Supplies needed for a home office

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

More people are working from home than ever before. Some hold a full-time office job elsewhere but work on some assignment after hours or over the weekend. Other folks work exclusively from home, while a percentage balance workloads from both office and home.

Whatever your situation, make sure your home office has all the necessary supplies to equip you for the tasks that need to be done. Here are a few ideas of the things you may want to stock:

1. Computer software. While a computer is pretty much a given commodity as something you will need to work with, don't forget to obtain copies of software for the home computer, unless you carry it or connecting technology back and forth to work. Check licensing agreements to be sure you are entitled to copies of certain programs or plan to buy personal copies for home use.

2. Quality bond paper. Whether used for printing or copies, you will need good paper if you plan to show it to anyone else, such as your boss or clients. If your office allows you to bring home supplies like paper for job-related use, keep track to be sure you don't use it for personal jobs.

3. Appropriate pens, pencils, and markers. Depending on the type of work you do at home, from copyediting to blueprint drafting, you may need to get special writing implements, like fine point pens or highlighting markers. Stock up when these items go on sale so you don't run out on the day you need them to meet a project deadline.

4. Correcting materials. Ink or pencil erasers, correction tape or fluid, and other supplies for fixing mistakes should be kept on hand. You don't want to send out a document that contains an obvious error.

5. Computer supplies. Extra printer ink or a toner cartridge can often come in handy, since you never know when you may run out. Keep one in your supply cabinet in case your printer runs low during an important job. Uneven or faded print type does not make a good impression.

6. Disks, CD's, and other data storage equipment. Buy them in bulk for the best price. Back up every document you store on the hard drive by saving it to a disk or CD.

7. A job log. Keep good records of each project you work on, including the date received, description, and date completed. You may want to use the log to calculate your time and costs if you are self-employed. A separate log for mileage may help if travel is involved. Also keep track of inventory supplies and expenses like purchased or leased equipment and supplies.

8. Reference guides. A dictionary and thesaurus will come in handy, unless you plan to consult online references. You may want to bookmark those that you visit often.

9. Storage areas. From an "in job" tray to a filing cabinet, you need space for current and past job-related documents. Make files with clear names and organize them in a way that makes sense to you and will be easy to find later.

10. Telephone system. While a simple, inexpensive system should work fine, check for the features you may need, such as call waiting or a hold feature. Put a message pad near the phone and attach a voice mail option for the times when you are unavailable.

A home office need not be complicated or expensive. Getting these basic supplies will help you get set to maximize your work schedule and facilitate those important tasks that lead to success or failure.