Setting up Your Home Office

Setting Up a Home Office
by Nan Wood

If you are thinking about starting a small business, one of the major considerations you need to think about is setting up a home office. While your emphasis is probably on your business, it is important to think about where you are going to do the majority of your work.

A home office needs to be quiet, comfortable and practical. You can’t set up shop in the living room or the den where it will be noisy and full of distractions. If you really want your small business to succeed, you need to have a comfortable environment where you can think for hours at a time and be productive. Here are some tips.

One of the things that is important is to make sure your home office has access to a phone line, internet or electricity. Some people need to run wires and have everything in shambles which makes it rather distracting when you need to work.

Figure out where you can work quietly and comfortably for long periods of time. While many people think the basement is a good place, think about creature comforts such as the room temperature and the lighting. You don’t want to be in a room that is too hot or too cold and you don’t want to be in a cellar with no natural light for 8 hours a day.

Give this project some thought. I set up an office in an upstairs bedroom. I thought it would solve all of my needs. Unfortunately, I find that I feel closed in and I actually don't use the room. Make a list of what you need, what you think will work, and ponder it before you start.

Real Estate Investments

Utilizing a Real Estate Investment for Passive Income
by nan wood

You don't need a million dollars to get a real estate investment and to begin making a living. In fact, it is real estate that could lead you to getting the million dollars. If you want to work your way into a residual or passive income from real estate, then following a few specific rules can help you make your investment into your fortune.

If you are thinking of beginning a real estate investment, you can start by finding one property that only needs a little fixing and can be used for other purposes. There are several foreclosures and other types of programs, such as rent to own opportunities. This will give you the ability to make a small investment in order to get a large profit from what you make.

No matter what type of investment you make, it is only a matter of time before you begin to profit off of the investment. Any source will tell you that real estate will naturally build wealth over time. Because the economy and market continues to change and increase, real estate will also continue to increase. No matter what type of real estate investment you make, you can expect to begin profiting for an income that won't make you work anywhere else.

When you begin your income, you can begin making a residual or passive income. This allows you to make money simply by owning property in a variety of places without having to do the work that is involved with the property. Things such as rental properties can help you to put money in your pocket without you making an effort to go to work.

If you want a change in pace in your career, then you can begin by investing in a place and beginning to build income off of it. Real estate investment is a great way to begin putting income in your bank without having to work long hours and labor at a job that doesn't offer as many benefits as the real estate business.

For online research and a mortgage calculator visit
MortgageLoan

Save Money and Energy

Real Estate – Saving Money and Energy in your Home
By Nan Wood

You can save some of both with a little effort. Energy bills rise as the rates move upward. So why not make an effort to conserve your hard earned money and as a byproduct, help the environment at the same time?

1. Reduce wasted energy

Limit showers. Use a simple timer - thirty minutes is the max. Since water heaters suck energy, this will help. Just maintaining the temperature of the water in the water heater drains your energy. When you empty it and refill, you just keep the clock on the meter moving upward.

There are systems on the market today that don't use tanks!! Bosch has a system that creates hot water on demand. These units start at about $500 but there is a tax credit available and the long term savings must be considered.

2. Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are more expensive to install but they are environmentally sound. They can reduce your heating and cooling bill by as much as fifty percent. Check out the websites of the manufacturers.

3. All those Lights

I researched this subject for myself. Using small fluorescent light bulbs consumes less energy overall.

4. Windows and Doors

Are your windows air tight? Cracks around the windows allows leakage. When it is time to replace your windows, consider double pain. The energy efficient windows today can cut costs by 15%.

Replacing doors and windows taking advantage of modern efficient models will curb energy costs. You can do this over time as your budge allows. I saw a window that allows you to tint them in the summer but lets all that winter sun flow though.

These are four areas I suggest you check out. There are many more areas you can research to help you make good choices that will save you money in energy costs in the future. Sites online will provide you with good research.

Nan is an Accountant and Business Writer with an information site online
HomeLighting

Business Require Gifts - some ideas

Business Gift Ideas
by Nan Wood

Most people that work in a corporate environment or own their own business need to send gifts of appreciation or friendship from time to time. Whether it is for your boss, another associate, or a customer that has made a large purchase, finding the right gift for the occasion can be difficult. Here are some tips on business gift ideas.

There are plenty of great gifts available for business associates or acquaintances. When choosing a gift, think about the person and what their interests might be. For instance, if you would like to give your boss a gift for his or her birthday or holiday such as Christmas, you might want to choose a gift that is fun and which he or she might enjoy. Great gifts usually include books, DVD’s, tickets to an event or something that they can use such as an organizer, pen or even a gift certificate.

If you are an executive, there are many web sites, where you can find great executive gifts for others from items that will fit well in an office environment or items that many people may find useful while traveling. Just like other types of gift giving, if you put lots of thought into the gift, you will usually make a great choice.

For research on this subject visit
Gifts You will find online resources to help your find the right idea.