Home Worker Mission

Some work at home jobs require specific software. You may also want to review the current programs installed on your computer to make sure you’re up to date. Obligatory Disclaimer: I do not work for or own stock in any of the companies who offer the products mentioned here, and you should bear in mind that I am the type of programmer that cannot ABIDE programs that do everything for me including wipe my… nose. I’m what you might gently refer to as a “Power User” so I get very irritated with programs that are resource hogs that make the system run slower.

Before responding to your first ad, make sure that your anti-virus software is up to date! While there are may good programs out there, I personally use ESET Nod32 Antivirus. I had grown disenchanted with Symantec and McAfee because both of them seemed to be resource hogs, and I found myself having to repeatedly shut off useless “features” that would mysteriously turn themselves back on every time the program upgraded. An IT friend recommended ESET and I’ve been really happy with it.

A firewall is also useful. I’m currently using the Sunbelt Personal Firewall, although it doesn’t get a lot of action since my internet connection is through my router. Speaking of routers, even if you have a wireless router, you might want to use a cable connection for your main work computer–it’s more secure and you aren’t broadcasting potentially sensitive information. You should also make sure your wireless router requires a username and password to access the network and prevent others from using your internet connection. Consult your router manual for details.

Other software depends on what sort of work you do. If you’re a web designer, you will probably want some kind of html editing program. There are a number of web jobs that require you to have Dreamweaver. If you’re working on the design end of things, you’ll want image editing software. Professionals generally use Adobe Photoshop. It’s always a good idea to check out and see what they have for specials and bundles–you may be able to get several programs for a lower price than if you bought them individually.

Programmers need some sort of text editing software, although you can use plain old Notepad, there are some good text editors out there that have conveniences such as highlighting code that can let you see a mistake at a glance. I have a friend who swears by Ultra Edit, but I personally prefer TextPad.

For documents, Microsoft Office is still widely used, especially by larger companies, although Open Office is growing in popularity.

Obviously, there are lots of other programs out there that do the same job as the ones mentioned, and if you have one that works for you, there’s no need to go out and get expensive software that you don’t really need. Be aware, however, that you will need the capability to view and/or edit files generated by the more commonly used programs.

If you become an independent contractor–and most work at home jobs consider you an independent contractor–your tax obligations change

You are now subject to the self-employment tax, which is slightly higher than the rate you pay with an employer. The current rate according to the IRS is 13.3%. You are also required to pay estimated tax each quarter if you expect to owe $1000 or more in taxes. If you don’t pay estimated taxes, you will have to pay an additional penalty. More information on making estimated payments can be found at the IRS web site

I hope to one day be able to just hand my paperwork over to a bookkeeper, but until that day arrives, I’m using TaxAct. It’s important to keep track of your business expenses, as some of them may be deductible. If you’ve set up a home office, you may be able to claim the portion of your home that you use for working. You should keep receipts in their own folder so that they are all in one place. If you have many receipts, you may want to get an accordion folder so you can organize them by month.

There are many accounting software programs out there, but I haven’t yet selected one. What accounting software do you like to use?

Obligatory Disclaimer: This discussion about taxes is GENERAL and is not a substitute for advice from a tax professional.

If you’re planning to work at home, it’s important to prepare yourself and be familiar with some of the requirements of being an independent contractor.

First, decide where your work area is going to be located. I have toyed with the idea of setting up my “office” in my bedroom, but I decided against that because it can be very difficult for me to separate work life from home life, and my bedroom is the one place where I’m definitely NOT working. If you’re short on space, you may be limited in your choices, but try to locate your work area so that you aren’t constantly going to be distracted and interrupted by the other activities going on around you. You may want to invest in a jack for your telephone and internet.

Basic equipment of course includes your desk, computer, monitor, and printer, but you also may want to get a headset for your phone. The headset for my phone was probably the single best thing I got for my work–I was doing a telecommute job that required a lot of meetings, and it saved my neck!

A comfortable office chair is a must if you’re going to be spending a lot of time in it. You might want to get a scanner–if you’re doing contract work for a company, you may have to fill out forms and email them back. A fax isn’t necessary–if you have one, that’s great, but if you don’t, you can use one of the online services, or use a program on your computer, if you can run a phone line through it.

You should evaluate your internet connection, and if it tends to be sketchy, you may want to consider switching services or getting inexpensive dial-up as a backup. Decide where you want to keep papers–I have a small file cabinet on wheels that does double-duty for both personal and work paperwork.

If things are very cluttered and disorganized, it would probably be a good investment of time to get everything straightened out before you get started. Although you may feel under a great deal of pressure to get some money coming in, especially if you’re looking for work at home opportunities due to a job loss, the time you spend getting set up now will save you many headaches later. I’ve listed Julie Morgenstern’s “Organizing From the Inside Out” because it’s the first organizing book that ever actually got me organized. You can purchase it through this site, or see if you can get a copy from your local library.

Current home workers: What other things do you recommend?

We still have a few things under construction, but welcome to Home Worker!

I’m hoping this will prove to be a useful resource for people who work at home or are thinking about working at home.

I did my first job on the web as an independent contractor in May of 2004. When the Great Recession hit and full-time jobs became nearly impossible to find, I began to build my own business. It’s taken some time, but I’ve learned a lot on the way!

Thanks for visiting.