Update on jewelry auctions

The jewelry I listed on eBay didn't sell. I'm not giving up, though. I will be getting the word out then trying again.

I mean really...I have bought worms, baby clothes, books, and other items from eBay sellers. I've seen everything you can think of for sale there from Moen kitchen faucets to old car parts. Mother's Day is coming up, so I'm thinking I'll relist the items and put a better description with them to see if that helps.

I might even add a couple of other pieces this time. Maybe I just need more selections?

Technorati Tags: jewelry,ebay

Trying to reduce driving

Very soon, I'll have the internet at my house instead of having to travel the 11 miles or so to a wifi location. That will save me some money in the long run, I think. It will also make it possible for me to get more rest. As it is now, I wind up awake for more hours than I should be, and wonder if I need sleep aids to help me doze off more quickly when I do lie down.

I am always looking for ways to reduce my expenditures while I increase my income. Isn't everyone? My goal is to be completely independent of an outside job, and perhaps live a little more simply and frugally at home.

Technorati Tags: frugal living

Dress and groom appropriately

From time to time, I have to have face-to-face meetings with people I do business with. Either meetings about my regular job or meetings concerning things I do online. They aren't often, but I make sure is use some kind of bad breath treatments before attending these meetings.

I think probably bad breath and foul body odor are two areas where we really do have control, and it's very important to not make a bad impression when meeting people for business reasons. Therefor, good hygiene is essential.

This goes for anyone who is even just looking for work. Bathe, clean up, dress appropriately for job interviews. This isn't the time to bring out your scroungey jeans and rock festival T-shirts. Casual business attire when meeting a prospective employer is a must.

Technorati Tags: business

Tax deadline met

I finally got my taxes filed. The good news is that I did some things right and am getting a decent refund instead of paying in.

• I kept track of all my  business related spending.
• I kept track of all miles driven in business related activities.
• I devoted enough hours per week to my business.
• I spent enough on business related items.

In the past, I had really cheated myself in several areas by not tracking all my spending, and by not spending enough money. Keeping a log on my laptop helped more than you can imagine, since I always have my laptop with me and can enter expenses right away.

Of course, it helps that I am full-time employed. I claim zero deductions through the year to offset some of the taxes I might owe at the end of the year. I am hoping that soon, though, I can go full-time at home. My vehicle will be paid off soon, and after some minor tune up work, it should last me quite awhile longer. That monthly expense will be behind me, freeing up some money.

I will be devoting more hours per week to developing my home business, and in the process, weaning myself away from the job. Since I don't have the kind of job that would require me to move across the country at a moment's notice, I really wouldn't be able to take a deduction for long distance movers or other expenses incurred. However, I can take some travel expenses as long as I am in the process of doing business while traveling. The fact of the matter is that I plan to do a lot more of that this summer, and posting to my blogs along the way.

In addition, I will be searching for items of interest that I can use on my eBay page. So, be looking for some new things as the season goes along!

Technorati Tags: taxes,home business

Office space

The extra room in my house, in which I'd planned to place office furniture and create a home office, is now crammed with things from the storage building I stopped renting. I've been bringing out one box at a time...sorting, tossing out, and putting away things. It's a slow process, but I am making some headway.

I've rediscovered some things I really care about, and I've tossed out a lot of things that really mean nothing to me.

Maybe soon, I'll have at least half the room to begin using as an office. I can set up my PC in there, files, and other office related items so that time spent will be more efficient than just sitting on the sofa or at the kitchen table. The biggest plus will be being able to write off part of my house as a home office, since the room will be dedicated to that purpose.

Technorati Tags: home business