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If you have chosen a career path that leads you directly to
your own front door, then you are not alone. In fact, many people work at home and earn a full-time income,
which allows them to keep a close eye on their children, create flexible schedules and save significantly on the
cost of commuting. Whether you’re a veteran home worker or you are just starting out, keep the following tips in
mind to help turn your job into a career:
Define a space for your office: When you work at home, a room that’s free from distraction
is a must. You may choose to convert one of your bedrooms into a home office or you may have a library that will
serve as the perfect place to set up a quiet work area. Whatever your preference, it’s important to define your
office space as one that’s not located in a high traffic location of the house.
Promote your business: As someone who works at home, you may be operating on a
limited budget in the beginning. Whether your funds are tight or you simply believe in stretching your dollar,
try your hand at free publicity. You can promote your business with press releases distributed online, to
magazines and local newspapers. In addition, you may also be able to snag some airtime on the radio if you agree
to an interview and your business is one of interest to the general public.
Make a schedule and stick to it: Just because you work at home doesn’t mean that you cannot
separate the two. Believe it or not, you can still divide your home and work life even when the two are in the
same space. In fact, it’s extremely important that you learn to do this in order to avoid the feeling of always
being at work. You can help to make this possible by setting a schedule and sticking to it. First, decide
whether you wish to work part-time or full-time and then figure out the hours that are most convenient for you.
If you develop a ‘whenever’ schedule, you may find yourself feeling torn between something that you need to do
and something that you want to do. By having defined work hours, you will know when you are free for leisure
and, best of all, you will have the time to enjoy it.
Keep accurate records: For tax purposes, it’s important that you keep all receipts
for business transactions. This includes purchases of office equipment and furniture, supplies and accessories.
If you have trouble keeping up with all of your receipts, store them in your office in a box with the word
‘receipts’ written in clear view for easy access.
Purchase individual health
insurance: If you are
self-employed, it’s up to you to purchase your own health insurance plan. While many people who work for an
employer have this benefit provided to them as part of their employment package, you will be faced with
having to search for coverage on your own. The good news is that health insurance for self-employed
individuals is not difficult to find. In fact, many major insurance companies offer this type of coverage and
can provide a quote via the telephone.
The information contained in this article is designed to be
used for reference purposes only. It should not be used as, in place of or in conjunction with professional
business and/or financial advice relating to the operation of a home-based business. For additional information
on this topic, consult with a business advisor or financial planner in your area.
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