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The Editor's Desk - From Beneath the Clutter
Feature Article - Are you an Independent Contractor or an Employee?
What's happening on the discussion boards?
Guest Article - How to keep your kids busy if you really need to get some work done!
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Here we go, newsletter round 2!
In case you're wondering what that means... Ariel managed to crash the computer when I was almost done with the last one. How does she do that just by hitting a couple of keys??? Teach me not to save often enough. I got sent back to a half done newsletter from a nearly completed one.
We're still working on getting a new place to live. If the house we're trying to rent doesn't pan out, we have a cheap apartment next door to my younger sister as next on the list. That one has the advantage of built in playmates for Ariel, as my sister's daughters are within a year of Ariel's age on either side. On the other hand, the house has a lovely backyard. But let's be honest... I just want to know where I'm going to live!
It's so nice having fewer doctor's appointments now that Gage is eligible to only get his helmet checked once a week. One less appointment to worry about. And believe it or not, watching my 10 year old niece makes things a little easier as Ariel has someone to play with a little. Obviously, the 7 year age gap means they aren't always interested in playing together, but every little bit helps.
Don't forget, you can contribute your articles or tips anytime for consideration. Just use the contact form.
Here it is... ArticleAnnouncer!
Determining your status is one of the challenges of working at home. Your employer may tell you that you are an independent contractor (IC), but the IRS and your state may consider you an employee. It pays to know which you will be.
The reason many employers tell their at-home employees that they are independent contractors is because they don’t have to provide benefits, unemployment insurance or deal with your taxes. They’re your problem. However, many businesses try to stretch the definition of independent contractor too far, and this can have a major impact on your tax situation.
If you are an independent contractor, you may need to pay quarterly taxes. If you want health insurance, you either need to find your own or have your spouse get it. And, of course, if you're unemployed, finding a job is your problem. You won't be collecting unemployment unless you're eligible for another reason.
While the exact definitions may vary by state for the purposes of your state taxes, the IRS definitions will help you determine your status. From the IRS website:
The courts have considered many facts in deciding whether a worker is an independent contractor or an employee. These facts fall into three main categories:
For a worker who is considered your employee, you are responsible for:
For a worker who is considered an independent contractor, you may be responsible for issuing Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, to report compensation paid.
In short, if your employer can tell you how and when to work and what exactly you will be doing, you are most likely an employee. If you are put through training, you are probably an employee. If you get benefits, such as insurance, you are an employee. On the other hand, if you have expenses the employer does not reimburse, and aren’t told what to do or when, you are probably an IC. All an employer can tell an independent contractor is what result they want, not how it comes about.
Stephanie Foster is the owner of Home with the Kids, a resource that knows that there's more to staying home with your family than just business. For more stay at home tips, visit the site at http://www.homewiththekids.com/ and subscribe to the free newsletter.
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We all got into this with the image in your head of us sitting on a computer, or talking on the phone, while our little ones are happily and quietly play with their toys under our desks. That may happen every once in a blue moon, but usually, when you really need to get something done, your kids all of a sudden demand your undivided attention. Here are a few ideas on what to do with your kids when you really need to get something done.
1) Trade play-dates with other moms in your area. One afternoon the kids play at your house, the next at hers. You get the idea. Not only does this help you out on the days that they are at someone else’s house, but also on days that they are at yours. You’ll be amazed at how much more you get done, when they are keeping each other company.
2) Check with the churches and daycare centers in your area. Some of them provide a mother day off program once a week. You can leave your child in a safe place for a few hours, while you run some errands, work on a deadline or make your important calls without interruption.
3) Create a stash of toys and movies that you only bring out in work emergency. Since these are new to your child, it should buy you at least a little uninterrupted work-time.
4) Create a play area within sight of your work area. You’ll get a lot more done if you don’t have to jump up and run all the time to make sure your kids are fine.
5) Kids love to help and imitate you. Create a little work area for them. A small table and chair next to yours can be their desk. You may want to keep some paper and crayons handy. If they have a leap-pad or one of the toy laptops, keep it at their desk and they can come to work with mommy.
6) If your child is old enough have them help you by stuffing envelopes, filing papers, reorganizing your desk drawer. Encourage them to write an article for you, or teach them some basic html and have them create a personal or family website. Draw on your experience in your wah job or business and get them involved.
7) Trade Time OFF with your spouse. If he takes the kids to the park, while you get some work done, you’ll keep them busy later, so he can wash the car, change the oil, watch a ballgame or whatever else your significant other likes or needs to do without the kids.
8) Just ask your kids to give you some time to work. Offer to take them to the park, the Mall, Chuckey-Cheese, or wherever else they like to go once you get your stuff done. Then make sure you follow through, or this won’t work the next time.
9) If everything else fails, ask Grandma, or friend or neighbor you trust to watch your kids for a few hours. If you use this only once in a while they’ll be glad to spend some time with the kids.
Try to plan ahead as much as you can and get work done while your kids are in school, taking a nap or at night after they have gone to bed. Days that you have to fall back on these tips should be the exception, not the rule. If you find yourself falling back on them almost every day, you may want to consider rearranging your schedule, cutting back on the amount of work you are doing, or, if you can afford it, get a in-house nanny for a few hours a day. A more cost effective solution would be to hire a teenager to keep your kids busy for a few hours after school in your house. Look at your options and decide what works best for you and your family.
Susanne is a partner of www.WAHMWannabe.com, the one-stop online WAHM shop. WAHMWannabe offers home business comparison, business tools, work-at-home related articles, a unique WAHM marketplace, message boards, and a whole lot more. Be sure to stop by and check out what's new, as WAHM resources are added constantly!
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