Search Results for: blog dealing with taxes when you work from home

Are You Getting All Your Tax Deductions?

Tomorrow is April 1st. For those of us who have put off doing our taxes, the next two weeks will be a race to the deadline. Now where exactly did I put all of those medical bills? Talk about increasing your stress! As a single parent there are many ways you can benefit when you do your taxes. Many divorced couples take turns claiming the kids each year, this can make it a little tougher when it’s not your year to claim them. However, when you can claim them you benefit not only from their deduction but also because you … Continue reading →

A Useful Book For Aspiring Home Based Professionals

I’m no dummy, but I do find that when I want to educate myself about something completely new, the “Complete Idiot’s Guide” series of books is the first place that I look. If you are thinking of starting a home – based business, there is a book in that series which is just for you. “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Starting a Home – Based Business” by Barbara Weltman is written in the same accessible style as the rest of the series and is a worthwhile read for anyone who thinks that they may be interested in starting a home … Continue reading →

Home Based Professionals Make Great Mentors

As a home – based professional, you may not realize that you are setting an example for other professionals who may want to work from home. In other words, at some point, your experiences and insight could be helpful to an aspiring home – based professional who is looking for a mentor. While I have not yet had the opportunity to assist someone in that way, I did learn most of what I know about one of my businesses from a mentor and I am eternally grateful to her. I met my mentor while I was in law school. She … Continue reading →

From Hobby to Home Based Business

One great way to start a home – based business is to build a business around your hobby. If you think about it, work should be enjoyable. You chose your hobby because you like to do it. Wouldn’t you like to earn money while spending more time doing something that you enjoy? The single most important thing to remember if you do decide to turn a hobby into a home – based business is that you must change the way that you think about it. Once you commit to turning your hobby into a business, it is no longer a … Continue reading →

Dealing with Taxes When You Work from Home

I always say it takes a disciplined person to work from home. But that applies not only to the work; it also applies to setting aside taxes. I am an independent contractor for a web content company; therefore, my taxes are not automatically taken out from my paycheck. If I’m not disciplined to take out the money, I can easily find myself in a deep hole. Now there is a difference between someone who is self-employed and an independent contractor. The IRS can help you determine which one you fall under. This year I did a little better job with … Continue reading →

Think of All the Hands On Training You’re Getting!

Even though most of us bring all sorts of skills and work experience to our home businesses, we may feel ill-prepared for all of the demands of the job we have taken on. I know that even though I thought I was well prepared to run my own business, I definitely learned quite a bit not just from business magazines and books, but also by actually doing the tasks and dealing with issues as they arose. When you feel overwhelmed or think you are completely out of your comfort zone in your home business—just think of all the valuable hands-on … Continue reading →

Fine Print Matters in Home Business Too

I am sure you have heard the saying: “Be sure to read the fine print” meaning that we need to make sure we pay attention to all the details in any contracts we might sign, agreements we make, etc. While reading the fine print matters in our personal finances, we have to watch the fine print in our home businesses too… Make sure you read all the information and fine print when it comes to anything financial with your home business—a business bank account, loans, credit cards, shipping agreements, insurance, etc. Even when working with a trusted institution with financial … Continue reading →

Benefits of an Emplooyee Identification Number

I recently submitted an article for publication in a magazine that was accepted. I don’t normally do this since I have regular work coming in. But the magazine was of interest and I thought I had a suitable topic. The editor recently sent me a reply that my article had been accepted and provided some contract information, including a request for my name, phone number and Social Security Number (SSN), so that I could be paid. I was a bit wary of providing my SSN. After doing some research, I found that many publishing companies request this because anything they … Continue reading →

Become a Certified Genealogist

Although there are many hobby genealogists there are people who choose to turn their love into a career. Professional genealogists help other complete their genealogy. Some may work at a genealogy library others may focus solely on doing the work for others. If you are considering going professional you may consider getting a degree or certificate in genealogy from a university. Another option is to become a board certified genealogist. The Board for Certification of Genealogists oversees the certification process for genealogists in the United States. There is an extensive process in which you must show the work you have … Continue reading →

Money Week in Review – September 23 – 29th

This week in Money started off with an article touting another blog on Families. Debbie made a point about Frugal Thinking. While the mindset might seem extreme to some, it is a helpful way to think when spending money. Can you believe it is October already? Well Christmas is coming up fast, so be sure to take a moment to prepare by reading Miriam’s article, Holiday Spending. By planning ahead you can have a good time and not spend a fortune. No matter what your age, Saving for Retirement is important. Debbie offers you five tips in her blog entry … Continue reading →