The Dot Com Miner

Working From Home Is Still A Job
Part One

If you want your home business to succeed, the first thing you have to realize is that this is not a hobby. It is a job, a career, and a vocation. No one else will take it seriously if you do not.

To start with, you must have regular hours of business. Granted, you are the one who sets the hours, but set them you must and don’t allow other people to think that they can be changed at a moment’s notice without good reason. If you want to have different hours on Tuesdays then you do on other day, that’s fine. If you want to work in the early morning or late at night because one of them suits your personality or your family’s needs better, that’s fine too. But you cannot just fit your work into the nooks and crannies of someone else’s life or when you can grab a moment here and there. Your business will not succeed that way.

For instance, if one of the reasons that you are working from home is because you don’t want your child raised in a day care center, that’s a good motivation. But you must schedule your day so that you have the best chance of working without interruption for the time that you need. Give this some thought and figure out what works best for you: If there are two adults in the home, figure out who will be responsible for child care when. If you are a single parent, you may need to do your most intense work in the evening when your child is asleep or, in the case of an older child, when he or she is at school. Sometimes another parent will be glad to trade off time for your two children to have “play dates” at one house or the other so that each of you can have some time that you need for your own work. You will need to be creative about this, but if you are serious about it yourself your family will soon learn that work time is work time for you.

Also, it is important that you do not think that you can just use a corner of the kitchen table as your workspace, in among the peanut butter jars and the flowerpots. This type of atmosphere is not conducive to serious work. You can set up your workspace wherever it is best for you, but consider finding, if you can, space that can be separate from the family’s living quarters - even if that means a decorative screen around your computer area. Psychologically, this will mean a great deal to you in terms of your ability to put yourself in a “work mind set” when you settle down to your home based business. Make the area pleasant and well lighted and set up your workspace so that you can readily reach the tools that you need. Occasionally take inventory of the things that you use most and make sure that you have a good supply on hand and don’t have to dash around looking for something just when things are popping. Again, make sure that your family realizes that this is your work space and that the success of your home based business is important in their lives too, so that they will be less inclined to snitch pens, paper or other items that you depend on finding at hand when you reach for them.

We repeat - others will take your business as seriously as you take it. You are the one to set the tone for success in your work from home business. Take charge of it!

In part two we will look at the different programs available to help you maintain the focus you need to succeed as a home business owner.

Stephen Mistretta is a freelance writer and partner in the work at home portal; Home Business Success. http://www.Home-business-success.biz

You can See Steves blog at: http://fortheveteran.blogspot.com

Appearing empty-handed at a party or special occasion can be an impolite and awkward thing to do, so be sure to prepare an appropriate gift. Gift giving can be either a planned or a spontaneous act, and each gift bears a unique significance, a symbolic expression of regard and care for the person receiving the gift, ultimately filling both the giver and the recipient with great joy. A great gift idea definitely makes the occasion and the act of giving more meaningful and exciting.

Gift ideas depend on the occasion, your intentions and nature of your relationship with the recipient, and also on the recipient’s age, lifestyle, interests and cultural background. Whether you are planning a corporate gift or a wedding gift, you should always give some thought to appropriate and meaningful gift ideas, depending on whom you want to give the gift to and for what occasion. Your lifestyle, financial condition and your very own interests and personality can dictate these gift ideas. It will be easier to shop for the gift once you have brainstormed and hit upon some good gift ideas.

Funny gift ideas are always a hit and are bound to bring a smile to the face. Funny gift ideas are especially popular amongst children and young friends who always enjoy a good laugh. A quick online search can come up with several funny gift ideas for children such as funny books (jungle books, comics etc.), funny movies (Ice Age, Finding Nemo, Shrek etc), funny games, funny clothing (such as comical one-liners on shirts for babies, children and teenagers) etc.

In today’s business world, gifts have become fashionable and commonplace. Corporate gifts are a great way to maintain existing client relationships and to welcome new business clients. Corporate gifts are also a great incentive for increasing sales and motivating employees. By giving corporate gifts you can generate publicity for your company plus tremendous good will among clients or employees and their respective families. Corporate gifts are the company’s way of telling its employees that their service and performance are appreciated, and employees in turn feel appreciated by the company and feel that the company cares for their needs.

Some common corporate gifts may include clothing, reward trophies, branded gadgets company holidays etc. for employees. Many corporate gifts come as branded gifts with company logos on them.

Wedding gifts help to convey your best wishes to the newlyweds. In some countries it has become quite popular for couples to set up a wedding registry for wedding gifts at their favorite store where they create a list of household items that they need or prefer, such as china or silverware, crystal, pots and pans etc.

Do opposites really attract? I believe there is some truth to this. At first the euphoria of a new relationship brings much elation and happiness, even in a relationship that is unpredictable as is with opposites. But after five years into the marriage will this now “old found love” still be alive and strong, and will these opposites still attract each other?

The first thing young people should know before getting married is that there is no such thing as Cinderella and Prince charming marriages. It just doesn’t work like that. At first the slipper fits, but later, after trials and tribulations, the slipper becomes too small.

There are no exceptions to this rule.

It is very crucial that couples develop and grow together through the daily grind of work, career, children, circumstances, and marital issues that can and will affect marriage tremendously.

Couples should believe in the same issues and concerns that become readily apparent in marriage. They need to deeply and thoroughly discuss the subjects of career, family, religion, etc, before saying those “I do’s”.

For younger couples who have never been married before, I really want to stress how important it is to communicate how you both feel about certain topics of importance and the roles each of you will assume in the marriage.

Lets take a look at just a few compatibility issues that might affect couples during marriage.

1) Your future husband thinks he would like to hunt for the sport of it, and is now an avid hunter and happy camper in the woods, but you have become involved in the conservation of animals. Will you know how to handle this incompatibility issue every time it comes up in your marriage? Or would you want to?

Unless you can come to an agreement of some sort about this major difference in character, then I don’t think you should get married.

2) Your future husband wants three or four children, but you’re not sure about even having one child! Are you willing to compromise your own wants and needs and give in to your husband’s desires? If not, I would advise you to hold off on getting married.

3) Your future wife has taken the position that she wants to have a career and maybe adopt a child later. You want her to stay home with your children. Is this going to work? No, it is not, and again, this can become a major problem in the home if it isn’t cleared up before marriage. If the issue cannot get resolved, I don’t think you should get married.

4) Your future wife is a Catholic and you are a Mormon? Are you prepared to deal with the stresses involved in such religious variation? Or maybe you will marry anyway and think you can change their beliefs after you’re married? Think again.

With these few compatibility issues all said and done, I still believe that two people can be opposites, and the marriage still be spiritually and mentally healthy.

It all boils down to the people in the marriage. Couples who are mentally and spiritually healthy are better equipped to deal with major issues that will involve them throughout the marriage.

Meaning, the marriage is based upon the foundation of love, commitment, honor, trust, and acceptance. These aspects for a sound and healthy marriage are what God designed marriage to be based upon!

On the flip side, if couples are going through problems of incompatibility there is no room for self-righteous behavior or control issues. This kind of behavior will wreck havoc during matters of difference. If a spouse becomes too intolerant and self-righteous the couples in the marriage cease to grow together and differences NEVER get resolved.

So what can we do BEFORE getting married that will help the marriage to be healthy and strong?

Lets ponder some pre-marital questions.

1) What will your responsibilities be in the marriage? Discuss together and share your thoughts with your future husband/wife. Agreement on these issues is very important. Know before hand what you’re getting into.

2) Express issues of importance with each other through proper communication. No marriage can withstand the perils of miscommunication or no communication at all.

3) Know what your spouse expects from you. What will your role be? What will your responsibilities be? What do you want for your marriage?

4) Know that you will be committed to you spouse through think and thin. If you go into marriage thinking that you can always get a quickie divorce, you have already gotten a divorce before you even said your “I do’s”!

5) Faults come out after marriage. Be prepared. Accept your new spouse for who they are.

It all comes down to taking your position in marriage seriously. Today many couples walk halfheartedly into marriage thinking they can get out of their responsibilities whenever they want. But this is wrong thinking and should not even be an option. Will the glass slipper ever fit?

Angie Lewis, author of new release, Journey on the Roads Less Traveled

http://www.spiritual.journeybooks.4t.com/
ISBN 1413788904

http://www.heavenministries.com/

Available Amazon and any online bookstore.

Many physical problems are related to obese condition, like difficulties in breathing, personal hygiene, pain in the knees and back and skin problems.

Obesity is a risk factor for arthritis of the knee and hip, potentially disabling conditions. Obesity and its related problems may increase the risk of death at younger ages.

People suffering from obesity more frequently have:

• high blood pressure

• diseases related to hardening of the arteries

• blood clots in the heart and the brain

• non-insulin dependent diabetes

• gallstones

• some types of cancer

• difficulties in mobility

• increased risk of mortality.

Recently, a group of researchers from University of South Florida in Tampa suggests that obesity after the age of 70 may not shorten a person’s life, but it may lead to more years of disability.

According to this new study, it is not very clear why obesity does not seem to affect older adults’ life expectancy despite its link to greater physical limitations. One of major factor may be chronic inflammation in the body, a state thought to contribute to illnesses such as heart disease.

Obesity and its related problems may increase the risk of death at younger ages. But is a certitude that obese men and women spent more of their later years with some physical disability.

Valerian D is a freelance writer specialized in health issues affecting men like obesity in old people

If you are experiencing serious difficulties selling on ebay, you may be missing some of the subtleties that separate successful auctions from low-bid auctions.

Here are five tips you should always follow when you sell on ebay:

1) Sell at prevailing ebay market prices.

If you try to sell your products for obscenely high rates, you will end you losing profits. Although clever pricing strategy can get higher bids for your product, there really is a ceiling for what you can do selling on ebay. If your products aren’t selling, reset the prices to something more reasonable.

2) Sell items that yield higher profit margins.

If you’re selling radios from a dropship source that only yields a 2% profit margin per sale, you are in serious danger of losing money if you have to relist items. The easiest solution to this problem is finding another dropship source with lower prices or selecting another item that will yield a higher profit margin.

3) Improve your auction layout and design.

A poor layout and unprofessional design can easily deter potential customers. If you can’t honestly say that you would be impressed with your own ebay auction template, you should trash it and make a new one. You may want to ask a friend or relative to give you a honest opinion of your template to help you assess where you should put information, pictures, and links (if it is a store template). This can do wonders to improve your conversion rates as an ebay seller.

4) Improve your store policies.

Offer to give your customers a money-back guarantee if they are not satisfied. Many people are weary of shopping on ebay because they have heard of other people who purchased things from less-than-honest ebay sellers. You should go out of your way to provide your customers with consistent store policies–and then to follow through with them when the need arises. This will boost your credibility, bring in repeat sales, and prevent nasty confrontations and negative feedback.

5) Improve your keyword and keyphrase density.

Most people search ebay using either “titles” or “titles & descriptions.” If your title and item descriptions are not packed with highly-searched topics related to your product, you will seriously reduce the amount of potential buyers you could have viewing your auction.

To reiterate–if you want to make money on ebay, you should set reasonable prices, pick items with high profit margins, use a professional auction layout, set and follow consistent store policies, and pack your titles and descriptions with highly-searched keywords.

South Africa is a great experience, the large open spaces buzzing with elephants and one of the smallest population ratios in the country. South Africa comes with some of the greatest natural terrain in Africa, the great blend of unmarked fields, terrain and swamps makes the entire country come to life. Not only might you be seduced at the countryside, you will additionally be seduced at the brilliant lakes and waterfalls. A real sanctuary on earth. Visit bush camps in Zambia with Kaingo and see what Southern Africa has to offer.

In Southern Africa you will be able to enjoy the finest waterfall of all, the Victoria Falls. This great waterfall has been a location for loads of elephants with loads of big cats and elephants coming to enjoy the cold waters that run here. Furthermore make sure you yourself view the crocodiles and hippos at the Zambezi River, and remember to bring a safari guide as the river will be a tiny bit choppy. You may of course wish to hire a walking safari in South Luangwa National Park & get yourself upclose with the diverse wildlife. On a driving safari one will see tigers and remarkably rare wild dogs. If you are lucky enough you can see a heard of elephants with their young. The opportunity to be so close with all of these tremendous animals is amazing.

Places to stay in Zambia could range from five star chain hotels right through to outside shelters without any TV. Whichever accommodation type you yourself select one can be sure of a lovely time.

With the every expanding global economy, many people receive earnings from foreign entities. Unfortunately, the federal government wants you to pay taxes on it.

Taxes on Your Earnings From Abroad

The federal government has a very simple attitude towards taxes and earnings. If you have earnings, the feds want some of it. A number of countries, however, take the attitude that if you earn money in another country, they will not tax that money. In theory, this is because you are already paying taxes in the foreign country. This makes sense from a logical perspective, which means the federal government does something else.

Regardless of what you do, how you do it or where you do it, the federal government demands that all U.S. citizens pay taxes on their worldwide income. Your income includes everything from wages, tips, interest payments, dividends, capital gains, pensions, royalties, rents and revenues. Put another way, there are no loophole exceptions regarding what qualifies as income.

It is important to understand that you do not get to avoid reporting and paying taxes on foreign income or revenues just because you aren’t issued a 1099 or W-2 form. You still have to report it and pay.

Now, more than a few people will be tempted to…forget…they receive foreign funds during the year. There are a few problems with these memory lapses. First, the IRS could take a look at your bank account and realize there is a difference between what you reported and deposited. Second, rivals and ex-spouses have a bad habit of reporting such memory losses to the IRS. If the IRS ultimately finds out you’ve failed to report foreign income, you could be facing tax evasion charges. Tax evasion is a criminal charge carrying prison terms and massive penalties.

There is one key exception to the above scenario. If you live outside of the United States and earn income, you may be able to take up to an $80,000 deduction. Put another way, you will not be taxed on your first $80,000 of earnings if you are living in Japan and working for Sony. You have to meet a number of strict and somewhat complex requirements to take advantage of this deduction. Boiled down to the basic elements, you essentially have to remain outside of the United States for the taxable year.

It can be tempting to forget to report your foreign earnings and revenues. The IRS is aware of this, so taking some memory improvement supplements is highly recommended.

Richard A. Chapo is with BusinessTaxRecovery.com - providing information on tax and taxes. Visit us to read more tax articles and our new tax credits page.

In the Chinese culture, the art of networking is referred to as “Guanxi”. Building relationships among various parties to cooperate and support one another is an essential and critical component to succeeding in business in China. Networking can open many opportunities no matter where you do business. In fact, many U.S. universities are offering courses on networking because they recognize the importance of networking in business.
Introducing yourself to a room of strangers can be daunting undertaking to a majority of people, including myself. Before every work conference or after work dinner with the clients, I feel a sense of anxiety come over me. I squirm at the thought of being stuck next a stranger that I have completely nothing in common with. Instead of cringing at the thought of your next work gathering, take notes on the following tips to master the art of networking.

Identify your network: Your network includes all the people you know including friends, family, neighbors, employers/coworkers, former classmates, and members of associations and volunteer groups. To get the hang of networking try to start with people you already know. Also, to expand your network circle, you can research and attend meetings of local organizations and volunteer groups that interest you.

Plan of Action: When attending an event try to plan out who you want to meet. For example when attending an organization meeting for the first time, try introducing yourself to the membership chair or guest speaker. From that point, you may want to request introductions to the people they recommend you meet.

Elevator Speech: Prepare an “elevator speech”, which is a thirty-second pitch about what you do and depending on your audience, how you can benefit clients and potential employers. At the end of your introduction, people should walk away knowing what you do, where you work, and what makes you different from others in the same field.

Graceful Exit: Networking is meeting the right people and ensuring that you are able to work the entire room. If you find that a conversation is at a lull, find a way to leave the person by getting something to drink, saying hi to a colleague, or going to the restroom.

Smooth Conversations: Having a good conversation includes not only talking but also listening. Look at the time talking with the new contact as an opportunity to exchange thoughts and ideas. Also, always ask open-ended questions to learn the most about the person and keep the conversation going. If you are struggling to find conversation starters, Gaylene Pringle, author of Tips, Techniques & Strategies on Referrals, recommends the following networking questions:

• What do you do?

• How long have you done it?

• What do you enjoy most about what you do?

• How did you get into this field?

• What do you find most challenging about your line of work?

• How long have you been a member of this organization?

Vital Information: Exchanging business cards is a vital way to remember everyone you meet at an event. Business cards provide contact information and offer you a place to jot notes on the back of the card that will help you remember the person.

Mutual Benefits: Don’t just think about what you can get from your contact but think about how you can help each other. When networking, you not only meet new people, but you act as a liaison to refer and bring people together.

Be Yourself: Be genuine and authentic because everyone can see through a phony. Remember the key to networking is to build trust, relationships, and exchange ideas, leads, and suggestions with your contacts.

Susan RoAne, author of Create Your Own Luck, recommends the Ten Commandments of Connecting:

1. Acknowledge the gifts from others, leads, presents, ideas, information, support. Send handwritten thank you notes. WE all want recognition and to be appreciated.

2. Remember, you don’t always need a reason to stay in touch.

3. Be generous… share ideas, thoughts, support, time and laugher with others.

4. Be involved… be seen on the scene.

5. Pick up a tab and treat someone to their lunch or latte!

6. Observe the etiquette of unwritten rules for networking (The Secrets of Savvy Networking, Warner Books).

7. “Good mouth” others pass on praise you have heard.

8. Keep your sources in the loop; let them get the news from you!

9. Follow up, follow up, and follow up in a Timely and Appropriately Persistent (TAP) manner.

10. Have fun! Life is too short and too long to do otherwise.

With these tips you will be prepared to network and work the room at the next big event. And remember, Barry Zweibel, wrote that you should not think of everyone in the room as strangers, but think of the strangers as “a friend waiting to meet your for the very first time.” Happy networking!!!

Copyright 2005 Modern Latina, Inc.

Linda Castillo is the founder of http://www.ModernLatina.com, a monthly online publication featuring content that is relevant to today’s Latina woman 18-45 years old residing in the United States.

Have you been thinking about incorporating your small business or self-employment activity? The advantages are many!

For starters, you’ll be protecting yourself and your family from the possibility of a business ending lawsuit. Forming a corporation is Step One on the path known as “Asset Protection” — you are moving from the world of unlimited liability to the world of limited liability.

(NOTE: For further insight into the legal advantages of incorporating, check out the article: “It Can Happen To You: Why Any Sole Proprietorship Is A Risky Business” at http://www.YouSaveOnTaxes.com/happen-to-you.html)

From a tax standpoint, there are both advantages and disadvantages to incorporating. Yes, forming a corporation can either reduce your taxes or increase your taxes, depending on what type of corporation you create.

There are two main types of corporations: “C” Corporations and “S” Corporations — and which type you choose can make all the difference in the world of taxes.

NOTE: The question of “C” Corp vs. “S” Corp has no effect on the asset protection provided by your corporation. This is a tax issue, not a legal issue.

A “C” Corporation can lead you into a Tax Trap known as “double taxation”. Yes, income from a “C” Corporation can actually be taxed twice — once when it’s earned on the corporate level and again when it’s paid to you, the shareholder, in dividends.

There are several ways to avoid double taxation. Often the easiest way is to tell the IRS that you choose to be an “S” Corp instead of a “C” Corp. The profits of an “S” Corp are not taxable to the corporation; instead, those profits are reported directly on the shareholder’s personal income tax return and are therefore only taxed once.

And once is enough, don’t you think!

Of course, any article on Choice of Entity must contain the old disclaimer, “Consult your tax professional” — I am not prescribing a one-size-fits-all approach to this issue. But for many small biz owners and self-employed folks, the “S” Corporation is a good fit because it provides protection from personal liability and avoids the nasty tax trap of double taxation — two great benefits worth checking into.

Should you incoporate your sole proprietorship and then decide that the “S” Corporation is the right fit, you must inform the IRS that your corporation is choosing “S” Corporation status by filing Form 2553, which is, in effect, an application to become an “S” Corporation.

IMPORTANT:

If you incorporate and do not file Form 2553, you are automatically considered to be a “C” Corporation by the IRS. In other words, to be a “C” Corporation, you just incorporate; there is nothing you have to do to inform the IRS you want to be a “C” Corporation.

There are critical rules regarding how and when to file Form 2553, so be sure to read the instructions carefully, or check with your tax pro.

Failure to file Form 2553 on time or filing Form 2553 incorrectly results in a rejection of your corporation’s “S” Corp application, and the corporation is then by default treated as a “C” Corp, subject to double taxation, the very trap you were trying to avoid.

To download a copy of Form 2553, go to: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f2553.pdf

The instructions for filing Form 2553 are found here: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i2553.pdf

Wayne M. Davies is author of 3 tax-slashing eBooks for small business owners and the self-employed. For a free copy of Wayne’s 25-page report, “How To Instantly Double Your Deductions” visit www.YouSaveOnTaxes.com

Road Rage is a term that, unfortunately, we have become more and more aware of as the media covers an increasing number of “road rage” incidents. We’re all aware of the shocking stories of mild mannered commuters turned cold blooded murderers, and we’re fairly certain that this will never happen to us.

We’re rightwe will probably never turn into a cold blooded murderer simply because some jackass cut us off on the freeway. While most of us are nearly immune to such heinous fits of rage, many of us fall victim to a milder sort of road rage.

I am guilty of having committed some pretty severe “road rage” infractions in my day. I was once punished in high school for some very uncivil things I said (or rather, yelled) at a bus driver in the school parking lot. On the DC beltway, raising my middle finger (along with my voice) became a reflex; it was almost as natural as using the turn signal. I wasn’t going to go out and kill someone; but my behavior sure could have gotten me killed.

This more mild type of road rage is very prevalent, and very harmful. Besides the obvious safety hazard that it poses, it is unhealthy and un-enjoyable for the Rager and his terrified passengers. The driver in a fit of traffic-inspired rage has high blood pressure (which has both immediate and long-term safety hazards), musculature tension, and high levels of adrenaline and cortisol. All of these things are a genuine hazard to a person’s health.

Some people have reported having nightmares, experiencing excessive irritability after driving, and excessive anxiety because of these episodes. It is apparent that the person experiencing road rage is harmed in a significant way.

The good news is that road rage doesn’t have to happen. There are ways to calm down and relax and deal with the stresses associated with driving in a healthy and productive way. Here are five tips that I’ve used to reduce my automobile related outbursts:

1) Breathing Techniques: I take a deep breath, hold it for a count of five, and release. Doing this several times actually reduces the tension that one’s body is holding. While I’m doing this, I imagine that stress, anxiety and tension filling my lungs, and being blown out of my body when I exhale.

2) Avoiding the aggravating situations: For me, traffic is aggravating, but it is more aggravating when I am worried that it might make me late. Therefore, if I’m going to be driving somewhere that is likely to have traffic, I’ll leave up to a half hour early, and bring a book or some work to do when I get there. Thus, my mind is put at ease and the traffic is easier to deal with. I also plan alternate routes that are less likely to get me caught up in a traffic mess. Each person has their own triggers for road rage situations, and it can be useful to sort through these triggers and try to avoid the stressful situation.

3) Posting Affirmations: I post affirmations in my car (one on my dashboard, and one on the wheel, right where I would press the horn. One of them says, “I am calm and cool because that is good for me. The one on the horn says, “I think before I speak”.

4) Preparing for the critical time: I have two stress balls in my glove compartment, a CD with relaxing music, and a bottle of water in my car at all times. When things get tough, I put on the CD, get out the stress balls (both of which can be used during stop and go traffic), and take a drink of water. This is an excellent way to being the breathing exercises.

5) Changing the mindset: I have seen a hypnotherapist, and I continue to practice self-hypnosis to deal with anger issues in my life. I’ve done a lot of work with the triggers that I identified in tip #2. Now, a lot of the things that were bothering me, simply don’t.

These five tips can take the painful edge off of your driving experience.

The important thing to remember is that the rage is in you: it comes from you, it hurts you, and it torments you. You may be angry at someone or something else, but that anger is an internal thing. You owe it to yourself to address it properly. It isn’t much of a safety issue for othersit is your own safety and health that is at stake. If you can change the way you react and the things you do, you can regain that happy experience of relaxing during your commute.

Kyle B. Varner, CHt is a Clinical Hypnotherapist practicing in Annapolis, Maryland. He maintains a blog, http://www.mindchanginghypnosis.com, where you can download his free hypnosis recordings, and offers self-hypnosis coaching.