Unemployment continues to remain high and jobs are hard to come by. The national average is still over 9 percent while many areas are being hit with unemployment rates of about 10 percent. Think about that for a minute. One out of every ten people you know is likely to be without a job. If not now, but possibly in the near future. Of course, if you work in an industry that’s already being hit hard, this may already be the case or even worse.

So how do you make sure that you’re not that one out of ten without a job? Unfortunately, in some positions or with certain companies, nobody is safe. But there are many situations where layoffs are more selective, and by taking the initiative to make a few good decisions you can improve your chances of keeping your job when it comes time to let some people go.

Make Yourself Available

If your company has already let some people go, that means there’s just as much work to be done, only by fewer people. Those who still have a job will need to pick up some of the slack. This means that you should be making yourself available to take on additional tasks or help with projects that you might not have otherwise had to do. While nobody wants to take on more work for no additional pay, in times like these it pays to be someone who offers to help.

When you take the lead and offer your assistance when asked you increase your value to your boss and employer. You become someone that they can count on, and this will likely play a role in determining who they can afford to let go if layoffs are on the way. Of course, this is a double-edged sword.  It is possible that in offering up this additional help your boss may begin to take advantage of you and pile on even more work. You don’t want to be put in that situation either. But in times like these, you need to weigh the options. Get burdened with more work and be thankful you have a job, or refuse to do more work and risk losing your job.

Let Your Boss Know What You’re Doing

Just doing good work alone isn’t enough. Your boss is probably just as stressed out, if not more so, about uncertainty at work and the possibility of cutting workers. They probably aren’t completely in-tune with everything you’re doing, and unless you bring issues up with your boss directly they may go unnoticed. This doesn’t mean you should burden your boss with your every little accomplishment, but you need to let him know you’re out there and getting things done.

It doesn’t take much either. Just shooting a quick email updating your supervisor about the completion of an assignment, or informing them of something that would make them happy since it reduces their workload or stress will go a long way. The bottom line is you want to have regular communication, whether big or small. Again, when it comes down to deciding who needs to stay and go, the more visible you’ve been to your superiors, the more likely the perceived value in keeping you on.

Network With Others

Networking can not only help you keep your job, but it can prove very valuable when it’s time to seek out a new job. Your personal connections matter and if you’re a loner in the office, your chances of retaining your position when others are perceived to be bigger team players, begins to drop. You don’t have to go out for drinks with the entire office every day after work, but you should make an effort to connect with your co-workers. This can improve your relationship with others, and even translate to improved performance in the office.

You should also consider joining any professional organizations that relate to your job or industry and take part in local networking events. Again, this alone might not save your job, but the connections you build will help you find new work through the connections you’ve made. If time is a constraint or you don’t have many local networking opportunities, you might want to check out an online service like LinkedIn where you can search, find, and network with friends, co-workers, and other industry players from the comfort of your home.

Keep Up on Job Skills

When was the last time you did something that increased your value as an employee? Maybe it was some continuing education, getting a new certification, or just attending an optional seminar, but how long has it been since you took the initiative to expand your skill set? If you’re like most, it’s been a while. Especially when you’re in a field that doesn’t require things like this. But outdated job skills can be the difference between keeping your job or getting laid off.

So check with your employer to see if there are any advancement opportunities. They may offer some free online internal courses to brush up on some skills, or maybe even help pay for outside education programs. You won’t know unless you ask. Granted, you don’t want to go out and suddenly decide to start an MBA program just for the sake of looking good, but you should take advantage of any opportunities that can help you stay abreast of what is going on in your field of work.

Be Conservative

I’m not talking about political affiliation here, but your work style. When companies are struggling and doing their best to make ends meet, there isn’t as much room for error. If you’re someone who regularly pushes the envelope and tries new or radical ideas, it might be a good idea to tone things down a bit. It isn’t that thinking outside the box or trying to be innovative is bad, it’s just there is little room for mistakes in this type of environment.

When companies are rapidly growing and healthy, it’s almost encouraged to think this way, but when your job might be on the line it’s time to ratchet down and stick to the core values of the company. You might argue that being innovative and coming up with a great idea could also save your job. And it’s true, if you come up with something or take the company in a direction that saves or makes money, you could be seen as a hero. But if you fail, you’re seen as the employee who went out on a limb and messed up. It’s all about risk and reward. Taking a risk might yield a big reward, but could also accelerate your departure. Being more conservative in times like these could prove to be the better course of action. If you do have some new and great idea you should bring it up with your superiors and discuss it in a team environment. It may still be a great idea, but when more people are involved you aren’t simply sticking your neck out there if things go wrong.

Don’t Complain

Above all, don’t complain. Are you ticked off that Sally was assigned a task that you were expected to do, or mad that someone threw out your leftover cake in the break room? Now is the time to bite your tongue. Don’t make a big deal out of petty stuff. If you are seen as someone who whines or complains, you’ll become part of the office gossip. It doesn’t pay to make a big deal out of things that don’t directly affect your job security. But if word gets around that you’re always the one complaining it won’t help save your job.

Obviously, if something is being done that’s wrong, against policy, or directly affects your performance, that’s one thing. But if a co-worker does something annoying, or your boss assigns you a menial task, it’s probably in your best interest to suck it up and go on with your business. Everyone is stressed out, but don’t be known as the guy or girl at the office who complains about everything. You’ll surely be noticed, but not in a good way.

Here are five things that help me get the most out of my workday:

1. Cozi is a FREE online calendar.  It helps you organize your appointments, tasks, and favorite memories.  I like it because I can access it from my iPod Touch and Cruz Tablet as well as my laptop.  This makes it easier to keep track of deadlines and pay periods.  It also gives me a place to collect story ideas as well as websites I want to look at in the future.
2. HootSuite has a Basic Plan that allows you to register up to five social media accounts for free.  I use the service to schedule Tweets and update my Facebook Wall.  Having a tool like this at my disposal saves me time because it allows me to pre-schedule messages that direct people back to my blog and to the websites I write for.  I don’t have to dedicate large portions of time updating my social media accounts which allows me to work on other projects.
3. TextFree for Web allows you to text cell phones and other TextFree customers from the comfort of your own computer.  I love being able to do this because the keys on my cell phones are small and typing on them is nearly impossible.  I just open up the application, type the number I want to text, and go about my business after checking for a response.
4. Dropbox is by far my favorite application.  It lets me share photos, videos, and documents with others without having to send them as email attachments.  This allows me to conveniently access my computer from my iPod Touch and I never have to worry about size restrictions because the people I authorize to access my Dropbox can view its contents online.
5. Lifed is a great resource for life and productivity hacks.  I like to keep on top of technology and appreciate reading about new apps and software that make my job easier.  I have the site bookmarked on my computer and I refer to it often.

Working from home is a dream come true for me.  Learning how to be a more efficient, better organized independent contractor is something I strive for each and every day.  Luckily the Internet helps me with this.  With the click of a mouse or a swipe of my fingertip, I can access all the applications that make my job easier.

Typically, the biggest challenge for most new business start-ups is capital, or more specifically, the lack of capital.  Traditional bank loans for new businesses are incredibly difficult to obtain, especially considering the impact of tougher underwriting and loan requirements by lending institutions nowadays.  The reality is that traditional sources of financing a new business are a long shot at best, especially in the new economy.  The possibility of so-called “angel” investment or venture capital funding is even less likely.  On a percentage basis, start-up companies that obtain any type of venture capital-related financing are minuscule �’ less than a fraction of one percent.

“[The] probability of an entrepreneur getting venture capital is the same as getting struck by lightning while standing at the bottom of a swimming pool on a sunny day. This may be too optimistic.” Guy Kawasaki.

That’s the bad news.  The good news, however, is that many new start-ups are launched with very little money at all.  Michael Dell started his company, Dell Computer, out of his college dorm room for less than $1,000.  In fact, many of the world’s greatest companies were not only started with very little money, they were also started in the midst of very poor economic environments.  Hyatt, Burger King, FedEx, Microsoft, CNN, MTV, Trader Joe’s, Sports Illustrated, General Electric and Hewlett Packard were all companies that started in poor economic conditions.

So You’re Saying I’ve Got A Chance?

When I started my first business, I was as close to flat-broke as anyone could be.  My wife was pregnant with our second child and we didn’t have much money to speak of.  Naturally, starting a new business sounded like a grand idea.  The only realistic possibility for getting my start-up off the ground depended entirely upon my willingness to pull myself up by my bootstraps.  Self-financing with little or no money seems incredibly daunting, but for many of us, there’s really no other option.  The truth of the matter is that bootstrapping a business is an incredibly useful learning experience for young entrepreneurs and one that can pay dividends over the long term, Building a business with a “lean and mean” mindset and fiscal discipline very early on in the company’s development is one of the greatest experiences in business that I’ve ever had.

There are a countless number of creative ways that you can finance a start-up.  Here are just a few tips on bootstrapping your new startup that I have found particularly beneficial from my own experience:

Outsourcing

Outsourcing has been demonized in the mainstream press as one of the scapegoats for America’s decline as a leading economic power.  The simple fact of the matter is that many start-ups don’t have the financial means to hire full-time employees early on so business owners are left no choice but to bootstrap their operations.  Outsourcing early in the company’s development is clearly a more affordable option and when done the right way, it’s very effective.  Three primary areas in any business that you can effectively outsource are computer programming, web design and software development.  Here are a few online resources for outsourcing some or all of your needs in those areas:

• Elance
• Freelancer.com
• oDesk

The selection process is the key to making any of these outsourcing resources work for you.  With any freelancing site, you have to thoroughly review the prospective developer’s work portfolio and relevant experience.  The more experience with your specific project requirements the better, but you should also consider the feedback provided from previous buyers of their services.  Look for consistently positive feedback from their previous work and a high percentage of positive reviews for the vendor’s past work.   Above all else, do not base your decision on the supplier who offers the lowest price. From my experience, selecting a vendor based solely upon the lowest bid price has always ended badly and has usually resulted in having to start the project over from scratch, an expensive proposition for an upstart.

Eventually, my business grew to the point where I needed to hire several full-time employees, but outsourcing was the keystone that provided that opportunity.

Barter and Trade

Instead of paying cash for products and services, bartering can be an extremely effective bootstrapping tool.  Bartering involves trading products and services between complimentary businesses, which is probably more suitable for service-oriented businesses but if you are selling tangible products, there are still opportunities to barter creatively as well.  You can find people who are willing to exchange services with online bartering services such as:

• Tradeaway.com
• BarterItOnline.com
• BarterQuest.com

Joining an online bartering service is a highly effective way to lower your expenses and cash outflows required for important products and services critical for your venture.

Partnering with a Complimentary Business

Bartering dovetails nicely with another effective bootstrapping technique – partnering with a complementary business. Any business in a non-competitive but complementary industry would qualify where you can share costs on facilities, equipment, employees, rent, and advertising. If you own a carpet cleaning business, for example, you may be able to find a local furniture store that will let you work out of their store in exchange for a small percentage of your revenue. Partnering in this manner can help to lower your overhead and also help you build immediate clientele with referrals from the furniture store.

Other examples of partnering with complementary businesses:

• Small dog-walking service and an established local veterinarian
• Law firm and a local CPA
• Local surf shop and a skateboarding accessories retailer

The possibilities are limitless for potential partnerships that can have a big impact on your cost savings and, ultimately, your bottom line.

Internships

Local colleges in your area are a great place to find internship programs that are loaded with students looking for opportunities to earn school credit and gain experience in their field of choice.  Interns are highly motivated laborers and they’re willing to work for next to nothing but they can do more than just save you money.  Internships can provide a great opportunity for both interns and employers to check each other out, allowing each one to take an extended “test drive” of sorts.  Internships give students a chance at first-hand experience running a business and gives employers the opportunity to build loyalty and develop their most talented employees.

Internship programs have started to play a much bigger role in transforming smaller businesses.  In the past, internship programs have been dominated by large corporations but small business has started to effectively tap into this resource, realizing the vast potential that it holds.  Offline, the place to start looking for internship programs is the employment or career services office on your local college campuses.

There are online resources available to locate internships for your business as well:

• Internships.com
• InternShipPrograms.com

SCORE Business Counseling

SCORE, also known as “Counselors to America’s Small Business” is a nonprofit association partnered with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) whose mission is to educate entrepreneurs and small business owners, helping them start and grow their companies.

SCORE has 350 offices nationwide that are staffed with more than 13,000 mentor volunteers with extensive business experience and a wide range of business skills.  The mentors are retired business owners and corporate leaders who share their experience and lessons they have learned in their careers.  The advice offered by SCORE’s mentors is free and confidential and has provided guidance for more than 8.5 million small businesses.  You can choose your own mentor, attend free online workshops and get advice online or in-person.

SCORE is a truly remarkable resource for small business owners but is surprisingly not well known.  In fact, Kiplinger Magazine recently identified SCORE as one of the “33 Fabulous Freebies in 2010”.

Here are a few additional bootstrapping resources:

• Art of Bootstrapping
• Starting A Business With No Money �’ A Bootstrapping Manifesto
• Bootstrapping Your Startup

This is a guest contribution from Bill Hazelton, Managing Director of Credit Card Assist, one of the leading pro-consumer credit card resource sites and Sell It! On The Web, an e-commerce and online marketing blog.

You’re paying good money for the work so you expect whomever you hire to meet those specifications.  Unfortunately, if you don’t follow the three keys below, odds are that you won’t be happy with the work you pay for.

1) Start with Good Candidates

Nobody wants to pay more than they should for home repair but don’t just open up the phone book and pick the cheapest option.  Price is just one part of the equation so basing your decision on that alone is setting yourself up for failure. Instead get referrals from people that have hired contractors for similar projects and were pleased with the work.

It may be easier to just call a few numbers from the yellow pages but its worth the time it takes to call up your friends and family and ask them if they’ve had similar work done and who they used.  If you’re just looking for a list of contractors in your area who have done a good job for others, one option is to become a member of Angies List.

Members of the site leave ratings on local contractors they’ve used and you can just pick the ones that have the most ratings with the highest feedback.  There is a monthly fee to belong but you can save some money with this list of Angies List coupon codes.

2) Get Multiple Estimates

Now that you have a short list of qualified contractors, the next step is to have them check out your specific project and give you an estimate of how much time and money it would take for them to complete it.

Often times we’re eager to get started so if the first bid you get seems reasonable and you like the contractor you may be tempted to just go with the first estimate.  Just remember, it’s in your best interest to take the extra time and get at least two more estimates.  Getting multiple bids allows you to compare prices, plus chances are each person or company that comes out will bring up some point or issue that the others left out.

Every contractor has different levels of experience in different areas so these multiple perspectives can be quite valuable. For example, we had three different companies give us a bid for the same foundation work and each one proposed a different solution with widely ranging costs.

3) Ask a Lot of Questions

When the contractors come out to give you an estimate make sure you are present and prepared to ask questions.  The more questions you ask, the better idea you’ll have about how much it will cost, how long it will take, and how much experience they have.

The thing about kitchen remodeling, bathroom renovations, foundation repair, or any project is that at the beginning you and the contractor probably have a different picture in your head about what the finished product will be.

The more specific you can be, the greater your chances of getting an accurate estimate and something that fits the picture in your head.  Both you and the contractor bring many different assumptions into the project so the more questions you ask the more surprises you can avoid and the more details you can hammer out.

About the Author: Ben is the author of Money Smart Life and it is a site built on the philosophy that we should use money to live our lives, instead of living our lives around money. Be sure to check out some of his latest money saving tips and subscribe to the RSS feed for more updates.

But with an ever expanding global communication and social network �’ the reality of working from anywhere is becoming an everyday occurrence for those who want a more flexible lifestyle.   Yes, it is very possible to join the droves of global citizens that have this lifestyle – but it won’t be without sacrifices – especially in the beginning.  You’ll have to change your mindset about how you currently live and work; and you’ll probably have to reorganize your lifestyle – perhaps by cutting back on luxuries and expenses to make the transition possible.  You’ll have to think differently on how to approach your day to day schedule, and because though it will be more flexible, you’ll have to also be more focused and directed with your time to be successful as a mobile freelancer or entrepreneur.

Ready to dive in?  If so, read on.

Basic Tools You’ll Need to Make Money from Anywhere

Whether working at home, the local coffee shop or in a country of your choosing, the idea is that you need to be two things: 1) connected; and 2) mobile.  All the basics here revolve around these two factors.

Whether you can convince your current company to let you work with a “remote work agreement” or you choose to go it alone as a freelancer/entrepreneur, you’ll need some basic tools.

Here are four basic tools you’ll need to get started:

A Sturdy Laptop: you need something that’s fairly durable as it will be your workhouse traveling with you everywhere.  I recommend something sturdy with a great warranty package – I suggest 3-yr full coverage plan if you can afford it, and especially if you are mobile.  I don’t recommend a netbook because the hard drives tend to be much smaller and also have tiny screens that strain your eyes and small keyboards that strain your hands.  You’ll want as large of a screen as possible.  You might complain about the weight of it, but remember this is your mobile office, so the extra weight is worth it.  Make sure that both a webcam and mic are built in, and most laptops come with these integrated.

External and Online Backups: I can’t stress this enough �’ DO BOTH.  That means buying a spare external hard drive for local backups, and also using an online backup service like iDrive which gives you up to 2.0 GB for free.  Do both types of backups daily.  Losing your work, particularly if you freelance or run your own company can be devastating to your business.

NOTE: if you have sensitive information on your computer always make sure to password protect or encrypt those files, especially if doing online backups.  You may not want to back up those online for security reasons.

Solid Internet Connection: This usually isn’t an issue in modern countries, but it may be if you are in a remote location or a country with a lesser infrastructure.  If you are really serious about connecting from anywhere, you’ll want mobile broadband card.  Mobile broadband cards will be cheaper in whichever country you are living/travelling. For most situations for connecting to email, chat and basic VOIP, you don’t need more than 1.5 to 6.0 Mbps anyways which mobile broadband can get you.  Obviously, the more bandwidth you have the better.

Yourself: yes, you and your trusty skills, and don’t forget your brain, please!

If you work with small business owners or become an entrepreneur yourself, you’ll have a lot more flexibility with using some of the free tools like VOIP.  In working for a corporate company/clients you might have a more difficult time being able to use some of these tools, because of corporate standards so make sure you know what those standards are.

Now that you know what the basic tools are – let’s take a look at some of the jobs and business ideas that can potentially allow you can work from anywhere.

1)  Writer/Editor: With so many websites out there needing content, with more and more magazines and newspapers going online, there’s no shortage of requests for talented writers.  Being a writer is also great for a mobile lifestyle because you can be totally offline until you need to submit your work.  You’ll just need to gather your research and resources ahead of time to work offline.

2) Web Developer: Got a knack for or an interest in programming for websites?  This is quite easy to do from anywhere unlike a number of other jobs in the IT industry. Everything a web developer does is code-related and can be done remotely.  As a developer, you will most likely interface with clients over the phone for more advanced requests, so investing in a Skype or similar VOIP service will be very handy.

3)  Virtual Assistant: This is great for stay at home mothers, but also people who want to be their own bosses.  There’s no limit to what tasks you’ll be asked to do, so be prepared for requests from the mundane to the zany �’ like customer services call, making reservations, research, data entry and more.  Some even move on to managing their own teams of virtual assistants and outsourcing to other VAs.

4)  Blogger: Ah, the ever popular blogging profession.  Not a business for the faint of heart.  A blogger is not just a writer, she is a business owner.   As a blog owner you will do your share of writing, but also a large part of your time will be spent networking with other bloggers, posting on both your blog and theirs, and doing whatever you can to attract readership and traffic.  How you do make money with blogging?  The most popular form is by selling advertising.  You also might be able to sell your products or other people’s as well.  At some point, when you start making money at blogging, hiring writers and editors to help will probably be a good idea as you grow.

5)  E-Commerce Store: Have a product line or industry you are passionate about?  Maybe a product of your own you want to develop and sell?  Opening an E-Commerce store online could be the way to go.  You can often find someone willing to drop ship products you’d like to sell, so you don’t have to store inventory anywhere.  You will be taking orders online (possibly by phone), handling customer service requests and returns.

6)  Graphic Designer: Now that virtually all graphic design is done on a computer, this is a perfect mobile job or business.  Everyone needs a logo, ads designed, website images and more.  If you’re artistically talented and can deliver to client specifications, graphic design might just be for you.

7)  Translation (Writing): If you are a linguistic expert in one or more foreign languages, then you can do written translation work from anywhere quite easily.  Many businesses from those that sell products to finance companies to law firms need translators for such a purpose, and if you can charge a lower rate by telecommuting or by the fact that you live in country where the cost of living is lower, you can probably beat the local guy who needs to be there in person.

8)  Virtual Project Manager: With Outsourcing being such a thriving industry these days, you could be a remote team manager for a variety of different businesses that have projects in the works.  Check out oDesk.com for a look into this type of work, they actually are seeking people just for this role.  This might be something you could do along with freelancing on a site like oDesk.

9)  Bookkeeper: If you’ve a talent with numbers and enjoy math, why not be a remote bookkeeper?  Take some accounting courses and learn how to do the books.  Or maybe you’ve been working for the man as an accountant for too long and know you can go it on your own.  Although be careful about giving tax advice if you are not a CFA (certified financial accountant).

10)  Data Entry: Probably the least glorious of all, but still always a necessity for businesses �’ someone’s data always needs to be entered, combed, adjusted and cleaned up.  Just make sure that the data entry opportunity is legit and there are no upfront fees for it �’ sometimes these jobs can be scams.  Again a freelance job website like oDesk or Elance is a great place to start finding legitimate work.

“Scammy” job listings to avoid: filling out online surveys, assembly jobs (assembling gifts, etc), multi-level marketing, anything that asks you to pay upfront “training costs”, envelope stuffing, certain data entry jobs.  There might be some legit opportunities with some of these, but be careful in general.

Remember – if you live in an area with a lower cost of living �’ or even another country, you have an advantage over the local workers as far as cost is concerned.  If you can provide quality service and product to your clients, you’ll be in the running for sure.

When to Form Your Own Business

Once you begin to make money regularly, you’ll probably want to consider setting up an LLC, S-Corp or other business entity to protect you and your work.  You can do this beforehand as well, but that all depends on the type of work you are doing and your financial resources at the time.  You can save money by forming an LLC or other simple business entity online �’ just make sure you do it correctly.  If you are unsure, it’s always great to check with a local business or entrepreneur organization for some free advice.

So let’s wrap it up.

Now you know the basic tools that you’ll need to begin a work from anywhere lifestyle, along with some job or business ideas to get you started.  Rest assured there will be a lot of work involved, and it may not be easy.  But that never stopped anywhere from doing what they really wanted, now did it?  So don’t let it stop you if you really think it’s right for you.

Have ideas that weren’t covered here? Feel free to comment below for any ideas, questions or experiences you’d like to post about making money from anywhere.

David Hamilton (aka FPT Guy) is owner and author of Financial Planning Tips (Twitter follow: http://twitter.com/fptguy) – where you can find sensible information on personal finance for the Average Joe or Jane.  Besides being passionate about his finance blog and helping others keep their finances in check, David also enjoys playing music, staying healthy, spending time with family and friends, and traveling the world.

As a freelance writer, I am always on the lookout for new ideas on how to drum up business.  In addition to broadening my skill set, regular trips to the following five websites put me into contact with potential clients, give me pointers on how to be a stronger, more effective writer, and allow me to receive feedback from my peers.

Websites geared toward freelancers are a tremendous resource for those working for themselves because you often don’t have the same support network and guidance you may receive while employed in a traditional job setting.

Where to Find Tips, Advice, and Job Leads Online

1. Poe War. This Writing Career Center offers a lot to beginning writers.  Articles about how to write a query letter and find jobs within the publishing industry are commonplace on the site and worth their weight in gold.  Each blog entry contains links and videos so that its readers can make the most of John Hewitt’s expertise.

2. Freelance Switch. Freelancers of all types will find the advice given on this website useful.  There is an hourly rate calculator, a directory and job board as well as a blog, podcasts, and other helpful tools.  A post titled, “You Know You’re a Freelancer When…” demonstrates the humorous side of working in your pajamas.

3. Women On Writing. An ezine “Promoting the communication between women writers, authors, editors, Agents, Publishers and Readers.”  Each issue follows a theme and has a variety of feature articles and resources to go along with it.  The site even sponsors seasonal fiction writing contests that are open to both genders.  I frequently print how-to articles from this site.

4. The Freelance Writing Jobs Network. Packed full of job leads, markets, and tools for freelance writers, it is one of the most up-to-date resources on the web.  Article writers, business writers, and bloggers alike can find the information that they are looking for as they visit this site.  Daily emails highlight the best jobs listed on Craigslist.  This feature saves me immense amounts of time.

5. Inkygirl.com: Daily Diversions for Writers. Debbie Ridpath Ohi’s talent for writing and drawing shines through in every entry she posts on her blog.  Her Writer’s Guide to Twitter and entries about her Wordcount Challenges are worth reading.  I especially like the sense of playfulness she brings to her website with her comics.

Writing is a very personal act.  For those individuals who seek to make a career out of it, a variety of resources can enrich their experience.  Although there are many wonderful websites to visit, I feel that these five have had the biggest and most positive impact on my life professionally.

Charissa Arsaoui is a freelance writer for ChickSpeak, Buzzine, DisFUNKshion Magazine, Student Stuff, and a guest contributor for Wisebread.  She loves thrift related topics and can spot a bargain a mile away.

Instead of spending ridiculous amounts of cash to stay in overpriced hotels and participate in run-of-the-mill sightseeing, why not explore the possibility of being a Light House Keeper or help care for the trails in your favorite National Park?  Not only will it do you a world of good to spend your summer doing something useful, it will get you out of your house and into locations that even the most seasoned traveler dreams of.

Pam Grout, author of The 100 Best Volunteer Vacations to Enrich Your Life, has created a handy reference guide for those individuals wanting to lend a helping hand but that are unsure of where to start.  Each listing has a description of the type of work available through each volunteer opportunity, a summary of costs, and the contact information of the group, institute or organization organizing the trip.  Not only will this book spark your interest, chances are, it will give you a serious case of wanderlust.

Websites like the American Hiking Society and the Gesundheit! Institute provides volunteers with ample opportunities to uplift someone’s spirit and leave the world in a better state than what they found it in.  You can find out more about program requirements and restrictions by visiting these websites or contacting the Volunteer Coordinator by email.

Other places worth looking into include:

• The Earthwatch Institute.  Scientific expeditions that include projects on ecology, zoology and archaeology
• Habitat for Humanity.  Building projects in numerous countries that help people obtain affordable housing.
• Rustic Volunteer and Travel.  Opportunities to complete projects in China, India, Nepal, Uganda, Argentina, Peru, etc.

No matter what time period you are looking at, there is a Volunteer Vacation opportunity available.  Some programs last a few days while others last a few months.  Some provide meals and accommodations at no cost to you while others charge a menial participation fee.  Whatever way you look at it, it is money well spent.  In addition to changing your life, you have the opportunity to change those around you with a simple act of selflessness and kindness.

If you’re interested in a volunteer vacation you may also be interested in caretaking as another option for traveling, vacations, or even as a career option.

Charissa Arsaoui is a freelance writer for ChickSpeak, Buzzine, DisFUNKshion Magazine, Student Stuff, and a guest contributor for Wisebread.  She loves thrift related topics and can spot a bargain a mile away.

Although dated, The Back Door Guide To Short-Term Job Adventures by Michael Landes, proves to be a valuable resource for seasonal employment.  The book, last published by Ten Speed Press in 2005, contains 584 pages of information concerning “internships, summer jobs, seasonal work, volunteer vacations, and transitions abroad.”  In addition to giving details about each “adventure,” Landes provides tips that can help you reach your goals, ace that phone interview, and secure the funding that you need to make a cross-country move for the sake of employment.

He also provides sound advice in lists like “The Top Ten Secrets To Achieving Your Dream Career”.  One of the most profound statements on the list is, “Don’t spend a lifetime exploring possibilities and do nothing.  Action requires courage.”  For those individuals who have found themselves unemployed or underemployed because of a weakened economy, books like these provide access to a sound source of income as well as a number of other perks including:

• Free or Reduced Cost Housing
• Medical, Dental, Optical, and Life Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Complimentary Meals
• College Credit
• Free Tickets to Theme Parks, Free Ski Lift Tickets, Free Entrance to National Parks (depending on who you work for)

An up-to-date listing of current summer jobs and seasonal employment opportunities exists on The Short-Term Job Adventure website (www.backdoorjobs.com).

Other great sites for temporary work include: Cool Works (www.coolworks.com), Job Monkey (www.jobmonkey.com), and Snag A Job (www.snagajob.com/seasonal-jobs/).

Job seekers can work at ranches, summer camps, amusement parks, and ski resorts throughout the world.  Cruise ships, organic farms, and National Parks and Monuments are often looking for help during their tourist seasons.  For long-term travelers, short-term employment offers a reliable place to “hang their hats,” save money, and regroup before completing another leg of their journey.

Although many people view seasonal positions as work primarily intended for college students, that isn’t necessarily true.  A lot of retirees find solace working for short-term employers.  It affords them the luxury of travel and also gives them the opportunity to meet and socialize with people from all over the world.

So, the next time you find yourself searching the Want Ads in vain, explore the option of seasonal employment.  Landes says, “If you want to become an extraordinary, happy, fulfilled, and balanced person, it’s time to stop being nebulous.”  Decide exactly what it is that you want to do with your life and take the plunge.  One phone call or visit to a web address may be all that it takes to change things for the better financially and spiritually.

Charissa Arsaoui is a freelance writer for ChickSpeak, Buzzine, DisFUNKshion Magazine, Student Stuff, and a guest contributor for Wisebread.  She loves thrift related topics and can spot a bargain a mile away.

For more tips on getting a job or improving the one you have be sure to visit my business section.

Starting your own business is the holy grail for many people who’d like to get away from the 9 to 5 grind. Feeling the freedom of being your own boss while knowing that you’re entirely responsible for the success of your business can be intoxicating. As great as it is, this also means many budding entrepreneurs jump into the business quickly without taking the proper financial precautions. If you aren’t careful, the seemingly little mistakes can come back to haunt you years down the road.

So, where do you start when you’re trying to start your own business? You probably have the idea, what you want to do or produce, and probably even have a plan in place as to how you’re going to accomplish that. But what about all of the money details? What is the best business structure for your business? Do you need to borrow any money to get started? What kind of bank accounts should you have? Do you need an accountant? You may be on a shoestring budget but don’t let that keep you from doing things properly right from the start.

Choosing Your Business Structure

The most common type of business in the country is the sole proprietor. These are people just like yourself who have come up with a business idea and go out and start selling their product or idea on their own. There are some sole proprietors making just a few hundred dollars a year on the side as well as those making millions and running a large business. The reason this business type is so prevalent is that you really don’t have to do anything to start a business of this type. As a sole proprietor you and your business are one and the same which means you usually don’t have to create a special business entity, don’t have to worry about corporate taxes, and your income from the business is just viewed as your personal income.In some cases you may have to get a business license for your location or apply for a DBA, but otherwise there’s virtually no barrier to entry for this business type.

With this simplicity comes a few drawbacks. Since you and your business are one you’re opening yourself up to liability. If you borrow money for your business as a sole proprietor your personal assets are on the line if you fail to pay. If someone sues you because of a faulty product or gets hurt on your property you are personally liable. And since the money your business makes it treated as personal income and taxed as such you could be missing out on many tax breaks if your business starts making a decent amount of money. As you can see, even though running your business as a sole proprietor is the easiest route it may not be the best.

The LLC

The next business type is the LLC, or Limited Liability Company. A step up in complexity from a sole proprietorship, the LLC is a separate legal business entity created at the state level. Typically creating an LLC requires little more than verifying your business name is available and filing some paperwork with the state along with a filing fee. Each state is different so you will have to research the options in your area. In some cases this may cost as little as $25 or as much as a few hundred each year for the LLC.

From a financial standpoint the LLC operates exactly like a sole proprietorship by default. This means the income earned from the business simply flows through to you personally and is therefore treated as regular income for tax purposes. This simplicity is what makes the LLC a popular option for many small businesses, but it too comes with some drawbacks. As you earn more money from your business this means all of the business income is taxed at your personal tax rate whether you use all of the money it brings in or not. There are no retained earnings or special corporate tax rates to minimize the burden. But this is also where the LLC has some flexibility because you do have the option to have it taxed as an s-corp. This adds a new level of complexity to your business, but for higher earners it can reduce the total amount of taxes paid thanks to how payroll taxes are calculated and paid. But the scope of that discussion goes far beyond what we can cover here.

Finally, the real benefit of an LLC over a sole proprietorship for a small business comes down to liability. As mentioned above, when you’re just a sole proprietor there’s no separation between you and your business which can be a liability nightmare. The LLC takes that one step further and creates a separate legal business entity that can shield some of your personal liability. This means your business can enter legal contracts such as taking out a loan and if the business fails to pay it back your personal assets are not at stake (as long as you don’t sign a personal guarantee that is!) It could also shield some of your other assets in the event of a lawsuit, but don’t expect it to. A common misconception is that if you simply set up an LLC and do all of your business under that name you’re personally not liable. This is wrong, and as it’s explained here you generally are not protected from personal tort liability. That being said, an LLC still gives you more protection over a sole proprietorship, but it is not as bulletproof as many people make it out to believe.

The Corporation

Finally, we have the corporate business entity. Of the types of businesses we’ve discussed so far the corporation is the most complicated to set up and manage. Again, you’re creating a separate legal business entity and it requires a unique name and must be registered with the state. Filing fees are typically more than that of an LLC and there are a number of regular filing requirements. In addition, most corporations require that you register stock, maintain a ledger, hold board meetings and keep minutes, and so on. While it’s still possible for just a single person to operate as a corporation it’s a lot of tedious paperwork and record-keeping.

The real benefit here is in terms of taxation if you operate as a C-corp. Here the business income is not simply flowing through to your personal taxes and your corporation is a separate taxable entity that gets taxed at the corporate tax rates. This means you can draw a salary from your corporation while retaining excess earnings in the corporation to be taxed at a lower rate. You can also choose to pay out dividends, sell stock to investors and/or partners, and tweak how your business is owned easily.

Aside from the obvious reporting requirements there’s another major drawback for single owners operating as a corporation and that is double taxation. If you pay yourself a salary you know that those earnings are taxed. But then you have to think about the retained earnings that you will eventually be personally receiving at some point in the future. They get taxed at the corporate level first and then when passed through to you they are taxed again at the personal level. This is typically not ideal and a good reason that most small businesses are not set up as c-corps. The s-corp can eliminate some of the tax burdens, but it too has many other restrictions to consider.

Separate Your Personal and Business Finances

Once you’ve determined what type of business structure you want to use it’s time to separate your business and personal activities. Even if you’re going to be just operating as a sole proprietor where all the money is basically the same you still want to separate everything as best you can. The reasons are simple. First, it’s much easier to keep track of your business earnings and expenses if they are flowing through separate accounts. This allows you to create a clear picture of the health of your business. And second, separating your business and personal assets and activities is crucial in the event of legal action. Even a simple IRS audit can be made virtually painless if all of your transactions and money has been separated. But even more important is that once you start co-mingling business and personal finances you open yourself up to losing any of the liability protection you may have had with one of the other business structures. So, no matter how small your operation you want to keep things separate.

At the very least you need to open up a business checking account. This account should accept all of the income from the business and all business expenses should be paid from this account. Along with the checking account you should be sure to get some business checks and a business debit card for the account. You may not use them regularly, but they are good to have when you may need them.  It’s fine to pay yourself from this account, but what you don’t want to get into the habit of doing is paying some expenses with a personal credit card or deposit some business income into your personal account. The business checking should be your catch-all for any business money coming in and going out.

Next, you’ll probably want a business credit card. Even if you don’t need to borrow any money for the business it’s a good idea to have a credit card so that you can transact business safely online. In addition, you’ll probably also be able to get a nice rewards card that can give you a little cash back or some nice points. But here’s a word of warning. Business cards are not simply tied to your business, at least not when you’re starting out. You know all of those ads you see for business credit cards? They might be called a business card but when you sign up you’re signing a personal guarantee. This means if your business fails to make the payments or you’re late on a payment you are personally responsible for that debt. That’s right. Even if you sign up for a card under your LLC or corporate business name you should read the fine print. There’s about a 99% chance you’re signing a personal guarantee. That’s because your business doesn’t have a credit history established and until it does almost no bank is going to give your business itself an unsecured credit card.

So, be very careful and understand that if you’re borrowing money even under the assumption that it’s a business debt there’s a good chance you are still on the hook if the payments don’t get made. I know all too well. I had a few businesses in college that went belly up and assumed that because I borrowed money through my corporation or LLC I was off the hook. Lesson learned, and sometimes the best lessons are learned the hard way.

File for an EIN

Are you doing a lot of business online and aren’t comfortable giving out your Social Security number to those who ask you to complete a W-9 form? Yeah, me either. The good news is that you don’t have to. Instead, you can quickly and easily file for an EIN (employer identification number) with the IRS. Then instead of giving out your SSN to payees you can provide your EIN.

There are two different ways to file an EIN. You can file an EIN on your personal behalf, or you can create an EIN for your business entity. If you’re a sole proprietor the only option you have is to file one for yourself and that’s fine. But if you have an LLC you have the option to create an EIN under your name or your business. You can do both, but here’s a tip. If you’re just a single-member LLC being taxed as an LLC you’re a disregarded entity. This means for tax purposes you and your business is the same thing. You’ll notice on W-9 forms where it asks for your SSN or EIN that if you’re a disregarded entity you should enter your SSN and not your LLC’s EIN. So, that means you should have created an EIN for you personally so you can supply that number.

EINs are far more useful when you get into a situation where you’re operating with more than one person or begin hiring people, but if you’re just starting out with your business it still helps that you can give that number out instead of your SSN in most cases.

Learn About Your Taxes

When you work for someone else your tax situation couldn’t be easier. You generally get a paycheck that has federal, state, and FICA taxes all taken out automatically. Then at the end of the year you get that handy W-2 and punch the numbers into some tax software. When you’re self-employed things aren’t so simple. In most cases you’re going to be operating as a sole proprietor or LLC and that means you are sharing the income with your business and not drawing a salary or generating any W-2 or having taxes withheld. Instead, it’s up to you to keep track of your income, expenses, and pay quarterly estimated taxes and figure in self-employment tax. Not to mention the new tax filing deadlines.

One of the biggest mistakes most new business owners make is they fail to prepare for the quarterly estimated taxes in the first year. For one it can be hard to estimate how much you might owe, but for many people they start the business sometime during the year and just don’t think about setting up estimated taxes. Business owners quickly learn of their mistake come tax time and see a big tax bill. The problem is if you fail to make these estimated payments you can open yourself up to penalties from the IRS. So, take some time right from the beginning to try and estimate your income and expenses the best you can and begin making those estimated quarterly tax payments.

It’s not just about paying self-employment tax and making quarterly payments, but now that you own a business you’ve opened the door to many new tax breaks you may not even be aware of. Self-employed individuals often overlook many common deductions such as business use of the home, mileage when using your car for business purposes, and even basic things like all of the office supplies and items you use every day for your business. Don’t let the seemingly small deductions fool you. If you’re entitled to them, take them. They add up and these deductions can significantly cut tax burden.

Deciding on an Accountant

Since your business can complicate your finances it is often helpful to hire outside help. Now, if you’re just selling a few widgets on the side to make a few extra bucks you probably won’t need an accountant, but if you’re entering into the world of self-employment for the first time and it is going to be your sole source of income the advice from a professional can be incredibly valuable. At the very least, finding a CPA to help with your taxes can pay for itself.

An accountant can come into play at various times in your business. Sitting down with a CPA during your initial business creation stage can help you choose the right business entity for your needs right from the start. They can take a look at your current financial situation, what you expect to accomplish with your business, and then guide you to the business structure that makes the most sense and saves you the most money. After using them to start out you may not need their help again until a later date.

While you probably don’t need someone to manage your books for you when starting out, you should at least consider using one for tax advice. Remember, they are professionals who deal with taxes for a living so they are going to be extremely helpful when it comes to saving you the most money on taxes. Now, there’s nothing wrong with using free tax software to do your own business taxes as they ask a lot of the right questions, but there are many things that will still go overlooked if you don’t sit down with someone who knows about your specific situation. And it’s not just about finding all of the deductions, but they can help guide your business and put a plan in place to minimize your tax burden for years to come.

Don’t Forget About Retirement

A lot of self-employed people have the mindset that they love what they do so much that they will probably never retire. While it’s true that if you love what you do you probably won’t want to stop, it’s foolish to think that your feelings won’t change 30 years from now or that you’ll even be physically able to continue working even if you want to. So, retirement planning and saving can’t be pushed to the back burner just because you’re now working for yourself.

If you came from the working world you probably had access to a 401(k). Now that you’re on your own you may not think much about the fact that your 401(k) is gone. Considering the generous contribution limits of 401(k) plans compared to Traditional or Roth IRAs if you don’t set up something else you’re very limited in how much you can save each year. Thankfully the IRS allows the self-employed to utilize some special retirement vehicles. Two of the most popular options are the SEP and Solo 401(k). These plans could allow you to contribute up to $49,000 a year. And if you have recently left your job to pursue your business be sure to roll over your 401(k) so that you can take control of the retirement assets you do have.

So, IRAs are great, but with such low annual contribution limits you’ll probably want to do something else as well. Explore your options and set up a self-employment retirement plan to put your goals on track. Even if you love what you do there’s a good chance you’ll still need money for your golden years.

Travel is liberating.  It allows us to experience places and cultural happenings beyond our wildest imaginations.  It puts things in perspective and gives us countless stories to recant to friends and family members who want to know what it feels like to dip their toes in the ocean, live out of a backpack or suitcase, and visit outdoor marketplaces where fruit and vegetables are sold by the bushel and where independent artisans weave rugs, handcraft jewelry, and paint portraits under the watchful eyes of tourists.

Travel lightens our spirits while toughening up our skins.  It teaches us to be patient and resilient and encourages us to live in the moment, a place often void of modern conveniences like BlueTooths and Cheez Whiz.  Travel takes us to new spiritual levels, provides us with fresh sources of inspiration, and forces us to think outside the box and to improvise.

For those that are inexperienced, long-term travel can cause anxiety.  There are a few reasons why people feel apprehensive.  Work and family obligations can limit a person.  Lack of financial resources can also damper an adventurous spirit.

Rather than forgo the trip of a lifetime, why not consider applying the skills and experience that you learned in the workplace to your new life on the road?  You would be surprised at how easy it is to be an excellent employee from any location in the world.

Nora Dunn, a freelance writer and “professional hobo”, enjoys stable income while she treks across the globe.  In addition to creating content for a number of websites and magazines, she has traded skills in order to secure accommodations.  One of her most memorable experiences involved milking goats.  She has also painted murals, led eco-treks, and landscaped yards in exchange for a place to sleep.

She offers this advice to fellow travelers:

Even if you don’t work in trade for accommodation, travel in general is an exercise in flexibility and having an open mind. It may not be a matter of life and death, but it will certainly affect your ability to “survive” the trip and come out the other side feeling fulfilled.

Negotiating a remote work location with your employer is far easier said than done.  It often requires a positive attitude and persistence.  Here are a few arguments to take to the boss:

• Some people double their efficiency by removing distractions.  You happen to be one of them.  Your track record speaks volume.  Not only are you a valued team player, you also know how to work alone.

• Your people skills are exceptional.  You know how to communicate with people from all backgrounds.  You may even know a language or two that will help you with your travels.

• You are irreplaceable.  You know your position inside and out.  There is no sense spending money on recruiting and training another individual when you can do your job from any corner of the globe.

Once you have agreed upon a plan, exceed expectations.  Communicate frequently with your employer.  Meet all deadlines and turn in quality work.  There is no excuse for failed internet connections or downed phone lines.  Have a backup plan just in case you run into any problems while abroad.

Living your travel dreams is possible with some assistance from your employer.  Keep a steady stream of income available to fund your journey by coming up with a plan that allows you to work remotely.  A week’s vacation in an exotic location pales in comparison to years of traveling and living in the country or countries of your choice.

Jeremy’s comment: As Charissa has explained, working remotely can be very rewarding. As you’re reading this I’m doing some remote working of my own. In addition to this blog I’m also a writer for About.com and work with Bundle as an editor, but guess what? I’ve been driving across the country over the past week while still using technology to work remotely regardless of where I am. It’s great! No longer am I bound to the office and I’m able to get all of my work done while enjoying the sights away from home. I know not every job has this type of flexibility, but it is becoming more and more common. At the very least, it might be something worth discussing with your employer if it’s something that interests you. The worst that can happen is they say no.

Charissa Arsaoui is a freelance writer for ChickSpeak, Buzzine, DisFUNKshion Magazine, Student Stuff, and a guest contributor for Wisebread.  She loves thrift related topics and can spot a bargain a mile away.