Melissa Rich-Landis Author – Your Virtual Home Office Can Be a Reality!

They say you are never too old to learn something new. I truly agree with that statement. I cannot say enough how much I have learned from my wonderful boss. She has taught me so much on different software programs and techniques. I have also taken online courses to boost my knowledge base on different programs.

Every local community college offers classes that are beneficial to those of us who work on the computer from home. You can boost your business offerings by creating your own website or learning how to do search engine optimization. The possibilities are endless and so is the availability of continuing education.

When working from home, do you need business cards? I would say yes. I can’t say how many times someone will ask me. “You work from home, what do you do?” Times like this, I like to give out business cards.

It gives all the pertinent information about my job, website information – as well as advertises the company I work for. This is a great business tool for creating business in your community.

Your accountant or CPA can be a valuable source of information and can increase your bottom line.   They can help you take advantage of applicable home office tax or business tax deductions.   They should ask probing questions to uncover hidden tax deductions and should be available to answer questions as they arise.

For more information on selecting an accountant, please see Chapter 13 – Selecting and Using Experts.

Working from home is wonderful! I cannot say enough about much I have enjoyed my 20 year career of working from home. I do have to say at times it has really been a challenge with those that are closest to me – my family. Children and husbands have a tendency to interrupt during working hours. I have found it best to set up two offices in my home. One is in the mainstream area of the house and the other has a private location for times that I need complete privacy.

I work during the day in the main area for times that don’t need complete quiet this allows me to tend to my two-year-old as she needs. My working rules are when I am in my private office; I am not to be bothered. I make arrangements with other family member to handle the small dramas that come about during that time.

There has been lots of activity from my home office lately, and thus I have been working longer hours.  However, the longer hours are much easier since I can set my schedule to meet my needs and the needs of my family.  For example, this morning I started my day at 4:30 am – simply because it works best for me and my family.

Having a home office allows me to schedule work hours that are more conducive for my family’s needs.

Taking my work on the road meant extra preparation.   Even though I was only gone for four days, the planning began about one week in advance.    I located a large canvas cargo carrier about the size of  a standard laundry basket.  It was large enough for me to transport my entire desktop computer – including the flat screen, keyboard, and mouse.   I knew that I would be staying at the same place for all three nights, so I would only have to set up the computer one time during my trip.  Next, I packed two briefcases of necessary files and basic office supplies.

Working from the road required advance planning and additional efforts.  However, it was that extra planning and effort that allowed me to continue with my normal duties from the comfort of a hotel – rather than from the comfort of my home office.