It allows you the ability and freedom of working for yourself, in a way. When you work from home you can basically choose your own schedule. If you are most productive in the morning, you can set your hours for early in the day. If you are a night owl, you can work late at night and into the wee hours of the morning. You can schedule yourself a mid-afternoon nap, if that helps you to be more productive. You can even wear your pajamas or sweat pants and slippers to the office. You can help the kids with their homework, or even make them breakfast. You can even do your laundry or have dinner in the oven while you are working in your office. Working from home lets you feel more in control of your life, and allows you to really enjoy life more than ever before.
Another advantage is the tax deductions available to home businesses that are not available to people who work for employers. Some of these deductions might include mileage deductions for business errands and appointments. Combining these with personal errands and appointments is also an advantage to the work at home business person, not only for time management, but also for the ability to deduct mileage that would not otherwise be available. Combine business with pleasure when taking a vacation, to make part or all of your time away deductible. Another would be tax deductions for the expense of having an office in your home. These might include items like part of the cost of your home, as well as part of the cost for the electricity, water, heating, telephone, and cable for your internet connection. Also any electronic equipment you use for your business, including computers, printers, scanners, fax machines, etc., would be deductible. In addition, any upgrades for your computers, such as security software or other software for programs you might use in your business. Another deduction could be for additional computer hardware necessary for your business, such as a microphone, headset and camera for a communication program, like Skype. Let us not forget the office furniture and office supplies for setting up your office and operating it day to day. These deductions are not available for people who do not maintain an office in their home. Be sure to talk to a tax professional for help in determining what deductions are allowed.
Disadvantages
There are also a few disadvantages of working from home that you may or may not take seriously. One of the main disadvantages is not being able to get company benefits. If you have a family, health insurance, retirement, and other benefits might be important to you. However, working for yourself might mean that you have to find a way to get these benefits yourself, which can be quite costly overall. But, do not despair; there are ways to find benefits that are both affordable and beneficial.
Another disadvantage is learning to separate your business life from your home life. This requires a measure of discipline to be able to set aside specific works hours and stick to a schedule for your business. But when it is family time, you need to able to shut the office door and walk away from that work. When you work from home , there is always the temptation to just finish a few more items on your to do list, just because of the close proximity of your office. When you work for an employer in another location, when you leave for the day, your work is done.
So, when it comes down to working from home, you really just have to decide if you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Most people agree that the freedom that comes with working from home is well worth any of the disadvantages and feel that those who work from home are truly living the American Dream.
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