home office

The 5 Best Home Office Essentials

Chrissa Hardy — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 15:52:53 +0000

Lately, many of us have had to scramble to create a suitable home office using the items and space we have on hand. That is no easy task, especially when you're on a budget.

But once you have the desk space, a chair, and your necessary devices, you only need a few more items to make your work-from-home setup complete. You need to make sure you're comfortable, you have the space you need, and you can also organize important documents and keep your cables from knotting up into a messy ball. The items below will provide all of the above, and make your work-from-home transition a stress-free process. (See also: The 5 Best Bluetooth Keyboards)

Top 5 Home Office Essentials

Epson Perfection V600 Photo & Document Scanner

For those looking to scan photographs, documents, and film in color, the Epson Perfection V600 Photo & Document Scanner is the scanner to beat. This scanner produces high quality photo and film scans at a resolution of 6400 x 9600 dpi. It's also capable of fixing dust, scratches, and other physical defects from photos, making your old photos look brand new. You can also convert scanned documents into editable text — ABBYY FineReader Sprint Plus OCR. This scanner has over 3,000 four-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $219.99 at Amazon.com

SOFTaCARE Seat Cushion

The SOFTaCARE Seat Cushion can help ease strained and tense muscles caused by sitting in an office chair all day. The two-piece cushion set includes a seat cushion and lumbar support pillow that decrease pressure on the coccyx and relieve pain of sciatica, herniated discs, tailbone injuries, and pregnancy back pain. The seat cushion features a non-slip rubber bottom to keep in place, and a washable velour zippered cover for easy cleaning. The lumbar support pillow has 3D breathable mesh and two adjustable straps. This set also has over 4,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $53.91 at Amazon.com

Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones are a hit year after year for a reason. They feature three levels of world-class noise cancellation for a better listening experience in any environment, noise-rejecting dual-microphone system for clear sound and voice pick-up, and they are Alexa-enabled for voice access to music, information, and more. These headphones also come with Bose AR — an innovative, audio-only version of augmented reality — and the Bluetooth-pairing process is completely hassle-free. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones also have over 20,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $299.00 at Amazon.com

OHill Self-Adhesive Cord Holders

These OHill Self-Adhesive Cord Holders are essential for anyone newly working from home. They keep those cluttered cables and cords around your desk, TV, power strip, filing cabinets, computer, or cell phone much nicer, organized, and tangle-free. These black cord holders come in a 16-pack in various sizes to fit all kinds of cords.

The self-adhesive backing is easy to use and install the cord organizers, with an extra strong sticky pad that holds them securely and adhered easily to multiple surfaces. They also have over 2,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $9.99 at Amazon.com

Belkin 12-Outlet Power Strip Surge Protector

Amazon’s #1 best-seller in power strips, the Belkin 12-Outlet Power Strip Surge Protector features six regular surge-protected outlets and six BlockSpace surge-protected outlets for larger adapters. It has a 3996-Joule energy rating and features two USB ports.

Belkin is the leader in surge protection, so you can count on this to work well. It is also backed by a Lifetime Warranty and $250,000 Connected Equipment Warranty for your added peace of mind. It has outstanding online reviews, including more than 2,500 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $34.99 at Amazon.com

And those are our recommendations for the best stay-at-home kitchen essentials. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

This article is from Chrissa Hardy of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

9 Must-Have Items You Need to Create the Perfect Remote Office

Nick Wharton — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 08:30:15 +0000

Being able to work from anywhere in the world is an appealing way of life, but without the right gear, it can quickly turn from a dream into a nightmare. A laptop, a smartphone, and Wi-Fi are the absolute basics for building a portable office, but there are some other gadgets that will make your working life more productive and much easier. Here are nine items to help build the perfect remote office. (See also: 15 Ways to Make Money While You Travel)

1. Portable projector

Staring at your laptop screen all day can put strain on your eyes, particularly if you have a compact model that's easier to travel with. It's convenient when you're packing, but this can cause all sorts of problems from headaches to neck pains, and has become one of the main perils of remote working.

Moving around with a desktop computer or large screen is clearly not practical, but a miniature portable projector can provide the perfect solution. It fits in the palm of your hand, making it easy to carry around. It's ideal for when you want to watch video on a larger screen that has HD resolution, or even for when you need to give presentations to clients on the road. You connect your computer to the projector with a USB cable, and the projector shows your computer screen on a larger space, like a wall, curtain, or projector screen.

I just picked an Axxa projector and it's been great. I can just open up Netflix or Hulu on my computer, phone, or tablet, connect it to the projector, and turn any wall into my very own big screen TV. It's bright enough to use inside during daylight, but works much better in lower light. For presentations, it works best if I can dim the lights and close the curtains.

2. Wi-Fi range extender

A strong internet connection is key to working remotely, but depending on where you are, it's difficult to guarantee. There's nothing a like a spotty or painfully slow connection when you're just at the edge of the Wi-Fi range to ruin a day's work.

A Wi-Fi range extender will allow you to increase the reach of an existing network and improve the signal strength. So when you get stuck in a hotel room at the end of a corridor with a dodgy Wi-Fi connection, or find yourself in a cafe with a weak signal, you're still able to make it work.

I definitely recommend checking out either the TP-Link AC1900 Range Extender or a D-Link N300 Range Extender as they both plug into the wall, have great range, and a solid, portable build. You’ll need the Wi-Fi password, but you should already have that anyway from the hotel or cafe where you’re working. (See also: 4 Tech Add-Ons That Can Save Travelers Time and Money)

3. Surge protector

Power surges are an unavoidable reality. Even when you're at home, it's a good idea to always use a surge protector when you're charging your valuable electrical devices, as a sudden jump in power can instantly destroy the components in things like smartphones or laptops — leaving you high and dry.

In some countries, these power surges occur more frequently, so it's even more essential you protect against them. Surge protectors are a cheap and effective way of doing this, and will take the damage instead of your gadgets. You can get some with international plug adapters, too, for when you’re traveling in different countries.

4. Bluetooth speaker

Many people believe that music improves their productivity when they work, and a Bluetooth speaker will allow you to wirelessly blast out all of your favorite tunes no matter where you are. Also, if you're giving a presentation with video or audio content, you don't want to rely on tinny laptop speakers for the sound.

There are lots of affordable options that are compact, lightweight, waterproof, and shockproof, making them great for travel.

5. Noise-canceling headphones

If you're a remote worker who spends a lot of time in public places, then you know just how annoying it is when there's a high level of noise in the background. It can be distracting and make it extremely difficult to concentrate on even the simplest of tasks.

Noise-canceling headphones will make you feel as though you're all alone in a sealed room, even when the world around you is bustling. Models with a microphone will also allow you to make calls in peace, so you can work just about anywhere you please.

6. Power bank

There are very few gadgets that don't require power to function, and even less that you don't need to charge regularly. Smartphones, tablets, speakers, headphones, and other gadgets can all quickly run down after consistent use, leaving you in the lurch if you're relying on them to work.

A portable power bank is ideal for when you're out and about and one of your devices needs some emergency juice. Larger ones are able to hold several full smartphone charges, while smaller ones that can easily fit in your pocket or purse will hold a single charge. (See also: The 5 Best Power Banks)

7. Universal power adapter

If you're a remote worker who travels between different countries regularly, then a universal power adapter is an essential item to have in your bag. Rather than carry numerous adapters, just one will do the job, allowing you to plug in your devices anywhere in the world. Some also come with a built in surge protector that has both plug and smart USB outlets.

8. External hard drive

One of the most important considerations for any remote worker is how to best backup their files and documents. The last thing you want is to have a problem with your laptop and lose all of your work.

The cloud has made it easy to store documents online quickly and safely, but if the Wi-Fi is slow or nonexistent, it's not a feasible option, and it's certainly not possible to work offline. An external hard drive will give you the ability to back up and store all of your important data regardless of the internet situation.

I recommend getting a SSD (solid state drive) external hard drive, as opposed to a traditional HDD (hard disk drive) that works with a mechanical arm-type reading system. HDD systems can be more fragile. I dropped one of my 1TB HDD external hard drives and it never worked again, so I lost 1,000 GB of data!

Today, I use the Crucial MX500 SSD as my external drive along with the StarTech adapter cable to plug it into my laptop through the USB port. This drive is meant to be inside of a laptop, but I find that it's more compact and affordable than most drives that are meant to be external.

9. Backpack

One of the best things about remote working is just how flexible it is. With the right collection of gear, you can set up virtually anywhere in the world and complete your day's work as though you were in a permanent office. But all that portable gear costs money, so it's important to keep it safe when you're moving around.

A good backpack is as crucial as any of the gadgets above to help keep your remote office safe. You should get one that provides some padding for your gadgets, has a separate laptop compartment, some integrated anti-theft components, and is also comfortable to carry around.

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This article is from Nick Wharton of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Ways to Prepare for Your Work at Home Gig

Paul Michael — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 09:00:06 +0000

While telecommuting used to be somewhat of a rarity, it is now a regular part of working life for many people. Indeed, some companies are now happy to employ full-time remote staff, or offer current staff the option to telecommute.

If you're considering telecommuting, make sure you are ready before you dive in. A work-at-home job has many benefits, as long as you know how to prepare your home and your expectations. (See also: The 5 Biggest Mistakes People Make When Working From Home)

1. Set up a professional, dedicated work space

You may have telecommuted occasionally, plopping the laptop down on the dining table with a few pertinent folders and a cellphone at hand. That was OK for a temporary work station. But if you're doing this full time, you need a dedicated office space in your home.

Hopefully, you have the option of converting a room in your home into an office. If you don't, can you build a space in the basement, or convert a large portion of a room into a work space? Room dividers and clever furniture placement can help. This needs to be somewhere that you use only for work, allowing you to easily separate it from your personal and leisure time.

What's more, if you have a family, or live with roommates, you need to set solid boundaries for your telecommuting gig. Let them know that it's extremely important for you to have a place to work without noise or distractions. Sometimes, it's possible to shut out noise with a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones, or even ear plugs. But that is not ideal. And when you need to make a call, you have to be able to do it without background noise drowning out your voice.

2. Invest in the best equipment that you can afford

You may be lucky and get a telecommuting job that supplies you with a computer, phone, and other necessary electronics and equipment. On the other hand, you may have to go out and purchase these items on your own (although, remember this is a tax write-off).

However you get your equipment, make sure you have the best that you can currently afford. You are now on your own, without the help of an IT department or other specialist. You do not want to be at the mercy of old, glitchy equipment that could leave you in serious trouble at the worst possible time. Plus, get the latest software updates. Don't try getting by on 10-year old versions of Microsoft Office.

You will also need to have excellent services to support this equipment. For starters, you'll need a great, high-speed internet connection. You'll also need good cellphone reception. If you're getting a lot of dropped calls or interference, you will find it frustrating to communicate with the office and any customers you may deal with. In that case, look into signal boosters, or get a landline (VOIP is an excellent, and cheap, option). (See also: 6 Gadgets Every Work at Home Professional Needs)

3. Do not ditch your office attire completely

A lot of people think that when they get a work-at-home gig, they'll swap the suits and professional clothing for jogging pants and a T-shirt. Depending on the kind of gig you are doing, that's not always a good idea. If you're in a very creative profession, you'll be OK. But if it's a more typical office job, something in sales, or anything that would require business attire on a daily basis, you should stick to something close to that dress code.

While people can't see you, your attire can affect the way you work. You might feel more relaxed and laid back in lounge clothing, and that can impact your work ethic and your drive. You want to look and act the part at all times, even if your home office is in the corner of the guest room. The tie is optional, of course.

4. Set regular office hours for yourself

A work-at-home gig means a lot of flexibility. But, if you get into bad habits quickly, that flexibility can soon become a threat to your productivity and your livelihood.

The problem with a work-at-home job is the amount of freedom and distraction that comes with it. In an office environment, you have a work space, a boss, coworkers, and very little else to do but focus on the task at hand. At home, you are literally surrounded by the comforts of home. You have a living room, a TV, music, a kitchen full of food, a garden, and a bed … oh, what a cozy bed.

Fight the temptation to sleep in an extra hour, or take two hours for lunch. These can become dangerous habits. You won't finish your tasks on time, or you'll rush and produce sloppy work. Either way, you could soon kiss your telecommuting job goodbye, and all the perks that go with it.

So, set your hours, and stick to them. After a while, it will become second nature. And let your family and friends know that you're at work, even though you're at home. (See also: 5 Ways to Stay Productive While Working From Home)

5. Understand what your work-at-home role entails

This one can trip many people up, simply because the expectations they have might not align with those of their employer. If you're truly working for yourself, and you're your own boss, this will not be an issue. But if you are working for a company, you may discover that they have guidelines for you to follow.

For instance, you may need to be available at your computer and/or phone at certain hours throughout the day. They may want you to travel into the office for big meetings, or to organize presentations. They may want you to travel to different states, or countries, depending on the kind of work you do. You may have thought that work-at-home meant that you had the freedom to set your own hours, and never set foot in the office again, but that may not be the case. Get these conditions set in stone before you start the gig.

6. Find ways to socialize and connect during the day

This doesn't mean dropping everything to hit the brunch buffet with your pals. But it is important for you to have some kind of interaction with other people during the day. You may think that these kinds of connections are not important, but isolation can set in quickly. In fact, many people cite the biggest downside of a work-at-home job is the loneliness.

See if you can set up an instant messenger with other people in the same line of work. If you are telecommuting for a company, get yourself on conference calls now and then, even if it's just to feel like part of the team. You can even do video chats when you need help with something, or just want to kick off a project. Do what you can now to start social groups that can support you when you need them. (See also: 11 Ways Freelancers and Telecommuters Can Make Friends and Network)

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This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Smart Ways to Use Garage Space

Ashley Marcin — Wed, 04 May 2016 09:30:23 +0000

My husband and I spent our spring break this year clearing out and cleaning our garage. It had been filled with remnants from our move (nearly two years ago), random junk, and even… garbage. Now? The space is nearly empty, all 600 glorious square feet of it. And I'm wondering what we can do with all this added square footage, since we don't necessarily need to shelter our vehicles from the elements year 'round. (See also: 5 Things in Your Garage That Have Serious Re-Sale Value)

Mudroom

Don't have much closet space indoors? Try making a mudroom out of a portion of your garage to keep your stuff organized and tidy. All you really need to finish this project are some hooks for coats and bags, a bench for sitting, and maybe storage cubes for shoes and outdoor accessories. The rest is up to your budget and creativity.

We turned a wall in our garage into a mudroom of sorts and decided to highlight the area by painting it an accent color. We then laid a rag rug down to cozy up the floor and protect feet from getting cold while getting shoes out of bins. I'd like to paint the door leading out there a funky color to make it even more fun. This project took us maybe an hour and cost just $50 for all supplies (we used what we had on hand).

Play Space

Or maybe you need more room for your kids and their toys to sprawl out. We've considered dedicating an area of the garage to play, especially since our backyard gets so much sun on hot summer afternoons. This garage-to-playroom conversion is pretty basic, but it gets the job done.

Try installing a few toddler swings to a solid support beam. Place a picnic table or two around for a drawing surface or just eating lunch. Since you're in the garage, you can even experiment with messier toys, like a DIY sandbox or rice sensory bin that won't collect as many bugs as it would outdoors. To soften the concrete flooring, head to your local carpet outlet and purchase a large remnant piece.

Office or Studio

Need a place to work from home? Try converting your garage to a studio or office. This unique before and after will get you dreaming up the many possibilities. For example, there's so much paint can do to freshen up a dingy area and make it come alive and inspire. Simple white is a solid choice if you want a neutral backdrop and maximum light.

At the same time, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Concrete floors can be as practical as they are easy to maintain. And exposed beams add architectural interest, so don't bother trying to cover them. Once you get the bones looking good, the rest will depend on the kind of work you do. Artists may like keeping the garage door open for extra light during work hours. A sturdy table may work well as a desk and meeting space. It's up to you!

Home Gym

Some friends of mine recently took over one half of their garage to make an at-home gym because they were frustrated with monthly membership rates. Their hard work paid off — big time. You can get fancy and do flooring and walls, etc. Or you can stick with what matters most: Clear out clutter and replace with weights, mats, and motivation posters.

What you stock your gym with depends on the activities you do. To get a good variety of equipment (and mirrors, etc.) on the cheap, consider checking Facebook yard sale groups, Craigslist, and even making a call out to friends. We actually scored a cheap treadmill from our neighbors that had been collecting dust in their basement for a few years. All we had to do was ask.

Hybrid Room

Maybe you have multiple needs. In that case, try planning out your garage to meet them all. Carla at Small + Friendly divided her garage into four different zones. There's a crafting/sewing station, a play wall, a laundry nook, and then some smart storage/mudroom area. Everyone in the house has someplace to spread out.

I like this family's use of vertical storage to maximize how much stuff they could contain in each zone. It's full, but very well organized. Additionally, if your budget doesn't allow for flooring, make use of interlocking foam tiles anywhere kids might be playing on the ground for added comfort. Carla's husband even uses the tiles as a makeshift yoga mat for morning workouts.

Bedroom and Beyond

My jaw dropped when I came across this incredible garage-to-bedroom transformation. For just $900, Brooke Frederick was able to totally clean out the space, give it a nice coat of bright paint, exterminate pests, and then furnish to her specifications. And if you don't have a hefty budget, that's all you really need to do to make a room out of your garage.

Of course, this kind of frugal flip won't work for everyone. Moving your sleeping or living quarters to the garage is probably more appealing if your garage has plenty of windows. Also, Frederick notes there's no insulation in her new bedroom, so this idea works best if you live in a more moderate climate.

Things to Think About

If you do intend to use your space year-round, you'll want to insulate and drywall to keep the heat and cold out. Same goes for your garage door.
Adding a few windows can also help provide the area with natural light, but aren't a requirement if you budget doesn't allow.
You may need to enlist an experienced electrician to wire some outlets to your new room to get the power flowing if you plan to use computers, televisions, and other electronics.
That all being said, major improvements may require a permit. Check with your local municipality for the rules that apply in your area.

Do you use your garage for something other than parking cars? Tell us about it!

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This article is from Ashley Marcin of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 5 Biggest Mistakes People Make When Working From Home

Dan Rafter — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 10:00:04 +0000

You've finally done it: You've landed a work-from-home job. No more daily commute to the office. No more being distracted by the office gossip. And no more interruptions in the middle of your workday to celebrate the fifth office birthday of the month.

Yes, working from home can alleviate much of the stress that comes with holding down an office job. But this doesn't mean that working from your own home office doesn't pose its own risks. For first-time work-from-homers, especially, the many temptations of the home could pull you away from your work, lower your productivity, and get you in trouble with the boss. (See also: 5 Ways to Stay Productive While Working From Home)

Here are five big mistakes that, if you don't avoid them, could cause you to lose that work-from-home gig and return you to that daily morning commute.

1. You Don't Work in a Home Office

It's easy to say that you'll treat your entire home as an office when you work from it, but that's unrealistic. Saying that you can tote your laptop to the kitchen, the living room, or your bedroom depending on your mood means one thing: You don't have a real home office. And that can lead to problems. It's harder to resist the pull of your favorite TV shows when you're working just feet from the flat-screen in the living room.

The better move is to set up a dedicated home-office space as soon as you land your work-from-home gig. This office space can be anywhere, as long it's permanent, large and comfortable enough to allow you to get your work done. Setting up a permanent home-office space — that you only use for work — is also important when you want to claim work-from-home deductions on your income taxes.

2. You Take Far Too Many Breaks

One of the benefits of working from home is that you can avoid the distractions caused by chatty coworkers, but working from home brings with it plenty of other distractions — especially from your computer or your TV. It's easy to give yourself a 15-minute break to watch a few YouTube videos or check your Facebook page. Most workers do this in a traditional office, too. But when there's no supervisor looming over your shoulder? Those breaks get far easier to take, and they can then easily increase in frequency.

To fend off this temptation, make a list each morning of what work you absolutely need to complete before the day ends. This should keep you focused on the tasks you are getting paid to complete. And don't work anywhere near your TV. If you get too distracted by the entertainment options in your home, your productivity will plummet. Once your bosses notice, they might yank you right back to the office.

3. Your Health Takes a Backseat

You might think that working from home would be a boon to your diet. After all, it's tempting to go on those fast-food lunch runs with your coworkers. It's easy to snag one of the doughnuts in the conference room. But working from home brings with it some extremely tricky dietary landmines.

You might be alone in your home for hours every day. Even if you start each day with good intentions — you're ready to fix a healthy lunch during your break time — it's awfully tempting to visit your refrigerator and cupboards several times a day, just for a break from your work. All those extra crackers, candies, and pretzels can add up, and you might discover that your clothes are getting a bit snugger.

When you do need a brief break, why not do a few jumping jacks or take a walk around the block instead of opening that refrigerator for the sixth time?

4. You Forget to End the Work Day

A big benefit of working from home is that you can set your own work schedule, but that can also be a significant negative. Some work-from-homers don't reduce their production when they leave the office. They go the opposite route: They never end the work day.

It's a tough temptation for many. Your laptop is right on the kitchen counter, so why not check your emails before getting ready for bed? Why not write a few more paragraphs of that report long after the workday ends?

If you're not careful, it's all too easy to fall into the trap of working from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed. To avoid this, vow not to work after a certain hour. Your entire life shouldn't be devoted solely to work, even if you work from home.

5. You Disappear Too Much From Office Life

Just because you work from home doesn't mean that you should never make an appearance at your former office. Too many work-from-homers simply disappear from office life. They rarely attend important meetings. They don't participate in conference calls.

This can lead to missed opportunities. Supervisors might pass over work-from-homers for key promotions simply because these employees have become all but invisible.

To avoid this, make sure to visit the office on a regular basis, whether it's once every two weeks or once a month. Also, check in by phone or video conferencing on a regular basis with your coworkers and bosses. Remind your supervisors that even though you're not in the office each day, that you are still completing important work.

Do you work from home? How do you balance it all? Share with us in the comments!

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This article is from Dan Rafter of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Ways to Stay Productive While Working From Home

Dan Rafter — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 09:00:10 +0000

You've just landed a coveted work-from-home job. This is great news. You can now ditch the time-consuming commute to work. You can avoid office gossip, and you can work on your own schedule.

But, there are some pitfalls. It's not always easy to stay productive when you're working from home. There are plenty of distractions — Orange Is the New Black on Netflix, the refrigerator, and your bike just waiting for you in the garage — to take you away from your work. If you're not careful, you might find yourself missing deadlines, angering your bosses and — ultimately — heading back into an office every day.

The key to avoiding this fate is to treat your home office more like an office and less like a home, at least during the workday. Here are five tips that you can use to remain productive while working from home.

1. Take Control of Your Workspace

Devora Zack, author of the book Singletasking and owner of Only Connect Consulting, a business-consulting company in Bethesda, Maryland, says that you need to keep distractions at bay during the working day. That means creating a workspace that keeps out children, spouses, or any other distractions when you're working.

Zack says that it's your job to "build fences" that will keep distractions away. These fences can be anything from a closed and locked door to muting your call-waiting feature while conducting an important phone interview.

2. Have a Schedule and a To-Do List

Andy Abramson, chief executive officer of marketing firm Comunicano, has been working from home part- or full-time since 1974 when he first started handling marketing duties for professional sports teams. The resident of Del Mar, California, says that the key to staying productive at home is to have a schedule for every day, and to stick to it.

It helps to have a to-do list, too. That way you won't reach the end of your work day only to find that you didn't complete your most important tasks.

"Have a routine if you work from home, and plan your day," Abramson said. "This includes times for taking breaks, running errands, and eating meals."

3. Don't Forget to Leave the Office

Dani Mackey, owner of Washington, D.C.-based Dani Mackey Communications, says that it's important to leave your home office on a regular basis. It's too easy to cut yourself off from the community if you work from home every day. Mackey suggests schedule meetings when possible outside your office.

Leaving the office increases networking opportunities and forces you to dress professionally — it can be easy to dress down every day when you work from home.

"It also forces you to be more productive while you are in your office, as there is less time available to be unproductive," Mackey says.

4. Don't Let Email Consume You

It can be easy when you work from home to let email take over your life. It's tempting to check your email while playing with your kids, chatting with your spouse, making dinner, or exercising, especially if you're constantly toting your smartphone with you.

Michael Fritsch, the productivity expert known as the SavvyCOO, says that people who work from home should set aside blocks of time specifically to deal with email. They should also use email filters to automatically route messages to specific folders. You might designate emails from your boss or clients to automatically redirect to an inbox marked "Urgent." You can automatically route emails from friends and family members to a different, less-urgent inbox.

5. Don't Work All the Time

When you work from home, it can be too easy to spend all of your time on work. But this isn't healthy: You need to schedule time for exercise, reading, and spending time with your family.

Elisette Carlson, founder of San Diego-based public relations firm SMACK! Media and someone who works from home, recommends treating these breaks as you would any other meeting or deadline; don't blow them off.

"Take a moment in the evening to put it all away," Carlson said. "This has helped me a lot. From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. is family time. Sure, I'll peek at my phone to ensure there aren't any emergencies, but I try to keep this time 100% about family."

How do you stay focused when working from home?

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This article is from Dan Rafter of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Work at Home Without Driving Your Spouse Nuts

Dan Rafter — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 09:00:14 +0000

Your spouse has just accepted a work-from-home job. You already have one.

And while this work arrangement comes with plenty of perks — no more commutes, no more sneaky text messages to your spouse while you're hiding from your boss — it also comes with plenty of potential pitfalls.

Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to make this unusual working arrangement succeed. If you're careful, you won't want to kill your spouse, either.

1. Respect Each Other's Work

If your spouse is working in the kitchen, it's easy to stroll in and start chatting about current events, the neighbor's barking dog, or your niece's upcoming ballet recital. But remember, your spouse has work to do. Don't keep interrupting.

And if your spouse is the one doing the interrupting? Give a polite, but firm, reminder that you need to wrap up an assignment and that you don't have time for chit-chat.

Yes, one of the benefits of working from home with your spouse is that you can take those little breaks in the day with the person you loved enough to marry. But too many of these breaks can start to feel intrusive.

2. Turn the Work Day Off

When both you and your spouse work from home, it can be easy to keep working... all night long. After all, you both probably have deadlines that are looming. And if you work on a freelance basis, you might be tempted to take on more work than you can handle during a typical working day.

But be careful: If both you and your spouse spend all of your hours working, you'll both run the risk of becoming deadly dull. Even worse, you'll be spending long hours in the same house without actually spending quality, personal time together.

Every relationship needs quality alone time between spouses. Don't let an inability to shut off the working day prevent you and your spouse from making this time.

3. Remember That Sweatpants Aren't Flattering

It's tempting when you both work from home to spend all day in your pajamas or sweatpants. Yes, this is comfortable. But resist the urge. Wear day-time clothes during day-time hours. This means, at a minimum, jeans or shorts.

If you don't have to commute to an office, you don't have to wear a suit. But wearing sweatpants or pajamas every day shows your spouse that you don't care enough about his or her opinion to make an effort. Ditch the sweatpants once the working day begins.

4. Leave the House

You might lose track of how much time you and your spouse spend in the home if you're both working from it. Entire days can go by when the only time you leave the house is to drop your kid off at soccer practice or when you need a quick hit of Starbucks.

Staying in the house all day cuts you off from the community. It makes you boring. And, worst of all, it might make you sick of your spouse. If your spouse is the person you spend 90% of your time with? You might actually run out of things to talk about, especially if you're not leaving the house and interacting with the rest of the world.

So make sure to plan regular trips to the gym, morning walks, bike rides, or dinners out. You wouldn't spend every waking moment in an office building. Why would you when your home has become your office?

5. Don't Fill Your Home With Papers, Reports, and Computers

When both you and your spouse work from home, your home is actually pulling double duty: It's both a home and an office. Make sure, then, that your home doesn't only look like an office.

It's easy when both you and your spouse work from your residence to litter it with papers, reports, briefcases, laptops, and tablets. Just look at your kitchen table: Does it look like a messy desk that you'd see in a cubicle?

If so, it's time to clean up. Make sure that when the working day ends, you and your spouse both pick up your work supplies and store them out of sight. If your home always looks like an office, you're both more likely to work long hours into the evening night after night.

How do you handle working from home with your significant other?

This article is from Dan Rafter of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Gadgets Every Work at Home Professional Needs

Amanda Meadows — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 09:00:13 +0000

Desk jockeying from the comfort of your home? Make your home office way more awesome with these six gadgets. They can help increase your productivity, reduce boredom, and make working from home much easier.

1. Multi Device Keyboard

Need to switch from iPad to laptop, and back again without fumbling for cables or constantly restarting the Bluetooth connection? This multi-device keyboard makes it easy — as simple as turning a dial. It's wireless and completely mobile, making it easy to move around the house or pack on business trips.

2. Smart Light Bulb

I've been on spreadsheet grinds that go so long that when I look up, the sun's set and it's dark as a cave in my office. It's time to consider switching the home office lighting to the new GE Wink, which can be controlled by both your home dimmer and from anywhere with a smartphone app. Try one in your office and one in the living room, so you can brighten, dim, or turn off the light without having to leave the desk.

3. Bluetooth Headphones or Speaker

My Bluetooth speaker has been a lifechanger. When playing back a video for work, I can actually hear it without tethering myself to the computer with corded headphones. If you want a big sound for less, try the Photive Bluetooth speaker, which is by far the best value in the Bluetooth speaker market. It also holds a single charge for days.

For those who like lush headphones, these Jabra Bluetooth headphones are awesome. They're comfortable, have well rounded sound, and work within a decent range. You can finally enjoy work tunes and grab something from the fridge at the same time!

4. USB Key

This really handy USB stick by LaCie fits onto your key ring, but it's also shaped and sized like a key! This makes it lightweight and less bulky than your current USB drive. You'll also find it very hard to fill because it holds a sizable 32GB of drive space, making this the perfect goto on-the-go USB solution.

5. Desk Elliptical

Everyone knows it now: Sitting is a disease. But even if you work from home, you probably also need to work at a desk. There are options such as the standing desk, or the treadmill desk. But, If you want to remain sitting most of the time yet keep your blood flowing (perhaps even burning some extra calories), try this under-desk elliptical. It's compact, light, and easy to use. Plus, it's a great value compared to full-size home gym equipment.

6. Tylt Vu Charging Pad

This is really cool: An affordable and convenient home charging pad that's good for any smartphone. No more misplacing cords, then scrounging for them in a hurry when your phone is at 3% battery. It's also small enough to keep on your desk and take along on business trips.

What are some other gadgets you can't work from home without?

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This article is from Amanda Meadows of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

12 Cheap Ways to Make Your Office Look Awesome

Kentin Waits — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 09:00:07 +0000

Whether at work or home, our offices have a way of becoming the catch-all areas of our busy lives. Littered with old projects, out-of-date electronics, and boxes of last year's Girl Scout cookies, it's easy for an office to end up looking less like a professional workspace and more like an oversized hall closet. (See also: 10 Cheap Ways to Make Your Apartment Look Awesome)

But if you want to dial in little more style, here are 12 ways to make your office look awesome.

1. Ditch the Corporate Art

Queue the collective eye-roll. Prepackaged corporate art (you know the stuff — three people rowing a canoe at sunrise with the "teamwork" caption) probably works against the very morale you're trying to build. Awesome offices are authentic offices, not motivational billboards.

2. Add a Few Surprises

Your office should reflect your personality. Mix in some vintage touches, a kitschy accessory, an antique, or something handmade. When well done, blending these accents into your office décor can take your space out of the mundane, add a bit of humor, and communicate who you are and what you love.

3. Tidy Up

It's not the sexiest option, but cleaning and organizing your workspace is the most basic way to improve its aesthetics and — even better — it's free. Clear the clutter and then clean primary surfaces like the floors, windows, and your desk. It'll set the stage for more refinements later.

4. Flick Off the Fluorescents

Is there anything worse than overhead fluorescent lighting? It saps our color, exhausts our eyes, and can even reduce our productivity. Shop around for a table lamp or two (even if you use compact fluorescent bulbs, the effect will be softer and more welcoming) and add window treatments that maximize natural light. While you're at it, explore other ways to create a more productive workspace.

5. Blow Up a Close Up

Need some tasteful but inexpensive art ideas for your office? Why not photograph the detail of a flower, the emblem of a vintage car, or the subtle pattern of a leaf? If you're not talented behind the lens, search online and download a digital photo with the appropriate Creative Commons license. Make it your own by cropping, zooming, or adding custom effects.

6. Add Texture

Texture is the unsung component of good interior design. Even in offices, it can add visual interest and dimension. Accent pillows, upholstery, window treatments, and rugs are all great ways to work rich and varied textures into your workspace.

7. Untangle and Wrangle Cords

Is your computer area turning into a dusty and tangled nest of cables, cords, wires, and plugs? If so, it's time to get organized. Label each with plastic bread bag tags, wrap with Velcro strips, and run cords along the backside of a desk using eye hooks or clips. Or, explore other methods to control the web of wires.

8. Live in Color

Aren't we all tired of Office Beige and Daily Grind Gray? There's no rule that dictates your workspace can't be colorful. Mix in vibrant greens, oranges, yellow, or blues — just be sure to keep colors complementary to avoid overload.

9. Get Dramatic

Displaying art can be a bit tricky; most people don't go big enough. Grounding your space with a single large statement piece can be more attractive than dotting the walls with several smaller prints, photos, or paintings. Go for something grand that fits the scale of your office and reflects your personality and taste. Complement with one or two smaller pieces, but err on the minimalist side.

10. Embrace the Printed Word

There's more than one way to create compelling art. Enlarge and print a favorite poem, quote, or excerpt from a book. Matted and framed, it can become an unexpected and unique art piece. Choose a subject matter that relates to your business; a childcare enterprise might have a page from The Little Prince, or a landscape design service might feature a quote from the father of American landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted.

11. Chalk It Up

We've all seen chalkboard spray paint used in kitchens and kids' rooms, but what about your office? A chalkboard is a quick way to take a note while you're on the phone and it's more stylish than a startlingly white whiteboard.

12. Get Shady

Our offices are often furnished with cast-offs from other rooms. But when it comes to letting the light shine in, you need to be a bit more intentional. We spend long hours at our desks, so it helps to choose window treatments that take full advantage of good views, maximize natural light, and minimize glare. Explore honeycomb shades, plantation shutters, sheers, or Roman shades; these options allow you to adjust lighting as-needed and won't weigh your room down like heavy drapery can. If you're handy with a needle and thread, you can even make your own custom curtains.

Remember, the key to an awesome office isn't a mystery: just avoid clichés, spice it up (elegantly) with your own personality, add a surprise or two, and minimize the clutter. With a few simple steps, you can change not only your workspace, but the quality of work you do in it.

Do you have an awesome office? What advice do you have for those stuck in drab digs?

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This article is from Kentin Waits of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Laser vs. Inkjet: Choosing the Wrong Printer Could Cost You

Ryan Lynch — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 21:00:04 +0000

Costing more than luxury perfumes and high-end alcohol, printer ink is probably the most expensive liquid per volume that you buy. Consumers deride the high cost of printer ink yet accept it as a necessary evil. It seems as though we have no other choice but to plunk down big bucks on cartridges that seem to evaporate overnight, right? However, you'll be happy to know that with a little bit of research and some basic math skills, you can substantially decrease your printing costs by choosing the right printer for your needs. (See also: 11 Ways to Save Big on Ink)

First and foremost, there are two types of printers available to the average consumer — inkjet and laser. By recognizing and understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each type, you will be able to determine which printer will best suit you. Traditionally, inkjet printers have dominated the home printer market, while laser machines were associated with offices and businesses. The differences between the two are complex, however for the layperson they can be summarised in a few key points.

Functionality

Inkjets take the lead in versatility, as they are often "multi-function" machines that can copy, scan, and fax in addition to delivering quality color printing. Many inkjet printers on the market today have the entire kitchen sink thrown in them, offering wireless networking, document feeders, automatic double-sided printing, and mobile printing capabilities with Apple AirPrint and Google Cloud compatibility. In addition, inkjet printers are more likely to be compatible with various types of media including iron-on transfers, adhesive labels, and thicker paper.

While laser printers are also available with a wide variety of features, inkjet machines are offered at a cheaper, more attractive price than comparable laser printers. However the initial high cost of lasers is usually offset by a cheaper running costs, detailed later in this article.

Color

Inkjet color printing is superior because of the viscous liquid ink used in image production. Not only are the colors more vibrant, but the Dots Per Inch (DPI) or resolution is much higher when compared to a laser printer. Because of this, inkjets are able to produce images with superior color blending. One caveat is that black text can be fuzzy due to the ink "bleeding" into the paper.

Laser printers are known for crisp, perfect text production, which is why they are normally associated with monochrome (black & white) printing. However, laser printers can be found with color printing capabilities. While satisfactory for text and basic graphics, laser color printing is grainy due to a lower DPI.

Running Costs

Since printers themselves are relatively affordable, the true cost of home printing comes from the operating cost. On average, laser printers have a lower cost per page than inkjet printers. The consumables in laser printers, called toners, have a much higher page yield than inkjet cartridges. These high yield toners, coupled with the lower DPI of laser printers, often equates to lower operating costs. Because of their efficiency, printer manufacturers know they will generate less profit from their consumables, and as a result the price of laser machines often increases significantly based on their available features.

This doesn't mean that all inkjet printers are inefficient, in fact many "office" inkjet printers are quickly bridging the page yield gap, however they tend to be fewer and farther between. Unfortunately, the running cost of lasers and inkjets is not as cut and dry as it once was. This is why it is imperative to…

Do the Math

When shopping for a printer, most folks make the mistake of comparing the face value of ink cartridges, and many base their decisions on the perceived value of the ink. The old assumption that laser printers are cheaper to run than inkjets isn't always true, with some bargain basement lasers using toners that are just as expensive as the much maligned inkjets.

With so many different printer models and cartridges it is nearly impossible to say what the "average" cost of printing with an inkjet or laser machine will be. Luckily, with some basic math skills you can get a pretty good estimate of the overall running cost of a machine. Not all printer cartridges have the same page yield, nor do they have the same price. In order to figure out the running cost of a printer one has to divide the cost of the cartridge by the estimated page yield. Most printer manufacturers like HP and Epson make these estimates available to consumers, however many people who deride their choice in printer often fail to do the math that is necessary to determine the printing per page cost.

While determining the cost per page of your printer will certainly give you a better idea of the ongoing expenses you will incur over the lifespan of your printer, it is still oversimplifying the method of determining the true cost.

Don't Rule Out Buying Both

So you've figured out what your printing needs entail and you've made a shortlist. You've consulted the estimated page yields of the consumables and you're still on the fence. Unfortunately it is a scenario that many people face, making everything even more frustrating than it already is. While it may not seem entirely practical, investing in both an inkjet and a laser printer might actually make the most sense.

If you need to produce high quality photos but you also need to print high volumes of text, no one machine is going to cut it. In order to get the best of both worlds without compromise, you should consider making space on your desk for both machines.

Otherwise, decide what your primary use will be, and choose based on that.

Having a printer in the home can be both a blessing and curse. You don't have to choose between the convenience of printing at home versus the potential cost of ink. Instead, take the time to ask yourself what the printer will be used for. There are numerous websites and guides that can help you navigate the staggering number of printer models available. By weighing the pros and cons of both inkjet and laser printers and doing a little number crunching, you can determine the balance of features and running cost that makes financial sense to you.

Have you purchased a printer for your home or business lately? How did you choose?

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This article is from Ryan Lynch of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Things That Improve Your Health in Your Home Office

Linsey Knerl — Tue, 27 May 2014 08:00:28 +0000

If you work from home, you spend a great deal of time inside your home office. It is the place where all your brilliant thoughts, amazing connections, and money-making ideas are nurtured.

That same home office could be making you sick. At the very least, it could be inhibiting your health. From back tension to eye strain to lethargy, your home office could be causing some of the ailments you suffer from. However, simple changes to the layout, accessories, and decor of your office could improve your health. Here are 10 ways you can do just that. (See also: 6 Rules of Creating a Powerfully Productive Workspace)

Let There Be Light

Poor lighting induces eye-strain and can put a damper on your mood. Be sure to brighten up — with the right light.

1. Sit Near the Window

Placing your desk near a window allows you to be exposed to as much natural light as possible. The vitamin D your body receives from the sun is also a benefit, especially if you spend a great deal of time indoors. Sitting near a window will help your body maintain a positive work attitude throughout the day.

If your home office must be in a room without a window, it is easy to create natural lighting with the addition of compact fluorescent (CF) light bulbs. These light bulbs mimic light from the sun and can give you the same benefits.(See also: Are Your Lights Making You Tired?)

2. Use Task Lighting

Incorrect lighting in a room can cause increased strain on your eyes. This can lead to fatigue, headaches, and poor vision. Add task lighting to your work areas to decrease the amount of strain on your eyes.

Breathe Easy

Many of us find space for a home office anywhere we can. This can mean a basement, a small room without windows, or even a large closet. Often, these spaces have poor air circulation.

3. Install an Air Purifier

Improve the quality of the air you breathe by adding an air purifier to the space. Breathing in cleaner air will improve your overall health, reduce fatigue, and decrease your chances of illness — such as the common cold or flu.

4. Add Houseplants

If adding in an air purifier isn't possible (and even if it is), a houseplant or two can improve the quality of the air you are breathing as well. There are many plants you can buy that will filter out pollutants and clean the air of smells.

Sit Comfortably

You spend a great deal of time sitting in your home office; the chair you use should be providing you with adequate support, enhancing your posture and comfort

5. Check Chair Position

Check for the proper placement of your chair and work space. If not placed properly, you could be causing excessive strain on your back. The chair you use should put you level with the top of your workspace so that your arms create a 90 degree angle when working.

6. Rest Your Feet

Place a foot rest beneath your desk. Adding in a small place for your feet to rest while you are sitting reduces the strain on your lower back and encourages proper blood circulation.

7. Stand in the Place Where You Are

Consider a standing desk. When you are sitting, your body is more prone to going into a relaxed state. Your heart rate decreases, your body slumps, and as you become more tired, you are more likely to lay back (or forward) and take a little nap. A standing desk prohibits your body from doing that. Your body will remain alert longer as you are more likely to move around slightly. This keeps the blood flowing through all parts of your body and your productivity may be less stagnant as the day wears on. (See also: 11 Attractive Standing Desks You Can Actually Afford)

Improve Your Mood

Boost your spirits — and your productivity — with some simple decor decisions.

8. Choose Cheerful Colors

Create a pleasant workspace with cheerful decor and warm colors. These decorating choices that you make from the paint on the walls, to the nick-knacks on the shelves will keep your mood stable and your health optimal. There is some research that suggests colors can enhance your mental health and productivity. Red, for example is a color that energizes; blue has a calming effect. The colors you place in your home office should be colors you feel good around, those that will best benefit your health.

9. Consider Aromatherapy

Consider adding in aromatherapy. Using essential oils to change the scents in your room can help to increase focus, decrease fatigue, and promote general good health. Infusing oils such as orange after a stressful conference call can help you to relax and refocus your mind. While lemon oil is said to calm anxiety, rosemary can stimulate your brain and improve memory. The use of essential oils may improve your health as well as your productivity while working.

10. Get Out!

Although this isn't a change to your home office, it is important to plan breaks throughout the day. Your body needs a few minutes of rest from being in the same position. Your eyes need a break from the constant focus on a screen, and your mood will benefit from the break you take outside in the sun. Whether it's a few minutes walking around your neighborhood or an hour laying outside to read, plan a few breaks throughout the day to keep you healthy while working in your home office.

How do you keep your home office from making you sick? Please share in comments!

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This article is from Linsey Knerl of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

7 of the Most Innovative, Useful, and Insane Desks

Ashley Watson — Wed, 07 May 2014 08:24:20 +0000

While you may not think about how your desk and workspace affects your productivity, recent studies show that there are definite links between office space and output. From standing desks to a giant desk shared by everyone in the office, here are seven of the most innovative and functional desks that improve your workspace and the quality of your work. (See also: 11 Affordable and DIY Standing Desks)

1. Multi-User Desk for Humans and Cats

Whether you work from home or in a cat-friendly office, this multi-user desk — designed for humans and cats — is perfect for the cat person. With holes and passageways to explore and plenty of hiding places, this desk is functional and will satisfy your cat's curiosity. Designer Ruan Hao of LYCS Architecture says, "It is a table for us, and a paradise for cats." Perhaps because research shows that bringing pets to work can reduce stress in the workplace, it looks like "Catitecture" (architecture designed for cats) for the office is here to stay.

2. The UpWrite Whiteboard Standing Desk

Do you sit at a desk for eight hours a day, but also go to the gym before or after work? You would be what Australian researcher Genevieve Healy, Ph.D. calls an "active couch potato." In fact, sitting all day has been dubbed as the "new smoking.". Perhaps because of the increasing research on the negative effects of sitting all day, treadmill and standing desks are certainly becoming more popular.

The whiteboard standing desk features a whiteboard top, which works with both wet and dry erase markers, for people who are constantly jotting down notes. It's adjustable so that you have the option of sitting down, and its cable management channel works with a treadmill. It can also hold up to 300 pounds. It's a little pricey, but worth it if you want to improve your health and the environment by eliminating all those sticky notes.

You can also turn a regular desk into a standing desk with adjustable desks designed to place on top of your desk, such as the Varidesk.

3. The Ninja Standing Desk

If you are looking for a more affordable standing desk that is a space-saver and easy to install, the Ninja Standing Desk is an excellent option. They have several models to choose from, and you can install them in a matter of minutes with the easy wall mounts, or you can put it on the back of a door if you have an extra tight space. The website also includes a video that shows you step by step how to install the desk and how to adjust the height.

4. Stair/Storage Desk

If you are looking for a home office desk that is extremely functional, this stair/storage/desk combo offers an innovative space-saving design. It's perfect for a studio space with a loft; the three parts connect two floors and provide a storage space and a place to work. It was designed by Studio Mieke Meijer for his residence in Wassenaar. If you are just looking for extra storage in a desk with a sleek design, the Treasury Table desk has a clear top so that you can quickly and easily find what you need.

5. Also_Chair

This desk is exactly what the name indicates. It is also a chair. The Also armchair is designed for small spaces and rooms. It's a reading chair, and when you flip it 90 degrees, it's also a single desk or work table. It also has storage for books, and it is made with materials that make it affordable.

6. The Workbed

Another multifunctional, space-saving desk is the Workbed, which, with the click of a button turns a spacious workspace into a bed. While you have to clear the desk or strap in the mattress every time you flip it, the Workbed offers a lot of storage space and lots of room to work.

7. Superdesk

Perhaps the most insane desk on this list is the giant Superdesk designed for the Barbarian Group to encourage collaboration with a single surface of a continuous resin desktop. Everyone in the company sits at one insanely large desk that dips and snakes its way around the open loft space. It also features archways, cubbies, and couches to provide personal storage and the option of working on a laptop in a more personal space. This 4,400 sq ft, creative desk was designed by architect Clive Wilkinson with TBG's philosophy in mind. The New York-based company calls it "a desk that we could all share…to keep people and ideas flowing."

Have you seen or used any insane desks? Please share in comments!

This article is from Ashley Watson of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

11 Attractive Standing Desks You Can Actually Afford

Lars Peterson — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 09:36:04 +0000

Ernest Hemingway wrote at a standing desk (sometimes a very frugal DIY one). Charles Dickens wrote at one, too, and generations of architects, engineers, and draftsmen did their work at standing desks and tables. The writers claimed standing helped them find inspiration and maybe that is also true for the artists and designers. Most folks agreed that sitting was for slackers. Standing at their work was also much better for their health. (See also: The Top 5 Standing Desks)

Unfortunately, these days many of us spend our working hours planted firmly in our chairs, and we're suffering because of it. In the past few years, health researchers have determined that sitting all day is killing us. It's bad for our backs. It's bad for our postures. It's bad for our muscles and our hearts and our metabolism. It's bad for weight loss. Worse? Sitting's ill effects cannot be undone by a few hours a week at the gym. (See also: 25 Reasons to Get Out of Your Chair)

Those alarming studies were followed soon by an Internet mini-boom in standing desk chatter and design ideas and sales pitches. You can spend a lot of money for a custom, automatic desk that switches from sitting to standing at the touch of a button. Or you can spend nothing at all for the kludgiest, DIY standing desk imaginable — a folding chair on a desk.

What follows is a collection of 11 standing desk designs that fall somewhere in between touch-of-a-button and chair-on-a-desk. Stuff that won't embarrass you if your spouse or neighbor or co-worker catches you working at it. Some are high design and some are DIY hacks. All are probably better for you than the desk you're using now.

1. Steel Pipe

The only thing blowing up bigger than standing desks in the lifehack DIY corners of the Internet is stuff you can make with black or steel pipe. Of course you can make standing desks with pipe, too. This one is a little cleaner and simpler.

I really like this high design (and unfortunately high dollar) riff on on the steel pipe standing desk. The Adler Table adjusts from sitting to standing with an old timey hand crank.

2. Steel Pipe Kits

If you don't want to bother with cutting the pipe yourself, you can order a pre-cut kit with some clever pipe-unions from Simplified Building. The height is adjustable although you probably ought to move everything off your desk before you start fussing with it. In addition to the $200 for parts, you'll need to source a desktop.

3. Wall Desk

Wall desks have been around for a while and they're great if you work from a laptop and want make the switch to a standing desk part-time. Just mount at standing desk height rather than sitting, and you're ready for few hours on your feet.

4. Sawhorses

I haven't priced this out in detail, but a hundred bucks should get this done. And probably with enough cash to spare for snacks and beverages after. You'll need some steel sawhorse brackets, several lengths of 2x4 lumber (check the bracket package for a chart that explains how long to cut your lumber for a given table height, otherwise the math is here), a hollow core door for the desktop, and a quart of paint if you want to get crafty. (See also: How to Repaint Old Furniture)

Too rough and tumble? Try this elegant, adjustable tall sawhorse design.

5. Box on a Desk

Dangerously close to folding chair on a desk, the box on a desk offers a little more stability than the chair and almost as much frugality. I've got a soft spot for boxes (and milk crates), and this is a good cheap solution for folks who want to experiment with standing.

6. Modular Shelving

You can find all sorts of modular shelving systems — Elfa from the Container Store, for example — that include parts for desks. When you're setting up your home office work space, just configure the desk at standing height.

Modified Hungarian Shelves would work well, too.

7. IKEA Hack

Ikea products are inexpensive, and durable enough for most of us, and really well-suited to hacking, including into standing desks in a variety of designs.

Or you can get a kit that turns some inexpensive IKEA parts into an adjustable height standing desk.

8. High Shelf

Few DIY jobs are simpler than mounting a shelf on a wall.

For a long time I sweated over the details of a DIY version of this pricey wall-mounted, floating desk that I wanted to build and install in my home office. Alas, I need more tools (and money) to make it happen.

9. Laptop Stand

Back toward the chair on the desk end of the spectrum is the simple and elegant desktop laptop stand.

10. Home Built

If you don't mind your workspace looking like a tall workbench or potting table, you can put one together yourself with a few basic power tools (just a drill and a circular saw, which I do have). (See also: Build Your Own Furniture: 9 Tips for Non-Carpenters)

11. Recycled Drafting Table

And here we are right back where we started — the drafting table. An adjustable drafting table is the solution I have decided to try in my own home office — soon. Durable, sturdy, spacious, adjustable, and affordable (under $250 new, less if I can find a used one in good condition). It's not the most attractive of the bunch, but it's got the right mix of features and price, and it's a form I trust and recognize from high school drafting class.

What about you? Have you switched, or are you planning to switch, to a standing desk? What's your affordable solution?

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This article is from Lars Peterson of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Essential Tools for Telecommuting

Linsey Knerl — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 10:36:41 +0000

This technology article is sponsored by Comcast Business Class, the nation's leading communication services provider.

If you’re one of the 2.9 million teleworkers cited in a recent workshifting.com report (PDF), you likely already understand how having the right tools for the job can increase productivity and make you appear like a rock star to your boss. These solutions — handpicked by actual workers in the teleshift trenches — are ideal for keeping your days productive and your spirits high.

Email-Enabled All-in-One Printer

Your home inkjet printer/copier/scanner is likely already one of your favorite tools, but can it handle impromptu printing jobs from the office 30 miles away? By upgrading to a printer that has ePrint technology, employees can access data from the cloud and save several steps in the process of printing a document that’s stuck at the home office. The HP OfficeJet 8600 e-All-in-One printer can receive print jobs from any smart-enabled device; it’s essentially as simple as your project manager sending an email. Since it’s connected to your wireless router, any PC, phone, or tablet can send it print jobs (no dusty cables required!). ePrint enabled HP devices start at under $80.

Shoeboxed

If you can convince your boss to let you work from home, it’s likely you can finesse your way into using an expense- and document-tracking service that actually caters to the telecommute crowd. Shoeboxed.com is just that tool, giving remote employees the ability to stuff a prepaid envelope with all their paper clutter and drop it in the mailbox. Documents are then scanned and sent to a secure location on the web (where Accounting can easily access them). For those who aren’t home to mess with the postal service, Shoeboxed also offers mobile scanning and email options. Basic service is free, and business plans max out at $49.95 a month.

Google+ Hangout

Do you miss the chatter around the water cooler? Are you hungering for the occasional overheard convo in the cubicle next to you? Google+ Hangout is a work-around to not being around, and several telecommuters have used it to team up with other remote workers to create that “we’re in the same room” feel. Productive employees have also used the tool to get more work done; time wasted sending emails can be eliminated with a virtual “Pssst. What’s the number for our Dallas office?” Up to nine people can chat using Hangout; video imaging is optional. Google+ Hangout is free!

Web-Based Presentations

This type of tool has been around for years, but the offerings just keep expanding. Originally designed to replace the expensive face-to-face sales meeting, web-based meeting software solutions can easily be adapted to hold internal meetings between in-house workers and their home-based teammates. Popular companies that offer web-enabled meetings include Webex, GoToMeeting, and EasyMeeting.net. Ask your boss if they have a corporate account with a web-based host; chances are good that they do, and you can use it to keep connected to other workers in the company — and save time by not coming into the office for yet another meeting. Service plans start at less than $24 for teams of eight or more, with video compatibility.

Mini-Mailroom

When working from home, you may miss having access to the mailroom downstairs. If you send out lots of business proposals or are responsible for shipping physical reports to corporate, a mini shipping station can save you time and your company money. Most companies will have an account number for the major shippers that you can use to bill costs directly to your boss, but you’ll still need the following supplies in your mini mailing room: postage stamps, envelopes, bubble mailers, and a postal scale. If you print your own postage, don’t forget to stock up on sticky labels and ink, too! Services like Endicia.com start their plans at just $9.95 a month, plus the cost of postage.

Conference Phone

Finally, to appear that you are in the office (even when you’re not “in” the office), clients and coworkers will need to transfer calls and contact you as easily as if you’re down the hall. If your company hasn’t set you up with a compatible phone system, there are several options you can use on your own. Companies like Skype do offer some impressive features for getting group calls together quickly, but if you want a seamless look to your communication process, a dedicated VOIP provider (which lets you make calls via the internet rather than phone lines) may fit the bill. Functionality will depend entirely on the speed and availability of a broadband internet connection; rural areas or those with spotty service may have to rely on a second “land line” to stay in the game when working from home. Prices vary for VOIP services; contact your preferred provider for price quotes.

Whether you have an actual choice in what tool you use will depend entirely on corporate policy; many telecommuters have found that, if they are among the first to take the leap, they will have more say in what products and services are available to them.

This article is from Linsey Knerl of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Tips to Make Working From Home a Success

Parenting Squad — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:48:16 +0000

It's estimated that 10 to 15 million Americans work from home. Many people, including a great percentage of moms and dads, find the work-from-home opportunity the perfect fit for their lifestyle.

But working from home is hard work, especially with kids in the picture. Whether you're contemplating a work-from-home opportunity or already heading to your in-house office each day, here are 10 tips to help make the business adventure a success. (See also: 3 Sources for Freelance Work at Home Jobs)

1. Get everyone in the house on board

Without family support, your at-home business won't survive. The kids must understand the times when mommy or daddy might be home but can't be disturbed. Your spouse must step up to duties you might otherwise assume but can't because of work. Share the household workload.

2. Create an office or work space

Even if you can do your job sitting on the couch with laptop in hand, creating work space is important. Whether it's an actual office with doors and a desk or a corner of the bedroom partitioned by a room divider, you need an area that's off limits to the kids. Another bonus: Office space for an at-home business is tax deductible.

3. Establish a schedule — but work when you can

Establish a base schedule: A set chunk of hours, certain days of the week, etc. where you perform the bulk of your duties. This is especially important if you have clients working traditional business hours at an office.

But embrace the flexibility working from home allows. Are you an early riser or night owl? What tasks can you complete late at night when the family's asleep, or in the morning before everyone wakes up? Do quick tasks when the baby's napping.

4. Take breaks

Just because you're already home doesn't mean you don't deserve a break. Take a mid-morning and mid-afternoon break, long enough to stretch your muscles, do some breathing exercises, or make a quick personal call. Schedule a lunch hour and step away from the computer.

5. Don't do laundry during office hours

It's so tempting to fold those clothes or unload that dishwasher, but you couldn't do any of that if you were at an office building. Treat your at-home job as you would any other job, avoiding the temptation to do house chores during business hours.

6. Write a job description and keep track of goals and achievements

Write a job description that highlights your duties and responsibilities, and track your goals. Doing so keeps you on target. Additionally, having an updated resume is essential when you're working from home. Writing a job description makes the task simpler.

7. Multi-task wisely and organize

If juggling multiple duties at once doesn't come naturally, figure out a way to learn this all-important skill. Working from home affords flexibility, but with flexibility comes the need to do multiple duties. Organize your day. White boards and calendars become your new best friends. Also, check out Zoho.com, recently featured on Lifetime Television's The Balancing Act. Zoho has organizational solutions, paperwork, productivity apps, and much more for professionals who work from home.

8. Utilize pre-school, child care, or sitters

Ah, the joys of taking business calls with a tired toddler at your feet! Don't confuse working from home with being at home. If your budget permits, consider preschool, child care, or other options during daytime hours. You'd do so if your office was downtown instead of downstairs, right?

9. Establish connections within the profession

Join a professional association, attend conferences and seminars, and participate in online forum discussions. Networking and staying in tune with current topics within your industry are critical for your professional development.

10. Get out of the office

Remember the idea of taking a break that was mentioned earlier? Make one break long enough to allow you time out of the house. Meet a friend for lunch, go to the gym, walk the dog. Yes, it's your office, but it's also your home. You'll burn out and go stir crazy if you don't find a change of scenery.

Working from home is a great alternative for many women wanting to balance their personal and professional life, as long as family support and the right mindset and tools are in place.

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Working from home is hard work, especially if you have kids in the picture. Here are 10 tips to help make the business adventure a success.

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This post is by Kelli Robinson from our sister blog, Parenting Squad. Visit Parenting Squad for more parenting tips and news:

This article is from Parenting Squad of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: