such information.
  3. Open PayPal account. If you don’t have a PayPal account, open one up now. You’ll need it to take care of online transactions.
  4. Set Gateway Options to PayPal. Under “Gateway options” in the WP E-Commerce Plugin, select PayPal. You’ll need to enter in your account info.
  5. Download WP-Email Plugin. This plugin allows customers to refer your product to your friends. Viral marketing at it’s finest.
  6. Create static front page. Instead of using posts, you’ll be using pages in your online store. Create a static front page for your store by going to your WP dashboard—>Options—>Reading Options and select “static page.” Select which page you’ll use for your static page.
  7. Create a Contact page. This is essential. Make it easy for your customers to reach you.

There you go. You now have an online store. Now get out there and market it.

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Featured Resource

Many companies have had great success with Online Stores and other companies like PriceGrabber have made their fortune by creating Shopping Feeds that allow consumers to compare and contrast prices on various items they are Shopping for.

> Brett McKay | 15 Jul 07 | Blogging, Tips | Comment (1)

Law School Myth: You Don’t Need A Big Name Degree To Land A Big Firm Job

Written by Brett McKay

One of the many things future law students have to fret over is what rank their law school is in the infamous U.S. News and World Report College Rankings. The rank of your law school often determines whether you can land judicial clerkships or big firm jobs after graduating.

If you’re one of the thousands of law students who didn’t get into a top school and are worried your legal career has no chance of seeing time at a big firm, I’m here to tell you shouldn’t worry.

A law school myth

You don’t need a degree from a big name school to land a job with a big name firm. Sure, having the sheep skin from Harvard or Yale will give your more opportunities to get your foot in the door, but with a little creativity and some hard work, you can land a big firm job with a degree from any law school.

Think local

Instead of applying to big national firms, focus on applying to the bigger firms in your geographic area. Hiring partners will cast a favorable eye on you because you have some ties to the area by attending law school there.You might not start out at $150,000, but you’ll definitely be making good money.

If you really want to practice at a big firm in LA or New York, but can’t get into a top ranked school, go to law school in those geographic areas. While the big firms do take grads from nationally prestigious schools, they also hire associates from lower ranked schools in the area. Show your commitment to staying in the area by getting your drivers licence from there. Change your area code to a more local one. Become a resident of the state.

Of course, you’ll have to be the top of your class if you want to land an interview with the local big firms. So, focus on doing the best you can.

It’s about who you know

It’s all about networking. Make as many contacts as you can with people at big firms. Your contacts can help you get in through the backdoor at larger firms. Attend social meetings for lawyers, do moot court and talk to the guest judges, just start contacting.

Specialize

Another thing you can do to land a big firm job on a low ranked degree is specialize in less common areas of law. When a high demand arises for a particular kind of associate, but there aren’t many associates to fill the spot, big name firms will start looking to lower ranked schools.

Talk to attorneys in your area to find out which area of law has a high demand that isn’t being filled. Market yourself as an attorney specializing in that area and you’ll find yourself at a big firm.

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> Brett McKay | 14 Jul 07 | Career, Job Search, law school | Comments (17)

Save Money and Eat Healthier: Buy Frozen and Canned Produce

Written by Brett McKay

black-and-white-canned-goods.jpg

We all know that eating fruits and vegetables everyday is an essential part in maintaining a healthy diet. Most people think that to get the full nutritional benefit of produce you have to buy it fresh. There’s some truth to that belief. However, if you buy your “fresh” produce from the supermarket, you’re probably not really getting fresh produce.

Fresh produce really isn’t fresh

Fresh produce loses vital nutrients and vitamins as soon as it’s harvested. Additionally, it can take weeks before the produce arrives at your local market, thus losing even more nutrients. By the time you eat your “fresh” produce, it will have lost most of its nutritious value.

Fresh produce is expensive

Most Americans skip on produce because it’s expensive. When money is tight, highly processed foods are an attractive, albeit unhealthy, way to save money.

The solution? Frozen or canned produce

Frozen or canned produce is virtually identical in terms of nutrition to freshly harvested produce. In some instances, frozen or canned produce have been shown to be better than fresh produce.

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Featured Resource

There are tons of little adjustments you can make that can help you live a Healthier life. There are tons of items that qualify as Health Food which won’t break your grocery budget. New Health Research constantly reveals new ways to become Healthier.

> Brett McKay | 13 Jul 07 | Food, Frugality, Saving | Comments (3)

The History of Mechanical Toy Banks

Written by Brett McKay

bank2.jpg

While I was in Vermont last week, my family and I visited the Shelburne Museum. One of the displays that captured my attention was dedicated to old cast iron mechanical banks. I’m sure many of you have seen these things. They come in a variety of forms- from clowns to baseball players. All mechanical banks work on the same two principles: the weight of the deposited coin causes an action to begin or a person pulls a lever that sets the bank in motion.

uncle-sam-bank-toy-3.jpg

Mechanical toy banks grew in popularity between 1870 and 1930. The two biggest firms that manufactured mechanical banks were Stevens and W.J. Shepard. After the creation of the first charted savings bank in New York City in 1819, thrift became a national policy. Manufactures felt that mechanical toy banks could help instill that ideal in children. Consequently, most mechanical banks have themes geared towards children such as sports and the circus. However, several mechanical banks illustrated controversial political and social subjects. You’ll find many of the bank designs mirroring the racism of the time by depicting African Americans in offensive stereotypes.

mechanical_bank1.jpg

As a kid, I thought old cast iron toy banks were pretty cool. To me, they represent a unique part of Americana. I was happy to see a museum working to preserve this part of our country’s financial history.

Featured Resource

Keeping your Money in a toy bank can help you save but it won’t earn any interest. Investing your Finances wisely you can save money to get out of credit or Tax Debts more easily. If you are paying multiple creditors, Consolidating Debt can help you pay less each month.

> Brett McKay | 12 Jul 07 | Personal Finance, Saving | Comment (1)

Back From Vermont

Written by Brett McKay

Well, I got back from my week long trip to Vermont Monday night. My family and I had a really good time. The scenery was beautiful and we packed in a ton of activities while we were there. Activities included: mountain biking, visiting the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream factory, and touring Calvin Coolidge’s birthplace.

I started my clerkship with the US Trustees office yesterday, so I haven’t had much time to write. However, I plan on busting out a few posts tonight so I have some stuff ready for the rest of the week. Until then, please check out these great links I’ve recently stumbled upon:

> Brett McKay | 11 Jul 07 | This And That | Comments (2)

Law School Widow

Written by Brett McKay

Law school is a challenge. Law school while balancing a family is even more of a challenge. As a married law student, one of the things that I always have in the back of my mind is my relationship with my wife. It’s pretty easy to get so carried away with studying, that you forget to nurture your most important relationships. Some law school wives (or husbands) joke about being a widow or a single parent because their spouse is gone so much.

Law school can wreak havoc on a marriage. I remember at law school orientation, one of the speakers said that half of all first year married law students end up divorced by the end of law school. Yikes!

My wife and I made a priority to have at least one date night every week. After not seeing each other that much during the week it’s nice to go to restaurant or get an ice cream cone and sit and talk. I think it really helped keep our relationship strong during that trying first year.

For those of you who are married or in a close relationship, what has been your experience maintaining that relationship while in law school? What do you do to nurture it?

If you enjoyed this post, then make sure to subscribe to my RSS Feed to get daily updates.

> Brett McKay | 09 Jul 07 | Personal Development, law school | Comments (24)
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