Open Your Home Office
You've probably had a desk/area at home where you have paid bills and handled personal business and will need to expand this area when you retire anyway. If you decide to have a home office, you will have to have a conversation with your spouse as you no doubt will be taking up additional space. I started with a home office myself, but as I expanded the space I quickly ran into difficulties with my wife and ended up renting a desk at the office of friends not far away.
If you have the space, it would be better if you could set up a separate room for your home office. This room should have a regular desk, a computer station, and all the things that are necessary for a home office. If you don’t have enough space to devote a separate room, you could arrange a corner of the room where your business is conducted.
If you have the space, it would be better if you could set up a separate room for your home office. This room should have a regular desk, a computer station, and all the things that are necessary for a home office. If you don’t have enough space to devote a separate room, you could arrange a corner of the room where your business is conducted.
Setting Up Your Home Office
This will take a little time to make sure you have the appropriate working space in which to conduct your business. It could take weeks for you to do the entire setup with all the materials and equipment you will need. Places like Staples and Office Depot should have just about everything you will need. Local print shops like Insta-Print, Kinko’s, and UPS Stores will also become important places to visit.
Your Desk and Chair
Perhaps the most important single item to find is a comfortable desk chair. You will be spending a fair amount of time in this chair, so don’t skimp. Older backs and necks give all kinds of problems, and the “right” chair will minimize them. Whatever you do, don’t use a handy chair that you have lying around your place. I know a number of people who have done this and regretted it later.
As far as the desk is concerned, you may be able to use the one that you already have. If not, you can either purchase a used one from the many used office furniture stores or a new one from an office supply store.
The lists that follow may seem obvious, but I’ve included them more or less as checklists.
Your Desk and Chair
Perhaps the most important single item to find is a comfortable desk chair. You will be spending a fair amount of time in this chair, so don’t skimp. Older backs and necks give all kinds of problems, and the “right” chair will minimize them. Whatever you do, don’t use a handy chair that you have lying around your place. I know a number of people who have done this and regretted it later.
As far as the desk is concerned, you may be able to use the one that you already have. If not, you can either purchase a used one from the many used office furniture stores or a new one from an office supply store.
The lists that follow may seem obvious, but I’ve included them more or less as checklists.
Top of the desk
A tray to hold paper clips, rubber bands, staple remover, Wite-Out®, measuring tape, erasers, scissors.
Top side drawer #2
Extra batteries of all types you may need, extra printer ink cartridge, some small tools like a screwdriver (regular and Phillips head), box cutter, pliers, etc.
Drawer #3
Letterhead, envelopes, extra paper for your printer, business cards, a few miscellaneous birthday cards, get-well cards, etc., for emergencies.
Drawer #4
Brochures, mail you have received of all kinds that you need not answer but wish to keep for reference
- Telephone
- Inbox/outbox
- Carrier for pens, pencils, hi-liters Post-it Note pads
- Scotch tape dispenser
- Blotter or desk pad
- Calculator, Stapler
- Desk lamp (unless you use another source of light) Date book/calendar (some people use a calendar as a desk pad)
- Alphabetized box for business cards you will collect/ receive
- Top middle drawer; Current correspondence, checkbook, stamps, credit card receipts, things pending, bank statements
A tray to hold paper clips, rubber bands, staple remover, Wite-Out®, measuring tape, erasers, scissors.
Top side drawer #2
Extra batteries of all types you may need, extra printer ink cartridge, some small tools like a screwdriver (regular and Phillips head), box cutter, pliers, etc.
Drawer #3
Letterhead, envelopes, extra paper for your printer, business cards, a few miscellaneous birthday cards, get-well cards, etc., for emergencies.
Drawer #4
Brochures, mail you have received of all kinds that you need not answer but wish to keep for reference
Phone
If you are going to use a land line it is important to get a second line. More problems develop working out of your home if you use your home phone for business. Arrange for a separate bill from your home phone, and make sure to include voice mail. Some phones also include fax capabilities if your copy machine does not. Incoming faxes can come via CallWave® 1-888-892-0021, which supplies you with a special fax number. All faxes come to your computer and can be printed on your printer. CallWave® can’t be used for outgoing faxes. Check their Web site at http://www.callwave.com/landing/mobileVisualVoicemail.aspx?r=NONE
Of course many small businesses now operate with just a cell phone: iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Nokia, Sharp, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, HTC, etc.
Of course many small businesses now operate with just a cell phone: iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Nokia, Sharp, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, HTC, etc.
Computer Workstation
You can, of course, use your PC or Mac, either a desktop or laptop model and iPad or notebook. If you find you need more than one computer, you can go online to research where you can get the best price for an additional unit or to the local computer or office supply store.
To go along with your computer you will need a copier/ printer/scanner. New inkjet units are very inexpensive and can accomplish all of these tasks. The cost varies, but depending on what you want and where you make the purchase, it should run $68 to $250. I got mine at Costco for $68, and it works like a dream. Your computer station/area should have a place where you can store important books including telephone books, directories, an atlas, a dictionary, a thesaurus, and so on.
You should also have a box to keep discs (both blank and including information and back-up).
To go along with your computer you will need a copier/ printer/scanner. New inkjet units are very inexpensive and can accomplish all of these tasks. The cost varies, but depending on what you want and where you make the purchase, it should run $68 to $250. I got mine at Costco for $68, and it works like a dream. Your computer station/area should have a place where you can store important books including telephone books, directories, an atlas, a dictionary, a thesaurus, and so on.
You should also have a box to keep discs (both blank and including information and back-up).
Shredder
Unfortunately with the large amount of identify theft you will need a shredder. They are inexpensive and can be purchased at almost any office supply store. Not only should you shred documents with personal information, but you should also shred all preapproved credit card solicitations.
File Cabinet
Whatever size file cabinet you purchase will probably fill up before you know it.
If the area in which you have your home office is small, you will probably have to make do with a small two-drawer. If you have the room, get a larger one as this will become the repository for all kinds of materials. Each year you will have to clean out the file cabinet, or you will be purchasing new ones regularly.
I would urge you to take the time to set up an organizing system for your files. You can purchase many different kinds of organizers at the local office supply store. Do so and it will save you a great deal of frustration later on.
Areas to organize:
If the area in which you have your home office is small, you will probably have to make do with a small two-drawer. If you have the room, get a larger one as this will become the repository for all kinds of materials. Each year you will have to clean out the file cabinet, or you will be purchasing new ones regularly.
I would urge you to take the time to set up an organizing system for your files. You can purchase many different kinds of organizers at the local office supply store. Do so and it will save you a great deal of frustration later on.
Areas to organize:
- Revenue: gains and losses
- Expenses: other business deductions Insurance policies Insurance claims Medical/Medicare Purchases Contributions Tax forms and records Wills and legal documents
Cards, Letterhead, Stationery
The cost for these materials is surprisingly little at your local print shop.
One tip is to order a small number of all three. Of course, the more you order, the less expensive each item is; however, you may change your mind a month or two after starting your home office business and will want to make these changes on your cards and other marketing materials. I have changed my cards several times in the past few years and still have a quantity of the old ones that I just can’t get myself to throw away.
One tip is to order a small number of all three. Of course, the more you order, the less expensive each item is; however, you may change your mind a month or two after starting your home office business and will want to make these changes on your cards and other marketing materials. I have changed my cards several times in the past few years and still have a quantity of the old ones that I just can’t get myself to throw away.
Checklist of Miscellaneous Things to Have on Hand
Some of these you may already have around your place, but it is a good idea to pick up extras or you may find that your spouse has appropriated your supplies and has secreted them elsewhere where you can’t find them when you need them.
- File folders
- Envelopes: 9 x 6, 81/2 x 11, 9 x 12 and some standard #10s with no printing on them
- Paper clips (standard, large, and alligator)
- Rubber bands
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Letter opener
- Memo paper/note pads
- Extra staples
- Extra Scotch tape
- Briefcase