The Benefits of Outsourcing (even just a little bit)

It is January again, but this year is different. This year I am not spending hours entering receipts onto a spreadsheet. Yes, I have a few to insert, but not the seemingly hundreds of bits and pieces of paper I have had every January since I started freelancing in the mid-90’s. What’s different this year? The difference is Norma.

Norma Murray is a virtual assistant and owner of Able Assistants . I met Norma while attending a networking event, also virtual, called Wild Women Entrepreneurs. I had no idea what to expect when I signed up for the 3-day online networking event this past September. All I knew was that it was an opportunity to network with other women who are building up their businesses. Three days later and I had over 20 new business associates, one of which was the invaluable Norma.

Virtual assistants are part of a growing trend of services available by virtue of the internet. When I need to hire some help, I didn’t have to put an ad in the newspaper, interview a bunch of people and then commit to a set number of hours and tasks per week or month. All I did was discuss Norma’s services via e-mail a few times in order to get an idea of what she offered. Her price was right, and I figured I would have more time for actual work if I had her enter all of my receipts for the year. I sent my envelope full of receipts, insured and registered in case it went astray, and the next thing I knew, I had an expense report with only a few current items missing. The missing items had not existed when I sent my envelope off to Norma or you can bet they would have been in there!

My advice is to outsource some of the more Able Assistants saved me so much time that I would have otherwise spent NOT writing and DEFINITELY dragging myself to complete the task. Virtual assistants don't just enter data onto spreadsheets. They can answer your phones, type documents, even do your mailings. Do an online search to find yours.

Have you ever used a V.A.?

Tell us about your experience with this excellent new possibility for freelance workers and those who work from home. In the meantime, have a happy and prosperous 2008!

Rosemary

Coffee and Taxes

OK. It’s time to do those taxes again. So you belly up to the computer, receipts and all manner of paper in hand, and force yourself to get it done...for your financial health, for your family who already has plans for that refund (Please, God!), and for your own sanity.

As you sit there, entering figures, do you ever wonder if that mug of coffee in your hand is really working? Of course not! That’s why I’m here. Read on.

Coffee contains a stimulant called caffeine, as you know. Even decaf has trace amounts of caffeine. According to one doctor who grew up around coffee plantations, there is no such thing as a decaffeinated coffee bean.

Although no one has come up with a definitive answer as to whether coffee is good for you, the cuppa joe has its good points. According to an article by Sam Murphy in iVillage.com, coffee is a powerful anti-oxidant that can increase physical endurance. It also stimulates the central nervous system and boosts brain function for a short time after you drink it. It doesn’t exactly raise your I.Q. It just helps you do more with the brain function you have. Just don’t take forever to complete your tax return because too much coffee does have some negative side effects. It reduces the absorption of nutrients and its stimulating effects remain in your system hours after you’ve sipped your last sip of the day.

But let’s not think about that right now. Pour a cup of your favorite coffee, fire up that computer or pencil, and get to work. You need that refund for Starbucks.