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Do You Like Your Job?

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Yahoo recently posted an interesting list: The happiest jobs in America. According to Yahoo, the top 10 jobs belonging to the happiest people are:

10. Airline pilots/navigators
9. Industrial engineers
8. Mechanical and repair
7. Science technicians
6. Actors and directors
5. Special education teachers
4. Architects
3. Travel agents
2. Firefighters

And the #1 happiest occupation is CLERGY.

As you might guess, for most of these jobs, compensation isn’t the main factor in determining contentment. And I thought of that in terms of my freelance writing. I could make a lot more money with my home business, but then I wouldn’t have as much time with my son. And that sort of defeats the purpose of working from home.

Do you like your job?

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Holiday Gifts from Your Home Business

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Many people in home business like to gift holiday gifts to clients. It can get expensive, but there are ways, in these times of economic and financial uncertainty, to create thoughtful, simple gifts on your own. Get Rich Slowly offered 34 ideas for do it yourself holiday gifts, and here are the few that I think are especially appropriate for a home business:

1. Homemade truffles.
2. Made from scratch cookie kits (I did this last year for neighbors).
3. Gift basket.
4. Homemade hand warmer, scarf and/or hat.
5. Personalized calendars.
6. Stationary sets.
7. Teacup candles.
8. Handmade cards.

Do you have any ideas for holiday gifts from your home business?

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Your Home Business Might Need Insurance

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One of the things that many home business owners overlook is the need for business insurance. Many with a home business mistakenly believe that their homeowners insurance will suffice. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, as many policies are not designed to protect the home business. You might be unpleasantly surprised should something happen.

Home Biz Notes points out that you should consider these types of business insurance for your home business, depending on your needs and the size and scope of your operation:

* Property coverage.
* Liability coverage.
* Business interruption.

You might want to consult with a professional about what you should do to make sure that your home business is adequately protected.

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Offering Veterans a Business Opportunity

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On this Veterans’ Day, it is appropriate to a take few minutes and consider the great things the men and women of the Armed Forces have done for us. Veterans have protected us and our freedoms, and all too often they do not get proper recognition and thanks. This can be especially true for disabled veterans.

Franchise business opportunity for veterans

One of the great programs that has been brought to my attention recently is franchise program offered by Little Caesar’s Pizza. The program is designed to help veterans — especially disabled veterans — start their own businesses. The Department of Labor reports that only 82 percent of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan with disabilities are seeking jobs or have jobs. This is compared with the 91 percent of veterans without a disability.

In this time of economic trouble, it is good to know that there are programs that can help veterans get back on their feet and make the often-difficult transition to civilian life. Here is what a press release says about the program:

The Little Caesars Veterans Program was created by Mike [Ilitch] to thank
military men and women for their patriotism and the sacrifices they and
their families have made for our country. The program offers qualified
honorably discharged, service-disabled veterans a substantial benefit
of up to $68,000 and a $10,000 benefit for all honorably discharged
non-service-disabled veterans towards the start-up costs of opening
their own franchises.

So, thank a veteran this Veterans’ Day. And consider doing what you can to help those that have given so much to help us.

reddit_url=’http://www.workshak.com/2008/11/offering-vetera.html’
reddit_title=’Offering Veterans a Business Opportunity’

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Workers See Hours Cut

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One of the issues plaguing many right now, small business, home business or independent contractor, is the fact that hours are being cut, and another round of layoffs is on the way. This makes things increasingly difficult in terms of how much workers are expected to produce as this economic downturn continues.

And, unfortunately, they aren’t getting paid for expected increases in productivity, reports MarketWatch:

Workers’ real compensation has fallen over the past year, suggesting
that workers were not able to demand greater wages to offset the higher
prices they paid for energy and food. If employees don’t get raises to
match the increase in prices, the inflationary spiral is severed.

I am a self-employed freelance writer, but that doesn’t mean I’m not seeing some of the effects. One of my regular clients has significantly cut back on the amount of work he has for me. Which means I am trying to make up for it elsewhere. And, I’m sure that home business and small business owners are scrambling to find ways to protect their employees AND the bottom line.

In this economic climate, however, I don’t know how effective those efforts will be.

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Barack Obama and Small Business

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Now that Barack Obama has been elected the 44th president of the United States, the analysis has begun: What will change and what will stay the same? For my one-person freelance writing home business, not much is going to change. I don’t make the $250,000 needed to initiate new taxes, and since I don’t have employees, I won’t be getting a very generous tax credit for insuring them.

But small business is a huge part of our economy, though, and I know that there will probably be some changes for many people. And of those things may be a small business rescue package Obama proposed in October, reports CNN Money:

Obama’s new plan calls for the SBA’s loan guarantee programs to
temporarily eliminate the fees they charge lenders, and for the agency
to increase the guarantees it offers to banks that lend to qualifying
small companies. Additionally, he wants the SBA to expand its facility
for directly lending money to small companies through its Disaster Loan
Program.

This plan has largely been glossed over, but it does look like, for some with small business concerns, there is a measure of relief to look forward to.

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Home Business: Barter for What You Need

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When first starting out with a home business, it can be difficult to find everything that you need at an affordable price. One way you can expand your resources, suggests Kelly McCausey at WAHM 2.0, is to offer to barter.

That’s right: You can exchange a product, service or knowledge for something that you need. McCausey points out that right now, common skills in demand include:

* Blog design.
* WordPress customization.
* Writing.
* Graphic design.
* SEO

If you have these skills, you might be able to barter for something that you need, such as marketing help, or advertising space. A word of caution from McCausey, though:

Your level of skill and experience will correspond directly with the
value of the resources you’re able to swap for.  When you’re new and
inexperienced, you have to make your barter offer especially
attractive.  This may mean that you give more than you get.

So think about what you can offer — and then see if you can work a deal.

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