The True Cost of Self-employment

Author: Kenny Herbold

By Kenny Herbold
http://www.work-at-home-jobs-missouri.com

Do you think you are ready to make that leap to full self-employment? The profit from your part-time (up till now :-) business is matching or exceeding your regular paycheck, so you think it�s time to fire your boss and make do without that paycheck. Before you take that final step to personal freedom, make sure you truly understand what you are giving up. Your employer paid benefits may cost you more than you realize. For many people it will take more than $40,000 of profit per year to replace a $40,000 annual salary.

When I talk about your employer paid benefits I�m not referring to the �free� office supplies, subsidized soft drinks, or even the occasional free meal at the holiday party. The items that you need to consider are the benefits that are going to cost you the most money. Although if you really like soda I guess you might want to include this too! According to a survey published by the US Chamber of Commerce in January 2004, employer paid benefits averaged 42% of an employees salary in 2002. That means you need an additional 35 � 45% more than your current salary to make up for these lost benefits.

If this number shocks you, then let�s take a look at some of the typical benefits employers provide. Again, based on the US Chamber of Commerce's survey medical insurance cost approximately 15% of an employee's salary. However, employers also cover the cost of many other forms of insurance. They include

# Disability,
# Dental,
# Vision,
# Life,
# Unemployment,
# Long Term Care Insurance, and
# Workers Compensation

You might be thinking that you pay premiums for these products already. Even if you do, your employer is most likely paying the lion�s share of the cost. Not to mention that many times the premiums you are paying are using pre-tax dollars. This means you end up paying less in taxes because the amount of your premium is deducted prior to calculating your taxable income.

When you own a home-based not only are are you going to be responsible for the full cost of all forms of insurance using after-tax dollars, you are going to be responsible for self-employment taxes. Self-employment taxes include the employer paid portion of Social Security and Medicare taxes. This means your bill for these taxes are going to double. Instead of paying 7.65% of your income for these, you will now pay 15.30%. And don�t forget about having to pay estimated taxes. You will have to file and pay taxes 4 times a year now, instead of just once. Not only do your taxes increase so do the headaches and the cost of filing!

The second highest benefit cost is your retirement benefits. Your employer�s 401(k) match guarantees an immediate return of up to 100% on your money, depending on how much your company will match and how much you contribute. If your company has a defined benefit pension plan, you are losing a guaranteed income in retirement. You are also taking on the additional risk because you are 100% responsible for investing the money to replace it.

These are only a few of the largest items that make up the 30 � 40% of your salary that will become your responsibility when you become self-employed. Your company might be paying for many other perks also. Some other things you might want to consider are

# company car (this includes gas and maintenance)
# annual or performance bonuses
# professional training or expenses (including professional journal or society dues)
# software license that let you use programs like Microsoft Office programs on your home computer
# vacation pay (that�s right, you no longer get paid when you take days off)

All of these, and any others you might be able to think of will needed to be included in the total cost of becoming self-employed.

I hope you don�t think I�m trying to discourage you from finally being able to become your own boss. I just know that the excitement of finally making this move can make us forget about some of the �extras� we are receiving. You are considering a very serious change and need to make sure that the benefits are going to outweigh ALL of the costs.

About the Author

Kenny Herbold is a benefit plan consultant and internet entrepreneur. To read more articles by Kenny visit http://www.work-at-home-jobs-missouri.com. To help calculate the real cost of leaving your job behind visit http://www.BenefitInfoPage.com PENDTAG ...

The Best Office Furniture For Your Files

Author: Brian Johansson

One of the most important aspects of running an office properly is record keeping. Your office cannot run properly without the backup of past files. Outfitting your office with a modular filing system can easily and affordably keep your records at arms reach. Most offices will conduct a spring cleaning at the end of every year to pull files from the previous year and file them away in storage since you will rarely every have to pull these files. For the current year your choice of a modular filing system should accommodate your current client roster as well as your projected growth for the coming year. Make sure that there is space for everyone that you are dealing with and for your interoffice communications or you communications with your home office. There are many different options available depending on your personal taste and office design.

Your choice on this front should be based on the layout of your office and the price range that you can afford. For most offices the standard filing cabinet will be the right choice and since they are affordable and come in a variety of colors there is generally a way to intergrete one of these systems into your office. If your company has an account setup with one of the major office supply companies they can easily supply your office with a number of solutions to your filing system needs. If your company is just starting up or is opening a new branch and looking for cost effective solutions to your storage needs, you can find many companies who deal in second hand office furniture. Most of these companies can be accessed on a local level or on the internet and offer quality merchandise at a large discount.

Whatever your solution for the furniture the most important part of record keeping is an appropriate system for filing that all of your employees understand and can implement.

Find out how to get your hands on the best office furniture for less at http://find-office-furniture.info/ PENDTAG ...

Quill Office Supplies

Author: Not Available

Source for all your office supplies and computer supplies . Order office products online. ...

Protect Your Documents With The Right Office Furniture

Author: Brian Johansson

Many executives have documents that are of a sensitive nature and should be keep somewhere secure. Depending on what type of office you have your needs for a safe will change. If you have an office that you are planning on being in for a long time you can have a wall safe installed. You should have a contractor come out to your office and install the safe. They will be able to secure it the studs so that it can't be forced out of the wall. If you are looking at a more temporary office solution you should explore the options of having a standing safe brought in. There are several different types including electronic keypad, dial and key locks. It is important for you to examine how much material you have to store and what risks you are facing.

Most people are worried about theft when they purchase a safe. It is also important for consumers to be aware of other threats to vital information. If you live in a coastal region there is always a threat of hurricanes and the floods that come with them. Anywhere is the world your documents can be at risk if your building were to catch fire. When reviewing the different models and types of safes you should take into account factors like these or any that are specific to your region. For example if you live in an area subject to tornado strikes you may want to choose a floor safe that can be fastened to the crossbeams in the floor rather than the more flimsy studs that you would find in a wall.

Most retailers are aware of the possible threats that a business owner might come across and have rate their products accordingly. It is your responsibility to do the research and find the model that is right for you. Whatever you choose you will sleep more soundly knowing the vital information and resources of your company are secure.

Find out how to get your hands on the best office furniture for less at http://find-office-furniture.info/ PENDTAG ...

Online Shopping, Finding the Office Supplies Your Company Needs for Less

Author: Amy Lieberfarb

Office supplies and furniture can drain a huge amount of your working capital just to keep the basics in stock. When it comes to saving money, a business can cut some major dollars by saving on their office supply purchases. The pennies can really add up even when saving on the small items such as pens or paper. When purchasing large equipment like chairs, cubicles or desks, the savings can add up really fast with the low online prices, way below retail.

Most office supply stores price their chairs and desks right at the original retail level with the occasional good sale item. Online shopping sites like eBay, Overstock and Shopping.com, offer the same products for an average of 30-50% below the original retail price Everyday. With easy to search listings and comparison shopping made simple and with detailed product information and pricing available at the click of a button, the online sites are ahead of the game when it comes to marketing their product.

Whether you are looking for paperclips or that all important conference table, you can usually find a lower price online than in the average retail office supply chain. Having the item shipped directly to you can save the hassle of arranging for the transportation as well, saving time and money in employee wages. A large corporation with several different locations can still order the supplies from one central location and have them shipped to the storefront they desire with relative ease.

Online shopping is becoming the new way to shop for office chairs, furniture and supplies with pricing that is hard to beat and many sites offering a price match guarantee. Just enter office chair or office furniture into any online search engine and you are sure to come up with a huge selection of products and categories to match your needs. With purchase now, pay now and ship tomorrow options, the online sites are hard to compete with, once the consumer has realized the amazing deals and bargain hunting ease of online shopping.

Amy Lieberfarb has been in the office furniture and interior sales industry for 11 years and currently runs two online websites dedicated to Office Chairs and Furniture. Providing information on how to pick the right ergonomic chair and featuring hundreds of different chairs, the site is very informative.

http://stores.ebay.com/liebswholesale

Specializing in Office Furniture and Ergonomic Chairs.

http://www.liebswholesale.com

Please see her websites and her many other articles for more information on ergonomics and proper positioning.

She is an expert in most things office chairs and is an eBay Powerseller with years of experience and great positive feedback from all of her loyal customer base.

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One sentence you should commit to memory

Author: Pauline Wallin, Ph.D.


�Wouldn�t it be nice if there was an Easy Button for life?� This question is the tag line to a TV commercial by the office supplies store, Staples.

The ad depicts people in various predicaments, including a bewildered boy called on by his teacher, a dad trying to change two babies� diapers at the same time, and surgeons about to perform an unfamiliar procedure. Each of these people, at the critical moment, pushes a big button with the word, �Easy� written on it, to get them through a difficult situation. (Then, of course, you are reminded that doing business with Staples is easy.)

This commercial got me thinking, �What if there were an Easy Button for my inner brat?� Just one zap, and it�s gone.

I wish. Unfortunately there is no sure-fire way to banish the inner brat altogether.

But there is one simple, yet powerful tool to stop the inner brat dead in its tracks, especially when you�re angry, fuming, pouting, embarrassed or feeling jealous. This tool is the following sentence:

�It�s not about me.�

Commit that sentence to memory. It�s going to come in handy:
-- when people make sarcastic remarks
-- when they don�t return your phone calls
-- when they brag about themselves
-- when they nag you
-- when they don�t thank you for a gift or favor
-- when they take advantage of you

Zap. �It�s not about me.�

All the situations listed above describe other people behaving in a critical, demeaning or inconsiderate manner. You may happen to be the brunt of their inner brats, but their behavior really reflects more about them than about you.

Next time you are confronted with other people�s rudeness, remind yourself: �It�s not about me.� Make that sentence your �Easy Button.�

How will this help? By voicing the sentence to yourself, you automatically shift perspective. Your attention is diverted away from you and your hurt feelings, so that you can be more objective, and less prone to overreacting. You remain cool-headed. Your inner brat has little chance of taking over and ruining your day by dwelling unnecessarily on the situation.

�It�s not about me� works most of the time to calm you down when feeling hurt or insulted. Occasionally, however, you might need something extra to help shift your perspective. If so, follow up with this question: �Would I expect anything else from this person?� Your answer will likely be �No, such behavior is quite characteristic of this person.�

Once you shift your perspective, decide what you�re going to do about the other person�s rude remark or behavior. That will vary, depending on the situation and the person. In any case, just the act of making a decision will reinforce your feeling in control -- even if the decision is to do nothing.

Now that you are armed with your own new Easy Button, you are well prepared to keep other people�s inner brats from triggering your own.

About the Author

Pauline Wallin, Ph.D. is a psychologist in Camp Hill, PA, and author of "Taming Your Inner Brat: A Guide for Transforming Self-defeating Behavior" (Wildcat Canyon Press, 2004)

Visit http://www.innerbrat.com for more information, and subscribe to her free, monthly Inner Brat Newsletter.
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Office Supplies , Office Furniture, Office Supply , Printer Supply ...

Author: Not Available

Our company specializes in office supplies , office furniture, office supply and printer supply . ...