Category: Helpful Hints

Claim ALL the Deductions You Can This Year!

Posted on by Frankye

With the April 15 IRS tax deadline looming, its time to start thinking about deductions.  Tax deductions are expenses you incur that lower your income in the eyes of the IRS. The lower your income, the less the government expects you to pay in taxes. Most of you know you can deduct mortgage and student loan interest, but there are a ton of other totally legit ways to lower your tax bill.

In “The Most-Overlooked Tax Deductions” Kiplinger lists 19 tax breaks you may have forgotten about or didn’t know existed in the first place, including state sales tax, moving expenses for your first job, refinancing points, charitable donations and more. In addition, property taxes, vehicle registration fees, the annual cost of your safe deposit box and child care are all tax deductible expenses. You can even deduct tax preparation fees. If you work from, you can deduct a percentage of you housing costs. For example, if your home is 2,000 square feet, and you use 200 sq.ft. for business purposes, you can deduct 10% as business operating expenses. For more deductions, check out this informative article from Helium, an awesome personal finance site.

A word of caution: be sensible when combing over your expenses while looking for deductions. You do not want to get on the wrong side of the IRS! Entrepreneur offers some expert advice on how to properly claim your deductions.  Approach the whole enterprise with the right attitude–you just don’t want to pay more taxes than you owe, not put one over on the government!

So, What Exactly Does “Ergonomic” Mean Anyway?

Posted on by Frankye

so-what-exactly-does-ergonomic-mean-anyway

Ergonomic is a huge buzzword in office supplies, and with the word being used to sell every thing from office chairs to correction tapes, it can be a little hard to take the concept seriously.

Ergonomics is not [just] a marketing ploy, it’s a science — one that’s been around since the 1800s and concerned with designing work spaces and tools to be safe, comfortable and easy to use. Ergonomic designs prevent repetitive use injuries, that buggaboo to office workers every where.

While  ergonomically designed office supplies such as corrections tapes are great, but unless you wield them all day, you should focus on ergonomically designed office furniture and workstations to improve your comfort and safety in the office.

As one who once ended many a work days with lower back pain, I recommend that you first invest in a good office or task chair. You need a chair that provides lumbar support, and holds you back and knees at a 90° angle to the seat.  Your feet should sit flat on the floor. If you’re on the short side, use a footrest.

Desk stands can help your complete the ergonomic design of your workstation. For example, our arms should be at a 90° angle and your wrists straight when you use your keyboard. You can use a keyboard stand and wrist wrests if your keyboard sits too low. Moniter stands, telephone stands and laptop stands can all make your work area more comfortable.

Once you’ve made these changes to your office, you’ll really notice a difference! You should experience fewer headaches and less muscle and joint pain.

How to Save Tons of Money When Replacing Your Ink Cartridges.

Posted on by Frankye

If you follow the Smart Office blog, you know that it is completely illegal for printer manufacturers to void your warranty for not using name brand inks. This is great if you use an inkjet printer, because those run through ink pretty quickly. I use an inkjet and it sometimes seems as if I am buying a new cartridge every other day! Since printer ink is a recurring expense, it’s a good idea to find ways to save money. You have three options when it comes to replacing ink cartridges: OEM cartridges, OEM-compatible cartridges and re-manufactured cartridges.

OEM means “original equipment manufacturer.” OEM ink cartridges are made or purchased by printer manufacturers and marketed under their brand name.  OEM ink cartridges are guaranteed to work reliably and produce great looking documents, but they also costs the most. The other safe bet is OEM-compatible ink cartridges. These ink cartridges are generics made to OEM specifications, so they generally perform reliably. They also cost significantly less than OEM ink cartridges. For example, if your office uses a Hewitt Packard Officejet K8600 Series printer, you’ll pay about $29 for the OEM cartridges at On Time Supplies. The OEM-compatible cartridges from Innovera are only $22.

Finally, there are remanufactured or recycled ink cartridges. These are used OEM cartridges that have been refurbished and refilled.  Re-manufactured cartridges are the cheapest option — some quick Googling turned up $26 5-packs for the HP Officejet printer. They are also the riskiest option — they may be filled with inferior inks that can clog your printer, produce poor quality documents, break down or otherwise fail to perform reliably. Use these at your own risk.

Work Smarter, Not Harder (At Home)

Posted on by chase

Over at readingeagle.com, there’s an interesting article on how to make sure your home-based business is running smart and lean. There’s no reason to work yourself too hard; that’s what not-from-home jobs are for! Check out some of their handy hints:

Rational use of time

Since we can’t control time, we can use our time more efficiently by first, reducing the activities that require the use of time. Second, we can learn to do things in less time. The next time you are experiencing time pressure, ask yourself two questions: 1. Should I be doing this activity, is this a waste of my time, is it really important? 2. If it must be done, how can I do it more efficiently?

Other hints on the list involve tips for clarifying intent, organizing, and solving problems. I must say the only thing I find fault with is there example of sending someone out to buy paper and not telling them what kind (leading to confusion and lost time). You know, I have an idea how you might be able to make sure you’ve always got the supplies you need. Try a reliable, low-priced, quick-shipping online retailer! See how much time that saved? That one’s for free, Reading Eagle.

Opinion: Skip the Black Friday Mess by Shopping Online

Posted on by chase

We all know Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving, long-held to be one of the best times to get great deals) is almost upon us. I’ve always had a bit of a problem with this tradition, though, and it boils down to one statement: “PEOPLE ARE FREAKING CRAZY.”

You might remember the Wal-Mart worker who was trampled to death during a Black Friday “doorbuster” rush. Maybe you chuckled over people physically fighting each other over the last Xbox 360. All in all, it seems our deal-hunting culture sometimes trumps our common sense.

So here’s an idea: why not stay home? Find yourself a nice cozy computer and cuddle up with some every-day great deals from your favorite office supply company. All of the major office big-box stores are going to try to tempt you with dubious deals to get you in the store on a chilly November morning. Either you camp out in the cold to save a couple bucks on pens, or heaven forbid show up late to find all the good stuff cleaned out, and resign to pay their overinflated prices on regular goods so you don’t feel like you “wasted a trip.” I say SKIP IT.

How does reliable service, huge inventory, and free shipping on orders over $75 sound? It just so happens I know some guys…

Blurb: 3M Recoups Shrinking Sales with Flu-Fear Products

Posted on by chase

Now maybe “fear” is the wrong term, but it’s as valid as any. MinnPost.com is reporting that 3M, long-plagued by shrinking sales in the new economy, is making back some lost profits with record sales of flu masks and other health and safety gear.

3M’s third-quarter profits of $971 million beat analysts’ predictions and prompted the company to raise its outlook for the fiscal year.

Health-care sales increased 4.7 percent to $1.1 billion, while its consumer and office division saw sales fall 4.8 percent to $923 million. Office products saw double-digit sales declines, the company said.

‘Tis the season to get sick, folks. There’s nothing wrong with a little caution, and 3M and the rest of the gang over at On Time Supplies are happy to help out with masks, hand sanitizer, and everything else you need to stay healthy and happy this fall.

Flu Season Hits Schools Hard

Posted on by chase

The DailyPress is reporting that with H1N1 still fresh in the public’s mind, it’s falling on school districts to provide cleaning and sanitizing supplies to keep kids healthy. The question is, will they have the funds?

…spending to avoid massive outbreaks of H1N1 influenza comes at a time when state budget cuts are forcing school districts to scrutinize every cent in their budgets. Since districts are just now using supplies they ordered for the first part of the school year, it’s unclear how much they might end up spending by the time it’s over.

As they prepare to schedule H1N1 immunization clinics for students this month, health representatives at local school divisions say they will spend whatever it takes for flu precautions. The shot clinics will be paid for in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Health, but no financial help has become available so far for precautionary supplies.

It’s sad to think that kids might be getting sick because schools can’t afford to provide adequate precautions, but all is not lost. As a parent or even a teacher, you can look into low-cost online outlets that offer personal hand sanitizers and even wall-mounted dispensers, and do your part to help keep everyone healthy.

Article: Rejuvenate Your Workspace with Office Supply Favorites

Posted on by chase

My best friends in the whole wide world over at Lifehacker once again made my life easier by compiling an awesomely helpful list of amazing office supply tweaks and hacks.

Check the full article for a list of time-and-space saving ideas for making your home or honest-to-goodness office more bearable.

They range from using specialty cable-management products to no-nonsense suggestions like dry erase solutions and label makers, and even includes lunchtime tips and ways to save energy.

Back to School with Less Plastic?

Posted on by chase

The Los Angeles Times has an interesting article from a parent who is concerned about the level of plastics in her daughter’s school supplies. Emily Monosson, the article’s author and a toxicologist who has spent years studying our dependence on plastics, has this to say:

By some estimates, hundreds of millions if not billions of disposable pens are sold in the U.S. each year. Once disposed of or lost, bits of those pens will eventually add to the Earth’s expanding “plastic layer,” a marker of our penchant for the disposable rather than the reusable.

And while it’s true that some of our favorite office supplies are not immediately recyclable, there is hope. Companies like ours are proud to offer tons of recycled office supplies, ranging from hanging file folders and vinyl binders all the way to post-it notes and scrubbing pads. We feel buying recycled products is one of the small steps you can take to help protect the environment, and Monosson agrees:

…What if teachers — originators of “the list” — urged students to seek out recycled, recyclable or plastic-free supplies? At the very least, let’s teach them to slow the growth of the plastic layer.

This tactic, combined with buying sturdy, reliable supplies from a reputable dealer and treating them right, can help keep office supplies on your desk and out of landfills for years to come.

The Definitive Back to School Supplies List

Posted on by chase

I’ve said it before, but back-to-school season is getting a little out of hand.

Every day my inbox is stuffed full of helpful hints, tips and tricks, ways to beat the crowds, and more.

All throughout, I’ve said there’s one simple way to get everything you need for back-to-school, and it’s this: plan ahead, learn what you need, and order online from a reliable source. That’s it. End of story, as far as I’m concerned.

However, there are always going to be be people who thrill to the idea of shouldering their way through a crowded store, or need to have their hands on the item they’re going to purchase, and I can respect that.

Here, then, with some help from Mlive.com (serving my home state of Michigan), is a list of helpful hints for back-to-school season.

1. Check consignment shops

The biggest expense, hands-down, is clothing. Young ones outgrow their clothes quickly and teenagers, who might still fit into some of their existing wardrobe, may have strong opinions about returning to school in last year’s garb — not to mention their typical fascination with expensive designer labels.

One solution is consignment shops. Many sell used clothing for adults and children. And for those picky teens, a few of them even cater specifically to those who crave designer labels and the latest fashion.

Amy Baird, 37, owner of 360 Degrees [a consignment shop in Kalamazoo, MI], said high school kids are beginning to appreciate the chance to buy many more items through consignment than they can if they buy them new.

“Because of the economy, I see parents setting specific dollar limits for the kids,” Baird said. “Our clothes cost about a third what they would cost new. Used items average $12 each at 360 compared to about $30 for new ones at the mall.”

2. Plan ahead

Many kids walk in the door after their first day of school with a checklist of supplies they say they need “tonight.” That spurs an impromptu trip by many parents to grab it all with no time to compare prices or explore discount stores.

Instead, call your child’s school in advance to see if someone can get you a list of what’s needed.

With that, there’s time to start knocking off items gradually — pencils here, binders there.

3. Recycle

Before taking that list anywhere, search every junk drawer in the house, purge little-used office supplies from the desks of home offices as well as those of older kids who needed the same supplies years before.

A protractor and a compass that one youngster needs may turn up somewhere in the house — if you make time to find it.

4. Network with other parents
This advice, from veteran bargain shopper Amy Swager, 42, of Climax, MI, is most helpful when it comes to expensive items.

“If you know other parents with kids older than yours, talk with them,” she suggests. “That $80 graphing calculator that their kid may never use again might be on your child’s list. And they may be happy to donate it.”

5. Be realistic

Swager, the mother of seven with six still at home, said her family has never done the “whole new wardrobe” back-to-school trip before the first day of school.

“We wait a couple of weeks because the weather is still warm so they’re all wearing summer clothes to school for a while anyway,” she said. “By the time we go, everyone else is done shopping, everything goes on sale, and each kid gets just what he needs, nothing more. One might need shirts. One might need pants. Another a couple of each.

“We are very, very realistic when it comes to shopping for the new school year,” she said.

6. Accept change

Just because your daughter has gotten a new backpack every year since school started doesn’t mean that last year’s Hannah Montana model has to go in favor of a Jonas Brothers backpack this year.

If the old one works, it works. Swager said that if a new one really is needed, be creative.

“A $5 backpack and some fabric paint means that it will be both unique and economical,” she said. “Have fun with it.”

7. Layaway is back

Take advantage of this old standby, which has been resurrected at many stores, including Kmart.

Eight weeks in advance, you can bring everything you need to the layaway counter, including clothing and school supplies for all of your children.

A $5 layaway fee allows eight weeks to pay for the loot in bi-weekly payments.

For more details on Kmart’s layaway program, visit www.kmart.com.

8. Rethink school options

Is taking lunch packed from home cheaper than buying hot lunch at school?

Cindy Turner, kitchen manager at Galesburg-Augusta Primary School, doesn’t think so.

“I think it is more economical to buy lunches at school,” Turner said. “They have to be nutritionally balanced due to government guidelines. An example of a lunch we provide is milk, slice of pizza, green beans, applesauce and a brownie.”

The 20-year veteran lunch lady compared the meal with a nutritionally balanced lunch sent from home.

“If a parent sends a juice box, a sandwich or wrap, piece of fruit or veggie and a snack it would cost more than the $1.70 we charge for lunch for grades K-3 and that includes a half-pint of milk,” she said.

“This is partially because of waste expense at home … you may buy an item in quantity but have to throw it away before it is used,” Turner said. “There’s also the cost of baggies, brown bags or containers to consider.”

9. Do you qualify for help?

Has there been a parental job loss or pay cut since last school year? Families hit hard by the recession may qualify, for the first time ever, for free or reduced-price lunches for their kids.

The income verification forms are typically sent home during the first week of school, but if there is an immediate food need that can’t wait, there’s respite, said Shauna Collison, administrative assistant to the superintendent in the Parchment School District in Michigan.

“Any principal in any district has the authority to put a child on the free or reduced lunch program immediately for 10 days pending income verification,” Collison said. “If you need free or reduced meals starting on the first day of school, contact your child’s building principal before school begins for help.”

10. Get back on the bus

Teenagers who drive to school should be coaxed to park the car at home during the day and get back on the school bus that is a free ride for them and a green move to boot.

This one might be a tough sell. But it’s worth a try.

Thanks again to Mlive.com for their content.