Hey all. I apologize if there are other threads on this same subject but I didn't find much recent when searching, as I wasn't 100% on specific enough terms? Also apologize for the length.
Anyway, just a week ago I accepted a new job offer that is taking me from a normal salary 9-5 design job to a contract basis (potential to go on a w2 after 2-3 months if I want to) 1099 job. I'm very excited and actually have already started working the new job (its handling all design for two trade magazines each month and a yearly parent magazine) while finishing up off the one I'm leaving. The new job pays just about the same as my old after all the extra taxes etc but will afford me more flexibility and actually be less than full time work half the month, which means I can get more small freelance too....
I already made use of my current medical and dental plans as well as researched and got a personal health insurance plan that covers the basics and major medical and made a budget accounting for self employment and other taxes and am planning on opening a separate savings account just for dedicated tax money.
My questions are as follows though -
1. I got taxes down but is there anything else I should think about that perhaps most people over look? Also what kind of stuff do you/can you write off at the end of year as business expenses for you freelancers?
2. At there any tactics you use for keeping yourself on task or organized as opposed to being in an office ever day? I'll be working from home all but a few days a month.
3. How do you keep from feeling isolated during the day if you work from home?
4. Are there any program and software recommendations you have for keeping things organized and projects managed or really anything you find helpful for keeping you on task while having multiple projects or even clients? I have been freelancing on the side a tiny bit, but with 2 magazines to concentrate on plus my other projects perhaps there are better things out there?
5. Anything else I should know while working as a contract/1099 employee at all?
Thanks in advance, I am just trying to use whatever resources I can to make this transition as smooth as possible.
Anyway, just a week ago I accepted a new job offer that is taking me from a normal salary 9-5 design job to a contract basis (potential to go on a w2 after 2-3 months if I want to) 1099 job. I'm very excited and actually have already started working the new job (its handling all design for two trade magazines each month and a yearly parent magazine) while finishing up off the one I'm leaving. The new job pays just about the same as my old after all the extra taxes etc but will afford me more flexibility and actually be less than full time work half the month, which means I can get more small freelance too....
I already made use of my current medical and dental plans as well as researched and got a personal health insurance plan that covers the basics and major medical and made a budget accounting for self employment and other taxes and am planning on opening a separate savings account just for dedicated tax money.
My questions are as follows though -
1. I got taxes down but is there anything else I should think about that perhaps most people over look? Also what kind of stuff do you/can you write off at the end of year as business expenses for you freelancers?
2. At there any tactics you use for keeping yourself on task or organized as opposed to being in an office ever day? I'll be working from home all but a few days a month.
3. How do you keep from feeling isolated during the day if you work from home?
4. Are there any program and software recommendations you have for keeping things organized and projects managed or really anything you find helpful for keeping you on task while having multiple projects or even clients? I have been freelancing on the side a tiny bit, but with 2 magazines to concentrate on plus my other projects perhaps there are better things out there?
5. Anything else I should know while working as a contract/1099 employee at all?
Thanks in advance, I am just trying to use whatever resources I can to make this transition as smooth as possible.