How to Save Money on Your Home Office

Work from your home office and save money: Tips for baby boomers

Congratulations! You are a baby boomer setting up a home office! Transitioning from working somewhere else to working from a home office, can be a major change. Maybe you are entering into semi-retirement and heading for full retirement, in the near future. Your days of working elsewhere are almost over, as you become free to do your own thing, from your home office. Without that extra income coming in, saving some money is vital in order to survive.

What can you do to save money as you set up your home office?

Here are some guidelines.

Home offices are not like they used to be. Any room in your home can become a home office. That makes life simpler because you do not have to rent a location somewhere, buy a new place or re-build your existing home to incorporate changes that include an office. Start by designating an area in your home, as your office.

There was a time when you needed many things to set up a home office. Now it has become easier, because what you need is a desk, a chair and a computer. Your computer can be set up with a telephone.

As long as you know how to transfer files to an e-mail address, you don't have to purchase a printer immediately. You can do printing at your local library by accessing your file on your e-mail and re-routing it to their printer. You may find that it is less expensive to purchase a small printer. Telephones, printers, scanners and fax machines are relatively inexpensive. When you purchase your home computer, you may be able to find a deal that includes at least one of those items.

Setting up your computer on DSL is easy through your local telephone company. Obtaining an Internet package is not that costly. Having a second telephone line guarantees that your home phone is not tied up when you are on the computer. That can prevent you from missing important calls for your business, as well as your home.

Your local cable company may be able to make a similar offer if the telephone Internet option is not viable. There are many package deals offered for cable that include Internet service for the computer, cable television and your telephone.

With respect to purchasing office furniture, watch advertisements in the local paper. There may be garage sales or businesses closing down. They may have bookshelves, desks, filing cabinets, chairs or other office furniture, at almost no cost. Recycling centers and second hand shops may also have equipment you need.

You do not have to purchase a lot of stationary for a home based business, but you can purchase notepads, paper, pens and pencils directly from a business supply place. You will find their prices lower. They also have sales on items like pencil sharpeners, stacking shelves, pen and pencil holders. There may be other things that will make your office look professional. Watch for flyers advertising sales with respect to office supplies.

Here is a word of caution, as you begin to set up your office. Make certain that it is located in a place you like to work. Decorate it simply. Do it in such a way that you are happy being in the office, because it is not where you are accustomed to working. Work in it for a while and then, consider making professional changes in terms of decorating. You will have a much better idea of what you are looking for after you have spent some time there. That will save you decorating it twice.

With respect to computers, do serious shopping and find a computer set up that is appropriate. There are different kinds of computers with a wide range of options. A desktop computer may be more appropriate than a laptop computer, though a laptop seems ideal, at first. It will be less expensive too.

Regardless of the kind of home business that you set up, you need basics, so budget for your needs, rather than your desires. You should start showing income before making major purchases.

Look at the possibility of hiring a book keeper or an accountant, to help you to set up your books, so that you know what records to retain. This can save dollars and prevent problems. Remember that you can include a portion of your home expenses with your basic office expenditures, when you file your income tax, if you have a registered business. Your bookkeeper will be able to advise you what he or she needs to keep your records. He or she may know where you purchase things like file folders, receipt books, stationary, letterhead paper and envelopes printed, at a reasonable price.

Invest in a good computer programs. They will simplify your paperwork considerably. Some of these may come with your computer or you may be able to download them, at no cost.

Seek guidance from those who are experts in the home based business field and let them teach you other ways to save money. Remember that there will be new and different things that you can do with respect to saving money on your home office. Always be open to new ideas and suggestions. Even baby boomers can be taught new tricks.

Enjoy your new home office.