Hi! Welcome to Outside the Box Mom.
My name is Raki. Wondering how to pronounce my name?
I am a married mom of 2 who loves making lists, saving money with coupons, and figuring out how to be a sane, working mom.
Who is Outside the Box Mom?
Yes, I decided to interview myself. Think that’s weird? Well, Jeff Goins said Stop Waiting to Be Picked. So, I am.
Here are the questions I think someone would ask, if I were interviewed…
What’s your story?
I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with B.A. in Communication Studies. After reading many blogs, I started looking for a way to share my knowledge with a larger group of women than my friends. Being a working mom is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Some days I look back and say, wow I have really figured this out and other days I wonder why God trusted me with these kids.
How did you get into blogging?
In a former job, I started updating our company blog and enjoyed it. Then, I became obsessed with learning more and more about it. I learned How to Start a Blog from Amy Lynn Andrews and relied on several sites like Melissa Culbertson’s Blogging, Writing and Social Media Tips for Bloggers and How to Blog from Savvy Blogging.
Do you cook?
Only when necessary. I’m more of a 30 Minute Meals, Semi-Homemade Cooking, $10 Dollar Dinner’s type cook.
What does the inside of your house look like?
A mess. But, I have an organized list of things that need to be done. 
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Watching TV: reality TV, Scandal, Elementary, and The Client List to name a few shows.
Why do you think your voice matters?
I’m a life long learner. I love internet research and self-help books. I walk the talk. I talk about things I’ve done and failed at and how I have learned to do them better. I really am a life hacker. I’m constantly trying to find ways to do things easier, faster, and cheaper.
Describe a typical day in your life.
During the school year, I get the kids ready and out the door (one on the school bus and the other to Grandma or childcare). When I worked full-time, I worked on this blog for about an hour before traveling (and some during my lunch break). Now, I do that during naptime after my daughter gets out of 1/2 day preschool. When I get home, we figure out what to eat, do some things around the house, have some fun, then call it a night.
What do you really do to keep everything clicking?
Batch cooking, semi-extreme couponing, use my mobile phone; alternate between a load of laundry a day (easy stuff that doesn’t need to be folded right away like linens) and a finish-it-up-Saturday-marathon.
What should we expect at Outside the Box Mom?
Busy working moms will find quick, easy, time-saving tips and solutions: deals, easy meals, home & family, technology, back to school, productivity, style for less, and balance.
I would love to hear from you, if you ever have any questions or feedback. Advertising, Guest Posting, and Freelance Work available. Please contact me at outsidetheboxmom at gmail dot com.
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