The 10 Best Things About Working at Home
By Sherril Steele-Carlin
Working at home is a dream for some people, and a dream come true for many others. Why do so many people long to work at home, and leave the corporate world behind? Because working at home is great, and here are my top 10 reasons why!
- Freedom - Most home workers put this right at the top of their "10 Best Things" list. Working at home offers the freedom to work when and where you want, as much or as little as you want. You're free to explore new opportunities and outlets for your products and services. You're free to schedule your work around your home life, and work when you are the most creative and productive.
- No Commute! - One of the best things about working from home is not having to commute to the office every day. It can save on everything from gas and auto maintenance, to lower insurance rates because your car is being driven less. Many workers find themselves on the highway more than an hour a day traveling back and forth to their jobs. Without the commute, you've added time to your day...time that you can use to build your business, or spend with your family.
- Creativity - Working at home gives you the opportunity to become more creative in your field. You'll spend more time doing what you love to do, and honing your skills. When you spend eight or more hours a day doing something, you're bound to become an expert, and expand your creative thinking.
- Responsibility - You're responsible for yourself when you work at home. You don't have to answer to a boss, or a board of directors, or a committee. You're free to choose the projects you want to work on, and you're responsible for completing them on time, and doing the best job possible. It's a good feeling to be responsible for yourself, and to know that you're doing the best job you can.
- Home Office - Setting up your home office can be a joyful experience. Even if you only have space in a corner of your living room, or on your dining room table, it's your office! It's exciting, and as your business grows, it's even more exciting to watch your office grow. When I first began working at home, I only had a computer in a second bedroom. Now, that room has turned into a real office, with bookcases, filing cabinets, and a corkboard wall that I can use to post assignments and mementos.
- Time - One of the best things about working at home is TIME. It just seems that you have more of it. Even if you take on several clients, and are working long hours, you're at home. You can take five minutes to throw in a load of laundry, start dinner, or load the dishwasher. If your eyes are bleary and your back is tired, you can spend 10 minutes in the garden, sipping a cup of tea, then head back to work. You can be there when your kids come home from school, and when your spouse gets home from work. You can run errands when everyone else isn't running errands, and avoid the crowds. Your time is your own. Many home workers find they are actually working a lot more hours, but they can still take a few minutes to "stop and smell the roses."
- Expenses - Face it, you'll have extra expenses when you open your own home business. However, you'll also save quite a bit of money in other areas! You won't need to spend money on a lot of business clothing. You won't need lunch money, espresso money, and parking money. You won't need to pay for childcare, and you'll save on auto upkeep and gas. I called my insurance company and told them I was no longer commuting to work every day, and saved nearly $100 on my yearly auto insurance premium. I also save on eating out. When I was working, I'd often feel "too tired to cook," so we'd go out to dinner. That doesn't happen nearly as much now that I work at home, I have more time to cook, and more time to explore new recipes. I don't spend as much at the grocery store either, because I have the time to clip coupons and use them.
- Income - Working from home offers the opportunity for unlimited income. You are directly responsible for what you earn, and the only limits you have are how long you want to work, and what you charge. Many home workers find that after a few years of building up their business, they are making more than they ever did working for someone else. Your income depends on you, and it's a wonderful feeling when the checks come rolling in.
- Variety - Most home workers don't get bored very often! For one thing, usually they are doing something they really love, and they are excited about it. When you run your own business, you also have to take care of every facet of the business, from record keeping to marketing and customer service. You aren't just a writer, you're an accountant, a sales rep, and a business planner. You have to wear several hats, and no day is just like any other. You may spend one day marketing your goods or services, a few hours tracking your income and expenses, and several hours creating new products or services. Every day brings new creative challenges, and new opportunities!
- Taxes - Yes, taxes can be a good thing when you work from home! Of course you should always check with your accountant, (and you should have a good accountant!), but if you have a home office that's used only for your business, you could get some substantial tax incentives at the end of the year. All the products you use for your business are tax deductible, and a portion of your home expenses may be too, if you qualify for the home office deduction.
