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Archive through April 05, 2006

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: General Discussions ARCHIVES: Jan ~ Apr 2009: Career Group: Working from Home - Pros and Cons: Archive through April 05, 2006 users admin

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Citruscitygal
Member

08-07-2003

Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 4:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Citruscitygal a private message Print Post    
I'm a fairly new poster, but I've been lurking for a long time. I notice several people mention working from home or running a business from home. I've done accounting from a home office for 25 years. Does any one have tips for dealing with the friends, family neighbors, etc. that think you are available 24/7 because you are at home? What do you think are the pros and cons of working from home? Looking forward to input and opinions.

Citruscitygal
Member

08-07-2003

Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 4:32 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Citruscitygal a private message Print Post    
Sorry, maybe this should have been in the Career section. Maybe mods could move it if it need be.
Thanks

Yankee_in_ca
Member

08-01-2000

Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 4:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Yankee_in_ca a private message Print Post    
Hi, Citruscitygal -- I'm running out now (for a business dinner), but I'd be more than happy to join in on this thread! I laughed at your post above -- even though I work probably 12 hours or more out of every single day (including weekends), some of my acquaintances still think I "don't have a job" because I work from home!!

Will write more later.

Ddr
Member

08-19-2001

Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 5:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ddr a private message Print Post    
Hi Citruscitygal, I'm also fortunate to work out of an office at home. Most of the time, I'm on the road during the day for meetings. Which means I work at night doing paperwork. I'm contracted for an x number of hours each month, but I typically go over 50 to 60 hours each invoice.

I do love being at home, but I have to watch myself carefully because I'll end up working all the time and not have a "life".

Moderator
Moderator

06-30-2002

Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 5:31 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Moderator a private message Print Post    
Citruscitygal: As you can see, your topic has been relocated to the 'Career Group' as requested.

Mod (22)

Karuuna
Member

08-31-2000

Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 6:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
CitrusCityGal - I worked from home for 7 years before my company grew so big, I had to break down and get an office.

One thing I recommend, get separate phone lines for business/home. Don't answer the home phone line when you're working. If someone asks why you didn't answer, say, "oh, because I was working." Don't say more than that, and DON'T apologize.

If someone drops by, smile your friendliest smile, and say, it's so nice of you to stop, but I'm going to have to get right back to work. But I can take a minute to set up a time when we can (have lunch/talk on the phone/go for a walk) before you go.

Always say these things without apology, with great friendliness and a big smile. You don't want to make folks feel guilty, you just want them to understand that you work during the day, and that you HAVE to work during the day.

Most sensitive folks will get the message. But don't ask me about the dense ones.

Citruscitygal
Member

08-07-2003

Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 6:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Citruscitygal a private message Print Post    
Karuuna - I'm sad to say that most of the people in my life tend to fall in the "dense" category, but I'll keep trying. I've always been a night owl and that seems to be when I get the most work done - less interruptions and distractions.

What type of work do others of you do from home?

Karuuna
Member

08-31-2000

Monday, April 26, 2004 - 8:41 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
Citrus - the link to my website is in my profile. :-)

As for the dense friends, you just have to be even that much more firm with them. If they are there, look them straight in the eye when you tell 'em you've got to get back to work. If they call, um, get caller id!

Citruscitygal
Member

08-07-2003

Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 4:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Citruscitygal a private message Print Post    
Thank you to Lumbele for the mention in Sunday's Update thread. I hope Yankee will have time to pop in here - rested up from her travels?!

Karuuna: Enjoyed your website and yes, caller ID has helped.

Worked very late tonight. Had a client that didn't leave my home office until nearly 1:00 AM.
I have any early meeting tomorrow so I think I try to get in a "nap" before then.

Have a good day all!

Yankee_in_ca
Member

08-01-2000

Friday, May 07, 2004 - 10:17 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Yankee_in_ca a private message Print Post    
I'm back in the office for a week after a full-on travel schedule (and after next week I'm back to NY and DC again!). Would love to be a part of this discussion.

What just reminded me of this thread was a call I just received from a friend. The friend's girlfriend and he are selling their condo -- and they're having an open house from 11-noon. She has hurt her back so stayed home from work today, so needs someplace to go while they're having the open house. So he calls and asks if she can "crash" at my place for an hour.

Of course I said yes, but I am in the middle of my workday, and I will need to take care of this person if her back is hurting, chat with her, etc.

I really don't mind doing it, but it's funny that immediately people think, "Oh, she's home. We can call on her." Whereas if I were working in an office, it wouldn't be a question.

While I work from home, I work HARD from home. It's hard to get anyone to understand that. (I won't even go into my MIL, who will call to invite me out for lunch 10 minutes before she wants to go -- and then gets upset when I say I can't.)

Thanks for letting me rant. Now onto real work until my guest arrives... :-)

Lkunkel
Member

10-29-2003

Saturday, May 08, 2004 - 12:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lkunkel a private message Print Post    
Both DH and I earn the bulk of our income working from home writing and editing. We--okay HE--also teaches at the UNLV Educational Outreach (that's me in the background of the first picture; I'm his teaching assistant).

We teach on Saturdays. We've had off this Spring Quarter to prepare for the Summer/Fall Quarter when we teach 8 classes.

Monday through Friday, we're working from home on book or article editing; coaching; writing auto glass installation instructions or assigned articles for pawnshop, mailing center, and check cashing journals; PR for a software company in Tucson, etc.

Generally, nobody believes that we work since we are always home. I am glad that we finally got Caller ID--it really helps stop some of the interruptions.

Overall, we enjoy it; sometimes though we get into time crucnches and I begin to hate my computer. Part of the enjoyment, though, is being able to sit in my garden while working; or choosing not to work when I am having a fibromyalgia flare. Since those are generally debilitating, it is relatively impossible for me to hold down an outside the house job.

Citruscitygal
Member

08-07-2003

Monday, May 24, 2004 - 2:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Citruscitygal a private message Print Post    
The old saying, "be careful what you wish for" has come to haunt me. Since I mentioned that I had trouble avoiding interruptions while working from home, I have rarely been in my home office. I am grateful for the new opportunities, but they have taken me on the road and into clients offices several days a week. I am hopeful that I can soon return to my old routine and I promise to be more appreciative of my options when working from home.

Yankee: What kind of work do you do that takes you all over the country? I hope your friend is feeling better.

Lk: I don't have a green thumb so I don't have a garden setting, but I agree it's nice to be able to move into a different environment once in awhile. I also really like setting my own hours, often working all night when phones are quiet and others are sleeping.

Yankee_in_ca
Member

08-01-2000

Monday, May 24, 2004 - 3:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Yankee_in_ca a private message Print Post    
I run my own PR agency. I specialize in entertainment and sports.

While I work from home, at any given time I oversee between 3-20 PR professionals around North America who work for me on various projects, depending on the needs of each project. So it's a virtual agency, but it works for our clients and the media.

I need to fly around the world so much to handle on-site media relations for various projects and photo/film shoots.

Appletalk
Member

03-27-2003

Sunday, July 11, 2004 - 1:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Appletalk a private message Print Post    
Hello - This may not belong in this thread - but it was the closest I could find. I have a question about Work at Home 'schemes'. Has any one heard of 'Paid Survey on line'. Supposedly you take surveys for companies and get paid 5 to 75 per survey. There is a 35.00 sign up fee. Any one have any experience with this company or any other company like them? I have not signed up and leaning towards not signing up since the saying is 'If it sounds to good to be true it probably is'. Thanks for any information.

Draheid
Moderator

09-09-2001

Sunday, July 11, 2004 - 2:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Draheid a private message Print Post    
Appletalk: There are several websites and message board that often discuss these type of programs. One in particular that I have used to research the validity of such programs is www.wahm.com (Work At Home Moms). There you'll find a link on the left of the main page for 'SCams' (<-click to go directly there) where they actually investigate a lot of these types of programs and report their findings on the site. They also have a current discussion thread with lots of links to online surveys you can participate in and it appears most of those do not charge a fee to join.

Hope this helps™

Jan
Member

08-01-2000

Sunday, July 11, 2004 - 2:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jan a private message Print Post    
Dra, you are such a wonder. You never cease to amaze me :-)

Appletalk
Member

03-27-2003

Sunday, July 11, 2004 - 3:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Appletalk a private message Print Post    
Thanks so much for the info I really appreciate it.

Cndeariso
Member

06-28-2004

Thursday, November 03, 2005 - 7:27 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Cndeariso a private message Print Post    
i would love to work from home but have no idea where to begin. i am an accountant but have mainly worked in government. so, i don't know the current complicated tax laws to do tax returns. but, i can do basic bookkeeping as that is generic stuff. i am not a cpa - though that is not required in my state to do bookkeeping work. i am the bread winner in the family and can't afford to go too long without the same level of income.

any suggestions on how to get started?


Cndeariso
Member

06-28-2004

Friday, January 13, 2006 - 12:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Cndeariso a private message Print Post    
anyone? please.

Lawrie
Member

08-11-2004

Friday, January 13, 2006 - 1:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lawrie a private message Print Post    
Cndeariso: I don't know how things are in your area (I'm in Canada). I have a friend who began a home based bookkeeping business about a year ago and is doing better than she expected to.

I would suggest introducing yourself to CPA's. In my area CA's (CPA equivalant) are often looking for good bookkeepers to either recommend to their clients or to do work on a contract basis. You could print up a few business cards to distribute to them. Blank cards are available at office supply stores and Avery provides free software to design them on their site. If you have Word, you may also want to do a few brochures outlining your credentials. There are brochure templates available for download from Microsoft. I don't have a creative bone in me but (I am told) that my cards and brochures look professional.

Another idea that works well here, is to register as a software consultant with entry level packages. Simply Accounting and Quickbooks both list their consultants on their websites. I know that there are many more choices for accounting software in the USA so I'm not sure if this would be as effective there. I am an accounting software consultant mostly with midsize software but I do maintain a status with Simply Accounting. It is about $200 CDN / year and I get demo software that allows me to support all versions of Simply and I am listed on their website.

Hope this helps. Good luck! Let me know if there is anything else I might be able to provide input on.

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Friday, January 13, 2006 - 1:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
Cn, I don't know how to get into a work from home environment in your field. But general things apply...

1. If you have a full time job, don't quit. Yet.
2. Set up a complete office, including separate phone and/or fax lines.
3. Set up an account at a business supply store.
4. Deal with business licenses and taxes.
5. Network network network.
6. Advertise advertise advertise.

If you are already employed, what you want to do is start to build up your at-home business while working. Unless you don't need to work and can take a loss in salary. If you are not working, you can jump in with both feet.

My consulting business (technical writing and online help authoring) has been built purely by word of mouth. I'm now a full time person at McAfee so no longer actively look for contracts. But you'll need to network and get the word out that you are available for work.

If you have any organizations that meet in your field, consider joining them or at least attending meetings. People can often throw business your way.

Meet and talk to others who work at home in your field. You can get a better idea of what type of work you'll be able to do, and they may give you pointers (as well as throwing business your way).

Be patient. It can take a while to build up a solid business. Years, sometimes.

Cndeariso
Member

06-28-2004

Saturday, January 14, 2006 - 3:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Cndeariso a private message Print Post    
thanks, costacat

Wendo
Member

08-07-2000

Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 6:11 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wendo a private message Print Post    


Pros: Keeping your own hours.

Cons: Miss the social interaction of an office.

Max
Moderator

08-12-2000

Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 7:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Max a private message Print Post    
I've worked from home, primarily, for almost two-and-a-half years now. At this point, I can't imagine going back to an office.

I do transcription and editing. For a year, I had one transcription employer and one contract editing job. The editing job ended, but the transcription gig has grown into a combination transcription/editing/mentoring position, so it all worked out nicely.

I have turned into a late-night person. I tend to work sporadically through the day so I can run errands and such during the weekday when there are fewer crowds. I usually don't start my "official" day until around 10:00 in the morning. Before then, I enjoy a leisurely morning catching up on a show or two taped from the night before, reading the paper, and having breakfast.

All my pay is on a 1099, independent contractor basis right now, but I'm in negotiations with my employer to be a regular employee with the company so that I can get on their healthcare plan. I currently pay $300 a month for basic healthcare coverage with a high deductible, so it would be nice to get on a better plan. We'll see.

The downside is that I tend to work a lot on weekends. That's the nature of the beast since clients send in tapes from meetings during the week and want the transcripts back on Monday or Tuesday. I have managed to balance things fairly well, though, so that I still have time for fun things with my friends on the weekends.

In addition, I work as a contractor for a local company that provides casino games for private parties. I deal blackjack for them, usually a couple times a week, except during the busy season (November through January) when it can be as much as four times a week with some doubles on Saturdays. It doesn't pay well, but it's more like fun than work. If I didn't find it fun, I probably wouldn't do it. :-)

As for social contact, I have bowling league every week, a monthly prayer shawl group (that I may be leading soon), and my car club (I'm on the board of directors). So I stay fairly well connected.

I sure don't miss the commute, the need for wardrobe, or the corporate games and bureaucracy of my former position. I do, however, miss paid vacations, benefits, and the big, fat paycheck I used to get. :-)

Oh, by the way, if any of you are good typists, have a good grasp of grammar and punctuation along with a high-speed Internet connection, a Windows-based PC (sorry, the software doesn't work on Macs at this point), and the ability to use Google or other search engines to figure out terminology, names, etc., check out http://www.tigerfish.com/employment.html. We are getting busier and busier and need more transcriptionists! :-)

Merrysea
Member

08-13-2004

Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 7:38 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Merrysea a private message Print Post    
Max, I sent you a PM. Let me know if you don't get it!