What Is A Virtual Assistant (VA)
Filed under: Archives, At Home, At Work, For Entrepreneurs, Making Money
You may have heard the term, and also asked the question, “what is a virtual assistant (VA)”
Wikipedia defines a Virtual Assistant (VA) as follows:
A Virtual Assistant (or simply VA), is an independent contractor providing administrative, technical, or sometimes creative assistance to clients–usually to other independent entrepreneurs and solo and small business practices, such as that of a lawyer or realtor. Virtual assistants work from their own office (hence “virtual”), thus making it a fairly popular (and growing) profession. It is estimated that there are about 40,000-50,000 virtual assistants worldwide. Common modes of communication and data delivery include the Internet, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), and fax machine. Although the occupation gives a degree of independence, work is on a contractual basis, and a long-lasting cooperation is standard. Typically 5 years of administrative experience in an office is expected at such positions as executive assistant, secretary, legal assistant, paralegal, legal secretary, real estate assistant, office manager, etc.
Virtual Assistants are independent contractors. They are classified as self employed. Virtual Assistants are responsible for their own self employment taxes, i.e Federal, State, etc… The contract between an “employer” and a Virtual Assistant (VA) can be terminated by either party.
In the past, the jobs of Virtual Assistants were, and still are, referred to as telecommuting. Often, the terms WAH (work at home) or WFM (work from home) are also applied to these positions.
Being able to work from remote locations has made telecommuting extremely popular. Potential employers have a larger pool of “employees” to draw from, and the Virtual Assistants have a wider range of jobs to apply for.
Many employers are turning to Virtual Assistants in instances where an employee does not need to be physically “on location”.
Although some Virtual Assistants are self employed, many Virtual Assistant Agencies are popping up online. Finding a job through an agency could result in lower wages, however, it may be a great way to gain credibility and experience.
It is reported self employed Virtual Assistants can make from $20 to $70 per hour. Wages will vary depending on the task, as well as the expertise required to complete the job.
Telecommuting spawned the rise of offshore outsourcing. With the capabilities of satellites, high speed internet, software programs, laptops, and wifi, etc., working from remote locations has now become a popular way to reduce the carbon footprint for many individuals and corporations.
According to Wikipedia,
Research conducted by Kate Lister and Tom Harnish in 2008 shows that thirty-three million Americans hold jobs that could be performed at home. If they did, the U.S. could make major cuts in oil dependency. Based on their synthesis of data from EPA, DOT, and 7 other recent sources, they found that telework could reduce Gulf oil imports by 24 to 48%, reduce greenhouse gases by up to 67 million metric tons a year, and save as much as 7.5 billion gallons of gasoline each year. These new telecommuters would collectively avoid 154 billion miles of driving and save $25 billion in fuel purchases (even accounting for mileage for errands formerly accomplished driving to or from work). What’s more, their research shows that by not commuting, these new teleworkers would enjoy the equivalent of an extra 5 workweeks of free time each year.
With energy prices rising, and more individuals and corporations striving to reduce their carbon footprint, a surge in the employment of Virtual Assistants appears inevitable.
Tags: contractual basis, creative assistance, file transfer protocol, free time, independence work, independent entrepreneurs, modes of communication, realtor virtual assistants, self employment taxes, transfer protocol ftp, what is a virtual assistantIRS Economic Stimulus Payment Checks – Questions
Today, April 28, 2008, IRS began sending out the economic stimulus checks. Over 130 million American households will receive the IRS economic stimulus payments.
Conditions apply in order to be eligible for an economic stimulus check. You must have had $3000 in income for 2007 and have filed a federal tax return for 2007.
The IRS has a special page on their website that addresses the issues of those who normally do not file a return. These return should have been filed by April 15, 2008, unless you received an extension.
To quote from the IRS website, you will not get a stimulus payment if:
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You don’t file a 2007 tax return.
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Your net income tax liability is zero and your qualifying income is less than $3,000. To determine your qualifying income, add together your wages, net self-employment income, nontaxable combat pay, Social Security benefits, certain Railroad Retirement benefits and certain veterans’ payments.
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You can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return (whether or not you actually are claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return). For example, this would include a child or student who can be claimed on a parent’s return. [Updated 4/15/08]
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You do not have a valid Social Security Number.
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You are a nonresident alien.
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You file Form 1040NR or Form 1040NR-EZ, Form 1040PR or Form 1040SS for 2007.
For more information on the economic stimulus checks, including frequently asked questions, and an Economic Stimulus Payment Calulator, go to IRS.gov
Tags: economic stimulus, federal tax return, form 1040nr, form 1040pr, income tax liability, irs gov, railroad retirement benefits, self employment income, social security benefits, valid social security numberHow To Patent An Invention
Many of us have bright ideas for inventions. However, we are often unsure if our invention is similar to what has been patented by someone else, how to patent a new invention and/or how to sell a patent.
By going to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), you can perform an online search using keywords to describe your invention. The site also offers information on how to file a new patent, the required fees, drawings, and/or paperwork needed, plus much more. The US Patent and Trademark Office also offers a search page to find a patent attorney or agent in your area if you don’t want to patent it yourself.
Although a patent attorney could cost several thousands of dollars, it may be money well spent. The information on the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) site although thorough, proves the requirements to file a patent is very exacting. Some money can be saved by carefully reading all of the information on the United States Patent and Trademark Office site so if you do hire a patent attorney, you will be an informed consumer.
Anytime you are visiting a patent attorney or agent, it may save time and money by having all of your paperwork in order.
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Align Probiotic – Help For Digestive Problems
Align is a new probiotic for digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhea, urgency, abdominal discomfort, gas and bloating.
According to Wikipedia, a probiotic is:
Probiotics are dietary supplements containing potentially beneficial bacteria or yeasts. According to the currently adopted definition by FAO/WHO, probiotics are: ‘Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host’.[1]
Wikipedia goes on to explain more about probiotics and how they work.
Studies show constipation, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, urgency, gas and bloating affects millions of individuals. These symptoms can be caused by not having enough of the “good” bacteria in your digestive system.
Align is a tablet, that taken once daily, every day, may help to strengthen your digestive system, and/or alleviate occasional digestive upsets.
According to Align :
Align capsules contain Bifantis™ , a unique probiotic strain that has been clinically proven to build and maintain a strong, healthy digestive system.
and to define what “bifantis”™ is:
Bifantis™ is the natural probiotic ingredient in Align. The specific and pure strain of Bifantis™ found in Align—Bifidobacterium infantis 35624—is clinically proven to build and maintain a strong, healthy digestive system. It does this by helping establish a healthy gastrointestinal flora. Align is the only probiotic supplement that contains Bifantis
More can be learned about Bifantis ™ at the their website Bifantis.com
For more information on Align, how the product works, who should take Align, supplemental facts, testimonials/reviews, and much more, go to their website at Align.com , or call 1-800-208-0112.
WARNING: Check with your physician before trying new products. Constipation, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, urgency, gas and bloating may be caused by other medical conditions.
Photo Credit: Align.com
Bifantis is the trademarked name for the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium infantis 35624.
Tags: abdominal discomfort, beneficial bacteria, bifantis, gas and bloating, good bacteria, health benefit, healthy digestive system, occasional digestive upsets, photo credit, probiotic supplement, supplemental factsReduce Clutter – Get Organized
Filed under: Archives, At Home, At Work, Home Improvement, Organizing, Parenting, decluttering
Reducing clutter will aid in getting yourself organized. But how we reduce that clutter is the first challenge.
If your home or office has a lot of clutter, to avoid becoming overwhelmed, start small. Whether it’s a drawer or closet, getting started is half the battle. You’ll find that the act of decluttering becomes contagious. Now only for ourself, but often for other family members, as well.
If children are involved, make it a game. Set up boxes or totes and let them determine that which can be donated, or maybe later sold in a garage sale. If children are taught charity (the gift of sharing and giving to the less fortunate), they will soon learn how to easily give up toys they are not playing with.
As you declutter, you may encounter some items to which you have an emotional attachment. If you’re not willing to let go of these items, think about packing them up and putting them in storage.
On thing I learned from reruns of the “Home Made Simple” show on TLC (The Learning Channel , is to have either a “path” or a “home” for everything you own.
A home for your clothes would be a closet or drawer
A home for dishes, pots or pan may be in a cabinet, drawer or hanging off of a pot rack.
A home for books would be a bookcase or shelf
A home for a family heirloom may be a curio cabinet
A path for excess toys, clothes not being worn, or decorator items not being used may be…”to our favorite charity”
A path for broken or worn out items would be ….to the garbage
A path for seasonal clothes or sports equipment would to …..to storage
A path for important papers would be……to be filed.
I now use this technique when I go shopping. If I see something, and I think of buying it, I ask myself, “Do I have a home for it?” Often the answer is no. By using this technique, I’m not only saving money, but reducing excess clutter.
Some say, if you bring one new item into your home, you should remove two like items. Although this appears to be a great system to declutter a home, I haven’t tried it yet.
Photo Credit: ifindkarma’s photostream
Tags: decluttering, decorator items, emotional attachment, excess clutter, family heirloom, garage sale, half the battle, photo credit, pot rack, rerunStop Junk Mail For A Greener Planet
Junk mail is a waste. It’s a waste of valuable trees, paper and time. For the benefit of the planet, a reduction in the amount of junk mail is essential.
Can you imagine how many trees are cut down to produce the paper junk mail is printed on? How many hours are wasted by postal handlers sorting all of that junk mail? It has to be millions.
And have you ever calculated how much time you spend, opening, sorting, shredding and/or tossing junk mail? For me, it’s a lot.
When I look at the whole junk mail picture, I realize jobs are created and big money is made in the forest industry, paper companies, printing (junk mail)l companies, credit card companies, and within the postal system.
When I pick up my mail, about 75% of it ends up in the recycle bin, shredder or garbage.
So how does a consumer stop this influx of junk mail?
Thus far, I have found two ways.
1) Call the 1-800 number in your credit card statements and ask to “opt out” of future credit card offers.
Then, proceed to call or write to all companies who are sending you catalogs, brochures, sales letters, contest entries, or other junk mail. Ask them to take your name off of their mailing lists.
2) Sign up for Green Dimes.
Green Dimes does the work for you. For a small annual fee, they not only reduce the amount of junk mail you’re receiving, they will also plant trees “in your honor”.
For me, this is a win-win-win situation. They do the work, freeing up your precious time. Your junk mail is reduced, and best of all trees are planted to replace the ones that were chopped down to produce the junk mail.
On Green Dimes website you can view their tree planting partners, plus read testimonials from satisfied customers.
Say “no” to junk mail, and help make the world more green.
Photo Credit miss karen’s photos
Tags: brochures, catalogs, credit card statements, garbage, green dimes, junk mail, postal system, shredder, treesLife Saving Tips
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