Work Shak Archives - Page 58 of 123

Freelance Blogs: Helping You Sell Your Skills

With recession on, many people are looking for ways to make money from home, selling skills they already have. Freelancing is one way to do that. If you are look for resources for your freelancing skills, you might consider reading a blog post from oDesk about the Top 100 Freelance Blogs.

oDesk has done the work of putting together a list that includes:

* Top freelance blogs.

* Freelance graphic design.

* Freelance illustration and animation.

* Freelance software development.

* Freelance Web design.

* Freelance blogging.

* Freelance writing.

* Freelance marketing and copywriting.

* Freelance lifestyle.

* Freelance social media.

* Specialize freelance blogs.

With these resources, you can learn more about freelancing with your own skills, helping you better reach clients and learn the ins and outs of freelancing.

Shares 0

What Do I Love About Working from Home?

by Miranda Marquit Leave a Comment

Last week, I felt stressed and overwhelmed with all of my freelance writing assignments. I’m feeling much better this week, and it was in this frame of mind that I read a post on Sparkplugging today about favorite things about working from home. And I thought that maybe it would be a good time to revisit why I love working from home:

1. The schedule. For the most part, I set my own hours. And when I need a break, I take one. Sometimes things get crowded and desperate, but, for the most part, I can decide when I want to work.

2. Being at home with my son. When my son wants to play a game with me, it’s no problem. When he has an issue, I’m always here for him. He’ll need me less next year, when he starts first grade, but it’s good to know that I’ll be here and available for my son.

3. My work is mobile. I can work from anywhere. If I want to work from the couch, I work on the couch. If I want to go outside, I do that. If I want a change of scene, I can pack up and go to the cafe.

What do you like about working from home?

Shares 0

Friday Fun Video: TurboTax Commercial

by Miranda Marquit Leave a Comment

Tax Day has passed, and another tax season is over. One last fun video from this year’s tax commercials.

Happy Friday!

Shares 0

Figuring Out When You Are Most Productive

by Miranda Marquit Leave a Comment

One of the issues with having a home business is figuring out when you can get your work done. Many people are more productive at different times of the day. I, for example, am most productive in the morning. I like to try and get done what I can as early as possible. I am reasonably alert, and this is when my son is at school. As the day wears on, I become more distracted and more annoyed with things. So I don’t work as productively. It takes me half again as long to do something in the afternoon as it takes me in the morning.

Others, though, do better in the afternoon or evening. I think it all depends on what works best for you, and how you set up your day. In order to find out when you are most productive, pay attention to the work you are doing throughout the day. Experiment with different time frames and with times for you to complete your projects. Then work out a schedule that allows you to take advantage of your peak productivity times.

Shares 0

Fed Sees Signs of Possible Economic Recovery

by Miranda Marquit Leave a Comment

Today is Tax Day. And while many of us are being reminded that our taxes help pay for the programs we expect the government to provide for us, we are also looking for signs of economic recovery. We are getting some today. The Fed released its Beige Book, which cites some sectors of the economy as seeing a reduction in the pace of decline. There are signs of stability in some areas — which means that a recovery may be on the way soon.

Of course, consumer spending and consumer prices are considered two important economic indicators, along with unemployment. These important indicators are also critical to anyone with a home business. Until the economy picks up (and people start buying our products and services) it will mean more scrimping and saving for those with home business concerns.

Shares 0

Home Business Tax Tip: Paying Estimated Taxes

by Miranda Marquit Leave a Comment

: Image via Wikipedia

When you have a home business, you are responsible for keeping track of your taxes. One way to do this more easily is to pay estimated taxes quarterly. Estimated taxes are figured out based on your current year’s tax requirement. If you owe $5,000 in taxes this year, your estimated taxes for the coming tax year will be 90% of the total ($4,500). Divide the amount by four, and pay quarterly.

I like to divide the amount by 12, rather than 4, and make a monthly payment into a high yield savings account. I do this for two reasons:

1. I like to be able to earn interest on the money while I can. For the better part of three months, I am earning interest on the money set aside for taxes — until it is time to write that check.

2. You still pay quarterly in order to avoid paying penalties to the IRS. When you underpay by more than $1,000, the IRS may decide to tack on additional penalties. If you don’t pay quarterly, the IRS may choose to charge you interest for late payments.

You can pay your estimated taxes by using Form 1040-ES.

Shares 0

What Makes a Home Business Recession Proof?

by Miranda Marquit 1 Comment

When you are thinking about ideas for a home business, you might consider something that is more likely to be recession proof. For the most part, you want to choose something that is likely to maintain its value even during a recession. My home business is based on freelance writing. During a recession, freelancers of all stripes find that they are in high demand as companies boost their outsourcing in order to cut costs.

But there are other things you can do as a home business that are recession proof. The idea is to look for something that has qualities of a recession proof job. Bargaineering points out two qualities of recession proof jobs:

1. Crucial to our lives. These are things such as computer-related fields and medical-related fields. We have reached a point in society where we need computers, and we need the medical field. This means that home business ideas including systems analysts, administrators, data analysts, medical transcription, medical billing and even therapy can be helpful.

2. Specialized. If you have specialized training, you might be able to turn it into a home business that is in high demand.

Can you think of any other qualities associated with a recession proof home business?

Shares 0

Friday Fun Video: Ben Bernanke, Send Some Green

by Miranda Marquit Leave a Comment

I loved this clever little parody of “Mr. Sandman.” If only there was a discount window and TARP for the rest of us.

Happy Friday!

Shares 0

Home Business Financial Planning: Health Savings Account

by Miranda Marquit 1 Comment

One of the financial planning issues that you are probably aware of if you have a home business is that of health care. I know that my health care costs are barely manageable right now. We have health insurance coverage, but dental and eye care are paid out of pocket. One thing I’ve been considering lately is a health savings account to help pay for medical costs. At Sparkplugging, Tracy Johnson from Business.gov offers this advice about Health Savings Accounts:

HSA plans are available to help you pay for the expenses your plan does not cover. Small business owners should check with their insurance carriers to tell you in writing whether your policy is HSA-eligible. There is a checklist for small business owners available from the SBA to give you more information.

A Health Savings Account has tax benefits in addition to being a helpful way for you to save up for medical costs. There are some requirements, though. Luckily, they aren’t onerous. You just need have a family deductible of $2,300 for 2009 and not have other health care coverage. You also can’t be enrolled in Medicare or be a dependent of someone else. You can get more information from the Treasury Web site.

Shares 0

8 Ideas for a Home Business

by Miranda Marquit 1 Comment

With the recession on and concern about unemployment mounting, many people are starting to consider starting a home business to promote flexibility and perhaps help their finances survive. And, really, there are a number of benefits that come with working from home. Many home business ideas can be started for practically nothing, and there are other business ideas that can be started for a little more. Here are 10 home business ideas:

1. Fitness-related business. You can be a personal trainer or a yoga instructor. If you have a room at home that you can use as a sort of private gym, you can use that and help clients in your home. Or, you can check the local gym or community education center to see if you can teach there. Many gyms have personal trainers and class instructors that come in on a contract basis. You set your own hours and earn money from the fees. You will need to get certified, however, in order to be taken seriously.

2. Personal finance planner. Many people are looking for financial advice in this recession. If you get your CFP designation (which can be costly and difficult) you can provide financial planning services — and even do it out of your home. Additionally, I know three CPAs who offer accounting and payroll services from their homes, and a number of tax preparation service providers who work out of a home office.

3. Medical and legal transcription. Many insurance companies, medical offices and legal practices have need of transcription services. This is something you can do out of your home if you are properly certified and qualified. Medical claims billing can fall into this category as well.

4. Web design. Talented with graphics? Know your way around code? You can provide Web design services out of your home. Buy a server and you can even provide Web hosting as part of your home business. Other types of graphic design — layout, logo, advertising and more — can also be done from your home office.

5. Photography. I have two friends that do photography as a home business. They are hired for weddings, proms, portraits and more. One of them just goes on site. The other has turned a spare room into a photo studio with backgrounds, lighting and all the trappings you would expect. The ability to take digital pictures and have them developed online — in high quality — makes this even more feasible.

6. Home maintenance and improvement. If you are handy around the house and yard, you can start a business providing yard care and making home improvements. Remodeling jobs, sprinkler installation, landscaping and roofing are all related areas. If you are certified (and get the insurance) you can start a home business taking care of other people’s homes.

7. Event planner. Weddings, parties, family gatherings and special occasions all require planning. If you know where to go to get a good deal, and if you are organized and can make things happen, consider running an event planning business out of your home.

8. Child care services. You can make money taking care of others’ children in your home. Check state regulations, though, to make sure you are properly licensed.

With a little thought and creativity, it is possible to start a home business. Think about what you enjoy, and look for a way to use it to generate income.

What are your ideas for a home business?

Shares 0

« Previous Page