Mortgage Crisis

I read a cheery bit by the Associated Press yesterday that predicted the mortgage crisis was going to get worse before it gets better. They were predicting the bottom hitting in 2011 and that roughly half of americans now owe more on their home than it is worth.
It's kind of depressing news. Although I guess not surprising.
It emphasizes the need to keep your finances in order and to know where you stand at all time.

Saving Energy at the Office

Try these simple steps to save on your utility bills.

• Use energy-efficient light bulbs, such as CFL's and LED's.
• Consider sensors that automatically turn off lights when an area is not in use.
• Turn off your electronics. Even in standby mode they are using electricity.
• Try virtual meetings to cut down on travel expenses.

Freelance Bookkeepers vs. Employees

Freelance bookkeeper services run on average about $50-$70+ an hour. Let's compare this with the cost of hiring an employee. An employee's actual cost is 2 to 2 1/2 times their salary. Let's factor in some of the inevitable expenses that come with hiring an employee.

• Health/Dental/Vision Benefits
• Equipment and Space
• Supplies
• Retirement Plans
• Insurance
• Unemployment
• TAXES (Freelancers are self-employed and pay their own taxes.)
• Overtime Payment

Someone to administer and oversee all of the above. If you calculate the cost of all of the above, plus the actual salary, you can see how expensive it is to hire an employee.

Plus you will only be paying for time actually worked - not a flat 8 hours per day regardless of how much time is spent on actual work.