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S SPOT - Home Sweet...Office?

With the advent of virtual technology, whether you are a mom or not, working from home has become hip and mainstream and oh so incredibly euphoric.  New mothers especially will relish these savvy tips for handling your business without wandering beyond your doorstep.

• Designate some office space...  Working from home most definitely requires an office.  Either a desk set-up in the corner of your living room or a room all to yourself will do.  Heck, if the weather is nice and your extension cord will reach, a patio will work just fine.  Hint:  Make sure it's well lit!
• Furnish your space...    You'll need a desk for starters, with enough tabletop space to fit equipment, and a work area with plenty of elbow room.  It should also have enough drawer space to hold everything you need close at hand.  And don't underestimate the necessity of a good strong, comfortable chair.  Hint:  Go for ergonomic if it's in your budget!
• Get the right equipment...  A decent computer with up-to-date software is a given.  There are many many economical options on the market so do your research and choose wisely remembering that brand quality is sometimes worth spending extra for.  Another great investment is a multi-purpose color printer with faxing, photocopying and scanning functions all-in-one.  These are a lot less expensive than you think.  Hint:  Printer manufacturers make their money on ink cartridges, those clever folks!
• Stock up on supplies... Ladies, there is nothing like a really "good" pen.  You should also have commonplace office supplies like paper clips, scissors, correction tape, scotch tape, post-it notes, pencils with erasers, rubber bands, binder clips and a stapler.  Last but not least, paper, and lots of it, several reams of bargain brand paper and also some high quality stock.  Hint:  Value packs!
• Decorate...  Make your office cozy and alive with plants and pictures of your loved ones.  Hint:  Program your computer desktop to run a slideshow of your favorite photos!
• Make a schedule...  It's tempting to sleep till noon, work for two hours and then take a bubble bath but you'll never pay the bills like that!  Treat your at-home job as you would any other.  Set your alarm, eat a healthy breakfast and punch in at approximately the same time every day.  On the flip side, try to punch out around the same time every day to avoid burnout.  Hint:  Schedule your lunch breaks!
• Minimize distractions...  "Instant message" chimes, washing machine buzzers and the hootin' and hollerin' of Jerry Springer are efficiency slayers.  Again, treat your at-home work time as you would your time in an office.  Sound proof your environment so you can concentrate on the task at hand.  Hint:  Buy some earplugs!
• Be organized...  Everyone has his or her own tricks for staying organized.  Whatever yours are do them to the max!  Filing, making lists, folderizing, in/out trays, Excel documents and calendar scheduling or a combination of all of the above.  Hint:  Digital files take up less room but be sure to back them up!
• Extras...  If finances permit here are some other things you might want to consider:  A paper shredder, a digital camera, a separate telephone line, postage & overnight shipping items.  Hint:  A coffee maker and/or water cooler add a nice touch!
• Keep track of expenses...  When you work from home, a percentage of everything from electricity bills to cleaning costs count as tax deductions.  So turn up the air conditioner and hire that housekeeper!  Hint:  Ask your tax preparer about laws in your state!

With equal parts gumption, planning and enthusiasm working from home is a piece'a cake!  So pack up your cubicle and head on home...