How Can College Students Make Money Online?

Money is a very important resource, no matter what your status in life may be. And to a college student who is working on meeting school requirements and deadlines, it is essential to always have money available. But money is not always easy to come by. Not everyone who goes to college finds it easy to fund their education, with some people even resorting to loaning money. 

But if loans and educational funds are not viable, you might want to look into making your own money. In fact, with today’s modern technology and the popularity of online jobs, there are various ways for a college student to try earning their own money. Freelancing for one has been a growing trend among students who are finding ways on how to get out of student loan debt. 

Here are some of the ideal choices for students to start making money online to help them pay off debts, learn valuable skills, boost their resume or CV, and provide them with more leverage for student loan refinancing.

Become A Notary Public And Loan Signing Agent 

Want to make $100 an hour as a part-timer? Then why not work as a notary public and loan signing agent? Learn how to walk people through when it comes to filling out forms and contracts whenever closing on a new home loan. If you have a background in real estate, you may already know the various documents and contracts needed for loans. If not, you might need to sign up for a Loan Signing System certification. 

Start A Blog Or Website 

Do you have a passion for writing? Then you can start your own blog and earn money by doing what you love. A blog can serve a writer a number of ways. It can be your very own content marketing tool. It is also one way for you to build your credibility as a writer for a specific niche. 

Depending on what you niche is, you can use your blog to sell digital products such as ebooks or online courses. You can also look into including affiliate links in your content, selling private ads, or by monetizing your blog with cost per click (CPC) or cost per one thousand impression view (CPM) ads. 

Offer Freelance Writing Services 

Another way for you to make use of your writing skills and passion is by offering freelance writing services. As a freelance writer, you have a large market to explore online. Your prospective clients can include small to medium enterprises, startup companies, professionals and other freelancers. Mostly, these customers may be looking for someone who can create articles that convert for them. These articles can include website content, blog posts, guide books, sales email, product descriptions, manuals, and more. 

Do Online Design Work 

If you have an eye for design and is well versed in some of the graphic design tools available online, then you might want to look into providing professional design services. Many graphic artists are diving into the freelance industry offering their skills to businesses and professionals to create websites, logos, branding design, packaging designs, promo images, social media posts and more. So if you have a knack for creating striking graphic designs, this could be a great career to dive into. 

Design And Sell T-Shirts 

Do you have an eye for T-shirt designs? Then you can search for custom made t shirts near me and for selling purpose, college is the perfect marketplace. You can offer personalized and custom-designed T-shirts to your schoolmates or even start selling them online. 

You just need a small investment to purchase a computer with good specs for graphic design, along with your selected printing tools, and of course an inventory of shirts. Start creating eye-catching custom shirt designs and share them online on your website or via social media and start getting customers and building your T-shirt printing business’ reputation. 

Become A Calligrapher 

Calligraphy may be an old skill but its market is still booming. With a lot of people nowadays wanting custom calligraphy included in their personal items or event invitations, you can definitely start a living just by learning how to write artistically. You can even grow your calligraphy business and offer custom invitation designs, personalized stationery, custom signage, event design services, and more. 

Become A Translator 

Multi-lingual? Why not share your skills and get paid doing professional translation services. Many companies nowadays are looking into offering reaching out to more customers all around the globe. This means that they will need to speak the language of their prospective markets, and that’s where you come in. If you are well versed in speaking a certain language, you can earn a lot of money just by translating content from one language to another. You can translate documents, create subtitles for videos, or be on call to translate during customer service calls. 

Sell Items On Marketplaces Online 

If you are skilled in spotting cheap and quality products online or from a market nearby, you can try becoming an online seller. Create your online store or make use of some of the popular online selling platforms such as Amazon, eBay, Shopify, and more to sell products of your choice. Start by choosing a product niche that students like you might find interesting, such as cheap textbooks, fashion pieces, or stationery items. From there, you can start establishing your online store and filling it up with products. 

Become A Voice-Over Artist 

If you have a suave sounding voice or are very good at creating different voices, you might want to take advantage of that skill and become a voice-over artist. With the growing demand for video content on different social media platforms, you can start earning money just by lending your voice to professionals or companies. You can do voice-overs for how-to videos, video blogs, animations, translated shows, and more. Just invest in a good voice recording equipment and you are off to a good start. 

Become A Video Blogger (YouTuber)

If you are good at creating and editing video content, then you can become a video creator. Explore a specific topic that you may be very fond of and start creating videos that will rack up some views and subscriptions. It can be about anything under the sun, as long as it captures the attention of YouTube viewers, it can help you grow your number of subscribers and earn the popularity that you need to earn bigger on the platform. A professional YouTuber can earn 5, 6, or even 7+ figures annually if they can grow their following and leverage it for advertising revenue, product sales, and sponsorships. YouTubers are big earners still.

College Kids Can Make More Money Online

No matter what your skills are, university students will be able to find a great earning opportunity on the internet. With so many marketplaces for different types of products and the growing demand for skilled professionals who can share their knowledge via the internet, you are sure to find the right method to earn money in college.

8 Steps To Set Up A New Small Business

Did you know that there are over 30 million small businesses in the USA? That is a lot of competition for new startups to take on.

The business world is more connected than ever before. More and more people are taking the opportunity to market their commercial skills to a broader national or even international market. 

If you are thinking of starting a small business, what do you need to know? What are your first steps in the business world? Why not take a few minutes to find out in our in-depth startup launch article. 

8 Steps To Setting Up Your New Small Business 

1. Define Your USP: Unique Selling Point 

Before you sit down and get to grips with your business plan, it is good to sit and think about what your product or service is offering. What will make it different from other products? 

Perhaps your unique selling point will be the materials that you will use. Perhaps you will use recycled materials and you can highlight this to customers. In other cases, you could be planning to use rare local ingredients. In any case, there is likely something specifically attractive about your product. 

Understanding your product's unique selling point will help you to have greater confidence in the product and market it more accurately later in the process. 

2. Create Your Business Plan 

Your business plan is the basis for your goals for the immediate future. It may only detail your activities for the next 2 years however, it will lay the basis for your applications for funding. What should you include in your business plan: 

• What does your company do and what model does it follow? 
• What are the current market conditions and how the company fare? 
• What is your product and how will you produce it? 
• What marketing strategy will you choose? 
• What funding will you need at each stage of the process? 
• How many people do you envisage working in your small business? 

Remember that your business plan is flexible and only outlines the initial years of your business life. You can update it during this time and use the lessons that you learn for your subsequent business plan. 

3. Analyze Your Market 

While your product may be sound, timing your introduction into the market is crucial. This will ultimately make or break the success of your business. When considering your market, consider how your competitors are doing and why they are succeeding or failing. 

When you conduct this research be as specific as you can. Find out how each demographic in your target audience will respond to your product and why. You can use survey groups or other methods to gain insight into public opinion and consumer confidence levels. 

4. Create Your Management Structure 

Next, consider who will help your business meet its initial goals. Who will you use in your management team what will each person do? 

Instead of simply quantifying how many people you feel you may need, you should create a profile for each role. Then, when interviewing for this role you will see whether this person meets your requirements, or is motivated to learn how to. 

5. Create A Marketing Strategy 

Since you have now performed a market analysis and have in place the people who will manage your business's main departments, you can plan to market your product. 

On the basis of the knowledge you have accrued about your market, you can begin to create your marketing strategy. 

What age group will you be advertising to? What social media channels do they tend to use? Will you also incorporate traditional forms of advertising such as television and radio? Should you set up a PPC advertising strategy online to attract attention to your product? 

The answers to these questions will form the basis for your marketing campaign. 

6. Plan Your Funding And Costs 

As you bring your business plan to life, you will be better able to predict your outgoings. This is important as you will need to relay these to investors and others who will provide funding. 

You will need start-up cash. This is immediate funding that allows you to start production. This cash will cover office space, computer, and telephone needs amongst other initial outgoings. 

Potential investors will want to know how many employees you have and how you will retain them. Will they be direct employees with wages and health plans? Perhaps you will rely on freelancers and other self-employed workers who will create a pay stub and care for their own taxes. 

Investors will want to see that your economic business plan is waterproof before they will be willing to invest. 

7. Register Your Business Name 

Next, you will need to register your business name. This may not be as easy as you may think. 

You should first conduct a search to ensure that your preferred name has not already been taken by another company. After this, you will be able to pay a small fee to claim it as your own. 

Your business name is important as it is the name that people will use to identify your company for many years to come. It should be relevant and memorable. Your name is also important as it lays the foundation for the next step. 

8. Develop A Brand Identity 

Branding is one of the most important steps that your company can take. Branding is the image that your customers will see for years to come. It will include your company name and perhaps some artwork. 

After you have confirmed your company brand, you can start to incorporate it on your website, on your business cards, your social media webpage, and more. Your first job is to spread that logo as far and wide as possible and build up interest in your SMB. 

How To Start A Successful Small Business And Much More 

In today's super connected world, there are more opportunities than ever to start a home or small business. You simply need to learn what skills you have and how to market them. 

If you are interested in learning more about the latest business and lifestyle developments, then we are here to help. 

We gather the latest information on top business topics and more and bring it to you via our feed. Why not take a look to see how we can help your business on a budget today.

9 Graphic Designer Skills Artistic Entrepreneurs Need

Forging ahead on your career path can fraught with bumps and challenges. This can be especially true for a career involving creativity. 

For some careers, like a teacher, for example, you get out of high school. You go to college. You student teach and look for a full time teaching position. 

Many careers follow a very linear path to get settled in them. Graphic design might not be quite like that.

Graphic designers are often creative souls who start by making some logos and getting experience. They know computers and help out some friends with branding. 

There are great professional opportunities in graphic design with the right set of skills. If you're interested in graphic design and want to pursue a career what skills should you have to land a job in the field?

Read on to learn about graphic designer skills needed for this career. 


1. Photoshop and Adobe Programs

Carpenters have a hammer and wood. Stylists have scissors and combs. 

Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator are the same for graphic designers. Nearly every graphic design job in the field will need you to be well versed and skilled in using these programs.

If you don't feel confident and well-versed in the use of these programs, consider taking a class. 

Spend some time working with them on your own. Learn the ins and outs of the program so you become a fluent user. 


2. Other Print Programs, Microsoft Office

The more diverse your skills are with any available design programs, the more marketable you become. 

Programs like Canva or Snapseed offer various platforms for graphic design. You won't know what programs your potential employer uses. The more you know about a variety of programs the better. It definitely helps to be a Canva pro though.

Also, be well acquainted with the suite of Microsoft Office programs, especially PowerPoint and Publisher. 


3. Typography

This is at the core of what graphic designers do, especially in today's technology-driven world. Typography is the art of letters and fonts. It's taking words and creating them in a visually pleasing way or as an art form. 

Graphic designers need to know the technical elements of typography. This broadens their ability to be hired. 

With so many companies, online and as brick and mortar locations, looking for branding and logos, this is an important skill to promote yourself as a graphic designer. 


4. Coding

Graphic designers do not need to have the same skills as a computer programmer. They don't even need to act as tech support. 

Having said that, as a part of a team involved in website design, having some skills in HTML will be very helpful. As a graphic designer, it is likely that many, if not most, of your client base will have websites.

HTML is the coding used to run web browsers. This is good knowledge to have to support you as a graphics person. 

Additionally, knowing some things about Java or C+++ may not be necessary but again, helpful. 


5. Branding

As a graphic designer, one important thing you will do for your clients is to help them to visually create their brand. Branding helps a business do marketing and gain customers through brand recognition. 

The designer's role is to help create a logo, decide on colors for the brand. They will help to take that logo and those colors and to use it different ways to support the brand. 

The graphic designer can even help to show how printed color versus digital color will play out in branding and marketing campaigns. 


6. Creativity

Many graphic designers end up in this career because they are creative souls who evolved to it. They have a creative brain or a passion for art. They are visual and can imagine a look and carry it out.

Creativity isn't necessarily something you can teach but it's significant for the job. 

Graphic designers have the ability to use that creativity to transform ideas into graphics and brands that help their clients in ways they couldn't imagine. 

All those who describe themselves as "creatives" have slumps or ups and downs with their creativity. It's important to do things to foster and fuel your creativity. 

Watch closely what is happening in the field. Look around you all the time for inspiration.


7. Communication

While this is an ancillary skill, it is nonetheless an important one. As a graphic designer, you will not only have to create for clients but also communicate with them.

The ability to effectively communicate those visual ideas is key to guiding clients through the design process. While a client might not understand how the designer creates graphics, they want you to communicate how it will help them.


8. Goals of Design

Like creativity, this is somewhat intrinsic. As a graphic designer, you need to understand the purpose and goal of creating a graphic design. 

Your role is to visually communicate ideas, messages, campaigns, slogans, etc. Your role is not only to draw things on the computer. 

Understanding the "why" of design is key to successfully creating good design. Know your purpose and role as a designer.


9. Established Design Process

Along with the big overarching goals of design, you have to have a personal process for creating design.

As a graphic designer, you need to know the goal for the design. What objective are you trying to meet for your client?

What steps do you follow in creating the design? What goals do you have to help meet through the process of design?

Understand how you approach the process of design and have a plan for how you get information and achieve success for the client through the design process. 


Graphic Designer Skills to Get You Hired

As a young graphic designer hoping to break into the field, it is smart to be aware of how you can best market yourself. Help yourself by creating a resume and portfolio that highlights these skills for potential employers. 

Having these 9 graphic designer skills will surely put you on the path to success in the field of graphic design. Now it is time to design!

How To Start Your Own HVAC Business

According to Payscale, HVAC technicians earn, on average, $23 per hour. You may be earning this rate or more per hour. While it is easier to stay with your current employer, can you imagine how much you could earn by starting your own HVAC business? 

You could become your own boss and earn a lot more than at your current job. It may be intimidating to start your own business, but only if you don't follow the right steps. 

Want to learn how to start an air conditioning business? We have got you covered. Here are the five steps to starting an HVAC business today. 

1. Write A Business Plan 

The first step to start a successful air conditioning business is writing a business plan. You will detail everything from your market to your marketing plan. A good starting point is defining what areas you plan to serve. While covering more areas may seem like a great idea, you need to take into account the cost of servicing these areas. It's better to start small and focus on providing the best quality of service. Keep in mind that offering great service will motivate your customers to recommend your company to their loved ones. 

2. Budget Your Startup Costs 

Before going for it, you should also budget all the startup costs to get your business up and running. Consider everything from state licensing requirements to your marketing strategy. While it may cost you a pretty penny, you should consider obtaining certifications such as EPA and North American Technician Excellence. These certifications can give your business a competitive edge over your competitors. 

3. Meet Your Local Licensing And Permit Requirements 

Depending on your location, you may need to comply with certain local licensing and permit requirements. An example is how air conditioning business owners in California need to pass the C-20 test to operate. In this state, you'll also need to obtain an HVAC Contractor license to start your business. To make sure you meet your local requirements, you should consult your state agencies to obtain insight into the minimum requirements. Don't forget to double-check with your city and county offices as well. 

4. Set Up Your Office 

Making your business look professional starts with setting up your office. Depending on your state regulation, you may be able to set up a home office instead of renting a space. As your business grows, you may consider leasing a warehouse to keep your tools and business vehicles. 

5. Launch And Market Your Business 

After setting up your office, it is time to launch your business and start helping clients. Consider consulting an HVAC marketing firm to build your website and market your business. These experts will help you generate leads and turn your company into a household name. 

Can You Start A Successful HVAC Business? 

You can start a successful HVAC business if you do your homework and follow our step-by-step guide. Before pulling the trigger, you should research your market to learn as much as you can about your competition. How can you make your business stand out? 

Make sure to take these details into account when starting and launching your business. If you are unsure about the best approach, you should consider consulting attorneys, accountants, state agencies, among other experts. Covering your bases will set your air conditioning business for success. 

Did you find this article on starting an HVAC business interesting? Keep checking the rest of our site to find more helpful tips and articles to start your business today.

8 Reasons To Give Self-Employment A Try

Are you thinking about becoming a self-employed professional? The thought of leaving behind the security of a regular job can be daunting for many aspiring entrepreneurs. Being self-employed certainly has its challenges, but if you’re confident of your idea, resourceful, and persistent, then you might have what it takes to grow a successful business. 

You are not alone in wanting to be your own boss. According to Forbes, self employment is exploding in the United states. Many aspiring entrepreneurs want to take the reigns of their future careers and also avoid heading back to the office or manual labor job they have dreaded for years.

If you are still on the fence, here are eight reasons why you should consider self-employment. 

1. You Have The Freedom To Choose Your Work Hours 

Being self-employed gives you the freedom to choose your work hours. You can start as early or as late as you want instead of working fixed hours. While being self-employed allows for more flexibility, it’s important to be disciplined in order to run a successful business. 

Striking a balance between work and life can be challenging, but being self-employed gives you the freedom to take time off when you need to. However, be sure to remain realistic. Self-employment provides many lifestyle benefits that you don’t usually get when you are employed. 

2. You Can Pursue Your Passion 

Successful entrepreneurs are rarely motivated solely by money. More often than not, their business worked because they love what they do, as well as the products and services they sell. They have a genuine drive to make their target market’s lives easier, better, cheaper, or more fun. Being self- employed allows you to pursue your passion and make money at the same time. 

3. You Can Take Advantage Of Tax Benefits 

Self-employed professionals typically pay 13.3% of their income towards Social Security and Medicare instead of the usual 7.65% for employees. As a result, self-employed professionals get to enjoy several tax breaks to encourage continued business operations. 

The IRS allows you to subtract business-related expenses from your revenue, such as meals and entertainment, internet and phone bills, health insurance premiums, home office costs, payroll taxes, transportation expenses, and interest on loans and credit cards. 

Check-in with a tax attorney or consult an accountant when tax time comes to know more about specific deductions. 

4. You Can Enjoy A Higher Income Potential 

When you work for someone else, you receive a fixed salary every month. Running your own business allows you to enjoy a higher income potential. Depending on your productivity, time management, and self-discipline, you can make as much or as little you want. When you’re self-employed, increasing your income potential generally means finding new clients or expanding your market reach. 

5. You Can Maintain A Healthy Work-Life Balance 

Traditional employees don’t often have the luxury of selecting their work hours. When you apply for a job, employers establish set working hours and you’re expected to arrive at a specified time. Self- employment gives you the freedom to work at your own pace and set a schedule that best fits your needs. 

For instance, if you prefer to work afternoons, you can take the mornings off and begin working after lunch. If you’re taking classes during the day, you can adjust your schedule and work during your free time. 

6. You Get To Choose Who You Work With 

Self-employment means you get to be your own boss, and being your own boss means you get to choose the people you work with. You get to screen and hire the people you work with, choose applicants with different skill sets than you so you can grow your business, and work with suppliers and vendors that line up with your objectives. 

7. You Don’t Need To Quit Your Day Job 

Leaving your regular job to pursue self-employment is a risk not many people are willing to take. However, you don’t have to quit your day job to become a self-employed professional. You can set up your business as a side-venture until you’re ready to focus on it full-time. Many self-employed professionals prefer having multiple income streams, so they continue working full-time while managing their business on the side. 

8. You Can Network With Other People 

Working in a company often means you’re working with the same group of people every day. On the other hand, self-employed people need to connect and cultivate professional relationships that will help them grow their businesses. Establishing relationships with other like-minded business owners is a great way to gain knowledge, get fresh ideas, and get career advice and support. You can utilize similar business budget templates with other business owners. 

The Bottom Line On Self Employment

Self-employment provides you with many benefits that you don’t often get when working a 9 to 5. Yes, you need to make sure that you budget effectively to survive and thrive while being self-employed. You have the freedom to work any time, and anywhere you want, choose the people you work with, and increase your income potential while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Freelance Business Plan: How To Write One

One of the mistakes many freelancers commit is failing to realize that they are into a real business. 

And since freelancing is similar to business, freelancers need to have a business plan in place. 

Sadly, most freelancers don’t create a business plan, and they experience a lack of motive, focus, and profits. They think simply being good what they do is enough — BUT IT’S NOT! 

As you are already here, I believe you understand the importance of having a business plan. That’s a great thing for freelancers! 

You may wonder what a freelancing roadmap looks like. 

Stay tuned until the end of this article. I will walk you through every component of a freelance business plan. 

Here are the things you should include in your Freelance Business Plan; 

Marketing Plan 

Under this section, you will give insights into the 4Ps of your freelancer business plan. 

Product / Service: Here, you will reemphasize the freelance services you provide. 

Place: You should document the location where you will offer your freelancing services. 

Price: In this section, you will give your freelance pricing or package details. 

Promotions: This is where you will explain how you would attract prospective clients. Is it going to be cold-calling, Email marketing, Direct messaging, social media platforms, Upwork, LinkedIn, Craig's List, etc.? 

Did you know email marketing is an ideal way to acquire new freelancing leads and retain existing customers? All you need is a healthy email list. You could use an email search tool like GetEmail.io to find emails quickly and accurately. 

Profile Overview 

In the profile overview section, you must include answers to the below two questions: 

• What type of freelance business are you operating? 

• What are your accomplishments in this field so far? 

Here is the significance of these 2 important questions and answers for your new freelancing business.

What Type Of Freelance Business Are You Operating? 

This gives clarity to your target audience on what to expect from you. They will whether you offer the service they are looking for. 

What Accomplishments Have You Achieved To Date? 

Documenting your accomplishments helps you greatly. 

For example, it gives you the confidence that you can do things on your own as a freelancer and that business owners can look up to you for the solution. 

Besides, showcasing your accomplishments will build credibility and help cheer new clients to collaborate with you. 

Industry Analysis 

You will highlight the type of industries you will work with or offer services. 

And also, research the current industry trends to ensure that you have the right skills to fulfill the present industrial needs. 

Customer Analysis 

In this section, you will define the customers you want to serve. 

A good understanding of who your ideal clients are and what they need will help you draw these clients’ attention towards you much more straightforward. 

Team 

The team section is where you will mention the other team members you have or will need in the future to achieve your projects’ goals. 

Financial Plan 

Your freelance financial plan should reveal your profit and loss projections for the next couple of years. 

You can showcase these projections easily using a spreadsheet. 

Final Thoughts On Freelance Business Plans

Armed with the information shared in this article, I believe you would be able to create a business plan for your freelance business. 

As I said before, a freelancer business plan will help you identify your goals and the best strategies to grow your freelance career, showing the best method for you to follow and giving you a clear roadmap to make money freelancing.

25 Reasons To Work From Home Now - WFH ASAP!

25 Real Reasons Why It’s Brilliant To Work 

From Home - WFH FTW

More people are working from home and ditching the boss. Skip the office politics and get things done with fewer interruptions, worthless meetings, and office politics. Here are 25 real reasons to WFH and skip the office grind. 

1. Your Alarm Clock Becomes A Distant Memory 

People are jarred awake by an annoying sound of an alarm clock. This sound alone induces stress. Working from home means that the first sound you hear in the morning are the birds and not a stress-inducing gizmo. 

2. Your Work Shoes are Slippers 

How many pairs of shoes have you bought for just work? Think of the hundreds if not thousands of dollars you save by working from home. Slippers are also easy to put on and oh so soft. 

3. Your Coffee doesn’t spill all over the Dashboard 

The first common morning tragedy, after the alarm clock, is the mishandling of coffee and it’s horrible demise on your car’s dashboard. Sometimes, you consider licking the puddle off the dashboard. best cute puppy blog 

4. Your Dog doesn’t run after your Car 

I knew a three-legged dog once who ran super fast after its owner who had to head off to work. Don’t ever exercise your dog with your car! Working from home means your dog is as relaxed as you. 

5. Do I need to say anything about Bosses? 

Boo bosses!

6. The Mind opens beyond the Cubicle 

There’s a world out there that is colored with real color, not the color of the photos you hang on the corkboard in your cubicle of your dream destinations. Get out in the air. 

7. Your Online Checks are Direct Deposited. 

Working from home usually means online and therefore all the money you get paid is online and can be easily transferred to your bank account. 

8. Your Bills are all Paid Online 

Same as #7. You’re cool like that. 

9. You can Tan by the Pool with your Laptop 

Working from home also means working anywhere there’s Internet. Fortunately, every public spot has wifi, which means you can splash your feet and work, or not. 

10. You can sleep in. 

Sleep if you're tired, no judgement.

11. You can work from any Cafe in the World 

Again, Laptop and you is all that’s required to make money from anywhere in the world. “Cafe” is for the ladies who love Lattes. 

12. The View is better than at your old job 

Working from home or anywhere in the world gives you access to, well, the world and what job can beat that view? 

13. You Customize your Schedule to Work only 2 hours a Day 

You’re the boss, applesauce. 

14. You Earn Money by ranting on your Blog 

Attraction Marketing is your friend when you are yourself to your followers online. If you’re having a bad hair day, talk about it on your blog and get thousands of supporters! 

15. You Earn Money Promoting Products you use and Love 

There is nothing better than being a living, breathing endorsement. 

16. People Look up to You 

Working from home is a feat that many people aspire to. 

Just the fact that you really do work full-time from home is going to cause some attention. 

17. Your Friends are Clueless how you Make Money Online 

The tables turn when you prove to all your so-called know-it-all friends that you actually know more when it comes to working from home successfully. 

18. Your Income from the internet is Climbing Every Month 

You know that the more value you provide on the internet and the longer it stays on the Internet, the more it will be noticed. This means more traffic, more views and more purchases. 

19. Your Blog starts Ranking #1 on Google 

If you’re a blogger or Content Marketer, you know how important this is! 

20. Your Online Marketing is recruiting for you while you Sleep 

Having your Brand online is great because it will attract people from all over the world around the clock. Working from home actually is like working all over the World, because of everyone who uses the internet, you will build relationships globally and interact with them via your blog or website. 

21. Your Customers Love You. . . 

Their loves gives you more work flexibility.

22. Your following On Social Media

Now on Social Media retweets you, repins you, shares, favorites you, subscribes, and other amplifications of your content.

23. You Sleep without Stress. 

No Sunday scaries! 

24. You have a team or staff building your brand or organization. 

Effective business is better with people working together. Even though you work from home, you might have someone creating graphics for you in France and someone doing your Copywriting in Moscow. Having a core group of devoted staff makes home based Entrepreneurs unstoppable. 

25. You Get Residual Income Every Month, Even When You Don’t Work 

In some businesses from home you earn from your entire organization of associates, like in Real Estate, Insurance and Network Marketing. You can truly earn passive income whether you work or not, and while you're home or traveling the digital nomad life! 

WFH ASAP! WFH wins!

The jury is in, it's time to work from home now, or at least work remotely! WFH FTW!!

How To Look At The Big Picture In Business

It's 2021 now, so stop living your personal and professional life in snapshots. Almost everyone I know uses data in snapshots, and it’s almost completely the wrong way to use data for businesses. By snapshots, I mean looking at your data once in a while, peeking at it, opening up a dashboard, whatever. We look using snapshots of data rather than seeing our data as a living, breathing entity - and then we’re taken by surprise when our occasional glances at our data reveal something we didn’t expect. 

You know these snapshots well. They’re your monthly report, your quarterly board review, your occasional deep dive into Google Analytics. Is living in snapshots better than not looking at your data at all? Sure. But it’s substantially worse than having your data snippets be part of your routine, of your life. When you live in snapshots, you miss trends and changes in your data. For example, I watch COVID-19 data daily as part of my daily pandemic newsletter. Every day I see what’s happening with three KPIs: new cases, new hospitalizations, and new deaths - and because I have my finger on the pulse of the data, I can more accurately predict what’s going to happen. 

When the most recent Coronavirus case surge began, I knew we were headed for lockdowns because the surge was so much bigger and faster than the previous two surges. What did I do? You’ll remember  when I said how it hurt to tell my parents we weren’t coming for the holidays. They didn’t see what I saw in the data. Fast forward a month and every government official and scientist is telling us the same - stay home for the holidays. I restocked everything that needed restocking six weeks ago, and told my newsletter readers to do the same. 

Go ahead, ask me how much toilet paper I have in my basement. Fast forward to today? Headlines in the news about panic buying and shortages again as lockdowns commence (that same toilet paper I bought six weeks ago is out of stock on Amazon). When you live in the data, you are a part of its story and you can see where the story is going. How do you make data part of your life instead of living in snapshots? Make it someplace you go regularly to think of the big picture in business. 

If there are marketing metrics that are critical to you, put them on a Google Data Studio dashboard and make that the start page of your browser, so that every time you go to post a rant on Facebook or mindlessly watch cat videos on YouTube, your data is the first thing you see. Once you build the habit of seeing your data as often as you see other things important to you in your life, you’ll make better decisions and faster decisions with it. Think big picture!

At the end of a livestream I was doing last week, a viewer questioned the advice I was giving out about not using pre-pandemic data to forecast the next year, since the world is fundamentally different. They asked, “Can you make reliable strategic decisions based on a short window of data (daily), compared to year over year? Do seasonal differences not matter right now because the world is so different?” This is a really good question. 

The way I’m thinking about the world right now is like holiday driving, back when we used to travel for holidays. Holiday traffic was always a series of snarls that required a lot of agility and Google Maps. Traffic jam? Accident? Lane closure? Bad weather? You had to route around traffic jams, somethings pre-emptively if you know the area well, all while making progress towards your destination. You couldn’t rely on long-term forecasts for long drives. If you’re driving from Boston to New York, you can’t look at traffic in New York City now while you’re just leaving your house in Boston - by the time you get there, the situation will totally have changed. Some things remain relatively constant - you know that certain roads are ALWAYS a mess, even on good days. You know that people generally stop to eat at certain times. So even though the specific details are obscured, experience plus great data let you navigate the issues and get to your destination. 

That’s how I feel about forecasting right now. It’s fine to set goals, just as it’s fine to put a destination in Google Maps. You kind of have to if you want to get where you’re going. But you have to be able to adapt, adapt, adapt - and quickly - to deal with exceptionally uncertain circumstances. The way you’ve done things in the past doesn’t necessarily apply, so be ready to make significant changes while still driving towards your goals. And like driving in holiday traffic, to the best of your ability, try to enjoy what you can of the journey as you drive towards your goals in the year ahead. We know it’s not going to be a smooth ride. We know that we’re in for some rough spots. But that shouldn’t preclude us from enjoying ourselves when we’re not in those sticky spots, just like we can still make the most of bad traffic and sing along to our favorite playlists when no one’s listening.

If you happen to be a small business owner, business management should be a leading priority.  Business management could be defined as the process of planning, directing and controlling a company.  Business management is used to successfully address and fix the problems that a business might be having in establishing its role as an organization, which delivers and generates value.  Creating and offering value for the customers of a company will allow that business' profits to exceed the total costs of operating that business. 

Business management is going to include advertising, finance, accounting, production, human resources, product research and development as well as management information systems.  To manage your own company, you will need to have expert knowledge in all of these fields.  Larger businesses and companies generally have different managers throughout the company for each of the fore mentioned business management areas.  For example, large companies will have an advertising and marketing manager, finance manager, accounting manager and so on.  However, there are some small business owners who are going to want or need to take on all of these positions themselves. 

Some small business owners will simply be unable to afford all of these different employees.  Other small business owners may perhaps simply want to take care of the business management on their own.  Of course, there are quite a few small business owners who don't want to entirely take business management into their own hands and will hire employees to be leading managers.  Any small business owner who decides to take business management concerns into their own hands needs to remember that this is a substantial job and the work will generally be tedious. 

Business managers will need to be able to recognize the talents and weaknesses of their company in relation to other businesses in their industry.  They must also be able to set objectives and goals for the business and implement the business plan or strategy.  A manager must also be able to alter business plans and strategies if they must be revised. Business management also includes ensuring that all employees are properly trained and have a good attitude.  The employees will need to be educated on all of the goals of a company so that they can help to achieve these goals.  

Whether you hire qualified personnel to assist you with managing your company or decide to take on all of the managing yourself, business management is highly crucial to the vitality of your business. See the big picture in business and act on it! 

When it comes to delivering the best possible experience for your clients, it’s important to have access to the best loans, technology, and training. With us, not only do you get exactly that, but also a support team to help your business, Account Executives to guide you, and a Tech Team ready to help you with personalized training as soon as you partner with us. If that sounds like something you want to experience, here are three more reasons why you should become a Frugal Finance Partner. 

Reason #1: Project Your Presence - Have you been running your own marketing campaigns, developing the strategies, and posting to your own social media? Is that cutting into client time or lead follow-up? When you partner with us, you gain access to professional-quality marketing materials through Frugal Finance. Everything you need to further your marketing will be at your fingertips, with the ability to customize the materials to best represent your brand. 

Reason #2: Keep Your Clients - One of the biggest fears that brokers have when it comes to working with lenders is knowing what happens to their clients. But with Frugal Finances, you can rest easy. When you partner with us, you keep them. You fostered the relationships, you put in the legwork, and it’s our job to make sure they keep coming back to you for all their mortgage needs. We’re able to do this because we don’t sell off your loans to the highest bidder; we keep them with us. We stay connected with them on your behalf, and when they show interest in a new loan, refinancing, or referrals, we’re here to let you know and help you in that process! 

Reason #3: Education And Training - With the way the market fluctuates, it’s important that you stay on top of all the new trends that pop up. In addition to that, new technology has been consistently coming out to help brokers in the loan process. Frugal Finance provides top-quality training and education on all technologies we offer to help you grow your business to new heights. Our unique programs will teach you all the skills you’ll need to succeed in your industry. 

Big Picture Business Building

Make sure that in 2021 you look at the big picture in business and in your personal lives as well, not just small snapshots! Think big and build bigger.

How Much Taxes To Pay As An Independent Contractor

It is believed that between 7% and 10% of all workers in America are independent contractors. 

Whether you are freelancing as your full-time job or as a side-gig, being self-employed can make paying taxes more complicated. 

How are you supposed to know how much to set aside for taxes? 

Let's take a look at what you should know about planning for taxes as an independent contractor. 

What Is an Independent Contractor? 

When you work as an independent contractor, you are working for someone else but not as their employee. You are therefore considered self-employed because you are running your own business and taking someone on as a client rather than working for an employer. 

When you work as an employee, someone else determines what will be done and the way it will be done. When you're an independent contractor, you're hired for specific work and paid based on the resulting work. 

Types of Independent Contractor Jobs 

There are a lot of different occupations that could lead to you filling out 1099 taxes. 

Tradespeople are frequently independent contractors. This could mean painters, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, bricklayers, wedding planners, hairstylists, mechanics, and many more. 

Consultants are another group of occupations that are often independent contractors. This refers to advisers in any sector of the economy such as financial, legal, health care, or personal services. 

People who work as artists will often also pay taxes as independent contractors. Whether they are musicians, photographers, writers, sculptors, glass cutters, or woodworkers, they are seen as having and running their own business. 

People who work in the gig economy are also frequently going to file independent contractor taxes. No matter what job you work, it is important to understand whether or not you're an employee or a sole proprietor, as it impacts how much you pay in taxes. 

What Is a Sole Proprietor? 

A sole proprietor is a business with a single-owner that isn't a corporation. If you are an independent contractor, you will be considered a sole proprietor when it comes time to pay your income taxes. 

Does Being an Independent Contractor Affect My Pay? 

When you are an independent contractor, you still get paid for your work but not in wages or a salary. Rather, your payments are taken out of the business's income. When you get paid for your work, the money goes into a business checking account. 

Since you are an owner and not an employee, you can take money out in the form of a "draw" but not in the form of a salary. You must pay taxes on all of the money you make, it doesn't matter how much you draw out of this account. 

Since you aren't an employee of another company, taxes haven't been deducted out of the money you receive for your work. Whereas for another job you might even get a tax refund come tax time, as a freelancer you're responsible for paying your own self-employment taxes. 

Saving for Taxes as an Independent Contractor 

The best way to save taxes for freelancers is to actually have the IRS do it for you. Every three months, you should be sending estimated quarterly payments to the IRS. This way, you're basically paying your taxes as the year goes along, the same way you would if you were employed by a company. 

The IRS can apply penalties if you don't pay quarterly taxes by the due dates each year. Paying quarterly also avoids having a big terrible surprise once a year come tax seasons. 

How Much to Set Aside For Taxes as a Freelancer? 

The recommended percentage to set aside for independent contractor taxes is 25-30% of your income. If this sounds high, it is because you're paying self-employment tax on top of income tax. The self-employment tax is the FICA taxes, which is the Social Security and Medicare normally withheld from your paycheck. 

When you are employed, you are only responsible for half of these FICA taxes while your employer is responsible for the other half. When you work for yourself, you've got to fit the whole bill. 

How to Calculate Your Income 

While this all might sound like a lot, don't forget that you can deduct the costs associated with running your business from your freelance taxes. When tax time rolls around, you will fill out a Schedule C form that documents your business expenses. You will be able to subtract your deductible expenses from your income, leaving you with your taxable income. 

The best way to do this is to keep track of your deductible expenses as the year goes on. Things that are deductible include travel expenses, office supplies, maintaining an office, and miles driven for business purposes. 

If this is only your first year freelancing, you will have to estimate taxes. It is best to estimate your income on the low side rather than too high with the IRS, but you can always make an adjustment the following quarter or year. 

Are you employed after all? Check out this salary calculator. 

How Much to Set Aside For Taxes: Final Thoughts 

There are a lot of advantages to working as an independent contractor as well as a lot of disadvantages. The tax situation is definitely on the 'cons' side of the list. 

If you value being your own boss and being in control of your own schedule, however, dealing with slightly more complicated and more expensive taxes can be worth it. It is just important that you understand how freelance taxes differ from employee taxes so that you aren't caught by surprise come tax season. 

Did you find this article about how much to set aside for taxes helpful? If so, be sure to check out the rest of our blog for more useful and informative articles!