The most important tax break for home-based business owners is the home-office deduction. This deduction allows you to write off the costs of operating and maintaining the part of your home that you use for your business. You could, for example, write off a portion of your rent or mortgage, utilities, trash collection, and security system. To qualify for the home-office deduction, however, you must use that part of your home designated for business regularly and exclusively for your trade or business. Not only that, but the business part of your home must
be either your principal place of business, a place where you meet or deal with customers in the normal course of your trade or business, or a separate structure (not attached to your home) that you use in connection with your trade or business.
In addition to the home-office deduction, you're also allowed to write off the normal costs of doing business, just as any other kind of business can. Depending on the nature of your business, this could include such things as computers, office supplies, retirement plans, business travel, auto expenses, and much more. Read more about these in Ordinary and Necessary Business Expenses. Consult with an accountant or tax advisor to learn more about how these tax advantages could apply to you and to your business.
-Jennifer
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
Work From Home - Freelancing
Freelancing is a broad term given to those who sell a service or skill on the internet, or off for that matter. A freelancer is self-employed and takes on clients. He or she performs her skill or service for current customers and then moves on to new clients, occasionally repeating the service for existing patrons.
To become a freelancer, you must first identify a service or skill you can market online. Perhaps you know a bit about a particular topic and can write well. You can market yourself as a freelance writer on your topic. Perhaps you spend a great deal of time on forums or blogs and like to participate in discussions. You can sell your posting skills.
The more experience and expertise you have in a given field the more desirable you will be and the more income you can generate. Technical fields such as programming and search engine optimization are always in demand, and more graphic fields such as design are sought out as well.
Even taking a class or two in a certain programming language or graphic design may give you the skills you need to launch a freelance career. It is possible to make a freelance career out of almost any field of work imaginable. It simply takes skill and a bit of marketing.
Marketing Yourself as a Freelancer:The most challenging aspect of freelancing is finding a market for your particular skill. Marketing presents little problem for those who specialize in public relations and are selling their marketing skills, but for the rest of us, the ability to effectively market our wares separates those who are successful from those who are not.
To successfully market yourself and your offering, you must go where there is a need. If you are specializing in design, find those who are building websites who need your help. By the same token, if you are a freelance writer, it is not enough to simply maintain a blog demonstrating your skill. You must find readers and eventually clients who find themselves in need of your service.
Establishing a Successful Freelance Career:Finding your skill set and then finding a customer base are the fundamentals of establishing a freelance career. To make that career successful there are many other aspects to consider:
You must research and benchmark your service and those of similar professionals. Could you be doing more or offering additional services? What is the competition doing?
Find the ideal rate that brings you the maximum amount of profit with a reasonable amount of work. Are you slaving away for pennies or have your price so high you’re putting off clients? Does your rate adequately reflect your level of expertise?
Maintain professionalism at all times. Being a freelancer does not entitle you to act unprofessionally. Yes, you set the rules, but those rules also reflect you and your service. Act like a professional and your clients will think of you as one.
Stay current. The world is constantly changing, and you must stay current. Read the latest material and constantly network. Understand the changes to your industry and stay with or ahead of the times.
To become a freelancer, you must first identify a service or skill you can market online. Perhaps you know a bit about a particular topic and can write well. You can market yourself as a freelance writer on your topic. Perhaps you spend a great deal of time on forums or blogs and like to participate in discussions. You can sell your posting skills.
The more experience and expertise you have in a given field the more desirable you will be and the more income you can generate. Technical fields such as programming and search engine optimization are always in demand, and more graphic fields such as design are sought out as well.
Even taking a class or two in a certain programming language or graphic design may give you the skills you need to launch a freelance career. It is possible to make a freelance career out of almost any field of work imaginable. It simply takes skill and a bit of marketing.
Marketing Yourself as a Freelancer:The most challenging aspect of freelancing is finding a market for your particular skill. Marketing presents little problem for those who specialize in public relations and are selling their marketing skills, but for the rest of us, the ability to effectively market our wares separates those who are successful from those who are not.
To successfully market yourself and your offering, you must go where there is a need. If you are specializing in design, find those who are building websites who need your help. By the same token, if you are a freelance writer, it is not enough to simply maintain a blog demonstrating your skill. You must find readers and eventually clients who find themselves in need of your service.
Establishing a Successful Freelance Career:Finding your skill set and then finding a customer base are the fundamentals of establishing a freelance career. To make that career successful there are many other aspects to consider:
You must research and benchmark your service and those of similar professionals. Could you be doing more or offering additional services? What is the competition doing?
Find the ideal rate that brings you the maximum amount of profit with a reasonable amount of work. Are you slaving away for pennies or have your price so high you’re putting off clients? Does your rate adequately reflect your level of expertise?
Maintain professionalism at all times. Being a freelancer does not entitle you to act unprofessionally. Yes, you set the rules, but those rules also reflect you and your service. Act like a professional and your clients will think of you as one.
Stay current. The world is constantly changing, and you must stay current. Read the latest material and constantly network. Understand the changes to your industry and stay with or ahead of the times.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Work From Home - Free Credit Report
I have been searching for the REAL site that lets you check your credit report for free. Most sites say that it's free, but then ask for your credit card and require that you sign up for some program they offer.
The other day I finally stumbled across it. www.annualcreditreport.com/ You can only use it once a year and you won't get your actual score, but it will give you your full credit reports for the three major agencies. I used it and it worked perfectly.
-Jennifer
The other day I finally stumbled across it. www.annualcreditreport.com/ You can only use it once a year and you won't get your actual score, but it will give you your full credit reports for the three major agencies. I used it and it worked perfectly.
-Jennifer
Work From Home - Mystery Shopping Revealed
Do you love to shop? If so, you may be tempted by unsolicited emails or newspaper ads that claim you can earn a living as a secret or mystery shopper by dining at elegant restaurants, shopping at pricey stores, or checking into luxurious hotels. But, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, marketers who promise lucrative jobs as mystery shoppers often do not deliver bona fide opportunities. What is Mystery Shopping?Some retailers hire marketing research companies to evaluate the quality of service in their stores; these companies use mystery shoppers to get the information anonymously. They assign a mystery shopper to make a particular purchase in a store or restaurant, for example, and then report on the experience. Typically, the shopper is reimbursed, and can keep the product or service.
Many professionals in the field consider mystery shopping a part-time activity, at best. And, they add, opportunities generally are posted online by marketing research or merchandising companies. Nevertheless, fraudulent mystery shopping promoters are using newspaper ads and emails to create the impression that they’re a gateway to lucrative mystery shopper jobs with reputable companies. These solicitations usually promote a website where consumers can “register” to become mystery shoppers — after they pay a fee for information about a certification program, a directory of mystery shopping companies, or a guarantee of a mystery shopping job.
The truth is that it is unnecessary to pay money to anyone to get into the mystery shopper business. The shopping certification offered in advertising or unsolicited email is almost always worthless. A list of companies that hire mystery shoppers is available for free; and legitimate mystery shopper jobs are on the Internet for free. Consumers who try to get a refund from promoters of mystery shopping jobs usually are out of luck. Either the business doesn’t return the phone calls, or if it does, it’s to try another pitch. The Facts of Mystery ShoppingBecoming a legitimate mystery shopper for a legitimate company doesn’t cost anything.
Here’s how to do it: Search the Internet for mystery shopping companies that are accepting applications. Legitimate companies don’t charge an application fee. Many accept applications online. Do some homework about mystery shopping. Check libraries or bookstores for tips on how to find companies hiring mystery shoppers, as well as how to do the job effectively.
Visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) website at http://www.mysteryshop.org/ for information on how to register to be a mystery shopper with a MSPA-member company, a database of available jobs, and additional information on the industry in general. In the meantime, the FTC says consumers should be skeptical of mystery shopping promoters who: Advertise for mystery shoppers in a newspaper’s ‘help wanted’ section or by email. While it may appear as if these companies are hiring mystery shoppers, it’s much more likely that they’re pitching unnecessary — and possibly bogus — mystery shopping “services.” Sell “certification.” Companies that use mystery shoppers generally do not require certification. Guarantee a job as a mystery shopper. Charge a fee for access to mystery shopping opportunities. Sell directories of companies that provide mystery shoppers.
If you think you have encountered a mystery shopping scam, file a complaint with your local consumer protection agency, the Better Business Bureau, your State Attorney General, or the FTC (ftc.gov). The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit http://www.ftc.gov/ or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
Many professionals in the field consider mystery shopping a part-time activity, at best. And, they add, opportunities generally are posted online by marketing research or merchandising companies. Nevertheless, fraudulent mystery shopping promoters are using newspaper ads and emails to create the impression that they’re a gateway to lucrative mystery shopper jobs with reputable companies. These solicitations usually promote a website where consumers can “register” to become mystery shoppers — after they pay a fee for information about a certification program, a directory of mystery shopping companies, or a guarantee of a mystery shopping job.
The truth is that it is unnecessary to pay money to anyone to get into the mystery shopper business. The shopping certification offered in advertising or unsolicited email is almost always worthless. A list of companies that hire mystery shoppers is available for free; and legitimate mystery shopper jobs are on the Internet for free. Consumers who try to get a refund from promoters of mystery shopping jobs usually are out of luck. Either the business doesn’t return the phone calls, or if it does, it’s to try another pitch. The Facts of Mystery ShoppingBecoming a legitimate mystery shopper for a legitimate company doesn’t cost anything.
Here’s how to do it: Search the Internet for mystery shopping companies that are accepting applications. Legitimate companies don’t charge an application fee. Many accept applications online. Do some homework about mystery shopping. Check libraries or bookstores for tips on how to find companies hiring mystery shoppers, as well as how to do the job effectively.
Visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) website at http://www.mysteryshop.org/ for information on how to register to be a mystery shopper with a MSPA-member company, a database of available jobs, and additional information on the industry in general. In the meantime, the FTC says consumers should be skeptical of mystery shopping promoters who: Advertise for mystery shoppers in a newspaper’s ‘help wanted’ section or by email. While it may appear as if these companies are hiring mystery shoppers, it’s much more likely that they’re pitching unnecessary — and possibly bogus — mystery shopping “services.” Sell “certification.” Companies that use mystery shoppers generally do not require certification. Guarantee a job as a mystery shopper. Charge a fee for access to mystery shopping opportunities. Sell directories of companies that provide mystery shoppers.
If you think you have encountered a mystery shopping scam, file a complaint with your local consumer protection agency, the Better Business Bureau, your State Attorney General, or the FTC (ftc.gov). The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit http://www.ftc.gov/ or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Work From Home - Alpine Access
I learned about this company through money magazine and it is very reputable seems to have a very streamlined application process. Alpine Access Homepage
Alpine Access is the premier provider of customer service solutions using home-based employees. Alpine Access’ clients are organizations that value their customers and are passionate about their brand. Our Alpine Customer Experience (ACE™) solutions mean access to quality employees, compelling operational efficiency and economic success.
Partnering with Alpine Access means gaining a competitive advantage and realizing the greatest ROI from your customer service operations. Advantage, yours.
-Jennifer
Alpine Access is the premier provider of customer service solutions using home-based employees. Alpine Access’ clients are organizations that value their customers and are passionate about their brand. Our Alpine Customer Experience (ACE™) solutions mean access to quality employees, compelling operational efficiency and economic success.
Partnering with Alpine Access means gaining a competitive advantage and realizing the greatest ROI from your customer service operations. Advantage, yours.
-Jennifer
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Work From Home - Arise
Hi Guys. I located this company that is curently hiring people to work from their home in most areas of the country (not NY unfortunately).
Arise Virtual Solutions, Inc. was founded as Willow CSN Incorporated in 1997, the home-based sales, customer service and technical support concepts have become some of the fastest-growing business segments in America.
Please visit here for more info. ARISE COMPANY
-Jennifer
Arise Virtual Solutions, Inc. was founded as Willow CSN Incorporated in 1997, the home-based sales, customer service and technical support concepts have become some of the fastest-growing business segments in America.
Please visit here for more info. ARISE COMPANY
-Jennifer
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Work From Home Selling Avon
Suprisingly (for me at least) selling Avon is still a nice way to make some extra money and work at home. The good thing about Avon is that you get your own website, it's very cheap to start (10$), and you don't have to have parties to sell products. You get catalogs to give to anyone interested, and they can give you their orders direct, or they can buy directly from your website.
Click on this link for more information.
http://www.youravon.com/REPSuite/become_a_rep.page
Click on this link for more information.
http://www.youravon.com/REPSuite/become_a_rep.page
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Work From Home - My Article Archive
I wanted to remind everyone to check my archive...there are tons of informative articles on different ways to make money.
Work From Home - Telecommution Jobs
There are a million scams out there regarding "work at home" jobs. One way to completely bypass all of this is to directly contact companies in your area who are hiring. Many companies these days offer telecommuting postions, either part-time or full time. Some companies require a certain period of work at their offices before allowing you to telecommute. One of my closest friends worked for an insurance company for a year then was allowed to work full-time from home. Now that she has a daughter, she said it's the best career move she ever made.
Be aware that these type of postions are highly valued, so make sure to get your resumes out there and make sure they know you are interested.
Be aware that these type of postions are highly valued, so make sure to get your resumes out there and make sure they know you are interested.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Work From Home and Get out of Debt
As part of working from home and becoming financially independent, a very important concept must be discussed..GETTING OUT OF DEBT. Speaking as someone who knows all too well...if you don't find a way to pull yourself out of debt, your whole life will be affected and you will begin to drown. The most important thing I learned is that no matter how little you make, or how broke you are, you CAN start pulling yourself out of debt. It does take a lot of sacrifice short term, but in the end it is COMPLETELY worth it. Even if it's cutting out 20 dollars a month, you can do it.
http://money.cnn.com/2005/12/12/pf/resolution3_debt_0601/index.htm
http://money.cnn.com/2005/12/12/pf/resolution3_debt_0601/index.htm
Work From Home - eBook
Once in a while you come across a money making scheme that you just have to read twice. Not because it's poorly explained but because you can't believe something so simple could possibly work. For those of you who are new to this, Harvey Segal is a name you will run into often as you cruise the highways of online wealth building. He is one of those "gurus" you hear about so often - you know, the folks that are making a fortune on the Internet. Harvey, like the other Gurus, makes a pile of money by doing the thing that the rest of us don't. He writes eBooks - all the Gurus write eBooks. If you haven't figured this out yet, think on this. If I write an ebook, even a real crappy ebook, and then post it on clickbank and then wait for the affiliates to start selling the dam thing - then I will make a lot of money. The best part is it will not cost me a cent to do it other than a little time and effort in writing the eBook. So why aren't we all writing eBooks? I can't speak for you but I am simply too lazy. So how do lazy people make money on the net? We sell stuff written by people who aren't lazy. This arrangement works out rather well and I hate to admit it but there is a certain amount of fairness built in to the whole process. The people who aren't lazy make more money than the lazy person. Sure there are some affiliates who do make a fortune just selling other peoples stuff but they are not lazy - they work night and day to do it - good for them. Do they inspire me? Not at all - I wish I could hire one of them to do all the work for me. I only want to get rich by doing nothing - if I have to work for it then I might as well get a job. I want to prove that a lazy no talent hack like me can make money doing nothing. So far I have failed to prove this but what do you expect from a lazy person.If I had a point this would be where I get to it. Oh right, Harvey Segal. I mentioned him because he has produced a program for people exactly like me... LAZY! I don't use the term brilliant often but this one takes the cake. I'm not even going to bother explaining it all as I can't do it justice. Lets just say that it allows the laziest person on the net to do about 1 minutes work and then sit back and have money rolling in. Ok - that's an exaggeration. I am the laziest person on the net and I did the 1 minute of work and the money isn't exactly rolling in - more of a trickle really. But hey, its still coming my way for a change. If you are new to the game then read his pitch - the last page will blow you away. I mentioned brilliant earlier and this is why; Harvey Segal will give you his ebook "The Ultimate SuperTip" for free. So what you say - lots of ebooks are free. True but you can get this one without having to give him your bonafides - no email address, no name. Just no strings attached "free". Fine, you say. So what's so special about his ebook?For the answer to this you'll have to read it. (Be sure to read all the way through - the last page will floor you)
Get The Ultimate Supertip Here and then read it all!
Get The Ultimate Supertip Here and then read it all!
Work From Home - Project PayDay
Ahhh...here is a link I found with people talking about what Project PayDay is. http://www.whydowork.com/forums/about11499.html
Sounds like it could work, but I'm so busy right now I can't try it. If anyone wants to comment and give us all some feedback on how it works for you, please do!
Sounds like it could work, but I'm so busy right now I can't try it. If anyone wants to comment and give us all some feedback on how it works for you, please do!
Work From Home - Project PayDay?
I was wondering if anyone out there had read the book Project PayDay? If so, what did you think? Here is the link.
http://www.projectpayday.com/
I have heard it talked about all over by people who work from home...maybe I'll read it and report on it here.
http://www.projectpayday.com/
I have heard it talked about all over by people who work from home...maybe I'll read it and report on it here.
Work From Home - Joint Venture Brokering
Another option to help you work from home is getting involved in a Joint Venture. It's people getting together to achive a common goal, usually pooling resources. It is also called a Strategic Alliance or Partnering. The people who succeed best at Joint Ventures understand that they get well paid for linking people with solutions. You don’t have to be involved in the deal – you can introduce two other parties, triangulate the deal and be well paid. I haven't had true experience with this, so you need to check this link out and maybe give us some feedback.
http://www.jonathanwold.com/blog/2005/08/joint-venture-brokering-part-1.html
http://www.jonathanwold.com/blog/2005/08/joint-venture-brokering-part-1.html
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Work From Home - Google Analytics
Ify ou work from home and blog or own a website this is a great took to track your sites statistics. I just started using it and I have been impressed so far.
http://www.google.com/analytics/
http://www.google.com/analytics/
Work From Home - Selling Crafts or Products on eBay
One of the things that I have found to be a good source of income while you work from home is selling things on eBay. Now whether these items are used baby clothes, handmade crafts, or services...you can always find a buyer on eBay if the price is right. I have mainly used it to sell some no longer needed items, but that's just because I am not particularly crafty and can't think of anything to make.
Here is a link with some great resources on getting started. http://www.mymommybiz.com/ebay/index.html
Here is a link with some great resources on getting started. http://www.mymommybiz.com/ebay/index.html
Work From Home - Make Money Online Reviews
Hey! I’m starting to catch up! Want to work from home? This is the new batch of Make Money Online reviews for some info.
Here are the 10 new reviews:
Excibius
Tool Real
And another thing
M3nghua.com
Shinzo Abe The Prime Minister of Japan
Time Ukaj Dot Com Pursuit of Happiness
Dave Manuel Personal Development and Entrepreneurship Blog
Irish Web-Design & Web Development
SEO Snafu
Trade Pals Sales Leads
Here are the 10 new reviews:
Excibius
Tool Real
And another thing
M3nghua.com
Shinzo Abe The Prime Minister of Japan
Time Ukaj Dot Com Pursuit of Happiness
Dave Manuel Personal Development and Entrepreneurship Blog
Irish Web-Design & Web Development
SEO Snafu
Trade Pals Sales Leads
Work From Home - Paid Surveys
In my effort to work from home I have signed up for many paid survey sites, and have found that most are a lot of work for little, if any money. Most promise a lot, but usually you have to work up tons of points to redeem cash or goods. There are a few that pay decent, but they are few and far between. Here is a link to an excellent article that reviews paid survey sites and give information on how to avoid the ones that are purely out to scam you.
Click here for article about Paid Surveys
Click here for article about Paid Surveys
Work From Home Site
Last night I visited a new site to read up on the latest work at home opportunities. Take a look at their message boards...lots of good info from moms. http://www.bizymoms.com/
Work From Home and Become Financially Secure!
The biggest thing I learned from doing my research is that there are a ton of scams out there if you are trying to work from home. Don't ever pay anyone for information. That's what Google is for!! :) and better yet it's free! Also, read what other people are saying about their experiences working from home...you will find tons of useful information. Check out these threads.
http://www.mymommybizboards.com/
http://www.internetbasedmoms.com/bb/
http://www.mymommybizboards.com/
http://www.internetbasedmoms.com/bb/
Work From Home - Blogging
Here is a great link I found about how to work from home by blogging. It's helped me tremendously.
http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum89/11905.htm
http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum89/11905.htm
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