The Must-Have Tools for Your Home Office

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of people who work at home has grown again substantially over the last decade. Approximately 4.2 million people are now doing it.

Whether you run your own business, telecommute or are an independent contractor, working from home has a number of advantages. Among them, having more flexibility, saving time and money by eliminating the commute, avoiding noise and distraction in the workplace and being able to arrange work around family commitments.

If you've made the decision to give it a try, there are a few things to take note of up front: you'll need to start paying your own employment taxes; keep track of every work-related expense, no matter how big or small; and you'll need to invest in a few high-ticket tools to get started.

* Computer

No office can function in this day and age without a computer. There are dozens of models to choose from, but perhaps the most convenient would be a laptop which can be brought to meetings when necessary.

* Printer/scanner/fax machine

A printer is a must for any home business. So are a scanner and fax machine. You used to have to buy these separately, but nowadays, you can benefit from the convenience of having all the office functions you require in one reliable solution. Several companies make all-in-one models.

* Postage Meter

Time is money, and no one wants to waste any of it standing in line at the post office. So, you'll want to invest in a postage meter that will allow you to print postage anytime you need it.  

Pitney Bowes, a market leader in postage meters, offers a model that comes with a built-in scale that weighs your mail and prints exact postage every time. The meter hooks up to a telephone line and you can dial in your request to add funds 24/7. According to applicable rules and regulations, postage meters cannot be owned by a business, but you can rent one. Depending on the model you choose, it will cost between $15 and $20 per month -- an expense you'll be able to write off at the end of the year.

If you only have a few items to mail at a time, you can just set it out in your mailbox for pickup by your local carrier. If you need to send out a large volume of mail, you can contact the U.S. Postal Service (www.usps.cokm/pickup) and make arrangements for pickup.

For a limited time, you can try the mailstation risk-free for 90-days, and get $50 in free postage coupons by clicking here.  

* Paper shredder  

In this day and age where security is such a concern, a paper shredder is also a good idea. You can use this to safely dispose of sensitive documents you no longer need.  

Once you have these basic tools in place, the only other things you'll need are a phone, stationary, pens and pencils. Then your home office will be ready for business.

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