| As technology has continued to move forward with | | | | won't really save you money per se, it will save you a |
| leaps and bounds, business and companies are starting | | | | fortune in long term bills related to your health. Follow |
| to re-think the work from home employee. The | | | | this advice and you'll thank me profusely in 10 years |
| practice of allowing an employee to work from home | | | | when you can stand up straight. |
| goes by a number of names and descriptions including: | | | | Consider a multi-function machine over a printer - Most |
| - Remote employees | | | | home offices will have some kind of restrictions on |
| - Home employees | | | | space so you will need to maximize your use of it. In |
| - WAH's (work at home employees) | | | | order to save space and have the ability to print, fax, |
| - Home based employees | | | | scan, and copy; consider a multi-function machine |
| No matter what the name or description, the location | | | | instead of a printer/fax combo. While all in one |
| of the job (home) remains the same. As more and | | | | machines have pros and cons, I couldn't really live |
| more employees migrate towards this work set-up, | | | | without mine. I can send or receive a fax when I need |
| the number of home offices being built or designed | | | | to, or copy a document at a moments notice. |
| has skyrocketed over the last few years. Data from | | | | Don't buy a new phone - In the event that you don't an |
| the AMEX Small Business Association indicates that | | | | existing phone that you can already use or your |
| the number of people working from their homes | | | | employer doesn't provide one, I don't suggest going out |
| increased 43% from 2007 to 2008. | | | | and buying a new one. Here's why: Much like |
| If you happen to be one of those people that are | | | | computers, the technology in phones changes at a |
| transitioning to a home office or just getting ready to | | | | rapid rate, especially if you need multi-line capability. |
| set-up your home office, here are a few ways to | | | | Offices and business are always migrating from one |
| keep the costs down: | | | | phone system to the next. This gives you an |
| Unfinished - An "office" doesn't have to be fully | | | | opportunity to purchase a really nice phone at next to |
| equipped to get started. Rather than shelling out | | | | nothing. The phone in my home office is a multi-channel |
| money for a new desk, printer, new monitor, and new | | | | AT&T business class phone with an integrated |
| phone; consider making those purchases in phases. | | | | speakerphone, voicemail, and dozens of other features |
| Evaluate your needs and purchase the most important | | | | I never use. I bought it for $30.00 off the business |
| item first. Then move on to the other items over time. | | | | section of my local Craigslist. |
| When I first set my home office up, I worked on a | | | | Second hand or closeout furniture - Assuming that you |
| small folding table until I knew that the home office | | | | don't already have it, outfitting your home office with |
| transition was going to work for me. | | | | furniture (desk, credenza, printer stand, etc.) will be a |
| Don't scrimp on a chair - I cannot stress this enough. | | | | major expense. You can save some serious money in |
| Value office chairs like you would value a mattress. | | | | this area by either purchasing second hand office |
| When you consider how much time you will actually be | | | | furniture or buying closeout furniture. Closeouts are |
| seated in one, it really makes sense to purchase a | | | | lines of office furniture that have either been |
| good quality one that meets your needs. I probably | | | | discontinued or phased out for a new model. Office |
| spend at least 5 hours of every day seated in an | | | | furniture manufacturers have to move these closeouts |
| office chair at my desk. Consider this: 5 hours a day = | | | | as they are taking up space that can be used for new |
| 25 hours per week = 1300 hours per year translates | | | | inventory. If you shop right, you can find some amazing |
| to me spending 54.1 days seated in that chair over a | | | | deals in these closeouts. I bought my son a computer |
| 12 month period. Your own mileage may vary, but, with | | | | desk, matching printer stand, and matching mini-file |
| the exception of my computer, my office chair is the | | | | cabinet on a closeout deal for a steal. The company |
| most expensive item in my home office. While this | | | | even shipped it to me for free. |